Aru Shah One-Shots

More Than Just A Girl Pt 2

AN: Brief language warning like once in this chapter. Nothing bad but just in case.

Aiden let go of Rudy and stepped away. "Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" he asked, slightly angered.

"Yeah, but I keep running into crap like this," Brynne explained, hurrying down the hall.

Aiden and Rudy both made their way down to the ceremony.

—

"Mini," Aru called, knocking on Mini's door. "We're going to miss Brynne and Hira's crowning if we don't hurry."

"Leave me alone."

"You know I can't do that."

"Go without me."

"I won't be doing that either."

Aru heard the door unlock and she turned the knob, walking in. She saw Mini crying on the floor.

"Oh, Mini," Aru sighed in sympathy. "What's wrong?" Aru knelt next to Mini and rubbed her back.

"You look pretty," Mini cried, avoiding the question.

"So do you, but would you like to tell me what's going on?"

"It's Rudy. He wants to keep our relationship a secret from everyone and he- Oh god!" Mini wailed. "I just told you!"

"I'm so happy for you," Aru smiled. "But, Rudy is being a bit of a dirtbag to you, I'm not going to lie."

"That's a bit rude," she sniffled, drying her tears. "It's filthy down here."

"Mini, pull yourself together. We're going to go to Brynne and Hira's crowning. Let's go." Aru grabbed Mini's hands and pulled her to her feet.

"Now, stand up straight," Mini fixed her posture, and so did Aru, "take a deep breath," Mini inhaled and exhaled, "and finally, be prepared to kick butt in the rising leader's ceremony later," Aru smiled, hooking arms with Mini.

—

Once they got to the ballroom, Hira and Brynne already were crowned and everyone was cheering, so Mini and Aru snuck into the crowd. Then, the music started. Rudy was standing near a corner with his arms crossed, and Aru slowly approached, smiling at him.

"Hi, Rudy."

"Arundhati," he greeted, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Dance?" she asked, holding out a hand to him as music started.

"What are your terms?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"There's got to be something in it for you in order for you to want to dance with me. Unless you lost a bet, that is. Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Lose a bet?"

Aru rolled her eyes. "I just want to talk and we can't exactly do that without all eyes on us unless we are dancing."

He hummed in response. "Princess Arundhati Shah wants to talk. I can't imagine what I've done to deserve this pleasure," he said, taking her hand and going to the area where everyone else was dancing.

When the dance began, Aru watched their surroundings to make sure no one was listening too closely.

"You and Yamini?" she asked. She felt him go tense and his eyes fall to her, but she made sure not to make eye contact.

"What has she said?"

Aru scoffed. "Is that a yes to my question?"

"I'm not answering until you answer my question."