(Photo)shoot me

The contract Dean Hyde promised quickly arrives, sent via express mail. The university must be eager to get this deal, but it's to Ashley's benefit too since the faster this happens the less of her year will be wasted. After going over it carefully, she signs the document and sends it back. Soon she's officially enrolled at STU and heading out to her first day at university, as well as to her first photoshoot.

You and Tibby obviously don't let her go alone, but you're not quite with her either. Mr Jekil, the man in charge of the photographers, says a solo act will be more impactful, so after posing for a picture of the three of you under a stone arch with the university's name on it she sets off on her own. And watching her stride confidently across campus, you have to admit his judgement is sound as you find yourself impressed by Ashley's independence. She acts like the cameras aren't there at all, smiling and making small talk as she picks up her books and other supplies. She does look your way sometimes, so you give her a thumbs up while Tibby cheers her on silently.

You're already sure the pictures will be a hit. You may be biased, but there's no denying that Ashley is a beautiful bunny even in STU colors. They have her wearing a dark green, form-fitting button-up with the Spruceville-Tyler crest over her heart; a white undershirt beneath it leaves just a hint of cleavage visible. It's fairly subdued, and temperature-appropriate since the photoshoot didn't start until nearly noon for lighting-related reasons.

There's a couple other students about, but most keep their distance so there's not many interactions until Ashley has put away her books and heads to the stadium where a group of cheerleaders are practicing their routine. All it takes is one of them looking up, and the air is filled with excited shouts. Practice forgotten, the girls run over to mob the petgirl student they'd obviously known was coming. It's a staged encounter, but their enthusiasm seems to be genuine. They're practically fawning over your girlfriend, taking selfies with her, and there's some animated chatter about Ashley joining the squad.

Before that can be discussed further the jocks amble off the field to meet her as well. There's less squealing from these guys, but they're friendly as well -- at least while the cameras are pointed at them. Mr Jekil has everyone bunch up for a couple of group shots. Then Ashley is whisked off for the next staged event, sitting in a lecture hall full of students. There are no classes today so it's all pretend, Dean Hyde had promised not to make this disruptive after all. They just asked a professor and a bunch of students to come in and make things look like it's a school day.

When Ashley disappears into the lecture hall the jocks go back to their game, but the cheerleaders stick around to talk to you. They really are friendly, not like the stuck up rich girls you remember from high school. Or they're just good actors, but there's no reason to be pessimistic. They all laugh when Tibby asks to borrow a uniform so she can cheer Ashley on properly, and suggest that maybe she should join the team.

After Ashley's comes out of the lecture hall the schedule calls for a cafeteria scene, conveniently followed by a food break in the cafeteria. The first part has Ashley mingling with a new group of students, while the cheerleaders escort you and Tibby to a separate table. They have no intention of returning to their practice, clearly!

Done pretending to eat with people she doesn't know, Ashley piles some real food onto her tray and joins you with the cheerleaders. She slumps onto the bench, relaxing now that the cameras are off. But she still manages to remark, "Already making friends for me, you two?"

"No, I'm just securing my spot on the team while you're busy," Tibby teases.

Ashley pretends to look sad. "So I'm not special after all, they're just letting anyone join?"

"We haven't asked John," one of the cheerleaders, Rebecca, helpfully supplies.

"I think that's because I'm enrolled at a rival school," you admit.

"Then you should transfer!” Silvia, the squad captain, says cheerfully. "Show some solidarity!"

"I probably will." You're not exactly thrilled to be studying at the college that kicked out your girlfriend, even if you're in a different department. "But I have to wait until after the next round of exams or my credits won't apply."

Ashley's eyes widen in surprise. "I didn't know you were looking into transferring to Spruceville!"

"I told you I go where you go, Ash. I meant if we have to move out of the apartment, but even if we're staying there I'm not exactly a fan of Baleview any more. But I didn't want to say anything until we know this university is good for you."

Ashley looks around the table full of smiling girls. "I think it will be."

"Hooray!" the girls cheer. Apparently this calls for a celebratory group selfie, everyone crushing together on one side of the table to get into frame. You endure it with a smile, having picked up on the cheerleaders' selfie mania earlier. Not that you can blame them, you also like to pull your pets in close to get a cute picture with them sometimes.