Settling In

Shopping with Paige turns out to be a lot more fun than you had anticipated. You feel like you are walking around your humble northern town with a Hollywood A Lister, and everyone is looking at her first then seeing that you are the person she is with. Sure, you may appear more like her photographer (and you literally become that on several occasions) than her boyfriend but still, there is not one guy you pass who wouldn't want to swap places with you.

You now feel bad about your expectations of Paige before you met her. You thought you were summoning a slutty, party girl bimbo to be used primarily for sexual gratification. You aren't even sure why you wanted that so much now. In contrast, it turns out Paige is a smart, switched on and hard working business woman with real integrity. And the great thing is her business - influencing - is something she can do just as easily here as anywhere else, without any need for working visas or job applications. She is obviously earning good money too, judging by the price of the things she is buying. Though a combination of her follower count, natural charm and an accent that makes her sound like she might be someone important means many of her purchases end up heavily discounted or even free.

You have always hated clothes shopping, but you could do this all day. It basically involves Paige trying on one sexy outfit after another, then modelling it for you and asking your opinion on how cute it looks on her.

It all feels quite boyfriendy, even if you aren't sure you are much use, since you think she looks hot in everything. You pretend not to like the occasional outfit though, to give some impression of being discerning and, more by luck than judgement, she agrees with you each time, and even seems a little impressed by your apparent taste. Eventually, Paige is content she has a workable wardrobe for day to day life with you, initially at least. But she isn't ready to head back to your place yet.

"Okay, I'm good for now I think. It's time to move onto you"

"What?" you ask in surprise. Clothes shopping for you will not be nearly as fun.

"Look, the stuff you want us to do together. I'm actually quite open to the idea" Paige takes on a more diplomatic tone, which concerns you a little "But for it to work I'll need to feel some level of attraction towards you, and right now I don't. Can I be very frank with you? It's not all bad, honestly"

"Okay" you tell Paige with a sharp intake of breath, not sure what you are letting yourself in for here.

"What do you want first? The good news, the bad news, or the great news?" Paige asks.

"Let's get the worst over with and go bad, good, great" you decide.

"Okay, the bad news is you literally don't own one item of clothing that works for you. Most of it doesn't even look like it would fit you properly. Your haircut doesn't suit your face shape and it doesn't seem like you style it at all. You slouch quite badly, and you have this whole demeanour like you are trying to hide yourself from the world, which is very unattractive"

Ouch. She certainly didn't hold back there. At least the worst part is over and it should hopefully be uphill from here.

"Onto the good news. You have a lot of potential. You are naturally handsome, with pretty eyes and good bone structure, a decent jawline too. You're also tall, when you actually stand up straight, and not in bad shape overall. You have a cute accent, and if you lean into the whole shy academic thing you have going on in the right way, that could actually be pretty cute too. You could be a real diamond in the rough, you just need work"

"And the great news?" you ask, feeling a little happier now.

"You have me. I'm an expert in fashion, a fitness coach and know just about all there is to know about healthy dieting. If the hotness is in you, I can bring it out, and I'm pretty sure it is"

"Okay, so where do we start?" you ask hopefully.

"We are going to get you a haircut right now" she tells you assertively "And I am going to be in there with you to make sure they do it exactly right!"

And she is as good as her word. You feel a little bit self conscious at first, having her standing behind you in the mirror and giving real time instructions and feedback to the stylist. They don't seem to mind though, since Paige has a way of making them feel like they are doing an amazing job and praising their work constantly, even when she is essentially ordering them to do it differently to how they had planned. She also tips them generously when she settles the bill.

She pays for every item of clothing she buys you as well, and none of it is cheap. You do keep insisting you will pay her back, but you both know Paige is shopping above your budget and she won't hear of it. Eventually you have an entire new wardrobe too, one that seems to feature a lot of stylish suits rather than baggy t-shirts and jeans. You are wearing one now, as well as a pair of glasses you don't actually need but which Paige insists suit you. As you catch your reflection in a passing mirror, you realise you look like a different person. And, undeniably, way better than you ever have before.

"Okay, I want a photo of us both for my Insta" Paige tells you, before you pose for a selfie with her "What's your handle? I'll tag you"

"I'm actually not on there" you admit a little sheepishly.

"Really?" Paige looks genuinely taken aback by that revelation "We'll have to fix that this evening. I can get you a ton of exposure, so it shouldn't take long for you to build up a decent following"

That's all very well, but there is something else you are way more keen to talk about. You feel a little awkward asking, but you have to know.

"So how do I look now? Is there any attraction at all at your end?"

"Stand up a little straighter, don't hunch your shoulders so much, legs a little wider apart so you take up more space, like you actually want to be noticed"

Paige takes a step back and looks you up and down. You are more nervous waiting for her verdict than when you opened your exam results.

"Honestly, you are way more my type than I thought you would be. I need to get to know you better to feel a connection, and we are hitting the gym together first thing tomorrow. But yes, there is a level of attraction there now. I can definitely work with this." she tells you, almost like a proud teacher praising her most improved student "So, are you ready to head home?"

You very much are.