Ethan reached home, a quiet smile still lingering on his face after the evening he had spent with Katrina. For once, everything felt light… peaceful.
Ethan: "I'm home."
Ethan's mother looked up from the kitchen.
Mother: "Welcome home, honey."
Ethan nodded and stepped inside, but soon his eyes began searching around the living room.
Mother: "What are you looking for?"
Ethan: "Actually… Jessica forgot her wallet."
At the mention of Jessica, his mother's expression changed instantly—her face tightening with clear irritation.
Ethan finally spotted the wallet resting on the couch. He picked it up.
Mother (coldly): "What's wrong with them? Always finding a reason to come here."
Ethan's expression darkened.
Ethan: "Mom… how can you be so rude to them? They've helped us so much."
Mother: "Don't tell me what to do. And yes, I've already returned all the money."
Ethan: "It's not always about money!"
Mother (firmly): "It is about money. This world works like that. If you don't have money, nobody cares about you. Remember that."
Ethan clenched his jaw, frustration rising inside him.
Ethan: "Enough. I'm so tired of this."
His mother stayed silent this time, but the tension in the air remained heavy.
Without another word, Ethan walked to his room. He placed Jessica's wallet and the small paper bag Katrina had given him on his study table. Then he lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling—his earlier happiness now mixed with exhaustion.
Across the street, in her own room, Katrina sat quietly on the edge of her bed.
She was happy… but something still didn't feel right.
Katrina (thinking):
Why do I keep thinking about that? I need to stop… she's just his friend.
Her eyes drifted toward the small paper bag on her table.
After a moment, she stood up and walked over to it.
Slowly, she opened it.
Inside was a beautiful blue bow clip, simple yet elegant.
Katrina's eyes softened as a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
Katrina (whispering): "It's beautiful…"
Without thinking twice, she picked up her phone and called Ethan.
Ethan was still lying on his bed, lost in his thoughts, when his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Katrina.
Instantly, his face lit up.
Ethan: "Hi, Katrina."
Katrina: "Hi… I just saw your gift. It's so beautiful. I really love it."
Ethan smiled softly, his mood lifting.
Ethan: "I'm glad you liked it."
Katrina: "I really do. And… did you see my gift?"
Ethan's eyes shifted to the paper bag on his table. He hadn't opened it yet.
Ethan: "Not yet… but I will."
Katrina: "Oh, that's okay. And… thank you again."
Ethan: "You don't have to thank me. I'm just happy you liked it."
After a few more soft words, the call ended.
Ethan sat up and reached for the bag.
Curious now, he opened it.
Inside was a pair of stylish men's bracelets in black and brown—simple, cool, and perfectly his style.
But there was something else.
A pen.
Ethan paused, holding it in his hand.
Ethan (softly): "She didn't have to do all this…"
Yet, a small smile formed on his lips.
For the first time that evening, he felt… genuinely happy again.
Next Morning
Katrina stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her hair.
Then she gently clipped the blue bow into place.
She smiled at her reflection—simple, but beautiful.
Soon, she stepped out and got into her car, heading toward the university.
At the university entrance, students filled the campus with chatter and energy.
Ethan arrived shortly after.
As he walked in, his eyes wandered—until they stopped.
Katrina.
She had just stepped out of her car, greeting her friends with a soft smile.
And there it was.
The blue bow clip.
From a distance, Ethan noticed it immediately.
He froze for a second, then subconsciously ran a hand through his hair, a shy smile forming on his face.
Ethan (thinking):
She's wearing it…
A quiet happiness settled in his heart—something small, yet deeply meaningful.
And without realizing it…
Both of them had started to care a little more than they were ready to admit.