Magic Tricks

Andy was under no illusions - nothing was happening between him and Elaine that night.

The fact they were alone in her bedroom after midnight was mind blowing to him, and just about any straight guy in the University would surely kill to be where he was now. However, he was fully aware had lucked his way into this position via Leah. Elaine was purely being social here, and was too decent a person to have kicked him out just because his old class mate had gone.

What this did offer Andy, however, was an opportunity to build her affection level for future runs. He figured that, for probably the most in demand girl in the whole University, he would need to raise it sky high to actually get into that bed she was currently stretched out on rather than just sitting opposite it. He at least got the impression Elaine liked him on a platonic level so far, and he had the right star sign for her, so that felt like a reasonable starting point to build from. Luckily, he could get himself back here every Thursday night now, and he wasn't above using a few tricks he had up his sleeve that could help speed up the process.

"So I have this party piece I like to break out sometimes. I wondered if you'd like a private demonstration?"

"Yeah sure, sounds fun!" Leah nodded as she passed the next joint to Andy" What is it?"

"A kind of a mind reading magic trick"

"Oh wow, I love that kind of thing! What do I have to do?"

"So you get to pick the questions, and the theme is your favourite things. You ask me what your favourite animal, colour, sport or whatever is, and I have to guess the answer. You need to choose subjects that are important to you though, and it can't be stuff I could have known or guessed through your socials"

Elaine sprung back into a more upright position, seemingly energised by the proposal.

"Okay, I'm totally up for this. Let's see if you can impress me!"

Andy already knew he couldn't - this was going to be a disaster. But it was worth suffering the short term pain for the long term rewards if this eventually paid off.

"Okay, what's my favourite colour?"

"Pink"

Elaine made a noise imitating the incorrect buzzer sound from a quiz show.

"I'm not that much of a girly girl, honestly. It's purple. Anyway, I'm sure you're just warming up. What's my ideal travel destination?"

"Portugal"

"God, you think I'm someone who just lazes on the beach topping up my tan don't you?" she almost looked offended "As a history student, I'd love to visit Greek Macedonia. Alexander the Great has always fascinated me. Okay, third time is the charm. What is my favourite type of animal?"

"Rabbits"

At this point Elaine suddenly burst out laughing.

"What?"

"This is the worst mind reading trick in the world, I love it!" she reached out and stroked Andy's arm affectionately "Sorry, I'm only teasing"

"What is your favourite animal then?"

"Pigs"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, the little baby ones are super cute. Anyway, lets keep going. I want to see if you can get one right"

Probably because of the amount she had smoked up to that point, Elaine found Andy's repeated failed attempts at reading her mind hilarious, and happily gave him the answers to several more personal questions. As stupid as he felt in the moment, it could hardly have gone any better. After deciding he had as much information as he needed for now, Andy brought his act to a close.

"Okay, it seems my psychic powers are a little misaligned this evening. Sorry that went so badly"

"Don't apologise I was enjoying myself" Elaine was still giggling a little "I'm sure it works much better usually"

She stretched her arms out in an invitation for a consolation hug that Andy happily accepted. They chatted for a while longer, but the **** were starting to make hum even more tired than he already had been, and he soon needed to call it a night before he passed out in Elaine's room. She stood up and gave him a long, warm hug before he left.

"Aww it was so lovely meeting you. You, me and Leah should hang out together again soon. Maybe at the weekend?"

Andy really wished he could get his repeating week extended to include Saturday and Sunday, but the mysterious spirit that had started the time loop had been nowhere to be seen since.

"Sure I'd like that. Maybe I'll catch you then"

"Cool. You can work on that mind reading trick of yours in the meantime"

Andy didn't mind being gently teased about that now. He was pretty sure it would work a lot better next time around.

Friday, September 7th

Andy allowed himself a lie-in the next morning. It had been a long, but successful, week, which he hoped would set him up for an even better experience next time around. He wasn't meeting Gemma until eight, and felt he had made decent progress with all of the other girls already this run, so the day was his to do what he wanted with.

He had felt horribly under-dressed for his last Friday evening drink with Gemma, and this time he would be escorting her to the weeks climactic blowout social event afterwards. All of the other women he had been pursuing would likely be there as well - even Kara, since some of the younger staff apparently liked to put in an appearance. He needed something more stylish and sophisticated to wear than what he currently had in his wardrobe, probably a hair cut too and maybe even a small but thoughtful gift for Gemma, to make up for the stressful week she had just been through.

Even though any money he spent would always be refunded, And didn't have enough in his bank account currently to push the boat out as much as he wanted to. Thankfully, he had made a point of memorising the afternoon's horse racing results the last time they were run.

Andy decided he would head into town, place a few bets, then hit Mansfield's most expensive tailors and hair salon to ensure that, when his date with Gemma arrived, he would be in perfect shape for it.

He'd never actually set foot in a betting shop before - six months ago he wouldn't have been legally allowed to, and he didn't usually have the spare cash to risk wasting anyway. The set up seemed simple enough to navigate though, the establishment seemingly wanting to make it as easy as possible for people to part with their money.

He walked over to the horse racing section. and was consulting the screens to check for the first name on his list when a voice called out to him.

"Hey, it's Andy isn't it?"

He turned to find Tina smiling at him in her usual cheery manner.

"So you like the horse racing too huh?"

"Yeah" Andy lied.

"You don't have any hot tips do you? I've not been having much luck today. I'd seriously owe you one if you could help turn things around for me"

Actually, Andy had some of the best racing tips Tina was ever likely to be given. It seemed that both of them were in luck.