I stare open mouthed as Cal makes his way across the canteen.

I expect him to come and speak to me, but he passes my table without giving me a second glance.

Charlie is chattering on about something but I can't focus. I watch over her head as Cal grabs a white plastic cup and fills it with orange juice from the jug on the side.

"...Summer? Lila? Helloooooo?" says Charlie, waving her hand across my face.

I jolt my gaze away from the cupid by the kitchens and back towards her.

"Huh?"

She raises her eyebrows.

"What's wrong with you this morning?" she says. "I said...how was your Summer?"

I shake my head.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I say darkly. "Just give me a second."

I stand up - leaving Charlie looking startled - and make my way towards Cal who is slowly buttering a piece of blackened toast.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in a low voice.

Cal doesn't look up.

"It's best if you're not seen speaking with me," he replies in his usual cold manner.

I sigh.

"Do you ever just answer a question?" I say.

Cal takes a bite of his toast and looks straight at me – his silvery eyes twinkling – before averting his gaze hurriedly back towards the kitchens.

"I'm here to monitor the situation," he says. "I told you I would be doing that yesterday. When Cupid arrives you'll need all the help you can get."

I raise an eyebrow.

"I'm not going to be interested in this Cupid character, I've told you that!"

Cal looks at me stonily.

"Yes, so you've said," He hisses dismissively. "But believe me when I say, if he finds out, he will be very interested in you."

He takes another bite of his toast.

"And that is why," he continues. "I have a plan to detract his attention from you for as long as possible. Which, incidentally, is why you shouldn't be seen speaking to me."

I roll my eyes.

"Fine by me..." I reply. "But before you start this masterful plan which presumably involves me, do you think you might tell me what, exactly, it entails?"

Cal smiles coldly, tilting his head to the side slightly.

"I intend to befriend another female student here," he says. "So that Cupid thinks that I have been sent to protect her from his interests."

I sigh.

"If you say so," I retort. "But how will that even work? Does Cupid know you work for the matchmaking service?"

A dark look crosses Cal's face.

"Oh me and Cupid go way back," he says. "He'll know who I am alright."

Before I can pry deeper into the matter he hands me a folded slip of paper, spins around, and makes his way back out of the canteen; throwing his half eaten toast into the trash bin on his way out.

I flatten it out and read.

Meet me after school by the gym. If you are to resist his charms, you will need to undergo some serious training in the arts of the cupids. Don't be late. Cal.