Aru Shah Adventures

Lightning Girl

"You're not special. If you were, you wouldn't be going to this sad excuse for middle school."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Something made Lord Indra mad today.'

At least that's what Aiden thought as he kicked at the ground outside his house.

Aiden paused. 'Wait, but wouldn't the lighting and rain and thunder make him happy?' He sighed, 'At least the weather matches my mood.'

The storm brewing outside mirrored the internal whirlwind howling inside Aiden as he walked along the community park's path. Aiden felt like crying, like pouring out his feelings just as how the clouds were about to do.

His father had come home from work just thirty minutes before, but the house already felt too suffocating. Aiden couldn't stand the yelling, lest of all if it turned toward him.

His hands ached for something to fiddle with and clutch at. The green, baggy sweatshirt would have to suffice for now.

{Drip}

Aiden's head shot upward just as the first drops of water splattered across the pavement. Drops turned into a stream, and the stream led to full-fledged downpour.

His hands shot up and quickly pulled the hood over his hair. Aiden didn't mind getting wet; the sensation was uniquely refreshing. Mom and Dad wouldn't be looking for him either.

He wandered farther into the park as the rain thundered around him. Thoroughly soaked, Aiden looked up to where the basketball court was.

Rusty chains swung from a battered hoop and the asphalt barely stood out from the paved path. And in the middle of the court stood a darkened silhouette with arms outstretched toward the sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Droplets streamed down Arundathi's nose and flowed into her hair. She was drenched to the bone and she loved it.

Aru let out a (slightly delirious) giggle and spun in place, as though trying to embrace the rain itself. Water fell through her open palms, and Aru stood with pointed hands, trying to imitate a fountain.

"Who are you?"

A voice suddenly questioned her from behind and Aru whirled around, only to slip on the muddy ground and land on her butt.

Aru distinctly remembered her mother's lecture on first impressions. Something about presenting herself respectfully. So much for that.

Grumbling, she slowly craned her neck up until she could see a face peering down at her. It - he - was a boy about her age, maybe a little older.

Aru scrambled upright and tried brushing off any mud from her pants. The rain helped with that.

The boy was looking at her with a little frown and furrowed eyes. Water fell down from his curly hair peeking out from the dark green hoodie he had on.

"Who are you?", he repeated once more.

Aru huffed, "Shouldn't you introduce yourself first? Besides, you're a stranger!"

"Shouldn't you be inside?"

"Same goes for you.", she fired right back.

If the boy wasn't frowning before, he definitely was now. Scowling even.