Evening—
After their walk, Katrina and Ethan slowly headed back toward their homes.
Neither of them said much.
But the silence wasn't the same anymore.
It wasn't peaceful—
It was uncertain.
At the gate—
"Bye…" Katrina said softly.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah… bye."
For a moment, both stood there.
As if neither wanted to leave—
But neither knew what to say either.
Katrina turned and walked inside.
Ethan stood there for a second longer—
Then headed to his house.
Ethan's Room
He dropped his bag and sat on his bed.
Thinking.
Ethan (thinking):
Maybe… I was overthinking everything.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Then slowly—
A different thought crossed his mind.
Ethan (thinking):
I shouldn't ignore Katrina…
And now…
I think I can actually suit her.
He stood up and looked at himself in the mirror.
His clothes.
His posture.
His confidence.
Ethan (thinking):
I'm not that boring guy anymore.
I'm… different now.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Ethan (thinking):
Everyone will be shocked when they find out I'm dating her.
There was pride in that thought.
A quiet… growing pride.
Katrina's House
Katrina sat on her bed after dinner.
She felt… lighter.
Better than before.
Katrina (thinking):
Maybe I was just overthinking…
But still—
Something didn't feel the same.
Something small…
But noticeable.
She sighed softly.
Katrina (thinking):
It's okay… I'm with him.
That's enough.
Just then—
Her phone rang.
Ethan.
Her face lit up instantly.
"Hii…"
Ethan's voice came from the other side.
"Hey… what are you doing?"
They talked.
Simple things.
Light
Nothing deep.
But Katrina smiled.
Because at least—
He called.
Next Day
At the University
Katrina walked toward her class.
Calm.
Normal.
Trying not to think too much.
Suddenly—
"Hey… hi, Katrina."
She stopped.
Turned.
Eric.
Katrina felt slightly uncomfortable.
But still—
"Hii…"
Eric smiled.
Confident.
Too confident.
"By the way, my name is Eric… I hope you remember."
Katrina nodded politely.
"Yes… I remember."
Eric's eyes scanned her—
From head to toe.
Her clothes.
Her bag.
Her presence.
Everything about her reflected wealth.
Eric (thinking):
Of course…
He smiled again.
"Nice to meet you."
Katrina didn't respond much.
She started walking toward her class.
Eric followed a step behind.
"By the way… I'm Ethan's friend."
Katrina paused slightly.
"Oh… that's good."
Her tone was neutral.
Careful.
Because she didn't want anyone to know about her relationship with Ethan.
Eric noticed that.
And smirked.
He stepped closer.
Loud enough for others nearby to hear—
"By the way… Ethan told me you're dating him."
Katrina stopped.
Her eyes widened.
Katrina (thinking):
What…?
How can he say that…?
She slowly turned toward Eric.
"He… told you that?"
Eric hesitated for a second.
But then nodded.
"Yeah… he did."
That was enough.
Katrina didn't say anything more.
She just turned—
And walked into the classroom.
Her mind was racing.
Katrina (thinking):
Why would Ethan tell him…?
We agreed to keep it private…
She sat down.
Quiet.
Lost.
Confused.
A few minutes later—
Ethan walked in.
Different.
Lighter.
Almost… happy.
Katrina looked at him.
Her eyes filled with questions.
Katrina (thinking):
I need to ask him.
But before she could—
The class began.
After Class
Students started leaving.
Ethan walked toward Eric and his group.
Laughing lightly.
Relaxed.
Katrina stood at a distance.
Watching.
Waiting for a moment to talk.
As Ethan approached—
Eric smirked.
And spoke loudly—
"So guys… guess what?"
Everyone looked at him.
Eric continued—
"Katrina was asking for my number today."
Silence.
Ethan stopped.
His expression froze.
Ethan (thinking):
What…?
Jackson laughed.
"Seriously?"
Eric shrugged casually.
"Yeah… seems like she's interested."
A few boys laughed.
Some exchanged looks.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
Something inside him—
Shifted.
He knew—
It wasn't true.
But still—
Hearing it like that…
In front of everyone…
It didn't feel right.