Gym with Magnus is always fun. They always team together and cover the other when they cheat. One time, Isak hit a classmate with a volley-ball and Magnus convinced their teacher is was just a sad accident. He told the teacher the ball was mid-air when Isak realized it was gonna hit someone and it was too late to tell him to move out of the way. The truth is, Magnus told Isak to hit the guy because he was flirting with Vilde. How dare he flirt so openly with his girl? He so deserved it.
Last week, Magnus lost a dumb bet between he and Mahdi and the dark skinned boy shaved Magnus's legs. Needless to say, he was really embarrassed to show up with bare legs to gym class. He faked feeling ill and Isak took him to the nurse and missed the whole period.
So when Even showed up in the locker room on Wednesday, standing by the blue doors and motioning for Isak to come over, Isak went without thinking, knowing his friend would cover for him.
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Isak felt stupid dressed in his mismatched gym kit - shorts and long sleeve tee - but doubt Even would make a comment. He's in gym class, not walking for a fashion show. When his eyes landed on the older boy, he felt self-conscious of his attire. Even stood there, by a row of lockers, his usual layers of jacket and hoodies on, looking like he just knows how to match his clothes although he probably just grabbed whatever he saw in the morning. How does he do it? Isak always looks like a clown when he does that.
''Holla,'' Even said, his eyes landing on Isak.
''Holla.''
The first time Isak heard him say that, he thought it was something Tivoli citizen said but nope, turned out it's a Even thing. The blonde always greets him with that whenever they see each other. Always. And Isak found himself saying it too so 'holla' became their 'thing'.
They stood there, not saying anything. Just staring. In silence.
They knew they had to talk about Sunday. Real talk. But it was easier to ignore it.
''You wanted to talk?''
Isak nodded. ''Yeah...erm-''
''Hey,'' Even said, reaching to brush Isak's cheekbone with his thumb. ''Don't be nervous around me. You don't need to be. It's just us, there's nothing to be nervous about.'' His voice was calming and soothing. Even always so gentle with him, like he's some fragile china doll. Isak nodded, trying to relax and not think too much about what he was going to say.
''There's some things I need to know.'' Even nodded as to say 'go on'. Isak bite his lip, thinking he'll find some courage from doing that but nope, all he got was pain from his teeth pressing into his lip. ''Did you kiss with me because you were high or, because you wanted to?''
