I didn’t know that our universe is just one of an infinite number of near-exact copies with tiny differences separating them, floating through an infinite nothingness for all of eternity. 

Didn’t know until tonight, that is. 

I take another sip of my watermelon daiquiri, the sweetness mingling with the alcohol and making it much more bearable to stomach. It was my fourth of the night, and I can feel my brain start to slow down and blunder about in my head. 

“So? What do you think?” My date sits across from me; someone named Reece whom I met on a dating app. A short man, but not shorter than me, thankfully. He looks like what you’d find if you searched the word ‘nerd’ on Google: tidy, short black hair, with glasses that are far too big for his face. I wished he would just take them off so I could admire those gorgeous blue eyes he had better.  

He’s wearing an outfit that looks like his mother picked it out for him – a blue plaid shirt buttoned up almost all the way to the top paired with some black chinos, and he’s constantly wearing this ridiculous smile, like he’s having the time of his life. Maybe he is, I dunno. 

It’s getting close to midnight, and many of the patrons of the bar have left already, leaving me and Reece at a table surrounded by the ghosts of the conversations of the evening. I’m surprised that I’ve stayed this long, to be honest. He clearly has no intentions of hooking up, so why was I still here? 

“Hello?” 

“Oh! Sorry,” I stuttered, my cheeks burning. “I think the alcohol’s got to me.” 

He just laughs at me, but it somehow doesn’t feel malicious. “I feel you. I’m getting there as well.” 

“Getting there? You’ve had more than me!” 

“Guess I’m just better at handling it.” 

I scoffed. “Certainly don’t look like it.” 

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” 

We laughed together for a few seconds. It was pleasant. I hadn’t connected with someone like this since my last boyfriend. Before the breakup, of course. 

“What did you ask before?” 

“Uh…” He scrunched his face up, thinking. “Oh, right. What do you think?” 

“About the multiverse thing? I mean, I guess.” 

“You guess?” 

I shrugged. “It’s not like I ever really thought about it. And I dunno, maybe it’s true? You think it’s true, don’t you?” 

“Well, yeah, but you shouldn’t base your beliefs off of what someone else thinks.” 

“I’m gonna do that anyway.” 

He took a sip from his glass, raising his eyebrows. “Suit yourself, I suppose.” 

Silence descended between us, a mediator for the countless conversations we had this evening. I checked my phone. 

It was twelve minutes past midnight. 

“Ah, shit. I gotta go,” I said hurriedly, grabbing my handbag and standing up. He stood with me. “I got work tomorrow at six.” 

“Six?” His eyes widened, and I tilted my head quizzically. 

“Yeah? What’s wrong with that?” 

“You gonna be able to get enough sleep?” I stared at him. There was actual, genuine worry on his face. I couldn’t help but laugh. “What? What’s wrong with asking that?” 

“Nothing! Nothing, don’t worry,” I said through fits of laughter. “You’re just very sweet.” 

We left the bar together, and I called an Uber as we walked. A thought popped into my head. “Hey, Reece?” 

“Yup?” 

“You said there’s infinite universes, right? Which number are we? Like, are we universe one, or five? Or three-hundred and fifty six?” 

“Well, I mean… Technically, we wouldn’t be assigning numbers to them because there’s an infinite number, so –” 

“Oh, just pick a number, genius,” I chuckled, rolling my eyes. 

“Alright, uh… Eight. Universe eight.” 

“Why eight?” 

“Because the infinity symbol is just an eight but sideways.” 

I gave him a look. “That’s such a cop-out answer.” 

“No it’s not! That’s a valid reason!” He crossed his arms, pouting. “And I’m sticking by it!” 

“Alright, tough guy,” I laughed, patting his shoulder. “You don’t have to get so defensive, I’m just teasing.” 

My driver came around the corner, stopping at the curb. “Looks like I’m off.” 

“Hey, uh, before you go, do you maybe want to see each other again? Maybe?” He said, looking everywhere but my face. I gave him a sly smile. 

“Sure.  I’ll let you know when I’m free next week.” 

“Great!” He beamed, stepping forward for a hug. I hugged him back, and despite his painfully skinny frame, he was surprisingly comfy. I let go after a good few seconds, getting in the car and waving goodbye. 

I didn’t think I’d be giving anyone a chance any time soon. Maybe in universes one through seven, I don’t. 

But in universe eight, I just might.