Search Results: how can i keep her interest

I'm a 23F, about to be 24, still in college. Though I've been asked out before, not by the right guys, I'd never had a first date. I never had a boyfriend. I have a specific type/look in men that I'm attracted to. But the guys I would seem interested in are either not interested in me or they are not aware of my interest in them. I'm quite quirky in appearance, personality. But I'm very smart, curious, open minded and observant (If you're curious as to why I look like, you can go to this link If I'm pretty like people tell me, how come guys don't ask me out?

I'm also usually forward when speaking with others. After a guy who I fell for didn't return his feelings, I shut out and stopped approaching guys and showing interest, in fear of rejection and just encountering the obvious. It took me months to get over him.

A lot of people in my age bracket are already in relationships, engaged or married. And it seems like they're all pretty much the same in personality, style, common interests and friends. I feel like the odd one out without any experience or proposals. I was raised in the Midwest, but I currently live in the deep south. So that might explain a lot. This not only feels odd to me, but like it's too soon for everyone to be married this young. I want to be in a relationship, but I feel like I'm too weird or quirky for men to handle or to be attracted to. Like I just turn them off right from the start of the conversation or minutes into. So I just keep quiet and too myself, unless someone interesting enough catches my eye. I don't like to waste my time with people who aren't gonna make time for me, benefit me or who I see as fake and toxic. Pretty valid, is it not? I know what I want and what I'm looking for, but I'm open for something different to me.

Could anyone give me any ideas as to why? And if you are or have been through what I'm going through, please give your story. Thank you!

I met him in high school. I had a crush and we were friends but he didn’t seem interested. Then suddenly, randomly one day he did, I don't know what happened. He invited me to his prom, he was super chivalrous. We went on a few dates (this started towards the end of us being in high school and carried on into the first year of being in college) he treated me well but I didn’t feel a spark. He paid for our food or whatever we did, and I enjoyed his company but didn’t see it going anywhere. I didn’t wanna hurt his feelings but I couldn’t keep seeing him, especially with him paying I wouldn’t wanna take advantage of him. Anyways I got to the point I just made excuses when he asked to do something cause I was afraid to hurt his feelings even though I probably did regardless. Eventually he stopped messaging me and we haven’t talked since. I’m s few years wiser now. I can look back and see he treated me MUCH better than the guys I’ve been with since. I knew at the time he was such a good guy and I was so mad at myself for not being in love with him, I should be. Any girl would be lucky to be with him. Anyways, I wanna reach out and at least apologize and maybe give it a another chance, if he would even give me the time of day. I’m nervous too though, and I’m nervous to give it another shot and still just not feel any thing and potentially hurt him again, although this time around I would give him an explanation instead of just ghosting. Should I give it a shot or leave it alien?