@tabithamuses
At three in the morning, most of the lights were off in the Bentleys' house, except for the light in the last room next to the garden. However, Aaron had fallen asleep on the desk over an hour ago, not even two cups of coffee managed to keep him awake and with enough energy to finish the essay that was due in just a few hours. Just a few years ago, he wouldn't have been in this position. That essay would have been ready days before the deadline, and he'd be more concerned about the next assignment. But that was when he had different plans, one that left him with no choice but to make every assignment and make it perfect in order to get a good grade and then get into a good college. After meeting Marley that plan changed, he still needed to graduate but the grades and school overall became his second priority. What was the point of worrying about college when he and Marley already had plans? Sure, there were moments he questioned those plans but it only took one look at Marley to dissipate those doubts.
A noise that came from the garden woke him up, he rubbed his eyes and looked at the time. If he hadn't had the same experience before, he would have been concerned about who could be outside, but he knew very well who it was and the mere thought brought a smile to his lips before he opened the window. "What are you doing here?" he whispered as he helped her up the window. He didn't really care about the answer to that question, regardless of her reasons he was happy that she was there. "I can't have any distractions right now, I have to write an essay," he said in a serious tone but the way his lips curled into a smile told another story. He didn't mind the distraction, in fact, he wanted it.