I watched her through the school window. Christine was a beautiful girl. The way she smiled could melt an ice cap, and she always smelled like coconut body lotion. The more I saw her, the more I wanted to see her. Sometimes I followed her through town, other times watched her through windows. It was hard for me to not do it.

When I was alone, I thought about the day we would meet. Giddiness turned to impatience. The longer I stayed a stranger, the more frustrated I got. I couldn’t put it off any longer. We were going to meet, I would make sure of that.

Haunting her steps, I followed her into the highschool today. Today would be my day. Christine would finally know who I was and what I wanted to do with her. I waited for the final bell of the day to send everyone streaming out of their classrooms and out of the school. As soon as it rang, I leapt into action and hid by the main door. Peering around the hallway corner, I waited for her to approach.

Students streamed past me, not paying attention. It felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. I’d never asked out an upperclassman before. Sure, I was only one grade below Christine but...I shook my head. I was going to ask her to prom if it was the last thing I did.

Before I collected my thoughts, she rounded the corner, almost walking right into me. I froze. She smiled politely and walked around me with her friends, towards the door. “Christine!” I called. She turned. “I-I, uh...would you go to the prom with me?” I blurted out.

Smiling awkwardly, Christine looked around at her friends who began giggling. “I’m sorry, what’s your name?” I hurried down the hall in the other direction, my face flushed red. It was alright, I didn’t need to go to prom. I could just die of embarrassment instead.