The Friend of a Friend

In something of a break from tradition, Andy headed away from the Halls of Residence and towards the faculty for Politics and Philosophy. There were no lessons on what was considered an orientation day for the new arrivals, but there was a drop in session for those students keen to spend their opening hours of university life ignoring their peers and instead introducing themselves to their tutors. That turned out to be hardly anyone.

It did, however, provide Andy with the opportunity to meet Sara without having to bother with the next day's class. It also meant he now knew where to find her on a Monday, which was handy, and she seemed impressed by his attendance at an event most students had ignored. Once she began circulating the various academic staff that she was eager to acquaint herself with, Andy made a beeline for the only teacher he cared about.

"Um, excuse me, Professor Wellington isn't it?"

"Please, call me Kara" she smiled "I'm not actually a professor, that title seems to get bestowed by the students on anyone who works here. I'm flattered, but it's a little unfair on those of my peers who have actually earned it. And it does make me feel quite old!"

"Right, Kara, sure...." Andy continued "This is going to sound a little pushy, but I'm aiming hard for a first while I'm here, and I'd really appreciate some private tutoring from you"

"That's not pushy, it's commendable. I can put you in touch with some excellent colleagues of mine who specialise in out of hours tutelage"

"No, it has to be you"

"What? Why?"

Andy realised that had come out sounding both strange and intense but, perhaps because of the subconscious familiarity she had with him from previous runs, Kara gave him the opportunity to explain himself. He remembered her words from their car ride last time, about how important it was to her to feel valued for her achievements, and used them to his advantage.

"I did my research before I came here, and I'm convinced you're the best person for the job. I know you're the youngest fully fledged lecturer in the history of the faculty, which is am amazing accomplishment, and I read your paper on James Stewart Mill online and was completely blown away by how insightful and easy to digest it was. I don't have a ton of money, so if it's going to go on tutoring, I need to be sure it's well spent"

"Wow, I'm genuinely flattered, er..."

"Andy"

"Andy..." Kara thought for a while "It wouldn't feel right taking your money, but I expect we can work something out. Here..."

She scribbled some digits onto a small piece of card and handed it to him.

"That's my personal number, I'm trusting you not to share it with anyone else. Shoot me a text later on,. I'm sure we can find an arrangement that works for both of us"

"Great, thanks!"

Andy smiled to himself as he left the building with his sexy professor's phone number in his wallet. To think he had spent this time on the last few runs unpacking clothes he never even got the chance to wear.

---

"Okay, now I need to know what star sign you are"

Things were going really well with Leah. She was more engaged than ever, and Andy had already guessed her star sign correctly and given her the spiel on astrology being a science that she loved so much. If he told her he was a Virgo now, he would be having sex with Leah again this run for sure. Maybe he might last a little longer this time.

"Aquarius"

He decided to go with the truth. Perhaps his former classmates affection was high enough now that it didn't matter what his star sign was? Either way, he couldn't see himself breaking out of this loop with Leah unless he was honest with her.

"Damn, that's a shame" she sighed "You were beginning to sound like my perfect match, but that would be a Virgo. We should still be friends though, I think that's probably what we're supposed to be"

Great. So she was happy fucking him and showing him nude photos as a Virgo, but as an Aquarius she was immediately friend zoning Andy.

"So do you seriously only date Virgos?" he felt compelled to check.

"Well, I might relax my rules for the right kind of guy if he was a Scorpio or a Pisces" Leah speculated as she cut her sandwich up into neat little squares "But an Aquarius? That's probably the worst sign there is. I mean, not the worst as a person, obviously, but an Aquarius would be a hot mess in a relationship with a Taurus. They work well as buddies though"

That didn't sound at all promising. Why did Andy have to be born in fucking February?

"Are there any star signs that work well romantically with both Libra and Taurus?"

"That's an interesting, if slightly random question" Leah considered it for a moment "I'd say Pisces goes well with both. But then you're an Aquarius, so you're already the perfect match for a Libra as it is"

Okay, so maybe Pisces for the next run. The dream threesome might yet be on. Andy was actually less than a week away from having been born under that star sign anyway. It would barely even be a lie.

"Well, this has been lovely" Leah concluded as she finished her meal "I'm so glad we finally got to know each other. Let's swap numbers, you and I need to make up for lost time now we've been thrown together like this"

---

Andy reassured himself that hadn't been the step backwards with Leah that it felt like. If anything, he had probably raised her fondness for him even further. However, he knew now nothing romantic would be happening with her on this run.

He was therefore surprised later that evening when his phone buzzed to let him know he had received a photo and message from her. The words weren't flirty this time though, and the accompanying picture wasn't even of Leah.

Made a lovely Libra friend! You like? cos I'm a wonderful match maker, and she'd love to meet a nice Aquarius guy! Xxx

That was Elaine in the photo, failing to look anything less than beautiful even while clearly drunk and pulling a stupid expression. Andy wasn't going to be foolish enough to attempt to play it cool here.

Of course I like! She's stunning!

His heart began racing as he waited, thankfully not for long, for the response to arrive.

I know right? Don't even know why I asked lol leave it with me but keep tomorrow evening free k?

Holy shit. Did that mean what he thought it meant? Maybe being born in February wasn't so bad after all.