Time Warp: The Notes Are Old

[Levi Xu]

((Continued from : Can you help me find a way?))

October 3rd, 2025. Lower East Side, New York City

Levi was surprised when he heard the phone ring in the bedroom. Evan had already left for work, and he usually didn't forget to bring his phone with him. He crossed their nice, clean, two-bedroom apartment, giving Aurora a scratch on the ears on the way. She had warmed up to him, eventually, though she was still very much Evan's baby.

He hesitated before picking up the phone, once he saw whose name was on the screen. Levi hadn't talked to any of Evan's family since they'd gotten back together. Actually, he hadn't spoken to them since before the breakup. But he had to face Van's brothers eventually...

"Hello."

"Hey....Van?"

"Uh, no. It's not. He left his phone at home. If it's urgent, you can call him at work."

"Oh. Um...who is this?"

"It's Levi, Jeff. We....we've met before."

"What are you doing with Evan's phone?"

"He left it at home."

"Your home?"

"Our apartment. We're back together and have been living together for almost a year."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No, I'm not. We got back together last November."

"And that's when you moved in?"

"We got an apartment together. Jeff... I didn't know if he had told you..."

"Obviously not."

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened. But if you don't believe me, call Evan at work."

"I will." *click*

Levi looked down at the phone in his hands, a slight shiver running down his back. Why hadn't Evan told his family?

[Evan Brackett]

Evan hadn't noticed that he had forgotten his phone at home until the one in his office began to ring. It surprised him because he wasn't expecting any calls, and he had to glance down at the empty cell holder on his belt before he realized it was a personal call. He looked at the landline inquisitively before dropping his tablet pen and rolling from his drawing desk to his computer desk. "Hello?"

"You got back together with Levi?!"

"Jeff?"

"You did! I just spoke to him on your cell."

"You...what?" This was bad. "He's just staying with me, we aren't together."

"Not according to him."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me specifically that you two were back together. David is going to be so pissed."

"Do not tell David. We are not dating or anything. We're just living together. You must have misunderstood."

"Trust me, I understood him perfectly."

"Just...don't tell anyone. I'm going to have to speak with him tonight. Alright?"

"Yeah, sure thing, bro."

"Thanks," he said stiffly, dropping the receiver on the hook. What the hell was Levi trying to pull? This was not okay. Not at all.

And Jeff conveniently forgot to mention why he wanted to talk to him in the first place.

[[Continued in: It feels like being alone]]