The next morning at the university, Katrina was walking toward her classroom.
The corridor was busy with students moving from one class to another.
As she turned the corner, she suddenly saw Ethan walking toward her.
He passed right beside her.
For a moment, Katrina slowed down and watched him walk past.
Should I talk to him? she wondered.
But then she quickly shook her head.
No… maybe that's a bad idea.
Both of them quietly walked into the classroom and took their seats.
The lecture soon began.
Katrina tried to focus on the professor's words, but her attention kept drifting toward Ethan.
From time to time, she glanced at him.
Ethan, however, seemed completely focused on his notebook, writing and listening carefully.
After Class
When the lecture ended, students began leaving the classroom.
Katrina decided to go to the library to study.
She was walking through the hallway when she noticed Ethan walking ahead of her toward the same direction.
He was also going to the library.
Katrina hesitated for a moment.
Then suddenly she spoke.
"Ethan!"
Ethan stopped walking and turned around.
He looked surprised to see her standing there.
He hesitated slightly before asking,
"Did you call me?"
Katrina felt a little nervous.
"Yes… hi."
Ethan looked a bit shy.
"Hi."
Katrina took a small breath.
"I just wanted to… thank you again for saving me yesterday."
Ethan looked embarrassed and scratched the back of his head.
"Please… it's okay."
Then he quickly added,
"You really don't have to thank me."
Both of them started walking toward the library together.
After a moment, Ethan spoke again.
"By the way… I'm sorry for shouting at you yesterday. I was just really shocked."
Katrina turned her head toward him and smiled slightly.
"Oh, it's okay."
Soon they reached the library.
Inside, they quietly walked toward different bookshelves.
Katrina started looking for a book she needed.
Meanwhile, Ethan occasionally glanced at her from across the room.
Katrina sighed softly.
Oh no… what was wrong with me? she thought.
That was so embarrassing.
She finally sat down at a table and opened her book to study.
Just then, someone slid the chair next to her.
Katrina looked up.
It was Ethan.
"Can I join you?" he asked politely.
Katrina felt slightly shy but nodded.
"Yes… please."
They both started studying quietly.
A few minutes later, the library door opened.
Ella and Arice entered while looking around.
They were searching for Katrina.
Then they spotted her.
"Hey! Hi Katrina!" they said happily.
But the moment they noticed Ethan sitting beside her, both of them froze.
Their expressions slowly changed into mischievous smiles.
Ella quickly said,
"Oh yes… I remember we have the same assignment."
Arice looked like she wanted to say something.
"Katrina, I was—"
Before she could finish, Ella quickly covered her mouth and pulled her toward another table.
Katrina looked embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry," she said quietly to Ethan. "They're just like that."
Ethan chuckled softly.
"It's okay. I actually know them."
Katrina looked surprised.
"You do?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yeah. I've known them since high school."
Katrina smiled.
"Wow… that's great. They're actually my childhood friends."
Ethan smiled back.
"That's amazing."
Katrina nodded shyly.
"Yeah."
Just then, Ethan noticed something from the corner of his eye.
Eric and his friends had entered the library.
Ethan immediately stood up.
"I think I should leave now," he said quickly.
Katrina looked confused.
"Oh… okay. Bye."
Ethan nodded and walked away before Eric or his friends could notice him sitting with Katrina.
Cafeteria
Later, Katrina went to the cafeteria.
She saw Ella and Arice sitting together at a table.
Katrina slowly walked over and quietly sat beside them.
Ella immediately smiled.
"Well, look who's here."
Arice leaned forward with excitement shining in her eyes.
"So… how was your date?"
Katrina's eyes widened.
"Arice! Are you kidding me? We were just talking."
Ella laughed.
"Ohhh… just talking."
Katrina looked shy and slightly embarrassed.
Ella continued teasing her.
"So what were you guys talking about?"
Katrina shrugged.
"Nothing special."
Arice sighed dramatically.
"That's so boring."
Then she smiled warmly.
"But I'm still happy for you."
After finishing their lunch, the three girls returned to their classes.
After University
When the classes ended, Katrina, Ella, and Arice walked toward the exit together.
Near the entrance, Eric was standing with his friends.
He was talking casually.
But when he saw the three girls approaching, he suddenly changed direction and walked another way.
They passed by him.
Arice whispered,
"Did you see that? Eric was there."
Ella nodded.
"Yeah, I noticed."
Katrina looked curious.
"What's with him?"
Ella shrugged.
"Oh… nothing special."
But Katrina still felt curious.
That Evening
Later that day, Katrina returned home.
Inside her room, she sat on the corner of her bed.
She hugged a pillow and smiled slightly.
"I can't believe I actually talked to him today," she whispered to herself.
At the same time, in his own room across the street, Ethan was sitting at his desk.
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
"She talked to me," he said softly.
And for the rest of the evening…
both of them couldn't stop thinking about that small conversation.