Fireworks

23

When I get to work, Harriet is sprinting around the tent, her hair coming out of its bun on the top of her head, a half drank red bull in her hands, a box cutter behind her ear. "No, I told you that we can't duct tape the fire hydrants to the support beams, it needs to be 'easily accessible in the event of an emergency,' Dad."

I try to smother my smile as I walk behind the register table and look for the binder we use to clock in and out. Not many people are here today, Arlo, Isa, Montserrat and I are just here to help with small things and maybe distract Liam if need be.

"Afternoon," I hear from behind me, and I glance over my shoulder to see Arlo leaning against the register counter, arms crossed over his chest.

"Good afternoon," I greet him in return, turning back to the binder and signing the time next to my name and the date.

"How are you?" he asks politely.

I'm a little suspicious, since Arlo doesn't really exchange pleasantries with people, but I just decide to go with it and say, "Well, and you?"

"I'm fine."

There's an awkward pause in which I put the binder neatly back in its slot under the table and turn around to face him. He looks gorgeous, as always, but he seems a little nervous. He's scratching the back of his neck and watching me almost cautiously. When he sees me waiting, he sighs. "Um, listen, about that day in Lance's..." I frown, unsure of where this is going. "I'm really sorry. I didn't realize about your brother."

Oh.

I shift a little nervously on my feet and break away from his eye contact. I hate this conversation. I've had it with various others and it's always just as painfully awkward as the time before.

He clears his throat a little embarrassedly and says, "I asked Isa about it. Please don't think I'm a creep." his hand falls from the back of his neck and I feel my brows raise a little, I didn't take Arlo as the snooping kind. He was so reserved, always worried about himself and whatever task he was supposed to be working on. I guess it's hard to picture him being interested in someone else's feelings. "I was just confused after what you said at the Parlor, and then I saw you and Harriet talking last night and you just looked kind of upset and she mentioned that she told you about Orion, which she doesn't do often, by the way, and I kind of put the pieces together on my own. But I did go to Isa, and trust me, she didn't want to, but I bribed her with Vinnie's, and you know... she really likes food."

I never thought I'd see the day that Arlo Faulkner, cool, detached Arlo, rambles. But here he was, spewing the story like it's eating him alive keeping it in.

I feel slightly less awkward and a bit more sympathetic now, seeing how concerned he is with violating my privacy. Most people at my school straight up asked me if I had any theories about who killed him, or other variously offending comments of the like.

"Don't worry about it, I don't mind. It's not like it's a secret or anything." I say, shrugging a little.

His face is still pained but his shoulders droop a little. "I know, but I just wanted to let you know."

I nod and say, "Well, thanks. And just so you know, the invitation to ask questions didn't expire after that night you helped me with my dad.  Just in case you ever needed to know something." I shrug.

He blinks, surprise flitting in and out of his gaze before he appraises me with a cautious eye. "It's not really my business. That's why I'm apologizing in the first place."

I fight the smile trying to take over my face and say, "I know. But clearly, you were at least a little curious if you went to Isa. I'm just saying, if you really want to know you can ask me."