The Grand Hall is buzzing with the standard lunchtime chatter, but at the Fallow table, you can barely swallow your pumpkin juice. Right across from you, Barney and Araminta are practically fused together, making loud, wet noises that are causing Bertie to stare intently at his plate in sheer awkwardness. You slam your book shut, the loud thud finally breaking the pair apart. Araminta blinks, reapplies her lip gloss, and rolls her eyes.
"What's your problem, then? Jealous?"
"No, Araminta, disgusted."
You snap, your voice trembling with frustration.
"Some of us are trying to study, and honestly, the entire university doesn't need a front-row seat to your... exhibitionism!"
Araminta smirks, leaning back against Barney, who looks thoroughly flushed and says
"Tell you what. You want me to keep my lips off of Barney in public? I’ll make you a deal. I'll stop making out with him in public. But only if you walk right over to the Vandermere table and kiss Cyriac. Right on the lips. Right now."
Bertie chokes on his drink. The surrounding Fallows go dead silent. You freeze, your eyes darting across the Grand Hall to the Vandermere table, where Rooksgrave is lazily picking at his food, completely oblivious to the trap being set for him. Araminta's grin widens.
"What's the matter? Don't have the guts?"
Your hands clench into fists. It's a social suicide mission. But the thought of never seeing Barney and Araminta swap spit in the common room again is incredibly tempting.