Tangled Hearts And Classroom Smiles

Chapter Six: Ghosts of the Past

Fourth had spent the entire week telling himself to forget about Gemini. He avoided him whenever he could, kept conversations strictly professional, and stayed as far from the man's charming, flirtatious gaze as possible. But the memory of their kiss lingered in the back of his mind, making his attempts to ignore Gemini feel like a losing battle.

So, in a moment of desperation, Fourth did something he'd never thought he'd do—he downloaded a dating app.

At first, he felt silly. But he needed a distraction, something to take his mind off Gemini. Maybe meeting someone new would help. He scrolled through profiles during the quiet moments at work and at home when Nan was asleep, but every conversation ended the same way: they'd ask a few questions, seem interested, and then lose interest as soon as he mentioned he was a single parent.

It was exhausting. By the time Saturday rolled around, Fourth had all but given up on the idea of dating. The app stayed installed on his phone, but unopened. It wasn't like he had the time or energy for a relationship anyway, not with his job and raising Nan on his own.

Saturday was their shopping day, and Fourth found a small sense of peace in the routine. He and Nan always went to the same mall, visited the same stores, and picked up the same essentials. It was comfortable, predictable, and for once, his mind wasn't preoccupied with Gemini or dating apps or the mess of emotions he'd been trying to push down.

Nan skipped ahead of him as they entered the mall, her small hand gripping the edge of the cart with excitement. She always loved their shopping trips, especially when they ended with a treat from the ice cream section. Fourth smiled at her energy, pushing the cart through the aisles, scanning the shelves for what they needed.

As they made their way through the store, Fourth stopped to ask one of the store employees about a product. Nan, as always, took the opportunity to wander off, her eyes wide with curiosity as she explored the shelves around them.

"Nan, stay close," Fourth called over his shoulder as he finished speaking with the employee, but when he turned around, she was gone.

His heart dropped.

"Nan?" he called, moving quickly down the aisle, scanning for any sign of her. She wasn't far, he knew that much, but panic still clawed at him as he moved faster through the store.

He spotted her a few aisles over, standing near the ice cream section, talking to someone. Relief washed over him as he hurried toward her, but as he got closer, his breath caught in his throat.

The man she was talking to—he looked so familiar.

Fourth slowed his pace, his heart hammering in his chest. When he was just a few steps away, the man turned slightly, and Fourth's breath hitched. His mind raced, trying to process what he was seeing.

It was Pond.

Pond, his senior mentor from university. His first crush. His first love.

Fourth stood frozen for a moment, staring at the man who had once meant everything to him. Pond's tall, commanding presence hadn't changed—if anything, he seemed even more put together, more confident than Fourth remembered. He looked just as sharp in his designer clothes, his hair perfectly styled, his aura commanding the space around him.

"Fourth?" Pond's voice broke through his thoughts, and Fourth blinked, snapping out of his daze.

"Pond... hi," Fourth managed to say, his voice betraying the shock that still coursed through him.

Pond smiled, that familiar, heart-stopping smile that Fourth had once fallen so hard for. "It's been a long time."

Fourth nodded, his thoughts spinning. "Yeah. It has."

Nan tugged at his sleeve, her innocent eyes looking up at him. "Papa, this man was going to get me ice cream."

Fourth glanced down at his daughter, then back at Pond, feeling a strange mix of emotions wash over him. "Nan, this is Pond. He... we went to university together."

Pond chuckled softly. "It's nice to meet you, Nan." He knelt down to her level, his voice gentle as he smiled at her. "You've got a great dad."

Fourth's heart tightened at the compliment, and he shifted uncomfortably. There was so much unsaid between them, so many things left unresolved from their past. But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

"It's good to see you, Pond," Fourth said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I wasn't expecting to run into you here."

"Same here." Pond's eyes softened, a hint of nostalgia flickering in his gaze. "How have you been?"

Fourth hesitated. "Busy. You know how it is."

Before they could continue the conversation, Pond's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, frowning slightly. "I have to take this. Work call."

Fourth nodded, watching as Pond stepped away to answer his phone. The brief reprieve gave him a moment to gather himself, his heart still racing from the unexpected reunion.

Pond returned a moment later, his expression apologetic. "I have to go. Something came up."

Fourth's stomach twisted with disappointment, but he forced a smile. "Of course. It was really good to see you."

Pond nodded, his eyes lingering on Fourth for just a moment longer before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. "Here's my number. Let's catch up properly sometime."

Fourth took the card, feeling the weight of their history settle between them. "Yeah, I'd like that."

With a final nod, Pond turned and hurried out of the store, leaving Fourth standing there with Nan, the air feeling heavier than it had moments before.

Fourth glanced down at the card in his hand, Pond's name and number printed in neat, professional font. His heart was still racing, but now it wasn't just because of the shock. It was the flood of memories—memories he hadn't thought about in years.

"Papa, can we get ice cream now?" Nan's voice pulled him back to the present, her wide eyes filled with excitement.

Fourth smiled softly, tucking the card into his pocket. "Yeah, let's get ice cream."

They continued their shopping, but Fourth's mind remained on Pond, his first love now back in his life in the most unexpected way.

And for the first time in a long while, his thoughts weren't consumed by Gemini.