Waking up this morning was slow, usually Aaron would get up around 9, even if he didn't have anything scheduled, but he stayed.

I woke up a few times as I usually did, taking note of the light and then going back to sleep. I was well rested, so didn't really need to keep on sleeping, but felt too relaxed to want to get up.

I vaguely remember grabbing Aaron's arm when he tried to move at some point, and hugging it stubbornly. I'm pretty sure he chuckled before gently saying something and kissing my temple.

Eventually I couldn't get back to sleep even if I tried. I didn't move though, just stayed still, smiling as I felt Aaron's fingers absentmindedly stroking my side.

I eventually sighed, readjusting my position and he leaned over my shoulder, playfully wrapping his arm around my waist. "How long are you going to laze around in bed?" He asked into my ear and I chuckled.

"How long are you?"

"Well I'm being held hostage." He excused and I tssked.

"What are you being threatened with exactly?" I asked, turning over to face him.

"Your incoherent mumbles of complaint mostly." He said and I snorted.

"I'm plenty coherent now." I raised a brow.

"Okay, then I'm free." He said, starting to get up and I immediately grabbed him making noises of complaint. "Riley."

"I have not released you!" I stated and he chuckled.

"It's nearly 10.30."

"Key word being nearly." I pointed out as I clung onto his arm.

"Sure." He sighed, lying back down and I smiled at him brightly.

He eventually raised a brow, then chuckled. "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing in particular." I chuckled, kissing him on the cheek. He frowned in confusion, tilting his head a little.

"Are you in a funny mood again?"

"Wow ruuddee. What if that's my normal mood?"

"God help me if that's the case." He teased and I pulled my tongue out at him.

"It's too late to turn religious now, you're stuck with me." I joked, and he smiled at me warmly. "What?" I wondered when he didn't respond and he leaned forward and kissed me.

I blinked for a few moments before smiling. "You don't surprise me when you do that anymore."

"Yet you've gone just as red as usual." He quirked a brow and I frowned.

"Lies."

"Don't worry, it makes you extra cute." He commented and I made a face. "That doesn't." He complained and I chuckled.

I stifled a yawn before turning and looking out the window. The sun was out, and it didn't look too unappetising.

I flopped back down on the pillow. "Five more minutes."

"Sure. Just five."

"Did I say five? I meant thirty."

"Riley."

"Hrmph." I mumbled into the pillow.

He didn't say anything else, but eventually shuffled closer, pulling me against him slightly and resting his cheek on the top of my head.

Um, this is cute.

I didn't react much, just adjusted slightly and closed my eyes as I leaned into his chest.

We stayed like that for a while, knowing Aaron it was probably exactly five minutes.

"We need to get up." He eventually said, breaking the silence and I huffed.

"Whyyy."

"Because we need to be productive, and get ready to go out."

"Why do you need to be productive?" I questioned, raising my head and then just lazily planting my face into the crook of his neck. "Ughh."

"Because it's healthy."

"Sure, we are being productive." I commented and he fidgeted and chuckled slightly.

"You're tickling me." He complained and I smirked, raising my head again and staring at him.

"How is this productive?" He questioned and I shrugged.

"I don't know, self care and that, endorphins or whatever." I said lazily, dropping my head onto the pillow again.

"Riley, stop being lazy." He commented, pushing my head up and I chuckled.

"I'm just conserving energy." I stated, still not lifting my head by myself.

"You're always conserving energy." He complained, eventually tssking and giving up holding my head up. I chuckled in amusement as I plopped back down onto the pillow.

"Your point?" I questioned, slightly muffled and he rolled his eyes at me before pushing me over. "Harassment!" I complained as he leaned over me.

"Riley, you need to be ready to go at 11.15. Including having a shower." He stated, leaning in. "Because you have morning breath." He said and I chuckled.

"Oh really?" I raised a brow, lifting my head up and then dragging my tongue up the side of his face.

"Riley!" He complained, trying to escape and I laughed.

"Daww, now you smell better."

"Are you implying, that I stink worse than you?" He made a fake face of horror and I shrugged.

"Your words not mine."

"Alright, time to get up," He started pulling me by my arm but I just ragdolled. "Unless you want me to bring the shower to you?"

"What does that mean?" I chuckled, only half off the bed and he huffed, giving up.

"You're going to find out." He suddenly turned and walked out of the room and I just looked after him in mild concern.

It was a few moments until he returned with a cup of water and I immediately darted up, screaming when my legs got caught in the covers.

"Don't you dare!!" I warned in a screechy voice and gasped when the water hit my chest and head.

I slowly turned to him with an unimpressed expression as he held back a chuckle.

"Watch your back, buddy." I threatened and he smirked. "I'm going to kill you."

"After you've had a shower, and got changed, preferably." He said and pulled my tongue out at him as I stood up to grab my clean clothes.

I pretended to make a move towards him and he quickly span around and fled making me chuckle.

---

After I had showered and changed I quickly made my way downstairs, not forgetting to brush my teeth, of course.

I made sure to be quiet, not wanting my presence to be known, I checked my bedroom first, because that's where Aaron would have showered, but of course he was done already.

I headed to the kitchen, and spotted Aaron, Chester and Luca at the counter. The others would be at school already.

Target acquired.

I quickly assessed the situation. Aaron and Chester were sitting on bar stools facing away from me, but Luca was standing opposite. He'd see me if I approached...

Hm, maybe he'll understand what I'm doing.

I entered the kitchen quietly, Luca didn't notice me at first, but tilted his head when I grabbed the spray bottle from the sink.

I put my finger against my lips and he raised a brow, then just awkwardly looked away.

Luckily that wasn't too unusual behaviour for Luca, and the other two didn't notice.

So close...

...Just a bit further.

Tied hair has made the perfect opportunity.

I quietly raised the bottle, aiming for the back of Aaron's neck, Chester noticed me in the corner of his eye but it was too late.

I squirted the bottle and Aaron made a yelping noise, getting up so fast the stool clattered onto the floor.

He span around and looked at me with wide eyes, then frowned, then made a face as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Riley!"

"What? I told you to watch your back." I shrugged as the other two just looked confused.

"You just sprayed fairy liquid down my back!"

"Watch and wash." I chuckled.

Chester snickered. "What on earth have you two been doing?"

"He assaulted me with water this morning."

"Okay, fair enough."

"Water evaporates!" Aaron complained. "I'm all slimey now."

"Yeah...you smell nice though." I smiled and he gave me a look, suddenly bringing his hand and wiping the soap onto my face. "Ew!"

"Seeing as you like it so much!" He stated and I chuckled.

"Don't you have somewhere to be Aaron?" Luca asked, but was smiling with a raised brow.

"Yes, as I was saying," He huffed as he walked over to the sink. "Riley is coming with me today to campus." He looked at me flatly as he washed the soap off with a cloth.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Luca frowned.

"It'll be fine." He said as he stood next to me, then snatched the spray bottle when I threatened him with it. "...I hope." He mumbled and I chuckled.

"It's highly unlikely anyone will notice he doesn't attend." Chester reassured while reading his phone.

"If they do you'll be in trouble." Luca worried.

"Non-students hang around campus all the time, there's that student hair salon and restaurant that brings people in so I doubt there'd be a problem." Aaron explained.

"Yeah they bring in friendly little old ladies not..."

"Not what?" He frowned.

"Murder victims?" I joked and he looked genuinely lost. "The scars and eye kind of make me stand out." I explained.

He shook his head. "I don't really notice the scars around your eyes." He said and Chester snorted.

"Yeah because you're too busy getting lost in them like a chic flick protagonist." He remarked and Aaron stared at him flatly.

I gave Chester a look and he shrugged. "What? Harrassing my brothers about that is my favourite thing."

"Remember when we talked about you finding a hobby?" I teased and he rolled his eyes.

"Harhar."

"The worst that will happen is that I'll be told to leave." I reassured when I noticed Luca still making an anxious face.

Aaron sighed. "Don't be such a worry wart, besides, he can't stay here. Only Chance and Zac are at home today. And Chance is busy."

"Do you really think there's a danger there?" Chester questioned.

"I'm not completely sure, so we're not going to take any risks." He stated and I bit my lip.

I don't think there is, I simply don't want it to be awkward. Or be on my own...

"Well you better get going." Luca commented while looking at his phone.

"Right, good point." Aaron handed me a bar before walking out into the hallway.

I smiled at Luca as he watched me. "Are you alright?" I wondered.

"Yes... don't stay out too long. And don't wander off by yourself." He warned.

"And don't run away into the sunset either." Chester commented with a snicker and I flicked him on the back of the head as I walked past. "Ow!"

"I'm not a toddler going to the funfair, stop fretting." I sighed.

They never change.

---

The campus was huge, as expected, so many signs everywhere, different colours pointing to different parts of the campus.

There was even a horse sign for an equestrian course, and a sign to the mechanics campus down the road where I went with Zac. And a sign to the university hospital.

I felt a little out of place, everyone seemed so busy and put together. Well, as much as a student can be.

More than me is my point.

Honestly the staring wasn't bad, everyone was so diverse and unique that they were probably used to it. I had to stop myself from staring at some people who really stood out.

I got a little anxious as we entered the main building, so many people, think it was between lectures. I grabbed onto Aaron's arm when I nearly lost him and he chuckled at me.

People.

... People.

This isn't a good idea.

I just remembered I don't like people.

"Don't worry they're harmless." He reassured when he noticed my anxious expression.

We walked into a quieter place, looked like a large communal area.

He started walking over to a group of people on the sofas, and then grabbed my wrist when I began to fall back.

Noooppee.

"I promise they're friendly." He persisted when I gave him a look.

"I can't believe you're doing this to a fellow introvert, betrayal!" I complained as he practically dragged me towards them.

"Approaching is the hardest part." He stated simply and I froze when a few curious eyes landed on me.

I stopped pulling and smiled politely.

Forget a spray bottle, I'm going to drown this man when I get the chance!

"Aaron!" A woman smiled brightly when she noticed us, and then all of them turned.

Help me.

"He brought someone! That never happens." A rather flamboyant looking man chuckled.

I've never seen a more diverse friendgroup...

Lots of obviously queer people, one that honestly looks like a Mormon, one that is still in sports gear, and one that looks like they're about to go to a rock concert.

Are they classmates or something? But they can't be in Aaron's class...so a club?

Ah, let me guess, they're vegans.

"Gasp!" A pink haired girl stood up on the sofa while dramatically staring at me and I took a step back. "It's the British guy!"

"What?" I couldn't help but exclaim and Aaron chuckled.

"I may have mentioned you a few times."

"I'm a huge fan!" The pink girl giggled and jumped over the sofa.

Ummm.

"Restraint, Diana, he's shy." Aaron warned and I gave him a look.

"Aww just like you." The punk girl sitting next to where 'Diana' had leapt from teased.

"Except I'm used to you, and he is not."

"Well I'm glad you dragged him over here, for whatever reason." One of the boys chuckled.

I'm nottt.

"Well I need to go to my lecture and home isn't the best place right now."

"So you brought him here to be adopted by us!" Diana clapped her hands together excitedly and I smirked.

I want whatever she's high on. Seems like it's just life though.

"Uh, not exactly, was just planning on dragging him along with me?"

"What! No! He has to stay here!" Diana complained and the punk girl pouted.

"Um rudde, you still haven't introduced us!" A boy who hadn't spoken yet interrupted them.

"Oh right, guys, this is Riley. Riley..." He sighed looking at all of them. "That's ....them."

"Wowww." Another girl gave him a look and I smiled.

"That's a cute name! Ahhhh!" Diana dragged her hands down her face dramatically and I tilted my head.

She's insane.

"Calm down Dee, remember British people are sophisticated, poised, matureee."

"Overwhelmed." One of the ones on the furthest sofa smiled condescendingly while glancing up from a book.

"Who wouldn't be."

Are they expecting me to start talking about tea and scones or something.

I looked at Aaron and unsurely and he chuckled.

"Usually everyone isn't in one place." He excused awkwardly.

"We're not that bad. Anyway, that thing there is Diana, I'm Roxie, there is Lucy, Jamey, Florin and Josie." The punk girl introduced casually and I just blinked.

"Thanks, I may need you to reinforce that information at some point."

"He spoke!"

"Pleaseee speak more." Jamey, I think, smiled while leaning on his palm.

Discomfort is happening.

"They don't bite, I swear." Aaron reassured.

"At least not without consent." Jamey winked and I chuckled.

Coming on a bit strong there mate.

"James." Aaron gave him a warning look and he gasped dramatically.

"What did I do?!"

"How do you know eachother again?" Another boy whose name I had already forgotten asked.

"Um." Aaron paused, then looked at me with a frown.

"Right..uh..." I bit my lip. "Through family." I chuckled.

"Okay, but why bring you here I wonder." Diana dramatically stroked her chin.

"Hmmm." Roxie smiled and chuckled.

"Thought you'd appreciate meeting another vegan." Aaron answered after a few moments of contemplation.

Sureeee that's believable.

"What!!" Diana jumped up again and practically attacked me with a hug.

"Okay then." I froze up while Aaron winced.

"Diana don't just manhandle people like that, you don't know how they feel about being touched."

"Don't catch whatever she has." Roxie commented.

I'm confused, and scared.

"Wait a second." The boy with the book frowned. "You said you didn't actually bring him to campus to meet us."

"Right, well we just needed to get out of the house."

"You live in the same house?"

"Oh stop with the interrogation! This is the British kid that was his stepbrother but isn't anymore because his mother is actually a conwoman and they had the whole stalker attacker guy scenario thing." The other girl, Lucy I think, blurted out and I turned to Aaron with a raised brow.

"She wanted to know why I was skipping lessons." He excused and I chuckled.

"We're also late to one!" She got up, and one of the boys followed suit.

Classmates I guess.

Aaron looked at me. "You should probably still come with me."

"Oh don't be so jealous! We'll look after him, I swear!" Diana clinged onto me again and I smiled at her politely.

I looked at Aaron as he frowned in contemplation.

If you abandon me I swear to god.

"I don't know about you but I wouldn't risk it with Henrietta's hawk eye, she would totally notice him." Lucy said as she waited for him.

"If you think so."

I just stared at him, expressionless, but still probably getting my feelings across.

He chuckled awkwardly. "They'll calm down once you get to know them, I swear."

He better not be.

"I'll only be an hour."

He is.

"Yesss. We'll treat you right we swear!" Jamey exclaimed while fidgeting in his seat.

Oh dear.

"Sure, see you later." I smiled at Aaron and he smiled before turning around and leaving.

Count your days mister.

"Sooo, what's it like being a vegan in England?" Roxie inquired, leaning on her arm, and Diana started to drag me towards the sofa.

"Sit downnn, make yourself at home!" She dramatically patted the seat and I chuckled.

Okay she's kinda cute.

"Um, I'm not really in England that often." I answered as I gave in and sat on Diana and Roxie's sofa.

The worst sofa to sit on, not like I had a choice.

Diana squeeked excitedly before sitting down on the other side of me and putting her hands on her lap like she was holding herself back.

I feel genuine fear. Like I'm sitting next to a bomb.

"Ooh...like Josie I guess. Where are you from then?"

"LA, Texas, a little time in Wisconsin and other places."

"Other places? Mysterious." Diana chuckled.

"What's Aaron like at home?" The boy with the book asked, changing the subject.

"In what aspect?"

"Does he talk to you a lot? He never talks to us, he's like a silent brooding BFG." Roxie stated dramatically then chuckled.

"Talks a normal amount I guess."

"Normal?? What! No fair, doesn't he like us?" Diana pouted.

"You just get on his nerves Hun." Jamey pouted back and she threw a pencil case at him. "Ahh! Homophobia!"

"Soo, spill the tea, wait, is spilling tea like, scandalous in England?" Diana asked, assuming she got sidetracked from wherever the start of that sentence was going.

"Um, you mean gossiping?"

"No, actual tea!"

"Diana." The book boy gave her a look. "Pretty sure we went over this when we met."

"You don't count Josie! You're not from England, you're Welsh."

"It's literally the same culture."

Huh, I didn't notice the accent.

"No it's different! He's like the people on TV, and you just sound funny!"

When the boy didn't say anything she looked back at me expectantly.

I chuckled. "No, tea isn't sacred or something strange."

"Oh okay..."

"So?" Roxie frowned at her.

"So what?"

"Why were you talking about tea? You were going to say