Chapter 6
Otto was beginning to regret agreeing to go out for drinks. He felt as though he had forced Rosalie’s hand into going. She seemed genuinely excited about going out, though. So here they were, sitting in silence with their own drinks, waiting for Emily and Norman at the bar.
While waiting, he couldn’t help but stare at Rosalie. Her dress was midnight, the color of a starless night. It hugged her body like a lover's arms and shimmered with an azure sheen that glided over her curves like a river over smooth rocks. A fabric of midnight carbon found in a pencil that could write the thesis that changed the world and make even Isaac Newton weep. In short, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Otto couldn't help but stare at her, but he quickly snapped out of it when he saw Norman and Emily enter the bar, Emily practically dragging Norman behind her.
"Sorry we're late." Emily apologized. "We got caught up in conversation."
"Oh, it's alright." Rosalie assured. "We weren't waiting too long, were we?"
Otto shook his head, muttering a no.
"So..." Norman said after an awkward beat of silence. "Drinks."
Otto and Rosalie both nodded, and Norman motioned to the bartender. He and Emily ordered.
"So..." Rosalie began, looking at Emily. "How did you meet Norman?"
"We accidentally ran into each other one morning; I run for exercise, and Norman because he was late for class," Emily explained as Norman chugged half of his beer. "He apologized profusely, then continued to class. A few days later..."
Otto tuned Emily out as he studied Norman. He looked embarrassed. Norman caught Otto’s stare. He made himself look like he had been listening to Emily the whole time out of his own embarrassment.
"... which I thought was sweet. We went out to dinner later that night, and we have been dating ever since." Emily finished.
"That was very sweet of him, don't you think?" Rosalie asked, turning to look at Otto.
"Oh," Otto said in surprise, "Yeah." He cringed at himself, hoping that it wasn't obvious that he wasn't listening.
Otto was glad when the conversation eventually shifted to something else. They talked about school, music, and other stuff for a little while until the conversation stalled out.
“Rosalie, I have a serious question,” Norman grew serious under his borderline drunken slur, “What are your intentions with my meek and studious roommate?” The false air of teasing interrogation made them laugh.
Rosalie clasped her hands together as she spoke in a candid manner. "When Otto and I first met, it was clear that he wanted to start something with me," Rosalie answered. "And I'm happy to say, I'm ready to pursue a relationship with him now."
Otto was overcome with strange a emotion; it was both joy and guilt. On the one hand, he was elated that Rosalie had agreed to start a relationship with him. But on the other, he felt regret for even suggesting it, especially when he glanced at Norman’s face - though why exactly he had made him feel this way, he couldn't say.
The odd feeling twisted his stomach in knots and pulled against his muscles. He took a drink to calm his nerves. He needed to think rationally. Rosalie was the love of his life, and her saying that she wants a relationship proves it. Unless... Unless she was the love of his life and vice versa last time around. Maybe someone Norman was hers this time around.
For some reason the thought of a relationship with Norman made him melt a little. He snapped himself out of it, once he knew what he was doing. It's just the alcohol, he assured himself. I've just had too much.
Norman had a nearly empty beer bottle in his hand and an empty one beside him. Otto wasn't sure how many Norman had at this point, but he could see that Norman's expression was a bit droopy. He knew he should take Norman back to their dorm, but he also didn’t want to leave Rosalie alone with a woman she didn't know.
"I think it's time we call it a night," Rosalie announced.
"I agree," Emily said, glancing over to Norman, who finished his last beer.
"It was nice meeting you, Emily." Rosalie said, and Emily replied with an 'Of course'.
Otto and Emily paid for their drinks, and the four of them left the bar. Norman was led out by Emily, who was stumbling every other step.
"I got him from here." Otto offered, firmly grasping Norman's arm.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. He isn't the first drunk that I've dealt with." Otto assured.
Emily nodded, letting go of Norman. Otto put Norman's arm over his shoulders, and a steadying hand on his waist, and began to lead Norman to their dorm building. He stumbled once, but they made it to their room without incident.
"Hey," Norman slurred, flopping onto his bed. "I still think you're cute."
"What's that?" Otto asked, not paying attention to what Norman was saying, bending down to take off Norman's shoes.
"I still think you're cute," Norman repeated, lifting his head. "But, like, as a friend. Like in a friendly way."
"As opposed to..?" Otto still isn't fully listening to what Norman was saying.
"Wanting to date you."
That caught his attention. Otto had both Norman's shoes off, and one of his socks off. Norman doesn't know what he's talking about. Still, he couldn't help but press, "What do you mean by that?”
But Norman was already asleep. Otto’s throat closed up and he felt like throwing up as he began to spiral.
Is this why he seemed so angry when I went out without telling him?
How could I not know? How could I be so stupid?
Did he feel this way the first time around? Is that why he pulled away?
Otto felt his heart pick up speed, squeezing his fist, the skin of his palm threatening to break. He took a deep breath. Then another. He focused on each one.
In, out, Otto thought with closed eyes. His heart slowed to a normal rate and he opened his eyes, looking at Norman. He was still asleep, thankfully. Otto automatically went to his desk, pulling out the notebook he uses as a journal and a pen.
March 9, 1978
Today Rosalie and I were invited to go out for drinks with Norman and Emily, by Emily, earlier this morning. I was hesitant at first, but I said yes anyway. I was worried that I had forced Rosalie into going out by saying ‘yes’ to her, though she did seem genuinely excited about going out for drinks.
The drinks went fairly well, and I think that I am now more open to Norman and Emily’s relationship. Emily is definitely not the person I thought she was. The best part was that Rosalie told me (as well as Norman and Emily) that she was ready to pursue a relationship with me.
Something weird happened, though, mere moments before I began writing. Norman admitted something to me, and I don’t know how I feel about it. He said that when we first met, he thought I was cute, and wanted to date me. Before I could get anything else out of him, he was asleep. He probably won’t remember in the morning. I don’t think I’ll tell him. If I do, it could possibly ruin our future together.
Signed,
Otto Octavius
Otto closed the book, sliding it back into his desk. He got ready for bed, giving Norman one last unsure look before going to bed.
–
Otto was woken up by a pained grunt. He looked over to see Norman hunched over himself, rubbing his forehead. Otto’s head began to hurt, but not probably as much as Norman’s did. Otto sat up, causing Norman to squint in his direction. Neither of them said a word to each other. They both had hangovers, and Otto didn’t think that Norman wanted to talk anyway. That was until noon.
“Do you think I should break up with Emily?” That was new.
“Why?” Otto asked. They seemed fine, especially after what Emily said last night.
“She’s the only girl I’ve ever been with, and…” He trailed off. “Well, a few people have told me to never marry the first girl you do it with.”
“It doesn’t matter if she’s your first, if you want to marry her, marry her.” Otto said after a moment of thought. “Though, are you sure that you want to get married while you’re still in college?” That was more of a joke than a serious question.
“I don’t want to marry her now, but later, when I know I am financially stable,” Norman snapped. “And, uh,” He was quieter now and sounded a bit nervous. “Are you sure I shouldn’t break up with her? Because I was told…”
“What you were told isn’t right.” Otto interrupted. “It doesn’t matter if she is your first or one-hundredth girlfriend, if she’s the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, then do it.”
Norman gave him a small smile. Otto immediately felt guilty. He knew that Emily will cause him pain down the line, but this is how it’s supposed to be. Norman and Emily were supposed to get married, they were supposed to have a son, and Emily was supposed to break his heart. Otto remembers when Emily left. Norman was heartbroken. He noticed that Norman spent more time at work. Otto had to give him a reality check, pointing out how he was basically being an absentee father to his son when his son needed him the most. He and Norman ended up having a huge fight about poking into each other’s personal lives, but Norman did end up taking a few months off to spend time with Harry. Otto was startled out of his thoughts when Norman sat next to him in his bed.
“You seem lost in thought.” He pointed out. “Do you need some relationship advice?”
“No,” Otto answered. “I was just thinking about the future.”
Norman nodded, then asked: “What about it?”
“I think I’ve told you this, but wanna start a business,” Otto answered. “Specifically for disease research and pharmaceutical distribution.”
“I think you did,” Norman said. “But the answer may have changed.”