I ask her out on a date!

[P309]

As I watch Sophia sit at the table, her eyes focused on the book in front of her, I realize once again how beautiful she is, and a question comes up in my head. “Why haven’t I asked this gorgeous girl out?” We click together! We share so many interests!”

Emboldened by the remote in my pocket, I ask what I have not dared to so far out of fear of destroying our friendship. "Sophia… I… err… I’ve got a question for you…"

"Yeah? Shoot.", she responds, not knowing how heavy this next question weighs upon me.

Slowly, I stutter: "So… I… think we click really well together… and I was wondering if… There might be more… Can I ask you out?"

"Oh... I see...", she's clearly surprised by what I just said...

"I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in you that way. I hope you did not group up with me all this time just because of that. " - Ouch, that hurt!! Sophia’s words sting more than I had thought they would. She keeps on talking, but I’m not really listening as a mix of shame, rejection, and unrequited love steams inside my body - "I do value our friendship, but date-wise, I’m not interested in men at all, if you get my drift."

"Err... Hello? Are you listening?" - she addresses me, but I do not listen to her. My thoughts dart around inside my head. Under normal circumstances, I’d just like to run away right now and cry in a corner… but I had the remote!