en she asked me if we were
             going out after band. I replied "Of course! You coming tonight?"
             She said, "Sure! It sounds more interesting than going home and watching TV." I made sure that we walked a little behind the rest of the group on the way to the bar. We didn't really talk about much, but at least she was walking with me and talking to me, and I had a feeling I might finally be getting somewhere with her.
             Usually the group's conversations work in small,
             constantly shifting groups as each person joins in the
             neighbouring conversation they find the most interesting. I imagine that night was probably no different, but I didn't notice. I was too busy talking with Heidi. Looking at her eyes. Buying her drinks. Sneaking a peek at the shapes in her sweater whenever I got a chance. But the most interesting thing was that she was giving me lots of hints that she liked me, and she'd never done that before.
             One of the things she mentioned was that her car had
             broken down that morning, and that she had to take the bus to band. Being the true gentleman I am (or, more likely, sensing an opportunity to get lucky after so many years of going home alone every night), I naturally offered her a ride home at the end of the evening. She accepted with a very friendly sm
             ...