I sigh and turn on my heel to make my way to the coffee shop but stop in my tracks. Harlow is standing in my way with her arms crossed in front of her. Those dagger eyes of hers pinned straight on me.
Oh, great.
I go to move around her, but she steps in my way again, a scowl forming on her otherwise perfect features.
"Ah, hi, Harlow." I say, confused as to why she's approached me, let alone being seen around me since she's gone out of her way to avoid me in the past.
Harlow flutters her lashes. "I've seen you hanging around Ash."
My heart thumps and I furrow my brow. The only public place we'd been seen was the party so far and the library, but Harlow doesn't go to the library. Or at least I've never seen her there.
"At the party?"
Harlow steps closer, a hand resting on her hip, "I just wanted to give you a little advice,girl to girl."
I nod at her, though I have a feeling I know what's coming.
This isn't the first time I've been warned from going near a guy. Growing up with your brother and his team mates always hanging out at your place comes with territorial wannabe girlfriends - though usually they don't reach that title. The ones that do become the girlfriends are a lot nicer.
"Ash and I are just taking a break, and then we'll be together again. How it should be." She starts, her voice sickly sweet.
"A three year break?" The words come out of my mouth without me meaning to and Harlow narrows her eyes and then says venomously.
"I just don't want you getting your heart broken when he comes back to me, especially with all the otherrumoursfollowing you."
My back snaps straight and anger and embarrassment hit me, but I do nothing, not having anything to say and nod at Harlow."Ash and I are just friends. You know he's my best friends brother right?"
She nods, "I'm just reminding you to not make it more than that. Like I said, I wouldn't want you to get your heart broken."
"Noted." I purse my lips and watch her walk off.
I don't realise how long I've been standing here until Charlie appears at my side.
"What did the reigning queen of plastic want?"
I shrug, "same old same old, warned me away from Asher."
Charlie's nose scrunches. "My brother?" She laughs. "What, has her stalking led her towards your house? She does know he only goes there for your brother right?"
My heart pangs to tell my best friend everything but I bury it deeper and shrug.
"Who knows, it's not the first time I've been warned off, and it won't be the last."
Charlie laughs and nods her head, "remember when Andrea cornered me and warned me away from Leon?" She shakes her head. "It was so funny watching her face when he told her to fuck off cause he'd overheard."
I chuckle, remembering the scene and Charlie hooks her arm through mine, leading us towards the campus coffee shop, ordering our usual before we take a seat.
"So, catch me up on Mr. Mysterious."
I sip at my mocha, "there's not much to tell."
"Well, what have you done?Spill." She leans forward, elbows resting on the table, eyes narrowed on me.
I avoid her gaze, feeling guilty as sin.
"We've only kissed."
"That's it?" She sounds disappointed.
