Hey Seddit! It's been far too long since my last FR so here's some background.

I'm no PUA, I'm a 20-year-old starting his junior undergrad year in college. After my first real pickup, the girl I was with and I became friends with benefits until winter break, after which we mutually decided to part ways. I wanted to focus on my studies and do some more soul-searching in the following semester and over the summer. But now I'm finished with the break and I'm back for more action.

Lesson 1: There is no shame in taking a break from pickup, gents. Do what makes you happy, and do what is necessary before what is fun. I was too busy to put in the effort my previous semester, so I didn't.

Anyway, to celebrate the beginning of another school year, a group of which I'm a part put on a dance party for the incoming freshmen. As a dancer, I was absolutely in my element in such an environment.

Lesson 2: Learn how to dance. Seriously, take a class. I do Ballroom and Latin. Lots of guys don't know how to actually dance, they just bounce around a little and spin girls. This is fine, but YOU CAN DO BETTER, DAMNIT! :-D If you can hustle with a girl and lead her properly, it's a panty-soaker (to be mildly crass). The great thing about hustle is that the girl does not even need to know how to dance; as long as she follows your lead, she'll feel beautiful (not to mention aroused).

As soon as I got to the dance, I started asking girls to dance with me. If they said that they didn't know how to dance, I told them, "Just remember, I'm a guy and you're a girl; follow my lead and you'll be fine". This, in my opinion, is a pretty good line. It's simultaneously humorous, bold, disarming, and reassuring.

Lesson 2.5: On the premise that you know how to dance, dance with girls! Dancing is absolutely FANTASTIC. If done right, it is a combination of kino, a massive DHV, and crazy social proof.

There was one pretty freshman there, an HB8 who looks like a busty, bespectacled Elisabeth Moss. I went over to her and asked her to dance. I hustled with her a bit. When I finished with her, I said to her "Hey, you're pretty interesting and I'd like to get to know you better. You should give me your number."

Lesson 3: Don't ask, tell. It's assertive and sexy.

The next day, I invited her over to my dorm via text. The conversation was bare-bones and I don't think it is worth typing out.

Lesson 4: Text messages are really damned bland; use them to arrange a meet-up, but not much else. Most of the time, it'll only hamper you.

I invited her (and another girl whom I like platonically) to the dorm. After a conversation about Doctor Who, Steven Moffat, Firefly, Joss Whedon, etc., we all watched some of Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog together, during which I sat next to Elisabeth.

Lesson 5: Going to the movies is a bad first date. Watching a movie together that you and your date can both enjoy is a mediocre first date. Watching a movie together that you can your date can both SING with is a fun first date. Because singing is fun.

After this, Elisabeth and I watched as my suite-mates and my other lady friend played a drinking game. I looked at Elisabeth dead in the eyes and said to her, "I'm going to kiss you now." She got doe-eyed for a second and said "Ok!" And then I kissed her.

Lesson 6: "I'm going to kiss you now" is a killer line. It's disarming, assertive, and serves the purpose of getting an answer to the question "may I kiss you?" without necessitating such a wimpy inquiry.

After a few more kisses, I took her to my room and made out with her some more. I asked if she wanted to have sex, but she declined. Turns out she's a virgin and nervous about doing such a thing. I figured this isn't LMR, so we just did lots of foreplay and left it at that.

Lesson 7: Not all LMR is a shit test. Pay attention to context, and don't do anything that can get you legally screwed. This applies doubly so at American universities, due to Title IX. Also, morality, etc.

She ended up sleeping over. We got breakfast together this morning, and we're going to see each other again later this week, much to her delight. So all-in-all, pretty successful.

Unmentioned Lesson: Stay aloof. Think Don Draper. If you're too emotional and expressive, you end up acting like a woman. Yes, this sounds is sexist, but it's true. Men and women were made to compliment one another. Women love virile men, and a calm, aloof demeanor is really damned manly.

So that's my latest story. Thanks for your help Seddit! I couldn't have done it without you. Also, Models by Mark Manson is a delightful read.

tl;dr, read the bold parts, those are the lessons.

Author's note: this is a throwaway/alt. My main screen name has certain ties to me in real life, so for the sake of not having to potentially explain myself to certain individuals...