Beyond The Sky

23

LANCE'S POV

Just moments earlier...

After being asked by Arlo to text Serena, I really felt bad. Seriously, I can't believe she never got to say goodbye to her soulmate. My text from Arlo's phone couldn't have been enough for her. Do you think she would've texted the number back?

No. She couldn't have.

But something just wasn't sitting right with me. I had to say something else to her. But how would I do that? I don't even know her. I guess I could go see if Arlo's parents still have a hold of his phone, but that's doubtful. I decided to go check anyway.

Thankfully, his family lives right down the road. I tell my mom where I'm headed and she nods in response as the door clicks open and shut as I exit. The air was a little chilly, but my hoodie was enough to keep me warm for the short walk to the Harmon household. I grew up with his family, which really explains why we were best friends... for life. And it was really meant that way.

I guess that isn't happening.

I approach the outside of the house. It's a lot darker than usual and I hesitate to walk up the porch steps, which is much unlike me. I comb my hand through my messy hair as I climb up the steps and ring the doorbell. Within a few moments, his mother is there to greet me.

I take a breath. "Hi, Mina." I greet her.

"Hi, Lance," she responds, solemnly, "It's good to see you."

"You, too. Can I come in?"

"Sure. We're just working on making preparations for Arlo's funeral."

"I see. This must be really hard for you guys."

"It is, but... we're making it through."

"That's good to hear." I look around the familiar foyer of their family home. It brings back memories of when Arlo and I were young. I smile a bit at the memory. I miss him.

"I'm sorry my visit is so sudden, I just wanted to ask something," I finally spit out.

"You know you can talk to us, Lance."

"Do you guys still have Arlo's phone on you?"
"Of course we do. We put it back in his room. We turned it off, but if you're looking for something you're more than welcome to turn it back on. Just make sure it gets turned off again."

"Sure thing. I'll head that way." I wave to her in thanks and I walk past their dining room and kitchen, down the hallway and make a left to Arlo's room. His room was at the far end of the other hallway, filled with everyone else's bedrooms. His parents', his older sister's, his older brother's, and of course, his.

"I wonder how his siblings are taking this?" I mutter softly as I click the doorknob open to his room.

It's just as he had left it the night I was last here. I had only seen him just days before. To think that would've been the last time we would spend together in this room...

Now's not the time for reminiscing. I have to find his phone.

They said they left it here... But did they leave it where he usually does or did they hide it in here?
I doubt they did anything special with it. I immediately check all the places he usually leaves it sitting: nightstand, edge of the bed, dresser, his desk... Aha!

There it is: the back of his bright red phone case. I flip it over to make sure they didn't take it out of its case, and sure enough it's still intact. I hold the power button on it and it begins to flicker to life after a few moments. All I need is for this to last long enough to get Serena's number. That sounds weird.

I hope he'll forgive me for this.

Ah, it's not like I'm trying to take her away. Or anything for that matter - I just want to let her know we're in this together.

That's not weird, is it? I don't think so.

I unlock his phone. He trusted me enough with his passcode that I know exactly what it is:

2756 - his name spelled in the numbers from a keypad. It's strange, but it was different from everyone else's - with their 1234s or 4321s or 0000s. It's what made him special.

I go to his messages. Sure enough, there was the last message I sent to Serena.

I tap on her contact name. There's her number, right in front of me.

I pull my phone out and hesitantly type Serena's number into my contacts.

I'm going to regret this, aren't I?

I turned his phone off and put it right back where I left it.

I'll take care of this later. I turn back out of his room, closing the door and shutting the light off. I head back out toward the living room where his parents were.

"Hi, Lance." His dad notices my presence. I'm so glad we know each other well enough that we're on a first name basis, because the whole "mister" "missus" and "miss" thing is way too formal. I'm not one for formalities.

I acknowledge him. "Hey, Marshal." I had one more question I wanted to ask. About Arlo's siblings.

"How're Finlay and Arabella taking things? Do they know?" I'm genuinely curious. I don't mean to hurt them at all or be nosy - Arlo's older siblings need to know, too.

They're only 3 and 4 years older than Arlo and they're as tightly-knit as they could ever be. Losing Arlo is going to change this family, I just know it.

Mina looks at me and sighs. "Only Finlay knows, but he called more recently. Finn was planning on telling Arabella, but we don't know if he's gotten to it - because she's always calling when something tragic happens."

"So because she hasn't called, you know she's not aware?"

"Correct. Maybe I'll call Finn in a little while, see if he's forgotten to tell Bella."

"Never hurts," I respond, sighing, "I only came to see if you guys had his phone. I was looking for something. It's taken care of, now," I pause, "call me if you need any help - and if Arabella finds out, too."

"Sure. We'll talk soon, Lance."
"See you guys later." I walk out past the foyer and out into the chilly afternoon in Sibley. I put the hood on my hoodie up to cover the brisk wind that started blowing in the direction of my house. I pull my phone out of its pocket and this is when I decide to text Serena.

'Hi again, Serena-

This is probably really creepy, getting this text.

I promise I'm not creepy. This is Arlo's friend. I found your number on his phone. I just wanted to let you know that if you needed someone to talk to or grieve with, I'm here. I don't know if you want to or not, it's just an option.

By the way... My name is Lance. Just wanted to let you know that.

I'm always free to talk. We can be each other's support systems.

See you soon. Maybe.'

And... Send.