The next morning, Ethan was sitting at the dining table, having breakfast.
A small smile kept appearing on his face without him even realizing it.
His mother noticed immediately.
"Dear, what are you smiling about?" she asked gently, her face bright with curiosity.
Ethan quickly looked up.
"Oh… nothing, Mom."
But his mother could tell.
After a long time, she was seeing her son genuinely happy.
And that made her smile too.
On the Way to University
Ethan left for the university.
As he walked down the street, he saw Katrina coming from the opposite side.
For a brief moment, both of them slowed down.
Katrina gave a soft nod as a greeting.
Ethan returned it shyly.
Without saying anything, both of them continued walking toward the university together, maintaining a quiet but comfortable distance.
At the University Entrance
Katrina reached the university first.
She stood near the entrance, pretending to check her phone.
But in reality… she was waiting.
For Ethan.
After a moment, Ella walked up to her.
"Good morning, Katrina! Let's go to class."
Katrina's eyes were still on the entrance.
Ella noticed immediately and smiled knowingly.
"Oh… I see. You're waiting for Ethan, right?"
Katrina looked embarrassed.
"Mmm… yes."
Ella laughed softly.
"Alright then, I'll leave you alone. See you in class."
Ella walked away.
A few seconds later, Ethan entered through the gate.
Katrina quickly pretended she wasn't waiting.
Ethan noticed her standing there.
He hesitated for a moment.
Should I greet her?
Then, gathering a little courage, he spoke.
"Good morning…"
"Good morning, Ethan," Katrina replied instantly.
Ethan froze slightly.
"How do you know my name?" he asked, surprised. "I never introduced myself."
Katrina's eyes widened.
Oh no…
She quickly tried to think of something.
"Oh… actually, I heard your name when your mother called you," she said.
Ethan nodded.
"Oh… I see."
Katrina sighed in relief.
Then she smiled.
"By the way, I never introduced myself properly. My name is Katrina. Nice to meet you."
Ethan smiled back.
"I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you too."
Both of them started walking toward the classroom together.
Inside the University
From a distance, Arice saw them walking together.
Her reaction was so obvious that anyone could notice.
She widened her eyes dramatically and gave Katrina a big thumbs-up.
Katrina immediately looked away, slightly embarrassed.
Everyone took their seats, and the class began.
After Class
When the lecture ended, Ella and Arice quickly came toward Katrina.
"Hi Katrina," Ella said with a teasing smile. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Katrina replied, trying to act normal.
Ella grinned.
"I'm really happy for you."
Arice added playfully,
"You both look good together. Yeah, he's a little quiet… but he's actually kind of good-looking."
Katrina blushed slightly.
"Stop it, you two. Let's go eat."
Cafeteria
The three girls went to the cafeteria.
Ethan was already there with his friends.
But this time, he didn't look at Katrina even once.
Katrina noticed.
She quietly sat down with her friends and started eating.
Ella said thoughtfully,
"He's quite different when he's with his friends."
Arice nodded.
"Yeah."
Katrina stayed silent, occasionally glancing toward Ethan.
In the Garden
Later, Katrina was walking in the garden with Ella and Arice.
Suddenly, Arice noticed Ethan approaching from the other side.
Ella quickly grabbed Arice's hand.
"Let's go," she whispered.
"Wait—what?" Arice said.
Ella pulled her away.
"Ethan is coming to talk to Katrina!"
"Bye, Katrina!" both of them said quickly before leaving.
Katrina looked confused.
"Wait… what happened?"
Just then, a voice came from behind.
"Can I join you?"
Katrina turned around.
It was Ethan.
"Oh… yes, please," she said.
Now it was just the two of them walking together.
There was a quiet silence between them, while the rest of the campus buzzed with chatter.
Ethan felt nervous.
Should I ask her?
After a moment, he gathered courage.
"Katrina… I was wondering… are you free this evening?"
Katrina's eyes widened slightly.
"Ah… yes, I am," she replied shyly.
"When?" she asked.
"7 PM," Ethan said.
Katrina nodded.
"Okay."
Then she added, a little hesitantly,
"By the way… can I have your number?"
Ethan smiled.
"Of course."
They exchanged their numbers.
Evening Plans
After classes ended, both of them returned home.
Katrina walked into her room, her heart filled with excitement.
She couldn't stop smiling.
Later that evening, after finishing her studies, she got up from her desk.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was Ella.
"Hi Katrina! Arice and I are planning to watch a movie tonight. Do you want to come?"
Katrina hesitated.
"Actually… Ella… I have to go out somewhere this evening."
Ella paused.
"Where?"
Katrina took a small breath.
"With… Ethan."
Ella gasped excitedly.
"Oh my God! That's great! Don't worry about us, we'll go by ourselves."
After the call ended, Katrina stood in front of the mirror.
She got ready carefully, choosing a beautiful outfit.
Her heart was beating fast.
For the first time…
she was going out with Ethan.
The Evening
Katrina stepped out of her house.
The sky was turning darker as evening settled in.
She walked toward the nearby park and took out her phone.
Then she called Ethan.