Fireworks

46

"Build my world around you, darling

This love will shine, girl

Watch it and see,

If you give a little more than you're asking for,

Your love will turn the key"

Arlo and I sing pretty loud, but I can barely hear anything aside from the whipping wind since the windows to the truck are down and we're driving down the highway at an ungodly speed. The sun is setting in pastel shades of pink and orange, and it's the perfect summer night.

When Arlo grips my hand, I look over and smile.

He's also grinning, which is always such a sight to see. He told me he didn't have braces when he was younger, but his teeth are so perfect that I have a hard time believing him. With his full lips, the wrinkling of the skin by his eyes and nose, it's such a perfect combination on his face. He doesn't smile nearly enough.

"I just wanna be your everything,

Open up the Heaven in your heart and let me be

The things you are to me,"

This song had somehow become one that we routinely listen to. I don't know how or when that happened, perhaps one of our lunch sessions in the truck, maybe on a drive somewhere, maybe on one of our apartment dates.

The only reason that this moment isn't perfect is that we're on our way to Hoffman's apartment.

After I agreed to go with him yesterday, he'd tell me every few hours that he was fine staying home if I didn't want to go, but I knew how important this was for him.

As much as I'd love to be alone with Arlo and not surrounded by a bunch of strangers all night, this is one of Arlo's last chances to celebrate with his closest friends before he moves across the country and away from them for a few years. I felt slightly guilty that I'd been taking up so much of his time that he could have been spending with his friends, but he was normally the one that made the plans, so I never said anything.

We pull off the interstate and into a grungy apartment complex just off the main road. It isn't horrible, but there are some suspicious-looking dudes sitting on the steps to the entrance smoking, and a dog tied to a stake stuck in a random spot on the patch of grass next to the cracked sidewalk.

When Arlo cuts the engine and the music cuts off, I can hear a baby crying and loud music playing from somewhere.

I wish it were the location making me nervous, but I know full well that I've had a bad feeling about seeing Hoffman in this setting and that's the reason I suddenly feel like I'm going to pass out. I don't want him to think I'm trying to shove my way into his circle or take Arlo from him. Probably not the best idea to show up at his birthday party uninvited.

"Hey, you'll be fine. I'll know everyone there, and I won't leave your side. Promise." Arlo says when he senses my nervous silence.

I nervously nod and clutch the gift I brought a little tighter. It seems stupid now.

We walk hand in hand up the steps to the building, and it doesn't go unnoticed by me how Arlo walks closer when we pass the men still lounging on the steps. He leads the way to door 31C, which is a big slab of metal with spray paint graffiti of a naked woman on it, and he bangs twice before letting himself in.

As soon as the door opens, the sound of rap music and the smell of burgers rushes to envelop us, and Arlo pulls me through the door before closing it securely behind us.