Night of the Masquerade ~ An Aru Shah AU

Chapter 1: Confessions and Cherry Trees

"Aru!" A black-haired girl turned and greeted the one who called her name.

"Waddup Kara?" Said girl skidded to a halt in front of her, gasping for breath.

"I need help to confess to Aiden." Aru's heart dropped and her voice stuck in her throat. It's okay. She told herself. You always knew this was coming. Aru took a deep breath and smiled.

"Of course I'll help!" That came out way too fast. Kara looked confused for a moment before shrugging it off.

"Where should I do it? How? When-?"

"Shhh," Aru soothed. "I've already thought of everything. You'll do it in the meadow we went to yesterday, and you'll do it in a couple of hours after school ends. As for the 'how', just do it naturally." Kara smiled gratefully at her, but it melted off quickly.

"How will we get Aiden to be there?" Aru thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers.

"Easy, I'll just tell Aiden you there are great photo opportunities there." Kara squealed and hugged Aru.

"You're the best!"

"I know. I'll meet you at that Kanzan Cherry tree in front of the meadow. That way I'll be able to hear everything." Kara nodded then scampered off. Time to go find Aiden. Lately, he had been ignoring and avoiding Aru as much as possible. He never talked one-on-one with her, which was very confusing. Had he found out that she liked him? Aru shuddered. That would be a nightmare.

Aru found him in an empty library, scrolling through pictures on his camera, Shadowfax.

"Aiden!" She whisper-screamed because she had been shushed all too many times here. He looked up, then down again.

"What is it, Shah?" Aru rolled her eyes and sat down next to him.

"It's been so long since we talked, and that's the first thing you say to me?" He sighed, then looked her straight in the eye for the first time in months.

"I'm listening." Aru, stunned, said nothing for a few minutes before looking down at her hands and clearing her throat.

"I found a meadow that looked very picturesque and that reminded me of how much you love taking pictures. It looks the best at around four, right after school ends."

"Really?" Aiden asked, his face lit up. He hesitated for a moment before saying.

"I missed talking to you."

"Me too. What happened?" Aiden shrugged his shoulders, not answering. Aru groaned and stood up.

"If I'm doing something wrong, tell me." Aiden looked down at Shadowfax again.

"It's not you." Aru waited, but Aiden didn't say anything more, so she left. However, she swore that when she was leaving, she heard him whisper. "It's me."

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Kara was nervously pacing under the Kanzan Cherry tree with Aru watching on a branch.

"You'll do fine." Aru said.

"What if he rejects me? I can't live with the shame!" Aru shrugged her shoulders.

"Just grow a beard and create a new name for yourself." Just as Kara was about to respond, Aiden entered the meadow with Shadowfax in his hands. "GO." Aru ordered and she complied. Walking up a hill and emerging in the field. She saw Aiden wave to Kara and she waved back. When she reached Aiden, they exchanged greetings. She heard Aiden ask Kara what she was doing here and she responded saying she was collecting flowers, then they talked about the weather. Borrring. Aru yawned and relaxed in her spot, but immediately tensed up when she saw Kara take a deep breath. 

What was she doing here? Why was she doing this to herself? Chill Shah. Aru told herself. You're doing this for Kara. Watching this will help you move on. Everyone knows Kara and Aiden were meant for each other. You never stood a chance. Still, that didn't stop the color draining from her face or the feeling of her heart being squeezed or her stomach hurting, making her want to throw up, when Kara opened her mouth and declared:

"I like you-"

A/N: First chapter up! What did you guys think? Contructive criticism is appreciated! Hope you liked it!