Ethan walked back into his room, still feeling angry after the conversation with his mother.
He closed the door behind him and sat down heavily on the chair near his desk.
Why is Mom so ungrateful to Mr. Mike and his family? he thought with frustration.
After the divorce, Mr. Mike's family had helped them many times. They had supported Ethan and his mother when things were difficult.
They helped us so much… and she still talks about them like that.
Ethan sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"But… I'm used to this behavior now," he murmured quietly.
The anger slowly turned into exhaustion.
He stood up and walked toward the window. His hand reached for it, about to open it.
But suddenly he stopped.
For a moment, he just stood there.
Then he slowly pulled his hand back and returned to his chair.
The room remained closed and silent.
The Next Morning
The next morning, Katrina was getting ready for university.
After finishing her breakfast, she walked outside and got into her car.
As soon as she sat down, her eyes automatically drifted toward the house across the street.
Ethan's house.
She waited for a moment… almost expecting to see him walk out.
But the door remained closed.
Soon the car started moving.
As they passed by the bus stop where Ethan usually waited, Katrina glanced there too.
He wasn't there either.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
When she arrived at the university, she walked into the classroom with Arice and Ella.
Her eyes kept drifting toward the classroom door.
She was waiting for someone to enter.
But instead, the professor walked in.
"Good morning, everyone," the professor said.
The lecture began.
Katrina sat quietly in her seat, trying to focus.
But her thoughts kept wandering.
What happened to him? she wondered.
Why didn't he come today?
Cafeteria
After the break, Katrina and her friends went to the cafeteria.
Arice sat down and suddenly said,
"Hey Katrina… did you notice something today?"
Katrina looked up.
"What?"
"Ethan didn't come to university today."
Ella nodded.
"That's actually really strange. I mean, he has never missed a class before."
Katrina stayed quiet for a moment.
Inside, she felt worried.
I hope everything is okay, she thought.
Arice shrugged.
"Maybe he's sick or something."
Ella agreed.
"Yeah, that could be it."
Katrina didn't say anything, but her mind kept thinking about him.
Arice suddenly looked at her carefully.
"Katrina… are you worried about him?"
Katrina immediately shook her head.
"No. It's nothing like that."
But deep inside… she knew she was.
Someone Watching
After lunch, Katrina was walking back toward the classroom with Arice and Ella.
From across the corridor, Eric was standing with his friends.
He was watching Katrina.
One of his friends nudged him.
"Hey Eric… why don't you go talk to her?"
Eric smirked slightly.
He was about to walk toward her.
But just then, Arice and Ella came closer to Katrina and began talking to her.
Eric stopped.
His friend frowned.
"What happened?"
Eric shrugged casually.
"Oh… nothing."
But his eyes were still following Katrina as she walked away.
After Classes
When the classes ended, Katrina left the university and returned home.
But even on the way back, her eyes kept searching around.
Almost as if she was hoping to see someone.
When she reached home and stepped out of the car, she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening nearby.
This time, she didn't immediately turn.
But then a voice reached her ears.
"I'm home."
Katrina froze for a moment.
She slowly turned her head.
It was Ethan.
But she could only see him from behind.
He was wearing black denim jeans and a plain white shirt.
His hair was slightly messy, as if he had just returned from a long day.
Katrina wanted to see his face.
But before she could get a better look, Ethan had already entered his house.
She stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door.
Then she quietly went inside her own house and walked up to her room.
She immediately stepped onto the balcony, hoping to see him again.
But Ethan's balcony door and window were both closed.
Katrina sighed softly.
After getting fresh, she sat down at her study table.
But her mind wasn't on her books.
I want to see him… but why? she wondered.
Every time I try… he isn't there.
Ethan's House
Inside his house, Ethan placed his bag down and called out,
"Mom, I'm home."
His mother replied softly from the kitchen.
"Welcome back."
Ethan took off his shoes and said,
"It was good to visit Mr. Mike. He's finally been discharged from the hospital."
He paused for a moment.
"They're going back to their village this afternoon."
His mother replied in a slightly annoyed tone,
"So just because of them, you didn't go to university today?"
Ethan looked at her.
"Yes," he said calmly. "Because I knew they were leaving today."
His mother didn't respond.
Instead, she turned around and went back into the kitchen with visible frustration.
Ethan watched her for a moment before silently going upstairs to his room.
His mother had always been strict about his studies.
She never liked him focusing on anything else—not even his hobbies.
Ethan entered his room and sat down at his desk.
He opened his books and tried to study.
But something felt missing.
Someone.
For a moment, Katrina's face appeared in his mind.
But he quickly pushed the thought away.
She will never look at me that way, he reminded himself.
So he forced himself to focus on his studies.
And slowly… he started keeping his distance from her.
Even if it hurt.