"You're an idiot if you think the silent treatment is going to work." Turning away from the glass of beer he'd been nursing he was met with one of the older students he recognised.

"Excuse me…?"

"Harvey. And you're Carl. As I said ignoring Tilly won't help."

"I'm not ignoring her."

"Sure that's why you're sat here on your own and she's just left looking sad."

"Just leave me alone."

"Look I'm trying to help you and you're being an idiot."

"Call me an idiot once more." Carl warned his temper reaching breaking point.

"Just calling it as I see it."

It had been a long week and that comment was the straw that broke the camels back. Spinning as he'd been taught he threw a punch at Harvey's jaw, only a little surprised as it missed completely. Before he could launch another he found himself being spun around, arm pinned behind his back, face pressed against the bar.

"Not bad. You can tell Tilly's been working with you. You telegraphed your punch slightly though. Now I'm going to let you go. No matter what you think all I want to do is talk not fight."

As the pressure reduced Carl sat back up, leaning against the bar, rubbing his arm.

"What do you want?"

"As I was saying before, I'm trying to stop you being an idiot. You're upsetting Tilly."

"She won't care. She's too busy right now."

"Sure that's why she was sat all alone before. She said you were ignoring her."

"I'm not ignoring her. I'm giving her space."

"God I hope you're a better liar in class, otherwise you're going to fail."

"Anything else? Or are you done insulting me?"

"Look. Just be glad it's me that's talking to you, not her brother. He's less polite."

"I know…hang on. You… you're her ex?"

"Yes."

"Tell me why I shouldn't punch you?"

"Tilly's forgiven me and I'm paying off some of what I owe her by talking to you now."

"Fine. Besides you don't have a chance she's moved on."

"Dude. You really need to listen. She isn't going out with that guy."

"Of course… hang on what?"

"She's single. She's just pretending to get the others off her back."

"How…"

"She told me. Same as she would've told you if you hadn't been ignoring her."

"Why tell me?"

"It's upsetting her. Besides she needs a friend and as I said I owe her. It's the least I can do."

"Thanks for telling me."

"Sure. Just stop ignoring her."

Carl watched Harvey carefully as he grabbed a beer before moving away to leave Carl with his thoughts. Harvey was right. If what he said was true then he'd been a terrible friend to Tilly. She'd helped him with so much and this was how he repaid her. Sighing he caught the bar tenders eye, ordering a shot of whiskey for dutch courage. It was time to go and grovel.

Tilly had given up sitting in the bar. If she was going to mope at least she could mope and get some work done. She was still sat staring at the diagrams when she heard a quiet knocking on her door. Opening it she found a very sheepish Carl stood there.

"Look before you slam the door in my face I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I was an idiot and I know I hurt you."

"Harvey talked to you."

"He pointed out what a jerk I'd been. I'm sorry I didn't stop and listen to you."

"You know I don't have to tell you about everything in my life."

"I know it's just we're partners. You keep locking me out."

"It's a defence mechanism. Beside I should have told you first."

"I should have respected you're privacy. I was an idiot."

"So you keep saying. Why don't you come in I don't really want to discuss this on the corridor." She opened the door wider allowing him to slip beside. Closing the door behind her she noticed that he was holding something.

"Fitz is just a friend. He works with my brother. I needed someone to get the others off my back and he volunteered. Plus he helped me with the bracelet I'm working on. We both fell asleep, which is why you found him leaving my room in the morning."

"I jumped to conclusions and I'm sorry."

"Let's just forget about it ok."

"Sure."

"What are you holding?"

"Cake. It's the last one I made; I wanted to bring you something as a present. Hopefully it won't poison you. I made it on my own." He looked proud of the fact.

"Well then let's try it."

"By the way Harvey's an idiot. You can do better than him."

"I know. It's why I punched him in the nose!"