TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

Is it okay to feel offended?

Aru Shah thought that things were getting better. Until she realised they weren't.

In August, Aru and Kara had started high school together and that was good. She was glad Kara was by her side.

What wasn't good was Aiden, who ignored her everyday.

At one point, they were really good friends and now they were almost anything but friends. Strangers, if you will.

It hurt more because Aru's liked Aiden for almost three years now, and when it seemed like they were getting somewhere, he just decided to pull the "You? Nope. See ya dude."

And Kara was practically her replacement.

The other day, when Aru had been rewatching all three movies of Descendants, she saw Kara getting ready to go somewhere.

She looked a bit panicky, asking Aru for her opinion on each outfit she picked out, until she decided on a pretty cute, but casual get up. It consisted of dark blue boyfriend jeans and a cream, hooded cardigan, paired with small golden hoop earrings.

She looked good. As always.

"Where are you doing?" asked Aru as her sister headed to the front door of the apartment.

"Aiden said he'd help me at the chaat shop down the street with the English project Mrs. Miller assigned," she said, sliding on her shoes.

Aru felt a twinge of jealousy course through her.

Aiden's never offered to help her with her projects and he's known her for way longer, but Kara gets an immediate pass?

No offense to Kara, but Aru was a bit offended.

"I'll see you later, okay?"

"Mhm. Have fun!" called Aru.

Kara flashed her a smile before heading out the door.

Aru deflated like a balloon. Why was she so upset that Aiden was helping Kara with something?

Aru walked to the bathroom next to her mom's study...which was unused now that Krithika had dissappeared.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smoothed her cheeks in an upward direction, just like her mom when she was stressed.

Taking her hands away, Aru took her hair out of her braid and ran her hands through her hair. It had grown longer, nearly reaching her waist, just like Krithika's.

Aru sighed and walked to the window of the living room where she saw Kara and Aiden talking in front of his house.

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at their conversation.

Kara laughed and gently brushed Aiden's shoulder with one hand, covering her mouth with the other.

Aiden tenderly smiled back at her, chuckling occasionally. As he listened to Kara, she saw Aiden's gaze go up to the window (the one where Aru was stalking them from), to Kara, and then back at the window again.

Aru met his gaze, coldly. Squared shoulders, raised eyebrow, and the cherry on top, chin tilted up in defiance.

From where Aru was standing, Aiden looked like he was uncomfortable as he looked between Kara and Aru.

Hmph.

Kara signalled for them to start walking and Aiden shot her a pressed smile and obliged.

They started walking and just as Aru was about to continue bingeing Descendants, Aiden turned around and looked at her briefly.

She felt her side of her mouth twitch before haughtily turning around to leave. Her grand show seemed to be going off without a hitch, but of course, the gods did not want her to have the moment to herself, as she tripped over her own feet, landing on the cold, hard, ground.

Great.

Aru prayed Aiden had turned around and didn't see that part of her charade, but alas, he probably did, as he said, and Aru quotes, "I always see you, Shah."

Yeah, right, Aru wanted to snort. You always want to see Kara.

At least that's what it seemed like.

Aru sat on the ground for a solid 10 minutes before getting up and watching Descendants again.

Aru felt a bit guilty though.

Is it okay to feel offended?