Page 13 of Already Falling

We finish setting up her stall as Aimee and Carly approach. “Hey!” they say in unison.

“Oh, hey guys, I didn’t know you’d be here.” I greet them each with a half-hug.

“Chloe invited us! We wouldn’t miss the chance to support our suite mate,” Aimee says with a bright smile.

I instantly feel bad I didn’t invite them to a similar show my photography class put on. Chloe is the kind of person who wants everyone to be included, no one to be left behind or forgotten about.

Since her dad left, I noticed a mask forming over Chloe’s bright and personable exterior. Anyone in passing wouldn’t be able to tell, but I caught the few brief moments of Chloe lingering on a thought or the empty gaze before snapping into conversation. I’d pick her up from her house, and it’s like her face would morph from one of darkness to one of light as she walked out her front door. I think she stayed at my house more often than her own through the last couple of years of high school. I can’t imagine what it feels like to have one parent leave you and one never try to bring you back home.

College has lessened her mask, and she is trying new things and leaning into her passions. I haven’t seen the joy in her eyes like this since we were kids. She is truly in her element when she gets to create art.

Chloe tells Aimee, Carly, and me to go and roam around the show. She has to stay at her stall in case people ask questions or want to buy anything. I remind her that I want that dancing painting and to not sell it to anyone else.

“So, how do you two know each other?” I say to Aimee and Carly as we start wandering through the different booths.

I feel a wince of embarrassment that we’ve lived next to each other for six months, and I barely know a thing about them.

“We went to high school together in Irvine,” Aimee responds, stopping to look at a student’s abstract collection featuring giant splotches of royal blue and black.

“Aimee and I were in the same English class freshman year and had to do a project on Romeo and Juliet. We’ve been besties ever since.” Carly finishes and grabs Aimee in a headlock, kissing the top of her head dramatically.

We continue on, swerving around the other stalls. I admire a collection of landscape watercolor paintings that provide a familiar ease.

As I’ve been chatting with Aimee and Carly, I didn’t realize that they were best friends too. I’m also struck with the realization that their names also start with “A” and “C.” If I believed in coincidences, I’d say this was a pretty funny one. They are like the Irvine version of Chloe and me.

“What are your majors?”

“Graphic design,” they answer in unison, which makes me smile. I actually love that they are in the same major too.

“I’m starving. Is there food here?” Carly dramatically grabs her stomach, wincing in pain.

“Yeah, they are selling hotdogs over there.” I point to one side of the courtyard, where the art department has a snack bar set up.

Aimee and Carly wander over to get some food, and I head back to Chloe’s booth.

Chloe is talking to some other students and showing them her art. By the looks of the “SOLD!” sticky notes on half the art, she’s had a successful night so far. I’m not surprised. She’s an insanely talented artist.

The crowd disperses, and I meet up with Chloe again.

“Wow, what a successful night! What are you going to do with any that don’t get sold?”

Chloe does a spin and smiles at me. “I think I might hang them in the dorm lounge. The RA said it was cool as long as I used removable hooks.”

“Definitely will spice up the fifty shades of gray. Oh hey, is Dane coming?”

She scrunches her face, and I see her quickly scan the crowd. “He said he was going to try to make it after his shift, but I haven’t seen him. I dunno, I don’t think he’s coming.”

I try to remain with a neutral expression while my brain is spinning in circles. He couldn’t stop by his girlfriend’s art show? What is with this guy? I am trying not to judge him, but this simple gesture would make Chloe so happy.

“That’s lame of him. I’m sorry.” I give her a hug to console her. “I’m sure he got busy with studying or something. Maybe you can give him one of the small paintings since he didn’t get to see the show.” She seems to lighten up at this.

“Good idea, and you’re right. He probably got hung up with something. I’ll text him later.” She lets out a sigh. “You always know the thing to say to calm me down from starting to freak out. I really like him, Anni. I want it to work out.”

“I know, it’s still early. Take it easy, and don’t force anything. Everything happens for a reason.”

“Just like your mom always says. By the way, she texted me that she wants the big one on the easel. She wants to hang it up in her office.” A sense of pride fills me that my mom is supporting my best friend.

The show is starting to wrap up, so I help Chloe take down all her art. Aimee and Carly must’ve ditched because they never came back. I’m sure we’ll see them again. I might even accept their invite to hang out sometime.