The one that got away: Hoco-ween edition

The first thing I noticed was her hair.

Blood red. Smooth, like silk. She was standing right behind me. I caught a glance as I did a full scan of the street party. We were supposed to be meeting some more friends, but they must’ve gotten lost, or maybe arrested. Who knows.

The party was so loud, with people laughing and cheering. It was Homecoming on Aberdeen; naturally, people were having a good time. Despite the shouts and on-going arguments between my friends, I could still hear some of what she was saying. Something about music. All I caught was Metallica—my favourite band and a great conversation starter.

I debated turning around, but the nervous knot in my stomach stopped me, gluing my feet to the ground. I was frozen. Then, by some miracle, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and there she was.

She asked if I could take a picture of her and her friends. Of course, I agreed.

After the photos, she thanked me and took her phone back. When I turned back around to my friends, I was met by five pairs of raised eyebrows. The boys silently tormented my inability to have a simple conversation with the girl I’d been admiring for the past 10 minutes.

Anything would be better than to keep staring at those idiots—even embarrassing myself. So, I made my choice. I took a deep breath and looked behind me.

She was gone, like she’d never been there in the first place.

Shame. I hope the pictures turned out well.

—Zach Grant, ArtSci ’24

Missed connections weigh on me, and Halloween is no exception.

After a full day of Homecoming festivities, I was drained, wanting nothing more than to sit in bed with a Gatorade and sleep. Alas, my friends dragged me out to the nightclub.

Decked out in my Top Gun outfit, the stars aligned, and I met a girl wearing a Top Gun costume. We had a great connection and danced for most of the night. But, by the end of it, she slipped away into the abyss.

I didn’t get her contact information and it pains me. It’s quite foolish to be looking around campus for a girl in Aviators and a flight jacket, but maybe the stars will align once more.

If you’re reading this, Top Gun Girl, I could be your Tom Cruise. You took my breath away.

—Anonymous, ArtSci ’24 

A simple photo of an astoundingly handsome man and a name I can’t seem to place—such a modern missed connection.

This past weekend, my house threw a Halloween party. As per usual party expectations, some friends of friends of friends showed up, so we didn’t know everyone there.

Some guy I didn’t recognize yelled “10” at me as I walked by, as a romantic does. Taken aback, I stopped and talked to him for a minute. I got pulled away to take some pictures with my friends in our costumes and the guy came up to me again. He asked to take a picture with me, and I obliged; if you saw him, you would’ve too.

I watched him leave our apartment, but I have no idea who he is or if he even goes to Queen’s. All I have is his first name and a random picture with him as a reminder of the one that got away.

—Sarah Caparelli, ArtSci ’24