Parallel Universes (Even/Isak)

Chapter Two

Isak's breath stops in its tracks, rendering him speechless. He can't take his eyes off the mysterious person standing right in front of him. The guy reaches out his hand and begins speaking, introducing himself.

"The name's Even." He looks at Isak with an earnest expression. Isak swallows hesitantly, still speechless. His hands getting clammy, from his nerves firing all over the place and he shakes his hand.

"I-uh, umm, hmm." Isak stutters out, mentally slapping himself. Even smiles at him, sending butterflies through Isak's stomach. The silence between them is deafening. A few more seconds pass by, feeling like an eternity. Isak looks at Even and walks away, breaking the connection. Even is left there, looking confused, wondering what went wrong. Isak walks out the front doors of the school and heads in aimless direction, not really caring as to where he goes. It's crazy how one person can make you feel in such a way. Isak was convinced that he's into girls but, now he's not so sure.

"What does all this mean?" Isak wonders as he passes by shops, not really paying attention to the world around him. Time has passed but he still hasn't come to a conclusion. His stomach growls, signalling the need for food. He notices a little cafe across the street from where he was standing. Isak heads inside, the warm air and the smell of coffee hitting instantly. He orders a latte and a raisin bolle (bun) with brown cheese. The search for a seat is quick because there's not many people in the cafe. He puts in his headphones and turns on some N.W.A, drowning out the world around him.

"Fuckin with me 'cause I'm a teenager. With a little bit of gold and a pager. Searchin my car, lookin for the product. Thinkin every nigga sellin' narcotics"

Isak feel a tap on his shoulder, causing him to look up. His eyes widen, realising that its Even, but his back is turned with him talking to the table next to him. Even turns around after a couple of seconds and smiles.

"Hey" Even whispers quietly.

"Hey" Isak replies, his mind not failing him this time. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here" Even chuckles and points to his work uniform that Isak had failed to notice at first glance.

"Oh okay, I thought you were stalking me or something?'

"Are you sure you aren't stalking me, since you've literally run into me everywhere I go." Even says with a big grin, implying that he's joking. Isak blushes profusely, causing to break his gaze with Even.

"May I sit?" Even asks, pointing to the chair across from him. Isak nods, allowing him to sit down. Even takes off his apron and places it on the back of the chair before sitting. Isak's blue eyes could just stare into Even's. They held contact for just a second before Even raising his eyebrows, breaking out into a smile.

"So, what brings you into this part of the city?" Even asks him.

"Nothing really, was just wandering around, didn't really have a specific destination." Isak begins pushing his leftover food around his plate, trying not to look at Even.

"Isak"

"Hmm?"

"There's no need to be nervous, dude." The last word makes Isak flinch on the inside, knowing about the tell-tale signs of getting friendzoned. Does he not want to be in that place with Even? He's not entirely sure. He doesn't even know if he likes guys or not, but Even is changing his whole mind about it and its scaring him. He's not turned off by the idea of the possibility of having a relationship with Even, but is Even even gay? Knowing Isak's luck, he's most definitely not but Isak wishes for a glimmer of hope.

"What are you listening to?" Even nods his head towards Isak's phone sitting on the table, breaking Isak out of his trance.

"Oh, just some N.W.A and Nas." Isak shrugs his shoulders, try to be nonchalant, not wanting his attraction to Even to be noticeable.

"Nas? Never heard of him." Isak looks at him bewildered, wondering if Even's been living under a rock his entire life.

"He's only one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time, his album Illmatic is fucking mental." The pure act of exasperation coming from Isak makes Even laugh, causing Isak turn red like a tomato, not realising how loud he was when he sees people staring at him.

"I guess you'll have to show me his music sometime then." Even smirked, raising his eyebrows.

"I swear to God if he does that stupid eyebrow thing again, I'm gonna hit him. He needs to quit being so fucking adorable"

"I guess I will." Isak giggles. "Oh my god, did I just fucking giggle!? He's gonna be the death of me."

"Well, I have to get back to work, but it was really nice talking to you, Isak." Even smiles even though there's a glimmer in his eyes showing that he didn't really want to go. Isak feels his mood getting a little down at the prospect of Even leaving but he can't let Even know that so he puts on a brave smile. "It was nice talking to you too." They smile at each other and Even gets up and leaves, leaving Isak by himself. Isak watches him head over to the counter and start helping a customer, his face lighting up when he greets them.

Isak looks at his phone with a sigh and slumps in his chair, not realising how late it had gotten. He gathers up his trash and heads over the bin, dumping it in. He glances at Even one last time, thinking even if there is a slight chance that Even might be interested in him, he would take it. Isak smiles at himself and heads out the door, but he feels a hand grabs his arm, capturing his attention.

"Hey, I was wondering if I could get your number? You're really cute." A blonde girl with glasses smiles at him. "She's pretty, maybe I'm not gay after all but, Even is so handsome." "Damn it!"

"Umm...yeah, sure." The girl hands him her phone and he puts in his number. He hands it back to her. "Here you go."

"Thanks, my name is Jade by the way." She grins, showing her white teeth.

"Isak"

"Nice to meet you, Isak. I'll text you so you'll have my number."

"Okay, sounds good." She reaches up and kisses Isak on the cheek, catching him off guard but he puts on a fake smile, not wanting to seem rude. She walks away, leaving Isak feeling uncomfortable with how forward she had been. Isak tries to just shrug it off and heads out of the cafe, not knowing that Even had witnessed the whole thing, leaving a frown on his face.