Q: My high school reunion is coming up. How do I impress that hot girl I always had an insane crush on?
A: They say old habits die hard, right? Crushes are the exact same way. They seem to linger for.ev.er. I mean I still have a soft spot for the blonde cutie I played basketball with at recess everyday throughout elementary school, and then had a thing for on and off during high school… sigh. Sigh, sigh, SIGH. It was a frustrating time. Feel me?
If that scenario sounds familiar, here’s the deal: You can totally turn it around and have your shot. Maybe high school just wasn’t your time to connect with that gorgeous girl you had your eye on. Maybe you weren’t ready yet. Maybe she wasn’t. Maybe it would have ended in disaster back then. But everything happens for a reason, and perhaps now is your time. You’ve gotten better with age. You’re not that 15-year-old kid anymore—you know, the one hitting his head against a locker for missing yet another opportunity to say hi to her. You are confident, successful, attractive. Let’s own it, and turn on a little sincere charm, shall we?
But, wait! Just one thing before you make a bold move: Check for bling on that ring finger. If she’s married, keep walking. If you don’t spot a band, then it’s go time.
“The best way to make women melt is to approach them with confidence,” says dating expert Lauren Frances, author of Dating, Mating and Manhandling. “Walk up to her, and then look her right in the eye, smile, and say ‘Wow. You look even hotter than you did in high school.’ Then ask, ‘What do you drink?’ Smile! Lean in. ‘I want to hear everything. What've you been up to?’"
That’s right, boys. Really go for it. She’ll be awed by your change in confidence. I know it takes some courage, but bravery pays off in spades. When does the ultimate prize ever go to the knight with the timid heart? Girls aren’t that hard to win over. If you’re willing to put yourself out there, we know that takes effort. Our minds will tend to believe you’re deserving of us. So approach, converse, and then seal the deal.
“Confess, ‘When we were lab partners in biology, I was totally crushed out on you,’” says Frances. “See how she responds. If she smiles, blushes, or says she felt the same way too, carpe diem! Take control and say, ‘Give me your number, Dream Girl. I'm gonna take you out to dinner.’"
And then do it, for Pete’s sake, man. I insist. Take her out. Don’t waste any more precious time pining after her. Make her yours. Anything can happen, right? Maybe this reunion is where opportunity meets destiny.
About the hot girl: Claire Austen is a 20-something freelance writer, sports enthusiast, and polka-dot-lovin’ everygirl trying to bridge the gap between what men know about women and what women wish men knew. She gives smart, super-honest advice about your biggest dating and relationship conundrums.
