Katrina didn't notice that Ethan had seen her talking to Eric.
She walked toward her classroom, her steps light, her heart still filled with the happiness of last night.
The moment she entered, she rushed straight to her friends.
"Guys, I have something to tell you!"
Ella immediately looked concerned.
"Is everything okay?"
Arice frowned.
"Don't tell me it's about that girl again."
Katrina quickly shook her head, smiling.
"No, no… don't worry. This has nothing to do with her."
Both leaned closer, curious now.
"Then tell us!" Arice said excitedly.
Katrina hesitated for a moment, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"I'll tell you at break time," she said, trying to control her excitement.
"Ugh, Katrina!" Arice groaned.
"You're doing this on purpose!"
Katrina just smiled.
In the Classroom
A few minutes later, Ethan entered the class.
Katrina's eyes instantly found him.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
"Good morning, Ethan."
"Yeah… good morning," he replied.
But something felt… off.
His tone wasn't the same.
It was calm—but distant.
Katrina noticed it for a second… but didn't think much of it.
The class began.
But Ethan wasn't paying attention.
His mind kept replaying the same moment—
Katrina and Eric.
Talking.
Smiling.
Ethan (thinking):
Why was she talking to him…?
Since when…?
Something unfamiliar stirred inside him.
A feeling he didn't fully understand yet.
Meanwhile…
Katrina, for the first time in days—
Felt free.
No overthinking.
No doubts.
No confusion.
Just… happiness.
Break Time – Cafeteria
Katrina and her friends walked toward the cafeteria.
Arice grabbed her arm.
"Now tell us! What happened?"
"Wait, not here," Katrina said, laughing nervously.
They sat down at a table.
For a few minutes, they talked about random things—
But Arice couldn't hold it anymore.
"Katrina. Tell. Us. NOW."
Katrina took a deep breath.
"Guys…"
Both looked at her seriously.
"Yes?"
Arice leaned forward.
"Did he propose to you?"
Ella rolled her eyes.
"Arice, stop it. Why do you always—"
Before she could finish—
Katrina said softly—
"Yes… he did."
Silence.
Both of them froze.
Ella's eyes widened.
"What… did you just say?"
Arice almost jumped from her seat.
"Wait—WHAT?! Did he really propose?!"
Katrina blushed deeply and nodded.
"Yes…"
Arice shouted, "WHATTT!"
Everyone around them turned to look.
She quickly covered her mouth.
Ella grabbed Katrina's hand.
"When? How? Tell us everything!"
"Last night…" Katrina said softly.
Both of them squealed in excitement.
"We're so happy for you!" Ella said.
"But what about Jessica?" Arice asked suddenly.
Katrina paused for a second.
"He didn't say much about her… but now I'm sure of one thing."
"What?" Ella asked.
"She's just his friend."
Her voice was calm.
Certain.
And for the first time—
She believed it.
The three of them continued talking happily, laughter filling the air.
At Another Table
Ethan was sitting with his friends.
Eric was there too.
Everyone was chatting casually.
But Ethan was quiet.
Still lost in his thoughts.
Then Eric suddenly spoke—
"By the way, guys…"
Everyone looked at him.
"Yes?"
Eric leaned back slightly, smirking.
"I talked to her today."
Ethan looked up.
"Who?" one of the friends asked.
Eric glanced toward Katrina's table.
"Her."
Ethan followed his gaze.
Katrina.
His heart tightened slightly.
Ethan (thinking):
She talked to him…?
"Wow, really?" Jackson said.
"That's impressive."
Eric smirked.
"Yeah… she's beautiful. And popular."
Jackson laughed.
"I mean, she's your type."
Eric shrugged confidently.
"I think so too."
Some of the boys laughed and agreed.
Ethan didn't say anything.
But something inside him—
Didn't feel right.
A strange bitterness slowly crept in.
After That
Ethan quietly stood up and walked away.
Eric noticed him leaving, watching silently.
Outside
Ethan walked alone, his thoughts heavy.
That same question repeating again and again—
Why did she talk to him?
From behind—
"Katrina approached him."
"Ethan…"
He stopped and turned.
She smiled softly.
He forced a small smile back.
But something in him had changed.
Something subtle.
Something bitter.
Walking Together
They started walking side by side.
Katrina looked down shyly.
"How are you?" she asked softly.
"I'm good. You?"
"I'm good…"
There was a pause.
Then Katrina asked,
"What's your plan this evening?"
Ethan glanced at her.
That thought came again—
Did you really talk to Eric like that…?
"I have to go somewhere," he said.
It was a lie.
Katrina nodded gently.
"Oh… it's okay. Never mind."
"We can meet another day."
Her voice was soft.
Innocent.
But Ethan's heart didn't feel the same anymore.
That small seed of doubt—
Had already been planted.
And he didn't even realize it.
A new love had just begun…
But so had the distance.