' I'm not a selfish person.

Really.

It's just that sometimes... I can't think clearly. '

The moment Melee stepped out of the plane and onto the firm ground, the cold air hit her face, making her close her eyes. Many underlying feelings swirled inside her. Even though half a decade had passed, everything felt so familiar.

The dark night seemed to be foreshadowing her future.

Many things should've changed. She wasn't the same 18 year old who ran away using her studies as an excuse.

Melee unconsciously exhaled a long sigh.

"Excuse me! Please keep on moving, don't stop!"

"ah–Yeah, sorry."

Melee started walking, holding her head down slightly.

Yet not even 10 steps in, her phone rang. She checks to see it's an unknown number, but she knew its owner all too well. She didn't want to walk anymore, but there was no other option. Was there?

Her finger hovered over the screen, finally answering after a moment. "yes-"

Immediately, a sharp voice cut her out, "Why didn't you pick up sooner? In fact, why haven't you contacted me yet? I was worried sick that something had happened. Wasn't your flight scheduled to land an hour ago?? Where are you right now? Did you go somewhere without telling me again? Melee, really-"

"You're ripping my ear off, Mom."

"What do you mean I'm ripping your ear off?? I'm just worried about my only child! God forbit a mother worries! You clearly don't love me as much as I love you. Actually, do you even love me a little??"

"..." Melee's grip tightened on her phone, her eyes dazed off into the distance, looking at nothing in particular.

A long silence followed.

"Hello?? Melee, are you there?? You're not even going to pretend to listen to me anymore, huh? Mel-" "Later, mom." "Mel-" She hangs up.

There was a lull in the air. Even with the warm night air, Melee felt cold. She curled her fingers into a fist.

"Do I love you?... That's the last thing you of all people should be asking me, Mom..."

—

"Mummy! Mummy! Look what I got in today's test!!" A young kid happily ran to her mother, a sheet of paper held in her tiny hands. The woman glanced at the paper for a moment as her lips curled up. Her hands reached for the kid as she spoke.

"Good job, Melee. A 98? That's amazing–"

—

Melee squinted her eyes, eyebrows knitted. A sigh escaped.

...Was it already starting?

Things she didn't want to recall, people she wanted to forget, and emotions she thought she had completely suppressed. Did all it take, was for her to return back?

The taste of metal spread through her mouth as she bit her cheek.

'I've changed. I've changed... There's no way i will... I'm not who i was back then..'

.

The scenery changed as Melee blankly stared out the car window. Again, the phone chimed. She really was so popular today.

"Hello?" She didn't even feel the need to glance at the screen anymore. This had to be the twentieth call. Even if it wasn't, it sure felt like that to Melee.

But contrary to her expectation of the dreadful voice of one of her high school classmates again, a sweet voice came through instead.

"I missed you, Mel."

"..."