Chaotic Love

You look...'Fine'

Rudy and I wait outside as the girls dress up. Or more like I wait, and he asks me every couple minutes how long it's going to take. Honestly, how are we related? Or why?

"How much more time do they need? Are they making their own dresses? Is that how things are done here? I mean, I know, everything here is weird and stuff—"

"Just wait, Rudy." I tell him for what feels like the hundredth time now.

"I, Prince Rudra of Naga Loka, do not—"

"Now can we come?" I shout from the hallway cutting over Rudy's ridiculous declaration. *alliteration*

"Yes, yes." I hear Aru's voice.

Rudy and I enter the living room, spotting Aru, Mini and Bee standing confidently in their new, gleaming outfits. I knew Nikita was a true fashionista, considering she criticized my 'dull' dressing style every time we talked, but her designs were awesome. It was hard to comprehend how a hot headed ten-year-old would've designed them, but I knew better than to underestimate a Pandava.

Brynne wore a puffy blue jacket, Mini was in a plum sweater and skirt, and Aru...

"You guys look almost as good as me." Rudy says with an air of pride.

"Thanks!" Mini replies with a bright smile, then frowns as she realized what Rudy meant. Looking over, I groan internally at my cousin's blinding outfit he chose for today.

"Aren't you going to agree we look awesome?" Aru asks me, raising her chin.

On one hand, I want to. I want to tell her that she looks amazing. That yellow complements her. That it also doesn't really matter if she dresses with stunning outfits like these or not. It's the way she is, that makes her, well...beautiful.

But how would I sound then? Definitely not 'friend-like'. Or maybe I would, and I am just overthinking it. Friends compliment each-other all the time.

"You look..." I begin, but I can't bring myself to say the words. Beautiful. Lovely. Dazzling.

None of those words come out, and I settle with a mere, "Fine"

Aru's shoulders drop a little, but she smiles again, not letting my words affect her.

It's probably for the better, I think. I hate to admit, but I have been thinking about her a lot more often now. Sometimes, when I indulge in conversations, I find myself thinking what Aru would say. What Lord of the Rings reference would she make? What sarcastic comment would she give?

It's all ridiculous, I know. Just like the slight race of my heart when we talk or the rush of warmth if we ever make contact. If that is not enough, my mother's efforts to talk about my 'teenage years' is another challenge, or the knowing smirk she flashes whenever I bring up Aru.

I hate being confused like this. Hell, I don't even know what I feel, and I'm already messing up our friendship. I might've found Aru weird earlier; I mean, you can't expect 'I-know-where-you-live' to be a good first impression, but the more I've gotten to know her, the more I find myself liking her uniqueness and the way she views the world.

No wonder Rudy asked for her number. Thinking about it now, I just feel...left out?

Yup, definitely left out.

Right now, I don't know what I consider Aru. She is a friend of mine, a great friend, in fact. But it's more than that. I care a lot about Bee, Mini, even the twins, now that they've joined us. But things with Aru are not how things are with them. She's not just a friend. And that's not even considering the tugs and swooping-elevator feelings every time she smiles. Especially towards me.

I do sound like a moping idiot right?

Better we start questing then.