How I learned that you should ALWAYS go for it.

I was 16, she was 15. I was one grade ahead, so I figured I had that working for me. Also, I was the new kid the year before, and that was also in my favor. She knew who I was, but we had never had an actual conversation.

We were at a dance. Not together, but we were both there. I made the mistake of telling a friend of mine that I had been admiring this young lady from afar. She was attractive, but not outrageously out of my league or anything. So my friend made me go ask her to dance. And I mean MADE me. I remember she pinched me on the tricep and it hurt like a kick in the balls.

I hope that at least once in all of our lives we get to experience timing so perfect that you'd swear you were suddenly in a cheesy movie.

This high school was small: 250 students. We were in a small auditorium, and she was right in the middle of it dancing with some friends. Dim lighting, colored lights and decorations, everyone dressed up - the usual, you know? I'll never forget how this all went down.

JUST as I started to walk towards her, the music changed and a slow song came on. I watched her as I approached - all of her friends paired up and she looked around for someone to dance with...

"Uh, hi Katie. Would you like to dance?"

PERFECT delivery. Just a little touch of endearing nervousness, and very simple and straightforward. I smiled and held out my hand.

Her eyes went from my hand to my face. She looked like I had just asked her for money. She laughed - ACTUALLY chuckled! - and said "Nice try." And walked away. Just like that.

I stood there in disbelief and didn't move. She walked out of the small auditorium to where the refreshments were, just outside. I didn't want to awkwardly follow her, so I gave her a head start. I just stood there, in the middle of the dance floor, not dancing and trying not to look at anyone around me who might have heard the exchange.

I was absolutely humiliated. And you know what? It passed. My past self took one for the team so that my present self doesn't have to wonder what could have been. It turns out that having gone for it and failed spectacularly is WAY better than having WISHED I would have gone for it when I had the chance.
(jessemoya, Fri 11 Dec 2009, 3:07, 1 reply)

True
Very true. Great post, mate. (And she'd probably only have got fat anyway). click!
( SpankyHanky, Fri 11 Dec 2009, 17:21, closed)