SBI Oneshots

Treehouse

      Tommy climbs the steps that are built into the tree trunk and enters the box made of wood with a great view of the forest. Every movement he makes causes the thing to creak. He stepped inside and grabbed a book from the pile in the corner, sitting down in the chair to peacefully read.

      He smiled as he listened to the animals in the forest outside, whistling a tune alongside the birds. This place was truly peaceful, and Tommy loved it. And the best part about it was that only Tommy knew it even existed.

      Or, so he thought.

      He heard a twig loudly snap outside on the ground, one that was too loud and obnoxious to just be an animal running around. He took his eyes off his book, annoyed at first, but then scared that whoever was out there would see the treehouse. Tommy didn't want anyone to know about it, that way it could be his own little spot for quietness.

      He got up and looked out the window, making eye contact with a boy, around his age, staring at the box from the ground. The boy wore a green shirt and jeans with his brown hair messed up, most likely from walking through the forest. Tommy gave him a little wave through the window and the boy beamed.

      "Hello!" He practically screamed, making Tommy try to shush him.

      "Sh! Don't be so loud. It disrupts the animals." He said, leaning on his elbow as he looked down at him.

      The boy looked around, noticing the birds fly out of the trees because of his loud voice. He whispered, "Oh, sorry!" just loud enough for Tommy to hear.

      He sighed and crawled out of the entryway, climbing down the tree. "So, what are you doing out here? In the forest?" The boy kept his gaze on the box in the tree, even though Tommy was standing right in front of him.

      "Can I go inside?" He had stars in his eyes and smiled brightly. Usually, Tommy would say no if someone asked to go inside the treehouse. It's never happened before, but that's what he planned to do. But something about this boy intrigued Tommy, to the point of him wanting to talk to him more. So, he said something that he would probably regret later.

      "Yes." The boy smiled even brighter, if that was possible, immediately going to the tree trunk and putting his feet in the grooves in the bark, starting to climb. Tommy climbed behind him to make sure he didn't fall since this kid was much shorter than him. He let a small smile grow on his face as he watched the excited boy crawled through the 'door.'

      The boy's eyes land on the pile of books Tommy had up there, specifically the one that Tommy was reading before he was interrupted. "Can I read this?" he asked.

      "Oh, um, sure. Just keep my bookmark in it." He nodded frantically and sat in Tommy's chair, opening the book to page one. Tommy stood awkwardly as the other read, finding the situation a little weird.

      "My name is Tommy by the way," he said, sitting on the floor and opening a new book for himself.

      The boy didn't even glance up from the words on the page. "Tubbo." He said.

      Tubbo, Tommy thought. I like that. And with that, he opened the book and started reading his new story.