I remember being the concourse of our main university building. It was student election time and I was running for the Board of Directors for the Students' Union. There were only 10 of us running for 12 seats, so we were going through the motions of a campaign and speeches and debates.
One of the other candidates was introduced to me as 'Joe'. I remember thinking 'what a funny nickname for a short brown guy, but sure, let's go with it'. I forgot about him (and the rest of the board members) as I left for my summer trip to Japan.
September came and we had our weekly meetings. Joe and I seemed to regularly miss dinner, so he made it a point for us to meet an hour before the meeting so that we could eat, then attend the meeting. I thought it was a good idea. At least I wouldn't miss a meal anymore! Joe made fun of me more than any other person I've ever met. I was never quick with the comebacks, so most of the time, I sat there and took the beatings. It was rather amusing, but I thought nothing more of it. Clearly, I hadn't learned my lesson.
A couple of months passed and Joe's fraternity was holding a charity slave auction. He was going to be put up for sale. Sweet revenge was mine! Would I make him attend my classes for a week? Would I make him clean out my apartment? Would I make him bartender at a girls' night in? For the right price (and for a great cause), I had the choice of torturing his poor soul anyway I wanted. Bonus, he came concert tickets. So what did I do? Nothing. I took him to the concert because I didn't know anyone else who wanted to go. It was some loud band (noise) and he loved it. He was at the front, near the stage while I was at the back plugging my ears. Clearly, I did not know the meaning of 'slave'. I drove him home and as we pulled into his driveway, he asked me if I would accompany him to the upcoming formal his fraternity was hosting. I had no idea what a formal was. Sure! Why not?! (I later found out that it meant I had to buy a dress and shoes...the tomboy in me was not impressed).
Surprisingly, I was actually excited about finding a fantastic princess dress with matching silver shoes. This was not the reaction I was expecting of myself! I picked up a make-your-own-chocolate bar pack, some crispy M&M's (which I had discovered were his favourite) and picked him up.
He cleaned up well, I was impressed. He got into the car and gave me a corsage.
"Oh sugar, I was supposed to get you a flower thing, too, wasn't I..." I immediately said, "will chocolate do?".
We played tic-tac-toe on the bus window the entire way to the hall. We were competitive. I won (although his version of the story will probably be different). We arrived and sat for dinner. I didn't realize that we were going to have dinner and had neglected to tell Joe that I was a vegetarian. Of course, he had noticed from all the dinners we'd had before, and had already ensured that I would receive a vegetarian meal. I met a host of gentlemen who would later become like a family of brothers to me throughout the rest of my undergraduate days. They were fantastic. Joe was fantastic. A perfect gentleman.
As the slow dances approached at the end of the night, I had a sinking feeling. I had never slow danced before. Sure, gym class in junior high, but I had never actually, really slow danced. Do I put my hands on his shoulders? Do I put one hand on his shoulder and the other by his waist? Do I wrap my arms around him? How close do I stand? Do I rest my head on his shoulder? Do I look him in the eye? Panic.
I look around at some of the other girls who are there and follow their lead. I must have been standing a bit too close, as I felt something poking me...you know...like right....*there* (ahh!)... Something that I immediately tried not to think of. Eek! What do I do? Eww! I can't just run away from this! Giggling won't work here! Um....er....AHHH!!!!
I tried to start a conversation. No luck. Finally, I just asked "so, what are you thinking about?". Typical girl. I know. Joe's response "well, I'm dancing with this amazingly beautiful girl...what do you think I'm thinking about?". Ewwwww!!!!!!!!! Thankfully, the song ended and I excused myself. Phew.
With drunken frat boys on a bus, it was far from a quiet ride home. I was exhausted. And, cold. Joe gave me his jacket and I rested my head on his shoulder. I drove him home and as he was about to leave, he leaned in, gave me a fantastic hug and thanked me for a fabulous evening. I asked if he wanted to grab tea, but he had to work early the next morning. He gave me another hug before I drove home.
I couldn't sleep. My stomach was filled with butterflies... I had no clue what this new feeling was.
:)
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