Per the [man pages](http://linuxcommand.org/man_pages/ls1.html), `-a` is the equivalent to `--all` and should include the current directory (`.`) and parent directory (`..`) in its listings. The current functionality of `-a` in react-bash is more of `-A` which is `--almost-all` and does "not list implied . and .." 
Per the man pages,
-ais the equivalent to--alland should include the current directory (.) and parent directory (..) in its listings.The current functionality of
-ain react-bash is more of-Awhich is--almost-alland does "not list implied . and .."