Heavy.

Unwanted.

School days:

The corridor was loud with students leaving class.

Arnold stood near a window.

Mint walked up to him quickly.

She didn't look calm.

She looked annoyed.

''I need to tell you something,'' she said immediately.

Arnold glanced at her

''What?''

Mint crossed her arms.

''That's junior- Tua.''

That made Arnold pause slightly.

''What about him?''

Mint frowned.

''I heard from someone in my class that he's been talking bad about me.''

Arnold raised a eyebrow.

''Talking bad?''

Mint nodded firmly.

''Yes. Saying things behind my back.''

She didn't hesitate.

Didn't slow down to think.

''And honestly,'' she added, voice sharper now,

''I think he's doing on purpose.

Arnold didn't react immediately.

''Are you sure?'' he asked.

Mint annoying said.

''I don't need to be sure. People don't say things like that for no reason.''

Then she leaned in slightly.

DON'T BE AROUND HIM.

Arnold looked down the corridor.

Tua was there.

Standing alone.

Quiet.

Not interfering.

''...Okay,'' Arnold said slowly.

Not fully convinced.

But Influenced enough.

Later that day-

Tua approached him.

Steps careful.

Breathing uneven.

''...Can I talk to you,'' Tua asked softly.

Arnold looked at him.

But this time-

His eyes were already guarded.

''Make it quick,'' He said.

Tua hesitated.

Then gathered himself.

''I Like You.''

Silence.

Simple words.

Honest.

But Arnold didn't see it that way anymore.

His voice came sharper than before.

''You shouldn't.''

Tua blinked.

''..What?''

Arnold's expression stayed firm.

''I heard what you've been saying about Mint.''

Tua froze.

Confused.

''..What?''

Arnold continued, but colder now.

''Talking behind people's back.''

Tua's eyes widened slightly.

''...I never-''

Arnold cut him off.

''Don't deny it.''

Then he added-

''You should have some respect for yourself before expecting anything from others.''

Tua stood still.

''I DON'T LIKE YOU,'' Arnold said finally.

Direct 

Final.

''And I don't this kind of behavior around me or My girlfriend.''

That word Landed.

Hard.

Tua's lips parted slightly.

But no words came out.

''Because there was nothing to explain to someone who had already decided.''

After a moment-

Tua nodded once

Quiet.

''...Okay.''

Then he turned away

And left

No arguments

No tears.

Just distance forming for the first time.

Back to Present:

Arnold's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

The memory didn't feel same anymore.

Because how he could see it clearly.

It wasn't rejection.

It was misunderstanding built on assumption.

Arnold exhaled slowly.

''I didn't even let him speak..''