Ethan entered the university with a lightness in his steps. His eyes instinctively searched for Katrina.
He spotted her near the entrance, standing with her friends, laughing softly. He wanted to go and talk to her… but seeing her surrounded, he hesitated.
Still, just seeing her was enough to make him smile.
As he walked toward the classroom, his thoughts drifted.
Ethan (thinking):
Sometimes it feels so unreal… the girl I loved and waited for is actually talking to me now… and I even have her number.
A small, disbelieving smile stayed on his face.
When he entered the class, he saw Katrina again. She was talking with her friends, completely unaware of him for a moment.
Then he heard a familiar voice.
Arice: "Look, Katrina… he's here."
Katrina glanced up briefly.
Ethan smiled softly and walked to his seat, trying to act normal.
Soon, the professor entered, and the class began.
After the class ended, Katrina and her friends went to the university garden.
The soft breeze made the atmosphere calm and peaceful.
Arice noticed something immediately.
Arice: "By the way, Katrina… I really like your bow clip."
Katrina touched it shyly, a small smile forming.
Katrina: "Oh… thank you. Actually… Ethan gifted me this."
Ella's eyes widened.
Ella: "Oh my God, that's so cute! And it's really pretty."
Arice (grinning): "That's so sweet of him. I didn't expect him to be this kind of person."
Katrina looked down, her voice soft.
Katrina: "Yeah… to be honest, he's really kind and sweet."
Ella exchanged a look with Arice, then asked carefully—
Ella: "Hey… by the way, Katrina… do you like him?"
Katrina froze.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her bag.
Katrina (hesitating): "I mean… he is kind and sweet…"
Arice leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
Arice: "So… you like him? Really?"
Katrina lowered her gaze.
After a moment… she nodded softly.
Both Ella and Arice went silent in shock.
Ella: "Wait… really?"
Arice (dramatically): "Oh wow… I mean, I'm happy for you—but you deserve someone more handsome."
Ella: "Arice! Are you serious?"
Arice laughed.
Arice: "Maybe… or maybe not."
Ella shook her head.
Ella: "You're impossible."
But Katrina wasn't listening anymore.
Her eyes were searching the surroundings… as if looking for someone.
At the cafeteria, Ethan was sitting with his friends.
Eric leaned back casually.
Eric: "Hey, are you free this evening? Let's go watch a movie."
Friend 1: "Yeah, sounds good."
Ethan shook his head slightly.
Ethan: "Sorry, guys. I can't come. I have to go somewhere."
Eric raised an eyebrow.
Eric: "Where?"
Ethan: "To meet Jessica."
Eric nodded.
Eric: "Oh… they're still here? How's her father?"
Ethan: "He's better now… but still on bed rest."
Another friend spoke up.
Friend 2: "You guys seem really close."
Eric replied casually.
Eric: "They're from the same place."
Friend 2: "Oh, I see."
Ethan stayed quiet after that.
After classes ended, Ethan returned home. His mother wasn't there.
He went to his room and opened his drawer.
He took out Jessica's wallet.
Then his hand paused.
Inside the drawer was another bow clip—an orange one.
Ethan picked it up, staring at it for a moment.
Ethan (softly): "Oh… right. I bought one for Jessica too."
He smiled faintly.
Ethan: "I think she'll like it."
Without overthinking, he got ready and left for the hospital.
On the bus, his phone rang.
Jessica.
Ethan: "Hi, Jessica."
Jessica: "Hey, when are you coming?"
Ethan: "I'm on my way."
Jessica: "Okay."
They ended the call.
At the same time, Katrina was trying to call him.
But—
"The number you are trying to reach is currently busy."
She lowered her phone slowly.
A few minutes later, Ethan noticed the missed call.
He immediately called back.
Katrina picked up.
Katrina: "Hi, Ethan."
Ethan: "Sorry, I was talking to Jessica."
The moment she heard that name… something inside her shifted again.
Katrina: "I see… you're going to return the wallet, right?"
Ethan: "Yeah. And… I'm good. How are you?"
Katrina: "I'm good too."
The bus slowed down.
Ethan: "Okay, Katrina… my stop is here. I'll talk to you later. Bye, take care."
Katrina: "Oh… okay. Bye… take care."
The call ended.
Katrina stared at her phone for a few seconds.
A strange feeling settled in her chest—uneasy… confusing.
Katrina (thinking):
Why do I feel like this…? He's just going to return a wallet…
She looked away, trying to calm herself.
He never said he likes me…
That was just what my friends said… not something real…
She let out a soft breath.
But no matter how much she tried to ignore it…
That uneasy feeling didn't go away.