The soft clinking of glasses and distant music filled the elegant restaurant as dinner slowly came to an end. Katrina stood beside her mother, ready to leave, when Hayden stepped slightly closer.
"It was nice meeting you," he said, his voice calm but carrying a quiet confidence.
Katrina gave a polite smile but not interested.
She turned, ready to walk away—but Hayden wasn't done yet.
"Wait."
Katrina paused and looked back.
"I'll walk you out," he said casually, already taking a step beside her.
She didn't refuse, but she didn't encourage it either.
They walked side by side toward the exit. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't awkward—but it wasn't warm either.
Hayden glanced at her.
"You're not even going to pretend to be interested?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Katrina looked straight ahead. "I don't like pretending."
He chuckled softly.
"That's what I like about you."
Katrina didn't respond.
That only made him more curious.
They reached the entrance where her car was waiting. The cool night air brushed past them.
Hayden leaned slightly against a pillar, still looking at her.
"Most people try too hard," he said. "You don't try at all."
Katrina finally looked at him.
"I wasn't trying to impress anyone."
"I can see that," he replied, smiling. "And that's exactly why you stand out."
For a moment, their eyes met—but Katrina quickly looked away.
Her mind wasn't there.
It was somewhere else.
With someone else.
A Quiet Contrast
For a brief second, Katrina remembered Ethan.
His shy smile… the way he spoke… the way he got nervous around her.
So different from Hayden.
So simple.
So real.
That thought softened her expression—but only for a moment.
Hayden noticed that slight change.
"Where did you go just now?" he asked.
Katrina blinked. "What?"
"You were thinking about something… or someone."
Katrina shook her head. "Nothing important."
Hayden didn't push—but his interest deepened.
Hayden (thinking): There's definitely someone else in her mind…
He smiled faintly.
"Goodnight, Katrina."
"Goodnight."
She got into the car, and within seconds, it drove away.
Hayden stood there for a moment longer, watching the car disappear.
A slow smile formed on his face.
At Katrina's House
The moment Katrina entered her room, she let out a quiet sigh.
She sat down on her bed, removing her heels slowly.
The night replayed in her mind.
Hayden's words.
His attention.
His confidence.
But none of it felt right.
Her gaze shifted to her phone.
A small guilt settled in her heart.
I didn't even give him time today…
Without thinking further, she picked up her phone and called Ethan.
Ethan's Side
Ethan was sitting on his bed, his back resting against the wall, his phone pressed to his ear.
He was laughing.
"Yes, really? That happened?" he said.
On the other side, Jessica was laughing too.
"You always believe everything so easily, Ethan."
He smiled. "Maybe."
Just then—
Another call came.
Katrina.
Ethan paused.
"Oh… Katrina is calling. I'll call you later."
Jessica's smile faded for a second—but she hid it quickly.
"Okay… talk to you later."
The call ended.
Ethan immediately answered Katrina's call.
The Call
"Hi, Katrina!"
His voice sounded… cheerful.
Katrina paused for a moment.
She had expected something else.
Something softer… maybe even a little sadness.
But he sounded happy.
"Hi…" she said quietly. "Were you busy?"
"Yeah, I was talking to Jessica," Ethan replied casually.
That name—
Again.
Something inside Katrina tightened.
"Oh… I see," she said, trying to sound normal.
Ethan continued, his tone still light.
"Actually, I wanted to tell you something."
"What?"
"Jessica might come here… to study. In our city."
Katrina's fingers tightened around her phone.
"What…?"
"Yeah," Ethan said, clearly happy. "Her family is thinking about her admission here. It would be good for her."
There was excitement in his voice.
But on Katrina's side—
Silence.
Katrina (thinking):
She's coming here…?
So they'll spend even more time together…
Her chest felt heavy.
"That's… nice," she managed to say.
Ethan smiled, not noticing the change in her tone.
"Yeah, I'm really glad."
That sentence—
Hit her harder than she expected.
Katrina forced a small smile, even though he couldn't see it.
"Hmm…"
Ethan finally noticed something.
"Are you okay?"
Katrina hesitated.
"I'm fine… just a little tired."
"Oh, okay. You should rest then."
"Yeah…"
There was a brief pause.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Ethan said.
"Okay… goodnight."
"Goodnight, Katrina."
The call ended.
After the Call
Katrina slowly lowered her phone.
Her room felt quieter than before.
Colder.
She looked at the ceiling again.
But this time—
Her thoughts hurt.
Katrina (thinking):
Why did that bother me so much…?
Why does it feel like I'm losing something… I never even had?
Her eyes slowly closed.
But sleep didn't come easily.