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The New Girl
[9.08.03]
He thought this would be a new year. He was more confident than ever. He was sure he had many cool things to say. He was positive that people would find him impressive.
She stood out of the first year pack like a Marlboro Red amid a bunch of Lights. It wasn't even stunning beauty. He told himself that he had seen better before. And yet, several things about her initial appearance caught his eye. The way her clothes fit her so well. The way she was average - not too short or tall, not too skinny or thick - and with features none too noticeable. Except maybe her lower lip, which protruded a bit.
But of course, he wasn't going to fall just on looks because that would be superficial and shallow. He would have to know her before he could like her. Right? So he thought hard about how he would approach her. Would he be as bold as to walk right up and introduce himself? After all, he was going to be impressive with all the things he could say about himself.
He saw her sitting with some other girl, who wasn't bad looking herself. It's nice to see pretty girls hang out with each other, he thought to himself. Casually walking around along the stone ledge just outside the student center, he made his way toward the two girls and sat down on an open spot, close enough to strike up a random conversation.
He looked around to make himself seem like a normal dude just enjoying the nice weather outside. He looked at some people throwing around a frisbee and then proceeded to open up his book, The Unfinished Journey by William Chafe. It was a book for his history class and because he was good at history, reading the book in public made him feel even more confident. He eyed the girls with his peripheral vision and saw that they were just sitting and talking about their respective classes. He overheard her talk about her pre-med intentions and was partially disappointed because he had limited knowledge of such a career path.
When the conversation between the girls died down somewhat, he felt it was the proper time to introduce himself. He now turned his body and faced them and looked directly at her and her friend. They did not notice right away, but must have felt the focus of his constant gaze as they both threw suspicious glances his way. Better say something quick before I look like a creep, he thought.
Hi. Um. I'm a third year. Where are you guys from?
We're from New York.
Oh, cool.
Hey, we have to go now.
They got up and walked away. He sat there, paralyzed by an awkward embarrassment. He realized it was not a good idea to begin by calling to attention his older age. How was he so tactless? He remained seated on the stone ledge with the history book on his lap. I didn't even get her name, he thought.
After a few minutes of bouncing various thoughts and regrets through his mind, he got up and walked back to his room. He finally had a single this year, but he wished at that moment that a roommate would be around to hear him out about his mistake and offer up a word of encouragement or at least a light laugh. But all he could do was turn on the Dashboard song and sing along to the lyrics of For You to Notice. He wondered what her name was.
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