Beyond The Sky

18

We drove home in complete silence. I know Isla and Spencer didn't want to talk about me, either, because it's about them for the weekend. I'm just going to leave them alone for the rest of the weekend. Unless, of course, they want to bring me along. I'm not going to force them to bring me though. It's totally not worth it to them.

"Is everything all right?" My mom asks when we walk in the door back home.
"I need to talk to you," I say, trying to keep myself together. I wasn't ready to talk about it but I needed to let all of this off my chest. Spencer and Isla go to sit down and just talk while Mom just stares at me. "Okay. Do you need to talk privately, or...?"
"They already know. So unless they don't want to hear it again, it doesn't need to be."

She looks at me, confused. She switches her gaze to Spencer and Isla. They shake their heads, indicating that they'll just tune me out. Mom nods.

"Right." She turns to sit down, and I follow her. We both sit down. "What did you want to talk about?"

I can't even begin to speak. It's hard to even say the words I need to.

"This is really hard to talk about. But I know you've been through it too, so you're the only one I know I can talk to."

"I think I know where this is going," she says. "But just in case I don't, take your time."
I sigh. "Arlo passed away." That's the easiest way I could put it. "I lost my soulmate."

Mom wraps an arm around me and pulls me close to her. "I'm so sorry, Serena. I understand how hard it is."

"We'd only known each other for a couple of days. It was just so sudden, so soon..."
"I know. You're strong, Serena. You'll make it through this."

I give her a soft smile. "I really hope so."

"I know so."

Ping. Bzz, bzz.

My phone vibrates, indicating a text message had gone through.

A text from Arlo? But... how?

I decide to open it.

'Hi, Serena.

I know you're already aware of this, but Arlo passed away this afternoon. I know it was sudden, too. But you probably didn't know that he was a volunteer firefighter. He worked so hard with his crew, but he inhaled too much smoke after falling through the roof of the house they were working on saving. That's what killed him, in case you wanted to know. I'm not sure if you did or not. But it might give you some closure.

I'm just a friend of his. I know how hard it is for you, but it's hard for all of us too.

He wanted me to let you know something. He wanted me to tell you that...

He loved you.

I'm aware you'd only known each other for a few days. But... That's what he told me.
I knew he had a strong connection with you.

The way he talked about you, the way he just admired you...

It was cute. I was kind of jealous of you guys.

That's all for now.

Thanks for making my best friend happy.'