for us to go to prom. Without a word, he took off sprinting towards the school. Told me later that he'd managed to buy them just as they were closing the lock box.

2) Senior year. Two boys come up to me in the hall: the younger brother of a guy in my computer class, and that kid's friend. They say excitedly, "Don't say yes to any other guy who asks you to prom because Steve wants to ask you." Steve was great, so I say that sounds great. Weeks pass, Steve never brings up the topic, his little brother and friend pester me about whether Steve's asked me yet and seem crestfallen when I say no. Other people that I don't even know (from Steve's tennis team, or some club he's in, or who are in my homeroom but heard from a friend, whatever), tell me Steve's going to ask me, but NOTHING from Steve, himself. Finally, the Monday before prom, right after the senior breakfast, I start walking up the school stairs next to Steve. He doesn't say a word. Nearing the top of the stairs, I say, "So, Steve, are we going to prom together, or what?" He says, "Oh! If you think there's still time!" I answer, "I'll buy the tickets, you pay for dinner, okay?" He agrees.

He actually ended up going all out--he and two of his tennis buddies rented a limo for the six of us, he got reservations at a swanky restaurant in D.C., rented a tux, etc.