/dʌɪˈaf(ə)nəs/

♡♡♡

With you, I am home.

♡♡♡

Aaron's sweater was still in her room.

She remembered that during Physics class, the utter horror of it making a small gasp escape her lips.

She didn't see him after Chemistry.

Rose knew there was something wrong when it came to Aaron, and it killed her to see him like that, but she knew that he needed time.

He needed to think as he always did, and as much as she wanted to ask him about it, she restrained herself.

And as Rose was taking the bus back home, that was when she realised how precious human beings really were, how human we really are.

She thought Aaron was hard as nails, stiff as a board when it came to stuff like this. But even then, he proved her wrong.

The boy who she thought had no room for emotion, was over flowing with it.

The blue eyed boy had more emotion in him than she thought, and it made her heart do a little flutter.

Emotions were something one couldn't see nor touch, but they were something that could destroy, kill.

And Rose pondered on the thought as she went home, greeting her Mom with a kiss on the cheek as she dashed to her room.

The first thing that caught her eyes was Aaron's black sweater shoved rather obviously under her bed.

Rose's Mom would know that it wasn't hers, and Rose didn't want any questions regarding the matter.

Aaron was her little secret.

Rose laid her bag on the ground before she tied her hair in a bun, exhaling a small breath as she closed her door.

It wasn't often when Rose became a sneaky little rat, but then again, she didn't want to get caught.

She took Aaron's sweater before she dashed to the bathroom, locking the door behind her as she started filling the sink with water.

Rose then started pouring some of her shampoo in the sink, using her fingers to latter up the water. She hoped Aaron wouldn't mind his sweater smelling like shampoo, but she couldn't possibly go and get the detergent.

Her Mom would know, and then came the questioning that Rose couldn't be bothered to answer.

She started washing his jacket, scrubbing away any dirt that might have accumulated on the sweater until it was spotless.

Her fingers hurt after washing, but she knew he deserved it.

She then looked at the black sweater, drenches in the bubbles water as she thought.

Well, how was she suppose to dry it now?

Rose pursed her lips, weirdly eyeing the sweater as though it was going to answer her question before an idea popped in her head.

She zipped out of the bathroom, running to her Mother as she wheezed out a breath.

She ran so suddenly that it also seemed to knock the breathe out of her Mother too. "Rose, dear, don't do that."

"Mom-" She took a deep breath. "can I use your blow dryer?"

Her Mom crossed her eyebrows, giving Rose a weird look as she said. "You want to use my blow dryer?"

"Yes Mom," Rose said casually, taking in another whiff of fresh air as her Mom looked at her with parted lips.

"Honey, your hair isn't wet,"

"Well it will be when I take a bath," Rose said, pursing her lips as she shook her head.

Helen seemed more shocked by the second, her hazel eyes holding confusion. "Yeah sure, second drawer, far left."

Rose gave her Mom a sweet smile. "Thanks Mom,"

Helen nodded her head as she watched Rose get the blow dryer, before rushing out of the room back to her own.

Rose then raced back to the bathroom, plugging in the blow dryer as she held up Aaron's sweater and blow dried it.

She was grateful her Mom didn't come knocking as she usually did when Rose used the blow dryer, but it also double the anxiety that was flowing through her.

By the time she was finished her fingers were slightly blistered and had a few scratches, but other than that, her hands were alright and so was the sweater.

She couldn't wait to see him.

✼✼✼

She didn't see him.

The only one circulating the cafe was Steve, balancing multiple plates on his arms as he moved along the customers.

She couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe.

It felt weird not seeing Aaron working at the counter, wiping it clean as he would take her order and work his magic.

And if definitely didn't feel right when Steve jogged to her table, a pen and note pad ready in hand as he asked. "What can I bring for you Ma'am?"

She was used to Aaron's blue stare, not Steve's green one.

"Umm, yeah," She spluttered, a small flush tickling her cheek. "I would like a-"

A small hand patted Steve's shoulder. "No coffee for her Steve, thought I'd tell you that."

Blue, blue, blue eyes.

Aaron let out a little cough as he nodded his head to Rose. "Hey Rose," He greeted, his eyes flickering to Steve -who just stood confused- before he mumbled tired. "What ever she asks you, just tell her no coffee alright?"

Steve looked at Aaron weirdly, his eyes glancing at Rose for a moment. "But she can order whatever she-"

"Just trust me on this one," Aaron seemed tired, rubbing his eyes as he let out a small cough. "for God's sake just listen to me." His blue gaze settled on Rose, smile smile smile. "I've seen what it does to her."

Aaron then looked drained, but he still managed to make himself seem normal and well, but Rose saw right through it.

"I'll leave you to it then," said Aaron before he turned on his heel and left, and Rose could see how tense his chest was.

Steve shook his head before he offered Rose a friendly smile. "So what would you want Ma'am?"

Her eyes were still on Aaron.

She snapped to Steve, already grasping Aaron's neatly folded sweater in her hand as she stood up. "Actually I'm not hungry Steve, thank you for asking though, but may I ask where is Aaron?"

Steve seemed calm about the entire thing, shoving the note pad and pen back in his apron pocket as he said. "Oh Aaron? He's the back, trying to get some rest. Poor lad's been trying to feel better for the past hour and a half,"

Rose crossed her eyebrows, her heart already tightening in her chest. "Feel better?"

Steve nodded his head, his eyes flickering to the back of the cafe. "Yeah, sick as he could ever get," He then released a small sigh. "It beats me on how he's still working."

"What do you mean working? You told me he's resting in the back," The panic was leaking out of her voice.

Steve smiled, something she never saw him do before. "He took up my shift when I said I'd be late, poor guy's been working for 6 straight hours."

"6 straight hours?" Rose said shocked, her heart rocketing against her chest.

Steve's gaze turned soft, almost amazed as he told her. "Yeah." He then looked over his shoulder at the demanding customers before he told her. "Well I've got to go, work's waiting,"

"Steve wait," Rose said, instantly stopping him as he looked at her. "Do you think I can go and take a look at him?"

Steve then smiled, sincere green eyes staring at her before he nodded his head. "I'm sure he'd be happy to see you."

Rose gave Steve a small smile as she quietly thanked him and rushed to the back of the cafe.

✼✼✼

He wasn't happy to see her.

When Rose came in, Aaron was suffering from a coughing fit, wheezes escaping his lips as he tried to breathe in.

He was wearing his apron too, with a thin black shirt that clung to his torso as he coughed.

He was so beautiful.

Aaron then cleared his throat, exhaling a small breath before he resumed to lying down on the couch.

And when Rose came in and met his tired blue eyes, he freaked out.

"Rose?" He said, she could see him trying to stifle a cough. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on you," Rose said, her soft brown gaze focusing on Aaron as she let out a little breath.

"I don't need you to check up on me Rose," Aaron said harshly, tearing his gaze away from her. "I'm perfectly fine."

She tried not to get hurt by his words.

But her eyes seemed to reflect some of her hurt, for Aaron's harsh stare softened, but she whispered. "Aaron I saw you coughing, you're not alright."

Aaron's blue eyes blazed, shaking his head furiously. "It doesn't matter whether you saw me or not, I'm absolutely fine Rose,"

His eyes were still so beautiful.

She feared to anger him, but gathering all the courage she had, Rose walked closer to him, placing two fingers against his forehead.

And he was burning.

"Aaron, goodness me you have a fever!" Rose exclaimed, her worried stare immediately meeting his annoyed one.

"Rose just leave me alone," Aaron said, clenching his jaw as he turned away from her. "I will deal with it myself."

Her heart hurt, hurt, hurt.

"Then what are you still doing here?" Rose said, her pleading gaze meeting his blue one as she sighed. "You're suppose to be home, resting."

Aaron didn't answer her, he simple turned away from her, as though she never came.

Now that one hurt.

Rose looked away from him, hot tears welling up in her brown eyes as she let out a small breath - why must he hurt her like that?

Her heart was crying.

Rose then let out a small whisper. "Alright then, I better get going. I need to be home soon,"

She spoke quietly, as though she didn't have any energy left to smile.

She then turned away from Aaron, a small sniffle involuntarily leaving her lips as she walked.

And then, he called.

"Rose,"

He said the four letter word as though it was a prayer, requesting for pardon.

She looked over her shoulder to see him, and she wanted to cry, cry, cry.

His shoulders were slumped, resting loosely against the sofa while his head drooped back, his sweaty hair sticking to his forehead as he tried his hardest to look at her.

And his eyes, his eyes, his eyes.

They looked like the ocean after sunset; reflecting the navy waves, while radiating the subtle sunlight. They seemed glazed, almost tired as he looked at her.

"Thank you," He whispered, shamefully bowing his head down. "For caring."

Warmth, warmth, warmth.

"It's alright Aaron," Rose smiled, nodding her head in understanding. "but I am willing to have a look at you if you let me; the offer still stands."

Aaron's jaw became set, creating a shadow of black right underneath his chin as he thought hard -beautiful, beautiful, beautiful- and then he swallowed. "There are no pillows here, and I can't sleep properly." His eyes looked scared, shining midnight blue.

She

couldn't

breath

anymore.

"So is it alright if you could-"

His eyes then rolled back, his mouth parting as wheezed coughs escaped them, before he fell onto the sofa; motionless, and Rose didn't take it well.

She stifled the scream that wanted to escape her lips, quickly rushing over his side as she felt his throat for a pulse.

He was breathing, and that was all that mattered.

Her fingers shook as they touched him, anxiety drowning her body in this volcano of scorching fire as she tried to breathe.

She saw how the sweat clung to his body as though it was a second layer of skin, how the shallow breaths he was taking made his chest seem to shiver, and Rose knew she couldn't possibly leave him like this.

So she turned around and called for Steve, requesting him to hand her a bowl of cold water and a wash cloth as his eyes settled on Aaron.

Steve did as he was told, not wasting a second as he handed Rose the things she asked.

She couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe.

She dipped the wash cloth in the cold water, squeezing out the excess as she laid it on Aaron's burning forehead.

"Steve," Rose's voice was stern, full of authority as she said. "Help me lay his head on my lap."

Steve nodded his head, watching as Rose seated herself next to Aaron's limp figure before he lifted the blue eyed boy, placing his head directly on Rose's lap.

"Thank you," Rose said, giving Steve a small smile. "that would be all."

Steve's green eyes were still tensed, worried as they stayed on Aaron.

And the last thing he said to Rose made her want to cry.

"Please, take care of him."

✼✼✼

It was a little past 8 pm, and Aaron showed no signs of movement.

His chest rose slowly up and down, his cold breaths tickling the air around them as he slept.

It felt weird seeing Aaron so quiet, but he was so breathtaking.

Every single feature on his face was whispering their presence to her warm eyes, demanding attention as he slept.

She never knew someone could look so beautiful as they slept.

And then he moved.

It was like a spasm attack, Aaron already sitting up as deep breaths escaped his mouth.

His chest rose so quickly that she panicked, feeling her own breath leave her body as she looked at him.

He was pale, all colour diffused out of his body as he let out a small cry of pain before he opened those eyes.

Those beautiful, beautiful, eyes.

They held pain - pain at it's worst before he tightly shut them again, a small hiss escaping his lips a moment later.

She wanted to cry.

All Rose could really do was gently push Aaron back until his head laid on her lap again, his body comfortably relaxed against the sofa.

But it seems as though the action has somehow hurt him ; a grunt escaping his lips as he gritted his teeth.

She didn't know what to do.

"Aaron?" She said quietly, fear laced in her voice as she looked at him. "where is the pain Aaron, where is it?"

Aaron seemed to shake his head, but he did it so slowly that she would've mistaken it for drowsiness, and then he exhaled.

Inhaled.

Exhaled.

Inhaled.

His eyes slowly started to open, widening at the sight of Rose when she met his blue gaze and then immediately sat up, alert on what was going on.

"Rose?" He asked, blue eyes still wide as he looked at her. "What are you still doing here?"

"Aaron, it doesn't matter anymore," Rose said, her hand reaching out to touch him but he moved away. "You fainted and I honestly cannot be bothered on anything else." Her voice was solid, no room for any objection as she said. "I'm taking care of this since you clearly aren't."

Aaron shook his head, which instantly made him grit his teeth. "You're suppose to be home now, it's late."

"I'm not leaving until you sleep a bit more," Rose argued, the fire in her brown eyes not dying down as she stared at Aaron.

Even Aaron seemed taken a back, looking at her weirdly as though he couldn't believe what he just saw.

She cared about him.

"Sleep Aaron," Rose said softly, her warm gaze back as she looked defeated. "Sleep."

And she didn't know whether it was her words or the pull of gravity, or perhaps even both, but she could feel her nerves untangle themselves when she felt his head again on her lap.

His eyes were still open though, mirroring the colour of the magnificent wallpaper of the room, holding this determination - as though he was fighting himself for this.

But as time passed, his vibrant cobalt eyes started vanishing from her vision. "I'm fine Rose," She didn't believe him. "I'm just-" He let out a small yawn as he rubbed his eyes. "a little bit tired."

Her hands met his hair; her delicate fingers stroking his scalp as a sigh escaped his lips.

A noise then liberated out of his mouth - like an in between moan and purr before his head fell flat against her lap.

Her heart was smiling.

✼✼✼

Over the next fifteen minutes, she discovered 5 new things about Aaron DeGarner.

(a) From the name tag that was attached to his chest, the middle name section was left empty. The only thing on the card was Aaron Blank DeGarner.

(b) His hair was the smoothest thing she has ever placed her hands on. It smelt like soap and cologne and felt like the world's fluffiest teddy bear.

(c) Aaron had a beautiful scent. Even though he was a sweating mess, he still smelt absolutely divine. He smelt of mint ; really fresh mint with a hint of lemon as he stirred on her lap. Her heart was still smiling.

(d) As he laid on her lap, she could see every single feature on his face more prominently. His cheek bones seemed as though they were carved by God himself; framing his face beautifully as he breathed in and out. She was smiling.

(e) Aaron DeGarner had the prettiest eyelashes she has ever laid her eyes on.

She was quietly observing the cafe from the back, finding it weird how busy this place was even though it was about 8:45 in the evening.

Her hands were stroking his head as her brown eyes took in her new surroundings.

And then, he stirred.

Her eyes snapped to him as he moved, a grunt followed by a sigh whizzed out of his lips as she quietly watched him.

Breathe, breathe, breathe.

His hand.

His hand.

His hand didn't stop moving ; roaming around in random areas (Like her legs, the side of the sofa and even her face), only making Rose more confused as she continued to observe him.

He let out a small sigh before he mumbled a few illiterate words and then touched her shoulder.

Her breath got clogged in her throat.

His fingers trailed down from her shoulder to her arm,

350 heartbeats, 400 heartbeats..

And then her free hand.

He interlaced their fingers, a small breath escaping her lips before he placed their entwined fingers on his chest.

She was gone.

A small smile tugged on his lips as he held her hand, pressing it closer to his chest.

Her heart was beating so fast that she was afraid it was going to explode.

And then he stayed still, his warm breaths tickling her knuckles while his touched electrified her.

She was afraid the pulse in her hand was going to wake him up.

And that was how they both lay; their fingers entwined on his chest before she too fell asleep on the sofa.

It was something so beautiful that she too wanted to experience it with closed eyes.

✼✼✼

She woke up about 5 minutes later, waltzing awake as she realised she wasn't home.

She then looked down at the beautiful boy on her lap, and remembered exactly what happened.

Her eyes fell onto their entwined fingers, and she stopped breathing.

It was like a sudden gush of happiness hit her square in the chest, knocking out any breath she was trying to keep, while tickling her body with joy, and warmth.

Warmth, warmth, warmth.

She then realised she needed to take care of this sick boy, and that she should probably miss school tomorrow.