TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

Great Big War aftermath, I need ice cream (3)

The school year flew by, and before the Potatoes knew it, they were moving on to their next year of High School.

Aru still saw Poppy Lopez, Arielle Reddy and Burton Prater around, and they gave her the occasional eye roll. Arielle would sneer at her sometimes, and make comments on how Aiden didn't deserve her, but she was fine with that.

"Shah, are you okay?" It was June first, and school closed May 31 (yesterday).

"I'm fine, but I don't really know what to do."

Aiden sighed. "Annette and Dad's wedding is soon,"

Aru's eyes widened, she'd completely forgotten about the wedding, because she was busy with finals.

"You forgot, didn't you?" Aiden asked.

"Of course not!" Aru lied.

Aiden rolled his eyes and ran his hand over his hair, making his curly hair look like horns on the top of his head. "We're leaving in two weeks, Aru,"

"Aiden," Aru tried to keep her cool. "You didn't tell me the dress code." Aiden paused.

"What?"

"What do I wear?"

"Annette wanted a western and my dad was okay with that." Aiden responded.

"So do I wear a dress?" Aru asked.

"Maybe go ask Nikita instead of asking me," said Aiden.

"Hm. Good idea, Wifey." Aiden rolled his eyes at the nickname, but let it slide.

The two sat in Aru's room talking about how they were to board the plane at 4:30, and how they were going to reach New York at about 6.

"Why are we going a day earlier again?" Aru asked.

Aiden looked at Aru, "Because my dad wants to meet you."

Aru's eyes fluttered, "Oh." A surge of anxiety suddenly rushed through her.

Aiden put his hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry, Shah." 

"Mhm. Okay." 

"And that's what happened." Aru finished.

"Damn. Aiden's dad wants to meet you?" Brynne asked.

"I know right? I don't know how I'm going to deal with this. What if I end up doing something embarrassing and he ends up not liking me?" asked Aru, burying her head in her hands.

"Okay, now you're just overreacting." Mini mused.

"Leave the dress situation to me," Nikita said. "I already have a design in mind."

Sheela smiled at Aru. "You're going to be fine. I think he'll like you."

"Now that I think about it," said Brynne. "I haven't seen Aiden's dad often. Even though we were friends for a long time. I barely remember what he looks like."

"Well, is there anything you remember about him?" Mini asked.

"Just the fact that he has a deep, smooth voice. It reminded me of melted dark chocolate." said Brynne.

"That was oddly specific," Aru said.

"But either way," Mini turned to Aru. "You're gonna have a good time."

"Hopefully." Aru prayed for herself.

A few days later, Aru got the dress, and it was beautiful. It was a midi dress, white, with little yellow thunderbolts and pink flowers. It had wide spaghetti straps, fitted at the top, and the bottom was a flowy skirt that went to her ankles. Underneath, there was a second piece, an elegant sleeveless jumpsuit that was black, embroidered with yellow lighting bolts. Aru loved it.

The dresses came out better than expected, and if you were to listen to me, the first dress (yellow) is for the wedding, and the second (jumper) is for the after party. And Aru, wear the matching jewellery and send me all the pictures.

P.S Sheela says hi

P.S.S DRY CLEAN ONLY

Love,

N & S

Aru smiled at the note. Now where was that matching jewellery? She dug through the box and found a set. Gold thunderbolt earrings and a matching necklace and bracelet.

"Aru! Are you finished packing?" Her mom called.

"Yes mama!" She wasn't.

"Good, because you're leaving in an hour!"

What. This Aru did not know.

She hastily grabbed her phone and checked the time. 3:15. And she cursed.

Aru rushed around her room looking for things from undergarments to moisturiser, and also packed the gift Krithika had bought.

"Always bring a gift when going to a wedding." Her mom had said, and Aru agreed, picking up the picture frame that was wrapped in blue wrapping paper.

And right before Krithika called "Aru it's time!"

She was done. Aru looked at her packed suitcase with pride. I officially declare myself as amazing.

"Aru!" Her mom called once more.

"Coming mom!" She yelled back. Aru dragged her bright red carry on down the museum stairs, and across the street to where Aiden was waiting with his mom.

After waving bye to Krithika, the two sat in the backseat of Malini's car.

"You ready, Shah?" Aiden asked. '

"I guess." Aru said. Aiden smiled and held her hand. "You'll be fine."

"Did Nikita make you a dress, Aru?" Malini asked.

It was one of the first times Malini had actually initiated a conversation with her.

"She did. One for the wedding and one for the after party and reception."

"Well that's nice."

"She even sent jewellery," Aru muttered under her breath.

"Jewellery?" Aiden asked. "It's not gonna be that grand."

Aru rolled her eyes at Aiden. "It's minimalistic, and classy, so I will be wearing it."

"Snob." Aru muttered.

"Troll." Aiden shot back.

Malini glanced at Aiden and Aru from the rear view mirror. "Are you two okay?"

"We're perfectly fine!" exclaimed Aru.