Second Date?

Second date with the Principal, he asked me to join him for his school’s Winter Gala. Naturally I asked what the hell a Winter Gala is exactly. I was imaging a fruity school dance where I would have to wear a dress. I don't like dresses. Especially when I am the type of person who tends to fall on my face infront of a group of people.

Well, his school is into the performing arts and they have performances every semester, he thought I might enjoy it. Thank God its not a dance. Being the holiday season, I figured he just needed a date to accompany him to this thing. I was obviously available…

I like performing arts and said yes. My expectation was to see some kids sing and dance and that’s all folks. The Principal described the event as “an obligatory night of pain and torture.” He said he’d make it up to me, actually being flirtatious in his texting. Hmmm. Not to be trusted. My guydar has been off lately so I would take this “date” at face value. Filling a position for an obligatory event he had to attend. And then some food. And beer. There better be some beer.

The Principal picked me up at work, brought me Starbucks, and opened the car door for me. Very gentlemanly. His kids must suck, right? Is he trying to butter me up for this horrible performance? I still didn’t mind because I happen to love school performances, no matter how awful they are I'm able to see the potential. I miss being involved with kids and arts so this was actually a treat for me. Maybe he knew that? That would be indicative of thoughtfulness...

Showing me around his school, his office, the dance rooms.. knowing I would salivate over the dance floors being an ex-dancer myself. He was being so nice I almost thought he was interested in me. Even during the second act he said that “the company was making the performance better”. I gave him my “you’re full of shit” laugh and proceeded to have a good time. I was proud of myself for not being nervous, but then again it is kind of difficult to be nervous when you have zero expectations of the fake date going anywhere.

After the show we went to a really posh bar called My Florist. The ambiance was set by a baby grand piano played by a professional all night. It was expensive. The type of place that serves hoity toity cheese and ten dollar organic beer. People that go there are fashionable to the point of severe debt. Everything was designer. This is Phoenix, people! Not Manhattan!

The Principal is easy to talk to because he does most of the talking. Now, I have horrible hearing so there was a lot of what he said that I just hoped I was responding to accordingly. I probably would have leaned in to hear better had I thought it mattered. There was a moment I grimaced when I should have smiled, but figured he would get over any faux pas I made. I mean, it wasn’t like a real date, just that he needed me to fill space for a holiday function.

Having driven separately to the bar, we ended up standing by our cars again saying lame goodbyes. That's when he walks straight up to me to wrap his arms around my waist. Wait a second! Did I get this wrong? Maybe he’s just feeling me out to see if he can get some? The last time we went out he barely stood within three feet of me before rushing off. He acted as if I’d singed his tail when I playfully bumped shoulders. God, I hate being this naive but men make us this way, do they not?

Fast forward to having a very nice first kiss. It was soft, sweet, a little seductive. Crap. Not so sure I'm ready to like another guy. I need to get over my perception that men lie and women should conquer the earth in order to enslave the bastards. But here I am, kissing and staring into his eyes like I’m enjoying myself. Hmph.

I should have driven home ecstatic I was wrong about his reasons for asking me out, but instead I felt like crying. When would I learn to read people correctly? The Principal could very well be a nice guy, but I'm so hung up on the fact that I continually meet Mr. Wrong I can't trust what I see. Hell, half the time what I see is false. Men think they can put on a good face in the beginning to suck a woman in. Next thing you know his ass is denting your couch from watching Sports Center 20hours a day and he looks at you like you're an alien for suggesting he do some physical activity for a change.

Thus, I keep dating and keep hoping and keep getting hurt. This is an irritating cycle, to say the least. I like my house and perhaps should just stay there from now on as venturing out of it has been quite confusing lately…

So, the drive home was melancholy. Aren't girls supposed to be happy when they get kissed at the end of a date? Giving myself a pep talk did not help the next day, so instead I texted the Principal and told him I had a nice time. He takes a long time to communicate, that one. Eventually he texted me back and asked me out again. Wonder of wonders. What the hell am I going to do now that I know he really is trying to date me? It's much less acceptable to get all wound up and nervous on the third date after you’ve been laid back for the first two. I am so bad at this dating shit.