That night didn't give Ethan much peace.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts going in circles.
Ethan (thinking):
Why am I even doubting her…?
She never gave me a reason…
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Katrina's face appeared in his mind.
Her shy smile.
Her soft voice when she said she liked him.
Ethan let out a quiet breath.
"No… this isn't right," he whispered to himself.
"I trust her."
He sat up suddenly.
"I'll talk to her tomorrow."
Next Morning – University
Katrina arrived early that day.
She looked… different.
Not just happy—but peaceful.
As if something inside her had finally settled.
She stood near the garden, waiting.
And then—
She saw Ethan walking toward her.
Their eyes met.
This time—
Ethan smiled.
A real one.
Warm.
Katrina's face lit up instantly.
"Good morning, Ethan."
"Good morning," he replied softly.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Ethan spoke—
"Katrina… can we talk?"
She nodded. "Of course."
In the Garden
They walked slowly, side by side.
The morning breeze felt calm, almost comforting.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then finally said—
"Katrina… I wanted to ask you something."
She looked at him. "Hmm?"
Ethan took a breath.
"Yesterday… did you talk to Eric?"
Katrina blinked, a little surprised.
"Oh… that?"
She nodded lightly.
"Yes, but… he talked to me first."
Ethan looked at her carefully.
"What do you mean?"
Katrina explained simply, without hesitation—
"He just stopped me in the corridor and introduced himself. That's all. I didn't even know him before that."
She paused.
"Why?"
Ethan stayed silent for a moment.
And then—
He understood.
Eric was lying.
Or at least… exaggerating.
Ethan (thinking):
So that's what it was…
A small sense of relief filled him.
And along with it—
A little guilt.
Ethan looked at Katrina again.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
Katrina tilted her head. "For what?"
"I… misunderstood something."
Katrina smiled gently.
"It's okay."
Her answer was simple.
No questions.
No complaints.
Just trust.
And that made Ethan feel even more sure.
A Small Date
Ethan suddenly smiled.
"Are you free right now?"
Katrina blinked. "Right now?"
He nodded.
"Let's go somewhere."
Katrina hesitated for a second… then smiled.
"Okay."
They didn't go anywhere fancy.
Just a small café near the university.
Quiet.
Simple.
But somehow—it felt perfect.
They sat across from each other.
For a moment, both were shy again.
As if everything had reset.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.
"I didn't plan this properly…"
Katrina laughed softly.
"It's okay. I like this."
That made Ethan smile.
They ordered coffee.
Talked about small things.
Classes.
Childhood memories.
Random thoughts.
And slowly—
The awkwardness faded.
Katrina looked at him and smiled.
"You're different today."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Different?"
She nodded.
"Better."
Ethan chuckled softly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Katrina laughed.
And for that moment—
Everything felt easy again.
Next Day – University
But peace… doesn't always last.
The next morning—
Something had changed.
Not between them—
But around them.
As Katrina walked through the corridor with Ella and Arice—
She started noticing whispers.
Students talking.
Looking.
Then looking away.
Arice frowned slightly.
"Why are people staring…?"
Ella looked around, confused.
"I don't know…"
And then—
A voice from nearby—
"Isn't that her? The one Eric was talking about?"
"Yeah… I heard he's interested in her."
Katrina stopped for a moment.
"Wait… what?"
But didn't give much attention.
Ethan heard it too.
Standing near his classroom.
"…Eric said she talked to him first."
"…they might start dating…"
Ethan's jaw tightened.
He knew it wasn't true.
He knew.
But still—
Hearing it from others…
Felt different.
Uncomfortable.
Irritating.
Something inside him stirred again.
In Class
Katrina sat down beside Ethan, completely unaware of what was spreading around.
She smiled at him.
"Good morning."
Ethan looked at her.
For a second—
Everything else disappeared.
"Good morning," he replied.
She looked happy.
Normal.
Untouched by all the noise outside.
But Ethan wasn't.
Even though he knew the truth—
The whispers stayed in his mind.
Eric's voice.
The way people talked.
The way they looked at her.
Ethan (thinking):
Why does this still bother me…?
After Class
Katrina walked beside him, cheerful.
"Do you want to go to the café again today?"
She asked innocently.
Ethan looked at her.
And for a moment—
He forgot everything again.
"Yeah… sure."
She smiled brightly.
And that smile—
Made him feel both happy…
And strangely uneasy.
Somewhere in the Crowd
And Between Them
Katrina—
Still happy.
Still trusting.
Still unaware.
Ethan—
Trying to trust…
But slowly getting pulled into something else.
Not doubt anymore—
But insecurity.
And sometimes—
Even knowing the truth isn't enough…
When the world keeps whispering something else.