Page 9 of Only When We Fall

“How are you?” I ask.

“Oh, you know, same old. What have you been up to?”

I’ve called every night, hating the thought of her being alone. I did the same throughout summer, so our evening phone calls have become a habit I don’t want to break.

“We got to meet others in our class,” I tell her. “Mum, everyone looks so wise and clever.”

She laughs. “Emmie, so do you. They’re probably thinking the exact same about you.”

I scoff. “I doubt it.”

“I saw Ava for lunch,” she tells me, bringing instant joy to my heart. Ava promised to keep an eye on her for me, and she pops over regularly. “She loves her new job.”

“Yeah, I spoke with her yesterday. I’m pleased for her.”

Ava didn’t want to go to university, instead she settled on an apprenticeship with the local veterinary surgery.

“What are your plans tonight?” I add.

“A nice quiet night in front of the television. All my soaps are on.”

I miss watching that crap with her. “Well pray for me because Zee is forcing me to go to another house party tonight.”

She chuckles. “Just be safe and don’t get too drunk, you have your first lectures tomorrow.”

“I won’t. Goodnight, Mum. I love you.”

“I love you more.” And she disconnects.

I already regret wearing jeans. They’re too tight, too hot, and I’ve spent the whole walk here pulling them up like some awkward penguin. But teamed with the low-cut cropped top and Converse, I look pretty good.

The house smells like clove cigarettes and something herbal I can’t quite place. It’s dim but warm with fairy lights looped along curtain rails, floor cushions in mismatched covers, and a couple of people sitting cross-legged around a low table, passing a bottle between them.

Zara’s already buzzing, pulling me through the crowd with her usual confidence. “Seb!” she calls, and when he looks up from a corner of the room, her face practically lights up. I can see it in the way she tucks her hair behind her ear, the way her voice lifts slightly. She reallylikeshim. They greet like it’s the third date, not the second time they’ve ever spoken. I stand awkwardly whilst they hug. His eyes find me, and it reminds Zara I’m here. She turns, smiling with a slight blush on her cheeks. “This is Em,” she introduces proudly.

He grins, leaning past her to kiss me on the cheek. “Nice to meet you, Em.”

I laugh at his boldness, “You too.”

“Help yourself to drinks,” he adds, pointing to a table filled with ice buckets.

Zara doesn’t budge but continues to make small talk with him, so I step away to give them some alone time. I hover near the edge of the room, scanning the crowd. It’s chill. Not the kind of party where people are doing body shots or swinging from door frames. Just quiet music, low lighting, and pockets of conversations.

I take a bottle from the nearest ice bucket and pop off the lid with a bottle opener. I’m about to take my first sip when I hear, “Emmie?”

I turn and find Landon. He’s in a hoodie and jeans, hair slightly tousled, like he’s only just arrived. Which, judging by the way he’s holding a full drink and scanning the room, he probably has.

“Hey,” I say, surprised at how glad I am to see someone I know.

“Noah’s around here somewhere too,” he says, smiling. “His mate lives here.”

“Yeah, Zee dragged me here so she could flirt with Seb.”

“Um, don’t think that was his name.” He shakes his head, shrugging, “I can’t remember. There’s a spare beanbag in the other room, come and sit with me?”

I smile wide, nodding as his hand slips into mine and he leads me through to the living room.

We settle onto a giant red beanbag next to a bookshelf missing half its shelves. The music’s just loud enough to cover awkward silences, not that there ever is any when I’m with Landon.

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