"Ah, Linda asked me to pass it to you. She wants to thank you for changing shifts with her last time," Ms. Park explained, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Oh, an aquarium ticket... I love it! I should thank her right now!" Hazel exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.
The girls' room, their sanctuary of shared secrets and laughter, was now a haven of shared excitement.
"So... I should take someone with me tomorrow. Who should I ask?" Hazel asked, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
At the next day, Hazel and Aiden arrived at the aquarium, the air filled with the sound of excited chatter and the scent of salt water.
"How did you think of coming to a place like this?" Aiden asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
"Ah, my co-worker got me the tickets," Hazel replied, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink.
"And you wanted to come here with me!" Aiden exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Well, you're right," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Aiden was the first person who came to Hazel mind when she saw the tickets. She guess he likes a place like this. And he's fun to hang out with.
"Oh, there's an event over there! Let's go!" Aiden said, his voice filled with enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling with excitement. There, he's so happy.
"By the way, it's so crowded here. Let's hold hands so we won't lose each other," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his hand reaching for hers.
"...Crowded? Here?" Hazel asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"There are only a few kids here. It'd be weird if we ever lose each other," Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
"Wow, it's so crowded. I'm going to hold your hand because I'm anxious," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his hand reaching for hers.
Before Hazel can say anything, Aiden holds her hand. It's not the first time they're holding hands, but his touch makes her heart tingling and numb a bit.
"There, Hazel. There's the little mermaid!" Aiden exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
"Wow..." Hazel whispered, her gaze fixed on the enchanting figure, her heart filled with a mixture of awe and delight.
For a while, Hazel think that Aiden's so cute because he's making such a fuss. But pretty soon, she join him and happily look around the aquarium.
"Ah, you're so distracted, Hazel," Aiden said, his voice laced with a hint of playful teasing.
"Huh?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed with confusion, her gaze still fixed on the mesmerizing display.
"You're so absorbed," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and affection.
"What..!? You were so excited till just now, too!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of playful indignation.
"I was less engrossed than you! You are only looking at the aquarium. Come on, look at me as well," Aiden said, his voice filled with a mixture of playful teasing and genuine affection.
"Don't you lie! You didn't even look at me once!" Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of playful accusation.
"There. The reflection," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his finger tapping on the aquarium glass.
Amidst the blue waves, her face was reflected on the glass, a silent testament to her complete absorption in the mesmerizing world around her.
"I have to focus on the event if there's one!" Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of playful resignation.
"But I can't help thinking about you, Hazel," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"How can he say something like that in such a casual tone?" Hazel thought, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Aiden's gaze, filled with a mixture of amusement and affection, met hers. "In that sense, how could you not ever look at me once? I'm a bit sad."
"Usually think of you a lot. See, I asked you out!" Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of playful defiance, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink.
"You know my heart skips a beat whenever you say that, right?" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"W-What? What did I say?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed with confusion, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"Umm.. You say you like me in such a casual tone. That flutters my heart," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"...Excuse me, that's what I want to say!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of playful indignation.
"Maybe I'm touched because you don't usually say out your feelings," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"I don't?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed with confusion, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"It's me who does it a lot. I love it when you pretend like you don't like it, when in fact you do," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"When did I-!!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of playful indignation.
Pretending like hazel don't like it, when in fact she do? That's what Asher does, not her! Hmm... But come to think of it, she often do that to Aiden... Wait, but that's because Aiden makes her  embarrassed!
"But do you know something, Hazel? I like it too! You're so cute when you act cold, and you're lovely when you express yourself! Just stay the same. I love it!" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"...Gosh, he can really make me embarrassed," Hazel thought, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of crimson.
"Oh, look over there!" Aiden exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
"She just said hello!" Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of surprise and delight.
The diver, dressed as the Little Mermaid, swam gracefully by them, her bright smile and graceful wave a beacon of joy and wonder.  Aiden and Hazel waved back, their hearts filled with a mixture of awe and delight.
"Wow, that's so pretty. I should swim really well to do that, right?" Hazel said, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and longing.
Aiden's gaze, filled with a mixture of amusement and affection, met hers. "Haven't you tried scuba diving? Aren't you interested in such things?"
"I haven't tried, but I'm interested. Have you ever tried it before?" Hazel asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
"Well, yes. But only until the open water. I'm not an expert," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"Sometimes I wonder if there's nothing in the world you can't do," Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of playful admiration.
"I do everything well. So I can do anything with you- anything you like," Aiden said, his smile widening, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Aiden's smile is ever so bright. But...That he can do anything with Hazel, and that he can do anything for her flutters her heart.
"Hmm. Do you want to try it now?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and excitement.
"Now? Where?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed with confusion, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"There's a special activity upstairs. Shall we go?" Aiden said, his voice filled with enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
"Um... Yes! I wanted to try it, too," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"Really? Let's go!" Aiden exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement, his hand reaching for hers.
Aiden holds my hand and shakes it. After a moment of embarrassment, Hazel feel so happy as she feel the warmth of his hand and his smile. She also smile at him.
The swimming pool, a shimmering expanse of blue, beckoned them with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.  After a short training session, they were ready to take the plunge.
"Am I doing it right...?" Hazel asked, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"Ah, not that way, Hazel. Yes, that's right! Oh, Hazel! Are you breathing?" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and concern.
"Gosh.. It looked so easy when I saw it earlier," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink.
The diver in the Little Mermaid's costume swam so elegantly! She's sure she didn't swim like this...
"Okay, we can't talk to each other when we're underwater," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination.
Hazel don't know if she'll be able to use the hand signals she learned. And as I'm about to go into the water, She suddenly feel nervous. Hazel can't even move her arm, and she can't even remember the hand signals now. We're at the bottom of the swimming pool, and there are lifeguards, but... Is this really okay?
"Are you all right, Hazel? Are you worried?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and affection.
Hazel having bad ideas when Aiden taps on her shoulder.
"If you ever feel scared, or want to quit, or don't know what to do- just look at me. Okay? I'll read your face and see what you want to tell me. Then... Can you read my thoughts now? It's the first time you're trying this, so you're nervous. Right?" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and reassurance.
"Oh, that's right. What else am I thinking?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"You're nervous, but you're quite happy because you can rely on me. Right?" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
"Well..." Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink.
"Am I wrong?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and amusement.
"He's not wrong... But how can I say yes to that?" Hazel thought, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"Yup, right. I was correct," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and amusement.
Hazel stammer and Aiden grins at her. Hazel blink her eyes when she realize that he read her mind.
"This is not a real sea anyway, so there is nothing to be dangerous. And no matter what, I won't let you be in danger. Trust me. Okay?" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and reassurance.
"...Okay," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Aiden's smile, a beacon of warmth and reassurance, lit up his face. "Ah, you're a good girl, Hazel," he said, his voice a soft murmur, his hand gently stroking her wet hair. Probably this is why she feel comfortable around Aiden.
"Okay, now hold this in your mouth. Let's go," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and encouragement.
Now she can't speak at all. Aiden makes a sign that he's going down.
"Okay... Be calm. I'm going down... Am I doing it right?" Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
The swimming pool for scuba diving is pretty deep.
Taking care not to go down in a hurry, Hazel slowly submerge herself deeper. She think she's pretty good at it. Aiden raised his thumb just now! It's so strange that they can communicate only with hand signs and our facial expressions. This activity is so fun, and the fact that Aiden's looking at her makes her relaxed. She's totally enjoying myself when-,
"Huh...? I think water's coming into my mask... This is bad... What should I do?" Hazel thought, her heart pounding with a mixture of panic and apprehension.
Make gestures to tell Aiden Hazel need help. Something's wrong with her mask! Help her! Can he understand what she saying? Even she don't know what her saying. Hazel can breathe because she's wearing a ventilator, but she still panic because water's leaking. She wave her arms frantically at Aiden. She's sure he can't understand her.
"Look at me," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and reassurance. But Aiden immediately knows what her doing.
"It's all right. Everything's all right. It's okay. Look at me and follow what I'm doing," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and reassurance.
"L-Like this?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Hazel follow what Aiden's doing. She lift her chin and drain the water from her mask.
"Good job," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
The water gets drained off like a miracle. hazel  smile brightly at Aiden, and-
"Ah, good girl. That's why I love you," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and admiration.
Is Hazel wrong if she saw Aiden saying that with his eyes? she must be mistaken.. She's starting to feel better. Even without words, she feel like we're talking to each other. Aiden makes me feel relieved, so hazel keep on swimming.
The cafe, a haven of warmth and comfort, offered a respite from the exhilarating underwater adventure.  Hazel, her energy depleted, slumped into a chair, her heart pounding with a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration.
"Gosh.. It's killing me. I didn't know it was this hard," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink.
After long hours of play, all Hazel energy got drained away. They go to a cafe in the aquarium building to take a short rest.
"Ah, you must be tired, Hazel. Would you like to have anything?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and affection.
"No, I'm fine. Now I know why people crave for food after they swim. I'm starving right now..." Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink. As soon as Hazel come into the cafe, she start stuffing food into her mouth.
"So how was it? Was it fun?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and amusement.
"I'm feeling a bit tired, but it was more fun than I've expected. By the way, you swim really well! You make it look so easy when it's not," Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of admiration.
"I was surprised, too," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and amusement.
"Why? Because I couldn't breathe earlier? Because the water got into my mask? Or because I can't swim well?" Hazel asked, her voice laced with a hint of playful indignation.
"No, because you were so pretty. I thought I ran into the actual Little Mermaid," Aiden said, his smile widening, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
How can he say such things with such a dazzling smile? And Hazel heart races at that.
"You need to take regular lessons with orientation for the expertise course. If it was fun, let's go take the lessons with me. And we can go on a trip together, too!" Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and excitement.
"To where?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed with confusion, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"A cool vacation spot... And to the ocean! We can watch fish underwater together... It'd be a perfect date. Ah, Hazel. Please take lessons and travel around with me," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and excitement.
"Isn't it going to be dangerous?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"It's never going to be dangerous. And I'll always be there for you. I'm really good at it," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and reassurance.
Is it because Hazel spent the whole day with Aiden? Her heart responds to his sweet smile.
"Now, shall we go? It's time to go home," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"Okay. Oh, the floor is wet, so be careful," Aiden said, his voice a soft murmur, his hand reaching for hers. They then start to walk towards the exit.
"Huh? Wait-," Hazel said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
The café was quiet, save for the rhythmic swishing of a mop as the staff cleaned the floor. Hazel watched as Aiden, oblivious to the wet and shiny patch, approached the slippery spot. She couldn’t help but think, *You told me to be careful, yet you're the one who's about to slip and fall!*
Hazel's heart leaped into her throat. *He might fall. I should grab him.*
"Aiden!" she called out, her voice sharp with concern.
Aiden paused mid-step, his foot hovering over the gleaming tiles. "Ah, it's wet."
"Watch out—" Hazel's words were cut off as Aiden turned to face her, confusion in his eyes.
"Huh? What are you doing?" he asked, noticing her outstretched hand.
Caught off guard, Hazel's cheeks flushed. "Err... Well..." she stammered, quickly pulling her hand back and clenching her fist in embarrassment. His reaction time is darn fast...
Aiden's expression softened with realization. "Oh, did you think I might slip and fall?"
Hazel shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I shouldn't have worried about you..."
Aiden chuckled, stepping closer. "Argh. Why are you so cute, pretty, and nice?"
Before Hazel could react, Aiden cupped her cheeks in his hands, his touch gentle yet firm. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as his bright smile melted away any awkwardness.
"Shall I slip and fall? Will you hold me, Hazel?" he teased, his eyes dancing with mischief.
Hazel's heart raced. "H-Hey!!"
Aiden grinned wider. "Oops! I almost fell. Please hold my hand, Hazel."
Despite the slippery floor, Aiden reached for her hands, his grip warm and reassuring. Hazel's heart tickled with excitement, her earlier embarrassment forgotten.
"Anyway, you must be tired. Your face tells it all," Aiden said, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern.
Hazel sighed, feeling the day's weariness settle in. "Really? Maybe it's because I tried something new today. I should go to bed early tonight."
Aiden shook his head, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Oh, you can't. I want to do something with you tonight, and I'm not letting you sleep."
Hazel blinked, her mind racing. "...What?"
Aiden simply smiled and, without another word, took her hand in his and led her across the café.
The air hung heavy with unspoken tension as Aiden's words echoed in the quiet living room.  "Is nobody home yet? I guess we're by ourselves, hazel..."  He leaned in, his gaze lingering on her face, and Hazel felt her cheeks flush a bright crimson.  "Why does my face turn red at that!?" she thought, desperately trying to regain her composure.  "Come back to your senses, hazel!"
Aiden's smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Shall we go up?"
Hazel's heart pounded in her chest.  She knew nothing truly scandalous would happen, even though they were alone in the house.  Yet, a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension filled her.
They ascended the stairs, the silence punctuated by the soft thud of their footsteps.  Aiden led her to his room, a haven of masculine comfort.  "Ah, sit over there, hazel," he said, gesturing to a plush armchair.
"What are you going to do?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Aiden's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well..." he began, drawing out the word.  "You had a long day today.  And I'm very good at massaging.  Come, you'll feel better."
The word "massage" hung in the air, a delicate dance between innocent relaxation and something more.  Hazel's mind raced.  "Ah, so it's happy massage time," she thought.  "Of course...what was I thinking?"
Aiden seemed to sense her hesitation.  "Hmm, you look rather disappointed.  Were you expecting something?" he asked, his tone playful.
Hazel's cheeks burned even hotter.  "N-no! It's nothing," she stammered, her voice barely audible.
"Really? What were you thinking? Tell me," Aiden pressed, his eyes fixed on her.
Hazel knew she had to change the subject.  She needed to distract herself, to break the spell that was slowly weaving around them.  "I'm really looking forward to it..! When did you learn that? Are you really good at it?" she asked, her voice gaining a touch of desperation.
Aiden raised an eyebrow, his smile turning sly.  "Huh? Why are you suddenly so curious about that?"
"Why wouldn't I be curious? Tell me!" Hazel insisted, her voice rising slightly.
Aiden's smile deepened.  "Why does it seem like you're trying to change the subject?"
"I'm not!!" Hazel insisted, her voice a flustered whisper.
Aiden's laughter filled the room, a warm, melodic sound that sent shivers down her spine.  "Okay. Okay!" he conceded, a playful glint in his eyes.  He knew, she knew, that he had seen through her feeble attempt at denial.  The way he acted, already knowing her thoughts, was both exhilarating and mortifying.  Hazel felt her cheeks burn, a fiery blush that spread across her face.  She instinctively rubbed her heated skin, trying to cool the embarrassing warmth.
"Are you feeling hot, hazel?" Aiden asked, his voice a soft murmur.  He gently lifted her chin, his fingers tracing the contours of her face, sending a wave of goosebumps erupting across her skin.  The touch was light, yet it held a power that made her breath catch in her throat.
"All right, then shall we give it a go now?" he asked, his smile a mischievous invitation.
Aiden settled in front of her, his presence filling the room with a comforting warmth.  He began to massage her feet, his touch gentle yet firm, a rhythmic dance of pressure and release.  Hazel felt her muscles relax, the tension of the day melting away under his skilled hands.
"Where did you learn this?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.  "You surprise me, Aiden."
"Yes, I am," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.  "I'm full of surprises."
"I'm sure you must be popular," Hazel murmured, her gaze fixed on his hands as they worked their magic on her feet.
Aiden's smile softened, a touch of melancholy entering his eyes.  "Yes, I am.  But I couldn't find a person to love.  I was quite lonely."
Hazel's heart ached for him.  "I don't think you'd ever feel lonely..." she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Even if a hundred people like me, it's meaningless if one person I love doesn't love me back," Aiden confessed, his voice earnest and passionate.  "That's how I feel, hazel."
His words, combined with the intensity of his gaze, sent a rush of heat through Hazel's veins.  Her face flushed crimson, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"By the way, you have such small hands and feet," Aiden said, his voice a playful murmur.  "You're so cute!"
Hazel felt her cheeks burn even hotter.  "Ah, it's embarrassing," she thought, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest.  His serious voice, coupled with the gentle touch of his hands, sent a wave of both embarrassment and exhilarating excitement through her.  Aiden had a way of making her feel relaxed and tense at the same time, a delightful contradiction that sparked a tingling sensation in her heart.
"You know we don't have much time to spend together, right?" Aiden said, his voice a low whisper. 
"Yes... I already miss all of you," Hazel admitted, her voice tinged with a wistful longing.  The thought of leaving Aiden, even for a short while, filled her with a bittersweet ache.
Aiden's gaze softened, a playful twinkle in his eyes.  "I'm very curious about the choice you'll make," he said, his voice a low murmur.  "Ah, and what's your summer vacation plan?"
"Summer..." Hazel echoed, the word hanging in the air like a promise.  Aiden was like summer, she realized – bright, passionate, and embracing.  He filled her world with warmth and light, just as the sun did during the hottest months of the year.
"Spring will be over soon," Aiden said, his voice a gentle reminder of the fleeting nature of time.  "Think of what you want to do in summer."
Hazel chuckled, a light, tinkling sound that filled the room with a sense of carefree joy.
"Well, I'm serious," Aiden insisted, his gaze unwavering.
He was right, of course.  After spring came summer, and if they were still together after the season of blossoms, they might spend those long, sun-drenched days together.  Summer, which resembled him, a season of warmth and laughter, of shared adventures and stolen moments.
"Yes," Hazel replied, her voice filled with a newfound determination.  "I'll think of what we can do in summer."
"Okay," Aiden said, his smile a promise.  "You just gave me your word!"
Hazel's heart swelled with a yearning for those summer days, for the chance to spend them with Aiden, lost in a world of their own making.
The fluorescent lights of the office buzzed overhead, a stark contrast to the warmth of the memories that filled Hazel's mind.  Ms. Park, her boss, approached her desk, her face a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Oh, you're here, hazel," Ms. Park said, her voice a gentle chirp.  "How was your date?"
Hazel's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, a lingering echo of the blush that had graced her face the night before.  "Ah, it was fun," she replied, her voice filled with a newfound confidence.  "It was so exciting that I didn't want to come to work!  It'd be wonderful if I quit my job and played all day."
Ms. Park chuckled, a warm, understanding sound.  "Haha, I agree," she said.  "That'd be so great.  Anyway, it's good to hear that you had a nice day.  Linda did an awesome job."
Hazel's thoughts drifted back to the previous night, to the touch of Aiden's hands, the warmth of his gaze, the intoxicating blend of excitement and relaxation that had filled her.  Yesterday's date would be etched in her memory, a cherished moment that would remain a beacon of joy, even when the seasons changed and the world moved on.
Hazel's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the thrill coursing through her veins. This was it. The second date. The unspoken rule dictated that girls should bring gifts for the guys, a tradition Hazel was determined to uphold. But the real challenge lay ahead – how to ask Aiden out without attracting unwanted attention.
"No one's here, right?" she whispered, her voice barely a breath in the hushed hallway.
Her mind raced, replaying countless scenarios. A public declaration? Too bold. A subtle hint? Too risky.  She needed a plan, a strategy that would be both daring and discreet.
"Why is it like a spy movie!?" she muttered, her fingers tracing the intricate pattern of the date request card she'd painstakingly crafted. "It's difficult to ask him out without being noticed by others... I guess this is the best way!"
A plan began to form, a daring operation that would require stealth and precision.  She would leave the card, along with the gift, on Aiden's bed while he was away. A clandestine mission worthy of a secret agent. The person she was asking out was...
Suddenly, a voice startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Did you wait long?"
Hazel whipped around, her eyes landing on Aiden standing at the front of the house. But something was different. He looked... different.
"No, I just... Oh!" she stammered, her voice catching in her throat.
Aiden's brow furrowed. "Why're you looking at me like that? Do I look weird?"
Hazel's cheeks flushed a fiery red, a stark contrast to the cool, pale blue of her eyes.  "No, no. It's because..." she stammered, her words tripping over each other.
Aiden's new look was a revelation.  Gone was the casual, almost scruffy charm of the boy she'd met at the cafe.  In his place stood a man, radiating an unexpected confidence that sent a shiver down her spine.  He was... incredibly hot.
"Ah, it's good that I dressed up like this," Aiden said, a playful glint in his eyes.  "I didn't expect you to be that surprised."