The class was going on, but Katrina's mind was somewhere else.
Her eyes were on her notebook, but she wasn't reading a single word.
All she could think about… was Ethan.
And Jessica.
Katrina (thinking):
That's it… I can't do this anymore.
I have to stop thinking like this… it's not right.
She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the lecture.
She wrote a few lines… then stopped again.
Her thoughts kept drifting back.
No matter how hard she tried—she couldn't ignore it.
After the break started, Katrina and her friends headed to the cafeteria.
They sat down together.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Arice broke the silence—
Arice: "So… she was just his childhood friend?"
Katrina nodded slightly.
Katrina: "Yes…"
But her voice lacked energy.
Ella noticed it immediately.
She looked thoughtful but didn't say anything at first.
Ella (thinking):
But why would he be so comfortable with another girl… if he really likes Katrina?
Maybe… I'm just overthinking…
Katrina stared at her drink, lost.
Arice leaned closer.
Arice: "Hey… Katrina, is everything okay? You look off."
Katrina stayed silent.
After a moment—
Katrina: "I'm just… tired."
Ella looked at her carefully.
Then she spoke softly—
Ella: "Be honest, Katrina… you don't feel comfortable about Ethan and that girl's friendship, right?"
Katrina looked up at her.
Arice turned as well, confused.
Arice: "What do you mean?"
Ella explained calmly—
Ella: "I mean… they looked very comfortable with each other. And you don't like it… do you?"
There was a pause.
Katrina hesitated.
Then slowly…
She nodded.
Katrina: "Yes… I'm confused."
Her voice was quiet.
Katrina: "I mean… I know he's doing it for a good reason… but that doesn't make me feel comfortable."
Ella gave a small, understanding nod.
Ella: "It's okay, Katrina. You're not wrong for feeling this way."
Katrina looked at her, surprised.
Katrina: "Really…? But I feel guilty."
She looked down again.
Katrina:
I don't even have the right to think like this…
He never said he likes me…
Arice crossed her arms.
Arice: "Then why don't you just tell him?"
Katrina immediately shook her head.
Katrina: "How am I supposed to ask him that? What will he think about me?"
Ella spoke gently—
Ella: "Listen… you need time. Don't rush yourself."
Katrina took a breath… then nodded.
Katrina: "Okay…"
After that, they went to the university garden.
The weather was calm, and students were scattered around, enjoying the day.
The three of them were walking together when—
Ethan: "Hi, Katrina."
Katrina turned.
Katrina: "Oh… hi."
Ella and Arice exchanged a look, about to leave them alone.
But Ethan quickly added—
Ethan: "No, no… you guys don't have to go. I'm just here to ask Katrina something."
Then he looked at them politely.
Ethan: "By the way, hi. I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you both. I've seen you since high school."
Ella and Arice smiled.
Ella & Arice: "Oh, hi! Nice to meet you too."
Ethan turned back to Katrina.
There was a small pause.
Then—
Ethan: "Katrina… if you're free this evening… would you like to go for coffee?"
Katrina blinked, surprised.
For a moment, she forgot everything else.
Katrina: "Oh… yes."
Ethan smiled softly.
Ethan: "Okay then. See you."
He turned and walked away.
Ethan: "Bye, Katrina."
Ella and Arice immediately reacted once he left—
Arice: "See? He's such a nice guy."
Ella: "Yeah… I think we were overthinking."
Katrina didn't respond.
She just watched Ethan walk away.
Something inside her still felt… unsettled.
After the university ended, students began heading home.
Katrina was walking toward the exit.
But suddenly—
Her steps slowed.
At the entrance…
She saw Ethan again.
And he wasn't alone.
Jessica was standing with him.
They were talking… smiling… comfortable.
Katrina stopped for a second.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Without saying anything, she quietly started walking away.
Then—
A voice reached her ears.
Ethan: "Hey, Katrina!"
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
Jessica was looking at her too.
Katrina walked toward them, maintaining a calm expression.
Katrina: "Oh… hi, Ethan."
Ethan smiled warmly.
Ethan: "Katrina, meet Jessica. Jessica, meet Katrina."
Jessica looked at Katrina carefully.
From head to toe.
Her clothes… her style… everything about her spoke of wealth and elegance.
Something inside Jessica shifted.
A slight bitterness.
But she hid it behind a polite smile.
Jessica: "Hi… nice to meet you."
Katrina smiled awkwardly.
Katrina: "Yes… nice to meet you too."
The moment felt… strange.
Uncomfortable.
Even though nothing was wrong.
And yet—
Katrina could still feel it.
That same uneasiness.
Still there.
Still growing.