The cool metal of the table bit into Arturo's skin as he traced its gridded pattern. The edges of his vision blurred, his friends’ faces indistinct shapes against the late afternoon sky. A strange pressure built behind his eyes, a dull ache mirroring the hollow sensation in his chest.
"Yo, Turo, you down?" Riko's nudge jolted him back. Arturo blinked, the world snapping into focus.
"Huh?" He glanced around the table. "What happened–?"
"Knox wants to check out that old barn by the cornfield," Charice said, a practiced smile curving her lips.
"Yeah," Knox drawled, one arm slung over his knee. "My dad's old projector is gathering dust. Figured we could watch a movie."
"Ooh, we could watch some slasher flick!" Quincy grinned, hands buried in his pockets. "Maybe Texas Chainsaw?"
A shiver, unrelated to the lingering chill, ran down Arturo's spine. The thought of a dark, dank barn didn’t appeal to him. "Uh," he hesitated, the hollow in his chest deepening. "I—uh...Sure. Sounds…cool."
Piper leaned forward, arms crossed on the metal table, fixing Knox with a steady gaze. "So, what's the plan, genius? None of our cars can make it to that barn." Her dark hair framed a face with sharp, almost-black eyes. Arturo felt the familiar tingle of her presence, a sensation he quickly dismissed.
"Uh…walk?" Knox offered, running a hand through his greasy blond hair.
Piper’s dark eyes narrowed. "Walk? With a projector?" The unspoken Are you stupid? hung in the air.
Knox scowled. "Fine. I'll borrow my dad's truck! It can handle it."
"Wait. Um…" Lorelai chimed in, tossing her hair. "Um…what about us? Because I’m not walking that far."
Knox sighed, tapping a finger against the table. "I have an extra seat. I'll pick you up."
Arturo watched, hands clenched into fists. He desperately wanted the exchange to end.
Lorelai’s frown flipped into a saccharine smile. "Great!" She leaned over to kiss Knox, the hem of her jumpsuit riding up.
The shrill clang of the bell cut through the air. Class time. The group scattered, the awkward tableau dissolving.
