Hey, Hungary!
Sometimes I feel like every opening line I write is, "I have the craziest/strangest story for you this week". But other times it's really just true. This time it all started with a ticket stub, an empty bucket of popcorn, and me attempting to be social. I don't know why I even try anymore, it always ends up embarrassingly for all involved parties.
Well: I have this group of friends a year older than I am; they all graduated last year, so apparently it was a brilliant idea to have a "reunion" of sorts. We were all down to begin with, but then, slowly yet surely, they all began to drop out, claiming excuses of "work" and "I'm going to school two hours away and won't be home that weekend". Eventually our party was reduced to three: Chad, Tiffany, and myself. I was resolved, however, to go and make the most of the occasion despite the fact that I might feel awkward with just the three of us.
I was certainly not disappointed in my expectations: it DEFINITELY was awkward. I pulled up as the other two were already in line; naturally, I joined them and engaged in the usually scripted "Oh how are you- Thanks, you look great too-What? Seven months? I can't believe it's been that long" conversation. Everything was running according to plan...until we finally reached the ticket booth.
Chad turns to me and says, "Oh, and by the way, I'm buying your ticket for you." This was very strange. And the fact that he hadn't included Tiffany in the demand only enlarged my sense of "what in the heck is going on here". Apparently she'd already gotten hers before he had a chance to pay for it and therefore he felt the need to triumph by purchasing mine instead. I tried to refuse seeing as I had brought my own money expressly for this purpose (not to mention the fact that if I let him by my ticket it would feel kind like a date and that would be TOO weird because there were two girls and only one guy). But he insisted.
We walked inside and instantly set our sights on the candy counter. Chad once again declared that he would be buying popcorn for everyone, but that if we would like anything else, we were free, by all means, to do so then. I thought this was a rather fair compromise mostly because I knew arguing the point with him could go on till dawn. In accordance with the plan, Tiffany walked up to the counter and ordered a small box of Jr. Mints...and a bag of popcorn.
It was my turn next, and thanks to Tiffany, I had no idea what to do. (Social anxiety is great, right?) So, eventually, I thought to myself, "To heck with this popcorn thing, I just need me some Jr. Mints." And that's all I got. But then comes Mr "Chivalry" and buys a large popcorn to, and I quote, "share". IF THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE AWKWARDEST ALMOST DATE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES. Because poor Tiffany over here's like third wheeling hardcore and I don't even want this guy's attention, but we be sharing popcorn. All. Movie. Long.
SO that transpired.
But here's the best part: I get home and see that I've got a text from none other than Chad Yeates himself. "Listen," he writes, "I have a question I really need to ask you, but I need you to be 100% honest with me." Dang it. The stinking kid is gonna ask me out now. How do I let him down easy? Life is so much less complicated when I stay at home on my couch with my Jane Austen novels. But I can't hold him off for long.
"Sure, go ahead."
He replies with, "Do you think it would be awkward if I asked Tiffany out on a date?"
BOY I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING. Grinning as wide as possible, ear to ear and back, I respond: "No! Not at all! I think it would be lovely and that you should DEFINITELY give it a go! ! !" Man! Dodged a bullet there. I then proceeded to rethink the entire evening. I was the one third wheeling, not Tiffany. She was just playing the strong-independent-woman-who-don't-need-no-man and I was left to receive the offers she didn't take. It was kind of hilarious. And I'm glad, too, because I was almost that one chick who initiates all the HS drama, and we all know I am SO not about that life. So, I guess you could say all in all it turned out pretty swell. And I now can go back to sitting on my couch in peace, knowing the world is one couple happier, even better that it's not me. I really should get a cat....
Well that's it for this week! Be glad you don't have to deal with high school anymore, you're better off. Trust me.
Love America
