Allen was always shy. Even today, at 30, he’s awkward, which is a shame because he’s so damn good looking. Sometimes, a woman will smile at him and he’ll smile quickly before looking (or running) away.
In the 5th grade, his teacher left mid-year for maternity leave. In her place, a fresh out of college 21 year old named Maggie Hart. Maggie was a stunner. Bright red hair, freckles, a smile to kill for. All he knew was she made him smile. Allen loved Ms. Maggie Hart.
At the end of the year, Maggie Hart moved. He never saw her again.
20 years later, Allen found himself working in Chicago. He went to a bar with some friends for trivia. Most teams were too far behind, but there was one team that was tied to Allen’s and the woman leading the charge was as smart as all hell.
The only time Allen felt confident enough to talk to another woman was when she was on his intellectual level. If he could only see this woman, he’d try to make eye contact with her. But she had her back towards him.