17: Things

After their encounter at the dark-haired father's house, several days passed where Katherina and Tom were inseparable, both at university and on park outings, filled with laughter, anecdotes, and jokes. It seemed like nothing could tear them apart, especially when the dark-haired guy had asked the dean a few days earlier to place him in philosophy and Spanish classes, not so much because he liked them, but because the brunette was in those classes. They often got distracted by silly things or engaged in brief kisses, making sure the professors didn't see them, or indulging in that typical distraction where the brunette was next to the dark-haired guy and she reached for his crotch, playing with the bulge, getting back at Tom for something he had done days ago. That, and other things, they did when no one was watching.

They seemed like the explosive couple of the moment. But now, in the present, something was off. Katherina had been absent from classes for several days - four to be exa