We Weren't So Far Apart

John and Arlo

"Yea?" John replied. John turned around, looking at the small girl.
"My mom was wondering if you could watch my little siblings while she's on her business trip." The girl said in a soft tone. "I won't be able to watch them since I'm going on the Okinawa trip."
"Yea, I can watch them. I don't have anything planned for this week, so I'll have time." John stated.
"Great! My mom will be so happy, thank you, John, byyyyee, " the small girl yelled while running off.
'Crap, I didn't ask if I was getting paid.' John thought worryingly. As John was walking down the hall, he spotted Ben in the courtyard practicing basketball with his team. Smiling to himself, he decided it was best to let Ben practice with his team during lunch and started walking towards the teachers lounge to see if any help was needed. John's walk to the teachers' lounge was interrupted when one of the teachers stopped him.
"Oh- Lucy, can you help us carry these to the library?" Ms. Sugara asked.
"Sure, no problem," John replied.
Once Ms. Sugara, John, and the other student got everything situated they headed off to the library.
"Good morning," Ms. Naomi said.
"Good afternoon ," Ms. Sugara, John, and Klarisa replied.
"Where do you want us to put these books at?" Ms. Sugara asked.
"Oh, if you don't mind, can you put them away?" Ms. Naomi asked. "it's alright. If you can't."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I have a student teacher conference with klarisa in a few minutes," Ms. Sugara stated with an apologetic tone with Klarisa bowing her head.
"I can put them away. I don't have anything to do, " John said with a small smile.
"Really? Thank you, Lucy" Ms. Naomi said with a tone of relief.
After Ms. Sugara and Klarisa left, John began to put the books away in the order Ms. Naomi explained. As John was putting one of the books away, Ben came up behind him, "Hey, you need help?" Ben asked.
"Ben! You scared the crap out of me." John whispered. "But yes, I need help."
"You're too short," Ben stated while laughing.
"I'm not short. You're just tall," John said, pouting.
Once all the books were put away, the bell rang, signaling their next class would be starting soon. "I'll see you after school, yea?" John said once they were out of the library.
"Yea, I'll walk you home, I'll tell Lea." Ben replied with a smile.

   Arlo was in his math class at this time, learning more about algebra than he already did. Once the bell rang, everyone ran off to lunch while Arlo decided to go to the library.
"Good afternoon, Arlo," Ms. Kara said.
"Good afternoon," Arlo replied.
As Arlo walks through trying to find a book, he stops to look out of the window, and small memory seeps into his mind. "A-- y-- -k?" Arlo couldn't comprehend what the voice was saying. Whoever was standing in front of him that day, he couldn't remember his face. Why couldn't he remember?.. Arlo walked out of the library with a frown, a book in hand to his next class.
When school came to an end, Arlo wasn't too excited as he had to endure more of his aunts training, don't get him wrong he loves his aunt but he didn't want to spend his whole life training.
"Arlo. You're late." Aunt val said.
'By a few seconds,' Arlo thought while internally rolling his eyes.
"Today, I want you to practice making different shapes with your ability, such as a cube or a rhombus capsule like me," Valerie stated.
As Arlo tried to make different shapes, a glimpse of a memory came to mind..
That boy. The same boy he remembered at school was smiling and laughing at what arlo might've said.
"--!"
"Arlo!" Valerie shouted.
"Yes?" Arlo asked.
"You were zoning out, you alright?" Valerie said in an almost worrying tone.
"Yes, I'm fine." Arlo stated with a blank face, not wanting his aunt to ask any questions.
"All right, let's get back to training."
Arlo tried to make multiple shapes, but his ability wasn't corporating with him.
With a sigh, his aunt told him to give it up and work on multiple barriers instead. Once they were finished, Valerie drove Arlo home.
"Bye, aunt Val drive safe," Arlo said.
"Bye, Arlo, I will," Val replied.
As Arlo watched his aunt drive down the road, he couldn't help but wonder who that boy was in his memory. He had asked his dad about it before, but he didn't recall anything either. With a sigh, Arlo decided to give it up and head inside. He wasn't getting any answers anytime soon.

The next day, at 7:54 a.m., John was getting ready to go to his friends house to look after her two siblings.
"I'm heading out now. Love you, dad," John said.
"Love you to kiddo, be safe," Will said, giving John a hug. As John walked out of the house, he couldn't help but take in that cold morning, with the birds' sweet songs, the wind in the trees, and the smell of coffee in the cafe down the road. The start of winter break was really kicking in now as it started snowing. Once John was at his friends house, he rang the doorbell.
"Hey Lucy, come in," Kayla's mom said with a smile, "Thank you again for watching my kids, Kayla left a few hours ago, and I have to leave in 5 minutes."
"Oh, im sorry. Should I have come earlier?" John asked.
"Oh, no, you're fine. I was just worried you weren't gonna show, but I'm glad you did," Lilian said, " Kids! Come downstairs, Lucy's here!"
"Luci!!" The kids yelled while running downstairs engulfing John in a hug.
Lilian stood there smiling while John returned the hug her kids tackled him in.
"Ok, kids, I have to get going. You be good for him, yeah?" Lilan said.
"We will!" The kids replied, "Love you, mommy!!"
"Love you too!" Lilian replied.
Once she drove down the road, John shut the door.
"So what do you kids want to do?" John asked.
"Can we watch tv?" Jona asked.
"I'm hungry," Cali stated.
John opted to make them food while letting them watch TV.