/ba-sO-'rek-sE-a/

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Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters.

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Aaron smelt absolutely amazing.

Rose couldn't really put her finger on what it smelt like, but it was like a concoction of things really. It was sweet, but minty; it had a hint of spice and citrus, but it also smelt like fresh apple. Rose thought she was going insane.

Rose didn't know how, but somehow she ended up pressed right against Aaron's firm chest; his delicate fingers playing with the ends of her hair as they sat and talked about some of the books they both read on her shelf. She mindlessly played with his fingers too, smiling as she watched Aaron talk about Pip.

Aaron might now necessarily know, but when he talked about books, everything about him changed. His chest would loosen up the tension bottled in, his arms would relax against her shoulders, and his eyes his eyes his eyes.

Rose already thought Aaron had the most beautiful eyes she has ever seen, but this, this was something she would never fathom as beautiful. It was perfect. Breathtaking. Alluring. It was Aaron.

The blue hues would always reflect off this iridescent light; sparkling in their own turquoise colour. The yellow around his iris would profoundly mimic an almost yellowy orange; bringing out just how blue his eyes were.

Aaron's eyes were a lot of things: amazing, miraculous, magical. But so was everything else about him. Aaron was just a body full of magic and miracles - he was things Rose has never seen before, words she has never read, and emotions she has never felt.

Aaron was Aaron. And perhaps he didn't see how brave, or smart, or handsome he was, Rose would show him. Because Rose thought everyone deserved to feel beautiful. To feel appreciated.

"You know dimples are caused be an abnormally shortened face muscle?" Rose said, smiling.

"Zygomaticus muscle to be exact," Aaron added. Rose noticed that when his right dimple made a short appearance, he was trying not to smile. But she wanted him to.

"Apparently it's a genetic thing too," Rose said.

Aaron nodded. "Yeah, my Dad has them too." He cracked a narcotic grin. "But I'm pretty sure I rock them better."

Rose gave him a look. "You did not,"

He shrugged in response. Rose smiled.

There was always something so stunning about seeing Aaron blurt out something as narcissist or as boastful as his dimples because it rarely ever happens. Rose knew Aaron was the most selfless person she has ever met; the most down to Earth individual she single handedly had the pleasure of meeting.

He never even tried to mention to her that it was him that planned her birthday party, never failed at collecting her notes and sheets on the days she missed school. There was so many things Aaron screamed at the world, and yet people would only catch on his quiet whispers.

He wasn't muscular or kind tempered or incredibly handsome. He wasn't broken or overly confident or patient. Aaron was just a boy. A boy whom, in her eyes, was the most beautiful person to walk on this planet.

Aaron's fingers were always so soft. "What are you thinking so hard about?" He whispered.

"You," She accidently blurted out. Crap, crap, crap.

Aaron raised his eyebrows at that. "I mean like - like your - your metabolism!" Rose was desperate.

"My metabolism?" Aaron asked, looking at her weirdly. "And what about it?"

"Umm, it must be good metabolism," Rose concluded, gulping down a quiet swallow. "Like really good."

Aaron's confused stare didn't falter. "And how would you know?"

Breathe, breathe, breathe. "Umm, good question. It - uh- takes a lot more than it might meet the eye." Rose was trying to make anything up.

But Aaron wasn't going to let it go. "Which is?"

Think, think, think. "Your hair!" Rose was surprised they were still having this conversation. "It's your hair,"

"And how does that not meet the eye?"

"Umm," Think, think, think. "Because texture and density are physical quantities." Rose doubts she ever saw Aaron as confused as now.

But Aaron being as unpredictable as he was, he laughed.

And to Rose, it was always beautiful each time.

"So while your parents are down preparing dinner, and while we were just discussing about Great Expectations, we turn the subject by a 360 degree angle and talk about my metabolism that is proven through my hair?" Aaron looked like he was going to laugh until his throat hurt. Rose wasn't even aware she was smiling as wide as she was.

"Yes, so it seems." She replied.

Aaron's fingers were now on her shoulders. She was trying to breathe normally. "You're weird." He told her.

She exhaled the breath through her nose. "You told me that before,"

Aaron smiled lightly. "And I mean it as much as I did then,"

Rose scowled. "Gee, thanks for the compliment."

He hummed against her. Closed his eyes. "You're welcome."

Rose leaned into him, letting out a small breath. "You're really comfortable you know?" She could feel his fingers on the ends of her hair. "Like you feel like the world's fluffiest teddy bear."

"For fuck's sake,"

●●●

Rose's hair was tied up in a bun.

It became so hot in the room (Even though the air conditioner was on) that Rose didn't want to deal with the hassle her hair was making.

But Aaron seemed to think otherwise.

His hands were always in her hair; the tips of his fingers playing with the ends of her blonde locks Rose missed to tie in the bun.

"It's hot," She pointed out. It has been roughly half an hour, and Rose's parents were still in the kitchen.

Aaron nodded. "I know,"

She could feel his fingers toy with the band of the hair tie. "You look nice," He told her, mindlessly carrying on with playing with her hair. He then drew his fingers back, almost in caution that he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

The moment his fingers left her hair, her bun became undone. Aaron chuckled lightly.

"Let me," He whispered to her before she could grab her hair band.

Rose raised her eyebrows at him. "You don't really expect me to trust you with my hair do you?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. Rose gave him a look. "Don't look at me like that; hair is a very special thing,"

Aaron's blue eyes brightened with amusement. "How so?"

"I don't know..." Rose muttered. "I shampoo and condition it, and then blow dry it."

Aaron laughed quietly, biting his lip. "I won't spoil your hard work, I promise."

Rose let out a sigh. "Well then, go ahead."

And he did.

She could feel him braid her hair first before he tied it off in a bun. His fingers were so gentle on each strand of her hair, as though caressing them. He was skillful too, she could feel it.

And when he was done, Rose almost passed out on how pretty it was. "Now how in the world did you learn how to do that?" Rose was still looking at her hair.

"Something I picked up over time,"

"You do it better than me."

Aaron grinned. "There's a lot of things I do better than you Rose,"

She snickered. "Don't start with me,"

Aaron shrugged. "It's normal to deny facts."

"You are annoying,"

"No, you're just in denial."

"You're terrible,"

"You're just deprived from happiness."

Rose grinned. She didn't know how to contain these bundles of happiness and excitement and shyness tied together within her. It all felt so surreal and incredible, and yet even so, she was still a bit frightened. And shy. And excited. All at once.

And they looked at each other like they were about to kiss.

His hand came to her cheek, his touch as delicate as it always was. But there was something different about this; something more smooth and sacred. His fingers felt like clouds, and his eyes were the sky.

His face came closer - so close that Rose could feel his warm exhales on her neck. He nudged her nose with his own, his eyes as blue as they ever were. And then whispered in the softest tone he had, "Can I kiss you?"

Rose's throat tightened, and her heart was doing insane dances and shakes, and she couldn't breathe couldn't breathe couldn't breathe. "Yes."

But just when Aaron's lips were going to brush against her own-

Rose's parents then called them down for dinner. Rose felt the disappointment settle in her limbs, and she wanted to explode out of frustration. When she got up, Aaron laced his fingers with her own. But it was she that gave their hands a squeeze. "Don't worry about it," She whispered to him. "You'll nail it."

Aaron kissed her forehead. "It's nice knowing you have faith in me." The truth was, Rose never had more faith in anyone else than Aaron. She smiled at him.

"I'll always have faith in you," She replied, smiling. "Now come on, I'm hungry."

Aaron smiled, giving their fingers a squeeze now before they hurried down the stairs. And Lord knew the horror Rose was going to endure when she entered the dining room.

"What in the world are you guys wearing?" Rose was surprised she could even speak up, considering the circumstances.

"We, my dear Rose, are just showing our parenting skills to your boyfriend over there," Peter adjusted the collar of his clown suit, the white face paint already dripping down his neck. "And our creativity too."

Helen pursed her lips. "It was his idea, not mine." She scowled when the hem of her 1900's dress got stuck on the flooring. Even her blonde hair was tied up in those fancy buns, really giving the essence of the old times to Rose's house.

Aaron looked like he was about to crack up laughing.

"He's not my boyfriend Dad," Rose mumbled. "And Mom, is that my dress that I wore on Halloween 2 years ago?"

"Dammit," Helen muttered. "I told you she would know!" She scolded at her husband.

Peter just shrugged. "It was an ugly dress anyway," Helen and Rose was mouth agape, and just as Helen was about to burst, Peter added. "And Helen, a quarter in the swear jar for you."

Helen just sighed, rubbing her temples. "You make my life difficult Peter,"

Peter just grinned. "Beautifully difficult," He corrected.

Helen -as much as she tried to keep on a straight face- laughed. But Rose still couldn't understand why her parents could humiliate her this much.

"You look lovely," Aaron complimented, that grin smothered across his mouth. "I like your makeup Peter, really flatters your features."

Peter fluttered his false eyelashes at Aaron. "Why thank you son, I did it myself."

Aaron turned to Helen, and this time, he looked like he was going to laugh his vocal cords off. "And Helen, you look stunning too. The broach really ties the whole look."

Helen puffed out her chest. Winked. "It was part of the plan m'boy."

"Now let's eat," Peter suggested, walking in his overly bright and big clown shoes. "I'm hungry."

Peter pulled Helen's chair out while Aaron pulled out Rose's. Both men gave small smiles to each other before they took their seats. Aaron took Rose's fingers gently underneath the table, lacing them with his own. Rose's heart

was

out

of

control.

She could've sworn she saw her legs shake.

"So," Peter was wiping away some of the makeup that entered his eyes. "You want to date my daughter huh?"

Aaron gave a grateful smile to Helen, as though thanking her for the food in advance. "I do,"

"Even if her Mother and I are dressed as complete lunatics in the middle of our dining room?"

Aaron smiled. "Even if you are dressed up as complete lunatics in the middle of your dining room."

Peter grinned. Plopped a piece of chicken into his mouth. "Well you got my blessing already my boy, you now just need-" He peered at Helen. "-to get hers."

Aaron nodded. Cleared his throat. Waited for Helen's own interrogation.

Now Rose was indulged in her own food too, but when it came to Helen, she just stopped eating. Because through all the years Rose knew Helen, she knew she would ask the most-

"What are you planning on doing after school?"

"Go to college."

"You aspire to be what?"

"A doctor."

"Favourite colour?"

"It depends on the season really. Since it's almost summer, I would say blue." Rose gave him a sheepish smile at that.

"Age?"

"17 years old."

"Hobbies?"

"Reading and working."

"Any previous jobs?"

"Yes, I was a mechanic and I am now working at a small coffee shop." Peter also stopped eating, intently watching as Helen did her intense interview.

"Pet peeves?"

"Tardiness and disloyalty."

Helen raised her eyebrows. Pursed her lips. "Hmm," She then smiled delicately. "You have my permission Aaron."

And Aaron smiled the biggest smile Rose has ever seen. Both his dimples were protruding, cherishing the swirl of happiness roaming in his eyes. Rose gave their fingers one more squeeze. Her heart was going to explode, explode, explode.

But Peter had other plans. "Are you free tonight Aaron?" He asked him while he chewed on his mashed potatoes, smiling.

"Yes," Aaron replied. "Is there anything you need me in?"

Peter grinned. "Yeah, it's actually part of your dating test."

Rose was the one that gulped. And she did it for a reason.

●●●

"Dadddd," Rose grumbled, her lips in a thin line. "Aaron probably has something to do and he's just trying to be nice."

Peter glanced at Aaron. By now he got rid of his ridiculous clown costume and his dramatic makeup. But Rose could still see the black rim of eyeliner around his eyes. "Aaron are you honestly free tonight?"

Aaron nodded his head. "You have my word."

Peter smirked at Rose. "He isn't busy Rose, so don't try to sweet talk your way out of this." He smiled at Aaron. "I'm going to have to do the dishes with my wife, so for now, head on to Rose's room."

Rose was still grumbling as she watched her father's retreating figure, slumping her shoulders as she sighed.

She could feel Aaron right behind her. "What's wrong?" He asked her.

Rose shrugged. "I don't know what he's planning, and it's killing me."

Aaron smiled. "It'll be all good Rose, don't stress on it." He let out a small breath. "Dinner was amazing."

"You said that a dozen times downstairs," Rose deadpanned.

But Aaron grinned. "And I'll say it a dozen times more up here."

Rose pulled him closer, smiling. "I don't mind that either."

"He might be planning nothing for all you know," Aaron reasoned. Rose just nodded in agreement.

She hoped Aaron was right.

Peter took a while, and so Aaron and Rose spent their time talking about the most random topics that were on the top of their heads. They talked about everything from books to sports and the economy.

Rose was learning more secret things about Aaron the more they talked. Like how he preferred his left side to his right, and how he was secretly a proud procrastinator. She sensed the whispers he was sending to the world, the whispers that meant absolutely nothing to others, but meant the entire world and more to her.

When silence elapsed upon the pair, Rose then got up. Stood straight on her feet. Started spinning in circles.

Aaron eyed her weirdly. "What are you doing?"

She peeked at him while she span. "Spinning counter clockwise," She was letting out small breaths now. "Each turn robs the planet of angular momentum, slowing its spin the tiniest bit, lengthening the night, pushing back the dawn." She was smiling softly now. "Giving me a little more time with you."

Aaron rolled his eyes. "Jesus Christ, I thought you were going to disrupt the planet's orbiting cycle at first," His eyes were smiling; a dazzling blue. "And you are the biggest cheese ball I have ever met."

He then let out a quiet laugh before he got off the bed and on his feet too. He walked over to Rose, that stunning gentle smile kissing his lips as he took her elbow, stopping her spins.

By now, Rose was hysterically dizzy, and she was scolding herself on what an idiot she was before Aaron pulled her towards his chest.

"Are you doing this because I feel awfully dizzy or because you're reminding me of how short I am?"

Aaron hummed in response. She could feel him smile. "How about both?" Was his reply.

"Jerk," She muttered. "Here I am being all romantic while you mock my height."

By now Aaron has leaned his forehead against hers, the bemused little smile dancing on his lips. "Your height is kind of a hard thing to miss," Her arms were around her. "And there's a third reason too," He said quietly.

The breath slipped from her lungs out her mouth. "What is it?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

He kissed her forehead. Peeked at her through his eyelids. "Because I want to hold you."

She was melting melting melting-

"But mocking your height was most of it really,"

Rose gave him a look. "And you call me unromantic,"

Aaron grinned. "At least I'm honest about it."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever."

Aaron was still smiling, his lips against her forehead. "And you're still an idiot,"

"Why is that?"

His lips were so gentle. "You don't need to stop the Earth's axis for me," He murmured. "We do it together."

Rose made a face. "It doesn't sound cheesy coming from you,"

Aaron chuckled. Bit his bottom lip. "That was the plan."

Rose shook her head. "You're unbelievable,"

Aaron smiled gently, and it felt like the softest tickle of a paint brush against her cheek. He didn't need to say anything, because the radiant smile on his face was enough. Rose felt something in her crack open, warming up her body from the tips of her toes to her hair.

And Aaron still didn't stop smiling.

And he was so so beautiful.

●●●

They were out on the front porch.

"You just have to pass a sort of test before you can officially court my daughter," Peter said, his blue eyes glittering in amusement.

Aaron's blue eyes steadied; stable in their own cobalt light as they gleamed in determination. "Name it," He said.

And Rose was already thinking of the thousands chores that her Dad would have in mind, or the millions of possibilities up his sleeve, but Rose just wasn't expecting-

"Camping," He broke off with a grin.

Aaron and Rose looked at him in question.

While Aaron furrowed his eyebrows, Peter beat him to it. "It's easy children. Aaron, take Rose out camping. You may go back home to grab a few things."

Rose could feel her chest tighten. "What? Dad-"

Aaron took a glance at his watch. Nodded his head. "I'll just go grab some spare clothes and canned food."

Peter smiled. "I've got the tent ready for you,"

Aaron nodded. Smiled lightly. "Then I guess we won't have issues."

●●●

Rose insisted on building the tent.

"I want to do it," She said.

"Do you know how?"

She scowled. "Then why would I want to do it?"

Aaron smirked slightly. "Because it's your life's desire to impress me."

Rose pursed her lips. "You wish,"