Mabella spotted Aiden through the large windows of the convenience store, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. It was the weekend, which meant no chance encounters at school, but fate seemed to be on her side today. With a shy smile, she smoothed down the front of her pastel pink top and adjusted her glasses. Her hands felt a little shaky as she gathered her courage to approach him.
“Aiden…?” she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she stepped closer to him.
Aiden turned around at the sound of her voice, his expression instantly brightening when he saw her. His eyes softened, taking in the sight of Mabella in her weekend outfit. She looked adorable, with her hair styled into two playful buns, wearing a pastel pink top that contrasted nicely with her grey skirt. She still wore her glasses, which framed her face perfectly and only added to her cuteness in Aiden’s eyes.
"Snuggle Bug? How cute!" Aiden grinned as he reached out to gently poke her cheek, his tone playful. His touch made Mabella’s heart race.
Mabella’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, her eyes immediately dropping to the floor in embarrassment. "T-thank you…" she mumbled, her voice barely audible, still not used to the affectionate way Aiden teased her.
Aiden chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He always found it endearing how shy Mabella could be, especially around him. "So," he said, drawing out the word as he crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly. "What should we do now, hm? Since fate brought us together, how about we go on a date?"
Mabella’s breath hitched at the word "date." Her heart fluttered at the thought, but the idea of spending time alone with Aiden outside of their usual spots made her feel even more self-conscious. "D-date…?" she stammered, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her skirt. "I-I don’t feel like going out right now…"
Aiden’s expression shifted ever so slightly, his eyebrows arching in a subtle show of curiosity—or maybe disbelief. It wasn’t an overt reaction, but it was enough for Mabella to sense that he wasn’t entirely convinced by her sudden reluctance.
"Why’s that?" Aiden asked, his tone still playful but edged with a hint of intrigue.
Mabella bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. She fidgeted with her hands, her fingers twisting nervously as she tried to find the right words. "I’m… I’m on my period," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It’s a bit… uncomfortable."
Aiden blinked, his brow furrowing ever so slightly in response. His reaction wasn’t one of discomfort, but more of amusement mixed with disbelief. He then let out a soft chuckle, a sound that was both lighthearted and teasing. "Really?" he asked, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Is that your excuse for avoiding a date with me?"
The laughter in his eyes told Mabella he wasn’t offended or upset, but the teasing tone in his voice made her cheeks burn even hotter. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the embarrassment flooding through her.
"Y-you don’t believe me…?" Mabella asked, her voice small and unsure as she glanced up at him. She was still fidgeting nervously, trying to explain herself, but the warmth of his teasing was making it hard to think straight.
Aiden chuckled again, a sound so effortlessly playful that it made her feel both embarrassed and comforted at the same time. His smirk grew wider, his amusement clear in his expression. "It’s just amazing how someone can be this cute," he said, poking her cheek again for emphasis, clearly enjoying the way she reacted to his teasing.
Mabella’s face flashed a deeper shade of red as she protested softly. "D-don’t tease me like that…!"
Aiden laughed again, louder this time, his voice filled with genuine amusement. He loved seeing Mabella flustered—it was one of the things he found most endearing about her. "Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender, though the smile on his face remained. "I’ll stop. I promise."
Though he said he would stop, the playful gleam in his eyes lingered, and Mabella could tell that he wasn’t done enjoying her reactions just yet.
"Since you’re not feeling up for going out," Aiden said, his voice softening slightly, "how about we do something a little more low-key? Like… hanging out at my place. Just like we did before."
Mabella blinked, her thoughts drifting to the cozy, secret hideaway they had shared. "T-the treehouse?" she asked hesitantly, her voice almost hopeful. That place had become their special spot—a place where they could escape from the world and just be themselves.
Aiden nodded, his smile returning, though this time it was softer, more genuine. "Yeah. The treehouse. Just the two of us, hanging out. We can watch something or just chill."
Mabella hesitated for a moment, her nerves still lingering, but the thought of spending time with Aiden in their secret spot, away from the prying eyes of the outside world, made her feel a bit more at ease. She gave him a small nod, her blush still present but not as intense as before. "S-sure… that sounds nice."
Aiden’s smile widened at her response. "Perfect," he said, his tone warm. "I’ll grab us some snacks before we head over."
Mabella watched as he made his way down the aisle, her heart still fluttering in her chest. Despite her shyness and her constant overthinking, there was something comforting about being around Aiden. He had a way of making her feel safe, even when he teased her. And as she stood there, watching him with a shy smile, she realized just how much she cherished these moments—quiet, simple moments that felt like they belonged to just the two of them.
As Aiden returned with a handful of snacks, he grinned down at her. "Ready to go, Snuggle Bug?"
Mabella’s heart skipped a beat at the nickname, but she nodded, her lips curving into a soft smile. "Ready."
With that, they left the convenience store together, walking side by side, ready to enjoy their time together at their special treehouse.
Without Aiden knowing, Mabella felt a deep, secret satisfaction bloom in her heart. As they walked side by side, her face held its usual shy smile, but inside, she was brimming with happiness—and a sense of smug triumph. There was no more Lydia, no more pesky competition lurking in the shadows. Aiden was hers, completely and utterly, and no one could interfere now. The thorn that had once pricked at her side, making her feel insecure and uncertain, had been plucked away. With Lydia gone, there was nothing standing between her and the perfect world she had created around Aiden. She relished that thought in silence, her heart light with victory, while Aiden remained blissfully unaware of the lengths she had gone to secure her place at his side.