Parallel Universes (Even/Isak)

Chapter Five

Dedication goes to darkchoco_sn for being my first reader. Thanks a bunches!

You know that feeling that you get when you make plans with someone and in the back of your mind, you feel that its all a joke and they don't really care or want to actually meet up with you. Isak is feeling that right now and it's overwhelming. The prospect of Even of playing a game with him worries him even though, he knows that Even is not that kind of guy or is he? He's slowly realising how little he knows about Even, which causes him to panic further. He wants to get to know Even better but he hasn't had a chance, hopefully, this meeting today will help that.

Isak is sitting at a table in the corner of the cafe that they agreed to meet up at and it's nearly seven with Even nowhere in sight. He begins pushing his half-eaten muffin around his plate, trying to pass the time. The door chimes, signaling someone entering the cafe. Isak looks to see if it's Even, much to his disappointment, it isn't. Isak is trying to remain hopeful and for this to be a great experience, he wants to find out if there is a connection between them and that it's not all in his head because he really likes Even and if it is all in his head, it would crush him.

Even has made him feel something that he hasn't felt in a long while, happy.

Depression is a bitch and some days are worse than others but it's like a rolling thunderstorm, the rain ebbs and flows like the intensity of depression. The first time Isak saw Even, it was like a bit of sunlight started to break through and maybe, the world isn't as bleak as it portrays itself to be. So, the idea of Even of not showing up is like the sunlight retreating behind the clouds, not wanting to return. Isak looks at his phone and noticed that twenty minutes has passed and Even still hasn't arrived. He opens his texts, planning on texting Even to see where he is but soon realises that he doesn't even have his number so he has no way to get ahold of him.

A few more minutes pass with no sign of Even, Isak just resigns to the fact that Even is not going to show up and this was all just a big waste of time. He begins picking up all his trash when the doorbell chimes and in walks Even. Even notices Isak getting ready to leave and walks over quickly, trying to stop him.

"Hey, Isak, sorry I'm late. My mom had me take her to the doctor and it took longer than expected." Even smiles apologetically, melting Isak on the inside.

"It's fine, is your mom okay?" Isak asks, feeling genuinely concerned as if his mother was his own.

"Yeah, she's fine, just a general check-up, nothing big." Isak shifts in his seat, getting more situated from almost getting up to leave. Even continues standing, looking at Isak, his blue eyes glimmering. "Hey, do you wanna get out of here and go to my place?" Even asks. The question catches Isak by surprise but it sends butterflies through his stomach.

"Umm... I don't know, you could be a serial killer for all I know." Isak laughs nervously, feeling the blush rising in his cheeks. Even laughs, the glorious noise filling the room.

"Fair enough, then how about we just take a walk and see where it leads us." Even smiles, causing Isak to smile back. Isak gets up and throws away his trash with Even following behind him, totally not staring at his ass, not at all. They both exit the cafe, the brisk cold wind, nipping at their cheeks, making them go pink. They walk in silence but it's a comfortable silence as if they've known each other for years and there's no awkwardness. Isak swears that he felt Even's fingers brush against his as if Even was wanting to hold his hand but he may have just imagined it.

The sun begins to set, bringing on the darkness of night. The city lights illuminating as if it's a scene out of some cheesy romance movie when the guy finally plucks up the courage to ask the girl out. The journey leads them to a park, where they find a bench and sit down. The Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott) in the distance and skyscrapers surrounding them, making Isak realise that he sometimes forgets as to how beautiful Oslo is because he lives here. Even pulls out a joint, lighting it. He takes a drag before offering it to Isak, who accepts and takes a drag as well.