●●●

Best way to not get your heart broken, is pretend you don't have one.

– Charlie Sheen.

●●●

"Turn that shit off," Luke grumbled, peeking through a half opened eyelid. "Fucking hell." he muttered darkly, his eyes already shutting close before snores left his lips.

Aaron's arm shut the alarm off on instinct, a small breath leaving his lips as he sat up, running a hand through his hair.

Aaron couldn't really help but mutter Another day in hell, under his breath, snickering when he saw Luke still sound asleep.

"Get up fat ass, we have school," Aaron said, getting on his feet as he towered over Luke's sleeping figure, a frown on his lips. "Come on, I don't want to be late." Aaron said annoyed as he practically tore the blankets from Luke, watching as his lips curled into a sneer.

"You have school, I have college," Luke said curtly, pulling the blankets over him again. "Just because we we've been friends for a while doesn't mean you are my human alarm clock."

Aaron shrugged. "You'd be dead without me."

"Go to hell, dick,"

Aaron rolled his eyes. "Just know that I am not going to act like I am your fucking brother again – if the Prof asks where you have been, I am straight out telling him the truth."

Luke yawned. "That's fine, it's Tristan's turn this week anyway,"

"Prick," Aaron muttered, leaving the room.

"I love you too Aaron,"

●●●

"Are the guys coming over?" Aaron asked as he chewed on his cereal, his blue eyes flickering from his bowl to Luke's annoyed hazel ones.

Luke sullenly nodded his head, grimacing when he took a gulp of his coffee (The idiot forgot the sugar. Again.) "Yeah," he said simply, "right after school."

"Alright,"

"Why did you wake me up again?"

"Because you have an eight am session,"

"How the fuck did you get my schedule memorized when I even forgot the Uni I applied to?"

"Because, dumbass, someone needs to take responsibility around here,"

Luke frowned, bits of sleep still glimmering in his eyes. "I am responsible," he said, running a hand through his golden locks, which rested just above his shoulders.

"And yet which one of us is still in our underwear?"

"You're changing the subject," Luke mused, a smile on his lips. "I know what you're doing Aaron, I am not stupid."

"What am I doing Luke?" Aaron asked flatly, chewing more of his cereal.

"Trying to make me dress up," he replied, grinning. "It's not going to work,"

Aaron shrugged. "It was worth a shot before I left,"

Luke gulped down his last sip of coffee before getting up. He ruffled Aaron's hair, grinning. "I appreciate the love kid, keep it coming."

Aaron immediately scowled, swatting Luke's hands away. "I hate you,"

Luke rustled out of the kitchen, but not before saying, "Have a good day at school, son."

"Don't call me son,"

"I love you loads, me boy."

"Luke I swear –"

●●●

He hated riding the bus – he really did.

It was weird every time, seeing some random stranger's mouth open in shock and a small child look up to Aaron like he was a monster – it was even scary at times at how people looked at Aaron like he was some sort of alien mutant that can shape shift.

He sat on the far end of the bus always, noticing every single time how the seat next to him was always empty – even if the bus was packed and seats were in desperate need, no one ever sat next to Aaron.

The bus usually picked him up at 7:50, and took around 15 minutes to drop him to school, but judging from the traffic right in front of them, it would probably take them longer.

Great, he thought, exhaling as he ran a hand through his hair, just another crappy day in the progress.

He scrunched his nose now that he was actually using his senses, almost gagging at the smell of sweat and cheerfulness in the air.

The kids in the back were obnoxiously talking, a few laughing while others played rather loud video games. He could even spot a few throwing paper planes at each other from the corner of his eye, and that was when the groan escaped his lips.

People and happiness just weren't his thing.

He then proceeded to drift his attention towards the outside, watching as the multiple cars passed by them – probably letting those students reach school before him – and the many useless advertisement boards that vanished in a second while the bus accelerated.

But what much did he really expect from a 5 dollar bus?

His phone then beeped, making him sigh in frustration; his hand already checking on his phone and the living abomination who had the audacity to attempt communication with Aaron before noon.

From: Luke

To: Asshole

Hey, we are all out of milk btw, so get some before you come home, alrighty son? J

Try getting the low fat one, I am trying this new diet thing and it says it needs like low fat milk.

It was too early in the morning for Aaron to handle this.

Obviously Aaron wasn't going to respond to such an idiotic text, but his phone vibrated once more before he even got the chance to shove it back in his pocket.

From: Luke

To: Asshole

Alright, false alarm. I need almond milk, not low fat.

Aaron snorted before he shook his head again, pinching the bridge of his nose.

From: Aaron

To: Dickface

You don't even fucking live with me.

He sighed once more – he now had a headache.

●●●

School wasn't exactly any better.

Eyes would still flicker towards him, and he could hear the students whisper about him as he made his way to his locker.

He learnt to ignore it by time, and at this point, Aaron couldn't really care less.

He twisted his locker open, and took out his Chemistry books. He balanced a pencil behind his ear as he closed his locker, frowning a bit when he realised who he had Chemistry with.

Rose was a cute girl – she really was – but Aaron cringed at how smiley she always was.

He was sure that he saw her smile more in three minutes than he ever had in a year, and it even made him shiver just thinking about it.

Call him harsh, but Aaron was a pretty simple guy – maybe a little too aggressive, but he wasn't all bad. At least he hoped so.

But he did appreciate the effort she was making to try to be friends with him, and maybe – just maybe – he would try to be nice with her today.

He spotted her as she quietly entered the classroom, engrossed in a book as her feet led her to Room 409, and Aaron thought this was about going to be the only time where Rose wouldn't talk his ears off.

But when he read the title of the book she was reading, The Best Book of Puns by Art Moger, and saw the devious smile on her face, Aaron knew he was probably going to commit a homicide by the end of the day.

●●●

Rose didn't stop fidgeting in her seat the entire class.

Surprisingly Rose was in much more of his classes than he thought, and even though he was only a few seats behind her, he could still see the big smile that tickled her lips and showed her teeth.

She was continuously writing little notes too – passing most of them to her seat partner, who was a guy Aaron didn't know – and Aaron was too busy writing down a few History pointers – The Second World War began on Sepember 1, 1939 – to even care.

Aiden wasn't being an lenient either; always elbowing Aaron's ribs with a big grin as he said Dude check that girl out, three o'clock, that Aaron wanted nothing more than to change seat partners by the first fifteen minutes.

"Listen, I really couldn't care less about the girl with piercings. And I think with the number of girls you've been talking about, I think the whole world should be concerned."

Aiden just grinned. "Don't be ridiculous, women love my attention."

"If you like her so much, how about you go talk to her and leave me out of this,"

"You don't have to sour grape that much – you can have her, I'll find another,"

"You sound like a pig,"

"Well everyone loves bacon,"

Aaron glared at him. "One more smartass comeback and I swear –"

"Day two for Mr. DeGarner, and I am glad to say you scored yourself detention," Mr. Tom said, a grimace on his lips as his thick, black framed glasses rested on his long nose bridge. He smiled sarcastically. "Job well done,"

Fuck, Aaron muttered underneath his breath, giving Aiden a full on glare.

But Aiden – being the little shit that he was – grinned wider. He then raised his hand, still grinning, and asked, "Mr. Tom, may I make a special request?"

"What do you want, Mr. Pierce?"

Mr. Tom's voice was anything but sincere, and with the way his blue eyes were slowly boiling in frustration, Aaron knew Aiden only meant one thing.

Trouble.

"May I join Aaron in detention tomorrow?"

Some girls giggled at his request, while some guys snickered, but Aaron was looking at Aiden as though he was a disease that coagulated into a living human body.

"What?" Aaron hissed, elbowing Aiden in the ribs as he clenched his jaw. "Stop being a shithead and calm down –"

"Unfortunately," Mr. Tom finally said, "that would be unfair of me."

Aiden shrugged, but there was still a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Figures. I knew you were too lame for it anyway,"

Mr. Tom's eyes blazed into a melting sea. "Double detention for both you and Mr. DeGarner,"

Aaron banged his head on his table.

●●●

"Was creating a fucking scene really necessary?"

"A scene? I was totally being a good friend, and joining you here,"

"'Good friend' and you gave us both two fucking detentions,"

Aiden was still grinning. "More time for us to bond,"

"Yes Aiden, because your idea of bonding is us enclosed in a room with a supervising teacher," Aaron replied sarcastically, closing his locker, "and not to mention that this goes on our school records."

Aiden shrugged. He flicked some of his brown hair off his eyes, smiling. "I know you're happy I am there with you,"

"Shut up,"

"Whatever you say, princess," His smile was cat-like, his eyes glinting in delight.

"Screw you," Aaron replied, gritting his teeth. And when Aaron took two steps away, Aiden asked, "Where are you going?"

"English," Aaron kurtly replied.

"Wait," Aiden furrowed his eyebrows, a small frown on his lips, "I have English too."

"For fuck's sake, Aiden –"

●●●

"Okay class," Mrs. Lory said as she clasped her hands together (Something that made Aaron's mouth twitch up as he gritted his teeth – he hated it with a burning passion.) "This will be a mingling session." she said, grinning as her eyes inspecting the class, Aaron already feeling the irritation in him growing as he continued listening to her, "I will be passing you papers and you should answer them with the answers your partner provides you."

A ball of annoyance weighed down his stomach, and Aaron couldn't really help the small groan that escaped his lips – Jesus Christ why do I need to communicate to pass this fucking class what even –

He could already picture that bright smile on her face, and when he glanced at her, he was right. Rose was sporting probably the brightest smile he has seen yet, and Aaron rubbed his eyes with the pad of his thumbs.

Papers started being distributed all throughout the class, and Aaron could feel his stare harden. If there was anything he hated more than the bus, it was talking.

It probably wouldn't be hard to guess her answers either: it would consist of joy, sugar and sunshine in word forms, and Aaron was willing to go as far as answer on her behalf if it meant not talking.

When the paper finally got passed to his desk, the first thing he did was scan the questions.

What is his/her favourite colour?

Biggest pet peeve?

Favourite movie?

Coffee or tea?

Favourite subject?

That was counting only half of the paper – not including the back.

For fuck's sake, he sighed, running his hands through his hair.

Aaron just peeked – peeked – at Rose from the corner of his eyes, and he wanted to scramble into a hole when he saw the bright beam on her lips and the sparkle in her eyes – Dear God why why why –

He let out a groan before turning towards her, noticing how everyone else was already half way done with the assignment, and then looked at her square in the eye.

He could practically see the excitement in her brown orbs while his blank stare penetrated into it. He huffed before muttering darkly, "Let's just get this over with,"

She squealed – literally squealed – before she smiled wider. "Alrighty, you want to start or me?"

"It doesn't fucking matter," he quipped, a deep breath escaping his nose, "just do whatever you want."

"Alright I'll start!" Rose said, excitement twirled into her tone while Aaron rolled his eyes – Jesus this girl needs to calm down – before she asked, "Favourite colour?"

He sighed, before saying, "Black. You?"

"That is actually a much harder question that people anticipate it is, because it kind of depends on the season. Like if it is fall, I love burgundy and maroon; but in the summer corals and pinks are wonderful, but in spring it's all about pastels." she said, nodding herself to the answer, her brown eyes twinkling as she laughed, "so right now it is burgundy and maroon."

Jesus Christ, this is going to take a while.

He gave her a blank stare before shaking his head and he noted her answer down – he asked her a one word question and she somehow managed to supply him with more than a 3 syllable answer – and frankly all he wanted to do was bang his head against this damn wooden desk until this paper can solve itself.

He inhaled. Exhaled.

"Okay, biggest pet peeve?" he asked warily, glancing at her as she too scribbled his answer down.

She then looked up to him and furrowed her eyebrows. "I'd say grumpy people – they make me sad."

A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. "Why aren't I surprised?"

Her lips pursed into a thin line. "You don't have to be so mean about it," Her beam was back now. "What's yours?"

He gave her vacant expression."Cheerful people."

She then grinned. "Why aren't I surprised?"

He could feel a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, and he knew she could tell too.

He quickly ducked his face and scribbled down her answer, but when he glanced back up at Rose, she was still smiling.

●●●

Taking a whiff from his Marlboro cigarette, Aaron let out a small breath. For his second day of school, Aaron didn't really have much homework, and before he could decide on what groceries he would need to buy before he went home –

He peered over his shoulder and he could see her bubbly ponytail – Even her ponytail was happy for fuck's sake – bouncing up and down while her lips were still settled into that beam.

Christ.

"Hey there," she said, smiling as she plopped down right beside him, offering him another one of her granola bars. "So how are you?"

He stifled a sarcastic comment from his throat – Aaron was genuinely thinking she would respond to sarcasm with a bubbly remark and he wasn't about to let that happen – before he snickered, "So you're going to give me one everyday now?"

She smiled brightly, nodding her head. "Yes, so I hope you like it." She took a sip of her water. "Do you want anything else though?"

Jesus Christ.

So not only was this girl immensely bright – hell, the sun should be jealous on how much sunshine this one was emitting – but she was also something Aaron didn't know how he was going to handle for an entire year.

"You don't ask me what else I would want," he said, shaking his head. "You shouldn't even be giving me food in the first place, and here you are asking me what I would like instead," His tone hard and stiff before he muttered, "For fuck's sake,"

She then grinned. "I think that should be our inside joke."

"What?" he replied flatly, clenching his jaw.

He pinched the bridge of his nose when he thought of today's schedule – he'd be lucky if he got any sleep tonight.

He let out an exhale before looking over her again. "What? I barely even know you," he said, rubbing his eyes. "And besides, I don't think you would want an inside joke with me."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Just trust me," he said, taking his last whiff of his cigarette before he dropped it on the floor and extinguished the glowing flame with his foot. "And you don't seem like the type of girl who would like to talk to a guy like me, so why waste the effort?"

She then smiled, her brown eyes twinkling. "Are you being cliché?"

"No," he replied flatly, tugging on the hem of his black shirt as he replied. "I am being honest."

"Well then," she said, and clicked her tongue while beaming, "I guess you have to start lying because I am not going anywhere."

He then lightly shook his head – Jesus Christ take me now –

"That was such a corny as fuck answer,"

But Aaron could feel the edges of the granola pack in his arm, and this could possibly be the only food he would eat today.

He could feel himself slightly smile. "Thank you for the granola bar."

He then walked away.

It was a close smile – but not a smile, nonetheless.

He was happy that it wasn't.

(Smiling felt nice.)

Smiling was for the weak.

●●●

He didn't see Rose after that, and frankly, he didn't want to.

He plugged in his head phones and he listened to the song playing on his Mp3, bobbing his head back and forth every once in a while or intently listening to the lyrics.

And then this blonde ponytail caught his eyes – a stupid damn blonde ponytail.

He froze in his tracks, watching as she entered the bus – internally beating himself up because there was no way he was getting out of this – before slowly following along.

Jesus Christ I shouldn't be this bothered, he said to himself, but then again I hate everyone.

This is one of those times where Luke would call him a pussy, out loud at that. Aaron was already imagining Luke's hazel eyes drenched in amusement, and it was horrible, least to say; imaging his roommate and almost giving himself a stroke while entering the bus.

And this wasn't Aaron being mean either, it's just that, being with Rose made him feel so out of place. He barely talked and rarely smiled; kept to himself most of the time, and he definitely never went around giving his classmates a protein bar just because.

He sat at his usual seat in the back, and he was caught off guard when Rose settled down right beside him; a small smile on her lips replacing her signature beam, and Aaron just gave her a glance before quickly looking away.