"HAS ANYHTING HAPPENED in the past week that makes you entirely happy?" Andrea asked. Turns out she was a certified therapist and had agreed to help me for now in person as she was in Archdale visiting family and then after tomorrow virtually.

Aaron rubbed his thumb on my knee waiting patiently. I bit my lip and nodded.

"Yeah. I got to go to two different houses for Christmas, I met my family, I got Aaron to meet them, I had a sleepover with Jordan which was fun." I realized this week was really a full on blast.

"And what was the part that made you utterly helpless?"

I did not have to think twice. "My grandma having breast cancer." I swallowed the lump on my throat as Andrea scribbled down some words.

"Is there a reason why you don't think her recovery is in the limelight?" She asked eyeing me.

"I do think that-"

"But that's not what you believe in. Speak your thoughts Bryce." She softly put out and nodded for me to speak.

I took a deep breath and fumbled with my hands. "Because- because everybody I know or knew left. They always leave. Sometimes it's not even death that takes them away. It's because I'm not good enough. Or when they do want to be with me they get taken away by death or other circumstances. It's like I'm cursed. Like every bad thing is bound to happen to me." I stress the last sentence to her. I feel Aaron squeeze my hand under the table. I give him a small smile and look back at Andrea.

"It's not your place to determine the fate of the universe Bryce. You can't predict it. If you say all bad things are taken from you then name me a few good things that have happened to you?" Andrea countered.

I blew out a breath trying to navigate down memory lane. "Well I left a pretty toxic and shitty family, I met up with a lot of incredible people, I found a real family, I met Aaron and all my friends."

"Those are because of the bad things. You see every consequence has a good and bad source. We just happen to outshine the negative against the positive. I agree that your past is hard and unexpected but only you can change the future. You have to learn to expect good things. Because if you focus too much on the bad and when they do occur you will forget all the happiness around you. So for today I want you to do a task." Andrea took out a piece of paper and handed it to me.

I looked at the long array of lines a little weirdly. "What's this?"

She pushed her glasses up her nose. "That is a sheet. I want you to write twenty positive lines that start with 'I am'. You have a week to do this so take your time and really think about yourself." I nodded an pocketed it in my bag pack. I was about to get up before she interrupted. "I also want to ask questions on your emotional standpoint of your relationship with Aaron."

Aaron glanced at me and I at her. What does that mean?

"Tell me. How long have you and Aaron been together?"

I knew the answer like the back of my hand. "Five months."

"And you would describe your relationship as healthy?"

"Definitely." I confirmed.

"What would happen if Aaron cheated on you? What would you think of that scenario?" My breath caught in my throat like a cork. I gritted my jaw and tried to think of that. Would I have to experience that? I do not think so. Aaron was loyal. He was not going to do that.

"You're overthinking this." Andrea sighed.

"Well I can't exactly under-think it." I snapped at her. "That's a stupid question."

"So? Answer the question then."

I bit my lip and leaned against my chair. What do I say?

"Think about it. It's your one year anniversary. You're going to surprise him only to see a woman in bed with him passionately hooking up. What would be your reaction?"

"I'd be hurt." I shrugged. "I'd probably be heartbroken."

"Would it be because of life? You got Aaron at a part of your life and then he cheats on you at the other part? Would you blame it on life?"

"Yes."

"You wouldn't say Aaron as a person did that?"

"He did. But I guess the universe just hates me too much to let me be happy." I exhale deeply.

"What would be the positive outcome?" I remained silent not sure what to say. This was some messed up question. What if I asked her that? "The positive outcome would be that you were shown the truth. That would be better." Andrea massaged her temples as I frown at her. She closed her pen and nodded at me. "I'll see you next week."

"Okay." I got up immediately and walked out the room. I hated therapy already.

"Hold up." Aaron matched my strides walking faster then me. I slowed down as we reached outside to his motorbike. "That was a pretty..."

"Fucking messed up question?" I finish for him. "You aren't cheating on me though right...? I mean you're not- shit! Sorry-" He shut me up with his lips pressed to mine. I walked back against the motorbike as he ran his tongue inside my mouth while his hand held me in position.

"I would never cheat on you. I'd kill myself before doing that." He mumbled against my lips as I pushed my mouth harder against him.

"I know." I breathed back. We pulled away and I looked at his bike. "We should get back. I have a shit ton homework to do."

He hummed and handed me my helmet before placing his on. "Front or back?" Aaron asked sitting down.

I walked to the front of the bike placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on the break. I put my foot on the foot-ledge and pushed up swinging my body.

Aaron pulled me back by my waist and placed his arms on either side of the handle bar. "Hold on."

...

"I can't believe Lennon gave me this." Sersha grumbled holding the flyer in front of my face.

I let out a loud laugh, my head falling back as I read the content.

"Oh stop it." She huffed as I died in humor. "It's not funny Bryce." Sersha whined but I could see the helpless smile on her face as I sobered up.

"Oh no." I shook my head trying to put on a serious face. "Definitely not. It's just- Ironic really."

She kicked my ankle from beside my desk to which I flinched. "I cannot do this part. You do it."

"Nuh Uh. I got the humble part of being Sampson. The very ugly man." I proudly stated. In all honesty I hated Sampson. He was such a pig. I guess that was an evident memo that Lennon still hated me.

"Haha." Sersha dryly laughed. "Have you ever seen a red-headed Juliet?"

"No. But I have yet to see a red-headed Juliet with her school crush. Come on Sersh. Reuben is playing Romeo. How lucky is that?" I look at her for an answer. "This is like the most fairytale thing that could happen. You guys get to kiss!"

She blushed under her curls and bit her lip. "But I have anxiety. I can't perform in front of millions of people. I got into the school for being shy Bryce. Shy." She emphasized.

"Babe this isn't the Broadway musical. You'll be performing to a bunch of uninterested teenagers and teachers who'll be yawning. And again you get to have a make out session with Reuben."

"I know. I know. I just- I can't be on stage. I get nervous."

I gripped her hand in mine and smiled. "I'll be there. Don't you worry. I won't let my favorite Irish girl fail. Even if it means I'll have to save your ass by doing something stupid." She chuckled and shook her head.

"How are you?" She asked. "Really? After everything...?"

"I'm better. Really. I admit that was embarrassing but... I'd rather not talk about it." I mumbled biting my thumb.

"That was human of you. Don't blame yourself. Habits are hard to kill and you are trying. That's all that matters." She told me. "I'm here for you Bryce. Anything at all." I grin at her and hug her. She squeezes me tightly and sighs pulling back. "Business time." She mumbled rolling her eyes.

I bit my lips and sighed. I already felt is down about my grades. I was the smarted in that class until Trinity beat me with full marks. I got five marks deducted from a total of thirty. Now I was just scheming ways to kill.

We walked down the hallways with our heavy bags as we pulled up in class and sat next to each other. I pulled out my pencil case when a chair became occupied in front of me.

Liam turned around and smiled at me. "Hey."

"Hello." I say clicking my pen.

"You look great today." I did not respond as the teacher strutted in looking exhausted. He set his laptop down and turned to us.

"Open your books to page two hundred and forty-seven and read about Exchange rates. I want absolute silence as I sort somethings out with a parent downstairs. Understood?"

"Yes." We all chorused as he walked out closing the door behind us. I stared reading when Liam turned his chair to me and whispered.

"Are you mad at me?" He asked.

I closed my eyes and let out an exhale. "Liam you need to stop trying. I'm with Aaron now and I'm happy. So stop running after something that will never happen."

"You're deceiving yourself. We always find our way back to each other Bryce. We always have." He looked at me unwaveringly. "I will win you back. Whatever extent I have to go."

"Liam stop." I gritted. "I don't want to be with you. I don't want you. God, I want nothing to do with you."

He shook his head quietly. "You say that now. You'll turn back. You will."

I rolled my eyes concentrating on the text before he spoke up again. "I know about Aaron's relation to the gang. I'm in it too. We sell stuff all the time."

"Are you threatening me?" I scoffed placing my pen down.

"No. I'm telling you that I'm doing everything I can to protect you after Aaron got you involved. You won't believe the amount of trails I needed to wipe off to keep you hidden."

"Thank you but I didn't ask for that. I don't need your help Liam. Stop trying to get involved in my life."

He licked his lips running a hand through his blonde hair. "Just because you stopped loving me doesn't mean I have. It'll take a shit long time to get over you but at least I'm trying to make you proud."

"I don't need you to do that. Don't you get it? I don't want you. I just don't and won't. I don't know what else you want me to do to prove that to you? Because at this point you are becoming nuisance more then anything. And if you start crossing lines then I may be keen on keeping to a hate relation." He flared his nostrils as I rinsed the words on him. He was getting madder and madder by the day.

"You'll regret this. And I'll be there." He turd on his seat and slap his book on his table as I look at Sersha who was scowling at him.

She opened her mouth to snap at him but I mouthed her to stop. Better not get involved in this.

...

I let out a large yawn as I make it back to my dorm at the end of the day. I was meeting up with the sparrows tomorrow at Jordan's room for dinner but right now I just wanted to sleep.

I got in and locked the door behind me seeing Aaron's shoes kicked off in the living room. I frown and place them in a neat arrangement and go up to his room.

The door was already open.

I walked in to see the curtain drapes pulled down and the blanket half falling off the bed. He was on bed shivering.

Rushing to him I put my hand on his forehead and gasp. "You're hot as hell."

"Thanks." He groaned rubbing his face.

"Did you take any medicine? You have a fever Aaron." I panicked. He probably got exposed to too much cold.

"Yeah. I drank the last of the ones we had left. I still feel super fucked. And not in a good way." His voice already sounded raspy indicating he had a sore throat. His nose and eyes were red too.

"Okay." I tuck my hair behind my ears and gather up the blanket on him. I make sure he's tightly secured and warm before opening the AC to allow ventilation. "I'm going to make you some hot soup and give you some tea. I'll read through the internet and figure out what else to do. I don't think you have the energy for a hot shower anyway so try to catch some sleep while I go cook okay? I'll leave the door open if you need anything." I kiss his forehead and walk out quickly opening the stove top and getting out a pan.

I look at a recipe online and try to quickly concoct a soup he will like. I add in spices and stir constantly before reducing the heat and letting it simmer for a while whilst I got started on some tea.

Heating up the kettle I got a packet of some winter tea and put that in the glass while waiting for the water to boil.

I was the worst at caretaking. The outcomes of me helping Aaron could end up with him feeling worse or me poisoning somehow.

"Okay." I scrolled through different recipes and found one that sounded good to me. I prepped my ingredients and started cooking.

Cooking was something I was good at. I think I naturally loved food and flavors too.

After I finished I poured both liquids in a mug and bowl and brought the tray over to Aaron's room. He was fast asleep with his mouth slightly open.

I placed the tray down and walked to him shaking him slightly. His eyes groggily blinked open and he let out a deep sigh. "Yeah?" He started coughing again. I got him in an upright position and placed his blanket off.

"You feel better then before." I murmured checking his temperature. "I made food. You want to eat here or...?"

"At the living room." He nodded and got up. I got the tray and walked there with him sleepily following me. I turned to him and watched him take off his shirt before sitting down and gripping his head. "I don't think I've ever burnt up this way or have a ball pounding in my head." I gave him a sympathetic look.

"I'll get some painkillers for you. Start eating." I jutted my chin to the tray. "I'm not really a professional at this but I think I'm supposed to keep your body cool. But then I've seen people put blankets on people with fever too..." I rambled deep in thought. "I think you're supposed to be cold to keep the heat out of your body. That makes a lot more sense in my opinion."

I got back and watched him switch on the TV and spoon some soup. He seemed to like it as he took another spoon and then another. "This tastes really good."

"Thank you." I smile and pass him his mug. "This should help with your chest and throat."

Aaron looked at it skeptically and then at me. "That's your mug." I furrowed my eyebrows before my expressions lifted.

"Yeah." I shrugged and gave it to him.

"The first time I saw it  you yelled at me for touching it." He smiled distantly like a memory was flying between his eyes. He brought the mug to his lips and chugged it down. I gasped at him.

Was it not hot? I would have burned my throat already.

Aaron placed the mug down and let out a shaky breath. "I feel dead. More dead then death itself." He shifted on the couch so his head was in my lap while his legs stretched in front of him.

I pulled the fluffy blanket I had previously left behind when Sersha, Madison and I had watched the notebook.

"You feel good." Aaron muttered his eyes half closing as he pressed his cheek onto my bare thigh.

I ran my finger through his thick hair as his chest rose and fell in deep breaths. I spotted his laptop next to me and opened it up to our assignments portal. I had already finished all of my works so I guess I could do his too.

He had ten assignments due. Shit that much work?

I could do it. I'm good at work. And thank god none of it was from English class otherwise I would have taken a death leap from the window. I was done with comprehensions and essays.

For about two hours I did his work getting a perfect score on all of them before I shut the lip of the laptop and sighed my eyes hurting like hell. They felt so strained that I felt them twitch on their own.

The sun was completely gone outside too and only the moon hung on the night sky. I looked down at Aaron who was sleeping peacefully. He looked so graceful just by sleeping that I did not want to move to wake him up.

I really deserve a girlfriend of the century award because my legs will suffer from serious pins and needles after this. And the tension between me and moving positions was real and growing.

I looked at the TV and watched some old film that was playing. A million things were running through my head right now.

Most of them centered towards my grandma. I always imagined her to be so fit and full but I guess even smiles can deceive. I felt bad about storming out on her. She was the one suffering and yet I threw guilt on her plate too.

I needed to amend that. I needed to make sure I set things right with her before... before anything wrong can happen. Praying silent I hoped and wished and begged that nothing would. She does not deserve to lose a battle she did not choose.

...

"West." I kept my eyes shut a pain snarking up the back column of my neck. "West wake up."

"Why?" I blatantly threw at Aaron as my eyes opened. He grinned at me from my lap like a kid getting their Christmas miracle.

"You're neck must hurt." I scrunched my nose as I tried to move it.

"Yeah no shit." I wince as the pain splinters at me.

Aaron kissed my thigh. Butterflies shot through my body making me grit my jaw. He went on. "Thank you."

"For?" I arch my eyebrow in question.

"Staying with my sick ass." He laughed as I chuckled closing my eyes. "You look tired."

"I feel fine." I mumbled down at him. "My neck just feels weird but I'll be okay." He sat on the couch and my legs felt like they could breath.

I flexed them numbly and tried to get up slowly. "Guess my legs aren't that rusty."

"Rusty isn't a word I'd use to describe your legs." Aaron got up and walked to me. "You should sleep. I feel fantastic now." He assured me and pushed my hair over my shoulder as I stretched my arms above me.

"I don't need to sleep."

"You do."

"Don't contradict me right now or I'll whoop your ass." I grumbled. It was not my fault I felt grumpy today. Blame it on my menstrual cycle.

Aaron flashed me his teeth. "I would not mind that."

I frowned at his spontaneous. "Then I'll have to choke you."

"Even better." He smoothly put at me. I rolled my eyes and pushed him away before walking to my room. I collapsed on my bed feeling an overwhelming amount of tiredness follow on me.

Aaron walked in and I moved back to make room for him. He placed his arm around my waist and pulled me back as I closed my eyes. As soon as I thought I was at the brink of sleep my phone started to ring.

I scowled looking around for it only for Aaron to pass it from my nightstand. I looked at the caller ID and let out an exaggerated groan.

"Who is it?" Aaron laughed softly at my reaction as I showed him the name. His face immediately fell as he gritted his jaw.

"Liam keeps calling or talking to me every chance he gets. He's fucking convinced I'm going to waltz back to him."

Aaron took my phone from me and accepted the call. I heard Liam talk from