Two.

"Aspyn, go clean your room."

"It's already clean." I respond in monotone, staring straight ahead as I finish eating my cereal. Mum lets out an aggravated sigh, lighting her cigarette before heading for the back door in the kitchen. She stands beside it however it does little to stop the repugnant scent of smoke wafting towards me. I don't see the point of opening the back door if the wind ends up blowing the smoke back into the house.

It's pretty pointless.

"Why are you mad today?" I ask quietly, crunching on my cereal in slow motion. I try to ignore the smell of smoke and focus on my cereal instead. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That's what the teachers at school constantly remind me of. I have three exams today and keeping myself focused on them is all I care about.

"I'm not mad honey," Mum responds quietly, blinking rapidly. I know she's trying to fight back the tears and I suck in a breath, placing my spoon down. It floats around in the remnants of my milk and I watch it for a while, a small smile on my lips. I'd like to do that one day, float around with no real purpose.

"Whatever it is, it's going to be okay." I say quietly, so quietly that my words are barely above a whisper. I continue to watch my spoon even though it's sunk to the bottom.

"You should go get dressed. You're going to be late."

My mothers voice snaps me out of the trance I'm sucked in and I nod, scraping back the chair. Before I leave, I pick up my cereal bowl, dunking the contents of it into the sink.

*****

I'm on my way to school when my phone pings inside my pocket, notifying me of a new message. I pull it out, slightly surprised because one - I don't have any real friends and two - it's eight AM in the morning.

Cole James: Hello Aspyn Leigh. As a fellow insomniac, I'm extra tired today. You?

I stare at the message, continuing walking through the streets. It's winter so the floors are a mixture between wet and ice. Rain and snow. A combination where one cannot exist without the other. I hate snow but I can tolerate rain. It's almost comforting with its pitter patter and ability to disguise tears. My fingers move across the screen voluntarily as I begin to type out a response —

Aspyn Leigh: hello, again. I've grown accustomed to feeling incredibly exhausted so not really.

Cole James: So would you call yourself a professional insomniac?

His reply is instant and the obsession with insomnia is evident when it comes to Cole James. I click on his profile picture, studying it once again. His smiling face is all I can picture as I'm messaging him back.

Aspyn Leigh: yes, I would. Are you jealous?

Cole James: I'm slightly envious Aspyn Leigh, slightly. Is it too early to ask why you're an insomniac?

Aspyn Leigh: yes, way too early. I barely know you Cole James. You're a stranger who popped up on my screen last night.

Cole James: We don't have to be strangers. Ask me a question, any question.

I nibble on my bottom lip as I think hard about his proposal. Do I even want to get to know him? I don't particularly see the point. Yes, he's good looking but that doesn't automatically mean he's someone I need in my life. The conversation between us has been mildly entertaining so far and I don't see what I've got to lose. With that in mind, I ask him a question.

Aspyn Leigh: Music or movies?

His reply is instant and has me nodding in approval.

Cole James: Music, duh. 100%. Music is my life.

Aspyn Leigh: Books or plays?

Cole James: Definitely books. I can't immerse myself into a play. I feel like I don't connect or see the true personality behind each character. When I'm reading, I feel the emotion. I'm in their shoes, I become them.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed by his response. His love of reading attracted me to him slightly further.

Aspyn Leigh: Good answer.

Cole James: Brownie points for me?

Aspyn Leigh: sure thing Cole James.

Cole James: My turn to ask the questions.

I pause, grinning as I text out a quick reply.

Aspyn Leigh: sorry, no can do. I have school for the next six hours.

Cole James: Damn it, I guess I'll catch you later.

I don't reply and shove my phone into my backpack, playing the quick conversation between us over and over again.

*****

I walk out of my third exam, my mind feeling completely drained of any information. Several students walk past me, giggling and discussing how it went. They don't even notice me and end up slamming into half of my body, causing me to stumble.

"Oops," someone says in the crowd before giggling. I don't even get an apology and watch as they wonder off, their high ponytails swishing back and forth as they walk away. My eyes narrow at their backs but it's too late for me to show bravery, they're already gone.

"Assholes." I mutter under my breath, standing up straight and dusting myself off. I glance down at my watch, noticing it's ten minutes till the bell rings. I decide to leave early because what real purpose do I have here anyway?

As I'm walking through the streets, I pull out my phone subconsciously and notice a message alert from Cole James. My mind kept flitting back to him during my exam and I'd be lying if I said he wasn't a distraction.

I'm simply. . . Intrigued.

His keen attitude towards befriending me isn't something I'm accustomed to. I usually remain silent in others presence, blending into the walls unless I'm needed. In other words, looking to be taken advantage of.

Aspyn Leigh: Lets carry on.

A few minutes pass and I keep my phone in my hand as I avoid the messy puddles of snow littering the pavements. Despite my efforts, I feel the wet soak through the sole of my shoes, my feet growing damp and uncomfortable. My phone vibrates and I instantly pull it out, my eyes flickering across the screen.

Cole James: huh?

Aspyn Leigh: The game, silly. Lets carry on with the game.

Cole James: Ahhh of course, the game. Sorry for my brain fart there Aspyn Leigh. So, you want to play?

Aspyn Leigh: Yup. I don't have anything better to do.

Cole James: Wow, so I'm your last resort before resulting to boredom? Ouch. We should change that.

My lips voluntarily stretch out into a small grin at his message and I re-read it before replying.

Aspyn Leigh: Ask me a question, fire away.

Cole James: You're unusually co-operative. Any reason why?

Aspyn Leigh: Assholes at my school, I'd rather forget about it than dwell on the grim details.

Cole James: Any specific assholes? I'm very familiar with the douchebags that believe they run High School's. Its both sad and frustrating watching them daily.

Aspyn Leigh: You don't seem like a guy who has to worry about dealing with assholes. Correct me if I'm wrong?

Cole James: Did your parents ever teach you not to stereotype Aspyn Leigh? I'm not popular in school if that's what you're inferring. Im actually quite the opposite.

His answer throws me off guard and I blink a few times, stepping around a street lamp as I continue walking.

Cole James isn't a popular boy?

Aspyn Leigh: Wow, I guess that teaches me.

Cole James: Yes, I guess it does.

Those were the last words Cole James spoke to me for the next three days, sixteen hours and forty two minutes.