Fireworks

12

I feel my eyes widen a little. I thought he had been talking to Isa.

"Oh, hey," I say a little warily.

He jerks his head towards me and says, "You okay?"

I furrow my brow. I look down at myself. I'm not hurt anywhere. I'd worn a pair of baggy high-waisted jean shorts and a tight grey top. My hair was braided to stay out of my face while I worked. I looked around my legs and arms before looking back at him again, very confused. "Yes?" I say more like a question than an answer.

He's watching me with slight amusement now, the edges of his lips curling upwards into a small smile.

"I meant do you need water or a break in the shade or anything. Your cheeks are a little flushed," he says just a tad bit less harshly.

"Oh. Uhm, that's alright. Thanks, though." I say a bit awkwardly.

Isa's smiling widely at something, probably my awkward response, and I feel like kicking her for making fun of me.

Arlo nods once and says, "Just make sure you're getting enough water. The tent isn't as shaded as you think. People have passed out from heat exhaustion before and it's not pretty."

I nod earnestly and say, "Sure."

Arlo picks up the box and is about to walk away when Isa snorts, clapping a hand over her mouth.

I look at her and Arlo stops, annoyed again.

When she sees our questioning gazes, she turns to Arlo and says in a deep voice, "Just make sure you're getting enough water." before she snorts again, a laugh escaping her throat. "What, you're not going to ask me if I'm okay?"

He flicks her forehead, rolling his eyes. "It's not your first time on the job, idiot. Get back to work."

With that, he walks away and doesn't look back.

Isa's still laughing and I glare at her, mortified. "Why are you being mean to him?"

Isa just shakes her head. "I told you he'd do this. He's waiting for the perfect time to swoop in and play hero to settle the invisible score between you two. Either that or he's got the hots for you, which is also a very plausible solution."

I try to close my mouth, but my jaw has popped open. "What are you talking about?"

She laughs again. "Arlo isn't nice to anyone. I mean did you hear him blow off Montserrat? Kind of cold. And he only tolerates me because I've known him forever. He doesn't do that." she jerks his thumb to where he was just standing.

"Do what?" I ask, slightly dumbfounded

"Take care of people. Hell, one time I sprained my ankle jumping off the trailer and he just laughed. I'm pretty sure he's trying to make you guys even, though if I'm being honest I have seen him check you out a couple of times today-"

I swat her before she can finish and she just giggles again. I feel my face get a little red, this time not from the heat. No way he was checking me out. We haven't even talked to each other today, up until a few minutes ago. Besides, why would Arlo be checking me out? Cecily had stripped to just her sports bra and a pair of Nike shorts, I'm sure she was much more interesting to look at.

"Hey, I'm just saying... I've heard him thank you twice, and don't think I didn't notice that little thing you guys had going while we were playing trivia the other night. And that was even before he owed you one." she points out oh so unhelpfully.

I wince. "Can we just go back to talking about Edwardo and his video game obsession?"

She smirks and says, "Whatever you say."