Tangled Hearts

Chapter 9

The next day Katherine woke up, got ready for uni, and began packing lunch for Ethan and Aiden. As she was carefully placing the sandwiches and fruits in the lunchbox, her mother appeared from behind and asked, "For whom do you pack lunch every day?"

Katherine hesitated, feeling a sense of unease. "It's for my friends, mom."

Her mother's expression turned stern. "Are your friends poor? Or are you their servant, catering to their every need?"

Katherine felt a sting from her mother's words. "No, mom, it's just something I want to do. They're my friends."

Her mother shook her head. "Katherine, you need to learn to prioritize yourself. You can't keep putting others' needs before your own."

Katherine felt hurt and defensive. "I'm just trying to be a good friend, mom."

Her mother sighed. " okay okay"

Kathrine, wait!" her mother called out as she was about to leave for university " After uni, be ready to go shopping with me."I don't want to see you in these type of begger clothes."

Katherine nodded, still feeling the sting of her mother's words. She picked up the packed lunch and headed out the door, feeling a sense of unease and tear sparkling in her eyes.

As she walked to uni, she couldn't shake off the feeling that her mother just didn't understand. She felt like she was being pulled in different directions, trying to please everyone around her. But who was looking out for her own needs?

As she reached the university Katherine stormed into the garden, lunchbox in hand, and an attitude to match. She spotted the trio lounging on a bench and marched over to them.

"Here's your precious lunch," she said, shoving the box at Ethan.

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Why the attitude, Kat? What's got you so worked up?"

Katherine's eyes flashed. "You think you can just boss me around, and I'll do your bidding? I'm not your servant."

Ethan smirked. "Oh, we're just trying to help you out, Kat. You're so uptight all the time."

Katherine's anger boiled over just as Kathrine was about to say something, Nicholas leaned in and kissed her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

Kathrine became stiff, her eyes flashing with rage. "How dare you!" she hissed, her voice low and menacing. "Who do you think you are, kissing me like that without my permission?"

Nicholas smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, come on, Kathrine. Don't be so uptight. It was just a little peck on the ear."

Kathrine's eyes narrowed. "A little peck on the ear? You think that's okay? You think you can just touch me whenever you want?"you can't touch me without my consent"

She burst into a rage, Kathrine's eyes scanned the area, and her hand closed around a stick . With a fierce cry, she began to beat Nicholas with the stick

Nicholas tried to defend himself, but Kathrine was relentless

Noah and Ethan burst out laughing at the sight. "Whoa, calm down darling !" Noah choked out between guffaws.

"Hold her tight Noah she's crazy" Nicholas said angry. Nicholas stumbled back, holding up his hands. "Okay, okay, stop! Kat, stop!"

Katherine's angerly dropped the stick, panting. "You...you think you can just touch me like that? I'm not some plaything for you to use!"

Nicholas rubbed his sore head. "Jeez, you are so wild baby" said with smirk

Kathrine saw Nicholas standing there, her eyes still filled with a mixture of anger and tears . She knew she couldn't deal with him right now.

Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving the three guys standing there.

Ethan called out after her. "Kathrine, wait!" but she didn't look back and kept walking

Katherine walked into class, still feeling upset and angry from her encounter with the trio. She spotted Alex and made her way over to him.

"Hey, Kat, what's up?" Alex asked, noticing her expression.

Katherine sighed. "Just those guys again. They are so so argh ."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Don't let them get to you, Kat. You're better than that."

Katherine smiled, . "Thanks, Alex. Just talking to you makes me feel better."

Alex grinned. "Anytime, Kat. So, what's new with you?"

Katherine laughed. "Just trying to survive uni and those guys' drama."

As they chatted, Katherine's anger slowly dissipated, replaced by laughter and jokes.

In the break, Alex suggested, "Hey, we should celebrate our friendship! Maybe go out for dinner together?"

Katherine hesitated. "Sorry, Alex. I have to go shopping with my mom today."

Alex's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "No worries, Kat. Maybe some other time?"

As they walked to the canteen, they met Aiden and Rhea. "Hey, guys! What's up?" Aiden asked.

Rhea smiled. "Just grabbing some lunch. Want to join us?"

Katherine nodded, feeling a sense of belonging.

After lunch, Katherine called her sister Sophia. "Hey, Soph, mom wants us to go shopping with her today."

Sophia furiously replied"Why are you calling me during uni hours, Kat? i told you i don't want anybody to know that you are my sister don't you understand this?"

Katherine apologized. "Sorry, Soph. I forgot. But mom wants us to go to the mall together."

Sophia scolded her. "Why do I have to go? Can't you just go with mom? I have better things to do."

Katherine felt sting in her heart. "Fine, Soph. I'll go with mom alone. You don't have to come."

Sophia hung up without another word, leaving Katherine feeling hurt. Katherine took a deep breath and decided to shook off the feeling. After finishing her classes at the university, Kathrine headed for mall by the bus.