With Jenna's help, they had unpacked Tyler and enjoyed a few days of housewarming activities and general friend companionship. It ended far too quickly, though, and soon Jenna was moving back to Massachusetts for school. Josh left a few days later, getting ready to move to California. Josh promised that he would visit, and make use of Tyler's offer to crash on the couch, but he still couldn't shake the empty feeling that came with both of their departures.
Time passed. The last bit of summer slipped away and transformed into fall. September slid by slowly, even slower with the adjustment to being alone. Even Jenna was distant, but that, he reasoned, was both of their faults. They'd broken up just before she'd moved back to Massachusetts to finish school. It had been both of their decisions, in the end. They'd both thought it best to allow the other to find people who were closer, to not try to force a long-distant relationship when they were both so busy. Their lives were just beginning to change.520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SERbRtbEv
Sometime in October, Jenna texted to tell him she'd met a guy. It was short. I've met someone. His name is Will. He wants me to meet his family, so I'll be spending Christmas in Jersey.
And that was that.
Winter came quickly, and with it Ohio frost, and the first snow of the season. He watched it from his bedroom window. He and Josh had been sending demos back and forth, trying to get something to stick, but so far nothing sounded right.
He pulled on a beanie and headed to the attic. There were only a few things up here, but it badly needed some dusting. He'd meant to do it in the fall, but then he was distracted with trying to nail down the new record. Josh would be arriving in Ohio a few weeks from now to visit family for Christmas. Tyler was hoping that if his best friend was there with him, they'd be able to get some music finished.
He wandered around the attic, cracking open old boxes. Old basketball trophies. A few old music awards. A stack of postcards. He pulled them out, sitting down on the floor and flipping through them.
Tyler,520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpEC9PGtA4
My professor says I'm an excellent student, and will make an excellent chef! Soon enough you'll have your very own personal caterer for your concerts. I'll be sure to give you a discount.520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdi2V64rI3
jenna520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwJcm302jN
She'd always sign her name in lowercase. He smiled softly.
Jenna,520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML3EAMLPgk
That's amazing! I already know what my first order will be: A ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise, mustard, and crushed Doritos. I think I've really hit a stroke of genius with this. Let me know if this'll be possible.520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzaJYYAwS3
Tyler520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgRQrGpMDH
Tyler,520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV3sePd1RR
I could make that work. It is certainly an... interesting choice. Per your request, one ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise, mustard, and crushed Doritos will be yours next time we see each other. I'm thinking Christmas?520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v1kbiYiKG
jenna520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGu63GQn5P
He sighed, setting the postcards back into the box. They were all memories of another time. He'd told all his friends, Josh included, that this would last. That maybe she was the one. Wasn't she? He'd cared about her, yes. He'd even loved her.... But he couldn't shake the way he'd felt when he had seen Josh lying in the weeds with him. Or any of the other times that they'd been together, really.520Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPRLlKaMTZ
It was too confusing.
He sat there, thinking, for a long time. He couldn't reconcile his feelings for Josh. They were too confusing. But he did know he didn't just want to be a postcard from the past. He wanted to be something more. He wanted to be Jenna's friend. He wanted her back.
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