Fireworks

7

"Hi, I'm just calling to confirm a slot for the ACT on June 19th under the name of Hadlee Jason," I say into the phone, shuffling my feet awkwardly into the dirt of my backyard.

"Sure, let me look that up for you." the lady says politely on the other end of the phone.

There's a brief pause in which I look up at the bright blue sky and the rolling, puffy clouds. I walk over to my pool and stand on the first step, letting my feet cool off.

"Alright, looks like you're all set for the 19th at 10:00 a.m. at Iglesia de Cristo, sound correct?" she says kindly.

"Yes, thank you so much," I say, relieved to have this conversation be over with.

"Of course, is there anything else I can do for you today?"

"No, thank you. Have a wonderful evening."

"You as well."

I hang up quickly and let out a sigh. Why is stuff like this so awkward for me? Geez, Colton could be friends with anyone in an instant. He was such a likable guy. Sometimes at school random girls I've never talked to come up to me and say they're sorry about Colton, that they used to be good friends.

It's pretty awkward, and I silently curse Colton for being so sociable every time it happens.

All of the sudden my phone rings again, and it's an unknown number.

Is it the ACT lady again?

I answer it and say, "Hello?"

"Sup, Guera. I need you. Is there any way you can meet me at the 7-Eleven by the tent in the next ten minutes?" Isa's voice comes through my phone

I blink. "Isa?"

She huffs an impatient breath. "Yes, it's me."

"Why is your number unsaved in my phone?" I ask, confusedly while I head towards my room to grab my wallet and keys.

"Because this is Arlo's phone and I just happened to have your number memorized because it's so close to my own," she explains hurriedly.

I blink. "Oh, alright. Um, what do you need me to bring?" I ask, hesitating before I leave my room.

She pauses before saying "Hold on a second." Her voice comes again, though muffled, "What are they called again?"

I hear Arlo's impatient voice in the background, "Jumper cables."

"Jumper Cables," Isa says, her voice no longer muffled.

I nod and say, "Okay. Are you alright?"

She huffs an annoyed sigh and says, "Yes, Arlo's piece of mierda truck just totally gave out while we were getting ice, though."

I hear an offended, "Watch it." in the background before Isa sighs again. "Just get here as soon as you can, I'm bored and it took me forever to convince Arlo to let me call you for help. We've been here for like thirty minutes while he tried to fix this-"

"Alright, that's enough." Arlo says in the background and I hear an offended "Hey!" before the line goes dead.

I laugh a little to myself and grab the cables from where we keep them in the garage.

The drive is short, luckily, and I get there in no time.

When I pull into the parking lot of the 7-Eleven, I spot Arlo and Isa immediately. The hood of Arlo's white truck is up and he's tinkering with something under it while Isa watches him with a bored expression.