You were perched on the edge of the tower's wall, your legs dangling over the side.

Mattheo stood nearby, leaning against a column with one boot propped up behind him.

“So, what’s on your mind, princess?” he asked.

You turned toward him, your brow furrowed. “Firstly of all…” you began, your tone rising slightly. “You and Evan? You—laughing?!”

Mattheo’s brows arched. “It’s not that shocking,” he replied smoothly. “He’s totally fine, and his humor’s genius.”

You stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. “And I thought you didn’t even like him,” you muttered.

“I never said that,” he countered, tilting his head. “But we get on really well.”

“That really doesn’t exactly make it any easier for me, Matty,” you confessed.

He straightened, stepping closer. “So when you talk about the looks between you and him... then yes, that really doesn't make it easy,” he acknowledged.

You folded your arms across your chest. “The last time I talked to Evan was a week ago,” you murmured. “We just decided to go our separate ways.”

Mattheo didn’t look convinced. “Very credible,” he commented. “This ‘separate ways’ thing.”

You waved a hand dismissively, trying to push the subject aside. “Anyway. I don’t want to talk about Evan. Go and enjoy your bromance if you want. Everything’s falling apart for me right now.”

He frowned. “Is it about Theo again?” he prompted gently.

You hesitated. “He doesn’t understand me at all,” you admitted. “He even ignores how Barty talks to me. Like it doesn’t even matter.”

Mattheo exhaled slowly, his jaw clenching. “Brave,” he muttered.

You looked up at the sky. “I just don’t know what to do anymore,” you whispered. “I love him, but he makes it so hard for me.”

“You know,” Mattheo began, “I love chocolate frogs. But when one bites me, I just stop eating it.”

You blinked, confused. “What?”

He smirked faintly. “If something you love hurts you, maybe it’s time to let it go,” he elaborated. “Theo takes you for granted. And that’s the last thing you are.”

Your throat tightened. “But I love him,” you repeated, as though saying it enough times might anchor you.

Mattheo met your gaze. “You can love him,” he said. “But do you have to give up your self-respect in the deal?”

“You’re right,” you murmured. “But he wasn’t always like this. He used to be different.”

Mattheo rolled his eyes with a smirk. “I used to have a clean vest in my school files. Times change.”

You huffed a laugh and reached out to ruffle his dark hair. “That’s not really helpful,” you teased.

“I hardly style my hair anymore,” he commented. “You always mess it up anyway.”

“You’ll just have to deal with it,” you said. “You’re my best friend.”

He looked at you, his voice softening. “But seriously, talk to Theo. And if he still acts like that… then you know what to do.”

You hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding. “No more chocolate frogs.”

“Exactly,” Mattheo said.