(I'd like to start off by apologizing for the lack of...Uh, interest in the last couple chapters. Basically just fillers chapters with no plot. Sorry for that. But these next few will be better. I really hope you enjoy this one for now. Thanks for sticking with me this far.)
"So what did they fight about this time?" "More of the same really, bills, not enough communication, blah." "That sucks. Did they at least keep the arguing in their bedroom this time?"
"No that's the thing, Terri doesn't even seem to mind yelling at dad in front of Benji and me. It's so awkward I just want to evaporate or jump out the nearest window to escape."
Aaron turned his head slightly to look at me. "Well please do neither babe, especially jumping out the window. I don't think I could stand it if you got hurt.
I rolled my eyes, still smiling anyways. We've been laying on Aaron's bed facing the fish tank just talking.
It's something we do quite a bit lately. Watch the fish and unload whatever is on our minds. Funny to think that us teenagers have better 'communication' than my dad and his wife.
I sighed and rolled onto my back. "It's not that bad when they fight you know...They're usually better the next day. It's more that I'm worried for my dad. Like, what if things get so bad between them that him and Terri break up. I hated watching my parents get divorced, I don't want Lola to go through the same thing." I explained.
Aaron reached over to hold my hand firmly in his. "I don't think you should worry yet Chloe, couples go through rough patches, I mean, look at us."
"Aaron, what we went through wasn't a rough patch, it was a fricken train wreck that nearly destroyed us." He shrugged.
"Sure, a train wreck, but here we are almost two months later, still happily together and in love. He said and pressed a sweet kiss to the back of my hand.
I smiled. "Not sad anymore?" He asked. "I wasn't sad to begin with." "I think you were a little sad babe." "Nope." "Yes." "No." "Uh yeah." "Not at all."
During our banter Aaron had moved to hover over me, face only inches from mine. "Chloe, are you trying to pick a fight with me now?" He asked dramatically.
His lips looked amazing then, so it's not like I really cared if he won our little dispute or not. I just wanted to be kissed.
"Why do I get the feeling you're goading me along?" He wondered. I walked my fingers across his shoulders.
"Maybe it's because fighting with you also means making up with you." I said in a low playful tone. His exspression was priceless, and I would have laughed had he not leaned down to kiss me.
His teeth nipped my bottom lip gently. I went to return the kiss when Claudia started calling from downstairs, saying she was back with groceries.
Aaron rolled away from me with an annoyed huff. "How about I make us some lunch?" He suggested.
"Alright, but if you don't mind I'll stay and keep watching the fish kay?" I said. "Whatever you want babe. I'll be back shortly, feel free to snoop around." he said while heading down the hallway.
It's not like I needed to snoop through Aaron's bedroom. I already knew it as well as my own. It comes from spending time searching for a shirt or comfy sweatpants to wear.
Of course, I've never looked under the bed...Hm. I chewed on my lip, glancing at the closed door thinking it over.
I highly doubt Aaron would be mad if I looked at whatever was under there. He is in fact the one who gave me permission afterall.
I slowly slid off the bed and bent my head to peek. No monsters or smelly socks. The only thing underneath was a battered box not much bigger than a shoebox.
I reached a hand and pulled it out. Once on my lap I was hesitant to open it. What if there were like, Playboys or something? Ugh.
I don't want to see a bunch of naked chicks. I can appreciate pretty girls but not like this, no thank you. I really shouldn't look. Talk about invasion of privacy- oh wait.
When I take off the lid, the box isn't filled with dirty magazines. Instead I find baby pictures. Aaron's baby pictures.
There's only about a handful, if that, all ranging from different moments in Aaron's childhood. The oldest he looks in the last one is about seven or eight.
Which makes sense since these were probably all taken by his grandparents and they died when he was nine.
It saddened me to think that only a small part of Aaron's life was captured in photographs. That his own mother and father hadn't cared enough to continue taking pictures as he grew up.
"I was pretty cute right?" I was startled slightly at Aaron's voice. He was standing by the door with plates of grilled cheese staring down at the pictures.
"Aaron I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" "It's fine Chloe, I don't mind." He set the plates on the bed and took a seat next to me on the floor.
"Did your grandparent's take these?" I asked quietly. He nodded. "Yeah, mostly my grandma...She was big into film stuff. She painted a lot too."
Neither of us spoke for a long moment. I was starting to think he was upset when he began putting the pictures back in the box. "Aaron..."
Suprisingly though, he slid the top back on and handed the box over to me. "Keep them."
"Um, what?" He let out a heavy breath. "I want you to keep these for me Chloe." It didn't make any sense for him to want me to have, basically take his memories. "Aaron I can't. Their yours to hold onto and remember."
"I know, but it would mean a lot if you kept them. I know they'd be safe with you, plus we spend more time at your house anyways." I was still unsure.
"I don't know..." "Please?" The look on his face could only be described as a totally unfair puppy face that completely crumbled my resolve.
"Fine! But the second you want them back-" "Yes, I'll let you know. I promise. Not let's eat."
Another hour was spent eating, watching parts of a movie while getting in some light making out. The only interuption came from Claudia knocking on the door.
"Come in." Aaron sighed. As soon as we saw her face we something was wrong. Aaron hopped over the edge of the bed. "What's wrong?" He demanded.
She took a step in the room before nervously shifting her gaze back down the hall behind her. "It seems we have some unexpected guests dear." She muttered.
"Who?" Aaron asked. "Your parents."
