I'm Not Like Them

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

The morning sunlight slipped quietly through the blinds, casting pale golden stripes across the apartment’s small kitchen. The air still smelled faintly of last night’s wine and perfume.

Avery stretched, stifling a yawn as she tied her hair into a messy bun. The clock read 7:05. She decided to cook breakfast—eggs, toast, and maybe coffee strong enough to wake the dead. Chelsea was still snoring in her room, limbs sprawled in every possible direction.

As the frying pan warmed, Avery wandered toward Rania’s room to check if she was awake. She turned the doorknob gently.

And froze.

Her eyes widened, her entire body locking in place. Rania was still asleep, her hair fanned across the pillow, her breathing calm. But beside her—on the same bed—was Evan, also asleep.

Avery’s jaw dropped. For two full seconds, her brain refused to process the image. Then she gasped and shut the door quietly but firmly. “Holy shit—” she whispered, before sprinting down the hallway. She burst into Chelsea’s room, shaking her friend by the shoulders. “Wake up! Chelsea, wake up, quick!”

Chelsea groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “Ugh… what time is it?”

“Doesn’t matter! Get up! You have to see what I saw!”

“Can it wait till I die first?”

“No! Get up or I’ll pour cold water on you!”

Chelsea grumbled something unintelligible but finally sat up, eyes half-closed. “Fine, fine… what now?”

Avery grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward Rania’s door. “Just look. Quietly. Don’t scream.”

They peeked through the small gap.

Chelsea blinked once. Twice. Then her eyes went wide as saucers. “What the f—” Avery covered her mouth just in time. Both stared at the sight: Evan and Rania, side by side on the bed, inches apart, still asleep.

Chelsea turned to Avery, whispering sharply, “Don’t tell me something happened between them? Oh my gosh, our Rania—the Saint of Cold Hearts—is no longer pure?!”

Avery smacked her arm lightly. “Would you shut up? We don’t even know what happened yet.”

Chelsea leaned closer, eyes narrowing. “The question is… did something happen?”

Avery folded her arms, pretending to analyze the scene like a detective. “Hmm. Evan’s a gentleman. I’m sure he didn’t do anything inappropriate. And if he did, he’d be dead by now. Rania would murder him with a fork.”

They exchanged a look of mutual agreement. Then, almost in sync, they whispered, “Still… this is so weird.”

They decided to wake Evan up. Tiptoeing into the room, they nudged his shoulder gently. “Psst… Evan.”

Evan stirred, blinking groggily. He sat up fast when he saw them hovering over him. “Good morning,” Avery whispered sarcastically. “Mind explaining this before Rania wakes up?”

Evan blinked again, confusion giving way to realization. He rubbed his face. “Oh, no—this isn’t what it looks like.”

Chelsea raised an eyebrow. “Oh, it never is.” They gestured silently, pointing to the door. Evan nodded quickly, slipped out of the room, and shut the door softly behind him.

In the living area, Avery crossed her arms while Chelsea perched on the couch like an investigator in a courtroom drama. “I thought you left last night?” Avery began. “What happened? Why did you sleep next to Rania?”