/lɑ̀ːɡɔm/

●●●

A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever.

●●●

He felt ashamed of himself.

He couldn't handle all that she has done for him, and considering he has been sick before, this has never happened to him.

His heart felt heavy on all that she did; as though a large boulder was attached right to one of his heartstrings before it tumbled down a cliff.

I̶t̶ ̶f̶e̶l̶t̶ ̶w̶e̶i̶r̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶a̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶c̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶.̶ ̶

And Aaron knew that everyone was blessed with so many miracles: like how a blind man can suddenly see, or perhaps even an amputated individual grew back their arms and legs, but he knew what his miracle was.

It was that Rose was sound asleep while he was flushing in embarrassment, and Aaron couldn't have been more grateful that she was.

He could shrug off this feeling of embarrassment in his chest, but he could not ignore the secret happiness bubbling in his stomach as he laid and watched her.

He felt really bad for her, if not, really really bad for her.

Her head was nuzzled between her arms, soft snores escaping her lips as she sat on a chair next to him.

It was beyond him on how she got the chair, but he figured that she probably took it from the living room and dragged it here.

S̶h̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶,̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶,̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

Her hair was slowly untangling itself from the bun it was in, but somehow the ends didn't manage to. Rose's hair was almost loose but the rubber band was still settled into a small bun at the ends of her hair, and he wanted to laugh.

His tired eyes drifted to the window, and when he still saw no sunlight, he figured it was probably 4 in the morning.

His heart couldn't stop hammering against his rib cage, hot sweat trickling down his back and shoulders as he looked at Rose.

But there was something that was killing Aaron at the way she was sleeping, because he knew that she was going to have terrible back aches the next morning.

A̶l̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶.̶ ̶

His mind always seemed to turn hazy when he tried to remember what on Earth happened last night, and what the hell drove Rose to bring him home and take care of him; but even through all the confusion and pain, he somehow felt grateful.

He tried to be harsh when she first came to check on his, putting as much venom as he could in his tone, i̶t̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶,̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶,̶ ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶, and yet, she still stayed.

Through all the harsh words, through all the glares and scowls, she stayed.

I̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶i̶r̶a̶c̶l̶e̶.̶ ̶

She kept so much at risk -her parents, sleep, school, homework- and yet, she chose to stay with him, to take care of him.

H̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶d̶e̶s̶e̶r̶v̶e̶ ̶i̶t̶.̶ ̶

Wires of warmth conducted his body with heat, this foreign feeling of home.

It felt nice looking at her too; he could feel his headache lessen down as he stared at her, gazing at how beautiful Rose really was.

He knew she would never give herself the credit she deserves, and perhaps she wouldn't find herself that pretty, but she was.

A̶b̶s̶o̶l̶u̶t̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶s̶t̶u̶n̶n̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

She made the air around them warm, full of this Earthy goodness that Aaron had craved all his life.

This feeling of home wherever he went, the giddiness of excitement, and even the warmth of emotion.

A̶n̶d̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶.̶ ̶

He thought of how grateful he was to her, of how mad he was at her, a̶n̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶f̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶.̶ ̶

She was his final thought before Aaron drifted to sleep.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶t̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶r̶a̶c̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

☓☓☓

His headache was worse when he woke up; feeling as though this pain was ripping his brain apart while shattering his skull into pieces.

A small groan left his lips as the impact became worse, making his vision all fuzzy as he opened his eyes.

Rose wasn't in the room anymore.

N̶o̶,̶ ̶n̶o̶,̶ ̶n̶o̶.̶ ̶

He sat up on the bed -a small Omph! leaving his lips- as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room.

The blinds were opened, as well as the window, which let some of the Canadian breeze swish into his room.

R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶.̶ ̶

He could feel pain climb up his sides, running towards his back as he tried to move. It felt weird not being able to move, but then again, it felt weird being sick too.

Being sick was one of the most terrible moments of misery for Aaron ; it just brought back so many memories that he didn't want to remember anymore.

D̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶,̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶,̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶.̶ ̶

His Mom would be at work by now, quietly whispering to the maids the medication Aaron would be taking and specifying their timing before she took her brief case and headed out.

His Dad would be worse though; only giving Aaron a small nod before he shortly followed his wife.

It's been years since he has lied down on a bed while he was sick; let alone with a damp towel draped across his forehead.

He'd tell the maids he'd take the medicine on his own, when he never did. He then managed to keep working even though the virus was growing in him.

There was no rest for Aaron, there never was.

He would always remember the look of frustration that fumed in his Father's eyes when he got sick: Sick means weakness, weakness means slacking, and slacking means less work done.

H̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶b̶l̶e̶e̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶g̶a̶i̶n̶.̶ ̶

Aaron let out a little sigh as he forcefully got himself on his feet; a wave of dizziness and nausea running through him as he walked along.

Control, control, control.

It felt as though a metal hammer was banging against his skull, instantly making Aaron shut his eyes and grit his teeth as he walked.

R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶.̶ ̶

And then he heard it.

Small sizzles erupted from the kitchen, instantly making his ears perk up as he went to take a closer look -R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶,̶ ̶R̶o̶s̶e̶.̶ ̶- and then he couldn't breathe.

She was still here.

Rose's blonde locks were now fully in a bun, her shoulders slump as she cooked something - or so he hoped she was cooking. B̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶,̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶,̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

"Rose?" His voice came out cracked, considering his mouth was very dry before he cleared his throat. "Rose?"

The blonde haired girl looked over shoulder, instantly turning around as she saw Aaron - her eyes as wide as the saucepan she was cooking on.

"Aaron what are you doing up?" Rose said, her gaze seemed almost surprised, unconvinced. "You should be in bed!"

Here came the dizziness. "Rose I'm alright," Aaron said, his eyes taking in how she was still in the same attire as she was last night. "Don't worry about me."

She pursed her lips in a thin line, her disapproving gaze only made him s̶o̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶y̶,̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶y̶,̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶y̶, want to run back to bed.

Rose then turned the heat on the cooker to low, before she turned back to him and took him by the arm h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶,̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶,̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶, before she dragged him back to his room.

Aaron then noticed how tired Rose really was: dark circles circling around her eyes, as well as the way her shoulder slumped made a dagger pierce right through his heart. H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶.̶ ̶

Rose lightly smiled (Probably because Aaron wasn't putting up much of a fight) before she tucked Aaron in bed, heaving a sigh as she picked up the cloth on the floor.

"You should be resting," Even her voice sounded drained. "You can't get up Aaron."

He could see his Mom giving him a stern glance. S̶t̶o̶p̶,̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶p̶,̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶p̶.̶ ̶

Rose then dipped the cloth back into the water, squeezing out any excess. "You had me worried last night-"

"Rose," He whispered quietly, looking up to meet her tired gaze. "Why are you still here?"

Rose then seemed taken off guard, her brown eyes widening in surprise as she stared at him.

And then she she shoved the cloth on his forehead - literally shoved.

"Ouch!" Aaron yelled, a crease of confusion folding right between his eyebrows. "What was that-"

"You fainted last night, almost killed yourself from over-working, went to school in such a terrible condition, and then you ask me why am I still here?" Rose said, rubbing the cloth around his forehead and temples. "Is that really all that matters now - on why I'm still here?"

Y̶e̶s̶.̶ ̶

Aaron hurled a small breath, closing his eyes for a moment before he said. "Rose, I've been sick before and I can handle it myself, but you, you left your family and school for me," He couldn't handle this emotion in him. "And for what Rose, for what, for me?"

Her eyes then became this soft amber colour, as though the sun ignited right in her iris, dancing with a flame as they sparkled.

And it was as though the flames seeped through her eyes, and lit his entire body on fire.

"You should give yourself more credit Aaron," Rose said quietly, rubbing his face with the washcloth (Which tickled, but Aaron sustained his laugh). "You're just as special as anyone else."

He could see his Dad giving him a stiff nod, before his black oxfords clicked against the floor.

B̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶n̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶r̶e̶a̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶p̶e̶c̶i̶a̶l̶.̶ ̶

Aaron couldn't handle the memories that were flashing through his mind, the images that were put on a slideshow in his head, and he didn't, didn't, didn't want to remember.

❝Ask no questions and you will be told no lies.❞ H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶.̶ ̶

Rose's stopped moving her hands, stopped looking around, stopped mumbling, stopped everything.

S̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

Her eyes bore into his own, the flame in hers not burning down as they drowsed into his sea of blue. It was as though they were whispering to him: telling him a secret message that her lips can't pass on. S̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶f̶e̶c̶t̶.̶ ̶

"I like skipping school," Rose regained her state, putting the cloth back on his forehead before she got up and said. "I'll just prepare your soup and be back in a bit."

"Rose wait," She stopped and looked at him, s̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶. "Thank you," He breathed, shifting on the bed.

She smiled before she walked out.

And it was a smile that didn't need any words.

It's my pleasure Aaron.

☓☓☓

Aaron was anything but spoiled as a child, and it was weird when Rose insisted on feeding him his soup.

"But I'm completely capable of doing it myself," He grumbled, watching as Rose sighed.

She then huffed, slouched shoulders as she said. "Fine then, have it your way."

Her eyes were giving her away - as though she knew something he didn't.

"Alright then - OW!" He dropped the spoon, the metal clanging against the dish as he winced. "What is this?" He asked more to himself, clutching his shoulder as a hiss whizzed its way out of his lips.

Rose looked guilty, her eyes swarming around his room as everything about her held uneasiness: her shoulders were tight, as though wrapped in a blanket of tape while her arms seemed stiff on her sides.

"Rose," Aaron said, eyeing her. "What happened?"

She then looked down, ashamed as she tried to find words to speak, H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶e̶n̶c̶o̶u̶r̶a̶g̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶s̶m̶i̶l̶e̶, as Aaron just blankly stared at her.

"You had no antibiotics or antivirals here," Rose whispered, eyes locked onto her lap as she started her confession, "and I couldn't possibly leave you like this." Her voice quivered with fear, honesty. "So I went home and got some of the spares that we had laying around." Her hands started trembling. "But we didn't have any pills or syrups and I was desperate-"

"So you gave me a shot," Aaron got all the pieces together, and he didn't mean for his voice to come out as harsh.

She looked down again, even more ashamed, and then simply whispered. "Yes."

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶k̶i̶s̶s̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶l̶i̶n̶e̶s̶.̶ ̶

He rolled up his sleeves up to his shoulder blade, and just as expected, there was a band aid strapped to his skin; a smother of blood peaking through the wired fabric.

"I'm sorry," She whispered so crippled that he wanted to hug her, "I know I had no right but-"

"It's alright Rose," Aaron replied, tearing his gaze away from her, sighing. "It's just that I am not used to all this," He said, clearing his throat as he pulled his sleeve back down, "I guess that's what happens when you haven't been sick in a while." He shrugged, wiping some of the sweat that his temples hid.

Rose smiled. "It's alright Aaron, I didn't mind."

"I know you didn't Rose, but I do," He sighed, watching as she took a hold of the spoon and inched closer to him. "I can't believe you would-"

The she shoved a spoonful of warm soup in his mouth.

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶g̶h̶.̶ ̶

"As much as I would like to hear you admit on how good of a person I am, I need you to eat." Rose said flatly, watching as Aaron gulped down his first spoon of soup. "I didn't cook this for nothing."

Aaron rolled his eyes. "How very noble of you."

She grinned. "I know."

And that's how it went on for the next 15 minutes: her spoon feeding him the warmth liquid as he spilled on her sarcastic remarks.

H̶e̶ ̶a̶b̶s̶o̶l̶u̶t̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶l̶o̶v̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶.̶ ̶

The one thing he noticed about her was that she had the kind of eyes that he could get lost in: the ones that just lure you in, the ones that are always so hard to forget.

S̶t̶u̶n̶n̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

He observed as she tidied up: putting the spoon in the empty bowl before taking it back to the kitchen (Well he hoped it was the kitchen anyway) before she came back and dampened his cloth again and kept it on his forehead.

"I can't believe you missed school today," Aaron said, his eyes flickering to the clock. "You're an idiot."

She grinned. "Well I can't believe you got sick either."

"Oh for fuck's sake,"

"There is it," She smiled, her perfectly aligned teeth on display as her eyes twinkled. "Didn't hear that one in a while."

H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶m̶i̶l̶e̶.̶

He ignored her. "And how are you going to get your homework now?"

"Our homework," She corrected, giving him a smile as she sat down across him.

He ignored her again. "Well how?"

"Luke offered," Rose said, her brown eyes turning into a beautiful coffee shade. "And remind me to thank him, he was such a great help."

Aaron crossed his eyebrows. "Luke? Help?"

Rose let out a small laugh before she nodded her head. "He helped me get you here," Her smile was like warm honey, thick and sticky.

A̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶b̶s̶o̶l̶u̶t̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

"Thank you Rose," He said quietly, marveling on how such compassion can be cramped in one human body. "I will personally speak to your parents."

She shook her head, a smile still on her face as she argued. "There's no need for that Aaron, they already know I'm here."

"But do they know you skipped school?"

"...."

"Yeah, I'm going to personally talk to them."

"That'd be a great idea."

"Thought so." He nodded his head, feeling drowsy all of a sudden - it hit him like a pack of bricks were just shoved in his chest and head.

Rose noticed this and asked queasily. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," He lied. "just a little bit drowsy."

She smiled, nodding her head at herself as she got up and stretched. S̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ̶

"Alright I'm going to leave you to it," She said, closing his blinds as he felt even more drowsier.

"What did you do Rose?" Aaron said groggily, attempting to rub the sleepiness of his eyes as he gave her an accusing look.

But she gave him a sweet smile. "Just thought I'd put the shot in your soup rather than in your arm."

His vision was starting to falter, everything drooping as his eyes were shutting down on him.

"Rose you're an idiot," Was the last thing he said before he fell asleep.

H̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶s̶e̶l̶f̶ ̶s̶m̶i̶l̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

☓☓☓

"My God Rose I knew you were a fierce lil chick, but damn you knocked him out good."

And there headache was back, more painful than it ever was as he slowly opened his eyes - wincing at the bright light before his blue orbs adjusted, focusing only to reveal Aiden's smirking face.

Oh for fuck's sake.

"Hey Aaron," Aiden said, his eyes flickering to Rose. "I wish I had someone as cute as her to take care of me." S̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶s̶h̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

S̶t̶a̶y̶ ̶c̶a̶l̶m̶. "And I wish I had something more appealing to wake up to,"

Aiden scoffed. "This is the best there is,"

Aaron heard Tristan let out a humorless chuckle before the blonde haired boy sat right beside Aaron, a smile illuminating his features. "Hey Aaron, we missed you today."

"You missed him today," Aiden said, cocking an eyebrow as he smirked. "He couldn't stop whining about you man, it was sickening."

Tristan turned red. "I did not!"

Aiden smirk only widened in response, shrugging his shoulders. "He was so lonely, he had no one to geek with about his biology test." He told Rose, an instant smile spreading across her lips as her eyes darted to Tristan. S̶t̶a̶y̶ ̶c̶a̶l̶m̶,̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶.̶ ̶

"Well?" Rose asked him, "what happened in that test?"

Tristan's neck became as red as his cheeks, a shy smile on his lips as he told her. "I got an A*."

Rose then squealed - like a literal squeal.

She rushed over to his side before wrapping her arms around Tristan, that beam tingling the air around them as he watched the breath get sucked right out of the tall boy.

"I knew you could do it!" She said, hugging him tighter (Tristan looked like he was going to pass out). "I'm so happy!"

"Umm, thanks Rose." Tristan said, flushed cheeks softly pressed against the tip of Rose's head as he embraced her. "Thank you again for helping me."

She then released him, h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶i̶e̶r̶, before she gave him a smile. "That's what friends are for."

"Do you want to set yourself on fire as much as I do?" Aiden said, shaking his head as he tore his own gaze from the two of them. "Sure, friends." Aiden mumbled, giving Tristan a look while Tristan's ears were also starting to change colour.

D̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶a̶n̶y̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶r̶e̶g̶r̶e̶t̶. "Why the hell are you snoozing around like that man?" Aiden asked. "and not to mention that you look like absolute crap."