A few rusted trucks had grumbled past Aaradhya as they made their way to school. This Tuesday had brought a shadowy overcast. Heavy clouds tinged with dark rain walked above Aaradhya.

Passing by coloured homes, Aaradhya watched the people of Gamal begin their days. Either leisurely and with a cigarette or with the action of putting on their shoes to go and work the boat. Fishing had always bonded the people of Gamal together, alongside the Church. Church and fish, that was Gamal.

Their hands were balled into fists in their vest pockets, the sounds of Gamal worked instead of music. As was the pattern recently, Aaradhya had forgotten their earphones at home.

Across the street a small squirrel scurried up a nearby oak tree, its black bushy tail just visible as Aaradhya continued on their walk. Its beady eyes watched them, still for a moment disappearing behind the branches.

Continuing to walk, Aaradhya saw the oceanic waters of Gamal. The feelings of warm water replayed over their skin from the dream last night. The cold metal armour still pressed against their skin like it was still there. Most of all, the face of one Kai Suzuki hadn’t deserted Aaradhya’s mind in the hours since dusk.

A silver rusted car pulled up alongside the gravel roadside, the rocks crackled as the wheels ran over them. Aaradhya looked to their left. Linda Simmons rolled down the window and stuck her head out. “Hi hun, you need a ride before school starts? Robbie never wants a drive.”

Linda Simmons’ greying blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun. A few strands framed her weary face. Despite her obvious exhaustion her voice was bright and cheery. The black buttons on her World Mart uniform were buttoned  all the way to the top. Her simple cross hung lowly against her chest. Past her, in the grey passenger seat, Mrs. Simmons’ large pink Prada bag was stuffed with papers and containers. She’d bought it, obviously a knockoff, after Mr. Simmons left on his navy stint years ago.

As the car idled, the chrome reflected Aaradhya’s frame. Their yellow vest was the only undistorted object on themselves. Their choppy black hair looked longer in the reflection. Conversely, their usual form was taller, stretching over the car’s frame.

Aaradhya smiled, “Thanks Mrs. Simmons but I’m okay. I’m almost there, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. ” They tapped the side of their backpack where the metal pole of the umbrella partially stuck out.

“You sure? It’s no problem.” Aaradhya gave a quick nod, “Okay hun. Say hi to the Reverend for me!” Rolling up the window, Linda Simmons raced off, picking up dust as she did. Appreciating the gesture, a pep worked its way into Aaradhya’s step.

Opening the red door to school, Aaradhya weaved their way through the halls. Other students got ready for class, opening their creaking metal locker doors or piling into the plastic chairs.

Opening Mr. Hughes’ classroom door, Aaradhya took another deep breath. Alex Hughes, like usual, was sequestered in the back with a book between their fingers.

“Mornin’. Aaradhya sat next to Kai. He gave a curt nod. His mind was obviously a long ways away. The fluorescent bulbs above momentarily flickered. Dark circles rounded his eyes, “Say you didn’t have any weird dreams last night?”

“Uh-” But he got interrupted by an enthusiastic Mr. Hughes yelling, Good morning. Quickly his confused and yet wide-eyed gaze shot between Aaradhya and Mr. Hughes as if, just maybe, he had something to say. The actions brought a flurry of emotions to their chest. But he slumped over in his chair and stayed quiet. The flurry blew over.

Kai didn’t say anything after class ended for lunch. Perhaps he hadn’t dreamt anything. Perhaps Aaradhya just simply had an overactive imagination.

The Cafeteria wasn’t packed since lunch times between the three sections of the school; kindergarten, elementary and secondary were all at different parts of the day. The beige cafeteria was filled with long tables, spaced out uniformly over dotted tile.

Kai sat nearby, eating next to Alex Hughes and his sister Michelle whom Aaradhya had seen at Church many times before. Most of the students sat with their grades. The 9’s nearest to the door, the 10’s on the right, the 11’s on the left and the 12s near the back doors.

A few teachers paced the perimeter, watching the students as they ate. Aaradhya sat alone in the back, like usual. With their back pressed against the beige brick wall that had the bench of their lunch table, Aaradhya pulled out their lunch bag.

In a small container, the cold leftovers of last night's chicken curry had bespeckled moisture of the internal plastic. Aaradhya mixed the curry and rice before taking small bites as they rummaged their bag for their sketchbook.

Flicking through the full pages, Aaradhya picked the only pristine white paper they could find. They drew as they ate, the world darkening around them as focus set in.

Aaradhya took careful care not to draw the same symbol they had yesterday. In the end the lead of their pencil left behind a drawing of the edges of Gamal. The rocky cliffs and roaring waves splashing onto Gamal’s green lands.

The image conjured a thrumming in their hands, slowly the metal of the table flicked upwards. Quickly, balling their fists the metal stopped and stayed still. Aaradhya shut their sketchbook with a slam.

“Aaradhya!” Alana said, standing at the foot of the table as Aaradhya’s head quickly looked over to her,  “You should come to the party on Friday!” A chorus of agreement sounded after her words.

Alana Kahale was wearing a pale yellow shirt with black and white checkered pants. Alana's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kahale had worked off of the island for most of their adult lives but moved to the island a couple years before Alana was born. As a result she, and by proxy Suzanna, had the most new clothes. At least new clothes by the standards of Gamal. Both her and Suzanna’s crosses were bejeweled, sparkling under the dim cafeteria light.

This time Suzanna interjected, “You’ll totally love it. Robbie scored a whole bunch of vodka from this fisherman that stayed in town while you were out of it and he still hasn’t gotten to use it.” As usual, Suzanna’s blond hair was done in thick bouncy curls, illuminated by the pink of her flowered dress.

“Sure?”

Aaradhya had never been to a party. They liked to be alone, it wasn’t a bad thing. Despite how often their appā made jokes about how the two of them will always be living in the house together. But seeing as the World was quite literally bending around them, a party wouldn’t be so bad.

“Yes! See you there!” Aaradhya gave an awkward thumbs-up since they didn’t know what to say.

Returning to class Aaradhya sat at their usual spot at the back of the class. Leaving both Kai and their embarrassment in the seat near the window. Mr. Hughes continued his lectures on plant asexuality as Aaradhya paid no attention to his words.

Gazing over to Kai they could almost see the flowing stygian drapes that had wound themselves around him. The crown that had sat atop his head with such intensity.

“Aaradhya?”

Breaking their daydream, Aaradhya jumped as their eyes landed on the frame in front of them. Kai. They hadn’t even noticed the bell rang, everyone else had apparently ran out of the room.

Kai’s white binder was pressed against his chest. A blue crewneck sweater matching his dark blue jeans. He tipped back and forth on his toes as he silently waited for an answer. Aaradhya blinked twice and signified that they were listening.

He scratched the back of his neck like he didn't know what to say, Aaradhya also noticed the lack of eye contact and the tinge of red on Kai’s ears that mirrored their own fiery cheeks. “I was just wondering…do you need any help with the work you missed?”

Playing with their fingertips Aaradhya responded, “I’d love some.” All while ignoring the shaking in said fingers. Kai opened up his binder and a tsunami of papers fell out of the bottom as he placed it against the desk.