Part 78 (2/2)

WILL.

Nate sits next to me in the Union, picking at a plate of nachos. He settles his feet onto the chair opposite and leans back.

”How's Fleur?”

”Yeah. Good.”

”You sure?” He bites down on a chip and scrutinises my face. ”She wasn't with you last night. Thought you two were joined at the hip when we're in London. Or is she p.i.s.sed off with you not being around much?”

The intensive promotion continues; weekends and occasional midweek trips to play small gigs, attend interviews, the works. Ruby has persuaded Jem to forge ahead with a US tour. That's where we need to focus on preparing for. We're planning summer next year. I've given up studying, but we hang around campus since there's little else to do on free days. Cheaper beer, for starters. I also see more of Fleur this way, or I did because she's made excuses for the last couple of days and I haven't seen her.

”Why the sudden interest in Fleur again? I thought you'd backed off.”

Nate sucks salt from his fingers. ”I'm not sure she's interested in you anymore.”

”Why?”

My scalp p.r.i.c.kles. Fleur's preoccupation recently increases as does her excuses to cancel. Is she pus.h.i.+ng me away? Nate chews the corner of his lip, a gesture I recognise.

”Nate?”

”I saw her with another guy, Will.”

”She's friends with a few guys.”

”No, with a guy. In the library, couple of days ago. They were hidden in the middle of shelves and looked very cosy.”

”Bulls.h.i.+t!”

”Fine, don't believe me. He looked more her type than you do. Maybe she's had her bit of rough and scratched the itch.”

I straighten my face, hide the fact I believe him. Ethan?

”A dude from our department?”

”I couldn't see his face. Tall guy, curly hair.” He side glances me. ”Sorry, man.”

”What do you mean 'cosy'?”

”Y'know, bodies close. Heads almost touching, low voices. I'm pretty sure they weren't discussing books.”

I drain my can of c.o.ke. ”Yeah, well, maybe you saw wrong.”

”Really? Are you that blind? 'Cause I'm not.”

”I'll ask her.” I pause. ”What the h.e.l.l were you doing in the library? Are you still studying?”

”Yeah, right! Nah, I was looking for Jake. I heard he hangs out in there a lot recently and I needed the cash he owes me.”

”Soon we'll have a c.r.a.pload of cash,” I say to myself as much as him.

”And we can kiss goodbye to this boring degree without getting s.h.i.+t from mum and dad.”

”We already have kissed goodbye to it.”

”Your efforts with your study group have been a waste of time, man. And now, as predicted, it's gonna break your heart.”

I am not thinking along these lines again. I trust Fleur.

The topic is dropped as Nate finishes his meal, before heading off. I immediately pull my phone out.

<you busy?=””> I text No reply.

If I was a smart guy, I'd know her timetable; but as I drift around with my head full of Ruby Riot all the time, I don't. She could be in a lecture theatre. A seminar. Anywhere.

<cla.s.s until=”” 4=””> is my eventual reply.

<meet @=”” 4?=””> <6?>.

Six. What is she doing for two hours?

<ok studying?=”” library?=”” i=”” could=”” join?=””> <no meet=”” you=”” @6?=”” my=”” place?=””> <k> At 4p.m, I invoke my best stalking skills and loiter on a bench close to the department, out of sight. When she doesn't appear, I question my sanity. Why the h.e.l.l am I doing this? If Fleur has found somebody else, what can I do about it, apart from accept the situation was always inevitable and move on?

The b.l.o.o.d.y flowers. Did she lie to me all along?

What's the point in sitting here? May as well grab a beer instead.

FLEUR.

Shaun guest lectures today and I can't face seeing him without wanting to claw his eyes out, so I don't go. Violence has never crossed my mind, against anyone, but this guy has pushed those b.u.t.tons. Even being around the department nauseates me. I'm convinced people are talking about me. The situation has leaked into rumour, but details are kept quiet so n.o.body knows for sure.

I brood in the library, planning my next move. I could be making a huge mistake confronting him, but this man will not ruin my life.

Armed with my evidence, I head to Shaun's office.

Five minutes later, he appears, a pretty first year at his side hanging onto Shaun's every word. Is this what I was like? I gag and when Shaun sees me, he whispers something to her. She nods and walks past me, eyes s.h.i.+ning, with a big smile.

My anger kicks up a couple of notches, but I pull on my act.

</k></no></ok></meet></cla.s.s></you>

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