Arnold stared ahead, fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel.

But his mind-

wan't on road.

It drifted back.

Flashback- School Days

The corridor buzzed with noise.

Students everywhere.

Laughter. Conversations. Movement.

Arnold walked through it like he owned the place.

Confident.

Surrounded.

''Bro,Mint's is waitingfor you,'' one of his friends said.

A grin spread across his face immediately.

''Of course she is.''

Another voice chimed in-

''You're lucky, seriously. She doesn't talk to just anyone.''

Arnold smirked.

''I know.''

They reached the classroom.

Bright. Popular. Effortlessly drawing attention.

Arnold said ''miss me?''

Mint rolled her eyes playfully

''Don't get ahead of yourself.''

His friends laughed.

That was his world..

Centered around her.

And everything eles?

Background noise.

Somewhere near the door-

Tua stood quietly.

A junior.

Barely noticeable.

He looked at Arnold for a second.

Then quickly looked away.

Arnold didn't notice.

''Arnold,'' one of his friends nudged him later, lowering his voice, 

''That junior-Tua-likes-you.''

Arnold frowned slightly.

''..Who?''

''That one,'' his friend pointed subtly.

Arnold followed the direction.

Tua.

Standing at the corner.

Uninvolved.

Arnold's eyes stayed on him for barely a moment.

Then-

he looked back at Mint.

''Wierd,'' he muttered

His friends laughed.

''Come on, you might actually have a chance.''

Arnold scoffed.

''as if.''

Just-

Like it didn't matter.

Because to him-

it didn't.

''....He should focus on his studies,'' Arnold added causally, not even looking again.

And just like that-

Tua became nothing more than a passing mention.

A small detail in Arnold's life.

One he never thought about again.

Back to present.

Arnold blinked.

The memory fading.

His jaw tightened.

Back then-

he didn't care

But now-

That same person stood in front of himagain.

And for some reason-

Arnold couldn't look away anymore.