"Dating Course 101"

Hey journal,

            I know I've written about some pretty amazing things in the past, and yes, most of them were about her… this entry is no different.  You see, I was hanging with the guys one day when…                  

           

"And that's how I got into the girl's locker room…"

            And I'm sitting here listening to this…why again?  Don't get me wrong, my friend Yamazaki is cool, but some of the things he finds important are beyond me.

            "So, who are you guys taking to the Sweetheart's Ball this Valentine's Day?"  He asks everyone.

            Someone else in our group, one of the new guys…what was his name again?   Anyways, he shrugged and replied, "My girlfriend already told me we were goin'"

            "And I left a note in Mio's locker with my number.  I hope I get a reply."  Another guy said.  Some guys just don't have what it takes…and unfortunately, I'm one of them

            The idea of the dance brought her to mind again.  I know I've got better things to do, but it's strange.  No matter what I'm doing, she always comes into my mind.  Her short auburn hair and striking green eyes, then there's her smile that makes me all fluttery inside.

            Yamazaki turned to me and rudely broke off my wonderful daydream.  "So Syaoran, who are you taking?"

            I blinked out of my thoughts and frowned at him.  "To what?"  I can't remember what they were talking about.  That's what she does to me.  When she's around, or even when I'm just thinking about her, nothing else exists for me.

            "Only the biggest couple event of the semester."  Came his reply.  "The Sweetheart's Ball!"

            "Oh that?"  I was never into those kinds of things.  So I coolly replied, "I wasn't planning on going."

            "Why not ask someone?"  He continued.  "I've heard rumors that there are tons of girls out there just waiting for you to ask them.  Don't ask me, but there's something you got that drives the girls around here crazy."

            Yeah, sure: my quiet and secluding personality?  "Nah, they're not my type."  Well, that's half true.

            "Not one of them?"

            Well, of course, there was one of them.  One girl.  One simple, attractive, and carefree girl whose image materializes in my mind's eye.

            Sakura…

            She was head of the cheerleading squad and I spent nearly every afternoon watching her practice (from afar of course).  You ask anyone in school who Sakura was and they'd nod a yes.

            "I'm guessing from your lack of a response, that's a yes."  Yamazaki teased.

            "Ask her out!"

            "Yeah, ask her out!"

            "Uh…I…" I hated being cornered like this.

            "Unless you're scared."

            Scared?  There were very few key words that one could say to get under a high school boy's skin and that was one of them.

            I did the only thing I could do when challenge in such a manner.  I shot to my feet and shouted, "Fine, I will ask her!"

            Okay, so that wasn't a very good idea, I figured that out later…

            I hit my head on the table repeatedly after lunch was over and my last class had started.

            Why did I agree to do this again?  There's no way I can ask her and there's no way she's say yes.  I'm doomed.

            But I said that I would so how am I supposed to get out of it?

            Then, someone came to mind.

            Meilin.  My very own annoying cousin was going to be my salvation.  I'd have to do some major persuading, but she could teach me what I needed to know to pull this off…

            Right after school, I ran home and went into her room.

            "Hey, Syaoran."  She said, standing up from her bed.

            "Meilin, I need your help."

            "Really?  It must be important if you're actually asking for help.  What's up?"

            "I sorta, kinda, maybe said I'd ask you-know-who out to the Sweetheart's Ball."

            "Oh."  Meilin understood immediately.  She'd known me since we were both in kindergarten and had been the first one to notice my…odd behavior around the cheerleader.  "Isn't the dance this Valentine's Day?"          

            "…Yeah…"

            Meilin sighed.  "Alright, we'll start today.  Get ready and we'll leave now."

            "Got it, thanks Meilin.  I owe you one."

            "No, you owe me two." Then she shooed me out of her room to get ready herself.

            I go to my room and get out of my uniform.  Mission Impossible had now begun.

            Meilin led me through the mall as I struggled with the many boxes of clothes and accessories she said I'd need to get Sakura to say yes.

            "Arr hu srre allfis shtuff ish neshishary?" Most of my voice was absorbed into the multiple pieces of cardboard and plastic that also blocked my vision.

            "Dear, dear cousin.  You asked for my help and I'm giving it to you.  Do you want to appear like a slob or a gentleman?"

            I wondered… What had I gotten myself into?

            The next two days went by in a blur.  It was harsh and exhausting, but she managed to teach me the basics of dating and asking a girl out in a class she called "Dating 101".  I don't know how I'd survived, but the final exam was yet to come…

            "How are you going to ask her?"

            "What?"

            "Pretend I'm her and ask me out to the ball."  Meilin sat down on her bed and waited patiently for me to begin.

            I took a deep breath.  "Sakura, I've seen you around school and I liked what I saw…"

            "Wrong.  Wrong.  Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong."  She rudely interrupted.  "All wrong.  Are you trying to come across as a jerk or does it just come naturally?"

            I don't reply.

            "You need to talk to her and treat her like a woman.  Now, try again."

            And so we did until she felt I was ready.  Then came the big day.

            I stood around the corner and waited for Sakura to come out of the girl's locker room.  She was usually the last to come out, so it was the perfect opportunity to "make my move".

            When she came out, I called to her, "Sakura!"

            Sakura turned and, upon seeing me, smiled.

            Open with a compliment.  Meilin's voice echoed in my head.

            "I saw you practicing just now.  You're really great."

            She blushed.  "Thanks, we're practicing for the National Competition next month."

            "I'm sure you'll do fine."  Don't blush.  Don't blush.  Whatever you do, don't blush.

            I saw Sakura's face show slight worry.  "Are you okay?  Are you running a fever or something?"  She placed a cool hand on my head, which needless to say, made it worse.

            "I-I'm fine." I pulled back a bit.  "Can I walk you home?"

            She nodded and we walked out of the school together.

            The more we talked, the more comfortable I got until we were at her door and my futile attempt to stall was gone.  I was out of time.

            "Sakura?"

            Sakura turned to me.  "Yes?"

            "Um…I…" I soon found it hard to breath, let alone speak.  "About next week…I was wondering…"

            "Do you want to go to the Sweetheart's Ball with me?"  She suddenly interrupted.

            "Huh?"  Had I heard right?  Was my mind playing tricks on me or did I just hear…

            I saw Sakura turn a light pink.  Was she shy?  "That is unless you already have a date…"

            "No, no."  I quickly said.  "I'd love to."

            We said our goodbyes and as soon as she closed the door, I let out a "whoop!" of victory.

            And that's how I got a date with THE Sakura.  But, writing this brought another problem to mind, journal: I don't know how to dance!  Maybe I should ask Tomoyo if she teaches Dating 120: Dancing…  Yeah, that's what I'll do.

2-19-2002   Hopefully-not-to-be-single-for-long Syaoran