2|| Whispers in the Wind

7|| that is so fucked

Kalyani

Kalyani had been looking for Evelyn Stone all of lunch with no avail. The girl seemed pretty nice, but she carried herself in a regal way that made Kalyani feel out of place. Still, she wanted to get to know her better. 

A cluster of students were gathered in a corner, their formation vaguely resembling a cult meeting. Maybe Evelyn would be there. Kalyani hurried towards them, trying to get her hair out of her eyes. She reached up to tuck a few strands behind her ear, but someone tapped her shoulder.

Her shriek died in her throat the moment she turned around.

It was Arlo Daye. One of her eyes were blacked out.

Fuck.

Her pink babydoll top would've been cute if not for the greening bruise that went with it.

Supremely embarrassed, Kalyani gave Arlo an awkward wave. "Er... hi."

"Hey."

"I'm sorry?" Kalyani said, hating how it lilted into a question.

"Uh, no. I'm the one who's here to apologize," Arlo replied.

Kalyani stared, not believing what she was hearing. "You are?"

Arlo blew out a long breath. "Yes. Sort of."

"I gave you a serious eye injury, are you sure you're the one who should be apologizing?" she asked. "But if we're on that matter, you definitely deserved it for being so rude to my sister. She isn't any of those things you called her, and I really think you should get to know her better before being a schoolyard bully."

The other girl froze. Kalyani inwardly cursed. Had she pushed the limit?

But Arlo did the last thing she'd ever expected. She smiled. Kalyani watched in utter confusion as the tension melted off the girl's face. "Find your chill, I'm not here to apologize to you. Plus, I thought that tennis ball move was totally wicked," she said.

"Really?"

She gave Kalyani a look. "Do you only communicate in questions?"

"Sorry."

"Stop saying that! I kind of want to talk to you about something."

Kalyani restrained herself from asking another question.

"I was wondering if I could maybe start over with you guys- I know I've been shitty," added Arlo hurriedly, noticing the other girl's expression, "but I'd like to try. I overreacted with Aria, I guess I want to talk to her too."

Psychology was truly a fascinating subject.

"Fair enough," Kalyani said slowly. "I think we'd both like that."

Arlo nodded, looking sheepish. "Great. You'll be fine hanging with me, anyway. People will leave us alone. Let's try again. I'm sorry for being an absolute pain."

"I'm sorry for giving you a black eye."

"Yeah, that was kind of rude." They both laughed at that.