The laughter didn't stop.
It echoed around Ethan like noise he couldn't escape.
Ethan stood there, his hands slowly tightening into fists.
He knew the truth.
Every word Eric said—
Was a lie.
Ethan (thinking):
He's lying…
I know he's lying…
But then—
Another thought hit him harder.
Ethan (thinking):
Even if I tell them the truth…
Even if I say I'm dating her…
No one will believe me.
That thought—
Hurt more than the lie.
Eric looked at him, a smirk spreading across his face.
"Come on, guys," Eric said loudly,
"Do you really think a girl like Katrina would ask me for my number… and not even look at Ethan?"
Laughter broke out again.
Jackson shook his head, grinning.
"You're right, man."
Eric leaned back casually, crossing his arms.
"No matter how hard you try, Ethan… she will never see you that way."
Something inside Ethan snapped.
For a second—
It felt like everything went silent.
But then—
Instead of defending himself…
Instead of telling the truth—
He said something else.
"I'm not interested in her anyway."
The words came out cold.
Flat.
Eric raised his eyebrows, amused.
"Really? Are you kidding me?"
He stepped closer.
"You're the one saying that?"
He laughed again.
"Look at her—she's beautiful, wealthy, popular… and you think you have the right to say you're not interested?"
Ethan didn't reply.
Because deep inside—
Those words were already hurting him.
Without saying anything else—
He turned and walked away.
University Garden
Ethan stood alone.
Far from everyone.
He closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Ethan (thinking):
No matter what I do…
No matter how much I change…
I can never be someone who can stand next to her.
His chest felt heavy.
Ethan (thinking):
This is all so stupid…
His phone rang.
Katrina.
He looked at the screen.
But didn't pick up.
The ringing stopped.
A few moments later—
He called her back.
"Hii…"
Katrina's voice came quickly.
"Ethan… where are you?"
"I'm… busy," he replied shortly.
Katrina hesitated.
"I need to ask you something."
"Can we talk later?" he said.
"I'm a little busy."
A pause.
"Okay…"
The call ended.
Katrina looked at her phone.
Her expression slowly fading.
Katrina (thinking):
I just wanted to ask him…
If he really told Eric about us…
Cafeteria
Katrina sat with Ella and Arice.
Her food untouched.
Ella noticed immediately.
"What happened again?"
Katrina shook her head slightly.
"Nothing…"
Arice sighed dramatically, still eating.
"God… love is so complicated."
She continued with her mouth half full—
"Everything becomes so hard. You were better when you were single."
Katrina looked at her.
"It's not like that…"
Ella leaned closer.
"Something happened, right?"
Katrina nodded slowly.
"That guy… Eric…"
Both looked at her.
"He was asking me about me and Ethan… like we're together."
Ella frowned.
"That guy… he's been weird since high school."
Katrina sighed.
"Yeah… he is."
Ella crossed her arms.
"But why would Ethan tell someone like him?"
Katrina looked down.
"I was thinking the same thing…"
Arice finally swallowed her food.
"First of all—eat properly," Ella snapped at her.
Arice rolled her eyes, then said—
"Why don't you want people to know about your relationship?"
Katrina paused.
"Actually… I don't mind."
Arice shrugged.
"Then just date him publicly."
Katrina blinked slightly.
"…Yeah."
For a moment—
That idea felt simple.
University Garden
Ethan sat on a bench.
Lost.
His thoughts kept repeating.
Laughter.
Words.
Comparisons.
He took his phone out.
And called someone.
Jessica.
"Hii…"
"Hi, Ethan," Jessica replied warmly.
"How are you?"
"I'm good…" he said.
Then paused.
"I want to ask you something."
"Yeah, tell me."
Ethan hesitated.
Then said quietly—
"Do you think… I'm not enough for Katrina?"
Jessica paused for a moment.
Then replied carefully—
"No… you're good…"
A small pause.
"But she's… too famous."
Ethan looked down.
"Yeah… you're right."
He forced a small laugh.
"Oh, and… I forgot to tell you…"
Jessica's grip on her phone tightened slightly.
"I told her that I like her."
Jessica's eyes widened.
"What… really?"
"And…" Ethan continued softly,
"She said she likes me too."
Silence.
Jessica's expression changed.
Shock.
Then something darker.
Jessica (thinking):
How…?
How can she like someone like him?
But her voice—
Stayed sweet.
"Oh… I'm so happy for you."
Ethan smiled faintly.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"Do you think… if I tell people… they'll believe me?"
Jessica paused again.
Then said—
"…Honestly? No."
That was enough.
Ethan's heart sank.
Jessica (thinking):
I can't let this happen…
He's too important… too useful…
She smiled faintly to herself.
Jessica (thinking):
I won't lose this chance.
Back in the garden—
Ethan stared ahead.
Silent.
For the first time—
Even the truth…
Didn't feel strong enough.
And slowly—
Between lies, pride, and doubt—
Something real…
Was starting to break.