EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

Moving into a dorm was one of the weirdest experiences Isaiah ever had. Especially since he'd never really moved out before. And if he had, it would've been with people he was actually familiar with.

His roommate was a guy named Elliott, with short brown hair and tan skin. A broody type of guy. He was quiet, didn't acknowledge Isaiah much save for a greeting and asking if he needed help with anything. He seemed scary at first, but then again, so did Steve.

Elliott didn't leave the dorm much, his time being spent playing videogames or watching shows in different languages. He was in his own little world most of the time, and Isaiah liked to think he got lucky in the roommate department.

August, on the other hand? Not so much.

He was stuck with some guy that, as soon as he'd met August, gave him dirty looks and kept any conversation August tried to make short. His name was Cody, which August claimed was a douchebag name. Isaiah just laughed. But he did feel bad.

At the start of the second semester, August started to spend a lot of time with Isaiah (partly because he wanted to see him, and partly because Cody was a dick). Elliott didn't care; he didn't pay them much attention. The only time he had was when he walked in on August kissing down Isaiah's neck, and even then he'd had no reaction.

He noticed Isaiah's panic, though, and simply shrugged. "No judgment here," he stated, walking over to his bed and searching for his wallet. "I'm about to go get my tongue pierced. You want anything while I'm out?"

Isaiah blinked, stunned. "Uh, no. I'm good, thanks."

August sat up and tilted his head in curiosity. "Won't that be painful?" he asked. "Like really fucking painful?"

Elliott rubbed at his neck, swinging his keys around his finger. "Probably," he said, not sounding concerned in the slightest. "Pain won't last. Besides, it'll look cool."

Before August could ask more about piercings (he wanted one, but he wasn't fond of the pain), Isaiah smiled at him. "Okay. Have fun."

"Thanks. You too." Isaiah felt his face turn hot, and Elliott gave the two a lazy wave before leaving. Isaiah groaned and flopped back down on his bed, rubbing his hands up and down his face.

August laughed at his reaction, laying down beside him. "That was so embarrassing," Isaiah complained. "I'm lucky he's such a chill person, what the fuck."

"It's okay," August reassured, placing his hand on Isaiah's chest. He patted it lightly, resting his head on his shoulder. "He'll probably forget about it by the time he gets back. And hey, at least he didn't walk in on us na—"

Isaiah placed his hand over the blond's mouth. "No talking."

August chuckled, and when Isaiah let go, the boy simply leaned in to kiss him. Isaiah relaxed and held him close, carding his fingers through his hair that had grown out a little more.

The past few months were a lot calmer than Isaiah expected them to be. Everyone else was back in school except for Marcus and Ashton, the two taking a gap year before they went back to learning. Ashton texted him constantly, updating him on what was going on back home. Their group chat was still fairly active, most of the messages being sent consisting of memes and random stories about what had happened to them.

It was weird, not seeing his friends practically every single day. Isaiah found himself missing them all every now and then, wishing he could gather them all together and hang out. And they would be able to, just not for a couple more months. He had August, which was like a dream come true, but he still missed his other friends.

He'd made a few new ones, though. He considered Elliott one of them, but he didn't know if the feeling was mutual, so he decided to keep it to himself. There was Jonathon from one course, and Kennedy from another. He hung out with them sometimes, and they were nice and incredibly funny, but even that couldn't keep him from feeling homesick. August couldn't either.

Despite that, he was doing okay. Better than okay, really. His friendship with Marcus had strengthened over the distance, and he was starting to feel their bond come back together. It was a couple weeks ago when that realization really settled in.

Marcus had called him around midnight when he was finishing an assignment. When Isaiah picked up, all Marcus could get out was a choked up. "Isaiah." It had him abandoning his work immediately, and he walked into the bathroom so he didn't disturb Elliott.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Isaiah whispered, taking a seat on the toilet lid. "Are you okay?"

Marcus inhaled shakily, sniffling. "I—" He groaned, shuffling being heard before he continued. "I don't know who else t-to talk to about th-this. Fuck." And then he released a sob, one that had Isaiah frozen in place. He'd never heard him cry before - and if he had, it was when they were little, so crying was fairly common in toddlers.

"Slow down," Isaiah said softly. "Deep breaths. Take your time, okay?"

Marcus was quiet for a few minutes, the only sound being the whirring of his fan and his soft hiccups. He was calming down soon enough, and he took a deep breath. "I-it's about Ashton," he managed to say, and Isaiah furrowed his brows.

"Is he okay? What happ—"

"I like him, Isaiah."

Isaiah paused, surprised. Marcus liked Ashton. Marcus wasn't straight. Marcus, the one who had claimed he disliked Isaiah because of his sexuality, liked a guy. One of their best friends, of all people. "Holy shit, Marcus."

"I don't know what to do," he said, sounding defeated. "I've never... I've only ever liked girls. I've only dated girls, kissed them, everything. And now I like Ash, out of all the fucking guys I could've had a crush on? The dude who looks and acts like he smokes weed all the time?"

Isaiah bit his lip in thought. "It's okay," he eventually said, "to like a guy, you know. And it's scary—trust me, I know. I've experienced it first hand. There's nothing wrong with you."

"I know," Marcus responded, voice cracking. "I know it's okay. It's just... why does it have to be Ashton? Why can't it be someone I don't know? By liking him, I'm risking ruining our fucking friendship. And I can't... I can't do that. I can't."

Isaiah talked to him for hours after that, calming him down and talking about his feelings. When he realized it and if he was concerned about labeling himself. It hurt, to hear him cry like that. To hear him sound so broken down and scared. It was something he never thought he'd experience.

Since then Marcus would text him about things that were going on, and was becoming more comfortable by talking about Ashton. Mentioning the things he noticed and what he felt whenever anything happened between the two. Marcus would constantly complain about how overly affectionate and oblivious he was, which made Isaiah laugh.

What scared him, though, was the chance that Marcus could get his heart broken.

Isaiah got lucky with his first crush being on August. A boy who felt the same and was also interested in guys. Isaiah wasn't even sure Ashton was interested in anyone. He could see when someone was attractive, and he'd dated people before, but they never lasted long. Ashton liked affection, sure, but he didn't seem like a relationship person.

He hoped, by the end of everything, no one got hurt.

Isaiah sighed, causing August to lift his head from his shoulder, gaze curious. "What's up?" he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his collarbone.

"Just thinking." He wasn't sure if Marcus would want anyone else to know, so it was better if he kept it to himself. He knew August wouldn't give a shit (obviously), but it wasn't up to him to tell. It was up to Marcus and him only.

Isaiah turned over onto his side to face August, reaching out to brush a curl behind his ear. August smiled at the touch, placing his hand over his, keeping it against his cheek. "You think a lot, you know."

"Do I?" he hummed.

"Yeah," he replied, then grinned. "I call it Izzy-ing."

Isaiah frowned. "Izzy-ing. That word physically hurts to say. I don't like it. It's weird."

August chuckled, draping an arm over his waist, tracing patterns against his bare back. "Well, it's a thing now. Courtesy of me."

Isaiah kissed him. "I love you. Even though you turned me into a verb."

August smiled, that gleam in his eyes that made Isaiah feel like they were the only two people in the world. "I love you too."

"I'm glad I met you."

August raised an eyebrow, grinning. "We're getting all sappy and cheesy now?"

"Shut up."

"I'm glad I met you too," August murmured, ignoring his response. He pressed a kiss to his jaw, sliding his hand to his shoulder and holding on tight. As if he wanted to make sure he was real. If this was all real. And it was.

Isaiah held him close. He was glad he'd been there, watching from the other side of the field, because if he hadn't, Isaiah didn't quite know where he'd be.

But he knew now: he was exactly where he wanted to be.

fin.

Thank you for purchasing and reading FROM THE OTHER SIDE! If you can take the time to provide some feedback on the story using this form, it would be much appreciated.

thank you so much for reading, it means the world to me. 🥺❤️

and in case y'all miss these losers — Marcus' book is up, and it's completed! "In Multiples of Three."