Prom season can be hard on everyone, but it can be especially stressful for girls who think they have to wait for an invite. When your options seem limited to going alone or not going at all, is putting yourself out there really that bad in comparison?

It may seem scary now, but here's why you shouldn't wait around for a promposal when you can be the one who does the promposing:

He probably has no clue you want him to ask

Unless you two have been engaging in some serious flirtation, he's probably unaware of your interest. Waiting around is ineffective, and he's going to miss your subtle implications (or just think they're weird). This isn't a Student Council election, and no one is going to nominate you -- you have got to get yourself in the running!

You're saving him the hassle and anxiety

Think about it: asking a girl to prom is such a stressful task, it's compared to a marriage proposal. By asking him to go with you, you're relieving him of this pressure, while reminding him that low-maintenance girls still exist ... even in high school.

Someone else might ask you first, and that's super awkward

It's hard to say "no" to anyone putting themselves out there with a promposal, even if you really wanted to hold out for somebody else. Especially if they made an elaborate effort, turning them down will make you feel like nothing short of a Disney villain. The longer you wait to ask the guy you really want to go with, the longer you're a sitting dateless duck for dudes who assume you want a guy to ask, which is not their fault and totally true.

It's lower pressure than asking him out for a normal date (really!)

You're asking him for one night, not a lifetime commitment. It's easy to get worked up and lose perspective, but at the end of the day, it's still only a dance. You don't have to profess any deeply harbored feelings for this dude -- even if you have them. Casually tell him that you think you two would have the most fun together, because that's both true and all you need.

It'll give you confidence for the future

Too many women don't learn to ask for what they want romantically until well into adulthood. Asking him to prom now will let you practice being assertive about your dating life (and, you know, increases the chances of you going with a date you want). This is an invaluable skill, and the positive effect it could have on your future romantic relationships should NOT be underestimated.

The worst he could do is say "no" (and probably feel flattered anyway)

Rejection is painful, but knowledge is still power. Knowing that this dude isn’t The One may not have been Plan A, but it's still a productive outcome ... and even if he's planning to ask someone else, he'd probably still take your invite as a compliment. There's no reason to feel embarrassed.

Either way, the act of asking him proves your bravery to yourself, and gives you insight into the expectations our society places on guys. That'll make you more empathetic about what they go through. And there's always more to be learned from rejection than inaction.