It didn't take a note and a rose pinned to her locker for Victoria King , 15, to land a first date with her boyfriend.
"We were with a group of friends and he pulled me aside and asked me," said the sophomore at Augusta Preparatory School.
She doesn't remember his exact words, but somehow he let her know that he liked her as more than a friend.
By the end of the conversation, they were a couple.
That was 5½ months ago.
Brentwood High School sophomore Shannon Snow, 16, got an instant message from her guy, whom she met on the Internet.
"I never thought I was going to have an online relationship. I always thought that was silly, until it happened," she said. "He just sent me an IM one day and we started talking from there."
High-tech or old-fashioned, in this season of prom invitations and Valentine's wishes, it seems as though everyone is trying to get together. But just what do you need to do if you dare to get a date ?
There is no easy answer, Victoria said.
"It's different for different people," she said. "There's not a bad way. Some people can pull someone aside, and others prefer to write a note. It really depends on the person."
In need of some tips? Xtreme has asked around for the best ways to get a date. We can't guarantee a yes, but these tips can at least increase the probability of acceptance:
1. Do the research
There's nothing wrong with secretly liking someone, but if you want to take it to that next level, check to see whether he or she is available and interested.
"Nobody wants to go up to someone and say that they like (them), if they are just going to be like, ëOh, my gosh!' in a bad way," Victoria said. "You should check around. Ask people if you've heard that they like you or if they've said anything about you."
Victoria says that you also can find out what a person likes and how they act by discreetly asking others about them.
Once you know there might be some mutual feelings, you can plan your course of action, she explained.
"You have to make sure you have a chance," she said.
2. Decide your approach
The methods of making affection known can be as common or creative as you like.
The secret is to be sincere and respectful while taking great care to not embarrass your crush or yourself.
"That's why people throw hints around in hopes that they catch on," Shannon said. "But mostly (with the approach) you don't want to over do it, or else it might scare them away."
Here are the most popular methods with their benefits and disadvantages:
Pro: It's personal, shows confidence, and the person can see you are serious.
Con: If you're shy, this can be the biggest challenge: Being face-to face leaves you vulnerable to the rejection.
Tip: If you're going to ask , talk to your crush in private. A little privacy can go a long way.
Pro: You can get creative with the delivery and content (think poetry).
Con: It's a little impersonal, and you never know when the person will read it and respond. If you're not careful it also can seem a little elementary.
Tip: Keep it simple (you're not writing an essay for class, after all) and let the person know whether they should respond in person or via another note.
Pro: Although you can't see them, over the phone you're able to interact in real time with the person and can listen for signs of interest.
Con: Without a visual, you'll never know the person's true reaction, and if you call out of the blue, you might alarm them.
Tip: If you already have the person's number, you're probably on their "special" list. Have a good conversation first and then suggest a fun outing.
Pro: It's a high-tech way to make the first move, and depending on the person, you can know almost immediately.
Con: Like a note, it's impersonal, and if your crush isn't online, the wait can be painful.
Tip: With e-mail or instant message, chat in general at first. With a text message, keep a casual tone and a short message.
Pro: It takes the heat off you and lets someone with more nerve or access pop the question.
Con: Three's a crowd. Involving someone else gives the impression you lack confidence and opens you up to betrayal.
Tip: Make sure you ask someone you trust to hook you up and be sure to follow up.
3. Execute
Regardless of the method, the only way to get a date is to ask for one, Shannon said.
"You've got to confront them," she said. "Just tell them. If
you don't, how will they ever know?"
Teen Board members Rip Bussey, Lindsey Beckworth, Haley Dennard, Lauren Brown, Carletta White and Domonique Lowe contributed to this article.
Reach Kamille Bostick at (706) 823-3223
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