Page 53 of Already Falling

Annika nods along, her gaze following my words, waiting for me to continue.

“I moved here and only knew my uncle. Tyler had been working at the center for about a year, and he took me under his wing right away, showing me the town. We went to a few places. He took me to Carol Breads about a month or so into me living in Auburn Hills, and that’s when I met Carrie.”

Annika’s face scrunches at her name. “Right, redheaded Rapunzel?”

I laugh. “Exactly. We started dating early on, and I started spending more time with her. Tyler and I still would hang out, go on hikes, or check out a new band. If I went out with Carrie, we would hang out with her friends. Tyler never really stuck around.”

“Why not?” Annika asks, turning her head and looking at Tyler at the bar.

He’s leaning on the side, chatting with Chloe. He has this weird look on his face I haven’t seen before and is giving Chloe a goofy smile.

“To be frank, he despised Carrie. He was thrilled when I told him we broke up. But since we did, I realized I didn’t branch out to make other friends.”

Annika’s eyes bug out. “Well, Tyler and I have hating our best friend’s ex in common.”

“Was Chloe dating that same guy since freshman year?”

Annika nods several times, turning to Chloe and Tyler. “On and off since freshman year. It was a messy breakup, but I think it’s for the best. I hope it is, at least. I’m a little worried about her. I can tell she’s lonely.”

“But she has you.”

“She’s always had me, and she always will. But it’s different from having a friend to having a companion.” Annika looks back at me.

Tyler and Chloe slide back into the booth, interrupting my conversation with Annika. Tyler slides a beer to me, and Chloe gives Annika a clear red drink with a cherry on the bottom.

“Is that a dirty Shirley?” I ask. We raise our glasses and say, “Cheers” to the new friend group.

“Mhm, it’s my favorite,” she says, meeting my eyes, taking a sip of her drink.

A month passes, and Friday happy hour at the pub becomes a tradition that our new friend group keeps up each week. We take our beers and cocktails to the same corner booth. Chloe gets a basket of mozzarella sticks which Tyler always steals one or two, and Annika and I split the nachos. Tyler is very punctual every Friday afternoon, making sure we are out the door and on our way to the pub when Annika and Chloe arrive. I almost think Tyler is more excited about this new friend group than me. But even I find myself looking forward to our casual chit-chats. We talk about things we’ve been up to since college, Annika keeps us clued in on what’s going on in pop culture, and Chloe shares new book releases.

Last weekend, we drove up to Medford and tried out a new brunch spot. If any of us wants to do anything, we ask the group chat if anyone is up for it. So far, we’ve all tagged along to each other’s plans.

We all reluctantly went with Tyler to his climbing gym after he had been begging us for weeks now. Annika, Chloe, and I all had to take a class to even use the gym while Tyler did his usual climb. I’m not sure if it’s my thing, but Chloe seemed to have a good time and said she’d go back with Tyler.

Most recently, Chloe sent the group chat a series of cat gifs followed by, “I’m at the animal rescue with Tyler. I’m adopting a cat.”

Annika and I pulled up to the shelter at nearly the same time, and it was clear they were getting a cat. Good thing Sheela is such a chill landlord. Chloe had a small white fuzz ball cradled in her arms, her face soft with bliss. Tyler was scratching its little head. Of course, he went with Chloe. He loves animals more than humans.

I recalled our conversation at the bar about Chloe needing a companion. I didn’t think she meant a cat, but having a little buddy can’t hurt. Tyler and I met them at their house after, bringing a little cat bed we picked up on the way back. The little fur ball was bouncing all around their living room. We sat on their couch and chairs, staring and giggling at the kitten.

As we took turns giving the kitten pets and cuddles, I took in the decor of their apartment. I’ve never sat in their living room yet. It definitely feels like two best friends live here. They have pictures of each other on the walls and brightly colored art. House plants are stacked on window sills, and I notice an easel tucked in the far corner past the kitchen. Annika has some photographs she’s taken framed on the wall. I recognize one as Pacific Beach, the same spot where we had our first date. I tear my eyes away from the photo and over to a large framed poster of postcards above her couch.

“Hey, Anni, do you still collect postcards?” I point up to the frame.

She smiles, a spark lighting in her eyes. “Sometimes, it was getting a little out of hand.” She laughs.

“She donated like three shoeboxes before we moved,” Chloe adds.

“It was heartbreaking, but I decided to frame some of my favorites and display them, so I can see them every day.”

Tyler asks, “Can I ask why you collect postcards?”

Annika opens her mouth to respond, but before she does, I chime in, “She likes seeing the notes people write and the old postcards. Like a little time capsule on six by four paper rectangle.” I look over at her, and her eyes soften, blush blooming on her cheeks.

“Exactly.” She stands up and walks over to the frame. “Like this one. Someone was so excited to write to Linda Anne, they took up the entire postcard. And this one, I love the green color of the stamp. Oh, and this on up here.” She reaches up, pointing to a postcard in the top corner. “Chloe sent that to me one year my family visited Brazil.” The postcard has “Southern California” in block letters with a retro beach scene.

“Yah, these are cool. I never would think of collecting them. That’s a pretty cool hobby,” Tyler says.