Page 19 of Already Falling

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“It’s all good, but hey, you owe me a date.” I smile, pulling out my phone and handing it to her.

I see her eyes light up ever so slightly as she punches in her number. She gives it back and stands there for a moment. I debate giving her a hug, but before I can choose, she gives me a quick wave and dashes off to meet up with Chloe and the tan guy. I make a silent prayer that years won’t go by before I see her again.

NINE

ANNIKA

Mary Shelley: Mother of Modern Science Fiction and Creator of Frankenstein

Jane Austen: The Novelist Who Redefined Social Commentary

Frida Kahlo: The Painter Who Turned Pain Into Global Art

Harriet Beecher Stowe: The Author Who Stirred the American Conscience

I glance over at the clock on my nightstand.

12:34 am

Chloe is sleeping on her twin bed, tangled in the full-size comforter. She spent the rest of the night scrubbing her Birkenstocks, trying to get out the liquified Jell-O that spilled on them before knocking out from all the emotional distress. A part of me is upset that she ruined the moment I was having with Reid in the backyard, and another part of me is mad at myself for being mad that the moment was ruined. What was I thinking? I didn’t want to fall in love with a boy. And I’m clearly falling for him already. We only started college five months ago. I have years to have fun, flirt and have flings.

I can hear Chloe’s voice reverberating inside my head, “Have fun, date around.” I’m not supposed to be engulfed by a herd of butterflies when a boy tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. I lay in my bed wide awake, replaying the events in my head and comparing Reid now to the Reid I was so love-struck with as a kid. He is still the goofy, bright Reid I’ve always had the pleasure of interacting with. Except now, he’s a man. A man with muscles and a hot haircut. A smile that whisks me off into a delusional fantasy. I yearn to be closer to him.

In fact, I know more about him now in the time we played ping-pong than in the entire years in school together. I think it’s the longest conversation we’ve ever had. I have this creeping doubt about all of this. I hope it was all a mirage and he doesn’t text me. I don’t know if this is the right thing to do.

As if I gave the universe a sign, my phone buzzes. I hesitate, staring at it on my nightstand. I should be asleep. I force my eyes closed, ignoring the notification that pops up on my screen. I know it’s a text because of the type of buzz. I have specific alerts set for texts and calls, such as, when my mom calls, it’s the same sound as a car alarm because if I don’t answer, my mom gives me a hard time about it for a week. I am doing a terrible job of ignoring the buzz. I feel the vibration in my head Buzzz bzz, and imagine what the text says. Maybe it isn’t from Reid. Maybe it’s Aimee checking in on Chloe. Or maybe it’s my hair salon sending a reminder. I can’t stand it anymore and reach over to my phone and yank the charger cord out, tucking myself under my comforter so the brightness doesn’t wake Chloe.

Unknown

Hi :)

Oh, it’s Reid by the way

U know? Ping Pong champ?

I catch the smile that floods my face after scanning the messages. Relax Anni.

I add his contact to my phone, and before I start typing back, another message comes in.

Reid

Shoot, I just realized how late it is. I’m totally not thinking about you and can’t sleep because of it. Nope.

The feeling is mutual.

Annika