CHobbes

Honestly, I hadn't intended for Carissa to ask her out for me. Apparently, they were talking in class and Carissa mentioned that I really liked how Nicole's hair looked (she recently got it cut and dyed) and sensing a positive reaction she said that I wanted to go to the dance with a friend and it sort of evolved from there. From what I understand, her boyfriend doesn't have a problem with it, seeing as that he can't due to our schools policy (must be a current student at our school or an alumni of not more than two years past graduation.) I'm just not entirely sure what to make of the whole thing. I mean, it's not like I'm going to be groping her and trying to make out with her, I have self-control, but I mean, it just seems like it would be awkward being with a girl I really like, in a semi-romantic situation, and she's with me because she wanted to hang out with her friends.

So I just recently decided that I really want to go to an upcoming formal dance at my school, unfortunately I don't have a girlfriend or really anyone to particularly ask. I was going through names in my head of friends/crushes that I'd like to go with, and I came up with one, let's call her Nicole So the next day, I was talking with Carissa, one of my very close friends who's a mutual friend of me and the girl I want to ask. I sort of indiscretely mentioned that I really liked Nicole's hair, and Carissa's like "yeah, it's really nice. I'm really happy for her, everything's going great with her and Nick." I about had a heart-attack at that point. Apparently Nicole has a boyfriend at another school that I had no idea about, which makes me glad I talked to Carissa first. It was at that point that I told her the truth and confided in her that I was hoping to ask Nicole out, but that obviously the fact that she has a boyfriend rules it out. The conversation ended with Carissa saying something to the extent of "Her boyfriend wouldn't be able to come to our dance anyway, and I'm sure she'd like to go, maybe she'd be interested in going as friends." And I was like sure, it's a thought. Well, Carissa took the initiative and asked Nicole if she'd like to go to the dance with me as friends, and she of course said yes. My question is what exactly is the etiquette for taking a girl to a formal as just friends and when she already has a boyfriend? I know not to be like groping her or anything, but I need everybody's thoughts on the issue. The thought that keeps popping through my mind is that we'll be dancing and I'll be looking into her eyes, looking at her, thinking "wow, she looks beautiful, I really wish we were more than friends." While she's thinking "wow, I really dig this song." Thoughts on the whole situation would be greatly appreciated.

Earlier today, my girlfriend told me that I need to use my hand more when we're kissing. Generally, I just put my arms around her waist as if we're slowdancing or something, but evidently that's not enough. But she didn't really elaborate. What else can I be doing with my hands while we're kissing? Next thing she mentioned was that I don't always have to kiss on the lips. I'm 17, and quite frankly, she's my first relatively serious girlfriend, and I have never kissed someone anywhere other than the lips. I sort of know what she means, but I'm not sure how to go about starting it. Any help?