Flirting 101: Eco Boy

Several months ago, before I became 'unemployed girl,' I was actually 'Greenpeace girl.'

It was my paid job to stand outside on the chilly, rainy streets of Chicago and convince passersby to hand over their credit cards in the name of saving the planet. It sounds like a crap job, I know, but I've never felt so fulfilled at anything in my life. Not to mention the fact that my job required me to come out of my shy-girl shell and actually talk to strangers.

More importantly, I got to talk to cute boys.

One particular not-so-rainy workday, I was positioned at a corner near Columbia College downtown. It should be said that, for Greenpeace canvassers, Columbia is both a blessing and a curse: on the one hand, most of the street traffic consists of artistic bleeding-hearts who fully support the cause you're fighting for; on the other hand, they are students and that usually doesn't equal a steady income.

Being faced with monetary arguments was my one downfall as a Greenpeace canvasser. To me, you can't argue broke [even if it's what you've been trained to do]. My heart goes out to the planet, but it also goes out to the poor; I just couldn't argue with people over their last spare dime.

About halfway thru my day at Columbia, I stopped a cute boy with gauged ears who gave me the usual 'broke college student' argument. Sensing his genuine regret for not being able to help out and noting the recycle button on the strap of his backpack, I only half-heartedly pressured him further. Upon receiving my second 'I'm sorry, I can't' response, we settled into a casual conversation that can only take place between two eco-minded individuals. He was apparently very much involved in the campus' recycling program and mentioned an event that they were holding in honor of Climate Action Day that weekend. He invited me to stop in and I didn't have the heart to tell him I would be out of town. Soon after, he went along his way and I returned to begging for eco-funds.

A few moments later however, Eco Boy returned. He opened his backpack and handed me a Columbia Recycling t-shirt, mumbling something about hoping it was the right size.
I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've ever lit up over a white cotton t-shirt.

I know it sounds stupid, but in my opinion, the t-shirt said "I like you." Before you write me off as crazy, hear me out: if he'd had it on him during our first interaction, I'm sure he would have given it out then, making for a much less interesting story. What his return visit suggested was that he'd thought about me long enough after our conversation to seek out a t-shirt in my size and make the trip back over to give it to me.

If he was trying to get me to notice him, he'd played the game flawlessly. First, by catching my attention during our initial meeting [boys who recycle are sexy], then, by returning to give me a present.

Probably one of my top 5 flirtations with a stranger ever and I didn't even get his last name [which makes it very difficult to cyber-stalk someone].