first date

Wow!

I think I just got asked out on my first date!



Now, I know this is like, a completely common occurrence for normal people... but truthfully, I have never been asked out on a random real date. I mean, classically, I guess, people meet at a bar or wherever, you chat, someone asks for the others number, and they go out on a date or something. That is the way it works, right? At least, I have been told it works that way...

and yeah - NEVER has that happened to me.


I attribute it to the aura of "leave me the bleep alone, I am not interested" that I unintentionally exude. At least, I think I do.



Anyway, I was at the bank, and I was endorsing my checks, and there was a guy in front of me doing the same. He got in line to be waited on. I searched for a lollipop. I wanted root beer and I kept finding chocolate. He commented that he had a hard time too. I laughed. Some other guy came in and stood behind me, and the guy who was in front of me said hi to him because apparently they knew each other.

We wait in line. He opens with "man, it is cold out today". I agree. He says then he was hoping for a snow storm earlier in the week. I replied that I felt the same. In my head I am thinking, please stop talking to me. I hate small talk with a burning passion.

Jon calls, I am thankful. We talk for a minute or two. Jon goes to get off the phone. We always say I love you.... but this time he just said bye!!! Ack! I was hoping to use that so that I could respond with a very loud "Aww sweetie I love you too!!!!!!" But no. Instead it just came off as a phone call.

It is his turn, he goes the counter. It is then my turn at the counter next to him. I say silently to the teller, please go slow, please go slow, please go slow. She does. SCORE! Double score because he is done way before me.

He lingers. He talks to the guy who was behind me. Again, in my head I tell the teller to go slows. She obeys. They finish and walk out. YES!

She finishes with me, and I walk out... only to realize that his car is parked opposite mine across a bunch of bushes.... and he has not gotten into his car yet. Crud.


He then says something akin to, "Come here often?"

I fight the urge to look at the very local bank and say no, I am actually from out of state but I just heard so many things about this bank.

I say yes, I live around here. He asks how close. I point. He says oh, I also live around here. He points (thankfully) in the opposite direction. He asks how long I have lived here. I smile and say 22 years. He says oh, then you are 22. I say no, I am actually 27.

I am not 27. I am 26. I have no idea why I said I was 27 except that I was in duress.

He excitedly says that he is 26. He asks me if I went to school around here, I said yes, and explained. He asked where I teach. I said in West Chester.

He then introduces himself as Justin. I say hi, I am Ericka. He goes to shake my hand and realizes the bushes are in the way. I laugh and tell him he probably should not jump over the bushes just to shake my hand.


He then asks me if I want to go to a movie some time.

I say, "I do not think my boyfriend would like that very much."


Sorry, sucka.


He looks a bit crestfallen and not sure how to escape. I was hoping Jon would call again. He doesn't. I say that it was really nice to meet him and thanked him for asking and maybe I will see him around. We say goodbye.


AWKWARD!



Now, I should say, this guy was reasonably cute, very friendly and nice, and there was nothing all that wrong with him except that he probably did not go to college. I assume this because he was wearing a sweatshirt from a local furniture store. I am guessing that he probably moves around furniture. Not that this is bad. Please do not take it as a bad thing. Just something I noticed.

Also, anyone who is that genuinely friendly and outgoing is also a little.... umm... this sounds terrible, but also tends to be on the bit dimmer side. I dont know why! It is just that way. I am not sure if it is less awareness of the cruel harsh world.... but usually the nicest, kindest, and most loving people in the world are a bit on the dim side. I feel like a JERK for thinking that, especially thinking that about someone I do not know, but it was just the impression that I got.

I mean, he was being so incredibly nice to me, but he did not seem to notice that I was intentionally not engaging him in conversation. Though I answered his questions, I never asked them back. And I really think this is something that guys should learn to read. If a girl is merely answering your questions and not asking them back, she is either a) not interested, b) extremely self-absorbed, or c) not bright enough to engage in conversation. Yeah.


However, I would like to say it was flattering that he asked me out based on 2 minutes of small talk. I blame the pheromones. I really do.

And Justin, if you ever come across this for some reason, you seem like a cool guy and I am confident some nice girl WILL take you up on that offer if you keep it up. And I think you were a model of how to ask a random girl out without meeting in a skanky bar. Kudos to you! You left a very good impression, despite the fact that I was a bit freaked out! Seriously!




Overall , it was an interesting and surprising experience, and a first time experience. So congrats, random guy in the bank, you were the first person to ask me out on a date. And I am 26 (not 27). Pathetic, perhaps? I don't know.