The late afternoon sun cast a soft glow over the school grounds as Mabella adjusted the strap of her backpack, glancing nervously at the group of students gathered near the gate. She had never been comfortable with attention. Being around Aiden and his friends always made her feel slightly out of place—not because they weren’t kind, but because their loud, boisterous energy was so different from her quiet nature.
She liked Aiden. A lot. But even standing next to him sometimes made her feel self-conscious. Today, however, was worse. Aiden’s friends—Marcos, Sophia, and the others—had been persistently teasing them all day, making jokes and not-so-subtle comments that made Mabella’s face flush with embarrassment.
As they walked out of the school together, Aiden noticed how quiet she had become. He was used to her soft voice, but today, she seemed even more withdrawn. His friends were trailing behind, still laughing about something Marcos had said earlier, and Aiden could feel Mabella’s discomfort radiating off of her.
"Hey, you okay, Snuggle Bug?" Aiden asked gently, leaning in so only she could hear.
Mabella gave a small nod, her gaze fixed on the ground. "I’m fine. It’s just…"
Aiden frowned. "They’re being annoying, aren’t they?"
Before she could answer, Marcos jogged up beside them, slinging an arm around Aiden’s shoulders. "So, Aiden, have you two kissed yet? You’ve been spending a lot of time together." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, making Sophia giggle.
Mabella’s cheeks burned as she tugged at the sleeves of her sweater, her heart racing. She didn’t like being the center of attention, and Marcos’ teasing made her wish she could disappear. She glanced at Aiden, hoping he could make it stop without making things awkward.
Aiden, sensing her discomfort, quickly shook off Marcos' arm. "Man, can you give it a rest?" he said, his tone light but firm. "You’re embarrassing her."
Sophia laughed. "Oh come on, we’re just having fun!"
"Yeah, it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong," Marcos added, oblivious to Mabella’s increasingly uncomfortable expression.
Aiden glanced at Mabella, seeing the way she was biting her lip and avoiding eye contact. She didn’t deserve this. The teasing had gone too far.
Without warning, Aiden grabbed her hand and gently tugged her toward the side of the school, away from the group. "Come on, Snuggle Bug," he said softly. "Let’s get out of here."
Mabella blinked in surprise, her heart fluttering at the sudden contact. She barely had time to process what was happening as Aiden led her around the corner, out of sight of his friends.
"Wait—where are we going?" she asked, her voice a little shaky, though she didn’t pull her hand from his.
Aiden shot her a reassuring smile. "Somewhere we can escape for a bit. I’ve got a place in mind."
They weaved through the back of the school and towards the trees that lined the edge of the property. Aiden slowed their pace once they were out of sight, glancing behind them to make sure they hadn’t been followed. When he was sure his friends hadn’t noticed them leave, he let out a relieved laugh.
Mabella, still holding his hand, looked up at him with wide eyes. "You didn’t have to do that. They’re your friends…"
"Yeah, but they were bugging you," Aiden said, stopping to face her. "I don’t like seeing you uncomfortable."
Mabella’s face softened, her shyness creeping back in as she gave him a small smile. "Thanks," she whispered. "I didn’t know what to say to them."
Aiden’s gaze softened. "You don’t have to say anything. I’ll handle them next time. But for now, come with me. I’ve got a place where we can hang out without anyone bothering us."
He led her through the trees to the far side of his family’s estate. Mabella followed, her curiosity piqued as they passed the tall hedges and entered a more secluded area. Eventually, they stopped in front of an old oak tree. Mabella’s eyes widened when she saw the treehouse nestled high in the branches.
"Is this…?" she started to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah," Aiden said, grinning. "It’s my secret hideout. I’ve had it since I was a kid. No one knows about it except me—and now you."
Mabella felt a small thrill run through her. She had never been to a place like this—so private, so quiet. "You come here a lot?" she asked, her shy tone laced with curiosity.
"All the time," Aiden said, starting up the wooden ladder. "It’s the one place I can go where no one bothers me. I figured you’d appreciate it, too."
Once they were both inside the treehouse, Mabella couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of calm. The space was cozy, with soft blankets strewn across the floor and old childhood memorabilia scattered about. It felt like a sanctuary, far removed from the chaos of school and the prying eyes of their classmates.
Aiden pulled out a small speaker and some snacks from a backpack he had left earlier. He placed the speaker in the corner and set it to play soft music in the background. "Here," he said, handing her a soda. "Make yourself at home, Snuggle Bug."
Mabella took the drink, her hands still trembling slightly from all the excitement. "This place is amazing," she said softly, taking a seat on one of the blankets. "I didn’t expect you to have a place like this."
Aiden laughed as he sat beside her. "I guess I don’t show this side of myself very often. I like having a spot where I can just be… me. No expectations. No pressure."
Mabella nodded, understanding all too well. "I get that," she whispered. "Sometimes it’s hard to be around people who always want something from you. It’s nice to just… exist."
Aiden glanced over at her, surprised by the depth of her words. "Exactly," he said quietly. "That’s why I wanted to bring you here. I figured you might need a break, too."
They spent the next hour in the hideout, talking quietly, sharing snacks, and simply enjoying the quiet comfort of each other’s company. Mabella’s usual shyness faded as she relaxed, finding it easy to talk to Aiden in the safety of the treehouse.
As the sun began to set, casting warm orange hues across the sky, Mabella felt a sense of peace settle over her. This hideaway had quickly become a special place—a place where she could be herself, without the fear of judgment or the pressure to speak louder or act bolder.
"Thank you for bringing me here," she said softly, glancing at Aiden with a shy smile.
Aiden smiled back, his gaze warm. "You’re welcome, Snuggle Bug. Anytime you want to escape, this place is yours too."
In that moment, Mabella felt something she hadn’t expected—an unspoken bond forming between them, built not just on shared experiences, but on the quiet understanding of two people who found peace in each other’s presence.
And in that secret hideout, hidden from the world, it was just Aiden and Mabella—two souls finding solace in the simplicity of being together.