Tangled Hearts

Chapter 8

Two days passed, and Katherine avoided university, still reeling from the confrontation with Rhea and the trio's manipulation. But on the third day, Aiden convinced Rhea to reach out to Katherine, explaining that she hadn't willingly met with the trio.

Rhea called Katherine, but she didn't answer. Aiden then called her, and she picked up, hesitantly.

"Hey, Kat, why aren't you coming to uni?" Aiden asked, concern etched in his voice.

Katherine began to explain that shw was having fever and all but Aiden cut her sentence in between

"Don't lie kat '

Rhea snatched the phone from Aiden and spoke

"Kat, I'm so sorry for being hyper. Please forgive me," Rhea said, her voice laced with remorse.

"It's okay, Rhea. I just needed some time," Katherine replied, softening

Than they talk about how much they miss her kathrine felt special once in her life

The next day, Katherine decided to return to uni, packing lunch for Aiden as she had promised. But when she remembered Ethan's demand, she hesitated, unsure if she should pack lunch for him too.

As she entered the university gates, the trio was waited for her kathrine tried to ignore them and started to walk in the opposite direction but noah hold the wrist of kathrine and spoke "Are you trying to ignore us darling'

"Can you stop calling me these cheap names?"Kathrine barked

"Or what cupcake?" Nicholas sneered

"I will beat the shit out of you you shithead" Kathrine growled

"Don't you think you got a big mouth for this personality" Nicholas spat.

"Sorry i can't say this to you" Kathrine spoke.

Nicholas smirk "Ofcourse you can't cupcake"

"

Because you got the small mouth for small personality"

Kathrine smirk

"Katherine don't test my patience " Nicholas growled.

Katherine jumped at the sudden outburst and terrified

Meanwhile Noah and Ethan enjoyed the situation.

"Did you bring lunch for me?" Ethan asked, his voice dripping with entitlement.

Katherine feigned forgetfulness. "Oh, I...I forgot."

The trio exchanged skeptical glances. "Forgot?"

Nicholas repeated. "You expect us to believe that?"

Without warning, Noah moved closer, and grabbed her bag.

" Oh but you dont forget to boughtt lunch for that motherfucker "

"Hey, what's going on here?" a voice called out from behind.

The trio turned to face the person, and Katherine saw Alex, the boy she had met on the rooftop, walking towards them.

"Just having a little chat with our girl," Ethan sneered.

Alex's eyes narrowed. "I don't think she wants to talk to you."

Nicholas took a step forward, his fists clenched. "Mind your own business, boy."

But Alex stood his ground. "I'm making it my business. Kat, what's going on?"

Katherine explained the situation Alex faced tensed

Ethan shrugged. "We're just having fun."

Alex snorted. "By threatening Kat?"

Nicholas sneered, "You know nothing boy don't get involved "

Alex smiled, a cold, hard smile. "I know exactly what I'm doing . And I'm telling you to leave my friend alone."

As the trio smirked, Alex turned to Katherine. "You okay?"

Katherine nodded, still shaken. "Thanks, Alex.

Alex smiled. "No need to thank me.

Nicholas took a step closer, his eyes flashing with anger. "You think you're her hero? You think you can save her?"

Alex stood his ground. "I don't need to be her hero. I just need to make sure she's safe." The trio snickered,

And who are you to her ' Noah asked

"We are childhood best friends"Alex spoke

"I think we shall go the class is going to start kat " Alex smilled and Kat nodded to that.

As they backed off, Nicholas called out, "If you don't bring lunch for Ethan tomorrow, you'll see Aiden's swollen face tomorrow!"

Katherine's eyes widened, with fear she turn around to see the them the trio smirked at her and gone from there.

As kat and Alex entered the corridor Katherine thanked Alex for saving her, she saw Aiden and Rhea approaching, their faces furrowed in concern.

"Who are you?" Aiden demanded, his eyes narrowing at Alex.

Rhea's expression was equally fierce. "Yeah, who are you ?"

Katherine quickly intervened. "Guys, relax this is Alex. He's my new friend."

Aiden's eyes widened. "New friend? Since when?"

Katherine hesitated. "We met a few days ago. He's been helping me out."

Rhea's eyes narrowed. "Helping you out? What do you mean?"

Alex stepped forward, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey, I'm Alex. Nice to meet you both."

Aiden and Rhea exchanged a wary glance, but Alex's warm demeanor put them at ease.

"Hey, ," Aiden said, coldly.

"We're just protective of Kat."Rhea spoke

Alex shook his hand. "No worries, I get it. I'm just trying to help her out."

Rhea smiled, her expression softening. "Thanks for looking out for her."

The four of them stood there for a moment, an awkward silence hanging in the air. But then Alex broke the silence.

"So, what's the plan for today? Anything exciting?"

Rhea grinned. "Actually, we were thinking of grabbing lunch together. Want to join us?"

Alex nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great! I'm starving."

As they walked together, Katherine felt a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe this was the start of something new, something good.

"Hey, thanks for understanding," Rhea said to Alex, as they walked.

Alex smiled. "No problem. I know how it is to be protective of friends."

Aiden nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we just want what's best for Kat."

Kat smiled, feeling grateful for her friends. "I know, guys. And I appreciate it."

The four of them continued walking, chatting and laughing together. For the first time in a while, Katherine felt like everything was going to be okay.