Tip toes pressed against the floor, each step more careful than the last.
Her little heart hammered in her chest as she puffed her cheeks in an effort to not let out her gentle giggles. Being sneaky certainly wasn't her strongest suit - usually resulting in a fit of laughter.
This time, though - she was determined.
As she passed her mother's bedroom door, she made sure to hold her breath just in case her mother could hear her. As ridiculous as that seemed, the four year old had come to believe that her mother had some sort of superpower and sensed everything. She always knew if the girl had hid her vegetables in her pockets or snuck into the cookie jar. Even if there were no clues or indications.
The girl couldn't leave anything to chance.
Finally passing by her mother's door, the girl continued her calculated steps towards another door. The door. The green door that she could always see the light shining underneath. The glow from the bottom crack was even brighter tonight as the surrounding lights were turned off.
Taking more steps forward, the girl took a hard swallow, feeling her tingling nerves trying to push down her throat. What remained was the thrill of her little plan, which only grew stronger as she was nearing the finish line.
One. Two. Three.
She counted the steps in her head, her little bare feet patting against the wood floor as she closed the distance between her and the door . And then she was there, coming to a full stop as she reached for the knob in front of her, feeling the cool metal against her tiny palm.
Grunting and pinching her features together, she pulled the door towards her. The usual squeak of the hinges filled her ears and she continued to bring back the weight of the door with all of her might.
Well, there went her subtly. But at least the person on the other side of the door would understand.
He always did.
"Ugh," she let out one final grumble as she made enough room for herself to safely slip through the doorway and into the room. She nearly jumped through the threshold, feeling the wave of air that raced forward as the door closed behind her. It pushed her chaotic waves in her little face, which she was quick to push away with her little palms.
Hah! She did it!
"Jo?"
Looking forward, the girl expected to see the man in front of her, but didn't find him there. She was then led to turn her head to the right, looking out at the rest of the crowded room.
"Hi, daddy!" she called out, spotting him further into the room - crouched down next to a collection of wood. It looked like it was becoming some sort of chair, but she wasn't certain.
"And what do you think you're doing out of bed?" he asked her, pulling his screwdriver back from his work before standing. His brow was lifted, watching his daughter as she took cautious steps down the little set of stairs.
"I couldn't sleep. No matter how hard I tried. And I did try. I promise," she told him, now reaching the level of his workspace and taking some steps across the floor.
"Jo! No, no," her father said, throwing down his screwdriver as he quickly zigzagged through his builds in order to come scoop her up.
Once she was within his arms, he let out a small sigh.
"Honey, what did I tell you about coming in here without shoes on?" he asked, his voice tender as he looked at her.
"Oops, sorry. I always forget," she said, bringing her shoulders up as she gave him a shy smile.
"Hah… that's alright, sweetheart. We just have to be careful, remember?"
She nodded. "I'll remember from now on, daddy."
"Good, good," he gave her a weak smile. "So you couldn't sleep, huh? Were you having bad dreams?"
He began to walk with her still in his arms, bringing her towards his actual workbench.
"No, not this time," she told him. "I'm just not sleepy. I closed my eyes - I even closed them super tight - but no sleep came."
Her dad chuckled as he finally reached the bench, putting Jo down in the chair that sat right next to it.
"Well, sadly, closing eyes tight doesn't mean it will be easier for you to sleep," he informed her.
"Oh, gosh," the girl said, shaking her head. "Well, I had to try."
He laughed again. "Of course you did. You wouldn't be my little warrior if you didn't."
She gave a big nod. "Which is why I had to come see you. If I can't sleep then I have to come help you."
"At 12 o'clock at night, huh?" he asked, nodding towards the clock hanging on the wall.
"Wow, that's late," she said, her wide eyes looking to check the time. However, she didn't really know what the little arrows meant as they pointed at random numbers. Telling time wasn't her favorite lesson at school.
"I'm sure your mother would agree," he said, amusement within his tone as he ruffled Jo's hair a bit.
"Don't tell her! I don't wanna be in big trouble!" she started, her little cheeks growing red. "I only wanted to come help."
"Oh, you know I won't tell her," he calmed her. "Your secret is safe with me. But, I think it's best if we leave the building until tomorrow. I have something special planned."
A large smile grew across the girl's face as she took in her father's words, causing a grin to settle onto his lips as well. She wanted to pester him about what this surprise could be, but the small girl knew better. Though she was young, she had learned long ago that she had received her stubborn spirit from her father. He would never ruin a surprise.
Instead, the girl tried to settle the energy rising within her as she shifted her large brown eyes to gaze out at the builds scattered across the interior of their garage that had become her father's workspace. It was crowded and only allowed enough room to squeeze oneself passed each table, generator, fountain, etc. Though her parents always seemed to complain about the clutter, she found it thrilling. She would explore her father's builds all day and night if she could. However, as parents always did, hers gave her restrictions. She was only allowed to remain on the edges of the workshop and could help with a project only if her father brought it out into the driveway and she had enough room to move around.
She enjoyed those moments more than she could explain, but still the girl longed for more. To help more. To understand more. As she looked out at all of these things in her daddy's workshop, she couldn't even identify half of them, causing her to tilt her head to the side. Her dad really could build anything - especially a lot of things that she didn't know about.
"This is a weird group of things, daddy," she told him, her brows pulling together as she looked from one metal piece to one made of hardwood and cloth. She had no idea what either of them were.
"You've got that right," her father replied, looking out at his builds. He became quiet, his eyes dancing from one project to the next as if he were seeing each item for the first time. He then smiled once more, his words coming out in a steady breath. "It's like a menagerie."
Her eyes were on her father, her brows tugging together again as she registered his words. "What's a memagory ?"
He laughed, his eyes leaving the builds for a moment to look down. He then glanced at her.
"A menagerie is… well, it's like a zoo. A group of animals that are all together just for other people to see," he explained.
Now her eyes became wide again as she looked from him back to the finished pieces. "These things are animals!?"
He let out an amused hum as he shook his head.
"No, no. But they are a collection," he tried. "A strange group of items altogether, but they all have a job. A very important job, Jo."
She looked at him.
"Because you're a builder," she stated plainly.
He smiled, giving her a slow nod. "That's right, I am."
"And builders build things to help people and take care of them," she continued.
His smile grew a little wider. "That's right, honey."
"Mmm," she said, looking at the closet project to them as her eyes scanned it up and down. After a moment, she nodded to herself and glanced back to her dad.
"I wanna be a builder too."
"Ah," he said, raising his chin. He reached over to ruffle her hair a little. "But you already are."
His reaction made her giggle as she shook out her unruly brown hair, but it only caused the strands to tangle further.
"You help me build things everyday," he explained. "And maybe someday, you'll have your own menagerie. And you're going to build so many incredible things all by yourself."
This caused the girl to beam at her father - her smile so bright and wide that it nearly took up her entire face.
"I'd like that," she told him.
He smiled. "Me too."
"Except for the 'by myself' thing," she said, wrinkling her nose as she shook her head.
"And why's that?" he asked her.
"Because I like building things with you," she admitted. Her little lips pressed together, but they soon opened in a small gasp.
"I know! Maybe we could always be builders together!" she insisted, her volume rising.
"Oh, you and me?" he said, raising a brow as he looked at his daughter."
She nodded.
"Together?"
She nodded again.
"Hmmm," he began, looking up at the ceiling as if he really had to consider the idea. When he looked back down, he could see his daughter's fingers twist together as she waited for his verdict.
So he put it simply.
"We'd be unstoppable ."
This made her nod again, but with a smile on her face this time.
"Yeah!" she replied.
"The very best builders the world has ever seen," he continued on.
She laughed at this, bouncing up and down in her chair a little.
This brought a smile onto his own lips that was so big that it nearly filled his entire face as well.
"And you want to know why?" he finally asked.
"Hmmm…?" she said, her hopeful brown eyes unable to leave his face.
It was the look. The look that his daughter gave him from time to time that always made his heart beat harder in his chest. Made him breathe a little slower as he took a mental picture of his four-year-old, wishing he could keep her like this forever.
Or at least hoping she would never lose that look in her eye.
She had so many different looks.
One of a leader.
One of a seeker.
One of a fighter.
But this look...It was the look of a dreamer.
The look of someone who only wanted the very best.
Who believed in the good.
"Because" he finally began again. "There's nothing we can't build."
At these words, she let out a small gasp, the look in her eyes only deepening as she made sense of his sentence.
"There's nothing we can't build," she said back.
"That's right, sweetheart."
"Nothing we can't build," she repeated once more.
"Nothing," he stated one last time.
"I think so too, daddy," she told him. She was then leaning forward to throw her arms around his neck, nuzzling herself into him.
In that moment, her nose filled with the usual smells that she always noticed from her father. Of woodchips, some grease, and the faint smell of firewood after it was burned.
He slid his own arms around his daughter's small frame, closing his eyes as he held her close. The girl closed her own eyes, her little arms tightening as she held onto him. Maybe closing her eyes super tight wouldn't help her fall asleep, but perhaps it could make it so she never forgot this moment. How it felt to hug him and have him hug her. To feel like there was nothing in the world that she had to worry about.
Refusing to let go, she felt her dad fully stand then. He held her as he began to turn, careful to keep her steady in his arms.
"Alright, little builder," he breathed, walking back towards the door. "Let's get you back to bed."
The sound of her alarm clock caused her eyes to fly open as she stared at the familiar wooden boards of the ceiling above. Her heart hammered in his chest, but her body remained still - allowing the alarm next to her to ring on.
Her arms laid across her chest in a "X" as her palms held onto the opposite shoulder. It was as if she were hugging herself, her fingers almost numb from gripping so hard.
Laying there, Jo let out a slow breath, feeling the tickle of the air passing through her open lips as her eyes remained upward.
Then she took a deep breath in.
And then let it back out.
She stayed like this for a few more breaths, allowing her chest to fill completely with air before she pushed it all the way back out until her lungs ached from the strain. She was just about to take her fifth breath when she felt a release with her mind, as if there had been a third hand there just squeezing her head tightly.
With the relief of the pressure, Jo's hand finally left her shoulder to smack the alarm clock sitting on the side table to her right.
Silence.
Seconds ticked by.
And then more.
And then her hand slid away from the alarm clock and she let out one final breath. One less painful, one more stable.
A final sigh.
"Today's the day."
"Today's the day," Arlo stated, exiting his room. He adjusted the bandana around his neck before taking a seat on the couch caddy corner to where Rem was seated.
Rem hadn't even looked up from the paperwork in his hands, his eyes continuing to scan the words before him.
"Where are you headed off to?" he asked, his voice uninterested.
Arlo began to slip on his boots, promptly tying them up as he looked at his friend.
"Jo's," he stated simply.
Now this caught Rem's attention. He lowered the paperwork from his face as his eyes shifted over to Arlo.
"Wait," he started, his eyes growing a little wider. "Are you saying today is the day that you…"
Arlo began to lace up his other boot, lifting a brow as she waited for Rem to continue.
"That I...what?"
"Tell Jo?" Rem finally spit it out, a small gleam appearing in his eyes as he awaited Arlo's response.
And Arlo's reaction was sudden as he barked out a laugh, shaking his head as he finished tying his laces.
"No. That's not what I'm saying," he spoke before standing up. "Today is the day they open the Portia Bridge. The mayor is holding the ceremony this morning."
"Oh," Rem stated - his voice flat.
"Sorry to disappoint," Arlo said, giving a half smile as he began to pat his pockets. He felt as though he was forgetting something.
"Alright. Then why are you headed over to Jo's?" Rem continued.
"We agreed to go to the ceremony together," Arlo said, finally remembering his waistpack. He spotted it sitting on his desk from across the room, causing him to move to go grab it.
"Right," was all Rem said as he kept his eyes on his friend.
"Don't turn this into something. She's just nervous," Arlo informed Rem, giving him a look as he clipped on his waistpack.
"Nervous about what?" Rem asked, putting his paperwork to the side now.
Arlo shrugged. "She did the majority of the commissions for the bridge. I think the idea of her builds being used for something this important both excites and worries her."
They had discussed it at the Round Table nights ago. Jo had seemed a little off - overly anxious in some ways. Arlo had nearly questioned her about it, but then he had decided to draw her mind elsewhere instead. He figured asking her about her work was the best place to steer the conversation. When he had asked her about her thoughts and feelings towards the ceremony, Jo had been open - telling him that she only hoped that her builds lived up to everyone else's expectations.
Arlo knew there was no way that they couldn't.
"Anyway, they say nerves are good. They show that one cares," he concluded.
Now he had everything that he needed. Fully dressed and equipped, he looked up to the clock on the wall to see he still had twenty minutes before he was supposed to meet Jo. It was likely too early for him to leave, especially because it would only take him five minutes to get across town.
He wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of waiting around as he felt his impatient body shaking within his own skin. However, he knew taking a moment to sit might do him some good. It wasn't like him to have the demeanor of an overeager puppy and he wasn't going to let himself slip into that now.
Rolling his jaw slightly, Arlo headed back to the couch to have a seat with Rem. He could feel the man's eyes on him, causing Arlo to meet his gaze and flash a smile. Rem responded by letting out a breathy laugh through his nose as he shook his head.
"And what's gotten into you?" Arlo asked, leaning back in his own chair.
"I could ask you the same question," Rem tossed back. "Not sure I've ever seen you like this."
Now Arlo laughed. "Like what? ...Happy, you mean?"
" This happy," Rem corrected.
Arlo shrugged at that. "If anything I'm just happy to be able to go and support a friend."
"Oh?" Rem began again, quirking a brow. "Is that all?"
Fully well knowing what Rem was implying, Arlo gave a roll of his eyes. "Yes, it is."
Rem hummed, shaking his head once more. "Ignorance is bliss, I suppose."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Arlo asked, though he knew where Rem was likely going with this. He had known this conversation was bound to happen based on all the looks he'd been receiving from Rem over the last week. They were all glimpses of skepticism and disapproval - only appearing when Arlo was with Jo or about to go meet up with her.
So the ignorance that Rem was insisting wasn't necessarily accurate.
"Meaning," Rem continued. "When are you going to tell Jo the truth?"
"Oh, bloody hell," Arlo said, nearly sinking further into his seat. "Don't make it sound like I've been lying to her over these past few weeks."
"Haven't you?" Rem challenged with a small smirk.
"No," Arlo replied. "I've simply been… withholding some truth, but that doesn't make me a liar."
"Makes you something," Rem joked, leaning back in his own chair.
"Perhaps the word 'stupid' is what you're looking for?" Arlo tried.
Rem chuckled. "Something like that."
"Look," Arlo continued, standing from his seat now. "It's not as though I didn't try... or thought about trying. But I'm still figuring things out… and everything is going great between Jo and I. With our friendship… it's amazing even."
Rem sighed. "But -"
"And I was going to ruin everything before over what? A crush ?" Arlo said with a small laugh. However, Rem did not share his same amusement as the man shot him a look.
They both knew it wasn't just a crush.
Arlo cleared his throat, fixing his gloves. "I'm taking it day by day, okay? I like the way things are going. We're growing closer as friends and spending a lot of time together. If I wait to tell her and she…'denies' me then at least our friendship will be strong enough to likely recover."
To this, Rem sighed again before bringing his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Why do I have a feeling this is going to go horribly wrong?" Rem asked.
"Because you're not giving me the benefit of the doubt," Arlo tried, shrugging as he took a few steps towards the door. "There's no law against liking someone and still being their friend, Rem."
"There should be," Rem shot back, taking his hand away from his face.
"If there was then I think you'd already be locked up in that cell," Arlo joked, wearing a smirk as he pointed behind himself.
"Whoa, hey," Rem said, deciding to stand as well. "That's old news. We're moved past that."
"Whatever you say," Arlo said, walking backwards as he continued to head towards the front door. "Your secret glances suggest otherwise."
"You know what? I actually think Jo is too good for you. I hope you crash and burn so that you're left to never find love and die a lonely and miserable man," Rem said, all while waving Arlo out the door.
Arlo nearly snickered at his friend's words, the smile on his face growing by the second. "Nicest thing you've ever said to me," he joked once more.
"Yeah, yeah. Get out of here," Rem said, sitting back down. "May you have more luck than me."
Arlo's smile faded a little, becoming something more soft as he gave Rem a final nod. He thought of saying something else...something reassuring, but it almost felt out of place now. So, instead, he simply slid out the door. The moment it closed behind him once more, he couldn't help but let out a little sigh.
"Don't worry, mate. You'll get there," Arlo mumbled to himself, picturing his friend still on the couch. He did hope that he hadn't actually struck a chord with Rem. He meant it all in good fun, afterall. Still… perhaps it had been a low blow.
Well, at this rate, you both may die as two lonely and miserable old men. Both too stubborn and cowardly for your own good.
Arlo hummed to himself as he began to walk.
At least you'd do it together.
Jo had figured that the people of Portia were excited about the opening of the bridge, but she would have never guessed there would be this kind of turn out.
The whole city had come out to see the opening of the bridge. When Arlo and her had left her home that morning, she had thought they would arrive well before anyone else and even then there would only be a select few who would trickle in. But this ! This was amazing.
Kids ran along the fields before the bridge, playing tag while their parents stood idly by with their friends. Wide smiles were worn by all as they seemed to be lost in buzzing conversation, pointing towards the bridge now and then.
And the bridge was immaculate . Standing tall and proud over the people of Portia as it stretched from the Grasslands to the Eufaula Desert - it was a sight to be seen.
Jo hadn't allowed herself to sneak any peeks at the bridge over the last few weeks - even as Albert's men were simply installing it. She had wanted to wait for this moment. Where she would be standing in the crowd with the others and be able to take in the structure as a whole.
It had definitely been worth the wait.
However, while she was experiencing her own exhilaration - she also felt slightly feverish over the weight of it all.
"Jo."
The sound of Arlo's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, causing Jo's attention to turn to him. He was lifting a brow at her, though he soon smoothed it away to give her a smile.
The sight of it made her stomach turn - a sensation she was quick to dismiss.
"Sorry," she replied, giving her head the smallest of shakes. "Did you say something?"
It was a genuine question. After spending the last five minutes submerged in her thoughts, she wasn't sure if Arlo had said anything...or if anyone else had been directly trying to capture her attention for that matter.
"I didn't," he said with a shake of his head. "But I couldn't help but notice you seemed suddenly...distant."
"Oh," she said, giving a forced laugh. "Yeah. Sorry, I was just...taking it all in."
He nodded at this. Though seconds later, she could see his brows begin to pull together, causing her stomach to turn once more. This time, however, it was in a different direction than before.
"I'm fine. Promise," she quickly reassured him.
Involuntarily, she began to reach for his hand. But before she could touch him, the moment was broken as someone else was calling her name.
Ah, the universe's reminder of her promise to herself.
"Hey, Jo! The bridge looks great! Congrats," Sam yelled over, waving her hand in the air. She was accompanied by Phyllis - who didn't dare glance over...likely because she had already seen who Jo had been standing with.
"Thanks!" Jo called back, returning a smile and wave.
"Catch up later!?" Sam called again.
"Sure thing," Jo replied. She gave one final wave as she watched her friend disappear into the crowd with the others.
"Wow…" she started again, the words meant for only herself. "Everyone really is here…"
As she waited in silence, she soon became cognizant of the man standing next to her once more. She was also aware that he had most certainly heard her, maybe even noticing the way her lips had been set in a small frown. When her eyes slid over to look at him, his brows were officially pulled together as he continued to study her. The long pieces of hair on top of his head slightly danced in the breeze as he stared down, his gaze causing her lips to morph from a frown to a thin line.
The words were right at the end of her tongue - the ones that would reassure him once more that she was "fine"... or maybe they were actually for her...But either way, it didn't matter where they sat in her mouth because they never even managed to leave her.
Instead, their moment was once again disrupted by someone calling Arlo's name this time.
"Captain! Do you have a second?" Albert asked from a few feet away. "Gus and I wanted to address a few things with you."
Arlo turned to look at the man, his brows still knitted together as he nodded. He then glanced back to Jo, his features softening ever so slightly as he began to take a few steps away.
"I'll be right back," he told her. "Don't get into any trouble while I'm away."
She let out a soft laugh. "I'll try my best."
Arlo managed to raise a corner of his mouth, but the sight was soon masked as he turned away and went to join Albert and Gus.
Once alone, Jo turned her attention away as she let out a small rush of air - thankful to have a small moment to herself. She even took another opportunity to look around once more, catching the smiling faces of the city folk for the hundredth time. Their excitement seemed to be growing by the second.
Yes, there really was a weight to this all…
Her thoughts started trickling in again as she continued to take in the whole scene… and, especially, the reality of it all.
She had heard that the Portia Bridge would be significant to the city as it gave the citizens access to the Eufaula desert… hence why she had been determined to contribute to the build in the first place. She had wanted to be part of something so "monumental" for Portia...she had wanted to be part of the bigger picture.
However, with significance also came pressure.
Obviously, proving herself as a builder was important to Jo as she wanted to continue to drive forward in her new life in Portia. But it was also more than that… and deep down she knew it.
She had been dancing around with the thought for weeks. And that thought had only become heavier as she had questioned her builds for the bridge each step of the way...or allowed her brain to run wild with doubt as she laid awake in bed at night...or even when Arlo and her had sat at the Round Table nights ago. She had told him she was nervous, but had neglected to give him one other reason as to why.
Then there was the dream she had last night that had really struck her to the core.
And even as the reality was staring her right in the face... she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it. Instead, she sat on the edge of a rabbit hole… allowing herself to slowly succumb to another sensation blooming inside of her.
Doubt.
It was a feeling that Jo hardly ever experienced. If anything, it was a true rarity. But lately, it had begun to stick its ugly heads into Jo's mind at every turn. She had managed to smooth it away before, but now...now it was growing even heavier by the minute.
As she looked around, there was a strange ache in her shoulders. Though she could see the delighted faces of her friends as they chatted amongst themselves only a group away, she somehow felt like she was actually a world away. It was as if she were back to that night in the field…right after she left the dinner at Sophie's house.
She could nearly feel the cool grass against her back and see the expanse of stars above her. However, though her senses of touch and sight were so clear - her mind was quite clouded.
Slowly, her ears were becoming numb as the voices of the crowd around her became a murmur. Her eyes slowly drifted away from them and settled elsewhere - to the bridge and the very spot the Mayor would soon be standing. Where he would address the whole population of Portia...and announce the bridge was open.
To say that a war had now broken out inside of her would be an understatement.
More of her began to feel numb, almost untouched - but other parts were stinging with tension or twisting with worry. Her own stomach felt as though it were slowly betraying her as it swam in circles while her heart refused to be steady in her chest. She knew these feelings and the reasons for them - yet she preferred how her legs somehow remained stable under her, or how her shoulders refused to slouch despite the ache.
As her eyes finally braved the crowd again, she saw those smiles shining from everyone else's faces, but now she couldn't help but feel they were forced...fake. As if they were simply painted on.
And people were still chatting, taking moments to point at the bridge as their lips moved to make various comments.
What was it they were saying? Good things? Feelings of indifference?
Though deep down she knew it was silly that anyone would have their doubts about the build - her own doubts were preventing her from thinking rationally.
After all...what if they didn't like it?
Her gaze broke away once more as she studied the steel beams and towers that made up the Portia Bridge. They had seemed so seamless and indestructible before, but now they looked weak and inadequate.
The rise and fall of her chest became faster and heavier as her eyes began to glaze over.
What if it was weak and inadequate?
What if it wasn't good enough?
Jo's fingers began to knit together - pulling at one another as she allowed her expression to remain blank.
He could do better. He would have done better.
That's what they would all say.
"I expected more from her considering who her father is."
Now Jo's knees began to wobble, the bottoms of her feet tingling as they threatened to break out into a run. Back to her shop. Back where she could hide and -
A hand fell on her shoulder.
The moment it did, Jo swallowed hard and raised her slightly hanging head. Her eyes then turned to her right to see who had appeared at her side.
"Get out of your head," the voice said.
At first, she didn't recognize it, her mouth almost falling open as she nearly mistook it for another. But as she blinked again, she became aware of who had spoken the words.
There stood Arlo.
She had been so deep within her own thoughts that she hadn't even noticed that he'd rejoined her. If there was ever a moment that Jo felt thankful - it was now.
Her knees regained control, the pads of her feet focusing on the ground below her once more. She stared into his blue eyes, swallowing again as she tried to put on a braver face. How his touch and presence caused such a sudden shift in her...she didn't know. But she also didn't want to take the time now to analyze it.
"They're going to love it," he spoke again, his voice low so that only she could hear it.
Her breath began to slow again as she still didn't manage words. She kept her eyes on his as she nodded.
Arlo's hand squeezed her shoulder, causing Jo's body to move closer to his so that she could feel his side against her own.
"Besides, look at how great your towers look compared to Higgins'. Pathetic," Arlo quietly joked.
Now Jo laughed at this, the stoic state of her face finally breaking. The release felt so good that she almost wanted to allow more laughter to bubble out of her. However, she thought better of it as she focused on the smile placed on her face instead, making sure to point it towards her friend.
Yes, her shift had been so sudden. But it also wasn't the first shift she had experienced all morning. From the moment she woke up, Jo could feel herself jumping from one emotion to another - like some relentless roller coaster. And it was all her own doing. She could be at the highest of highs as she anticipated the triumph of finally seeing the opening of the bridge - all those long hours spent in her workshop finally paying off. And the next she was dreading the same moment - fixated on the idea of her builds being so public .
She had been looking forward to having her builds be part of something… "bigger," and now that the moment was here… she didn't necessarily know it was for the better.
And why was that?
It was that same thought she hadn't been acknowledging the whole morning. For all of those weeks leading up until now.
It was...him.
Jo's shoulders tensed again.
It was especially the dream. Granted, she had her worries before, but the dream had sunk its teeth into her - making her question herself further. But, perhaps, that was because it wasn't just a dream…
It had been a memory.
She...missed him.
Yes, she was worried that people would compare her work to her father's… and she wanted to be good enough.
But more than anything… she wished it was his work that everyone was marveling over.
Or maybe even their work.
"Because I like building things with you...Maybe we could always be builders together!"
"We'd be unstoppable."
She wished he was there.
"You're okay."
Arlo's voice broke through her thoughts once more, bringing her back to reality. His arm was still wrapped around her shoulders, his hand giving her another squeeze. Again, she had experienced another shift, drifting from the top of her rollercoaster down to a low - and she hadn't even realized. Even as her body had started to shake, nearly breaking into a sweat. But Arlo had noticed - likely having felt the reaction from his simple touch on her shoulder.
Within seconds, Arlo's hand relaxed and he began to rub the bare skin on her shoulder. Like clockwork, her body began to calm as she reacted to him. Her own arm began moving, suddenly wrapping around his waist. The moment she felt it grip the fabric of his jacket, her stomach became a mix of more emotions, ones she chose to ignore.
She needed something to hold onto. She didn't want to drift back into her thoughts. Though she knew the man she was holding onto came with it's own issues, it was a lot easier to swallow than the one's she could face if she let go.
Friends can still do this.
"Thank you," Jo breathed, giving his waist a gentle squeeze.
She was about to say more - though she wasn't sure what exactly - when both of their attention was drawn elsewhere. Everyone's attention was, for that matter.
"Good morning, ladies and gentleman of Portia!" the Mayor called out.
Jo let out a slow breath, keeping her eyes on the man.
It was time.
"I am so glad you could all join us for the grand opening of our very own Portia Bridge!"
Members of the crowd cheered then, causing her to sneak a glance at the others.
See. They're happy. This is a good thing.
"I believe this will be a great addition to our city as we expand both our boundaries and possibilities! With the bridge comes the use of the Eufaula desert and the great resources that it has to offer," the Mayor continued.
Jo could feel her body buzzing more and more as she took in his words. The crowd around her once again became a murmur, pure background noise as she hung on his every word. However, this time her numbness did not come from his anxieties, but from what felt like a newfound sense of...hope.
No longer was she drifting away, but she felt more planted than ever.
"And of course, we cannot take pride in this bridge without also acknowledging those who made it possible. To that, we thank A&G Construction's Albert and Gus…" Mayor Gale paused for a moment, leading the crowd in an applause for the two men standing to the side. He especially looked at his own son with great fondness.
"As well as independent builder, Higgins," the Mayor continued now directing the applause towards the (wormy faced) man standing amongst the crowd. Jo couldn't help but notice the clapping became a little less enthusiastic in his regard.
Serves him right.
"And last, but certainly not least - one of Portia's newest builder's, who continues to blow us away with her fine work - Jo!"
The applause erupted louder now, some whooping and hollering even intermixing with the crowd's response. Arlo's hand squeezed her shoulder excitedly before pulling away from her so he could clap along with the rest of the crowd.
The whole thing had Jo suddenly giggling, her cheeks likely bright red as she felt everyone's eyes on her. It was both thrilling and embarrassing, causing her to give Arlo a playful shove in the side as he began to call out her name loudly.
"You're so embarrassing," she told him with a laugh as Gale began to talk again.
"What? I can't cheer for a celebrity? I'm your biggest fan," he teased her.
With his comment, Jo rolled her eyes - a smile still evident on her face.
"I regret bringing you along," she told him.
"Ah, no you don't. Not even a little bit," he fired back. Following his words, Arlo's arm slid around her shoulder once more as he continued to keep her close. Her head began to fill with versions of her own voice scolding her and reminding her to keep her feelings at bay, but she couldn't help but ignore them.
Besides… we're just being...friendly.
"Now," the Mayor continued. "I hope you'll all be able to join us this Sunday in Peach Plaza for more exciting news concerning our desert! Our engineer friend should be arriving in just a few days and there are many announcements to be made."
Jo hummed. "I nearly forgot about the engineer."
Arlo nodded. "That's because he's been taking his sweet time getting here."
Jo poked her elbow slightly into his side. "That's only because his boat sprung a leak. Two different times."
Arlo chuckled, turning his head back to Gale. "Details, details."
"And I also need to remind everyone that while the access to the desert is exciting, there are also dangers that lay on the other side of this bridge. Please use caution when going to explore what the land has to offer," Gale spoke.
"He means you," Arlo murmured under his breath.
Jo gave him another poke of her elbow.
"Alright!" the Mayor called out. "And now the moment you've all been waiting for… the Portia Bridge is officially… OPEN!"
Once more, the crowd broke out in applause and cheering. However, the sound soon died down as the people of Portia watched the Mayor step aside and welcome them forward to cross the bridge for themselves. Most didn't hesitate to approach, especially Tody who broke out in a run the moment he saw his window of opportunity open.
"That wasn't so bad," Jo said with a breathy laugh, as she saw the crowd breaking apart. Her hand raised to run quickly through her hair, smoothing down the wild tendrils escaping her ponytail.
Arlo's arm was now gone from her shoulder, his hands going to sit on his hips instead.
"What did I tell you," he replied. "All in your head."
Jo gave a small smile, nodding at his words.
"You're right. I guess -"
"Jo, the builder!"
Simultaneously, Jo and Arlo's gaze broke from one another to see who it was that was calling her name. Of course, the moment her eye's met the source she knew she shouldn't have been surprised.
"Mayor Gale," Jo responded.
"You made it through your first opening ceremony," the man said, coming to a stop next to her. "How does it feel?"
"Uh…" Jo began, sneaking a side glance at Arlo. "It feels… good? Yeah, pretty good."
"Excellent," the Mayor responded with a smile. "I'm so glad you could join us."
"Yeah," Jo said with a small smile. "Me too."
"You know, your father would be very proud of you. I'm sure we're likely to see even more greatness in your future!"
With the mention of her father, Jo felt her stomach tighten. However, she managed to quickly swallow the comment and allow it to drift away before it could overcome her. After experiencing a whirlwind of emotions all morning - even in the last ten minutes - she had begun to tire of the back and forth. Thankfully her stubbornness was on the same page - allowing her to relish in her triumph over the bridge rather than her other nagging thoughts.
"Thank you, sir," she finally responded, her voice smooth and level. "I look forward to helping Portia however I can in the future."
Gale responded by giving Jo a nod of approval before beginning to take some steps away.
"Alright, I am off for an early afternoon snack. You enjoy the bridge. Good day, Captain."
"Good day, Mayor Gale," Arlo responded, as professional as ever.
As the Mayor continued to walk away, Jo and Arlo watched him go with perfect composure. However, the moment they were sure he was out of earshot - they broke into a fit of laughter, turning their faces away in case he happened to glance back.
"He's a loon," Arlo joked, dragging a hand through his unruly hair.
"Oh, but he means well," Jo reasoned, letting out a few last laughs.
"Early afternoon snack," Arlo continued. "How many snacks do you think that man has a day?"
"I wasn't aware they were snacks… I just thought he never stopped eating," Jo stated.
"Ah, yes, I believe he told me once that ten meals a day is 'the key to becoming a great leader,'" Arlo quoted, attempting to impersonate Gale himself.
However, Jo giggled as he had somehow managed to slip into some sort of Scottish accent, completely missing the mark. "I think you're the loon," she teased. She then let her laughter die down, keeping a smile on her face as she slid her arm through his and began to bring him forward. "Come on. I think it's time to go admire my work up close and personal."
Arlo laughed. "I think you mean our work," he tried.
Jo made sure to give his arm an extra tug as she pulled him along.