One.

"Aspyn, honey, go to your room." Mum says firmly, rubbing her temples with her fingers. I let out a deep sigh, dropping my pen down onto my study books.

"Do I have to? I need to study. Can't you and Dad go argue somewhere else?" I mutter unhappily under my breath. Dad immediately snaps his head towards me, his tone angry.

"Aspyn, go to your room! Right now!" He barks at me, almost foaming at the mouth.

"George, this is my exact problem with you! You're very intimidating with severe anger issues!" Mum yells, turning her back on me.

Anger issues? Look who's talking.

The sound of Dad's angry response fills the air and I sigh, scraping my chair back and standing up. I'm used to blocking out the noises of their constant arguing. I'm practically invisible to them now as they lay into each other, spitting harsh words. I can tell from the way Mum begins to shriek that this argument is going to last a while. I grab my books and slowly walk upwards, zoning out completely.

Why can't I have a normal family home where my parents don't fight every single hour?

I've already asked them to get a divorce but that caused them to burst down into tears, unable to cope with the truth that their marriage is coming to an end. If you ask me, I think it's unrealistic and simply sad to stay in a marriage where the love has disappeared.

They're both clearly unhappy and burying your head in the sand to avoid the truth is never the answer. If anything, the sand begins to suffocate you the longer you stay inside it.

As I enter my room, I drop my school books down onto the floor, not caring that they scatter everywhere. I pull my sleeve up and begin to scratch my arm mercilessly, not really realising that I'm doing it. I drop myself down onto my computer chair and pull open my laptop screen. The screen is pitch black and I can see the faint outline of my reflection in it.

A round face complete with limp blonde hair that falls in awkward waves around my shoulder. Awkward. A word that perfectly describes me and my actions. I quickly press the on button, unable to look at myself any longer. The screen springs back into life and the familiar chime of my laptop starting up fills the air.

And then, I simply sit there and stare at the screen.

I don't know how long I remain like that.

The sound of my parents arguing in the background is the only noise I can hear but I manage to drown them out into a dulled tone. A ping on my laptop catches me by surprise and I jump in my seat, clutching at my heart dramatically. I lean forward, my heart beat speeding up slightly. The message flashes across my screen —

Alissa May: Hey Aspyn! Have you completed the math homework yet? I need help! Send me some screenshots please. Xoxo

I roll my eyes and click on the little red X in the corner of the message. Alissa May is one of the popular girls in school who recently became aware of my steady grades. Which means copying my work whenever she feels like it and taking credit for it herself.

I simply don't care for people like Alissa May.

I let out a deep sigh and my mouse hovers over the Log Out button. I feel like I need to block everyone out, including the people from school. Instead I pull my laptop screen down until its almost closed shut. The house suddenly turns eerily silent and I silently thank whatever God is listening that my parents have stopped arguing. Even though I haven't spoken a single word in hours, I feel emotionally and mentally drained. I stand up and drag myself towards my bed, not caring to change out of my clothes.

I don't know what time it is but I eventually fall asleep, my clothes sticking to me uncomfortably.

*****

Ping. Ping. Ping.

I groan in my sleep, stirring awake. The irritating sound continues to play over and over again and I rub at my eyes as they adjust to the darkness. The clock on my wall reads two am in the morning and I groan again, my body aching from lying uncomfortably.

The screen on my laptop is lit up brightly, illuminated my room in a dim light. I sit up, a slight shiver running down my back. My bedroom window is open wide, cold night air bursting through it. I shiver again and stand up, pulling it over and securing it shut. Complete silent surrounds me and I glance warily at my laptop screen, slowly walking towards it.

Ping.

I jump in surprise, taking one step back.

Ping.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming." I mumble, pulling my seat out and sitting in it. I open up my laptop screen and squint at the brightness before hovering over the new message icon.

2 new messages from Cole James.

"Cole James?" I whisper, frowning. I've never known a Cole James. I click on his profile first and a blonde haired boy on a bike with pure joy on his face smiles back at me.

His arms are in the air and I zoom in on his picture in hopes that I recognise his face. I notice how sharp his jawline is, his white teeth shining as he smiles. His blonde hair is shaggy, slightly darker at the end of the strands. I flick onto his previous picture and an image of him with his arm around another boy pops up. This time, he's wearing a short sleeve red shirt and I can see the muscular shape of his arms. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and I quickly scan down his profile, checking him out.

From first glance, I find out he's seventeen and lives twenty minutes away from me. He's apparently an only child with a love for rock bands, gaming and cars. Nothing out of the ordinary. From his profile, he looks to be very popular with over 1,200 friends. A small smile spreads across my face as I notice a picture of him sitting in a hammock, a book in his hands. His expression is one of pure concentration, eyebrows furrowed together as he loses himself in a story.

Hmm, Cole likes to read.

I go back to my messages, my heart rate increasing as I open up the chat.

Cole James: Hey, I saw you were active. Want to chat?

My eyes scan over his message repeatedly and my fingers hover over the keyboard to reply. I know I shouldn't talk to strangers but curiosity managed to get the better of me. I want to know what this Cole James wants from me.

Aspyn Leigh: Hi, do I know you?

I quickly sent the message, my heart hammering against my chest as I notice he read it almost instantly. Three little dots pop up onto my screen, letting me know he's responding. I hold my breath the entire time, never once blinking.

Cole: I don't think so but I'm an insomniac so I don't sleep. I saw you were active, forgive me if you're creeped out.

A ghost of a smile flickers across my face and I respond immediately, liking Cole James' honesty.

Aspyn: I'm not creeped out even though it's currently two am. I'm kind of an insomniac too.

He replies within seconds.

Cole: You're kind of an insomniac? I'm confused, is it like a switch for you to turn off and on? If so, please, please teach me your ways.

I pull my knees up to my chest, reading over his message for the second time. My fingers hover over the keyboard as I think through my response.

Aspyn: Hmm, kind of. It depends what kind of day I have. If it's a bad day, my insomnia returns and vice versa.

Cole: I'm sorry.

I frown at the screen, confused as to why he's apologising to me.

Aspyn: You're sorry? What for?

Cole: You're suffering from insomnia tonight, right? That's why you're awake... which means you had a bad day. I'm sorry you had a bad day.

The smile on my face grew a little wider as I read over his words again and again. I realise a few minutes have passed between us and I still haven't replied so I quickly type out a response.

Aspyn: I was actually asleep before you messaged me, my laptop was still on but thank you.

Cole: Fuck, did I wake you? Sorry Aspyn Leigh, you should go back to sleep.

Aspyn: No, it's fine. I don't mind staying awake with a fellow insomniac.

There was a long pause between us as I waited for him to reply, holding my breath.

Cole: That's kind of you, thank you Aspyn Leigh.

He repeats my full name for the second time and I nibble on my bottom lip. Nobody ever calls me Aspyn Leigh, only ever Aspyn. I can't decide whether I prefer it or not.

Aspyn: No problem Cole James... can I call you that?

Cole: Sure. Nobody ever calls me CJ but that's cool with me. I like that.

Aspyn: okay then, it's settled.

We continued to talk until the sun begins streaming in through my window, signalling a new day. That's when I finally end the conversation and say goodnight to Cole James even though it was the morning. Before he goes I make sure to accept his friend request and just like that, he becomes one of my 98 friends on there.