The next morning felt strangely heavy for Katrina.
She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair—but her mind was somewhere else.
Katrina (thinking):
Why am I still thinking about last night…?
He was just happy… there's nothing wrong with that… right?
She tried to brush it off.
But the feeling stayed.
At the University
The campus was lively as always—students walking, laughing, talking—but Katrina felt distant from it all.
She entered the classroom.
Ethan was already there.
For a moment, her eyes stopped on him.
He looked normal.
Calm.
Focused.
As if nothing had changed.
Ethan noticed her and smiled.
"Good morning, Katrina."
Katrina forced a small smile. "Good morning."
She sat down.
But something between them felt… different.
Subtle—but real.
During Class
Katrina tried to focus on the lecture.
But her mind kept drifting.
Every time Ethan's phone buzzed, he would glance at it.
Once—
He smiled.
Just slightly.
But Katrina noticed.
Katrina (thinking):
Is that… Jessica?
She quickly looked away.
Why am I even thinking about this…
Break Time
Katrina stepped out into the corridor.
She needed air.
Moments later, Ethan walked up to her.
"Hey."
She turned. "Hmm?"
"Are you okay? You seemed a bit quiet."
"I'm fine," she replied quickly.
Ethan nodded. "Oh… okay."
There was a short silence.
Then Ethan spoke again, casually—
"By the way, Katrina… how was your evening yesterday?"
Katrina hesitated for a second.
"It was fine."
She didn't mention Hayden.
To her, that evening didn't feel important enough to share.
Ethan nodded. "That's good."
Then he added—
"So… are you free this evening?"
Katrina was free.
But something inside her felt uneasy.
Still, she replied softly, "Yes."
Ethan smiled. "Can you come to the same café this evening?"
For a moment, Katrina's thoughts turned bitter.
Katrina (thinking):
Even if I don't come… will it even matter to you?
But she still said—
"Yes… I'll come."
Ethan's smile widened. "Okay. I'll be waiting."
Cafeteria Scene
Katrina walked into the cafeteria where Ella and Arice were already waiting.
"Hey, Katrina!" they greeted.
"How are you?"
Katrina sat down quietly.
Her face looked distant.
Ella immediately noticed.
Arice leaned closer. "Katrina… what happened? You don't look okay."
Katrina shook her head. "It's nothing."
Ella watched her carefully.
After a moment, she spoke softly—
"You're thinking about that girl… Jessica, right?"
Katrina froze.
Her expression changed.
Slowly, she lowered her gaze.
Arice looked between them, confused.
Katrina finally spoke, her voice low.
"Yes…"
Ella nodded. "I knew it. You've looked tired and lost these past few days. Tell us what's going on."
Katrina took a deep breath.
"The thing is… he always talks about Jessica. And I know he doesn't like her like that… but still… it makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't know why… but it hurts."
Arice frowned slightly.
"To be honest, that's not good. No matter the reason, you don't keep talking about another girl in front of someone you like."
Katrina shook her head quickly.
"No, Arice… he never said he likes me or anything."
Ella added gently, "Katrina… maybe he didn't say it, but everything about him shows that he likes you."
Katrina sighed deeply.
"This is so complicated…"
Ella placed her hand on Katrina's arm.
"Don't overthink too much. Maybe she's just a friend."
Katrina nodded.
"Okay… I'll try not to think about it."
But even as she said it—
The feeling didn't go away.
Meanwhile – In the Garden
Ethan stood in the university garden, talking on the phone.
"By the way, Jessica… I forgot to tell you something."
"What?" Jessica asked.
"I'm thinking of telling Katrina how I feel today."
Jessica went silent for a moment.
Her expression changed.
"Don't you think it's too early?" she asked carefully.
Ethan shook his head. "No… it's not. I've loved her for two years. And I think… she likes me too."
Jessica's grip on her phone tightened.
"What…?"
Before she could say anything more—
A voice came from behind.
"Ethan…"
Ethan turned around, startled.
"Katrina…? You're here?"
Katrina stood there quietly.
"I wanted to tell you something… are you busy?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, not at all. I was just talking to Jessica. You can say."
That name—
Again.
Katrina felt it.
A small sting in her chest.
But she ignored it.
Because right now—
Something else felt more important.
She looked at Ethan.
There was hesitation in her eyes.
Confusion.