Every day the canteen is absolutely packed and today is no exception.

The vast open space echoes around its walls with the hustle and bustle of student time out. The scrape of metal legged chairs against the concrete floor, the clatter of steel knives and forks against worn white china plates, the tearing of clear plastic windows off sandwich cartons and the hissing of tops being unscrewed from soda bottles mix with constant chatter and laughter as groups come together to relax.

The noisy din grates against my nerves and every sound vibrates through me, ringing loudly in my ears. I am tired and purely going through the motions to get me through the day at college so I can go home, climb under the duvet and sleep.

As I wait patiently in the line to purchase a latte, I notice the never-ending queue that snakes its way behind me and out into the corridor beyond. I wonder how anyone ever has any lunchtime left to actually eat the food they buy after queuing for so long. I don't usually line-up but today I need coffee, a large coffee.

My heavy eyes scan the room for the ray of sunshine in my life and I spot her waving furiously at me from the far side of the room. I raise my hand to acknowledge that I've seen her. Olivia, or as I call her Olive, is probably the only person who can lift my spirits today.

With coffee in hand, I weave my way through the assault course of tables, squeezing in between the backs of chairs and gingerly stepping over bags strew across the floor. I reach Olive's table and slump down on the plastic seat opposite her.

"Hey Lil." She greets me brightly.

I rub my fingertips across my temples then rest my chin in my palm. "Hey you, how's things?"

She regards me closely, "I'm great but you look like shiit."

"Thanks for stating the obvious Olive." I respond tiredly.

She places her elbows on the table, clasping her hands together and rests her chin on top. "Ok, what's he done now?" The arch of her eyebrows suggests I should know to what she's referring but in truth I am totally oblivious.

"What has who done?"

"Oh come on Lil, it's Thursday and for the last few Thursdays you've been all weird after visiting your Wednesday man of mystery."

"No I haven't." I shake my head in denial.

She shrugs her shoulders and pouts her lips. "You can deny it all you want but you don't see what I see from this side of the table every week."

"For one, he is not my 'man of mystery'," I air quote with a sarcastic screw up of my nose, "and two, I have not been acting like anything. I'm just tired, I've been up most of the night with Percy."

"Sorry I forgot, how is that gorgeous puppy?" She asks with genuine concern placing her hand on my arm.

"Wonderfully exhausting. I had to hold his bandaged paw all night in the end to stop him aggravating it. We finally fell asleep together around 2am."

"Well I'm glad he's better but don't try and change the subject in hand." She's not letting it go and I wish she would.

"Seriously Olive, I haven't been acting like anything, you're just exaggerating."

"You so have." She retorts. "I have never known you to get so wound up by a man before, like ever!"

I roll my eyes skywards and sigh.

"Come on what's going on between you and him?"

"Absolutely nothing I swear to you." I place my hand on my heart.

"Then tell me, why when I just asked that did you look anywhere but at me? I know when you're lying to me Lil."

"I'm not, he's just so frustratingly....." my hands are in the air, fingers clawed as I hesitate to find the right words.

"Frustratingly what?" Her eyes are wide waiting for my response.

"Annoyingly moodily rude." I retaliate.

"See, there's definitely something you're not telling me." Before I can interrupt she holds her index finger in the air to silence me. "Lil, you are as placid and beautiful as the flowers you study but he," she leans forward studying my face with a frown, "he really gets under your skin."

"He's just another tenant but one that I haven't gelled with. I can't always be friends with everyone who rents the house."

"Well this is a first because you usually are and that bothers you I can tell. Look, I've gotta go but don't think this discussion is over."

"It doesn't bother me and this discussion is over, you are way off the mark." I respond flatly.

"We'll see! Listen you haven't forgotten about next Wednesday have you?"

"Next Wednesday?" I act dumb trying to wind her up.

"Oh please, only THE most important day of my entire life."

"No of course I haven't forgotten, I've only been growing my hair for a year in preparation." I quip.

"And I love you for it but we need to get together beforehand to discuss how amazingly gorgeous I am going to make you look." She claps her hands in glee. "What we need is a girlie night."

"Oh I'm sorry, not tonight, I just need my bed."

"Tomorrow then and I'm not taking no for an answer. You, me, takeaway, wine, at mine, 8pm, bring your PJs."

Her enthusiasm is so infectious I can't help the big smile that turns up the corners of my mouth. "Ok, sounds great."

"No probs my Best, now come here," she hugs me and pecks my cheek multiple times. "See you tomorrow and make sure you get sleep tonight because we have much chatting to do."

"Yes alright, as long as chatting doesn't involve Mick because I don't fancy him."

As she turns to depart, she glances back at me over her shoulder and she's smirking. "Who said anything about fancying him Lil? Oh wait a minute, you just did! I knew it!" and with that she walks away laughing leaving me utterly aghast.