The Blow Off
Will, 17-year old guy
“At our high school we have a Fall Dance every year. There’s a girl named Shannon that I liked and I asked her if she wanted to go to the dance with me. She said no, that she didn’t want to go to the dance at all because she didn’t have any money for a dress and just wasn’t up for it. I didn’t think anything about it because her answer seemed honest, and she thanked me for asking her, and we kept talking as we usually do.
I found out later that she was going to the dance with someone else. What was worse was that he asked her after I did. Why did she say no to me, and yes to him? Shannon and I have a mutual friend, who told me that there was some obligation for her to go to the dance with this guy.
When I found out, I acted like it was no big deal, but it was like a knife. Shannon never said anything to me, and I haven’t said anything to her. We’re still friends in passing, just like we were before she blew me off. It’s not the end of the world, but it really sucks to feel like second-rate fool.”
