10 Rules To Get A Guy

[0:00]Hi, I'm Alicia and I'm about to tell you how I met the love of my life. But before we get into that, please like and subscribe to MSA. If there's one thing you have to know about me, it's that I wasn't an ordinary little girl. Being raised by a single father who is an ex-army officer does that to you. I had rules, discipline, and responsibility drilled into me since I was very young. And growing up I found other kids my age really immature. I don't know why he'd break up with me. I wore the clothes he liked, woke up at five every morning to do my hair because he liked them curly, and pretended to love watching wrestling. Umm, excuse me, but I need to get that muffin. Can't you see that I'm crying? My boyfriend just broke up with me. Aw, I'm so sorry. You know, it reminds me of the time my dad took me for this obstacle course and I twisted my ankle so badly, the doctors told me I'd never be able to walk again. But I didn't lose hope and here I am. How is that the same thing? It's not because that was an actual problem. But yours is just a bunch of high school nonsense. Now move your butt, please. Needless to say I didn't have a lot of friends, and I didn't care either. My life was all sorted out: graduate school, get into a good college, work and retire. But then I turned 18 and met Arthur. He was a transfer student from Greece, and boy was he dreamy. The first time I met him was in gym class. We were playing catch and I was so lost in looking at him, I totally missed the ball and it hit me right in the face. I fell on my butt and Arthur came running. Are you okay? You're bleeding! It's nothing, I'm used to much worse. On second thoughts, I might need a doctor. Arthur smiled and carried me to the nurse's office. The entire time I was there, he sat next to me and later he dropped me home. We became friends after that and slowly I fell for him. He was smart, mature and sweet. If there was one guy I wanted to date, it was him. So I decided to ask him out, except I didn't know how. So I turned to MSA for help, and it did not disappoint. Rule number one: Never let your crush know you're interested in him. Avoid eye contact and do not speak at all. The next day when Arthur waved at me in the hallway, I wrinkled my nose and turned away. He sat next to me in class, but I didn't pay any attention. But then in the cafeteria, he caught up with me. Are you avoiding me? Me? Avoiding you? Oh, don't be silly. I was just really busy thinking about global warming and how it's impacting the fish population. Oh, that reminds me, I have to water my fish. I mean, my pants, plants. I'll see you around. And I just ran before I embarrassed myself further. After that epic failure, I turned to step number two. Dress up nice and behave like a total diva. I went shopping, picked up a bunch of dresses, and the next morning, it took me two hours to get ready. I thought I looked great, except the moment I entered, everyone started pointing at me and laughing. Oh my God! Why is she dressed like a peacock? What's that on her face? Did someone finally punch her for being a know-it-all? I was so embarrassed. I immediately turned around and ran for the bleachers. I was still sulking when Arthur walked up to me. If you rub your lips any more, they're gonna fall off. This lipstick won't come off. Ugh, it's so annoying! Let me help you. Also, I'm not saying you don't look good with makeup, but you actually look way prettier without it. Really? Does that mean you'll go out with me? Are you serious? I wanted to ask you out for the longest time, but everyone in school told me you're a cold-hearted witch, girl, cold-hearted girl who hates people. That's not true! I hate some people, there's a difference. So you and I, dinner tomorrow? I'd love to. My first date with Arthur was perfect, and he told me that his parents were divorced like mine. And he lived with his mom and nine-year-old brother Charlie. We started dating soon after and spent all our time together. People in school were also nicer to me since I was Arthur's girlfriend, and even dad liked him a lot. Life was just better with him in it until things started getting weird. Some days he would come to school looking like a half-dead zombie and other days he would skip school altogether. His grades were slipping, we were barely seeing each other and I knew something was wrong. So one day when he canceled our date, I went to his place with his favorite ice cream. But when I knocked on the door, some kid opened up. Hi, you must be Charlie. Is your brother around? Is that ice cream? Give me it! Hey! That's not very nice. Say, "Ma'am, could I please have that tub of ice cream?" Repeat after me. Sure, ahem, ma'am, give me the ice cream or I'll kick you! And Charlie kicked me on my shin, snatched the tub and ran away. As I yelled out in pain, Arthur came running downstairs. Alicia? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? When would I tell you? You hardly talk to me these days. I know, I'm sorry. It's just that mom's getting married again. The guy doesn't want Charlie in his life and mom loves her stupid boyfriend so much that she decided to move out, leaving me in charge. Why wouldn't you tell me that before? Because it's embarrassing! And I didn't want to drag you in my mess! I'm already a part of your mess, and we'll get through it together. Okay, I know that was a bit cheesy. But Arthur looked like he was gonna break in a million pieces and I really wanted to help him. Besides, how bad could a nine-year-old be? Turns out, a lot! Because Charlie was a total devil! He would cry over the smallest things, throw tantrums if he didn't get his way, and would constantly butt into my dates with Arthur. We hardly spent any time alone. I was pretty sure he just hated me. Like one time, I was waiting for Arthur in his living room and Charlie kept giving me death stares. Something on my face? I was just trying to figure out how someone can look like a horse and a camel at the same time! That's kind of mean, Charlie! And you are kind of ugly! Anyway, have fun on the date. It won't last long. And 10 minutes into the date, Arthur got a call from the babysitter that Charlie had locked himself in the washroom and we had to run back. Then another time, it was Dad's birthday and I had planned a really cool surprise for him. I'd invited all his old friends from the army. Arthur helped me deck up the place, and I was arranging the cake when Charlie walked up to me. Oh, wow! This cake looks yummy. Give me a piece! Only after my dad cuts it. But I'm hungry now! Then eat something else! There's a whole pizza on the counter. Are you stupid? I said I want the cake! Charlie tried to get to the cake, but I got in his way. He shoved me away and I accidentally knocked into the cake, which crashed to the floor! Whoopsie! Guess no one gets to eat it! What happened? I heard some noise. Your brother ruined my surprise! I just asked her to give me some cake. And I asked you to wait! Relax, Alicia, we'll get a new cake. I'm sure your dad won't know! That's not the point, Arthur! Your brother is a spoiled brat! He needs some discipline! You put a leash on that kid or I swear I will. He's my brother, not some dog that I can put a leash on. I know he made a mistake, but he's just a kid. You know what? We'll just leave. We wouldn't wanna ruin your evening any more than we have! Perfect! Arthur took Charlie's hand and they left. I wanted to stop them, but I was too mad. Later that night when I calmed down, I realized I might have been too rude and called Arthur up. But he didn't answer. He didn't even show up to school the next day and neither did Charlie. So I went to his place to talk to him and saw Charlie crying on the porch. What's wrong? Arthur wasn't here when I woke up this morning, and I don't know where he went. Did you call him? He left his phone behind! Then why didn't you answer when I called? Anyway, don't worry, we'll find him. But till then, you're coming home with me. No, I don't like you! You don't have to like me, but I'm not leaving you alone till Arthur gets back. Urgh! So annoying! We waited the whole day for Arthur to show up or get in touch, but he didn't. By nightfall, I decided to sleep in the lounge and offered Charlie my room. If you need anything, the next morning, Arthur was still a no-show. I couldn't reach his mom either, and then remembered he'd told me she was out of the country on her honeymoon. Next, I asked his friends and colleagues, but none of them knew where he was. Eventually, I contacted the police. But even a week later, they had no news of him, and I was worried sick. What could've possibly happened to him? Meanwhile, Charlie refused to go to school or shower. He mostly kept himself locked in my room and reacted rudely to any nice gesture I made. I was losing my mind! So I turned to Dad for help and he promised he'd get a word out to his colleagues in the army to track Arthur down. I still don't know what to do with Charlie! He shuts me down every time I try talking to him! He's been through a lot, Alicia. What he needs is some distraction to keep his mind off things. After your mom left, you were all over the place. That's why I built such a strict routine for you so you wouldn't have time to think about her. Maybe you should do something similar? I decided to give Dad's advice a shot, and the next morning I walked to Charlie's room and woke him up. Get up! We're going out. Is Arthur back? No. Then let me sleep and go away! Nope, you're getting up right now! Charlie resisted but I dragged him out of bed and somehow we made it to the bus stop. He kept cursing me the whole way, but I didn't care, and minutes later we were at our destination, the paintball arena. I'm not going in there! Why? Too chicken to lose? As if! You're on! Charlie and I had a great time at the paintball game, and it was the first time I actually heard him laugh. Afterwards, we went to a trampoline park and jumped our hearts out. By the end he was so tired, he could barely walk. So I called a cab and took him to my favorite burger joint. But he just stood at the entrance and stared. What? You don't like burgers? No, it's just that this was my favorite place to come with my mom. Every weekend, we'd come here and play our favorite songs on the jukebox machine. And now, she doesn't even call me, and Arthur's left me too! Arthur will be back in no time, I promise you. He loves you a lot, Charlie, and no matter what, we'll always be here for you. You too? Yes, me too. Charlie cried and hugged me tight. For the first time, I saw him as a heartbroken kid who just wanted his family back. Since then, Charlie warmed up to me. We'd have breakfast together, and he would always make my bed when I got home from school. He was a lot calmer and hardly threw a tantrum. I couldn't wait for Arthur to come back and see how much progress Charlie had made, but we still had no leads on him. I wanted to be strong but with each passing day, my hopes of ever seeing him again were getting dimmer, and it broke my heart. Finally, one night I broke down in front of Dad. I don't think Arthur's coming back, Dad. It's been weeks and no one knows where he is. If he was in town, we would have found him by now. And Charlie, he's lost his mom and might lose his brother too. What can I even say to him? What? I turned around and saw Charlie standing at the door. You've been telling me all along the police will find him. You said you were sure! No, I'm sure he's fine, Charlie. I was just- Stop lying! Why do all grown ups lie so much? I hate you, all of you! And Charlie just ran out of the house. Dad said he'd go after him, and as I was sitting in the kitchen in despair, the phone suddenly rang. It was the police saying they'd found Arthur in a hospital close to town! I rushed to the location and texted Dad on the way. The doctors at the hospital told me that Arthur was brought in a few days back by the forest rangers. Apparently, he went on a hike and got injured and since then he'd been in a coma. I was sitting next to him when Charlie walked in with Dad. How is he? He hit his head but he's out of danger. Doctors say there's a very good chance he'll be just fine. Charlie, promise me. No matter what happens, you and I will never fight again. I promise, I will never scream again and I will always be a good brother. He will wake up, right? Ah, what do you think?