The next morning felt light and warm for Katrina.
Katrina woke up without confusion, without heaviness.
A soft smile rested on her lips as she looked at her reflection.
Katrina (thinking):
Everything feels… right now.
She gently touched her hair, adjusting the blue bow clip Ethan had given her.
It wasn't just a gift anymore—it felt like something more.
Something meaningful.
She got ready and left for the university, her heart calm and happy.
At the University
The campus was filled with its usual noise—students laughing, walking, rushing to classes.
Katrina stepped inside, her eyes unconsciously searching for Ethan.
And then—
She saw him.
Standing near the corridor.
For a brief moment, her face brightened.
She walked toward him.
"Good morning, Ethan."
Ethan looked at her.
"Yeah… good morning."
His voice was normal.
But not warm.
Not like yesterday.
Katrina paused slightly.
Katrina (thinking):
Did something happen…?
But she quickly brushed it off.
Maybe I'm just overthinking again.
They walked toward the classroom together—but there was a strange silence between them.
Something subtle had changed.
During Class
Ethan sat quietly, staring at his notebook.
But he wasn't really studying.
His thoughts kept drifting back to one moment.
Katrina… talking to Eric.
The way Eric had smiled.
The way everyone at the table had reacted.
Ethan (thinking):
Why was she talking to him…?
They didn't even know each other before…
His grip on the pen tightened slightly.
And then another thought came—
She didn't even tell me about it.
Something inside him didn't sit right.
On the other hand—
Katrina was completely different.
She tried to focus, but her mind kept replaying that night when he proposed her.
His words.
His confession.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
Katrina (thinking):
I still can't believe it…
For her, everything felt clear now.
No doubts.
No confusion.
Only happiness.
Break Time
Katrina stepped outside, hoping to spend some time with Ethan.
She saw him standing alone near the garden.
She walked toward him, a soft smile on her face.
"Ethan…"
He turned.
"Yes?"
Katrina paused for a moment.
Something in his tone felt distant again.
Still, she continued—
"Are you okay? You seem… quiet today."
Ethan shrugged slightly.
"I'm fine."
A short answer.
Too short.
Katrina felt it.
That small distance again.
Katrina (thinking):
Why does it feel like he's avoiding me…?
She hesitated, then asked gently—
"Did something happen?"
Ethan looked at her.
For a second—
He almost asked.
Did you talk to Eric?
But he stopped himself.
Instead, he said—
"No… nothing."
Silence fell again.
Katrina forced a small smile.
"Okay…"
Later – Cafeteria
Katrina sat with her friends, still cheerful, still glowing.
Ella noticed it immediately.
"You look happy today," she said with a soft smile.
Arice smirked.
"Of course she is."
Katrina blushed.
But in between her smiles—
Her eyes kept searching for Ethan.
And when she finally saw him—
Sitting with his friends.
He didn't look at her.
Not even once.
Katrina's smile faded slightly.
Katrina (thinking):
Why isn't he even looking at me…?
At Ethan's table—
Eric was talking again.
Laughing.
Confident as always.
"She's really interesting," Eric said casually.
Ethan looked up.
"Who?"
Eric smirked slightly.
"Katrina."
That one word—
Hit differently.
Ethan's expression didn't change.
But inside—
Something tightened.
Eric continued—
"She talked to me yesterday. Didn't expect that."
The others nodded, teasing him.
Ethan stayed silent.
But his thoughts weren't.
Ethan (thinking):
So it wasn't just a coincidence…
Evening
Katrina walked slowly toward the parking area.
She saw Ethan ahead.
She gathered courage and walked up to him.
"Ethan."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
Again—
That same tone.
Distant.
Katrina felt it clearly this time.
Still, she smiled softly.
"Do you want to meet today?"
Ethan hesitated.
For a moment—
He wanted to say yes.
But then—
Eric's words echoed in his mind.
"She talked to me…"
Ethan looked away slightly.
"I have some work today."
It was a lie.
Katrina didn't know that.
"Oh… okay," she said softly.
"No problem. We can meet tomorrow."
Her voice was gentle.
Understanding.
Innocent.
But something inside her—
Felt a little heavy.
That Night
Katrina sat on her bed, holding her phone.
She stared at Ethan's name on the screen.
Katrina (thinking):
Why does it feel like something is wrong…?
She hugged her knees slightly.
He said he liked me…
Then why does he feel so far today…?
On the other side—
Ethan sat in his room, staring at nothing.
Ethan (thinking):
Why am I even thinking like this…?
He ran a hand through his hair.
She didn't do anything wrong…
Then why does it bother me so much?
But the feeling didn't go away.
Not completely.
Somewhere Between Them
One heart—
Full of happiness, trust, and innocence.
Another—
Slowly filling with doubt… without reason.
And neither of them realized—
This quiet shift…
Was the beginning of something deeper.
Something fragile.
Something that could either bring them closer—
Or slowly pull them apart.