The boy sees a girl at school. He goes home and tells Dad the girl is the most beautiful girl in the world. He just wants to be near the girl because she is so pretty. Everyday he looks at her, admiring her, but not for too long - he knows it's not okay to look at anyone for longer than a few seconds.
With his heart racing, he stands close to her locker. On another day, his blood rushes as he offers her a pencil when she needs something to write with. He walks several feet behind her, giving her space, but stealing glances at her lovely form.
And he waits. He wants to know her better, and maybe be friends. He even thinks this could be the feelings Dad has asked him about. He says, "What's wrong with you? You're so smart, but you aren't dating a girl?" It hurts the boy's feelings and makes him feel small.
But the girl. She is nice. And pretty. And she is smart, too.
Then one day, it happens.
The class is over, and the boy heads for the door in front of the girl. He pauses and remembers to hold the door open. She walks out. She makes eye contact. She smiles.
She says, "Thank you."
The boy is elated. Never before has a female looked at him, spoken to him, and smiled at him. Never! For the first time in his life, the boy feels like he might be a man. The boy feels like he might be worthy of the girl's friendship.
So, the next day the class ends and the boy heads for the door again. He opens the door. She walks out. She giggles a little. She makes eye contact.
She says, "Thanks."
Victory again! This is too good to be true.
So ...
The next day the class ends and the boy heads for the door. He opens the door. The girl walks out. Her smile is weak today. She makes eye contact. Her brows furrow. She does not speak.
The boy begins to panic. He decides that this must not be enough now. He must do more. He follows her to the next class and opens the door. And the next class. And the next.
The next day, the boy is waiting for the girl at her first class to open the door. She walks in. She does not smile. She does not make eye contact. The boy opens the door to her next class. And the next. And the next.
Soon, the boy realizes he must do even more. He is there to open the door for her at work. At the gym. At her car. At her home. First thing in the morning, and into the night, he is there. Waiting for her to walk through a door.
Days later, the police come to the boy's home. They say he cannot open the door for the girl anymore.
The boy is confused. The girl had smiled at him. She liked him opening the door. He wants to have a relationship with the girl. So, he goes to school and opens the door at her first class. And then the next class. And then the police come.
And then the boy is in trouble. A lot of trouble. Dad looks angry. The boy does not go to school for days. This is stressful.
One beautiful day, the boy is told he can go back to school. He goes to the girl's first class to open the door. She does not come. She does not ever come. She has moved away.
The boy is heartbroken. This was his chance.
The boy has Asperger's.
