Beyond The Sky

24

SERENA'S POV

That's strange. I didn't think anyone new would text me... Especially not right now. It's a strange time of year.

I open the text anyway.

My eyes widened at the sight of who texted me -- Arlo's friend! He actually reached out to me. Huh.

Can I predict the future?! I swear I just asked about that. Well, that's fine anyway! I always need a new person to talk to. He seems like a good guy, anyway.

"Spencer!" I called my brother. I needed him to see this.

He comes rushing into the room I'm in, only slightly worried. "What's up?" He asks, a puzzled look on his face.

"Look!" I turn my phone screen toward him and push it into his face.

"What... What's this?"

"What's with all the questions? Just read it."

He doesn't question anything else, just stares at my phone screen for a moment.

"So ... what you're trying to show me is... The guy who had sent you the text about Arlo from his phone ..."

"Actually decided to text me on his own!"

"You're... really desperate, aren't you?" He asks.

"What?! No! Of course not!"

"Sure," he teases, "sure you're not."

"I swear." I look him dead in the eyes.

"Okay, okay, fine, I believe you."

I hum a little in victory. Look, I'm doing a little better now. Not 100 percent better, but I've kind of got myself back.

"What should I text him back?"

"That's up to you, dude. Look - I'm gonna go back to watching videos with Isla. Text me if you need anything."

"Mmkay." I stare down at my phone as I hear his footsteps wander back up to his room. "Don't do anything stupid!" I call out to them before he shuts the door. I swear I could hear his eyes roll as the door clicked shut.

I hesitate after I begin to type the message. What do I say? Do I bring up Arlo? Do I say that I'm thankful he texted me? I'm struggling a bit.

I think for a moment before settling on:

Hi Lance.

Great to hear from you. Would you mind telling me more about Arlo?

I didn't really get to know him that well.

That's all I decided to put in the text. Simple, yet effective. Now we wait for a response.