The Arsonist (Warren Peace)

Chapter Twelve

^^Rose

I chuckled at a joke that Will's dad made and I laughed harder as I saw him turn pink, "ah I swear it was like yesterday when he was naked swimming in the kiddie pool." Will choked on his mouthful of water, "MOM!" I swiped at a tear that fell, "oh my gosh please tell me you have baby Will pictures." his eyes widened with horror, "mom no don't I swear." her face lit up, "yeah they're in the living room. I followed her and she grabbed a photo album flipping open to a page with Will sprawled out on the bed in a onesie with a smile on his chubby face, "aw Will you were so cute." I smiled at him, "I have baby pictures that I have to show Warren I can get some copies that way you can relive my memories dad." a smile appeared on my face, "if that's okay with you of course." I looked at Josie, "oh I would love to have some childhood photos." I smiled, "I'll give 'em to Will tomorrow." I reached into my bag pulling out the old photo album, "but I have the album so you can pick out which ones you like best." I handed it over to her and she took it gingerly.

She patted the seat next to her and Will and Dad both sat on each side of her, "wow." Will smiled a little bigger at each picture, "how old were you here?" I looked at the picture and it was me covered in cake smiling widely at the camera, "I had just turned four." I swallowed, "a week before mom died." I blinked away tears. I looked at the time and saw that it was six thirty, "I could go, I promised Warren I'd help him pack." Josie closed the photo album passing it back to me, "we'll take all of 'em if you would allow us to." I smiled, "I'll get them copied and give 'em to Will." I hugged everyone and headed out. I took my time and smiled as a light drizzle started. I noticed a little girl standing by herself and I jogged across the street, "where's your parents?" her lip quivered, "I don't know she said she'd be right back and ran down the street." I grabbed her hand, "why don't we just wait here for a little bit and if she doesn't come back then we can go and look for her okay?" she nodded and played with her finger tips jumping as a clap of thunder sounded by a flash of lightning.

I placed my hands on her waist and pulled her closer to me as I sat onto the damp ground, "wanna see something cool?" She studied me and I let my eye flash color as I created a little ball of water. She reached out her hand and cradled the ball in her hand before poking it, making it pop. She giggled, "again!" I created another ball of water making it a bit bigger than before and she cradled again and I made my eyes flash a hint of blue as I froze it making her eyes widen, "that's so cool!" I smiled, "you think so?" she nodded, "I wish I could do that." I shrugged, "maybe when you get older you might be able to." her grin grew and she pointed, "there's my mommy." I grabbed her hand, approaching the woman, "is this your daughter?" she nodded, "thank you so much for keeping an eye on her. She took off down the street and I've been searching for twenty minutes for her. I was getting worried." there was a hint of relief in her tone, "no problem." the little girl hugged my legs, "can I see you again water girl?" I smiled, "that's up to your mama I'm afraid why don't you ask her."

She beamed at her mom, "mommy can we please meet up with water girl again?" I shrugged, "it's really not a problem we can meet up once a week if that's alright with you." she smiled, "sure we can meet at the Paper Lantern on Saturdays at eleven if that's fine with you." I nodded, "absolutely next week?" she nodded and stuck out her hand, "I'm Mandy and this is Rose." I smiled, "my name is Blake." I shook her hand and waved at Rose, "I have to go now but I'll see you next week Rose." she waved frantically at me shouting, "bye water girl!" causing me to smile as I waved a final time before heading in the direction of Warren's. I walked in and smiled at Clarissa, "back already?" I chuckled, "I promised I'd help him pack." she nodded, "well he's in his room." I nodded and climbed up the stairs. I went to open his door but I heard his muffled voice, "I know babe she's just a friend I promise." I froze, "I love you too." he hummed, "yeah definitely." I headed back downstairs to give him privacy trying to ignore the pain I felt in my chest.

"Hey Clarissa here's my photo album that I brought we can look through it real quick seems like he's on a phone call." I faked a smile and she took the photo album, "oh you were absolutely adorable." I hummed, "y'know I should probably head home. I'm sure he wants to go to bed early. I can help tomorrow or something." she handed me back the album, "well see ya tomorrow then." I ignored the sick feeling in my stomach. I knew it shouldn't have hurt so much especially since we weren't together but it felt like my heart shattered each time I thought about who he was talking to." I slung my bag over my shoulders and started to walk. The rain got harder and the thunder got louder as I let the tears mingle with the rain and I heard a familiar voice, "Blake?" I looked up to see Layla looking at me in concern, "are you alright?" I faked a smile and tried to keep my voice steady.

"Yeah I'm fine why wouldn't I be?" my voice broke towards the end of the sentence and she pulled me into a hug rubbing my shoulder, "what happened sweetheart?" I shook my head, "it's stupid." she pulled away wiping at some of the tears, "you wouldn't be crying if it's something stupid is it Warren?" I shrugged, "we're not even together, it shouldn't hurt this bad." she pulled away and waved her hand, "learn from the mistakes of others, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself." a rose bush grew in the yard beside us and she picked out a rose handing it to me, "don't make the same mistake I did by not telling him how you feel." I nodded, "thanks Layla." I hugged her, wiping the cold, sticky trails left behind by the tears and the rain eased a little bit, "are you controlling the weather?" she looked at me astonished and I shrugged sheepishly, "my emotions can control the weather sometimes." she giggled, "that's cool." I looked down kicking some dirt.

"So Will huh?" she blushed, "I don't-" I looked at her with disbelief, "I don't understand how you two are so blind my god!" I sighed, "anyway I gotta go thanks for the talk." she nodded, "I love what you did with your hair by the way." I smiled, "thanks Layla." I waved and texted Will, "hey can I sneak into your house I'll give you some guitar lessons." I walked in the general direction of Will's house and my phone buzzed, "please I am so confused by the tutorial I am watching (come around the side)." I chuckled and sped up the pace a little so that I wouldn't be soaked to the bone by the time I got to Will's house.