Page 56 of Already Falling
Depends on the request.
Reid
This reminds me of a ping-pong game I played one time.
A weird, sinking feeling starts bubbling in my belly. Reid and I are still avoiding discussing our past relationship. I’m not sure if it’s part of a truce or if both of us are just so horribly immature at communicating we are delaying the inevitable.
Reid
Have I mentioned I am the worst texter alive?
Annika
No need, I’ve experienced it firsthand.
Reid
I’ll swing by, you buy drinks this Friday.
Annika
deal
I tuck my phone back in my purse, successfully ducking the uncomfortable conversation that might’ve occurred if we continued. Besides, it’s girls’ day.
The first store on the list, titled “Tyler’s Thrift Crawl,” is more of a consignment shop, and the price tags were a bit steep for us. Still, it was fun to look through some designer pieces and old furniture. The second place is a few stores down and more up our alley. We are flipping through the racks of clothes, I look up, and Chloe already has four articles of clothing slung over her shoulder. She is furiously flipping through the hangers, quickly scanning each one until finding something satisfactory and flinging it over her shoulder with the others.
So far, I have found a pair of old Levi 501s and a sweet, oversized denim jacket in a beautiful sage green color. The previous owner sewed patches along the shoulders. There’s a patch with the space needle for Seattle, one of the rolling beach dunes, and even one with palm trees for California. This is a gem, for sure. Thank you, Beyonce.
We are in the fifth store of the day when my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I didn’t find anything that interests me, but Chloe is making the thrift store worker bring down a painting of a cat that they have displayed on a shelf.
Reid
Dandy is alive and well, sleeping on the middle of the couch.
Annika
I just realized, I forgot to leave a key, how do you know this information?
Reid
I peered through the front window like a proper weirdo. I hope none of the neighbors saw me.
Annika
that explains the text I got from Miss Smith across the street, police are on their way.
Reid
Come visit me in prison
Annika
I’ll sneak in a can whipped cream for your prison coffee
Reid
I can always count on you <3
