Both (Popularity 3, Emma (Love) 25, Alice (Love) 40)

"Okay, I think there's been a big misunderstanding," you say. "Emma, we were on a date. Alice, that did go too far. And I brought Alice on a date to the dorm commons, thinking no one would interrupt us. I think everyone made mistakes here, and we all just need to set it aside and forgive each other."

Emma and Alice both stare at you, and then give small glances to each other. You can see that Emma is visibly eager to set this whole thing aside, and Alice has both of her hands over her mouth, one of her many tells for when she's anxious about her own mistakes.

Emma says, "Yeah. I don't hold it against anyone. I should probably go, though."

Alice pulls her hands away from her mouth, then says. "No! No, wait...I really need to say that I'm sorry. And, like...the only reason I said that in the first place, I think, is because I got jealous. And stupid. You came over here and said those things to him and...and you're so beautiful. And cool."

Emma's lips purse, and she chuckles out through her nose. Then she says, tentatively. "Nipples and all?"

After brief hesitation, Alice says. "Nipples and all. Can you just...sit with us, a minute? I feel really bad."

Looking uncomfortable, Emma checks with you, and you nod. So she sits at the edge of the couch with her pizza, which is untouched and growing cold. She says. "So...how did you two meet?"

"Yoga class," Alice says, then: "How did you two meet?"

"She was literally the first person I saw when I got off the train," you say to Alice. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"No. There's no need," Alice shakes her head. "I mean...look: This is the first date we've ever been on. Right? Meaning we weren't dating before, like, a few hours ago. So I get it."

Emma still looks a little uncomfortable, but her posture loosens. She says. "Honestly, in comparison to a lot of other girls I've known, that's still pretty cool of you."

"Cool to a point," Alice says, more sharply. "I am on a date with him, now."

"No. I totally get you," Emma waves her hands, then pulls both of them back in a hands off gesture. "But that being said...it is a little weird you'd want me to sit down."

"I told you. I actually think you're...like your whole aesthetic is just cool," Alice says. "The truth is, I want to be less self-conscious. I'm tired of always being so anxious. And you have that tattoo and those..."

"Piercings," Emma finishes, when Alice flounders.

"Yeah. I mean, did that hurt?"

"Oh, it all did. A lot. But it's about commitment," Emma says. "I don't commit to a lot of things, but when I do, it should count."

Alice nods along at this. Then she says to you. "Totally honest question, and I won't judge you either way...do you like that? Do you think it's. Uh. Sexy?"

Emma's gaze drifts over to you, too. And you have no reason to lie. "I do...but I like both. I think I can appreciate a girl who does a lot of alternative stuff with her body, and also a girl who is all-natural. It might even be hard to pick, honestly."

You expect either, both of the girls to be offended by this. You're shocked when, instead, Alice nods, carefully considering it, and Emma smiles.

"Oh, the plight of man," Emma says, joking. "**** to choose one woman, when the dick is thirsty for so many different holes."

You give a sharp glance to Alice, who stiffens and blinks rapidly at this. Then, surprisingly, she laughs.

"Alice?" you ask.

"I told you," she says, breaking through her laughter. "I...want to loosen up. Okay? I don't want to be nervous all the time. So this is good. I'm good. Thanks for sitting with us, Emma."

"No problem," Emma says, then looks down at her plate. "Fuck, my pizza's cold. Ugh. Okay, I have a microwave in my dorm room and I'm going to go heat it up. I'll leave you both to it. I am so sorry for interrupting a date in that way."

"No. Please don't be sorry," Alice smiles, then tilts and bumps you with her shoulder. "I have so many more things to talk about him with, now."

Your past with Emma clearly will be forgiven, but not forgotten.

Or...as you look at Alice, is it something more than forgiven? Her jealousy seemed to vanish, all too fast, and now she is so strangely comfortable...

Before you can contemplate this any further, Emma is waving goodbye and walking away. You wave back to her. Once she's gone, Alice says. "Wow. I can't believe you, she is really pretty."

"And so are you," you say.

She smiles, not denying it. "Right. Your endless capacity to seduce pretty girls."

You venture. "But I think, at this point, I've found the right one."

Before you can say anything else, she leans forward and kisses you on the lips. Briefly, but passionately. You are absolutely blown away for a moment, and she greets your shock with a grin.

Everything seems to fade into a dream, after that. When you finally go back up to your dorm room, you are on cloud nine.

Emma (Love) +5
Alice (Love) +5
Alice (Lust) +5
Romantic +1
Alice now likes Emma...