Tip Six; know where the carotid artery is on your partner otherwise you may learn what a stroke looks like. Be safe.

The sunshine glimmers over me like a sheer blanket, encompassing me in warmth and I hug my books tighter to my chest, trying to find somewhere in the courtyard to sit and study.

But it's a gorgeous day, meaning every body is outside, basking in the sunshine and grateful to leave the oppressive building behind for even just a moment.

I sigh and turn on my heel to make my way to the coffee shop but stop in my tracks, Harlow standing across from me with her arms crossed in front of her.

"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 placed we'd been seen was the party so far.

"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."

"A three year break?" The words come out of my mouth without me meaning to and Harlow narrows her eyes and then says sweetly.

"I just don't want you I getting your heart broken when he comes back to me, especially with all the other rumours following you."

My back snaps straight and anger hits 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 walks 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 Leo?" She shakes her head. "It was so funny watching her face when Leo told her to fuck off."

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."

I avoid her eyes, feeling guilty as sin.

"We've only kissed."

"That's it?"

"I haven't seen him since I saw you."

"That was two days ago." Charlie helpfully reminds me and I roll my eyes.

"I've been busy." I mutter.

"Aren't you meant to be tutoring him? Isn't that part of the deal."

"He hasn't contacted me, hasn't approached and hasn't said anything. He'll come to me when he needs help."

Charlie narrows her eyes like she doesn't believe me and I don't blame her, I don't believe me.

I put my cup down, "fine, I'm scared."

"Why-"

I cut her off with my widened eyes when I see Leo approaching, my brother making his way towards me as soon as he sees me.

"Hey, Vee, Char."

I furrow my brow but Leo doesn't notice. "I'm gonna be out late tonight, Ash and I have to attend some party, but I preordered a pizza for us all."

"Us?" I swallow.

"Yeah, Ash is gonna crash at ours after."

"Oh, yeah, okay."

Leo looks at me weirdly before looking towards Charlie and gives her a nod, before pulling my hair in goodbye.

I shake my head and fix my ponytail before look to my best friend. "Since when has he called you char?"

She shrugs, sipping her ice latte. "Must be a new thing."

I nod and check the time, slipping out of the seat to start to head to class, giving Charlie a quick side hug before departing.