Arin wasn't the type to get involved in drama. He dodged it like a reflex.
So when Suhina had cornered him, all fake concern about Aira, he'd shut it down. Not my problem. That was his line—always had been.
But now, leaning against the wall outside the classroom, his eyes betrayed him, tracking Aira.
She stood with Nami near the cafeteria, hands flailing wide—nearly smacking Nami—as she spun some wild story, her voice cutting through the chatter. Her laugh burst out, raw and unfiltered, turning heads. Some grinned; others scowled.
Typical Aira. Loud, careless, reckless.
And yet…
He kept watching.
"Dude, are you even listening?"
Zayan's voice jolted him. Arin turned, meeting his friend's suspicious squint.
"Yeah."
"No, you weren't. You were staring at Aira."
Arin frowned. "No, I wasn't."
Zayan leaned in, smirking. "Caught you, man. If I ask what I was just saying—"
"No idea," Arin cut him off, already done.
Zayan chuckled, shaking his head. "You never waste time on useless stuff. So why Aira?"
Arin didn't have an answer.
And that irritated him.
Outside, the barren tree loomed in the corner of his vision—still standing, bare as ever. He didn't look long.
The bell rang, dragging students back to their seats. Aira and Nami slid in last, just as the teacher stepped through the door.
Arin never cared who sat where. But today, his gaze drifted to Aira.
Then—
Crash!
Her water bottle hit the floor, rolling toward his feet.
She groaned, muttering a curse before crouching to grab it.
That's when it happened.
As she looked up, their eyes locked. Just a second—but her big, expressive eyes flickered, a storm of something unvoiced swirling there, dimming her usual spark.
Then it was gone—she smirked. "You planning to help, or just gonna sit there looking pretty?"
Arin rolled his eyes, nudging the bottle with his foot. "You dropped it. You pick it up."
She scoffed, snatching it as she stood.
But as the class droned on, Arin's focus slipped.
To her.
Suhina had said Aira was acting differently.
What if Suhina was half-right—and he was the fool noticing?