SHE WANTS TO DANCE WITH HIM

Dear Jellybean,

I really like this guy on my bus. He is my friend and all, but I'm not sure if he feels the same way I do. He's in eight grade, and I'm in seventh. I want to dance with him at the school dances, but I'm too embarassed to ask him, and I don't even know if he'll be there or not. What do I do?
-Loves The Guy on the Bus

Dear Loves The Guy on the Bus,

If he's your friend, there's nothing wrong with casually asking, "Hey, are you going to that dance next week?" That's an innocent question, and doesn't mean anything. You'd ask your female friends if they were going too, so no big deal. If he says yes, you can just play it cool, saying "Me too, guess I'll see you there" or some such thing.

If your crush does attend the dance, here's a no-embarrassment way to see if he wants to dance with you. Wait until a fast song you really like is playing, then walk over to your friend (by yourself), and say hello. Compliment something he's wearing, like his shoes, and say, "I love this song!" You can even bop in place a bit, and say something like, "I have to dance to this one!"

With any luck, your crush will take the obvious bait, and ask you to dance. But if he doesn't, no trouble - you just say, "Anyway, I'm just heading over there to (say hi to another friend, grab a beverage, or whatever excuse you've prepared)" and move along.