Fina had barely gotten out of bed that day. Her mom had tried coaxing her with breakfast, her dad had checked in with her once or twice, but she'd given them the same excuse: "I just need time."

She didn't know how to explain the weight pressing down on her chest, the lingering sting of Sophia's words echoing in her mind. It wasn't that she believed them, but they'd wormed their way into the cracks of her already fragile confidence.

Her phone buzzed on her nightstand. Groaning, she grabbed it and saw Aiden's name flashing across the screen.

Aiden❤️

I'm coming over. Don't argue.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to protest, but she stopped herself. Maybe... maybe she didn't want to be alone.

Aiden❤️

Okay.

Thirty minutes later, Aiden was at her door. Fina didn't even bother changing out of her oversized hoodie and leggings, shuffling downstairs to let him in. His eyes softened the moment he saw her, and without a word, he pulled her into a hug.

"You scared me," he murmured, his chin resting on her head.

She clung to him, her fingers gripping the back of his shirt. "I didn't mean to," she whispered.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. "Then talk to me. Please."

Fina nodded, leading him upstairs to her room. She sat on the edge of her bed, and Aiden dropped his bag on the floor before sitting beside her.

"What's going on, Fina?" he asked softly. "You've been shutting everyone out, and I'm worried about you."

She stared at her hands, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... everything. Sophia, school, people looking at me like I'm broken. I feel like I'm drowning, and I don't know how to make it stop."

Aiden's heart clenched at her words. "You're not broken, Fina. And even if you feel like you're drowning, you're not alone. I'm here. Mia and Ethan are here. Your family is here."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she wiped them away quickly, embarrassed. "But what if it's too much? What if I'm too much?"

Aiden shook his head, his hands gently cupping her face. "You're not too much, okay? You're everything. You're kind, strong, and you don't have to carry all of this on your own."

The sincerity in his voice broke through the wall she'd built around herself, and the tears spilled over. Aiden pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she cried into his chest.

After a while, her sobs subsided, and she pulled back slightly, sniffling. "I don't deserve you," she whispered.

"Don't say that," Aiden said firmly. "You deserve everything good in this world, Fina. And I'm not going anywhere."

She looked up at him, her heart swelling with emotions she couldn't quite name. And before she could overthink it, she leaned forward and kissed him.

Aiden froze for a moment, surprised, but then his hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. Fina's fingers tangled in his hair, and for the first time in days, the weight on her chest seemed to lift.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Aiden rested his forehead against hers, a small smile playing on his lips. "Does this mean you're finally letting me in?"

Fina laughed softly, her cheeks turning pink. "Maybe."

"Good," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Because I'm not going anywhere. Not now, not ever."

Fina smiled, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. For the first time in what felt like forever, she believed him.

Fina's heart was racing as Aiden's hands gently cupped her face, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, and she felt a warmth flood through her, as if the worries that had been plaguing her for so long began to fade.

Aiden's lips were soft, his touch tender, and in that moment, all she could think about was the comfort of his presence. It felt like the world outside her room had disappeared, leaving only the two of them. She ran her hands up to his shoulders, feeling the firm muscles beneath his shirt. Every brush of his lips against hers, every slight shift, sent sparks through her, igniting something deep inside her that she hadn't realized she was craving.

Her body pressed closer to his as if instinctively, and she could feel the heat of his chest rising and falling with every breath. Her pulse raced, her thoughts scattered in the chaos of emotion swirling inside her.

Aiden pulled back slightly, his lips brushing against her cheek, his breath warm on her skin. "Fina..." he whispered, his voice husky. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, her fingers lightly tracing the line of his jaw. "I think I'm more than okay with you here."

Aiden smiled softly, his thumb brushing her cheek as he looked into her eyes. There was something in his gaze—something tender, something protective—that made her feel like she was truly seen. Like she wasn't just the girl carrying all this hurt, but someone worth loving.

"You know," he murmured, leaning in to press his lips gently to hers again, "you don't ever have to be alone in this. Not with me."

The kiss was softer this time, slower, as if they were both savoring the moment, feeling the connection between them. Fina's heart swelled as she melted into his embrace. She was still carrying a lot of pain, but somehow, in his arms, it didn't seem so heavy.

Her hands slipped to his back, pulling him closer as she kissed him again, this time more urgently. The world outside her room, the doubts and fears that had once consumed her, felt miles away. It was just Aiden. Just the two of them, finding comfort and solace in each other.

Aiden responded, his hands sliding down her back as he deepened the kiss. Fina's heart fluttered, and for a moment, she could forget everything.

As they broke apart, both of them breathless, Fina rested her forehead against his. She smiled, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in what felt like forever.

"I'm glad you're here," she whispered, her voice quiet but full of sincerity.

Aiden pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Always, Fina. Always."

The quiet between them spoke volumes, and even though she didn't have all the answers, she knew one thing for certain—Aiden was right. She wasn't alone anymore.