Social Proof

Andy couldn't help but experience an immense sense of pride as he walked into the packed Student Union bar with Gemma. He had never imagined himself as the kind of guy who would show up to an event like this with such a beautiful date by his side. Technically, she wasn't there with him in that capacity, but it really felt like they were a couple for the evening. Apparently, it looked like it too.

"Hello Andy"

Not long after he and Gemma had begun mingling with the other students as a pair, Andy turned to find Sara eyeing him rather frostily. She was looking even more irresistible than the last time he had seen her, but not so inviting.

"I see you have a date for the evening. She's very beautiful, congratulations"

"Oh, I um..."

"I thought I'd say hello, but I don't want to cramp your style, so I guess I'll see you in class"

After what had happened between him and Sara only the previous night, Andy could see how bad it looked for him to show up to this with another girl. He was also starting to realise what a minefield this event would be to navigate each week, with all the women he was chasing being in the same place at the same time - especially if he started making the same kind of progress with some of the others as he had with his study partner.

He felt grateful that any negative feelings Sara now had towards him would soon be erased, and that the affection he had built with her over the past couple of runs was already safely banked. What he hadn't realised, was that her desire for him had actually just gone up even further.

Andy didn't know what social proof was, and the Spirit of Freshers' week had never bothered mentioning it to him, but it was going to come into play in a big way this evening. An indisputably beautiful woman like Gemma walking around with Andy, and looking as happy as she did to be in his company, signalled to other highly desirable females that he was something of a catch. It also subconsciously brought out their competitive streak. Even among the girls who hadn't yet developed a romantic interest in Andy, him being so openly here with Gemma certainly didn't do any harm.

On that count, he exchanged brief but friendly greetings with Leah, Elaine and Tamara as he and his companion for the evening circulated the building, as well as Tina - who had received an invite as a club leader (and thanked Andy profusely for the new dress and shoes she was wearing, courtesy of her race winnings), and Kara, who had showed up as one of the cool, young lecturers.

And, just when he thought he had checked in with everyone he knew who was present..

"What's up, dipshit?"

Andy wondered why a gorgeous, elegant looking young woman he'd never met before was playfully heckling him, until he clocked who it was.

"Aurora?"

"It looks like you got over me then"

"I, uh...."

"Relax, I'm fucking with you. You did good, she's a total hottie. I might even go after her myself when you inevitably fuck things up with her"

Wait, did that mean Aurora liked girls too? That was worth keeping in mind for future runs.

"Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. Make sure you have some johnnies with you this time"

Despite having just completed a tour of all of the hot women he wouldn't be seeing his week out with, Andy couldn't be happier with the girl he had chosen for the occasion.

Gemma was starting to become a little self conscious about the situation, though.

"I feel like I've railroaded you into being my date for the evening" she told Andy with a concerned expression, having witnessed the incredible range of options he seemed to have "You don't need to stick with me all night if you don't want to"

"I do want to" Andy answered, quickly and emphatically "I can't think of anyone else I would rather end my first week here with"

Clearly happy with that answer, Gemma smiled, took his hand, and walked him to a two person couch at the side of the room, where they could huddle up together and talk without anyone else distracting them.

There was no doubt that everything seemed to come more naturally with Gemma than any of the other girls. Andy had barely even needed to use any time travel tricks to get her here - she had liked him from the off. Conversation came effortlessly, and the time they spent in each other's company flew by.

After a while, Andy noticed that Gemma seemed a little distracted, and was looking up at the large, digital clock on the wall nearby. He checked it too. It read 23:59. She saw he had also noticed the time and looked at him, wordlessly. There was a hint of expectation in her eyes. She had paused quite deliberately, giving Andy an opportunity to take the initiative. Did she want him to make a move? He wasn't quite sure. He found himself hesitating, doubt creeping into his mind, as he could almost feel the moment slipping away from him. Until..

"Fuck it" Gemma suddenly seemed to decide "I've had ninety per cent of my Freshers' Week ruined, I'm not ending it without at least a kiss"

Before Andy even fully realised what was happening, she had leaned forward and they were locking lips. He closed his eyes and returned her kiss tenderly, almost lovingly. This felt so right. As the clock struck midnight, he could hear someone had started letting off fireworks outside. It seemed like the perfect movie ending.

Until..

Monday 3rd September

"Hey there!"

"Oh hey Leah!" Andy had to quickly compose himself as he was instantly transported back to the University gates five days earlier.

"You enrolled here too, huh?"

"Yeah!" he replied "It's great to see a familiar face. We should meet for dinner"

"Sounds good" his former class mate nodded contentedly, as if she had been hoping to be asked "I'm in room 417. Come knock for me around seven"

With that social engagement now safely locked in, Andy knew what his next priority had to be. He walked through into the main campus grounds to find Gemma, back in her usual geek chic attire and glasses, consulting a map.

He needed to get to the bottom of what was up with her this week, so walked over to introduce himself.