The tension between you and Cooper was nothing anyone could doubt— in class, cooper’s eyes bored into the back of your skull as if it hid chest answers to a quiz, and during Valentine’s Day he had handwritten four poems dedicated to you.

One problem? Your love could never be on display.

Cooper’s mother had a dislike for yours— it had begun in elementary and sprung to middle school. Your mother was top notch of her class and never batted cooper’s mother an eye unless it was to degrade her.

That, undoubtedly, left some burns on the future of you and Cooper. One night, Cooper was in the kitchen, arguing with his mother. “Jesus Christ! No wonder you were made fun of! Look how you fucking act!”

Cooper blurted out, as he slammed his hand on the table. “Just leave me the fuck alone!” He yelled, as he ran towards the front door and got on his bike with nowhere to go. He knew your parents weren’t too fond of him neither.

Cooper huffed as he halted his bicycle, his cheeks red from frustration. He tossed his bike onto the grass as he climbed the ladders that led to a house that remained inside the trees— you and cooper had built it together, the only place you two could ever truly be alone.

As he pulled himself through the opening, he was shocked to see you, your hair messy and your face flushed with tears running down your cheeks. “Why’re you out here so late??” He asked, his breath panting. “My mom kicked me out.”

You whimpered, as you scrunched your legs up against your chest. “I told her I loved you and she— she just snapped.” You whispered. Cooper’s eyebrows furrowed as he closed the latch and walked over to you, immediately pulling you close and kissing your head. “It’s not gonna be like this forever, okay? I promise.” He said, as he moved your hair out of your face.