That Moment when someone asks for your number.
Old-school is underrated.
“Hey, I just met you,
And this is crazy,
But here’s my number
So, call me maybe?”
– C. R. Jepson, 21st Century philosopher.
Oh, 2012. That unassuming little year will always bear the scars of one too many parodies of Miss Jepson’s one-hit wonder. Poor little 2012 – it wasn’t its fault.
Do you remember the video clip? The one with the super ripped guy mowing the lawn and then cleaning his car (see: Stereotypical Masculinity) and then, despite Carly flinging herself all over him, giving his number to one of her (male) band members? Yep, that one.
Well, I have something to say about it: I have never, in all of my 23 years, had anyone write their number down on a piece of paper and hand it to me.
And I feel like I’m missing out on so much. (Has anyone ever received a number on a piece of paper? Am I missing out??)
Inhale, Alex.
I guess I’ve always been someone who has given their number (when asked), rather than asking for someone else’s number or just randomly receiving a number from a stranger…
****
There were stripes and red lips and wine and conversation.
He coordinated his movements so that we would walk the wind-whipped 200 metres to the bus stop together.
We turned to part ways and I guess I knew what was about to happen. And it was exciting, because for the very first time in my life someone was going to ask for my number.
“Hey, Alex,” he said looking up at me from his winter coat. “Umm, could I have your number?”
OMYGOD!! YAY!! EEEEEEEEE!! IT’S HAPPENED, PEOPLE!! IT’S HAPPENED!!
The fact that I wasn’t attracted to him was beside the point. Obviously.
It’s not that he wasn’t lovely… or smart or interesting or quite good looking, but I just didn’t feel drawn to him.
But I didn’t feel like I was in the position to be fussy. Anyway, this was validity that a) someone was attracted to me and b) that my secret weapon – the red lips – worked.
And, look, it’s not like my self-worth was hinging on someone asking me out on a date, but it’s always a nice little ego boost, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, I had to break the news to him after a few dates that I wasn’t actually interested in him. That day had far too many bathroom freak outs and heart palpitations for my liking.
****
We’re fighting against the elements; we know that some very important people in our lives Do Not Approve. Which is a shame considering the fact that our chemistry is through the Richter scale…
We haven’t had The Moment yet. The one where he asks.
And I hold my breath hoping, willing him to do so.
Pretend to be busy doing other stuff, Alex. Where did that beverage of mine get to?
He lingers as his mates drag themselves through the front door. He lingers and I silently exhale.
He takes a step forward.
“Hey,” he smiles. Good god, he’s hot. “Can I have your number?”
YES!!!!!!!!!! Wait! Play it cool, Alex.
“Umm… Uhh, yeah, ok,” I shrug.
He raises a wry eyebrow as he tries to gauge my sudden nonchalance before I recite the little poem of numbers to him.
Then he leans forward to say goodbye.
In some ways it was a shame that nothing came of it. Perhaps it was all social nicety. Perhaps he never intended to put words into actions. Perhaps the other players intervened (likely). Perhaps he saw it as too much of a risk. And perhaps he didn’t think I was worth that risk.
And that’s ok, because in many ways it was a very good thing that nothing came of it. I wouldn’t want to be with someone who won’t take risks every now and again.
****
Our noses register the distinctive combination of butter and salt. There’s popcorn somewhere at this party!
We follow the trail to a tall, dark, handsome gent who is holding, eating and sharing the moreish goodness around.
We chat. Very briefly. And then he has to go.
“Hey. Do you want to see each other later on?” he asks.
“Tonight?” (Context: they were continuing on to another venue)
“No, I mean like going out for drinks sometime,” he smiles.
“Oh. Sure. Yes,” I smile in return.
And he tries and fails to coordinate getting drinks together about five times. You would think that after multiple weeks of him doing so that he would figure out that I’m quite busy and that subsequently he will have to put something in my diary more than 72 hours before the actual date.
He’s a slow learner who is keeping his options open. Delete and move on.
****
I always enjoy meeting new people at parties. Tonight is no exception.
There is conversation and there is wine.
Later that night he draws me away. “Hey, Alex. Can I have a moment of your time?” he nervously asks. He leads me inside where he turns to face me.
“Alex, I think I like you and I think we would have lots of interesting conversations together and I was wondering whether I could have your number and whether, if I called you and asked you out to dinner, you would say yes?” he stammers.
I smile and nod and tell him that there is indeed a very high chance that I would say yes.
“Oh! Ok. That’s great. I’ll wait three days to call you and everything.”
“God, I love how excruciating that is,” I jest.
Our chemistry may not be through the Richter scale, but he has the courage to put his words into actions. And there’s certainly something attractive about that…
Alex x
Also. Fun fact: I’ve updated my About section. Because it’s all about me. Duh.