Phase 2: I go to a house party with Geno's friends. He's there, still nice, and I find myself kind of excited to see him. Throughout the evening, we don't bond extensively, but it becomes clear that he is abundantly considerate and fun-loving. He dances much, without worry of any judgement.
Phase 3: I get home from said party and decide to allow myself a crush on him. The terms include the idea that this won't amount to anything, I'll probably get to know him better and stop crushing for lack of stuff in common, but I'll fantasize like a teenager and allow myself this indulgence b/c it's been too long.
Phase 4: I wake up the next morning to a friend request from him on facebook. So I tell myself I'll interpret this as reciprocal crushing (even though it's not likely) to enhance the quality of my own crushing. Fun for fantasyland.
Phase 5: He makes funny comments on my facebook page and pays attention to me. Could he ACTually be interested? No, he's just nice, I'm sure. But now I like him more, damnit. He invites me out last-minute to a gig of a fellow friend-of-Geno's.
Phase 6: I go out to said gig, taking a wing (wo)man for cover, which helped my insecurities immensely. Trying not to expect too much, I had an excellent time with all the peeps there, including my wing man, and shared some knowing glances with the crush. Am I over-interpreting?
Phase 7: Wing man, crush, and I share a ride home. It's amiable, light-hearted, and pleasant. I'm sitting next to him, slightly touching, but not overdoing it. We discuss Gilmore Girls. He says he's a fan. No really. (Is he a real person?) Another knowing glance is exchanged post-cab, and we go our separate ways.
Phase 8: I drive wing man home, then come home myself, thinking in a perfect world I'd have an email from him. Guess what? He totally sent me a message about the GILMORE GIRLS*. After explaining the specifics of his fandom, he asked me to come out with the group more often and said flattering things. Now that I think about it, there was no blatant romantic undertone, but it still made me feel all warm and goopy inside.
And the crush stands strong. Thank goodness.
*I haven't discussed my Gilmore Girls fanaticism in depth (or at all?) on this blog, but know that it is deep and sincere. I cried when the show ended, and I miss them as if they were my friends. I take comfort in their companionship through watching the show, and despite the pathetic nature of that statement, there is nothing to be done. I Love those characters and find solace in their nature when the rest of the world has run amok with my confidence in humanity.