Page 29 of Some Things Never Change

“Glad to have you back as a furniture flipping comrade. There’s only so much Shoua can listen to when I go off on my projects, y’know?”

Anthony always sent photos of the before and after of his projects to the group chat, but never about the process in between. Those were details he usually reserved for me. He always asked for suggestions on which paint color he should go with or what kind of hardware to use.

“I’m not sorry! It gets boring real quick when you start talking about how warm or cool a paint color is, okay?” she chimed in. “It’s not my fault I fall asleep when you show me five thousand different shades of white.”

I laughed. “Andy’s going to be in the same boat as Shoua soon when I need a second opinion.”

“Nah, he’s not. He enjoys listening to you talk endlessly about shit like this more than you think, Julie,” said Anthony.

Wait, what was that supposed to mean? I could hear Anthony chuckle from the other end and was about to ask him about it. But, he went on to tease Shoua before I could ask.

“Unlike your cousin.” He laughed. “She immediately falls asleep the moment I say the words ‘paint color’.”

“That’s because it is boring,” she said defensively.

“But picking the right color is important. You should know since you like makeup,” I said, laughing.

“Not when you’re as annoying as Anthony. He’s always so indecisive on what he wants!” said Shoua. “Anyways, Julie, glad to hear you’re settling well in Santa Mariana and glad to hear you’re going to flip that amazing dresser you and Andy found. Good luck on your first week, by the way! Are you excited to be working with Cindy again?”

Cindy Liu, my college friend, was the other one who helped me move to Santa Mariana from San Ignacio. She’s also Lily’s cousin. Lily and I met through Cindy before we became roommates.

Cindy was the one who suggested I move down here to work at the interior design firm where she was currently working. She knew I wasn’t in love with San Ignacio, so she had been pushing for me to move here for months before I caved in. Now, here I was and soon to be working with her.

I was excited to see her in an office setting again. We were interns together, but didn’t get hired at the same firm afterwards. We started to live together after I broke up with my then boyfriend and needed a roommate. I missed those times because I loved working and living with her. I missed our rants after a long, stressful day during dinners at the Chinese Sichuan restaurant by our old apartment. Those were some good times.

“Yeah, it’ll be great,” I said.

“By the way, Andy mentioned something about how you two are working at the same business building?”

“Oh, right. My company’s office is in the same building as Andy’s.”

Both Anthony and Shoua exclaimed, “What? Really?”

“Doesn’t he work in finance, though?” asked Shoua.

“Yes, really. The building our companies are at isn’t exclusively a finance building.”

Both Shoua and Anthony began to laugh so hard they started snorting. I rolled my eyes and took off the business casual blouse I had on as I waited for them to be done. The outfit I had on was too boring and stiff for the business casual attire in the office.

“What were the chances? You and Andy are living together and working in the same building. The universe clearly conspired this,” said Shoua, in between fits of giggles and chuckles.

“No, it didn’t. It was just a coincidence.” I put on a cream-colored ruched blouse and nodded at the combo with my slacks. This was a better outfit.

“Coincidence, my ass!” said Anthony. “You could’ve worked anywhere in the downtown area, but you had to get into a company in the same exact building. Maybe you two are just meant to always be this close to one another.”

We bantered back and forth as both Shoua and Anthony teased me some more about working so close to Andy. I threw my lounge clothes back on and made myself comfortable on my bed. I was able to put together most of my outfits while I chatted with Shoua and Anthony.

“It sounds like you're having a better time living there in Santa Mariana already, to be honest,” said Shoua. “You never sounded this excited or happy living in San Ignacio.”

“Andy says I look happier here, but I can’t say for sure. I admit I feel better being here. Maybe it’s all the sun I’m finally getting! But, we’ll see,” I said.

“Maybe it’s just better because you’re with Andy,” teased Anthony.

I laughed, glancing at the time. “No, it’s not! By the way, I’m going to have to go. Andy’s probably going to bed soon.”

“Being a good roommate, aren’t you?” asked Anthony.

“Of course, he’s the one that’s working tomorrow. All I’m going to do is head to the beach and read,” I said.

---