Madison's good-natured optimism successfully cheered Aaron; or perhaps her good-natured optimism became his by proximity, which was the nature of who and what he was. They talked about dogs, specifically her dog, all the way to school. Aaron liked dogs; they had simplistic feelings. Everything was HAPPY or SAD or HUNGRY, and being in contact with one was like the world coming into focus for him. After they got through the gates, they parted, as Madison already had her class schedule, and Aaron had to go to the office and get one.
His day went down hill from there, and he wouldn't see her again until lunch in one corner of the school cafeteria.