2|| Whispers in the Wind

11|| so like... not a date

Kalyani

"That makes sense... somewhat. I'll need to get a second opinion. Why don't you chill out for a bit, then we can discuss this again?" Evelyn suggested. She traced a stitch on her bedspread with a perfectly manicured fingernail. Kalyani always felt really out of place anywhere fancy, and Evelyn always had a way to increase that feeling- unknowingly, of course.

They'd snuck into Evelyn's room for a moment so Kalyani could replay the terrible moments and the new information she'd collected. Evelyn shared her opinions- like how Jacob's theory on Roxanne was wrong- or that he was right about one thing: you just have to give the girl what she wanted. There was also another bomb: there were more books on Roxanne out there- just not on the normal internet.

So, Kalyani traced her back to the first day at her old house, when she'd dared to get onto the dark web. Evelyn didn't think she should sneak behind adults like that, but she also thought this was for a better cause. She suggested that they look through her own laptop- her dad didn't mind things like that. "No, Ev, I can't chill out. We need to do this now," Kalyani insisted.

"Alright..."

The door flew open. The girls both jumped, turning to look at their visitor. It was Arlo. Yes, Arlo was at Evelyn's house. It took some mighty fine bribery and an offer of free dinner from Wilder to convince Evelyn. There had also been the idea of kidnap- Aria's obviously- but that had been quickly vetoed. "What are you guys doing?" Arlo frowned.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "That's none of your business. Go back to the party."

Arlo crossed her arms and leaned back against the door. "Uh uh. No way. I know there's something up with Kalyani."

"And since when do you care?"

"Since now. So come on, tell me."

Evelyn stood up abruptly. "If you two are going to talk, I'm gonna leave. We can continue another time Kalyani. Sorry."

She pushed Arlo out of the way and took her leave.

"What's up with her? Why does she hate you so much?" Kalyani asked.

The blonde shrugged, her eyes flashing. "I dunno. I guess she's stereotyped me as one of the people who almost framed her and got her expelled. I swear I wasn't, but we're better off as not friends. I don't exactly like her."

"Why not?"

"She's one of those girls who everyone thinks is perfect, she wears dresses and paints her nails, hangs out with popular people," Arlo said in a matter-of-fact way.

"She's really not that bad. She's nice and tries understanding you. There's a lot more things about her you'll get to know if you try."

"Not interested. Now tell me, what the hell is happening in your life?"

Kalyani didn't quite know how to explain. So, she pulled the book out of bag still slung over her shoulder and tossed it to Arlo.

For a moment, she flipped through the pages. It was disconcerting how she seemed to gather the information so quickly. "Let me guess. The girl is visiting you sometimes and telling you tidbits about her life?"

"Y-yeah. How'd you know?"

"Happened to me too. Except it was my brother. Pretty sad story." She sounded indifferent, but Kalyani caught the many buried layers of hurt beneath this girl. If you punctured her once, it couldn't ever be covered up again. She was fragile. Kalyani needed to be careful.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm just looking for what this spirit wants. Once she gets it, she'll leave us alone. Let's talk about you now."

"Me?" Arlo said warily.