Brilliant. He was catching up to her.

THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE WANTS.

Honestly, the boy who knew her better than herself was doing an awful job of reading her right now. And Ellie felt she was making things fairly obvious to even the most oblivious of people.

No, she knew she couldn't ignore him all term. But a week, at least? Two, possibly?

She stopped again, because continuing to walk would be no use. Max was following her. And he could follow her all the way up to the Common Room, so there really was no point. Ellie turned, and looked him hard in the eyes, a mixture of betrayal and anger and disappointment reflecting in her own.

She didn't want to talk. If she were to talk, she would say something she regretted. And Ellie Stone did not regret things. So, if Max would like to talk... "Go on, then. Talk," she said sharply. Whatever it was he wanted. Because, clearly, she wasn't getting what she wanted. All term. From anyone.