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The door slides open to reveal Arlo on the other side. Once Arlo takes a step into the clubroom, a certain dual-haired boy takes notice to him.
“There you are!” Isen exclaims, a grin appearing on his face. Arlo is visibly disgruntled and a tad bit confused, Arlo then took a glance at the clock that hung on the wall right behind Isen, nine fifty, it read, he was early by five minutes.
“What's the excitement for?” Arlo questions, glancing around the room to observe the students he'd have to babysit— supervise. And as if he was blessed by Fortuna herself, the club was near empty; save for a few students playing Uno, a couple who were working on assignments or homework and some who're lazing around the beanbags— okay maybe that sounded like alot of students but it's better than what he had to work with yesterday.
Isen scoffed, “Well since your here,” Isen then placed his arms on his hips, “I can now leave and get to English class!” Isen smiles.
Arlo rolled his eyes at the statement then takes notice to a magenta haired girl as well as a ravenette across the room, “What are they doing here?” Arlo asks, surprised to see the two.
Isen turns to where Arlo was facing and then shrugged, “Dunno, they probably just skipped class or something.” Isen guesses, uncertainty clear in his tone.
Arlo dismissed Isen's answer, “If they were here then why didn't you just leave earlier?” Arlo asks, crossing his arms.
Isen briefly opened his mouth before closing it. He then paused for a moment, “Damnnit you're right, why didn't I leave earlier?!” Isen choked out, smacking his forehead with his hand.
Arlo didn't comment any further, instead he simply told Isen to get going and right after, Isen promptly left.
Once Isen was out of the room, Arlo took a good moment to actually take a proper look around Safe House. For today, it was quite quiet, as given there didn't seem to be as many students present. Arlo then decided he'll just spend his time reading a book, remembering that he still hasn't completed reading Rock Bottom, a book by someone under the pen name "uwu-chan".
After collecting the desired book from the (rather unorganized) book pile, Arlo took a seat at one desk; amongst the barrage of other neatly scattered desks.
Before he opened the book, however, he took one last glance at Seraphina and John; the two of them were propped up next to the bean bags, John was leaning against a shelf while Seraphina sat atop a desk. They looked to be engrossed in whatever conversation they were having, an occasional laugh from John or a groan from him happened here and there, then Seraphina would giggle right after, overall the two of them just seemed to be in a happy-go-lucky mood.
Arlo shook his head, looking back down at the book in his hands that he is yet to even crack open. Subconsciously, he had just observed them— a bit out of character for him to do so in terms of who he was observing.
Opening the book, Arlo tried to recall the last page that he had read, ‘Now was it two forty-six or two sixty-five’ Closing his eyes, Arlo pondered, silently cursing himself for not bookmarking the page like a moron.
When he opened his eyes, he decided to just gamble and read page two hundred forty-six, in hopes that even if he left off on page two hundred sixty-five he'd be able to catch up.
Flipping the pages, Arlo found the exact page he was looking for, a small smirk formed on his lips as he gave himself an imagery pat in the back for a job well done.
..He then proceeded to immediately cringe after fully acknowledging what he just (internally) did.
Arlo set the book down and looked up, glancing around the clubroom in an act of overviewing it's current state again (as well as to distract himself from his own embarrassment). That's when Arlo noticed a girl sitting close to him on another one of the desks, she had maroon-ish coloured hair that was styled in pigtails and was wearing a sage-green sweater over her uniform. Arlo could briefly recognize her as Seraphina's girlfriend, Evie.
Arlo didn't really pay her any mind until he noticed that she was blatantly staring at something— someone.
Arlo followed her gaze and saw that she was staring at Seraphina and John, or probably just Seraphina if he's gonna be honest with his thoughts.
Oddly enough, Arlo was curious, Evie had every right to just approach Seraphina, or "Sera" as they tend to call her, but Evie didn't. Instead of approaching her girlfriend she decided to just take a seat and simply watch her from a distance.
Arlo had two choices then: either move on and continue reading Rock bottom or approach Evie and have a conversation with her out of curiousity.
Arlo decides to go with the latter.
Arlo got up from his seat and then approached Evie, hell he even attempted to put on a friendlier demeanour in hopes of having an actual conversation with her.
“Evie,” Arlo called, grabbing her attention, “May I have a word with you?” Arlo asked.
Evie looked up at him and repeatedly nodded, “Yes, of c-course!” Evie quickly responds, her voice cracking at the end.
Arlo then nonchalantly turned his head to look in John and Seraphina's direction, silently indicating as to what Arlo wants to talk about in the first place.
“Ah!” Evie exclaimed, “You noticed me?” She questioned as blush faded onto her cheeks.
Arlo chuckled (scoffed), “Of course, were you even attempting to be subtle at all, Evie?” Arlo jokingly asked, “Sorry!!” Evie apologized, she completely was unaware as to how obvious she was admiring Sera— that the Defense King himself approached her about it!
...
AWH FUCK-- She was talking to The Defense King, Arlo?! And he was being all friendly-like, totally out of character for him!
Then again, he was being friendly, perhaps he just wanted to have a conversation? (Atleast Evie hoped so, otherwise why would Arlo be talking to her?)
Arlo was just standing above her, looking down at her, she wanted to get rid of any and all tension before it even gets the mere chance to develope— luckily for her, a chair was right next to her, “You can take a seat if you want.” Evie offered, a slight smile as she says so.
Arlo glanced at the chair next to her before slightly shaking his head and crossing his arms, “It's alright, I prefer to look down on people.” Arlo states as he (politely) declines.
Evie smiled, setting her elbows on her desk then rested her hands on each side of her neck, “That's totally fine!” Evie says, looking up at him with a gleeful grin.
(Arlo was taken a back by Evie's gesture, she purposely lowered herself because Arlo admitted he preferred looking down at people. In his opinion, Evie is seriously considerate of others, something he's not, really. Arlo supposed he'll take a greater liking to Evie from now on.)
Arlo hums, “Why are you just staring at her?” Arlo questions, “I mean, you could just go up to her, she's your girlfriend afterall.” He explains, his eyes brimming with curiosity as he anticipates Evie's answer.
Evie looks down as she takes a moment to think about it, “Well, I guess the short answer is that I love her.” Evie murmurs, looking back up at Arlo, “..So even if it's not me– specifically– who's making her laugh or feel happy, I still admire her even if it's from afar, because we're together.”
Arlo pauses, unfolding his arms and then bending over to settle both arms on the desk, both were nearly seeing eye to eye. Arlo asks another question, “Do you ever get jealous?”
“What?” Evie blurts out, confused by the prying question.
Arlo shrugs, “...I mean, Seraphina and John are good friends so, I wonder.”
“...” Evie just blankly stared at him.
“I'm being completely genuine asking this, I just want to know what you think– your thoughts and such.” Arlo adds on, trying to get rid of any malicious undertones he might've accidentally have added.
Evie nodded, taking a moment to respond, “I see, uhm well not really? Like yeah I'm not afraid to admit that I do get jealous but I fully trust her, and that is enough for me!” Evie exclaims matter-of-factly, raising her hand as she lightly bangs her arms onto the desk.
Arlo takes in Evie's answer, “I see.”
Evie then decides to ask Arlo a question herself, “ Why do you ask?”
Arlo stands up and straightens his posture, “Like I said, I'm just curious.” Arlo repeats.
“–Or this is just a roundabout way of you asking me for advice?” Evie questions, raising her arm that's still on the desk and then pressing her cheek against her hand.
Arlo is stunned by the assumption, “What?”
Evie then lifts her head and sits up right, “About John, uhm, you're rebuilding your friendship-- wait no, relationship with him right?” Evie asks.
Arlo nodded, “..Yes.” He answered truthfully, though hesitant at first.
“Do you like him in any way? Is that why you're asking me these questions?” Evie questions, wanting a straight answer.
Arlo is surprised, “What? No, I..” Arlo then trails out, Evie was definitely saying nonsense yet it did make some sense. Arlo is quick to dismiss it though, he brushed it off, sure he was asking her odd questions but they in no way correlated to John in any semblance.
Evie looked at him, waiting for him to continue on, “...”
Arlo silently stared back, “...”
Arlo sighed, “I don't have any romantic attraction to John, why would I? He probably still has a strong distaste for me. If anything, he probably still hates me.” Arlo retorts.
Evie narrows her eyes then blinked, “And why do you think that's the case?” She asked.
Arlo inhaled, “Because I hurt him.” He bluntly states.
Evie is surprised that Arlo would just so freely tell her that, “O-Oh, well yes that.. Yet you're both still working together to rebuild your relationship, so how could he possibly hate you if he's actively trying to be befriend or at the least be civil with you?” Evie says, trying to lighten up the mood and get Arlo to look at the bright side.
Arlo looks down at her, “You've got a point there, but no, I don't think I like him like that.” He states, briefly turning away and glancing at Seraphina and John.
“M-My bad then for prying in like that! I just want to try and give some advice.” Evie stutters out, pulling up both hands impulsively.
Arlo looks at her and then shook his head, “No, no, it's fine. I get it, you're a good person, Evie. Truly.” Arlo says in earnest, a small smile appeared on his usually blank poker face.
Evie smiled back in return, “Thank you, Arlo.”
The two then momentarily looked at eachother, and just when tensions were about to become awkward— “Evie~!” A feminine voice then called.
Before Evie nor Arlo knew it, Seraphina and John had suddenly approached them, “Arlo, Evie, what're you two talking about?” John asks, curiousity plain in his voice.
Arlo turns to John and bluntly answers, “Relationship stuff.”
Seraphina's eyes widen at Arlo's answer, “YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP?!” Seraphina gasps, dramatically putting a hand on her chest.
Arlo rolled his eyes, “No.”
“Wha– Hold on, then why the hell were you talking about relationship stuff with my girlfriend?!” Seraphina retorted, raising a brow.
Evie giggles reaching to hold Seraphina's hand from the desk she was seated at, “Our relationship, Sera” Evie says with emphasis. Arlo knew Evie wasn't telling the full truth but it was better than admitting he talked about his relationship with John infront of John.
“Oh.” Seraphina mumbled. Though she continued to glare at Arlo for a few seconds before humming, “Okay then.”
Arlo really didn't want to stay in the clubroom for any longer, tensions were gonna happen sooner or later.
“Ahem,” Arlo said to catch Seraphina's attention, “Since you and John are both here, I'll take my leave.” Arlo states.
“What? You can't just leave, plus, Remi isn't even here yet!” John argues, but as if they were in a comedy—
The door opens and Remi walks in.
“Well, there's Remi so my shift supervising is officially over. I'll go now, thanks again for the talk, Evie.” Arlo states, waving Remi over before he plans to walk away.
Evie smiles then stands up, “No biggie! If you ever wanna talk, just ask Sera for my number!”
Arlo smiles, “Alright.” Then headed to the door, greeting Remi as he passed by her.
Before opening the door and heading out, he turned back around one last time and looked at John.
Arlo shook his head, ‘I am not attracted to him, I'm sure of that.’ He told himself then walked out.