Hey seddit community!

First thing I want to say right off the bat is that this FR isn't a successful story, so if you're looking for someone who did succeed, check out the other FRs on this subreddit. They can be helpful motivators and help you learn how to path yourself for success. However, if you're like me who beats themselves up for fucking up an encounter and want to see that it's not only you who struggles with this shit, then by all means continue on reading.

Bit of background info: I'm a 21 year old guy who hasn't had sex in about three years, is slowly getting over his AA, and kinda just started piecing his life back together thanks to this community. I've been lurking for about a month now, having read some of the basics, a few FRs, the first page of top posts on this subreddit, and am currently reading through How to Win Friends and Influence People (if you haven't read it yet, do. Like, get it now and start.)

Now onto the field report. I was visiting an old job of mine, shopping around and talking to old co-workers when I saw this really beautiful girl with unnatural colored hair. I thought to myself, "I really like her hair. I should go up to her and compliment her hair, start a conversation about it." As I was thinking that, our eyes locked and I saw her flash me a smile, which at this point would be pretty dumb for me not to go up to her and at least say hi.

Confidently, I walked up to her and said to her "Hey, you have really cool hair! I like the color!" to which she enthusiastically replied, "Thanks!" Right there I asked her what product she used, how she got that color, small talk about hair dying and then asked for her name. I said, "Hey, my name's [redacted], what's yours?" and she replied "[redacted]". While I asked her, I extended my hand and she grabbed it to shake hands. I found myself looking for her soul through her beautiful eyes as I shook her hand, and held onto the shake for a good 4 or 5 seconds, complimenting that she had a beautiful name. She thought the same for me, and replied that I had a nice name to. I made sure to keep keen eye contact during that whole affair. After that, I walked away.

GUYS, seriously I knew I shouldn't of walked away. I didn't know how to carry on the conversation and my mind went into a jumble out of nervousness and fear, so I walked away in hopes I can clear my head and talk to her again.

By then, she linked back up with who I could tell was her mother. I shopped around, keeping her in my glance for another opportunity to try again, but she stuck with her mom and didn't isolate herself like last time.

I was about to leave, but I had this nagging feeling telling me that I couldn't leave without at least telling her that I thought she was really beautiful. So, I went back to her and told her straight up "Hey, I'm about to leave but before I go, I couldn't bring myself to at least tell you that I think you're cute" and she replied with another cheerful thank you. I didn't know what to do at that point. I wanted to ask her for her number, but something inside me told me I NEEDED a reason for her to want to give me her phone number. I found out today in that short 4 seconds of thought that I SUCK at logistics and tried bringing up the want to dye my hair again in hopes it would steer the conversation to asking if she could help me dye my hair and get her number that way. However, her and her mom looked just about ready to leave, and the moment didn't feel right so I told her that it was nice meeting her and that I hoped to see her again one day. She smiled, agreed and we parted ways.

I feel so frustrated with myself because I feel like I could of easily asked her for her number, but my nervousness and fear caused me to not pull the trigger. Don't be me guys and pull the trigger or you will regret it, trust me.

TLDR: Got into a conversation with a cutie, walked away without telling her she was cute or asking her for her number, tried saving the conversation by actually telling her she was cute. Fear and nervousness mucked that up and I squandered a golden opportunity.

Thanks for reading this, gents. Ranting this out helps me get over the fact I messed up and move on. If you have any recommendations on how I could of improved that then I openly welcome and ask for any and all feedback.