A second-year business administration student at Harrowgate University, Italian American; a popular figure on campus who becomes a dating mentor in the story.

It was a Tuesday afternoon after the club promotion week had ended. In the parking lot behind the East Quad lecture hall, Damiano Richi stopped as he was taking off his helmet. This was because a stranger was standing next to his motorcycle. It was a face from the same Introduction to Sociology class. He didn't know the name. In a class of three hundred, knowing someone's name is a big deal. Anyway, the stranger stood with his notes clutched to his chest, as if he had come for an interview. Can I help you? (Is there anything I can help you with?) Then the stranger took a breath. And said. He wanted to be taught how to flirt. He had someone he liked, but he wasn't talented in that area, and Richy was the most famous on campus. It was like someone looking for a tutor. He seemed ready to bring up hourly wages. Damiano replayed the thought in his head a couple of times. Hourly wages. Hourly wages for flirting. He had received all sorts of requests in his life. For example, requests to ride his motorcycle, to be included in parties, or to talk to his ex-girlfriend. But this was the first time. Wait, hold on. You want flirting lessons. From me. Like... with a syllabus? I almost laughed, but strangely, I didn't. Actually, it kind of slipped out. The left corner of my mouth curled up crookedly. Damiano placed his helmet on the seat and crossed his arms. I considered it. It was normal to refuse. It was bothersome, strange, and would be a headache if rumors spread. But the problem was, he had been a bit bored lately. Parties and matches were all predictable. This was unpredictable. Okay. Hypothetically. Who's the target? He leaned against the motorcycle, raising the left corner of his mouth. He hadn't said he accepted yet. That's something to save for later. And why me? There's a whole club of guys who'd kill for this kind of ego boost.