Chapter 16
Emma: Are you upstairs?
Harrison: Yes
Harrison: Why?
Sorry, I don’t know why I asked. I don’t need anything.
Just wanted to see if anyone else is in the building.
Everything okay?
Weird night. But yes, I’m okay.
Do you want to talk about it?
Not right now. But thank you.
Always
Hey. You know what I was thinking about today?
What?
Do you remember the last day of our first semester of college
When we were done with exams and we had the full afternoon free
And we went sledding?
We didn’t just go sledding.
We got you on a sled *for the first time in your life*
Important distinction
Emma replied to “We got you on a sled *for the first time in your life*”
It was literally a tray from the dining hall
And you know what?
I had the time of my life
I was so bruised the next day.
Oh, please. You also had the time of your life
Both can be true
I contain multitudes
I know you do.
Why were you thinking about that?
It was 88 degrees today
You don’t want to know
Oh lord
Fine, I’ll tell you
I had a patient today who tried to learn how to surf
…?
He tried to learn how to surf in the pool at his summer camp
Using a tray from the mess hall
I think he was almost as bruised as you were after sledding
Oh, fantastic
Glad to hear that teenage boy shenanigans remind you of me
He was eight.
But you honestly should be glad to hear that it reminded me of you
You make me laugh
Always happy to provide opportunities to laugh at my expense
Laughing with you, not at you
You don’t remember how hard we were laughing that night?
You had a lot of bruises, but I think my lungs were permanently injured from how hard I laughed
Lol
We had a lot of fun, didn’t we
The most fun
I don’t remember the last time I laughed that hard
Are we old and boring?
A little bit of both, I think
A shame.
Maybe we need to go sledding again this year, then
Maybe we can invest in an actual sled this time
I think I prefer dining hall trays
For memory’s sake
Great. Next we’ll start playing beer pong
And carting all of our belongings around in backpacks
And then when we’ve done that, we’ll eat ramen for dinner
And you can wear your orange socks
And maybe you can break out your ukulele
Oh please no
And write me a song
Oh god stop
What did you call that song?
Up All Night (Doing Homework)?
NO ONE TOLD ME SONGWRITING 101 WAS MEANT FOR MUSIC MAJORS
I think I have a video somewhere
I will block your number
Again?
11:43 p.m.
Sorry, I’m messing this up
I was trying to be funny
Please don’t apologize
I’m the one who blocked your number
I’m sorry.
Really, truly sorry.
I forgive you.
And I really like being your friend again
I do too
11:55 p.m.
Did you know we would become such close friends?
That night we met?
I’m not sure I’d use those words to describe what I was thinking, no
But I definitely knew I wanted to be in your life
So I suppose the answer to your question is I hoped so
I remember walking into that room feeling the entire weight of the world on my fragile 18-year-old shoulders
And you cheered me up so quickly and so completely
I don’t even know how
You’ve always been easy to read
In a good way, I mean
I like that I can always tell when you need help, because then I can be the one to help
You might be the only person in the world who thinks I’m that easy to read
And that’s what makes our friendship special, isn’t it?
Special. Yeah
Something like that.
Something like that.
12:17 a.m.
You know what sledding makes me think of?
What?
Do you remember those two days our sophomore year when there was a snowstorm
And the wifi was out on campus for two days?
Yep. And no one knew what to do with their free time that didn’t involve wifi
We went sledding then, too.
But you’re forgetting the best part
The hot chocolate you made me?
Nope. Although I do make a mean hot chocolate
Remind me this winter
But anyway. We got so bored that we checked out a DVD player from the library
OH MY GOD YES
And dug out a DVD from that keepsakes box you used to keep under your bed
And then we watched your middle school’s production of Seussical Jr.
HAHAHA
In which you starred as a bird
Notably, I did NOT star
I was an ensemble bird
Not Mayzie LaBird, because my frenemy Sarah got cast instead
Did you become frenemies before or after she got the role you wanted
After.
Harsh.
That’s showbiz, baby
You missed your calling as a leading lady
Maybe I should find a local theater group and put that theory to the test
I would come to every show!
Front row?
Obviously. And then I’d be the first to stand during applause
I hate those people
And I’d toss roses on stage
Multiple roses? Wow. I’m spoiled
A dozen
No, two dozen for my leading lady!
And I’d come to your dressing room after and ask for your autograph
My dressing room, huh?
A dedicated fan
Ah, but I’m not just any fan. I’m your biggest fan.
12:37 a.m.
Please stop typing and say it.
The bubbles are killing me
Are you actually my biggest fan?
Sending me a “what are we” text at 12:37 a.m.? Bold move
I’m serious, Harrison.
Because you would be justified in not being my biggest fan
I’m your biggest fan, Em.
Even now?
Even now.
12:46 a.m.
What happened tonight?
I went on a date, and it was bad.
Bad? Or bad bad
Both, actually
Do you need help?
Not really. I’m just on edge.
I’m glad to know that there’s someone awake and here
Here, through the ceiling anyway
Of course. I’m here
I’m sorry that happened.
That’s such a meaningless thing to say, but I do truly mean it
I hope you know you can always count on me for help when you need it
And I’m really glad you’re home safe
Thank you, Harrison <3
1:16 a.m.
Hey Harrison?
Are you awake?
Yeah
Can’t sleep
1:22 a.m.
Once again, your bubbles are killing me
Will you come over?