Credit to the other guy for taking one for the team and sitting between Christian and the girls. There was probably an awkward pause when it was time to sit down, because Christian wanted to see where the girls would sit so he could sit next to them but the girls wanted to see where he would sit so they could avoid him. Notice they are all crammed up by the window while there is a whole other section of table to Christian's right.
I can imagine the moment of frisson when they were getting into their chairs, and none of the girls wanted to sit next to Christian. Kind of like an impromptu game of musical chairs, where the loser has to sit next to the 'tard.
In this picture though, I think the girls are crowding into that corner because the photographer is at the foot of the table and they're squeezing into the frame. I think the dynamic of "awkward social situation: group of girls, one 'tard" is more pronounced in Christian's 18th birthday, where there were four girls to a sofa, another two girls in either a two-seater or two single chairs, and none of them looked like they were enjoying themselves. If you just cropped out the 'tard, this could pass for any young adult's birthday party.
With that said, once the photographer leaves, I wonder what their natural positions are? The most natural position would be if they all just slid to move back into the space freed up by the photographer - Sunkist girl at the head of the table, other two girls opposite Christian and the JERK, and Anna at the other end of the table, closest to Christian.
Also, I don't know what to think about the JERK next to Christian. My first impression was that he's some kind of chav or townie. But if you're correct that he spared one of those girls having to sit next to Christian, then he's a true gentleman in my book.
