The temperature had dropped drastically, and the autumn winds were sweeping Oslo ripping the last orange leaves from the trees that stood alongside the avenue. It would soon be winter. I was standing outside our building, shivering to the point where it looked as if I were having a seizure. I'd forgotten my keys. Again. For the tenth time, I tried calling Eskild but, for the tenth time also, there was no reply. I was slowly accepting the fact that I was going to die of hypothermia out here on the streets. No problem, I'd had a great life.
"Isak!"
I turned to see who was calling. "Oh. Hey Even," I replied as he approached me. He was looking me up and down, and I realized what an odd sight I was standing there in the cold wearing only a T-shirt and jeans.
"You're crazy, you know?" Even was grinning, but simultaneously he shook of his jacket and handed it to me. I didn't take it. "Come on, you need it more than I do," he said and threw it over my shoulder. I rolled my eyes but put it on anyway. I knew better that to argue with Even. He started walking towards the coffee shop at the corner and I followed him.
We found a table and Even ordered two coffees. As soon as they arrived, I cupped my hand around the mug to absorb the heat. Even sends me a funny look. "So... I'm guessing keys?"
"Yeah," I just said. It's not that I didn't want to chat with him, but things had changed so much since he'd told me he was bipolar, and I wasn't sure how to act around him anymore. "So how's Sonja?" I just asked instead. He groaned, and I laughed. "So it's that bad, huh?" "Worse," he said, suddenly looking as if he hadn't slept for days. "It's just that she wants me to go to this therapist, and I hate telling her how much I hate the idea."
"Why?" I don't know why I had asked him about Sonja. I didn't actually want to hear about their relationship.
"Because... she's been nicer since I told people about my bipolarity. Less controlling even." He was looking at his hands while talking. I didn't know how to respond. He sighed. "I just don't want to fuck it up again."
Again. They'd had problems – he and Sonja – last spring, before I'd known about Even being bipolar. I think it was my fault. Actually, it probably was, since I'd had a crush on Even, and – at the time – I'd tried hard to break them up. Nothing had happened; the worst thing we did was ditch Sonja and Emma, my ex, at a few parties, and I doubted he knew anything about how I'd felt.
"Well you're talkative today," Even interrupted my thought train, and I sent him a smile, rolling my eyes. "You wouldn't be keen on small talk if you'd just spent the afternoon trying to get pneumonia." He laughed, and I smiled as well. Even had the world's most contagious smile.
We finished our coffee and left. It was dark outside, and Eskild had sent a text telling me he was home. Even had pulled a cigarette from his pocket, which he lit and leaned against the wall. Then he offered it to me, but I shook my head. "No thanks," I said looking around. People seemed to be spending the evening at home that night. I only spotted a few people around. "I should head home," I said, "Eskild is ready to let me in." He lifted his eyebrows, a very Even-like gesture, and then shrugged. "Go, then," he smiled, and I smiled before I turned my back to him and left.
YOU ARE READING
Just Friends
FanfictionIn this alternative storyline, Even has told people openly about being bipolar, and therefore nothing has happened between him and Isak. Isak isn't sure about how to act around him, though they remain friends. He doesn't want to put their friendship...