FIVE
Arlo
I setup my stuff in astronomy class, digging out the bag of sour gummy worms that I bought for Briar this morning. I wonder if it’s coming off as desperate that I’m bringing her favorite candy the day after she told me it was her favorite. I grabbed her a tea again today too and I place that next to the bag of candy.
Briar comes into the classroom a couple of minutes later and any doubts I had about getting her the candy evaporates when I see how her face lights up at the sight of the gummy worms. She smiles over at me as she sets her stuff down and takes the seat next to me.
She opens the bag and pops one in her mouth before she offers some to me. I take one and smile back at her as we chew the sour candy.
“Thanks, Arlo. This was really sweet of you.”
“It was no problem.” I say as the professor walks in and starts class.
We sit next to each other, taking notes and eating sour gummy worms throughout the entire class. The professor talks a little more about the group assignment at the end of the class and then dismisses us.
“We should start working on our project soon.” She says as she packs up her things.
We had already talked about what we were going to do and we’ll have to spend a couple of weekends or nights camping to get all the data that we’ll need for this project. I’m looking forward to sleeping out with Briar.
“We can camp on my roof. It’s high enough that we’ll be able to get some good views of the stars.”
“Ok, that works with me. Saturday night?” She asks.
“Yeah, sounds good.”
We walk out of class and I walk Briar to her English class. We talk more about the project and the supplies that we’ll need as we walk across campus. I walk her to the classroom door before we say goodbye. I tell her that I’ll text her before I head back to my place. I have to get some work done and I grab a sandwich before I head home and get to work.
I get lost in my computer programming for hours before I finally come up for air. It’s dark out and I check the time to see that I had been working for six hours. It’s time for dinner and I already know that I don’t have anything in the fridge. I need to go grocery shopping but I’m too tired to do it tonight. I’m just picking up my phone to order some food when my phone starts to buzz.
Briar’s name flashes across the screen and my heart skips a beat as I slide my finger across the screen and answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Arlo? I’m so sorry for calling so late.”
“It’s no problem. What’s up?” I ask, getting concerned at the panic I can hear in her voice.
“I’m really sorry to ask this, it’s just that I don’t know anyone else here really and I didn’t have anyone else to call.”
“You can ask me anything, Briar.” I try to assure her.
“My apartment building has bugs and it’s being fumigated for the next couple of days. Do you think that there’s any way that I can crash on your couch for a couple of days? I know it’s probably a huge inconvenience, but I really can’t afford a hotel right now.”
“It’s no problem, Briar. I’d love to have you here and you don’t have to sleep on the couch. I have a guest room that you can use.”
“Oh gosh, Arlo. Thank you so much. Thank you so, so, much! You’re a lifesaver.”
“Do you need help moving your things over here?”
“I’m just going to grab a couple changes of clothes so I should be able to get it.”
“I’ll come help you anyways. You shouldn’t be walking around at night by yourself. I’ll drive over and be there in a couple of minutes.”
“Thanks, Arlo.”
“Anytime.” I say before I hang up and grab my car keys.
Having Briar with me for the next couple of days sounds like heaven and I smile as I drive
over to her place.