Twenty.

That's the number of times Aaran has tossed the idea around to ask her neighbor if she could come over.

Not for anything suspect or out of the ordinary.

Just to simply get warm and have some company. It was innocent, really.

Actually, it would be the 'neigborly' thing to do, right? You help your neighbor whenever they need something.

Right now she was in need of some warmth.

She was in need of company other than the tree outside her window.

She was in desperate need of something that wasn't the four walls of her room or the empty hallways in her empty house.

So, with the small spurt of courage the evaluation of her decision gave her, Aaran stood and headed for her closet.

She slipped her feet into Uggs and grabbed a coat.

The thought of changing into more presentable clothing, since she wore a pair of sweats and a long-sleeved shirt, crossed her mind but she decided against it to prevent time passing which would change her mind about the whole thing.

Aaran sighed, stepping out her room with her blanket, closing the door behind her, toting her phone and small backpack on her way down the stairs.

With every step there was a different thought to cross her mind.

What if he thinks she's weird and decides not to let her in?

What if his girlfriend or wife laugh at her face?

She closes her front door, too consumed in her thoughts to realize she was outside and starting her twelve-step trek.

Why would he accept, basically, a stranger into his home?

Is this weird? This is weird, indeed.

Aaran's decision did an entire three-sixty and she wasn't down to do what she initially planned to do.

However, by that time, she was face-to-face with his front door, alarming his Siberian Husky, named Max, since she's heard him call him times before, making the dog bark.

Aaran jumped in shock, pulling her blanket tighter around her body, as if it could stop the medium-sized husky from ripping her apart if he wanted to.

Thankfully, Max was inside, his big face and blue eyes appearing behind the living room window.

He gave out three more healthy barks before she heard a familiar voice sound from inside.

"What is it, Max? It better not be another squirrel, again." He sighed, his footsteps audible, scraping against the floor and coming closer with every step.

Aaran could feel her heart beat against her chest when the doorknob rattled and then...

"Okay, you're definitely not a squirrel." The blond breathed out, a chuckle following soon after. Aaran let off a small one herself, glancing down at her booted feet, sniffling when she raised her head.

"I, uh--" The girl paused when she caught sight of the four-legged creature racing out behind Michael, stopping to sniff her then rushing towards the snow.

"Max!" The blond called out, sucking his teeth, and flashing the girl an apologetic smile.

"M'sorry about him," His eyes finally moved from her deep browns to over her shoulder where the dog was rolling around in the thick ice. "He just really loves the snow." He explained, a grin on his lips when the dog nuzzled his face in the snow.

Aaran politely smiled and looked away from the dog, giving the boy her full attention.

"That makes one of us." She jokes but deep down, maybe not too deep, she's dead serious. It was cold and she could literally feel the ice melting, making her wet and even colder.

Michael giggled at her response, then stopping when he realizes that it's freezing outside and he has his cute--cool--just his neighbor outside, shivering.

Not that if it was any of his other neighbors that he'd keep them in the cold, it's just he definitely didn't want her in the cold.

His eyebrows popped up and he scooted to the side. "Oh my g--I'm such an idiot." He shakes his head at himself. "You can go in and sit. I'm gonna get Max."

Aaran swallowed then nodded, hesitantly stepping into the boy's warm, humming home. She looked over her shoulder at the boy in the door, catching his eyes that were already on her.

"I'll be right back." Michael smiled, zipping up his jacket then pulling the hoodie over his head.

Aaran watched as he ran out to where the dog laid in the snow, having to chase after him when the dog jumped up and sprinted in the opposite direction.

The girl released a laugh, turning away from the show outside to the inside of the man's home.

From where she stood, she could hear the generator even more, making the floor vibrate.

His couches and love seat, all suede, a nice chocolate color, taking most of the space in his living room.

A fire place on the wall near the seating area, warming the room and adding light to the dim area.

Candles were lit inside, the smell of peppermint dancing into her nostrils and blocking out any other scent.

It was cozy and different from her home, both of which she liked.

Soon, the door creaked and she twisted to find Michael with Max in his arms.

Aaran giggled at the sight, helping him close the door.

"He still thinks he's a pup." Michael groaned, bending to place the dog on the floor. Max barked and stuck his tongue out, panting as he trotted over to his water bowl.

Aaran tittered at the animal as Michael stripped his jacket and placed it on his coat rack.

"Would you like some soup?" The blond asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets, smiling down at the girl.

The couldn't keep eye contact with the attractive man, facing her semi-wet boots.

"Uh, yeah sure." She answered.

Michael smirked then stepped over to where she stood, extending a hand, using his thumb and index to lift her head by the chin, browns meeting greens.

"No need to be shy. I don't bite." Michael smiled warmly, glancing at Max when he barked. Aaran teared her gaze from the pretty boy to his dog.

He nodded his head back at the husky. "He won't, either." He smiled and instantly she smiled back.

The boy removed his hand and gave her one last look, a smile, before heading for the kitchen.

"Make yourself at home, neighbor." Michael said, indicating that he didn't know her name. Aaran smiled to herself, stepping towards the eating area.

"Aaran." She replied, scanning the kitchen. It was pretty simple, really. An eating table, already set up. An island in the middle of the kitchen. Refrigerator, sink, stove, nothing too special.

He turned, his blond locks moving slightly with the motion, that warm smile sporting his lips.

His greens quickly looked her over, making sure not to leave one curve out. He couldn't help but notice her frame, similar to the infamous 'coke bottle' shape that women strive to get.

But she was bigger in certain areas, her stomach and arms for example.

Her hair was curly and messy but it worked for the girl.

Eyes reminding him of a mocha frappe.

Lips, plump and a bit chapped.

Skin, a chestnut color and soft-looking.

She was beautiful in the boy's eyes.

Michael nodded. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Nice to meet you, Aaran."

The girl felt her stomach do this tingling thing and if it weren't for his words that she's sure made that happen, she would've called her doctor.

She blushed, biting at the side of her bottom lip, feeling shy under his stare. "Thank you. Nice to meet you, too, neighbor." Aaran smirked, raising a brow when he narrowed his eyes at her playfully.

"Michael Clifford but call me 'Mike', if you'd like."

"Or I can call you your name, Michael." Aaran replied, that smirk still on her face. The boy chuckled, shaking his head playfully as he twisted back to give his homeade chicken noodle soup attention.

"Grab a chair at the table, 'Ran." He instructed, the nickname bringing a grin to her face. The girl placed her blanket on the nearby couch, catching Max's attention. He walked over and smelled it.

She then sat, straightening out her long sleeve and watching as he walked over with the pot.

"So, I'm guessing your lights went out, too?" Michael flickered his greens up at the girl then brought them back to the pot. He carefully poured the soup into her bowl then his own.

"Uh, yeah. I'm sure the whole neighborhood is out of power." Aaran responded, thanking him for the food. He nodded and walked to grab a pitcher of lemon water then returned to the table. He poured the water halfway for them each.

"Yeah, I felt the blizzard coming so I made sure my generator was working." Michael replied as he sat right across from the girl. Max joined them at the table, laying on the floor near the boy's feet.

Aaran nodded, grabbing the spoon near her bowl and taking a sip of the soup. She hummed in satisfaction, bringing a grin to the blond's lips.

"Good, ain't it?"

"M'yeah." Aaran chuckled, making the boy do the same. He liked the sound, her laughter.

They sat in silence for a bit, enjoying each other's company a bit more than the other knew.

Aaran was alone for over an hour at the house with nothing but the walls to talk to so just sitting with him, not uttering a word was more satisfying to her than he'll ever know.

Michael only had Max and occasionally his bestfriend, Calum, so having a new face, a pretty face, in his home, was like a breath of fresh air. Something he needed.

Halfway into his well seasoned chicken soup, Aaran started to wonder something.

If he was taken, where is his girl?

Not that she was trying to make a move on him, it's just that...well...she was curious.

"Um, so did you learn to make chicken soup from your girlfriend?" Aaran asked stupidly, wishing she could smack her forehead.

Michael furrows his brows lightly down at his bowl then the corner of his lip twitched upwards. "No, she didn't. One reason being is that she doesn't exist." He brought his head up, bouncing his brow as he placed the spoon in his mouth.

Aaran's mouth formed an 'o', feeling a bit embarassed for even asking.

Michael chuckled lowly, nodding his head at the girl. "How about y--" The boy cleared his throat, pausing when he realized what he was about to say.

Michael quickly changed the subject. "Uh, what brings you here? Not that I'm complaining or anything." He smiled, taking a sip of his water.

Aaran swallowed, not her food, or her water, just her nervousness. Which didn't work because the moment his eyes locked on hers, her knee started to bounce.

She cleared her throat.

Here goes nothing.

"I just, uh...was wondering if I could...stay here until the power returned at my house?" 

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH OMG NEVER KNEW I'D ENJOY WRITING A MIKE FIC LIKE THIS...SOMEBODY INVESTIGATE!

ANYWAY DAY TWO OF THE CHALLENGE SO GET YOUR CHAPTER OUT!

ANYWAY, I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THIS AS MUCH AS I DID

IF SO, PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT!!!! BECAUSE THAT WOULD MAKE ME SMILE LIKE DIS -> :]

LOVE YALL AND TTYL♡