Oof, strange topic. Well seeing as it was only a little while ago since my first/only. Its a pretty weird story, I was a Fresh. (HS) and she was a Soph., and it just happened that we both needed Homecoming dates. I had seen her before in my german class, at first I thought she looked kinda weird (truth be told she looked like she could be related to me...) and come October this other girl who talked to us both convinced me to ask her to the dance and, of course, me being the most socially awkward person you don't know, I asked her in front of a bunch of her friends. It was more of a mumble as I'm not really that outspoken. About two weeks after that I asked her out, still not really knowing what kind of person she was, nor did she know me. I was the definition of a lame and boring boyfriend, not having a clue on what this stuff was all about, so I only really talked to her at school or online (not once on the phone).
So that continued to about the end of the summer, and there we were, back to school. I had decided to be more proactive, but it was like every time I asked if she wanted to go somewhere, she had plans already. About three weeks before she ended it, I knew it was coming, not only did things seem different, but sooner or later it was gonna have to break off (she was a year older than me...). She started talking to me less and less, and would ignore my messages online, which was torture because my mind will just take those things and play them up to no end. At that point we stopped hugging, but it never was really a physical relationship. I just can't bring myself to initiate contact, I wouldn't be able to live with myself should I ever disrespect a girl, honestly that scares the sh*t out of me. So one day in november at school, we were in the same free period, she just said it wasn't gonna work, that she didn't want my high school experience to be crazy and the sorts of stuff. Now thoughtful sure, but I can usually tell when someone is lying to me, just one of many things I never told her (I tend to keep things to myself).
I don't really talk to her now, she still tries to talk to me every now and then. There is another dance coming up where the girls ask the guys, and, me being bored thought up the idea that she might ask me. At this point I'm not sure what I would say (let alone if she even does), but its leaning to a no. It was a fun year, and I wouldn't take it back if I had the chance, I definitely learned from it. I still tend to keep to my own, and just try to be nice whenever I can. Where I go from here, who knows, now that I think about it, I am only a Soph.. I'm not gonna complain though, I've got the academics down, and I have the goal that I'm going to do what ever I want to do after High School. I am a lucky bastard too, as I put the least amount of effort possible yet this stuff (math and science) still comes easy to me.
Well, thats my story, sorry for the read I guess, I tried to refrain from typing to much (story of my life...). I liked getting this all out though. ;)
I think you would be right to say no if she was to ask you to the next dance, but I doubt it will happen; she probably feels similar to you.
The paranoid worry about disrespecting a girl is something I think is very common with nerdy boys, and at it's worst it can make guys feel guilty about being sexually attracted to someone, and so they only pursue girls (or guys) they're not attracted to, which usually creates a series of short-lived disfunctional relationships.
I think it's part of this stereotypical cultural idea that women aren't supposed to want sex (but they are expected to do it for their man's sake), and that it's inherently exploitative, etc. Which is, of course, totally untrue; girls enjoy sex just as much as boys do. It's something you have to keep in mind, but it tends to be quite an instinctive attitude that takes experience and such to get over.
Just remember; it's not a bad thing to want/enjoy sex or to be physically attracted to someone. Indeed, it is an essential part of any healthy relationship (though not the only essential part).
EDIT: I also think it's good you're not too cut up about it all. You're still very young, and you'll have plenty of time and opportunities for relationships after high school.
*applauds above poster*
That is a touching story. I would befriend you if we went to school together, but that's because i try to be either everyone's friend or everyone else's enemy.
So since i better stay on topic:
My one and only Relationship is still ongoing. I am Currently a senior in high school, and so is she, but she is 8 months older than I am. but that is just a detail. how we met is the interesting part... *ripple to past for flashback*
8th Grade, I knew everyone, but no one liked me. so i decided to build a friendship with someone who had a similar mindset to mine. at the time, my current hobbie was Yu-Gi-Oh. so I found people who played, and talked to them. one person in particular introduced me to another, and i started hanging out with him, sitting next to him to talk at lunch and whatnot. one day, we moved tables, to sit next to more of our friends, and one of the girls at the table was Crying. so we spent the lunch Consoling her for her recent breakup. by the end of that lunch period, I was in love, but afraid to say something, for the same reasons that Krank above me was. so i put it behind me.
*move forward to Homecoming. Freshman year*
I'm alone, but i figured i'd go to the dance and see if i can't just talk to my friends. Turns out that she had gone for the same reason. so I talked to her and her friend the whole night. her friend and i had exchange AIM names, and through her i got a hold of the girl of my dreams. I started talking to her, and found out that her mom had some stupid rule about not dating until a certain age or w/e, but we decided to try it out anyway. this was one week after homecoming, September 29, 2006. and we are still happily together, both still virgins (I don't want to be the one to spoil someone's innocence) and I plan on proposing to her once i get the money, and the time in my schedule, but seeing as how I am the current President/founder of our schools gamer club, and I'm in the top Choir in the school, I don't see that happening for a long time. But i do love her.
Okay, so I don't want to sound overly harsh, here, but there are a few things I want to note here.
1) It is an extremely common mistake for young guys to mistake pity for genuine attraction. The fact that you've been together for over three years suggests that this isn't a problem here, but countless boys have been in the same position and from the way you describe yourself falling in love with a teary girl over the course of a lunch time is an almost textbook example, which makes me think you got lucky in this case.
2) Having sex with someone isn't spoiling their innocence; assuming you're not basing this on religious convictions, this is a silly trope that a lot of young people seem to attribute to virginity. The whole concept is based around dowry value. That's not to say you should rush into sex if you're not ready, because sexual activity requires both parties to be willing and responsible; but to label it as some act of debasement is a very repressed attitude.
3) Rushing into marriage is as much a mistake as rushing into sex. At your age, you're still young and not yet developed into the people you will be for the rest of your life (indeed, post high-school is when people really start to change and solidify their identity).
Before even considering marriage, I think, couples should have been living together for at the barest of bare minima, six months. You do not ever really know someone entirely until you've lived under the same roof, and got used to their idiosyncracies. Marriage, like moving out, moving in with someone else, going to college, etc. are all huge steps, and trying to do all of them at once is just crazy.
Other than those things, though, I think your story is a nice one, and I wish you the best of luck.