Celeste Ashford POV
The rooftop was quiet, the city lights below shimmering like scattered stars. For a few precious moments, it felt like the only place that belonged entirely to me. No schedules, no expectations, no one watching my every move.
Then I heard footsteps.
My heart jumped. I turned sharply, instinctively pressing myself closer to the railing.
It was him.
Jaden. Mrs. Hale's son. My father's cook's son.
I froze. My chest tightened.
"You…" I whispered, voice barely audible. "You're… Mrs. Hale's son."
He stepped onto the rooftop, but kept a careful distance. Calm, gentle, unassuming. "Yes," he said.
A rush of panic hit me. "Then… then you know who I am. You could tell my father."
"I won't," he said immediately. His voice was steady, reassuring. "I understand why you come here. I won't betray that."
I studied him, still wary. "Why are you here? You saw me… you saw that I come here."
"I did," he admitted. "I noticed you when you arrived."
My stomach twisted. "You… you followed me?"
"No," he said quickly, almost defensively. "I came here on my own. But I saw you. That's all."
I narrowed my eyes, unsure if I should trust him. "And you didn't… tell anyone?"
"Not a word," he said softly, sincerity in his tone. "I promise."
I let out a shaky breath. "This place… it's supposed to be mine. Private. I can't risk anyone else knowing about it."
"I know," he said. "That's why I didn't disturb it. Or you. I just… understand."
"Understand?" I echoed, suspicious.
"Yeah," he said. "Feeling trapped, feeling watched, carrying expectations that aren't yours… I get it."
I looked at him, really looked. He wasn't like the other kids at school. He didn't perform. Didn't pretend. He just… existed quietly, and respected that this rooftop was my escape.
"I'm Celeste," I said softly.
"Jaden," he replied. "I should leave soon. My mom will be waiting."
I nodded, my chest slowly unclenching. "I'll go before midnight."
He paused at the stairwell, glancing back once. "For what it's worth," he said quietly, "you're not wrong for wanting this. Everyone needs somewhere to breathe."
Then he was gone.
I stayed leaning against the railing, staring at the city below. My heart still raced, but a small, strange relief settled in my chest. I wasn't alone here.
And tonight, I realized something important Jaden hadn't stumbled into my secret. He had recognized it, respected it, and chosen to be silent.
---
Jaden POV
The city lights stretched below me, flickering softly in the quiet night. After helping my mom in the mansion all day, I needed this my little escape, away from the noise, the chores, and the weight of other people's expectations.
I climbed the steps to the rooftop, taking in the familiar stillness. This spot had always been mine, a place to think and breathe, a small corner of the world I could call quiet.
But tonight… it wasn't empty.
She was there. Leaning against the railing, shoulders slumped slightly, face turned toward the city. My chest tightened at the sight of her Celeste Ashford. The girl from the mansion, the one everyone assumed had the perfect life.
I froze for a moment, not wanting to startle her. I hadn't expected anyone here, and certainly not her.
"You…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You're… Mrs. Hale's son."
I nodded, careful. "Yes."
Her body tensed. "Then… then you know who I am. You could tell my father."
I shook my head quickly, keeping my voice gentle. "I won't. I understand why you come here. I won't betray that."
Her eyes searched mine, wary. I didn't blame her.
"I… I just needed to think," I added softly. "I wasn't expecting anyone else. Not you."
"I see," she said cautiously, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breathing. "I… I can't risk anyone else knowing about this place."
"I understand," I said. "It's why I didn't make a sound, didn't come closer at first. I wasn't here to disturb you."
There was a pause. The city below hummed softly, indifferent to us.
"You understand?" she asked, voice quiet.
"Yes," I said. "Being watched. Expectations pressing down. Feeling like every move is measured… I know what that feels like. And I know this place matters."
Her eyes softened slightly, and I realized she wasn't used to anyone seeing her like this not really. Not without judgment.
"I'm Jaden," I said quietly, after a moment.
"Celeste," she replied.
We stayed silent for a while, each lost in the city lights, each wrapped in our own thoughts.
"I should go soon," I said finally. "My mom will be waiting."
"I'll leave before midnight," she replied.
I paused at the stairwell, glancing back once. "For what it's worth," I said softly, "you're not wrong for wanting this. Everyone needs a place to breathe."
And then I descended the steps, leaving her alone with the night.
For the first time, I realized that even in separate worlds, sometimes quiet moments and quiet people could understand each other perfectly.
---
The next day
Celeste Ashford POV
Lunch in the cafeteria was lively as usual. Naomi, Ethan, and a few other friends surrounded me, chatting and laughing about the weekend. I was halfway through telling a story when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.
Across the room, a boy was sitting alone, quietly eating his lunch. His presence was subtle, almost easy to miss, but something about him made my gaze linger.
It took me a moment to realize who it was.
Jaden.
My stomach tightened. I had never noticed him at school before. How had I never seen him here? Why was he… alone?
Nearby students whispered to each other, glancing in his direction. I couldn't hear their words, but the looks were enough curiosity, gossip, the kind that made a quiet person stand out even more. And yet, he didn't react. He ate his lunch calmly, as if the world's whispers didn't exist.
I blinked and quickly returned my attention to Naomi, who was laughing at something Ethan had said. "Celeste? You're quiet," Naomi said, nudging me. "Are you even listening?"
I forced a laugh. "Yeah, I'm listening," I said, though my eyes kept drifting back toward him.
There was something about the way he existed in this space quiet, unbothered, yet noticeable without trying that made me pause. He wasn't like the others. He didn't need to talk loudly or sit with a group to be seen.
My friends continued their chatter, oblivious to the boy sitting alone across the room. And I realized, for the first time, that I hadn't known him at all until that rooftop. Until last night.
Lunch ended and the crowd shifted, students filing out to their next classes. I stole one last glance at him before leaving, noting the way he moved calmly through the sea of students, alone but steady, like he belonged somewhere entirely different from the chaos around him.
I didn't know what to make of it yet. I only knew one thing: tonight, the rooftop would feel… different.
And somehow, I had a feeling I wouldn't be alone there again.