Page 19 of You Float My Boat

‘My Instagram’s private, and I never use it,’ I frowned.

I wasn’t sure whether it was wise to admit that the only reason I’d been on it recently was to check on what Violet was doing, because that sounded weird at best and voyeuristic at worst. But Violet’s Instagramwas always filled with images of her on nights out with friends, or in the theatre, the Brooks family dog, or her gap year around the Southern Hemisphere with Stella.

What was more weird, scrolling through her pictures last week made me realize how many of them I’d already liked – except ones of her and other guys. None of those had been hearted, and they would stay that way.

‘But people still follow you, and pictures still get out. You’ll have to start using it,’ she replied simply. ‘There’s no way we wouldn’t be all over each other’s social media if we were together.’

I sighed. This was becoming way more real than anything I’d been expecting and I was once again reminded of how a) incredibly naïve I was to think I could keep Violet as my fake girlfriend under wraps, and b) this was absolutely not the best idea I’d ever had, but I was in far too deep to be able to do anything about it.

‘Okay,’ I conceded.

Maybe I could just leave it up to Instagram to remind Brooks about what was going on.

‘And you have to like and comment on every single picture of mine,’ she pinned me with a determined glare, ‘and they need to be good comments, none of thatY R U SO HOT?shit. Use proper words, not letters.’

I laughed loudly, because I didn’t think I’d ever heard a more girlfriend-style comment. ‘I can do that. Words not letters, only the best for an English student.’

‘Great.’ She grinned, pushing the notebook over to me, and tapping the bottom. ‘Sign next to my name, I’m just popping to the loo.’

She jumped up, her hand draping along my shoulder as she walked off, sending goosebumps flurrying down my spine. The kind of goosebumps I hadn’t had in a very long time. It was only when I lost her in the crowds by the bar that I looked down.

No kissing.Kissing only when appropriate.

Violet to meet Charlie after a minimum of two classes (inc. Evie’s).

Charlie to meet Violet after a minimum of two classes on different days.

Violet to attend rowing meets when she can or after training.

Violet and Charlie to meet for coffee/lunch a minimum of twice a week.

Touching in public always. This includes hand-holding, hugging, hands in pockets, etc.

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