Night of the Masquerade ~ An Aru Shah AU

Chapter 10: Suing Starbucks For Selling Coffee with a Side of PTSD

Aru abruptly got up and dashed to the restroom, not looking at the Potatoes' worried faces. It was located parallel to the counter and she knocked chairs down as she rushed towards the bathroom. Once inside with the door firmly locked, Aru made a beeline for the sink.

The shock went through her body as the cold water she splashed on her face took effect. Stop it, Aru. It's over now. She hit her head against the wall to prove her point. The visions went, the emotions did not. Aru slid against the door, overwhelmed and tired. Just then, Mini's soft voice entered through the door.

"Aru?" She sighed in response.

"Shah, talk to us." That was Brynne.

"Guys, today is supposed to be about Kara. Go back to her." Aru said, rubbing her throbbing temples. She heard something thump against the door and knew one was sitting opposite to her now. Probably Brynne since doors had germs.

"Not really. It was for hanging out, mostly. Besides, we are just about finished with her." Mini said, smoothing out a few of Aru's misgivings.

"But-"

"The whole world doesn't revolve around Kara, you matter too. So let us in, Shah." That did it for Aru, plus she was desperate to see her friends' faces. She got up and unlocked the door.

Immediately Brynne was there wrapping her arms around her, then Mini came right after. While Aru locked the door, Brynne made herself comfortable on the large sink and patted the granite next to herself, signaling her where to sit. Mini remained standing for obvious reasons.

"I would have brought food, but, and you will not believe this," Brynne leaned over and dramatically whispered, "we're in the bathroom." Aru couldn't help it and burst into laughter. Brynne sat back, satisfied, and crossed her arms. "Now spill." She sighed, but complied.

"I came here when I was really young. Like really, really young. While driving away from this place, we, I mean me and my mom, got in a car crash. The- the truck came out of nowhere as if its sole purpose was to hit our car. And that day, I found out my father had died." Mini finally sat down next to Aru and wrapped her arms around her. Brynne remained silent for a moment or two finally speaking.

"Was he in the car?" She shook her head.

"The building he was in burned down. Strangely, he was the only one in it. It was after he divorced Mom. Kara was then bounced around a few foster care homes before Mom was finally ready to let another child live with her, and we finally took her in. She used to live with my dad." Brynne nodded thoughtfully.

"Okay, anything else you wanna tell us? Or do you still want to stay here for a bit?"

"No I think I'm fine now, let's just get out of here." The trio went out and met up with Vimala and Kara, who were both very worried, but Aru only shrugged it off, and the five of them rushed out into the summer heat.

"So, no more Starbucks?"

"No more Starbucks."