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it's because he thinks his subject lectures are more superior, but it suddenly hits me that it's basically the voice of a man who just got laid. "Everything was okay, right? You know how to work the coffee machine? You can help yourself to cereal, if you want."
    "I'm fine; I'm home already." I try to sound a little pissed at him for ignoring me for lectures, but I'm not sure it comes across over the phone. Then I remember that I've agreed to tell him when I'm pissed off at him. "Next time that happens, at least text me or something, alright?"
    "Next time I won't be running off to lectures at eight in the morning. I felt awful leaving you behind and couldn't concentrate at all." The smugness has gone from his voice and he sounds like he means it. "And yeah, I'll text."
    I smile, wishing I could reach down the phone and hug him. "Are you free next Wednesday evening?"
    Silence for a bit, but I can hear him rustling papers in the background. I can't hear his mates talking, though, and I think this time he made sure they weren't within earshot before phoning me. "I … could be. What's happening Wednesday evening?"
    "One of my friends is having a party and she invited us both along." I suddenly feel insanely, terribly nervous, in case Josh decides that whatever he has on Wednesday evening is more important than seeing me again. I try to remind myself that I'm panicking for no reason, but it doesn't help. I start babbling a little, trying to convince him. "Loads of the guys I know will be coming, and there'll be drinks and stuff."
    "Luke. Luke." It takes two repeats of my name to get me to shut the hell up. "Sure, I'll come. I really want to meet your mates." Josh actually does sound enthusiastic. "Do you want me to come over to yours first?"
    "Yeah, then we can head over with Emmy and everyone."
    "Sounds cool. See you then."
    "Sure. Bye." I feel awkward. Is there something you're meant to say when you hang up on your boyfriend? I want to say something special, but I have no idea what and don't want to feel stupid.
    "Okay, that's good. Well, see you Wednesday, then. Bye, babe." And he hangs up.
    Babe!
    Part of me wants to feel insulted, but it gets strangled and stomped on by the rest of me, which feels a happy little warm glow which lasts until halfway through my first lecture. 'Babe' isn't the best endearment, but it's better than nothing at all.

Fourth
    Josh arrives early on Wednesday, just before I start panicking about whether he'll turn up. I drag him to my room before Emmy starts flirting with him or giggling too much. As soon as we get in, I realise I haven't cleaned it for a while, but Josh doesn't notice. He's not looking at my room; he's looking at me.
    His arms snake around my waist, and then I'm melting into another one of his amazing kisses. He lets it linger for a while, and then pulls back, reaching his hand down to stroke my arse gently. "You feeling alright after Sunday?"
    "I'm fine," I smile, trying to kiss him again.
    "I-I don't know if it went a bit far. I'm sorry." He smiles back. "You were just so cute and hot and … "
    "It's fine. I loved it." I manage to stop him talking, because it was an amazing time, and panicking about whether it was the right thing to do is really not what I want to do right now. It certainly didn't feel wrong, and I'm fed up with panicking for no reason. "We should do it again sometime."
    "We should do it again lots of times … " His hands slide under my jeans and I squirm a bit, and then jump about a foot in the air when Emmy bangs on the door.
    "Are you guys gonna come out of there anytime soon? We're heading off, but you can follow later if you need some time."
    "We're just coming," I yell back at the door. When I pull away, I notice Josh is blushing a bit. He manages another squeeze at me as I open the door, and for a moment, I am seriously tempted to shove him onto the bed and follow Emmy later. However, I just don't feel I could face Charles if I did that. "Stop it! Don't