/-mȯrt/ 

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She was the type to fall in love with the moon, and everything that was beautifully unreachable.

●●●

He told Luke first.

Right after school was over, Aaron frankly told him that he was courting Rose. Luke's reaction was somewhat bearable; Aaron was always used to seeing James run around and squeal, so it wasn't any different with Luke.

He didn't know why he waited until after school to tell anyone. Maybe it was because it kind of slipped his mind - being around Rose always does to him. Or perhaps it was because Aaron wanted to see for himself that it was actually happening. Kind of like a real life pinch on the shoulder. That Rose agreed to be his.

It felt weird, but it felt nice too. And at times, Aaron thought he was still sleeping, that all of this was just some cloudy illusion of his sacred imagination.

But as much as Aaron tried to resist, he always couldn't help but smile.

It was just something so incredibly extraordinary; something so unbelievable that Aaron couldn't really help but freak out over how happy he was. It was nerves and anxiety; goosebumps and smiles.

It was something absolutely ridiculous, but it felt absolutely amazing.

Just like Rose.

☀☀☀

He had no idea what he would be expecting when he went to school the next day.

Rose was unpredictable really; and Aaron was ready for anything. He was ready for the fire that she was going to breathe on his face, ready for the daggers that she was going to shoot his way, ready for the arrows with tips of flame that were going to be aimed in his direction.

He was just not ready for this.

"Something wrong?" Rose asked him, looking at him weirdly. "You look like you're going to pass out."

There was something so spectacularly uplifting about seeing Rose dress entirely in black, but there was also something so absolutely desirable that Aaron had to look away for a second and count to 10 before his breathing eventually subsided to normal.

"Nothing," He was pretty sure his squeaky voice gave him away. He then cleared his throat. "You look nice."

Rose beamed -Jesus Christ, dear Lord, oh my God- "Really? Thank you!" She adjusted the hem of the black shirt slightly, that breathtaking smile still on her face. "I'm glad you like it." I don't like it, I fucking worship this oh my God I can't breathe-

Aaron just nodded his head slowly, taking in a deep breath before he leaned down to leave a gentle kiss to her forehead, as he does every morning, before he whispered, "But why are you wearing this though?"

Rose just shrugged. "I wanted to see what it felt like to be you for a while."

"You mean handsome, absolutely hilarious and rather tall?"

Rose rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "No, I mean abnormally tall, awkwardly blending into the environment and being an absolute loner."

"..."

"..."

"You don't mean that."

Rose cracked a grin. "Try me,"

Aaron couldn't really help but let a chuckle of his own out, smiling widely at Rose as he kissed her forehead again. "Well then, I guess tomorrow I will be dressing like you then." But dear Lord did Rose's legs look absolutely amazing in those black pants oh my God, oh my God, oh my God-

"So I will see you in a white shirt tomorrow with blue jeans?"

"No, you will see me in a maroon skirt and a cream sweater."

Rose cringed. "Christ,"

Aaron raised his eyebrow in caution. "You and I both know I will look absolutely stunning,"

"Will you at least wax?"

"What happened to accepting me as a whole?"

Rose giggled, and Aaron grinned. She then went on her tippy toes and left a kiss to the side of Aaron's cheek, and he could still feel the smile on her lips through her peck. "Then I guess I will wear a leather jacket tomorrow, I wouldn't want you to feel cold."

Aaron nodded. "What a gentleman."

Rose winked. "Tell me about it."

"Goodness Rose, stop flirting with me and go to class."

☀☀☀

"You're bluffing," Aiden snorted, a mocked expression garnishing his features. "I'm not falling for this shit." He said, a sarcastic chuckle escaping his lips as he shook his head.

"I was like that too bro," Luke chimed in, sighing as he reasoned. "But it's true - saw it with me own eyes."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "You're full of shit."

Luke shrugged, glancing at Aaron. "Ask him yourself,"

Aiden peered at Aaron, his stare questioning. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Aaron replied, flicking some of his hair off his eyes while he shoved his hand in his pockets.

Aiden quirked an eyebrow. "You and Rose are a thing?"

"I would appreciate it if you never mentioned Rose and thing in the same sentence please," Aaron gritted his teeth. "It doesn't concern you."

Aiden grinned, his playful gaze constantly flickering behind Aaron. "I guess we aren't the only ones with a free period," He then steadied his glimmering eyes on him. "Prove it."

Aaron gave him a blank look. "Prove what?"

Aiden's grin widened. "She's right there," His eyes glanced at the brown eyed beauty reading her book. "Bust a move."

"Fuck you,"

Aiden smirked. "Backing out already DeGarner?" He shook his head. "You pussy."

Aaron rolled his eyes as he sighed. "I don't need to prove shit to you,"

Aiden let out a humorless chuckle. "Does she even know you're spreading lies like this around?"

He clenched his fists.

"Screw you," Aaron said harshly, his blue eyes sending an icy glare to his friend.

Aiden grinned; he loved playing with his buttons. "Then prove it lover boy," He then fished an Oreo pack out of his pocket, handing it to Aaron. "Chicks love chocolate - well at least most of them do." Aiden raised an eyebrow in challenge. "But they love it even more when their boyfriends feed it to them."

Aaron eyed the Oreo packet, eleven ways to murder Aiden running through his mind as he let out a breath.

"Tell me why I should do this," He clenched his jaw, raising an eyebrow as he sensed Luke's smile.

"Well, to show the entire world that your love life is an actual thing, not some deserted forest with the words 'Forever alone til said otherwise' engraved onto barks of trees," Aiden replied, patting Aaron's back. "And to make her day a little brighter." He nudged his head towards Rose's direction, who was chewing quietly on her apple. "And if by any chance she really is your girl, tell her that she looks so fucking good in black for me."

"Fuck you,"

Aiden just smirked.

After a few moments of contemplation, Aaron let out a groan as he held the Oreo pack closely, sending an annoyed glare to Aiden before he made his way to Rose.

He took in a breath, but it came out just as quickly when he met her soft gaze. Dear Lord Rose looked absolutely amazing in black, God God God, beautiful beautiful beautiful-

"Aaron?"

"Eat this," He told her, watching as she attempted to give him a beam. (But that damn apple)

"But I'm eating an apple," She replied, munching as he ripped the packet open.

"I'll wait," He told her, already hearing Aiden's chuckle from behind them. What an asshole.

Rose then started to chew quickly, taking in a huge breath as she swallowed. "Alright, done."

And Aaron shoved the bar into her mouth - like literally shoved it.

Rose almost choked at the impact, but she somehow managed to engulf the entire bar as she started chewing with wide eyes. She looked so adorable.

"That was suppose to be romantic asswipe," Aiden commented, laughing at Aaron's annoyed expression before his fingers fondled the crumbs of chocolate off Rose's mouth. Aaron unconsciously clenched his fists.

"This is romantic," Aaron retorted, clenching his jaw as he peeled Aiden's fingers off Rose. "Satisfied?"

Aiden gave Aaron one last grin before he turned his attention to Rose (Who was still chewing). "Was that romantic to you?"

Rose swallowed hardly before inhaling. "It was suprising too though,"

"I always knew Aaron was never boyfriend material-" His grin dropped. "-wait, that was romantic to you?"

"Well yeah," Rose smiled as she licked some of the chocolate off her lips. "He gave me chocolate."

"So you and Aaron are an actual thing?" Aiden sounded so surprised.

"Aiden,"

"I mean, are you both a couple?"

Rose looked at Aaron, her cheeks coloured as though she was checking whether it would be okay if she would tell.

Aaron gave her a soft smile, nodding his head. Rose then turned to Aiden again before she said softly. "Yeah, we are."

The way she spoke those 9 letter words, and the softness that she said it in made a warm feeling rush through Aaron's body; swishing and turning throughout his chest as a small smile bloomed on his lips.

"Well damn," Aiden said as he snapped out of his daze. "He's got himself a keeper."

☀☀☀

"What do you mean turtles are naked all the time?"

Aaron sighed. "Listen Tris-"

"I heard naked," Aiden literally quit talking to Chase and peered closely at Tristan. He grinned. "Whatever it is, I'm in."

Tristan cringed. "For God's sake stop."Andrew rolled his eyes.

"Aw what's wrong Tris?" Aiden asked in mock concern. "You finally watched porn?"

Tristan's eyes widened. "What? No! It kills your brain cells!" Rose high fived him.

Aiden quirked an eyebrow before he nodded his head in awe. "That explains it."

"Ew dude," Andrew shuddered. "You're sick."

"Not me dumbass," Aiden rolled his eyes. "Watching that shit is like objectifying women."

"Now you care about that," Tristan snickered.

Aiden placed a helpless hand against Aaron's shoulder. "Why won't anyone understand me?"

"Because you're a pain in the ass." Aaron could see Rose silently giggle beside him. He honestly couldn't help but lace his own fingers with hers.

"And you call me the mean one," Aiden scoffed, retreating his hand from Aaron's shoulder. "Screw you."

"You're mean to everyone," Andrew remarked. "Especially me."

"Well I wouldn't have to be mean if you weren't so annoying," Aiden told him, making a laugh slip out of Tristan's lips. (Which he immediately stopped when Andrew gave him a look)

"But you're mean all the time."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "That's because you're annoying all the time." Rose and Lana were trying so hard not to laugh their heads off.

"He isn't that mean to me," Tristan said, pushing his glasses further up his nose. He then grinned. "It's because my IQ makes up for my lack of sense of humor."

Aiden and Andrew looked at Tristan before giving him a look, and glanced at each other. "I'm not going to comment on anything," Andrew said as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "You handle his shit." He told Aiden, as he got up.

"Where are you going?" Chase asked him, quirking his eyebrows.

"To sit with Camille and her friends," Andrew replied dryly. "And when I say her friends, I mean the chatterboxes that actually have tongues for lungs and ears for hearts."

Tristan cringed. "Harsh."

Andrew shrugged. "Well if it makes anything better, they call me a flat faced moron with tree branches for arms and armpits for a nose."

"God that's awful."

Andrew shrugged. "Well what can I do?"

Aaron pursed his lips. "Well I don't know - maybe fucking talk this out with your girlfriend?" He could feel Rose squeeze their fingers together. He sent her a small, unnoticeable smile.

Andrew's shoulders slouched. "I mean I know, but, I don't want to get in between them because of me." He shrugged again. "She has the freedom to pick her friends as I do."

Lana saluted him. "You are boyfriend goals."

"Goals?" Tristan asked. "Like, are we referring to the goals obtained by the stamina of football players through a rectangular perimeter encircled by metal parts?"

"Jesus Christ," Luke muttered. "Who the fuck makes football sound smart?"

"Tristan does," Rose chirped, giving the blonde haired boy a thumbs up. Aaron noticed how beautiful her collarbones curved beautiful against the neckline of the black shirt. God. He looked away just as quickly.

"You all seriously don't know what's boyfriend goals?" Lana rolled her eyes. By now Andrew sat back down, intently watching her. "Like when - it's kind of like - like I don't know how to explain this, Rose can you do the honors?"

Rose instantly coloured when all eyes focused on her, and she squeezed Aaron's hand tighter. He gave her a smile. She smiled back before she cleared her throat and said, "It's kind of like when you set out a goal, kinda like an achievement. Like say you want to read 3 books by the end of this week, so you encourage yourself to read 3 books by the end of the year. So when we say boyfriend goals, it means we want to see that in our boyfriend." Aaron could've sworn she shyly glanced at him. Breathe, breathe, breathe. "Get it?"

"Ahhhhh," Luke said. "Makes sense."

"So if I want my girlfriend to be as sweet as Rose, do I call it girlfriend goals?" Aiden asked with a grin.

"Aiden,"

"Chill dude, I didn't even do anything." Aiden reasoned. "And besides Aaron, if I were to steal your woman, Rose would be sitting beside me by now."

Aaron rolled his eyes, but he could feel Rose give their fingers an encouraging squeeze.

"But admit it though," Lana said. "They make an adorable pair." She squealed quietly into her hands, and that made Rose laugh quietly.

"No, honestly you both are sickening." Aiden cringed, lips pursed.

"Jesus Christ man, he was just wiping away the food on her mouth," Andrew said dryly. "Rather roughly might I add." Andrew then went ahead and left to Camille's table, with a gentle smile on his lips.

Aiden smirked. "Seems to me like Aaron m'boy likes it rough."

Rose choked on her water.

"For fuck's sake," Aaron didn't even look fazed, he just rolled his eyes. "You make me think that there isn't a barrier between your vocal cords and mouth."

"What barrier?"

"A brain," Aaron retorted, sighing.

Aiden just shrugged. "Well you make me think you do this to Rose to give her a hint on what third base is going to look like." Lana snorted.

"We are not talking about this," Aaron deadpanned. "Especially not when Tristan looks like he's going to pass out."

Tristan gulped. "I'm fine really, just a bit bloody disturbed."

"And what does that make me?" Chase snorted. "We're talking about my best friend having sex with her first boyfriend. It is literally worse than the talk my Mom gave me when I hit puberty."

Rose was a mess of red and shaky hands. "C-can we please stop-"

Luke let out a long and dramatic sigh. "You are adorable Rose, and Aiden is just sick in the brain for bringing this up."

Lana silently giggled. She then added, "Yeah, he's a psychotic, overly disgusting, utterly mortifying-"

"Okay we get it Miss Moron," Aiden scoffed. "But admit it dude, I was only stating the obvious," He then looked at Aaron, his eyebrows wiggling. "Aren't I right buddy?"

"For fuck's sake,"

☀☀☀

Aaron always looked forward to going home.

When him and Rose didn't share last period, Aaron always left the class 5 minutes early, and liked it better when the teacher left them for 10.

Today was another such day. Mr. Jeffrey -Aaron's accounting teacher- gave the class his first smile when he finished off today's lesson of export.

His brown eyes had this sparkle of accomplishment in them while his fingers ran over his mustache. "Class dismissed."

Aaron ran out of there.

He took the books he needed out of his locker before heading towards the exit of the school. He would even count his steps, making sure his pace was in between slow and fast.

He would then keep his bag on the edge of the bench he took a seat on, his eyes already searching for a specific blonde ponytail. He didn't realise he was smiling the entire time.

And when he could see that high, blonde ponytail, he freaked out every time. Oh God, dear Lord, what what what-

"Hey Aaron," Rose would say, greeting him with that beautiful smile. "How was your day?"

"Hey Rose," He would say back, offering her a small smile. "My day could've been better," If you were there longer.

"Why?" Rose asked, taking a seat beside him. "And I hope I didn't make you wait too long. You know how Mr. Eric can get," The wait was worth it.

There was always something about Rose when school ended. He didn't know whether it was the way her ponytail frizzed up (She even tied it with a black hair band - Jesus Christ), or the wisps of hair that were always on the nape of her neck.

But whatever it was, he knew that he was smitten with her eyes.

The way her amber eyes would be tired yet bubbly made the brown hues in them pop, and she looked stunning.

"Don't worry, I didn't wait much," He told her, weaving his fingers through hers, giving her a tired smile. "We have a test tomorrow, don't forget." He reminded her, watching as she quirked her eyebrows.

"And you call me a nerd," Rose said, immediately receiving a look from Aaron. "Thank you for telling me something I already know."

"You're welcome," Aaron muttered, rolling his eyes. "You're so ungrateful Rose, Christ I didn't know you had that in you."

"Excuse me?" Rose fired back. "Says the nerd."

"Ungrateful," He mumbled back. "And it's intellectual badass by the way."

She let out a gasp. "You did not!" She then playfully shoved his shoulder. "I'm reporting a fraud."

He shrugged. "Fine by me,"

Rose let out a small laugh before she rested her head on his shoulder, releasing a sigh. "There's something going on between Aiden and Lana," She said, snuggling closer to him.

"I noticed too," Aaron nodded. "What do you think it is?"

"MU," Rose replied.

"MU?"

She glanced at him. "Yeah, mutual understanding."

"God," Aaron said. "You really aren't a natural at this are you?"

"Hey," Rose warned. "As if you have something better," She grinned. "I say 10 bucks that in 2 weeks they'll be a couple."

"Are we seriously going to be those people that bet on other people's relationships?"

"Fine, 20 bucks."

"Sold."

Rose grinned. Her gaze became subtle; almost like the early hours of dawn. "You don't smoke anymore," She said quietly.

Aaron left a kiss to her temple. "Because I don't find the need to." She smiled at that.

Quietness then settled over the pair, the rustling of the leaves the only sound vibrating through the air, his hand right on her own.

He then turned to her and gave her a small kiss, a soft expression brushing against his features as he smiled.

And Aaron didn't know; he had absolutely no idea why whenever it came to Rose, he always smiled. Why, even with just the mention of her name, he could feel his entire body shake with exhilaration and bliss. He didn't know why -why in God's name- was he reacting the way he was when it came to Rose.