●●●

We are all afraid of getting hurt.

●●●

The days when Aaron got annoyed were the days he was most quiet.

And those were the days the rest of the gang seemed to always have something interesting going on in their lives.

"I'm not kidding man," Aiden said, a funny grin garnishing his lips. "I got kicked out of class because I was trying to help this dude right in front of me."

Tristan scoffed. "While simultaneously trying to flirt with the girl next to you." He let out an annoyed breath before he shook his head. "Cut the bull shit Aiden."

Aiden's grinned widened. "It's called multi-tasking for a reason," He smirked as he slightly nodded his head. "You're just jealous she didn't even spare you a glance."

Tristan rolled his eyes before he took a slurp of his milk (Which Aaron found kind of repulsing considering he was a very anti drink-milk-alone kind of guy). "Yeah sure, I will be jealous of the guy who doesn't even know the multiples of 9, let alone the Law of Conservation of Energy."

"That's because I actually have a life Tristan," Aiden said, a throaty chuckle escaping his lips as he shook his head. "And besides, at the end of the day, the multiples of nine and the Law of Conservation of Energy is just a bunch of useless crap that we will forget on the second day of college." He smirked. "I'm just accepting that faster than you are."

"Whatever." Tristan snickered as he sighed. "Where the hell is Luke?"

"He's in detention." Aaron said as he took a sip of his water. And when Tristan's and Aiden's eyebrows rose, he continued. "He pulled another stupid prank on Mr. Tom."

Aiden nodded his head understandingly. "I never liked that guy."

Tristan also agreed, nodding his head as he spoke. "He's an asshole."

"What about Andrew?" Aiden asked, flicking some of his dark hair off his eyes. "Didn't see the poor guy since Biology."

Tristan nodded his head. "We had Algebra together, he is just catching up on some work."

Aiden rose an eyebrow. "Andrew? Catching up on work? It like a pig flying and a fish walking on the 30th of February."

Tristan's eyes bubbled with excitement. "Hey did you know that there was actually a date with 30th Feb-"

"At this point of the school year, I doubt anyone gives a fuck," Aiden interrupted. (He loved doing this to Tristan) "Am I right Aaron?"

"It's only the second week of school." Aaron said as he rubbed his temples, wishing he would just go to bed.

"And your point is?" Aiden said, stealing some fries off Tristan's plate. (Which he immediately responded by smacking his hand off)

"You have absolutely no IQ," Tristan interjected. "That's what it means."

"God Tris," Aiden said. "That went straight to the heart."

"If you have one." Tristan piped in, sipping some more of his milk. (Which Aaron refrained from cringing to)

"You are an asshole," Aiden remarked, stealing even more french fries from Tristan's plate. "But you buy good fries."

"Gee thanks," Tristan said, giving him a snicker. "Good to know that you love me for me and not my money."

Aiden gave him a sarcastic smile. "Of course it is."

And this was how most of their free classes went - Aiden would always have something new to share while Tristan would buy 5 dollars worth of french fries and both of them would bicker while Aaron quietly watched them.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶l̶w̶a̶y̶s̶ ̶f̶l̶i̶c̶k̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶.̶ ̶

She seemed oddly happy today, and he had absolutely no idea why.

He sighed - why was she so weird?

"I wonder how's Rose today." Aiden winked, eyeing Aaron as he grinned. "So have any idea where she is?"

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶.̶ ̶

He glanced at Aiden, an exhale escaping his lips as he shook his head. "What's your problem with her?"

Aiden's grin widened. "Do I need a reason to talk about a pretty girl?" His eyes were sparkling.

Aaron shook his head - this guy would never learn.

And when the bell rang, all three of them got to their feet as Tristan threw away his now empty (Thanks to Aiden) fries before he told Aaron. "Well I'll see you guys later, I have ICT now."

Aaron nodded his head as he watched Tristan leave, his small figure blending in with the rest of the human population.

There was something about Tristan that Aaron always found the urge to protect - as though Tristan was the baby of the bunch, and that someone needed to protect him.

"You know if I didn't know any better, it seems to me as though you really don't appreciate the attention you're getting." Aiden remarked, draping his back pack across his shoulder as he quirked an eyebrow. "I mean with a girl as pretty as Rose, you are one lucky bastard."

Aaron rolled his eyes. "You're delusional."

He grinned. "Delusionally correct."

Aaron gave him a flat look. "How about you stop wasting both our time and go to class?"

Aiden smirked. "You still don't want to believe me." He wiggled his eyebrows as his light eyes twinkled. "You'll see."

"See you later." Aaron said, slinging his backpack to his shoulder before making his way to his next class - Accounting.

☣☣☣

There were always a few advantages when you are a towering 6'3.

One of the things was seeing how quickly people are able to stuff their lockers with their books before they run off to class, or how long a queue really is.

A̶n̶d̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶u̶t̶e̶ ̶l̶i̶t̶t̶l̶e̶ ̶g̶i̶r̶l̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶l̶k̶e̶d̶.̶ ̶

He quirked an eyebrow as he eyed Rose, watching as she walked through almost everything (Perhaps even the walls) as her eyes were glued onto the pages of her new book.

She was literally walking through everything.

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶m̶i̶l̶e̶.̶ ̶

He tore his gaze away from her - he had a class to get to.

B̶u̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶w̶a̶l̶k̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶c̶l̶a̶s̶s̶.̶ ̶

He shook his head as he exhaled - what was going on?

He ran a hand through his dark hair as his feet were already moving to Accounting, and it wasn't as bad as the others told him (Even though Tristan said it was a piece of cake - which no one believed him)

Aaron never really liked Mr. Jeffrey - he thought he was just a grumpy old man who took out his anger through multiple test papers and pop quizzes, which was partially why Aiden never liked the man.

He took a couple of steps, mentally preparing himself to be drowned in numbers and signs before he heard -

"I forgot you don't have any friends," And then a chuckle. "Silly me."

He stopped dead in his tracks.

He didn't know what alarmed him more - how creepy and malicious that voice sounded, or how quiet the halls became.

A̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶l̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶.̶ ̶

He immediately stiffened, craning his neck to the side and h̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶, when the corner of his eye caught the blonde ponytail, h̶e̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶l̶o̶d̶e̶d̶, he knew he had to do something.

He didn't hear much of the conversation, but he definitely did hear the hushed whispers and Rose's usual huffs and groans, but he was already advancing towards them - and the more he heard, the more control it was taking to keep himself calm.

He could see the outline of the guy's figure - he was definitely more muscular and built than Aaron, but he could see how calm and collected his posture was.

He did wear tight pants, and if that wasn't enough to make Aaron cringe, he didn't know what will.

"What is I don't?" He clicked his tongue. "I mean in all the years I've been doing this, did I ever listen?"

That's it.

"We're going to have to make an exception this time then." Aaron said, his eyes sharply observing this 137 pounds-of-undeniably toned muscle.

He looked more intimidating up close, but he could see how soft his eyes were, yet how he managed to mask them with this layer of venom.

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶g̶h̶.̶ ̶

"And who may you be?" The guy asked. (Who Aaron decided to call OMG - Overly Muscular Guy).

"It doesn't matter who I am," He told OMG, his eyes flickering to Rose for a second before he continued. "Just move."

OMG let out a chuckle before he turned to Rose and practically spat. "What nerd? You finally earned yourself a boyfriend?" H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶.̶ OMG then returned his malicious glare to Aaron. "Or you just decided to hire yourself a fake one?"

Stay calm. "Move now."

OMG grinned, obviously stifling a chuckle before he said. "Not even a fake one huh?" H̶e̶ ̶n̶e̶e̶d̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶.̶ ̶ "You really are going to-"

He didn't even heard what Rose said - he could just see her pale lips moving and he did hear words coming out of her mouth but,

There was no control left.

Now Aaron was never one about violence, but he wasn't one for disrespecting women either.

And he didn't regret a single thing when he shoved OMG to the locker as he gripped his collar - he needed to teach this asshole a lesson, and if no one was willing to set him straight, he was willing to.

"Listen here and listen close," H̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶p̶u̶m̶p̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶r̶a̶g̶e̶. "I don't know what kind of sick game are you playing nor do I give a fuck," This was actually true, and nothing could make Aaron interested in this guy's life who takes pleasure in teasing girls. "But when you annoy a lady, you are an asshole that needs to be taught a lesson," He clenched his jaw. "And I won't hesitate to teach you."

Even though OMG was probably a 100 times more muscular than Aaron, Aaron definitely was a good foot taller than OMG, and he even thought how weird it must have looked like.

A muscular guy cornered by a skinny, tall one.

That sounds about right.

OMG just stared. "And you are?"

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶r̶i̶p̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶a̶p̶a̶r̶t̶.̶ ̶

Breathe. "That is none of your business."

Aaron then released OMG's somehow greasy (He couldn't imagine how that got there) collar before exhaling an annoyed breath. His azure eyes flickered to Rose for a moment before he nodded his head.

She was smiling, h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶s̶i̶d̶e̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶b̶u̶b̶b̶l̶i̶n̶g̶, which means he did something right.

OMG gulped before he cleared his throat and told Rose. "Until next time nerd," His hesitant green gaze met Aaron's cold one. "You don't know what you're getting into with her," A̶a̶r̶o̶n̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶r̶i̶n̶, "She's sick."

Aaron shrugged. "I'll take my chances."

"Suit yourself Mr. Boyfriend." OMG said, scoffing as he walked off which included shoving his hands in his jean pockets as Aaron could see a breath escape his body.

Now he wanted to grin.

"Thank you," His attention snapped back to Rose, blinking when he noticed how pretty her eyes really are. "That was very nice of you." H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶i̶c̶k̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶e̶s̶t̶.̶ ̶

"I did what had to be done." He gave her a small nod before telling her. "See you in English."

☣☣☣

He admitted what he did to Rose in English was mean and uncalled for - he knew he was being a whiny asshole and that he made Rose upset.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶r̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

He let out a sigh as he sat on the bench - because being at the back of the school at 10 am meant that there was going to be nobody here and that there was no way in hell he was going back to class.

He decided it would be a good idea to have a walk around the dying back yard of the school (The grass was wilting and so were the flowers, so he had no idea if he should call this a garden or a graveyard)

He needed to loosen the knots in his mind and try to remove this God forsaken headache that was gripping his brain to his spine.

H̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶ ̶a̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶g̶o̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶s̶e̶.̶ ̶

He let out a breath as he kicked a random pebble on the ground, shoving his hands in his pockets when he noticed how chilly the air was becoming.

He thought of a lot of things when he was like this - the what if's and the what about's of life as he contemplated his decision of coming here.

You did the right thing he told himself, shaking his head as he sighed, You did.

Now Aaron was never one to eavesdrop into conversations-

"You have no friends Rose, I made sure of it."

But when it concerns a girl, an overly muscular guy and disrespect, he had no other choice.

"You don't know me Emette." So that was his name.

Aaron shrugged - a lousy name for a lousy loser.

H̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶v̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶s̶t̶r̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶b̶e̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

"I know enough that you are a nobody Rose," He balled his fists as he took a breath. "That a naive girl like you will never be accepted here."

"You don't know that." He loved how her voice was firm and brave.

Emette chuckled. "I do. Wanna know why?" He was getting on Aaron's nerves. "Because I have a name here. People know me, not you; they fear me, not you; and they most definitely follow me," It was taking everything in Aaron to not charge at this guy right now. "and not you."

"Piss off." This was quite entertaining.

"You're only mad because I am saying the truth Rose," Aaron could now see how Emette's tall figure was towering Rose's small one with that stupid grin plastered on his lips, h̶e̶ ̶d̶i̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶e̶r. "And besides, if Lover boy did actually care about you, where is he now huh?"

Aaron quirked an eyebrow as he quietly advanced towards them, shaking his head at this guy's maturity.

H̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶i̶m̶a̶g̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶p̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶c̶h̶e̶e̶k̶s̶.̶ "Uhm, he is not my love-er boy, he is uh-"

"Right here." He said, walking up to them as he stood beside Rose, his cold gaze meeting Emette as he said. "You know, you're getting really annoying," A frustrated breath left his lips. "Are you ever going to stop this non sense?"

He watched as Emette grinned. "Oh it's you again," His green eyes were sending him glares. "It's nice seeing you again."

"I really wish I could say the same," Aaron admitted, a humorless laugh escaping his lips as he added. "But you're a really big asshole."

Emette's lips settled in a frown. "As if you're any better."

Keep calm, and breathe.

"I may be an asshole, but I am not a girl tormenting overly conceited, incredibly annoying one." H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶g̶h̶. "If I was, I wouldn't have to stop you every time you did shit like this."

"You know, I thought we could be friends." Emette offered, giving Aaron a smile as his green eyes were still venomous.

And Aaron laughed - out loud at that.

"And I thought I could be a vampire, but it turns out, blood is for wussies." He could feel his chest lighten.

Emette's jaw was set. "You think you're funny don't you?" He then crossed his eyebrows as his green eyes flickered to Rose. "Come on man, she -" He shook his head. "is not even worth it." That grin was back. "Trust me on that one."

He wanted to tear his overly gelled hair apart. "Conceited and disrespectful," Aaron nodded his head as he eyed Emette. "You really are an asshole."

Emette clenched his jaw. "You don't know what you're getting into with her."

Aaron's glare hardened. "What would you know? You're not her boyfriend."

H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶r̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶r̶a̶c̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

Emette quirked an eyebrow before he peered over at Rose. "So you did hire yourself a boyfriend."

Pink tickled her cheeks, her brown eyes wide as she stuttered. "I-I have no-"

"It's been three months since we got together," He laced his fingers with hers. "Hasn't it love?" He said softly, his eyes fixed on Emette, whose green eyes were selling him out.

H̶e̶r̶ ̶h̶a̶n̶d̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶w̶a̶r̶m̶.̶ ̶

Emette's features hardened. "Is that so?"

"Very much so." Aaron said as he nodded his head, noticing the poison that was bottling up in Emette's green eyes.

"I don't believe you," Emette chuckled, shaking his head as he added. "The thought itself seems impossible."

H̶e̶r̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶i̶c̶k̶l̶e̶.̶ "We're not trying to impress you, and frankly I don't care whether you believe me or not." He pulled he closer. "Just stay out of her way." H̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶g̶a̶z̶e̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶.̶ ̶

"Kiss her," Emette demanded, his tone strong and loud. "I dare you."

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶g̶h̶ "You never associate a lady with a dare," H̶e̶r̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶s̶q̶u̶e̶e̶z̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶o̶w̶n̶. "She is a queen on Earth and she doesn't deserve to be played in a silly game."

His grip around Rose's hand tightened before he told Emette. "If I were you, I'd stay away from Rose." His blue gaze intensified as it hardened. "You're lucky you didn't piss me off much," H̶e̶r̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶t̶o̶n̶g̶u̶e̶ ̶t̶i̶e̶d̶. "But next time, there will be much less discussion."

And with that he walked away, taking Rose with him as he peered at her from the corner of his eye.

S̶h̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶o̶k̶e̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

"Who's that kid?" Aaron asked, t̶o̶ ̶c̶a̶l̶m̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶r̶a̶c̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶. "He's really annoying." He commented, his eyes flickering to their entwined fingers.

H̶e̶r̶ ̶c̶h̶e̶e̶k̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶p̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶a̶g̶a̶i̶n̶,̶ "Uhm, that was Emette. Emette Carson. Fourth grade bully, and sixth grade prick."

Everything made sense now.

"Makes sense." He could feel himself smiling.

"What does?" She asked, her brown eyes curious as she blinked.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶t̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶r̶a̶c̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

"Nothing your little brain needs to be concerned about." He told her, nodding his head to himself as he sighed.

"Hey I have an IQ of 119." She argued, raising an eyebrow as her brown eyes became determined, challenging.

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶g̶h̶.̶ ̶

And for the next couple of minutes, they argued about IQ's, human nature and even humor.

H̶e̶r̶ ̶h̶a̶n̶d̶s̶ ̶n̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶l̶e̶f̶t̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶.̶ ̶

☣☣☣

There were a few things Aaron never liked, and they were small things that nobody would even notice such as: Middle names, nicknames, chocolate, candy, colours, followed by many many more useless things that could never contribute anything to society.

But he also hated tardiness, and the fact that he was the only one who showed up at worked today made a nerve in him twitch.

There was no one in sight - the coffee shop was completely naked with no staff, the only thing that filled it up were the customers that came and went.

And he was boiling.

Not even a text or even a freaking sticky-note-on-the-counter-thing, and he was slowly losing his patience on where everyone actually was.