What a difference a half hour makes.
So when I went to New City on Saturday, I was wearing some different clothes than usual. Last weekend I picked up a shirt that was just fishnet. Beneath it, I had on a black tank-top. Since I exercise a lot, I fooled myself into believing that I was showing off my muscles more. I’ve been doing that at home every so often. I look in the mirror and think, “Hey! I’m looking pretty good.”
But that night, something unprecedented happened. Something that I’ve never seen. A totally unique experience. I think it fundamentally changed my view of the world.
A girl smiled at me.
Now I try and smile at people all the time, but in bars they usually they eye-contact. But this pretty girl looked back and smiled.
At first I didn’t believe it. Then Shay asked me “Did she just acknowledge your presence?”
“She must have been looking at someone behind me.”
He checks. “There is no one behind you.”
He then starts encouraging me to go up and talk to her. She disappeared for a while as someone I know from Die-Nasty suddenly appeared and said hello. Bad timing. Shay went looking for her after we lost track of her. When she was seen again, she was dancing. I wasn’t sure of decorum, so I asked if it is socially acceptable to just go up and start dancing with her. Apparently it is.
And she smiles at me some more.
After dancing, I was able to talk to her for a few moments. Her name is Melissa and she is working towards a Fine Arts degree in theatre. I think she liked me, because she didn’t seem shy about touching me.
Normally I go home around 11:30 because I have to get up early. Screw that! I stayed until 1:30.
Now, I lost track of Shay, so I couldn’t get more advice. I’m not sure how to act in these situations. Don’t be clingy, or don’t be standoffish. Am I paying too much attention and bothering her, or does she want to see me, but I’m not making myself accessible? She had her own group of people. How does that affect things.
But for the rest of my time there I went on to the dance floor every so often. Occasionally I was able to make eye contact, and she would smile again. But I never talked to her again until I was leaving. I wanted to say goodbye and thank her for the dance.
Should I have asked for her telephone number? Or e-mail? Or should I have just given her my number and asked her to call?
I don’t know. They don’t teach courses on this.
I also don’t know why Melissa smiled back at me. Do I look better with muscles showing? (Using the term “muscles” liberally.) I did try wearing some Axe deodorant and the commercials imply that women will crawl all over men wearing it. (Yes, I got sucked in by the ads.)
I barely know Shay. But he’s done more for me in the social world in one night, than everyone else combined. He gave me practical advice, encouragement, and even a target. (Most people just tell me I’m not horribly pathetic.) Next time I see him, I’m buying him a drink.