Stupid McLoserPants Part III: This Is Where It Gets GOOOOD

Sunshine_AZ is about to make you squee like you've never squeed before.(What's the proper spelling on "sqeed"? Anybody?)—Sparkitors

NOTE: At the end of her last post, Sunshine had just accidentally rammed her head into Stupid's face. To catch up on her saga, click here!

I didn't respond to the message he sent me after I inadvertently smashed his nose. I didn't know what to say! "Going in"?! For what? Was he trying to mug me as I reached for my wallet? If so, he would have been disappointed. My wallet has a student ID, 92 cents in change, and an old receipt from Starbucks.

HOWEVER! Contrary to previous experience, my interactions with Mr. Stupid McLoserpants took a turn for the very interesting. Guess what the crazy person did? He texted me again. In the morning. And he didn't say he was coming to pick me up or that he was planning to put me in a trash bag and leave me on someone's door step or shove me, underwear-clad, into a room full of people. NO! He actually started a conversation with me. And I learned things about Mr. Stupid McLoserpants.

Things like he had to choose between Ballroom and Basketball this year and he chose ballroom even though all of his friends make fun of him now.
He moved from across the country a few years ago from an even smaller town (How is this possible? We practically live in Anatevka...Ooh! That makes me Hodel! And she gets the cute guy!)
His brother died when he was little.
He hates math, but somehow loves chemistry.
He wants to be a pilot.

I have to say, even though I'd never talked to him for real in person, I enjoyed being able to see part of who this strange boy was. And I was excited for the bonfire.

The night of the aforementioned bonfire, I had just gotten home from my fast food place of employment, ketchup on my sock, salt covering my shirt, and a HUGE HOT OIL DEEP FRYER BURN across my hip when I received a text from Charlie ("Charlie" was his name before Stupid McLoserpants took over).

Charlie: Hey, so I think everyone's heading over around seven. See you then?

(By the time I looked at the message it was 7:15)

Me: Um... looks like I'm going to be late. Save a Marshmallow for me!
Charlie: Hurry! We need your wit!

I don't think I need to explain again how my hurrying goes, do we, my Sparkler friends? It consists of running, and tripping, the frantic changing of clothes, and the desperate application of deodorant. But GUESS. WHAT. Mark this day in history! Sunshine_AZ did not, I repeat, DID NOT look ugly or unprepared! I was like badda bang badda bing badda boom. Hot. Smokin'. SCHMEXY! I looked like a nerdier version of Liv Tyler. (Do not contradict! So what if I looked nothing like her!)

The bonfire was at someone's house, not far from my own. So I decided to enjoy the crisp evening air and walk. When I came to the house I could hear the faint crackling of the fire, and the buzz of the chatter, with the occasional high-pitched laugh (read: Gertie Cummings). I got this flutter in my stomach and entered the yard.

The scene could have been from a movie. People were laughing and talking and playing in the warm, orange glow of the fire. The smell of smoke and s'mores filled the air, and I could hear the faint melody of someone plucking at a guitar. Of course, music is an innate part of my soul (Did I not mention that before? Oh. Well it is. Its like my patronus.) so I followed my ears. And who did I find in the corner of the yard? Charlie. He sat on the table, a guitar across his knee, humming something familiar. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. He was completely involved in the rhythm of his fingers and a love for his music that anyone could recognize.

He suddenly looked up and saw me. I felt like a creeper caught with binoculars.

"Hey," He said with a super sexy half smile. Humunah humunah humunah.
"Hi." I stuttered back not-so-sexily
He held up the guitar. "Want to play something?"
I laughed in discomfort. "I can play maybe four chords. I think it better stay with you."
"All right then." He said once again with that oh so lovely smile and put his guitar back into it place in his arms, "Just sing."

So I did. And I'd never felt more at home than right there next to him, singing with his guitar.

As the song ended and the last few notes drifted off into the night, I noticed it had gotten really quiet. Everyone was looking at us. I felt like a bug in a jar. I glanced nervously at Charlie, but he just raised his eyebrows and laughed. Gradually people clapped and whistled and all that stuff that means they liked it (I think).

He put the guitar away after that. I was kind of sad to see it go. We joined the others in their frivolous games and such and soon it was time to call it quits.

I said good bye to everyone and began my walk home, when I heard some call behind me "Hey wait up!" I turned to wait, and saw Charlie catching up with me. When he did, he kind of opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to say something but couldn't. Finally I decided to help the poor boy (and my sorry, awkward arse) "Do you want to walk me home?"

"Yeah."

We walked in awkward silence, while I tried to no avail to think of something to say to ease the mood. At long last he spoke up.
"So... I don't know if you've caught on by now, but... I really like you."

My mind: You do? What? Huh? Oh no... what do I say?! How am I supposed to respond? Do I say I like him too?! But I don't know if I like him? Sure he's cute and he can sing and dance and he has this little half smile that makes me humunah humunah humunah....But that doesn't mean I like him! ... Does it?

Me, laughing nervously in an attempt to make both of us more comfortable: "I think I may have caught the drift."

He turned and looked at me. "I've liked you since the first day I saw you."

My mind: Really?? Then why did you never say anything? How come you never even talked to me until the end of the year? You never interacted with me at all! I only vaguely knew you and I had no idea you even realized I existed. Okay, okay. What to say?! Don't be stupid! Just be cool. Be cool.

Me: "Really? Then how come you've never talked to me before? Am I that intimidating?"

Him: "Well, actually, yeah."

My mind: No I'm not. I'm totally approachable. Just because I SAY I think everyone's a moron, doesn't mean I treat them as such.

Me, attempting to be cute: "No I'm not! I'm awesomesauce. You can't let that intimidate you. Well, actually you can. It's pretty hard to live up to that kind of standard of Awesome."

My mind: Aah! Stop talking!

He laughed and put his fingers through mine. I suddenly realized just how close we were. Just how good he smelled. The crazy swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I became very aware that my hands were trembling in his. I desperately hoped they wouldn't start sweating.

"I just know I like you."

And then, in the words of Mr. Stupid McLoserpants, he went in.
And, somewhere, fireworks went off.

AHHHHHHHHHHH someone fetch us our smelling salts! This has to be the sweetest story EVER. But how does it all go so wrong? How does adorable Charlie turn into Stupid McLoserpants?! We can't wait to find out!

Related posts: Stupid McLoserPants: The Saga Begins; Night of Shame: Dating Stupid McLoserPants Part II