Aiden
He doesn't care, Ashley's a bitch.
He can see why Spencer won't open up because Ashley failed her.
He would never leave her or Madison.
He knows that in his heart of hearts anyone can be fixed.
You just have to love them enough.
/
Whatever spell Madison was under passes and she goes back to her old self.
He's happy regardless.
She holds his hand when they walk down the hall and tightens her grip when they pass Trent.
"He gives me the creeps," she whispers.
"He's a loser Maddie. You don't need to worry about him."
(If he only knew how wrong he was)
/
The counselor asks to see him during homeroom.
He ends up in a tiny chair in her office on the receiving end of a lecture he's heard before. The older woman in front of him stares down at him from her thick rimmed glasses.
"Have you given much thought to what college you want to go to?"
"Not really." He shrugs with his response and keeps his eyes trained on the clock so he doesn't miss his chance to walk Madison to her next class.
"Your parents have brought my attention to the fact that you seem to have no direction besides Ms. Duarte."
"So?" He doesn't see that as a problem. Maddie is his north star and she would never steer him wrong. "I'm in love, is that a crime now?"
"No, but wasting your future is." She jumps when he slams his fist on her desk.
"Madison is not a waste you stupid old bitch."
He leaves their meeting with a week's detention.
/
He reiterates the story to Madison later and feels his stomach drop when she doesn't side with him.
"Maybe you should apply to some colleges," she whispers so low that he has to strain to hear her. "You need to plan for your future Aide."
"I already have. It was just none of that bitch's business." He leans back on her bed and watches her work at her desk.
"What's your plan Aiden?" She looks skeptically at him and he hops off of the bed and pulls the box that has been burning a hole in his pocket for some time now.
"Marry me." He doesn't say it as a question because he knows she loves him. He also knows that she knows he loves her.
"Aiden…" She sighs his name and it damn near breaks his heart.
"Never mind." He shakes his head and puts the diamond crested ring back into his pocket. "It was a stupid idea anyway." He lies back down on the bed and she stays quiet the rest of the night.
(He wonders if he can get his tuition back for the ring)
/
She pulls away after that night and it damn near kills him.
He just wants her to fucking stay with him.
(He forces himself not to be bitter about the fact she doesn't mention it)
/
"I applied to Ohio State," she mentions it casually while he's closing up at work. Spencer called out sick so he's on his own which means Madison can stay while he locks up.
"They offered me a football scholarship," he responds just as casually.
"I know." She slides him a business card with the name of Ohio's scout. He doesn't question how she got it, but he does call him.
If her future is in Ohio, so is his.