Love and Aspergers

Jackson had his heart broken today.
He is now in middle school (5th grade in our town). He loves to brag that he is considered a pre-teen, even though he just turned 11.
All his friends are "going with" girls (or so he tells me). It appears to be THE thing to do in 5th grade - ask a girl to go with you, exchange little notes and presents, and nothing more (Thank GOD!)
His other bestest friend (besides Donnie), is a blond football stud named Christian. He has been groomed for a career in football his whole life; the plan is for he and his brother to attend one of the most prestigious football high schools in the state, and be awarded a full scholarship to ANY college they choose. It is predestined...
Christian, as a football stud, can "go with" any girl he wants. He has chosen a girl named Jordan who completely dotes on him - including baking brownies for he and his friends to share at school during lunch.
Jackson wants and expects the same attention, (he is a defensive beast, after all..)and has chosen our neighbor, Betsy, as his object of affection. Therein lies the problem...
Betsy is THE girl in middle school. She is IT! He is one of many boys in line..
Today he asked her to go with him and today she said NO!
He came home and asked me if he had to go to his youth group tonight, explaining that he had been "rejected" today and wasn't up to socializing.
We let him stay home and deal with his rejection...
As I was telling his stud brother about this situation, who, as part of the middle school team, has 8th grade girls surrounding him at high school games on Friday nights; I realized that this too will pass...
Our defensive beast, our boy who has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, will wear one of these jerseys in two years...and Betsy will notice...