Awkward Moment Twenty Eight: When Sales People Attack

  I don't think it is in the sales people's job description to make me uncomfortable and awkward.I get it, they are just doing their job. I am sure they resent having to be so over the top nice just as much as I do. And  I am probably the one making it awkward, I mean I can't even help it, it's like breathing for me. There really shouldn't be anything awkward about it! These people are paid to be nice to me; they are smiling at me and suggesting clothes to me as though we have been best friends for years. The issue for me is that when I shop, I like it to be just between me and the clothes. I don't want to have to talk to anyone. I talk all damn day for pete's sakes! And also, I feel the need to make lame conversation with any random person who says something to me because I feel like I m rude if I don't. This is especially bad when I am shopping by myself because then I already feel like a loser and I just want to go in, get whatever it is I want and then get out. It never fails. I go in to the store, cautiously look around to make sure that there aren't any sales people in plain view and then I go in. Just when I feel myself begin to relax and shop, they ambush me. " Hi! Can I help you with anything? Blah blah blah is half off if you get this blah blah. Would you like this free thing?" How about no! I would kindly appreciate it if you went away. But that's rude and my mama taught me better than that. So I frantically say "Oh no,no I am just looking, thank you, but thats cool, but no I am good. Yeah. Thanks!" then I smile way too big and go really red and then stumble back into whatever I was doing. Five minutes later. "Oh, that's really nice! You know if you like this you might like this too!" WHY? I would like it if you went away! Please shoo. That's about the time when I decide that I don't really need to wear clothes anyway and I leave. So gosh darn awkward.
-Flora

Awkward Moment Twenty Seven: When your parents embarrass you

You’ve gotta love that awful scenario of being out somewhere in public and having your parents talking their mouths off to total strangers about who the heck knows what, oblivious to the beautifully bright shade of red that your face is turning. That is just so much fun. I’d rather cliff dive onto cement. How about the time I was at the grocery store and my dad decides to really actively participate in the selection of my feminine products. Dad, this is not the same as downloading computer software. Come on, let’s just stick to what we know. Clearly you are not receiving the telepathic messages I am frantically sending you. Oh, sure, go ahead! Excellent idea, ask the really hot guy stocking shelves where the pads are! No dad, not pads, tampons! Do I look impressed?

“Do you want wings or no wings?!”

Why are you yelling! Inside voice dad!! Let’s just pretend that never happened.

Or you know what’s even better? When it’s not a complete stranger. Let’s just put the icing on the cake. Nope, it’s a teacher!

In August my mum and I were in Winner’s shopping for a summer dress for me. I had already put the dress I liked on hold and we were just picking it up so this should not have been such an ordeal. But it always is. Damn you Murphy’s Law! Oh how lovely. Look who it is. It’s two teachers from my school and their son. Now as Mia mentioned earlier, I quite frequently forget that teacher’s have lives outside of school. They aren’t supposed to just show up at shopping malls and grocery stores. It’s just not allowed. Who are we kidding, of course it’s allowed. And of course my mum has to hold up my (absolutely adorable, might I add) jean dress and ask “Is this appropriate for school?” I guess this was just her idea of a joke. Just hilarious, mum! Everyone’s just about to split a gut laughing! Okay. So what? It’s not that embarrassing. My face begs to differ. I can feel the colour inching up from my neck and into my face. Why? Why does this happen to me? I hate it when my face goes fuchsia. Because then all I can think about is how red my face is and it doesn’t stop, it just gets worse and worse. And I am baking alive in whatever I’m wearing and really just need to get outside into some fresh air. But instead I stand there awkwardly smiling and nodding pretending to follow along with the conversation even though I stopped paying attention a good 20 minutes ago. AWKWARD!!!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Twenty Six: Touching a persons boobs on accident

This is awkward. You are awkwardly trying to give someone a hug, with stuff in your hands, and you accidentally touch their tata's on the way. Their reaction can be several things: 1. Laugh awkwardly 2. Actually laugh with you (depending how close you are with them) 3. Look at you like your a creep. This situation is even more awkward when its a teacher. Yes that is right I touched my teachers boobs. I happen to be pretty close with this teacher so I went into her class to tell her I got a job. I put some of her hand cream on, because that is what I always do, and she is shouting and screaming excitedly. She goes and hugs Georgie and then comes to give me a hug. I am holding my binder,which is slipping out of my hands and putting hand cream on, when she comes to embrace me. Me, trying to hug her back, accidentally touch her boobs. We both noticed, but luckily she thought it was funny. But still SOOOO AWKWARD!

-Mia

Awkward Moment Twenty Five: Elevators!

How awkward are elevators! There are just soooo many different things that make elevators utterly awkward! First, there is small talk. Once you get past “Hello, how are you?” or “Good morning/evening” there is not much more to say. So then you are left feeling awkward with nothing else to say. Or, there is always the chance you’ll be with some good looking. Your face flushes, you try to act normal and wait for those doors to open. Then you run. Ohh, or you could get stuck with a lovey dovey couple. They are making out, and you try not to stare. It make for an awfully long ride. Full elevators suck as well. You try to squish in without touching anyone else. It pretty awkward being stuck face to face with a complete stranger . What isn’t awkward about an elevator!? That’s why when the doors open and it’s empty, I smile to myself and enjoy the ride! Elevators equal AWKWARD.

-Georgie

Awkward Moment Twenty Four: Trying to be friends because someone wants you to be

You know how when you first meet someone there are those awkward little moments? Like you not knowing what the hell to say to them and constantly mapping out what you are going to say next. It's even worse when it's a completely planned friendship. Like when you try to be friends with a friend's friend or you know when your dad wants you to be friends with a random girl from school because he works with her dad. It just creates this weird pressure and then suddenly there is NOTHING to talk about. Even small talk seems like too much (God, I hate small talk). And then your dad arranges a completely awkward hangout and you go see 27 Dresses and you awkwardly stand in line and talk about boring crap like french homework and then you go sit in a theatre for an hour and a half and then wait awkwardly for your parents to pick you up. The awkward smile, the awkward "We should do thinks again!" and then the best part. You go on with your lives and never talk again! That was an awkward hour and a half I will never get back. But thanks dad for the fun, not at all arranged mini friendship! Awkward!
-Flora

Awkward Moment Twenty Three: Peeing in a public washroom

Why is this awkward? It really shouldn't be. We all do this, it's just a part of life. But personally, I hate peeing in a public washroom. It isn't so bad if there's a lot of people in there and they're talking loudly or the sink is running or the hand dryer is on. But when it is only you and a few other people who decide to conveniently pick this time to NOT talk then it is awkward. I am oh-so-aware of the loud sound of my pee splashing in the toilet. It is pretty much self-explanatory. Nobody likes to have the whole world hear them pee. AWKWARD!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Twenty Two: When someone is staring at you

This is extremely awkward. You are just casually walking when you see someone flat out staring at you. Not just a quick glance. FULL ON STARING! You don't even know what to do. Even when you look at them they still continue! You have two options. One, you can either smile at them, or two, awkwardly stand there stiff as a rock. Of course I choose the second one because that's the "normal" thing to do. This always happens to me when I go to my brother's rugby game. Its a bunch of 14-15 year old boys. These people are not even discreet about it. Like come on, I can see your head cranked all the way around to look at me. This past weekend my family and I went to the states with my brother's rugby team. They had a game and we wanted to do a bit of shopping. So we were in Costco getting some groceries and we see two of the starers. These two are the worst. So there they are staring at me with little smirks on their faces. I avoid eye contact and stand still. To make matters worse my mom likes to point out that they are staring. I just feel extremely awkward! This is when I wish my brother was older than me and then I wouldn't mind two older boys staring at me. Not two immature boys! AWKWARD!

-Mia

Awkward Moment Twenty One: Trying to act normal around a good looking person/seeing someone outside of school.

Well. That’s quite the title.
Why am I so awkward? I apparently cannot be normal around anyone slightly good looking. It sucks.
So, I went to the dollar store with my mum and grandma. We took our time looking around. I was babysitting later that night so my mum told me to look for something to bring for the kids. I don’t know if it’s only my family, but whenever we go to the dollar store, or anywhere with cheap prices we end up spending a fortune! So anyway, we spent at least a good hour looking around because my grandma has a sponsor child in Africa and she wanted to get him something. My mum and I didn’t plan on buying anything besides whatever I chose for babysitting yet she somehow managed to get a couple armfuls worth or stuff. Then she was done. There were two tills open. One with an old lady, and the other with someone very good looking that goes to my school. Great. I tried to send messages through my mind to my mum to go to the old lady! Lets just say I don’t have that kind of ability. She strolled right on over to Jason’s till. I try, I really do, but I can’t help but be awkward. Unlike Mia, I didn’t try to hide. I smiled and squeaked a hello. I could feel my face flush to a bright shade of red. I’m pretty sure the whole town could hear the sound of my heart as well. He was nice enough, I just can’t control myself. Especially with small talk. It's the worst! Anywhooo, then he told us the total and my mum handed him one of her MANY cards. Credit, debit who knows what it was, but they don’t accept it! My mum didn’t bring any other money so we had to pack up our stuff and put it all back. Uhhhhhg. So awkward. Then I had to go find my grandma and ask her to buy the toys I chose for babysitting. When she was done shopping, guess who’s till she decides to go through? Yuup. Jasons’s.
The whole situation was very AWKWARD!!
-Georgie

Awkward Moment Twenty: The Third Wheel

We all know how this goes. You are hanging out with a few of your friends when suddenly you are left alone with your friend and their boyfriend. Maybe this shouldn't be awkward but it is. This is especially bad when the couple is really affectionate and cutesy You sort of make lame conversation while they act all coupley. My inner monologue goes like this : "would it be really obvious if I just left right now? Am I allowed to look at them? Am I allowed to look in her boyfriend's direction? Oh my god, what if she thinks I am checking him out? Shut up you are being paranoid. Shit, now they are making out. Is ten seconds enough time to stay? Okay now I am just standing here watching them like a creep.Okay.I am leaving." Then I sort of say bye quietly because I don't want to be rude and they don't answer and it just adds to the wonderful awkwardness. See that is the problem with being single. It is absolutely fine hanging out with a couple when there are a few other people to balance things out but it is so awkward when it's a couple plus one. And I always feel like they should know how awkward it is! How do they not know? It's like when the couple that is incessantly going at it decides that your locker is the comfiest locker to make out against. We all know an over the top couple like this that acts as though cupid has a gun to their head.So you kind of awkwardly say excuse me and it take a lot of repeating yourself for them to hear. Then they look at you as if you had just disturbed their honey moon and it's like "Oh I am sorry, should we work out a schedule for when I can and cannot go to my locker?". So.Damn.Awkward.
- Flora

Awkward Moment Nineteen: The Dentist

Oh, the dentist. Everybody's favourite place to be. No one can really say that trying to carry a conversation while lying awkwardly in a big dentist chair with people drilling and sticking pointy metal objects in their mouth is NOT awkward. Come on. We all know it is.

Going to the dentist makes me extremely nervous, not gonna lie. I always feel like they're going to do something really unexpected like whip out some pliers and yank out every single last one of my teeth. But I guess they aren't really allowed to do that. I just worry. Anyways, my first trip to my new dentist office was fine: the girl was really nice and she didn't intimidate me. But then the last time I went it was just my luck. My dental hygenist was this really hot guy who was in his twenties and just so damn fine. Right away I knew how this would go. He told me to lie down in the unfortunate dentist chair and gave me an even more unfortunate pair of glasses to wear before shining the overhead light in my eyes. I lay there feeling a bit like a beached whale, unable to move while people goggle and stare at me. Well one person. But one really really really good looking person. I waited until the unevitable came. Awkward small talk. I hate it so much. He asks me what grade I'm in, what school I go to, all the while cleaning my teeth with his annoying little tooth-cleaner. How does he expect me to answer him?! My mouth is in a semi-permanent state of paralysis! I can't feel my goddamn tongue! The back of my throat is flooding with saliva that I am unable to swallow since it all tastes like disgusting fluoridey toothpaste. And still, he rattles on and on as I spit saliva everywhere while attempting to answer. Way to make my life difficult. Finally, he is finished. The dentist comes in for a while and now I have two people staring at my teeth. Then he leaves and my future boyfriend asks me to swish some fluoride around my mouth for a minute. I stand there awkwardly by the sink and try not to gag on the disgusting liquid. Thank goodness he isn't still asking me questions. I would seriously question his ability to think if he thought I could answer him while swirling fluoride around in my mouth. A minute is up and he tells me to spit in the sink. Damn it. Why? How do I do this without looking completely disgusting? All I can hope is it won't be that gross stringy kind of spit that just clings desperately to the edge of my lip. Luckily it's not. I can still taste the fluoride but don't want to keep spitting in case he thinks it's weird. I hate the dentist. AWKWARD!!!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Eighteen: Planes

Planes are extremely awkward! Especially when you have to go to the bathroom. First you have to awkwardly get up and politely ask the person next to you to move. While doing this you try ever so carefully not to land 'gracefully' in their lap. Second you have to have the right timing. You need to make sure the stewardesses are not in the isle with the big carts that take up the whole width. You also need to go when their is no line up. So you are not awkwardly standing there getting in every ones way. Lastly, the trek back to your isle. Sometime you walk past it in confusion. People are staring at you and you are once again the annoying one getting in every ones way.

Last spring break was my first ever plane ride! All is going well until I decide to guzzle a vitamin water plus the free drinks they give you on the plane. This causing me to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. It wasn't so bad because my mom was beside my. First I have to wait in a line up and numerous people are trying to get through and I am confused and awkward. Next I see the huge stinkin' cart coming straight towards me. So now I am trying to make room for this thing to get through, casually falling onto the person in the rows lap. You heard me right lap. I was so incredibly awkward I didn't even know how to react. Finally its my turn to go to the bathroom. After I am done, I leave the bathroom and see and even longer line up than before. I walk to the end of the line up and look around spaztically for my parents. I am whipping my head around looking for them. Because you know they could of jumped off the plane or something. I finally spot them... halfway down the line up. So I once again have to be 'that person' and make my way up the isle. Let me tell you the isles can only fit one person. The whole time my mom was laughing at me. It was all just too AWKWARD!

-Mia

Awkward Moment Seventeen: Bus Stops!

I don’t have a particular story about bus stops, I just find them ridiculously awkward. I have to take the bus to school everyday. Everyday, I wait, standing awkwardly, for the bus to come. For some reason I feel the need to leave 10 minutes before the bus comes, when I live about 30 seconds away from the bus stop. Why? I don’t know, I’m paranoid. So I stand there by myself on a busy road. There are always tons of cars passing. I must looked so thrilled…. I mean I love waiting! Anyways, I always see the same people, and the same cars. First, there are the people who go to my school who can drive themselves. They are the worst. I get the stare down from them. Then there are the creepy men. Actually, they are tied with being the worst. I can see them staring. It’s not like they have tinted windows, yet they continue to eye me. I can feel my face flush, and look like a complete idiot trying to look everywhere besides the creepy man car. It doesn’t help when they honk. Then when I finally see the bus coming I have to check my ticket to make sure it’s not used, although I’ve already checked 10 times while waiting for it. Also, I don’t know where to look! Do I stare at the bus while its driving up the road? Do I look around and just wait? Should I look forward and pretend I don’t see it until it gets closer? I tend to do all three so it looks like I have some weird twitch going on. When I finally get on it seems like everyone is avoiding eye contact. No one talks, it’s odd. It’s especially fun when the driver starts to drive before you are sitting down. I usually stumble and smile to myself. People must think I’m nuts. Oh well!
Even though I have taken the bus numerous time, I still find the situation extremely AWKWARD!

-Georgie!

Awkward Moment Sixteen: Dreams About People You Don't Really Know

So, it's time to get up and get ready for school. You've been dragged out of bed against your will and wrenched out of whatever dream you were in the middle of. You wake up feeling weird and uncomfortable and you are wondering "why was I dreaming of making out with that random in Math class?" Or you wake up disgusted by your subconcious because you dreamt about someone you really despise. Or you dreamt about someone really hot and you enjoyed your dream and you wished that you didn't have to wake up right that second. Either way it doesn't really matter if you don't know the person that well or even at all. Because then you have to go to school and see them in your classes or in the hall and then you try not to look them in the eyes or look at them at all and then you feel like you are making it even more obvious. You feel like there is a huge tattoo on your forehead that says "I dreamt we made out "( and I am being PG, it can get more awkward). Whenever this happens to me I feel like I am being really obvious about it and I get all flustered and tongue tied and red and it's like I suddenly have a crush on them or something when I (usually) don't. And I can't explain my weird behavior. What would I say ? " Oh, I know I am acting like a freak show, I am really sorry because I didn't really think about you till now but apparently my subconcious wants to jump your bones." One time I dreamt I made out with this guy I was sort of friends with through a friend of mine. Anyway, I was pretty good friends with her at the time so one day I just told her about the dream and she thought it was hilarious so she marched me up to him and made me tell him my dream. Until he went back to Germany he would always jokingly wink at me and be like "You still dreaming about me?". Oh and here is the best part. My friend and him started going out like a week later. So awkward! I learned to keep stuff to my self. Actually that's a lie I have an overshare problem. But what other people should learn from this is to keep their awkward dreams about strangers to themselves. Because no one really needs to know every single thought that runs though your head. Awkward!
- Flora

Awkward Moment Fifteen: First Dates

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here is an especially awkward blog for you. The famous and not-so-fabulous first date. Everyone goes through this at some point. When someone asks you out there are generally 3 (always awkward!) responses and feelings. You either:

a) Really like the guy. This makes it awkward because you have to try your hardest to impress them and act as normal as possible so you don't scare them off and so you can hopefully score a second date. 

b) Really hate the guy. Really, you're only saying yes because you feel bad. Ahh, the sympathy date. Or..

c) Neither like or hate him and say yes because you want to give him a chance and you like the idea of him. And you think that maybe you can grow to like him. Also, you see no reason to not like him. This can definitely be awkward!

My last dating experience was the latter. I was quite convinced that if I just gave him a chance, then he must be right for me! I loved that he liked me, and was very flattered. But you can't make yourself like someone. So off we went on our date to the movies. The awkwardness starts in the line-up to pay for our tickets. He offers to pay, and I politely reply "Are you sure? " And he looks so uncertain that I end up paying. Then we get into the theatre. We look around for seats when I spot a teacher from school and her boyfriend. Just my luck. I avoid eye contact and march straight to the top of the theatre, as far away from my teacher as possible. We sit there munching on some popcorn and it's all okay until I notice his arm casually on the arm rest lying with his hand facing palm up. Hmm. It's almost as if he wants to hold my hand. I glance at it, ignore it, and continue to watch the movie. Of course I would pick a sappy romantic comedy. Which always means awkward sex scenes, just to add to the fun. Once the movie is over, we walk out into the brightly lit entrance. Here I notice my teacher and her boyfriend, once again. They're walking right in front of us and I get that awkward feeling like I am stalking them. I don't want to say hi because that would be the logical thing to do and me, being awkward, would never do that. Uh oh, now we're at the door, and she's holding it open for us, and I am looking everywhere but at her, and I am oh-so-aware of the bright lights shining on us like a spotlight, and my date beside me, and my teacher in front of me, and.. PHEW finally we're outside. I gasp for fresh air and try to release the tension that is building in my shoulders from all that awkward. We begin the walk to his car. Once again, he attempts to hold my hand by reaching out his hand towards me and saying "come on, my car's this way". Once again, I look at his desperately outstretched hand and ignore it. Once we're safely in his car and driving home, I look through the songs on his Ipod. I am an idiot. I choose Taylor Swift "Our Song", and while it's blasting I casually comment "hey, this song's rather appropriate!" He smiles, and then says "You should learn how to drive with one hand." 

"Why?"

"So you can have one hand free for the music.. and the dials.. and so I can hold your hand." He reaches for my hand and this time there is no avoiding it. We sit there in awkward silence. The car ride takes years. Finally, FINALLY, I am home. He walks me to the door, and not knowing how to say goodbye, I give him a quick hug. What a date. AWKWARD!!!!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Fourteen: Seeing Teachers in Public

This is extremely awkward. When you see a teacher in public you almost forget that teachers are human beings that actually have a life. I am under the impression that teachers only work. That is the only thing they do. They go to school, teach, and mark homework. They are not allowed to do anything else. So whenever I see a teacher out of school I am shocked out of my mind! And I am excessively awkward. More awkward then seeing an acquaintance from school.
This weekend I was at the mall with my mom and grandmother. We went to a town that's about one hour from my real town so I knew I would not see anyone I know. I was feeling rather thirsty so we went to Starbucks to quench my thirst. The line up was remarkably long. As we reached the top I was looking the display cabinet and I turn around to see a teacher from my school, who I had in grade 8, standing in the line up. I quickly turn around, not knowing what to do with myself. My mom asks me if I know that man because he is smiling at her. I couldn't exactly turn around now because I wanted to be stealth. I walk over to get my drink, avoiding eye contact. I felt really bad though because I knew he saw me look. So I glace up and he is staring at me so I wave. Not a normal wave though. An awkward one. A Flora Wave. If you knew Flora then you would know exactly what I was talking about! Anyways the situation was completely AWKWARD!

-Mia

Awkward Moment Thirteen: A slip of the tongue.

This is a good one. A slip of the tongue make situations extremely awkward and hilarious. It can be anything from telling the guy you like you love him on a first date, or trying to come up with a nickname for someone named Gisele, and calling her Jizzy, to accidentally saying orgasm in biology instead of organism. It’s funny when it happens to someone else, but when you’re the one saying it, the situation because very awkward and embarrassing.

     When my mum was a little girl she lived about 2 minutes away from the local gas station. Every week she would go and buy a treat for herself. Unlike today’s gas stations, all the candy was behind the counter, and you would have to tell the clerk what you wanted. So one day she got to the gas station and was very excited to buy herself Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. She said to the clerk, “Can I please have Reese‘s penis butter cups.” She was so humiliated and felt so awkward (she was just a little girl), that she turned around and ran out. She didn’t even get her Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!  So AWKWARD!!

-Georgie

Awkward Moment Twelve: Accidently taking someone elses clothes

I just want to start out by saying, thank god that I no longer have gym class. Those smelly,awkward, embarassing days of tripping and accidently kicking people in soccer are over.The unfortunate sweat and gymclothes. The unfortunate sweat and gym clothes that the guys in p.e class have to see. The unfortunate sweaty guys that I have to see(or smell). It's just not good and it is the perfect place for awkward moments to occur. The changeroom is an excellent place for awkward moments. I am not exactly a prude but I still feel a little awkward when I have to full on strip down to my bra and panties in front of girls I don't really know. It might be a little immature of me but I feel uncomfortable. Where do you look in the changeroom? I mean, there isn't anywhere to look except down or at my clothes so I used to just grab my clothes and get dressed at light speed and think to myself "no one is looking, calm yourself". That was pretty much the story of my life for every gym class until one day. I'd just had an unfortunately awkward day of p.e where I had to make up a dance with a group and I had to line dance to "Beat it. I had to do the thriller zombie hand dance thing to and it was infront of all three p.e classes in that block.Sometimes I wonder if teachers just do things like that for entertainment. They probably do (I'd do the same thing if I was a teacher). Anyway, so I was still recovering when I went into the changeroom and grabbed my clothes and practically ran into a bathroom stall. That's when I heard "Hey! those are MY clothes. What are you doing?" And so with my shirt half off I looked down and realized they weren't my clothes they were just similar colours. I opened the door, there was that awkward moment of having to laugh and be like ' oh my god, haha I am such a cluts haha!' then I gave them to her and apologized and she said it was okay but OH MY GOD! It was such a painfully awkward moment that it was funny and it almost cheered me up, except it didn't. Because it was really, really awkward.
- Flora

Awkward Moment Eleven: Standing by yourself in a public place and trying to look cool.

Here is how it all begins. You're standing with a group of friends waiting for your ride after school. Slowly, they all start to leave and before you know it you're left standing alone by the fence, staring at the ground, at your phone with its non-existent text messages, at the inside of your purse, anything to avoid the heavy air, thick with silence. I don't know what it is, but it seems like people to need to feel occupied at all times, especially when standing by yourself in a public place.

So there I was, all alone and trying to act casually nonchalant about being a complete loner. It was a swelteringly hot day in May and there were these annoying bees buzzing around. I wasn't too bothered until one began to repeatedly dive-bomb at my face. I tried to stealthily swat it away, probably giving bystanders the impression that I had a nervous twitch. But to no avail; it just wouldn't leave me alone. And then there it was, flying back towards my head, making that awful "ZZZZZZ" sound right in my ear. I began shaking my head with my eyes squeezed shut, hoping against hope that it wouldn't sting me. I was feeling very awkward and wasn't paying much attention to what I was doing. Suddenly I realized that my thoughts, which usually do a decent job of staying in my brain, had decided to slip into the back of my throat and out of my mouth. "It-it-it's a bee!" I stuttered, as if the rest of the world had no stinkin' clue what it was. I did a quick side-eyes to check if anyone around me was looking. That was when I noticed Mia and Georgie in the car parked by the curb in front of me. I took a few steps forward and smiled at the glass. I began to say something out loud (as if they could hear me), and was about to put my face up to the window when the car pulled away. I made an awkward laugh/choking noise and went back to the spot where I had been standing. AWKWARD!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Ten: When you see someone from school or work in public

You know the moment when you see someone you are not really friends with, but you have talked to them a few times. Once you spot them you are desperately trying to hide and avoid eye contact. You will do anything to avoid them. Sometimes hiding behind magazines, ducking in and out of isles, hiding behind clothes, quickly running away.. ANYTHING! But once they see you or start talking to you it is just awkward. I don't know about you but my face goes completely red. I am talking tomato red! I don't even know why! I am not even embarrassed!! It is so annoying though!

This happens to me all the time!! Like once a week it feels like! The most recent time was at the grocery store with my mom. When I am with my friends it not that bad, but when I am with family I feel awkward, not embarrassed though. When it is time to go to the check out, we pick a great line up! Its short and I do not know the person working at the till. Until I guess the first girls shift was over. You could probably picture my face. I decide to read the magazines, avoiding any awkward confrontation, until a line up forms behind me and people are trying to put their groceries on the belt. So I am now stuck behind their cart, forcing me to go into the other line up and go around, back to the exit of my line up. After standing there for what seems like 100 years, we are almost done. Until silly me decides to make eye contact! And then the awkward small talk begins! She is asking me about school and I do not even know what to do with myself, giving one word answers, smiling awkwardly, and face as red a tomato! To make matters worse she has that look on her face like she was thinking "what on earth is this girls problem." AWKWARD!

-Mia

Awkward Moment Nine: Watching an inappropriate movie with your parents.

     I don’t know who hasn’t experienced this. How awkward is it when your watching an R rated, completely inappropriate movie with your parents. You all know something awkward to watch is about to pop up on the screen. A steamy love scene perhaps? Whatever kind of scene it is, there is no way of avoiding the awkwardness. When this happens, my whole body stiffens and the room goes unbearably silent. Of course my parents feel awkward and uncomfortable too. None of us know what to do with ourselves. It’s such a relief when what seems like a 3 hour scene is finally over! What more can I say. AWKWARD!!

-Georgie

Awkward Moment Eight: Brain on autopilot, mouth still moving

It happens. You have had a long day of communicating with other people, you are tired and just want to go home, chill and maybe do some homework (or not) but you still have some crap to do.Joy. Maybe it's a job, after school activity or volunteering, so you slap a smile on your face and make half-ass, polite conversation with people you don't know that well and you act as though you are having the time of your life. It's comfortable, it's not exactly thrilling, but it keeps you from being bored and awkward. Next thing you know, whoever you are talking to is looking at you as though you have two heads and all you can think is ....... did I really just say that? This happened to me a few weeks ago. I volunteer after school at a care home for the elderly. I actually do enjoy it! But it was a Thursday which is my favorite day of the week because it's the day before Friday, my favorite show is on and I have a yoga class. I only had ten minutes of volunteering left and Millie (she volunteers there too) and I were talking to a very sweet old man who was giving us some very wise, albeit, depressing advice and he starts telling us that we should not get married until we are older. I told him that I want to get married when I am in my late twenties, maybe thirty and he told me that he thinks that is a good age but that we should marry someone ten years older than us. Now at this point, frankly I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth. Maybe I was smiling so big at this sweet old man that my brain wasn't functioning properly. I do not know what possessed me to say "Oh, I know. I love old men!". As soon as I said it I was like what did I just say? Did I just accidently hit on an old man?No!! and I tried to play it off saying "I mean, older, older men....". Millie was standing there looking both amused and weirded out. She was like "What was that Flora?". Luckily he didn't seem to hear my moment of word vomit but it still was pretty awkward. What if he had heard?!? I would have passed out from embarrassment. The moral of the story is watch what you say or you might accidently say something odd and have a scarring awkward moment. So. Awkward.
-Flora

Awkward Moment Seven: Laughing at something that no one else finds funny

I have this problem. I laugh at everything, even things that really aren't that funny. And isn't it just so awkward when you get started and just can't stop? In fact, the more you try to stop the more you laugh. It just causes problems, because then you're trying to contain it and it comes out sounding like a dying cat or a snort. And then people look at you funny and you laugh harder. And then you laugh at your own laughter and eventually forget why you even started laughing in the first place.

This basically happens to me every day of my life. But there was this one time that was especially awkward. My friend Penny and I went to another friend's birthday party. We were the only one's there that didn't know anyone else. We were all sitting around the table eating veggies and dip and no one was talking, so Penny decides to loudly announce "I'm allergic to dip!" while simultaneously scooping up a huge spoonful of it for her carrots. Everyone just stared at her, deadpan expressions on their faces. I nervously laughed, knowing she is not allergic to dip, how can you even be allergic to dip! Realizing that people were taking her very seriously, Penny says "Just kidding!" and starts to laugh hysterically. I guess she was just trying to make conversation, which clearly did not go well. Everyone continues to stare and suddenly overcome by how funny the situation is, I start laughing uncontrollably along with her. We are in absolute stitches and clutching our stomachs, tears sliding down our cheeks. We can barely look at each other because it just makes us laugh harder. Once we regain control of ourselves we look up and realize that everyone is standing up and slowly inching towards the door, with a mixture of concern and grave seriousness plastered over their faces. It makes me want to start yelling like a crazy person "I'm not insane!!! Stop staring at me! I'm completely normal!" But I don't think that would solve anything. The entire party then proceeds to leave the room and Penny and I just sit there in silence, grinning at each other. It is one of those situations that only ever happens in the movies; a group of strangers' jaws just hanging open like that, with wide eyes and nervous looks exchanged amongst all. SO awkward.
-Millie

Awkward Moment Six: When you're walking down the street and your umbrella goes inside out!

I hate when this happens! It's not so bad if you are walking down a quite road with no cars, but if is a super busy road, it can lead to some awkward moments. The other day I was walking to meet Millie to go out for breakfast. It was pouring rain and the wind started to blow. I just continued walking down my quiet street, unaffected by the wind. But then I reached the highway, and it starts storming! It was almost like the wind had something against me. By now my umbrella was pulling out of my hands. I thought I was going to be like Mary Poppins and start flying in the air. Just when I get to the busiest part of the road my umbrella goes inside out! I quickly close my umbrella and decide to wear my hood. I am standing at the corner, waiting to cross the street, and silly me decides to put my umbrella up once again because now I am soaking wet. As I try to open it a big gust of wind comes, causing my umbrella to flip inside out and breaks it. I continue to open it. Why you may ask? Who knows! I should have just left it and saved myself the awkwardness and embarrassment. As I try to open it I look to my right and see someone from my school in their nice dry car watching me, all wet and looking like a crazy person. AWKWARD!


- Mia

Awkward Moment Five: Hot tubs.

I don’t know about you guys, but I feel quite awkward while sitting in a full hot tub. Maybe it’s just because I’m socially awkward, but I do not know what to do with myself. Everywhere I look, a strangers face is staring back at me. Ugh, it make me so uncomfortable! I sit there in silence, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. Anyone know this feeling?


     Every year my family and I go away in the summer. One day my grandma, my sister and I were sitting in the hot tub. It was getting close to the maximum capacity of like 15 people. Everyone was minding their own business when all of the sudden my grandma said, “Well this is fun. All these strangers not talking but sitting half naked together in a hot tub!” I was in shock. I couldn’t believe she had just said that! There were a few quiet giggles, but I think everyone was a little grossed out. Personally, it left me feeling mortified, and super awkward!
-Georgie

Awkward Moment Four: Being in a class without any friends and acting like a fool

You know that moment when you are trapped in a sewing class against your will with no friends and you get your foot caught in a girl you don't know's yoga pants and you trip and then hop out and say sorry and act like it was funny and that you don't want to go die now? No? Last year I was in sewing and I basically had no friends in that class and so I was like okay I'll go sew and hope the class goes by quickly. On my way to my sewing machine my foot managed to get caught in the bottom of this girl's yoga pants. Like I had to full on hop away because my foot was caught. How that happens I have no idea. So I got all flustered, said sorry and smiled and laughed like I thought it was stinking hilarious and she was nice about it but still. Awkward! I mean being trapped in a class with no friends, trying to act like you are not a complete loser is bad enough. It happens to all of us and I feel like I usually do a pretty good job of dealing with these awkward little classes. I just tell myself I don't feel awkward and I pretend to be busy and I think sarcastic thoughts and ask to go to my locker/the bathroom a lot. I try not to stare in any one place to long in case I accidently space out and look somewhere awkward ie. someones crotch or boobs. It never fails, when you try to act "normal" or "cool" you always end up acting like a weirdo. Awkward city.
-Flora

Awkward Moment Three: When you wear an article of clothing straight from the dryer and a pair of underwear is balled up inside the sleeve.

You know what is extremely awkward? When you spend an entire day with a pair of underwear inside the sleeve of your sweatshirt. You were rushed that morning and quickly pulled out a sweater from the dryer, and obviously didn't think to check inside the sleeves in case some socks or underwear tumbled in there. Oh, what a mistake.

This happened to me a few weeks ago, and I FINALLY noticed during the last block of the day at school. I felt something lumpy in my sleeve and was just about to whip it out when I thought I'd better check what it was before revealing it to the whole world. So I'm sitting there, looking around sketchily, and trying to casually take a peek inside my sleeve. Oh, it wasn't just any pair of underwear. Nope, it was a bright purple stripy thong. Just awesome. I could feel myself getting flushed and embarrassed, despite the fact that nobody had any idea of the little dilemma I was experiencing. My thoughts were frantic, "What do I do now? How do I stealthily get this out of my sleeve?" Sure, there are probably tons of logical ways to solve this problem but I was thinking a bit irrationally at that point. I ended up sticking my arm inside my backpack and inching it slowly out of my sleeve, all while trying to carry on a conversation with a guy in my grade. Luckily he had no idea what was going on. Even more luckily he can not read minds, or else he would have been seeing a lot of potentially disastrous scenarios involving me putting my hand up to ask a question in class and my stripy purple underwear flying across the room and everyone pointing and laughing. People may be under the assumption that awkward situations must involve more than one person. Nope, not true. That was my own little awkward experience that was a secret to everyone except me. It left me feeling very awkward and sketchy and not too sure what to do with myself. AWKWARD!
-Millie

Awkward Moment Two: Not being able to understand someone with an accent

   This has happened to all of us. Someone starts talking to you but you can't understand a word they say because of their accent. This makes the situation incrediblyawkward! But you just stand there and nod your head saying "yeah...". They know that you have no idea what their talking about but you pretend you do. From now on the situation is awkward!
   
  A similar situation happened to me. About two years ago, Georgie and I were ordering pizza. I called the number and was ready to place my order. An Asian lady, with a really thick accent, answered the phone and started talking. At first I could sort of understand what she was saying. Then she started asking me all these questions and I could not understand for the life of me. I swear it was not English! I was all confused and couldn't respond so before placing my order I hung up. I called again hoping for someone else to answer. The phone rang and rang. Guess whose little voice I hear on the other line? The same woman! It would not have been so bad but I had to give my phone number again. She obviously knew it was the same person. AWKWARD.......
-Mia