ISHIKA
The apartment feels different the moment I step in. It’s not something I can point at immediately. Nothing obvious is out of place. The lights switch on the way they always do, the faint hum of the fridge fills the quiet, the curtains move slightly with the evening breeze slipping in through the half-open window.
Everything looks the same.
And yet—Something isn’t.
I stand just inside the door for a second longer than usual, keys still in my hand, my bag hanging off my shoulder. My eyes move slowly across the room like I’m trying to catch something in the act of being wrong.
Nothing moves. No one jumps out…thankfully. Still…the feeling lingers. Like walking into a room where a conversation has just ended too abruptly. Like something was here…and now isn’t. I exhale softly, shaking my head.
“You’re overthinking,” I mutter under my breath, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me.
The click echoes a little too loudly. I’ve lived alone long enough to trust my space. I’ve never had reason not to. And yet tonight, my fingers linger on the lock a second longer before I finallyturn away. I drop my bag on the chair, slip out of my shoes, and move further in, trying to shake the unease off like it’s something physical.
Maybe it’s just been a long day. Maybe my brain hasn’t caught up with the quiet yet. Maybe—My phone buzzes. I don’t even have to check the name. A small, traitorous part of me already knows. I pick it up anyway.
Golden Boy ??
A stupid smile threatens to form before I can stop it. I roll my eyes at myself. I tap on the notification to open his text.
Golden Boy ??:
Reached home, Sunshine?
I walk toward the kitchen, leaning against the counter as I type back.
Me:
No, I’m texting you from a parallel universe.
There’s a pause. I can almost picture him texting something stupid that will definitely make my heart race.
Golden Boy ??:
Ah, you forgot to inform me. Text me the details on how to enter your parallel dimension and I’ll be there. I don’t want to be in a world where you aren't. *Sad emoji*
See this is what I am talking about. I feel my face heat. I bite back a smile, opening the fridge just to give myself something to do. I’m not even hungry. Still, I stare inside like something interesting might magically appear.
Me:
Shut up. You’re forgetting our condition, this is cheesiness level 100.
Golden Boy ??:
*Laughing emojis* I can almost sense your annoyance because *devil emoji* I know I made you blush. *Wink emoji*
If he was here, I may have smacked him. I shake my head, pushing away from the counter and walking toward the bedroom. Everything looks the same. Bed slightly unmade. Pillow where I left it. Books on the side table. Nothing disturbed.
And yet…That feeling again. Subtle. Like a whisper I can’t quite hear. My fingers tap against my phone absentmindedly. My phone buzzes again.
Golden Boy ??:
Video call?
I don’t think much before accepting his call and just swipe the green button up. His face fills the screen a second later. Hair slightly messy and wet as if he’s just out of shower. I may as well drool because I can’t help checking him out and he knows that because he’s smirking right now, I roll my eyes and I am glad he chose not to comment because that would have been an instant end of call.
“There you are,” he says, like he’s been waiting.
