#naesheiims

Theboys mocked him for days, even showed up to his first day of work to make funof him until Vilde busted out from the back and chided them for being immaturedicks.

Isakwould never tell her, but he was thankful for her yelling at them as it finallyended their teasing.

So,this is how he found himself working at a cupcake shop for the last 2 months. Thehours were good, Vilde was willing to let him work around his school load, shenever pushed him to work more hours than were possible for him. The pay wasokay, enough to actually eat some vegetables and buy his own beer.

Itwould all be perfect… if it wasn’t a fucking cupcake shop!

Hehated the old women coming in, arguing with him over everything from frosting patternsto the weather. He hated the men coming in and buying enormous amounts ofcupcakes to make up for their fuck-ups. He hated the weird hipsters coming in,staring too long at the display and asking weird questions.

Mostof all, he hated the boy. He hatedhim so much, coming in every Wednesday, just before closing time, buying a differentsingle cupcake every time.

Isakhated his stupid long legs, and his broad hands, and his swoopy hair with thestray curl. He especially hated his piercing blue eyes and his deep laugh.

Isakhated how his heart jumped out of his chest every time the boy walked in. Howhe would come to work every Wednesday, even when he had a test the next day. Hehated how Even always asked to wrap up his cupcake, indicating they were forsomeone else. Indicating he had someone waiting for him at home.

“Youknow, you could talk to him,” Vilde said, leaning next to him on the counter,eyes darting from Isak to the door that had just fallen shut behind Even. Hereyes were big and innocent.

Isakrolled his eyes at her, “You’re one to talk, Vilde. I’ve seen you making eyesat Olivia in the kitchen.”

“Ihave no idea what you’re talking about,” Vilde giggled nervously, voice evenhigher pitched than otherwise. Isak cringed, both at her voice and at herrepressed homosexuality.

“Sure,Vilde,” he said, patting her shoulder as he turned to get his stuff and clockout.

*

WhenEven came in the next Wednesday, Isak was in a particularly foul mood. He hadjust failed a test that should’ve been easy and he was pissed at himself andthe world.

Noteven seeing Even could dispel the thundercloud hanging above his head.

“Hello,Isak,” came Even’s cheery voice, impossibly fond on Isak’s name.

Isakgrumbled a good evening and Even frowned, “Are you okay?”

Isak’shead snapped up to look at Even. He just asked whether Isak was okay, butsomething about the genuine worry in his tone, filled Isak with warmth.

“Yeah…I’m just… bummed about a test I just got back,” Isak said, and Even noddedsoftly.

“You’lldo better next time, you’re so smart, Isak.”

Isakjust blinked, “I… uh… thanks,” he stammered and Even’s sunshine smile was sobig the thundercloud above Isak’s head finally lifted.

Evenordered his cupcake, some hot pink monstrosity that Isak wouldn’t touch with a ten-footpole but that made Even laugh and nod excitedly when Isak checked if he reallywanted that one.

It’swhen Even tells Isak to wrap it up, the thundercloud comes back with avengeance.

“Right.Well, I hope they enjoy the cupcake,” Isak says, unable to mask his bitterness.

Evenlooks confused, “They?”

“You know,whoever is getting the cupcake?” Isak says, rather aggressively packing saidcupcake.

“I’meating it myself,” Even says, making Isak stop his movements.

“Whyam I wrapping it, then?” he points to the elaborate gift wrapping Vilde insistson.

Evenblushes, and Isak wants to lick his blush, “Well… for one I like opening uppresents, even when they are for me, and secondly, it gives me an excuse to behere longer.”

Isakgapes, his mouth wide open in shock, before he smiles, softly and secretly, hishead bend down.

Hehears Even inhale sharply before, “Have I entered an alternate universe or didyou really just crack a smile for me?”

“Shutup,” Isak mumbles, but he can’t help the smile growing on his face.

“Areyou done working here?” Even asks, making Isak raise his head in question, “Comehome with me, I’ll share my present with you.”

Isakgoes home with him, of course he does. He doesn’t eat the cupcake, disgusted bythe idea itself. He does, however, kiss the frosting off Even’s lips.