Slightly Better

Neviril soon returned to kindergarten. She quietly hung her backpack and jacket in her cubby and then went to the small tables. She rested her head in her hands and watched as the other girls slowly arrived. Neviril didn't get up to greet them, but they came over to her when they saw her. However, they left her be after a few minutes.

When Aaeru arrived and saw Neviril sitting at the table, she happily rushed over. "Neviril! Neviril, you're back!" She grinned from ear to ear. "Come on, let's go play!"

Neviril looked up at Aaeru. "I don't feel like playing, Aaeru."

"Why not? You're back in school. That means you're not sick anymore!"

"I don't feel myself. I don't want to play."

Aaeru tilted her head to the side, thinking for a moment. "Then we can play at the table!" She rushed off in search of some toys. She returned a few moments later with an armful of blocks cradled in her arms. She dumped them onto the table and began stacking them.

Neviril picked up one of the red square blocks. She slowly turned it over and over in her hands, never placing it on top of the small tower Aaeru had started. Her eyes focused on the wooden piece.

"Neviril, you gotta put it on top!" called Aaeru, snapping her out of her reverie.

Reaching out, Neviril raised the block higher and attempted to put it on top of the tower Aaeru had constructed. Her hand knocked against the tower, sending it crashing down on the table. Neviril looked ready to cry, but Aaeru quickly spoke up. "It's okay! We can rebuild it!"

Neviril did not respond, standing instead. She turned and walked away, leaving Aaeru confused. "Neviril?" she called. "It's okay. I can make it again!"

Paraietta stepped in front of her. "Aaeru, leave her be."

"Huh? Why, Paraietta?"

"She's not feeling well."

"But she came back to school!"

"She's not sick anymore so she came back. She still doesn't feel like herself. Just leave her alone."

Aaeru looked down sadly. "Okay."

For once, Aaeru listened to Paraietta. She left Neviril alone and did not try to get her to play anymore. Neviril stayed alone most of the day, though she did speak with Paraietta. Aaeru watched from afar. Her heart wasn't into school that day, or being creative with her friends. It wasn't the same when Neviril wouldn't talk to her.

Grandpa came to pick Aaeru up that afternoon. "Hey kiddo!" he called as he walked in the door.

"Grandpa!" shouted Aaeru. "Are we going fishing today?"

"You bet! I've got the worms all ready. All I need is a blonde little girl, and I'm ready. I wonder where I'll find her."

Aaeru giggled. "You're silly, Grandpa."

"Go get your things together and then we'll go."

Rushing to the cubbies, Aaeru grabbed her backpack and her light jacket. She stuffed the jacket in her bag and then grabbed a new drawing she'd made. That got stuffed not so nicely into the bag as well. She zipped it up and put it on. As she did so, she noticed Neviril was also gathering her things. With her was a tall man who spoke softly. Aaeru wondered if it was Neviril's dad. Neviril was only nodding to his questions, never speaking.

Back to her Grandpa she went, taking the hand he offered to her. They walked out of the school together. As they did so, Aaeru noticed a small yellow flower on the ground. She let go of her Grandpa's hand to pick it. Carefully, she plucked it from the ground. She saw Neviril coming out of the school with the man.

Aaeru walked back to Neviril, hands behind her back. Neviril stopped when she saw Aaeru. "Aaeru?"

"I have something for you," replied Aaeru. She pulled the yellow flower from behind her back and held it out to Neviril. "I hope you like it."

A surprised Neviril reached out and took the flower. She twirled it slowly between her fingers. "Thank you, Aaeru."

Aaeru grinned, happy to have Neviril reply. "Hope you wanna play tomorrow!" she called as she ran back to her Grandpa. Neviril smiled, the first genuine smile she'd given anyone all day.

"What a strange girl," commented Halconf.

"That's Aaeru for you," replied Neviril softly.