6- Homecoming

This is post #6 in our story. If you haven't read the other posts, start with #1. I actually pulled out my journal to see how much of my story today followed my journal entries back then and it all matched up, minus some other guy details I had obviously forgotten about. Yeah, he wasn't the only guy I talked about in the beginning - whoops! The one thing I understand now is just how much he liked me. It was obvious to everyone except me when it was happening. I kept believing him and then second-guessing him. Poor kid. I was more pessimistic and dramatic than I remembered too. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm grateful to be 30. I have a much better perspective on life than I did back then. Sorry for the tangent. Here comes part 6 to this never-ending story of mine. :)

Marcos called me up and asked me to go to this kickoff to Homecoming concert. Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband were playing and Marcos loves them. I had heard about them, but never listened to their music, but I really liked it. Marcos was charming and sentimental and smooth on the dance floor. Plus I loved his confidence. Between the two of us, we pretty much knew everybody there, but he wasn't embarrassed to show that he liked me. I had been kind of dating a kid that summer - nothing serious, just fun. He was there and it wasn't awkward at all. Thank goodness! I seriously hated the dating scene. Most people play that game better than I do. I was definitely a better friend than girlfriend. Marcos had requested a song and they announced it and we danced to it. So romantic! It's called "I Will Love You Till I Die" and basically became our song. I know, I'm a big sap - a total cheese ball when it comes to stuff like that (or at least I was back then). We had a good date and then he asked me to Homecoming. That's right, I was going to Homecoming. Wa-hoo!

My family was so excited for the dance! My mom bought me a dress, my little sister did my hair and makeup, and my mom pulled out the camera to take millions of pictures of the two of us when he showed up for the date. How embarrassing. We just started dating, Mom. We got to the dance and I was so nervous. We knew EVERYONE there. Talk about a public relationship! Before long, I was in a Marcos trance and forgot about everyone else for the most part. He was so much fun to dance with. He didn't mind jammin' out with me when things were fast and fun and he held me tight during the slow dances. At one point the lights were shining right on us and he told me we had to look good for everyone to see. He was pulling out some hot old school moves for the world to see - Nice! I was singing to the music as we danced, which made me lose my sense of rhythm. We both laughed and he looked and me and said, "You have to follow me." I know, sometimes I struggle with the whole following bit.

So...WSU has this True Wildcat thing. Have you heard of it? It's the whole bit where you take your Homecoming date out under the Bell Tower at midnight and kiss. Yep, that's right. I think that was the thing I was most nervous about that night. I didn't know what the plan was going to be. About ten minutes to midnight, everyone starts heading out to the Bell Tower. I figured I'd wait to see what happened rather than asking the question. So Marcos takes my hand and we start walking out with everyone else. I felt like a little sheep following the flock. So weird. Um, so, yeah, that's a lot of pressure leading up to a first kiss. Knowing it's going to happen or supposed to happen or whatever. A friend of mine who felt as awkward as I did was in the same area as I was and her date was pretty much as nervous as mine. They started talking so she and I talked for a minute too. One of my fraternity friends comes around with a bowl of mints. I just laughed. Are you kidding me? They pass out mints? Okay, whatever. Marcos took a handful. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm pretty sure Marcos was more nervous than I was. He was like a little kid. He threw a mint at some guy he knew. It reminded me more of Jr High school than college. :) All the experienced couples were snuggling and gearing up for the big make-out moment and I was standing next to my friend while our dates threw mints. Hmm...not sure what to think here. The Bell Tower starts to chime and I walk towards Marcos. He finally remembers I'm there and puts the mints in his pocket. Honestly! It was like he had no idea what to do. I finally put my arms around his neck, looked into his eyes and just went for it. Yep, that's right. I initiated our first kiss - our very awkward, public first kiss! I figured it wasn't going to happen otherwise. But it was a good kiss - trust me, my journal wouldn't lie. After it was over, we got this cheesy certificate deeming us "True Wildcats" and we kind of pranced around in our giddy way while "This Kiss" by Faith Hill blasted in the background.

He drove me home after the dance and was beat. It was almost 2 a.m. and I was worried about him driving home. I was a night owl - he, on the other hand, tended to get sleepy around 10:00. Poor kid. He asked me if I had a Coke or something, which we didn't. He drank a glass of water and then asked me if I was going to walk him to his car. He walked inside with me, then I walked outside with him. Okay, so he was stalling. That's what's going on here. Now what? I was pretty much ready to give him a hug and head inside when he finally leaned down to kiss me. There was no way I was going to initiate our first TWO kisses. I had to know this was a two-way thing. I've got pride, after all. No, he definitely liked me - he was just SUPER NERVOUS!