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When I’d received confirmation from my course mates that no one minded, I scrolled to my contacts and found Sophie’s name.

Me:

Hi Sophie, it’s Charlie Brooks

I wandered down to the kitchen while I waited for her reply, pre-heating the oven so I could cook a frozen pizza for my dinner. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, I greeted my housemate JJ, who was tentatively sipping a smoothie that was an interesting shade of green.

“Alright? What’s that?” I indicated my head towards his cup.

“It’s a test recipe. I’m trying to perfect it for Killian.”

“My sister makes a lot of homemade smoothies, if you want any ideas. Is it for him to have at work?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Kill relies too much on black coffee, so I wanted to make him a healthy alternative. Some days he’s really busy and doesn’t even have time to eat properly.”

I racked my brain, trying to remember what my sister used. “I know there’s one she makes sometimes with berries and avocados. It’s meant to be a brain boosting thing. Want me to get the recipe?”

JJ shot me a bright smile. “Thanks, that would be great. Nothing too sweet, though. Kill doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth.”

“Unlike you.”

He laughed. “True.”

I left him to finish up his experimental smoothie, shoving my pizza in the oven before sending Gem a quick text. As I hit Send, a reply came through from Sophie.

Sophie:

Hi Charlie! I was hoping I’d hear from you! How are you?

Me:

Good. If you’re free on Tuesday afternoon do you want to come for coffee and a study session? A group of us are going after our lecture. Bring a few friends. It’s just a casual thing

Sophie:

That sounds great! What time? My seminar finishes at 3. I’m sure my friends would be interested

Me:

We’re meeting at 3 so that works. First floor of the library. The big tables at the back. We normally get coffee from the machines and pretend to study

Sophie:

Great! See you there!

My screen lit up again, and I blinked, a smile tugging at my lips when I saw the name of someone I hadn’t expected to hear from.

Nate:

Feeling sore after yesterday?

Me:

Yeah. You worked me hard

Nate:

That sounded a bit suggestive

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