The story: From what I can piece together.

“Today’s the day!” I said to myself triumphantly. “I will see Richard 4th hour, and I will ask him to homecoming! I’m not worried in the least. I have back-ups don’t I? I’m just hoping I won’t need to use them.”

Fourth hour came around, and I told Olivia what I was doing. Pretty soon, a good amount of people knew because a clarinet player overheard. You can never trust those clarinet players. Stupid bitches that they are….

Getting back on track, by the end of band, everyone in the woodwind section knew about my obsession with one, Mr. Richard Manner, which is pretty nice, seeing as he’s a percussion player.

I was pumped. I stood in the band lobby and watched him come out. ‘Let’s do this thing!’

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My stomach became a series of unmanageable knots, my knees to springs. I couldn’t talk and I was struck by a wave of nervousness I’ve never felt before in my life.

I sat with Olivia at lunch too, and Richard sat behind me. Still more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life, and dateless to the fact, I had plotted my attack to ask him after lunch before he went to class.

He got up too early for me to catch him. “Go ask him! Hurry, before he gets away!” Olivia hissed at me. I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t move.

One more missed opportunity under my belt. Great. I’m really getting far with this approach.

Richard has 7th hour next to mine. I went next door, and Olivia saw me standing there like a complete deer in headlights.

“You ready?” she asked, calmingly.

“Yep.” I said almost determined.

She returned inside to go and get the man of my dreams, and returned…

…saying that he was in a shit mood. “Try when he’s in a better mood.” Olivia said.

My face burned in frustration. I can still feel the heat radiating like sunburn, an hour and a half later.

I stood outside the door again at the end of the day, stubborn as I am, and was going to do it. I was going to ask him, regardless of a shit mood or not. Garret (Trombone) and Austin (Tuba) came out, two senior twins who are in band with Richard, Olivia and myself.

They looked at me and smiled mischievously. “What?” I asked eyeing them warily. They kept smiling, like two Cheshire cats. I narrowed my eyes. “You know? How?”

“Sources.” Austin said.

“Oh I’m going to kill Olivia.” I growled. “Kill her!”

They smiled one last time, and then departed. Enter Olivia, stage right into the hallway.

“You told Garret and Austin?!” I shrieked.

“I didn’t think you’d care, seeing as you told the clarinet section.” Olivia said.

“I didn’t tell them that.” I said confused. Then it hit me. “Great…” I said under my breath.

We walked and talked out to her car. From everything I can piece together, here is my response.

Richard hasn’t had a girl go up to him and say: “Will you go to homecoming with me?” He’s only heard: “My friend really likes you and was wondering…” I’m the first girl to try the direct approach. But I’m not the first person to get to him either. He’s not going with anyone yet, but he has a waiting list of about 3 girls with friends. They’re all saying: “You need to talk to me before making any decisions about homecoming.” And they all did it to him today.

It’s not as bad as it sounds either. I do have a chance. It’s not as hopeless as it looked a few days ago, but if I were to stick with Richard, I’d have to wait for a response, and I want to figure out whom I’m going with before the week is over. The response looks like it’ll be sometime next week.

So I’m cheerfully saying good luck, see you in band, and remember I’m genuinely interested in you. ~Wink~ Call me.

Everyone is being picked over, and I’m damn lucky I have 4 back-up plans that I know share an interest in me. Now my plans include a young man (Okay, he’s a senior too.) named Lyndon. He’s the lights guy for the plays, and we’ve been caught flirting every time we talk. I’m a light girl this year too, so I’ll be able to talk with hang with him all year. He’s no Richard, but I certainly wouldn’t mind a relationship with him.

Third (Don't I sound like a slut?! Christ!), is a tenor sax player in band with him, whom I know likes me. We play cards at lunch, and if I skip a session, he’ll shame me. I’m his Yukon partner. He helped me get ready for our first football game. He’s really nice too. He’s a junior.

Stopping here since I’m entering my third page of rambling.

Goodbye.