"A while," was his simple answer. He didn't so much as glance at the gaggle of girls passing by, despite their little catcalls and constant giggling. He hadn't really looked at any of the groups who strolled by him: he became aware after a little while that some of the girls who passed weren't even Hufflepuff, but girls from all houses who apparently just enjoyed ogling him. He gave them a friendly enough smile, but when Frankie showed up, his eyes were on her.
"Keep everyone talking about you?" He raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused. "Why are people talking about you?" He chose not to acknowledge the accusation about being obsessed: he certainly wasn't! He just.. had an interest in her. Was there something so wrong with that? And she certainly hadn't said 'I do not like you, go away'. If she had, he would have accepted it: but no, all she did was keep avoiding him. So he still had hope.