Page 23 of Last Letters to Ara
Where I might look like an awkward teen going through her first goth phase, he looks like a dark prince, sin incarnate. It’s completely unfair and also, unsettling. Do friends normally make other friends have indecent thoughts?
The way Theo’s eyes glitter tells me that curiosity has been eating him alive.Good.I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face, and Theo responds in kind.
“Are you two robbing a bank tonight or something?” Joel asks.
I roll my eyes. “Or something.”
“Joel, this is Theo,” with a shy smile I add, “myfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Joel.” Theo doesn’t miss a beat, extending his hand to Joel. “To be frank, I have no idea what we are doing tonight, I’m just along for the ride.”
Joel laughs. “Well, you take care of her, otherwise I’ll have something to say about it.”
Theo looks me in the eyes, rather than Joel, and says, “I intend to.”
It’s a declaration to me, rather than an answer to Joel, his words invading my chest and wrapping around my heart, warming it with a gentle squeeze. The warmth sinks to my middle and I get the feeling that I’ve finally disappeared over the edge of that roller coaster.
“We better get going, I’ll see you tomorrow, Joel!”
“See you tomorrow!” Joel gives us a little wave before walking toward his bus stop.
It saddens me that just as I finally let myself interact with those guys when in thirteen more days I’ll be leaving the café. I put that thought where it belongs for now, the back burner, because tonight is about Theo.
I managed to get a spot right up front, my 2007 lime green VW Beetle greeting us front and center in a sea of white and black automobiles.
“Okay, I must know. Why am I dressed in all black?”
Certain veryloudand verydistractingbody parts of mine seem to think it’s fortheirenjoyment. “That’s for me to know, and you to find out! The only hint you’re getting is that our first stop is Walmart.” I toss him my keys. “You drive.”
“Are we robbing Walmart? If so, I feel like I qualify for a better position than just in-the-dark getaway driver.”
I roll my eyes as Theo yelps, his knees driving straight into the steering wheel. “Who drives this close to the steering wheel?”
“It’s not my fault that you’re a giant.” I plug in my phone to the aux cord which I had to get specially installed as he adjusts his seat.
When you grow up with your dad as your only hero and friend, classic rock easily becomes your favorite. I don’t pick our playlist which took years to curate, knowing I’ll end up in tears. Tonight is supposed to be fun, so instead I put on my “Best of the Best” playlist, featuring the best songs from across all decades.
Tina Turner comes on first, and Theo reaches down to turn it up, bringing a smile to my face, which he doesn’t miss as he rolls down the windows, letting in the cool evening air. Before long we’re sailing on the highway as he belts out the lyrics to “Simply the Best” and since his voice is as bad as mine, I join in too.
I stick my arm out the window as we make our way to Walmart, singing song after song. The roads are empty, giving the impression that time has frozen, it’s just us, the music, and the wind. I look over and find Theo with a smile that could light up the city.
I dare to think my plan could work.
We pull into the Walmart parking lot, and I don’t miss that Theo knew where to go like a Tampa local. Getting out of the car, I grab his hand to drag him inside, not letting myself think about what the touch does to me or how naturally it comes.
• • •
“Two black beanies, a pair of scissors, and enough toilet paper to supply a small country.” He looks at me and laughs. “What the hell are we doing, Ara?”
“Come on, be a good sport!” I get this funny look on my face. “I promise to tell you our next destination after you use those big muscles of yours to stuff all of this into the car.”
Theo raises his brows.
“What? I’m not blind,” I say back defensively, having just admitted to checking him out. “Stuff. In. Car. Now.”
Theo reaches for the first pack of toilet paper. “I’m definitely going to regret this.”
The half-smile he fails to hide tells me that he regrets nothing.
