Summer Nights

22: 'Telling Arlo..'

I smoothen down my pink scrubs as I force a tired grin onto my face as I waltz into my favourite resident's room.

The older man frowns slightly as he takes in my appearance, 'Kid, you don't look too good.'

'Aw I love it when you compliment me Arlo!' I say teasingly, as I walk over to his bed with his medication in my hands.

He rolls his eyes playfully, 'I just meant you look a little pale.'

I shrug, 'I've just not been having much sleep, that's all.'

'You've changed your hair.'

'Well, I'm flattered that you noticed.'

He gingerly takes the medication out of my hands, 'It's a very big change, the pink was very vibrant.'

I scoff, 'You're acting as if it was full on magenta, it was pastel.'

'I have no clue what either of those words mean.'

I laugh quietly, 'They're shades of pink.'

'I wouldn't know, I'm colourblind.'

I blink rapidly, 'B-But you just said that the pink was vibrant? H-How on earth could you tell that my hair changed colour?'

'I'm not a dog Scarlett, I don't see the world in black and white. I just find it hard to distinguish different shades and colours from one another.'

'Oh, that's interesting.' I murmur quietly as I reach down and plump his pillow for him.

My heart hammers harshly against my chest when I hear the door creak open because I know exactly who it was standing behind me. 

'Hey pops!'

Arlo's eyes widen as a giant grin forms onto his face, 'Robert! I wasn't expecting a visit, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?'

Rocky stiffens slightly, 'W-Well, it's kind of something to do with surprises actually.'

I refrain from snorting at his awkward demeanour because I could tell how much this moment meant to him.

Arlo makes a face, 'You know I've never been a fan of surpises.'

I turn to the much taller boy next to me with a soft smile, 'A-Actually, we both kind of have a surprise for you.'

The grey-haired man claps his hands together, 'Are you two courting?'

'N-Nope.' I squeak out.

'A-Actually we're expecting a baby. Scarlett's pregnant and I'm the father.'

The older man's face illuminates with joy, 'This is wonderful news! I'm going to be a great grandpa!'

Rocky rubs the back of his neck, 'Y-You aren't mad at me?'

He rolls his eyes, 'Robert, I know you see me as some old dinosaur, but I do realise that you young one's have a different approach to things nowadays. This is the norm for you kids, getting pregnant out of wedlock.'

I bit down on my bottom lip, 'W-We are actually having a gender reveal party next week and personally I would be honoured if you came. I-I can sort out a day pass for you.'

'I wouldn't miss it for the world kid. But I must ask, did you two already know each other on Christmas Day?'

Rocky nods slowly, 'Y-Yeah, we met a few weeks before that.'

'Then why did you two not converse? It seems rather perculiar to me.'

My cheeks flame wildly, 'W-We just didn't want to make things uncomfortable or awkward for you.'