Article: Try to get it from her yourself; it can be a little awkward to get a text from someone if you have no idea how they got it.  An easy way is to mention a funny video or photo and tell her, “I’ll text you the link/photo. Wait, I don’t have your phone number! Can I get that from you?” Be casual and don’t make it a big deal, and she’s more likely to feel comfortable giving it to you. If you need a little more help getting her phone number, check out How to Get a Girl’s Phone Number. If she doesn’t want to give you her phone number, don’t try to get it from somewhere or someone else. This is simply a matter of respecting her boundaries. Maybe wait to ask her again until you know her a little better in person. A simple “hi” is hard to respond to, and can come off as lazy or boring. Ask a question, or even just ask her how she’s doing.  Questions are great because there is an expected response to keep the conversation going. If you ask her what the English homework is, she can respond with the answer and you can ask another clarifying question, keeping the conversation moving.... as opposed to if you just say “hey,” and she has no idea how to respond. Open-ended questions are usually better than simple “yes-or-no” questions because there’s more you can say. For example, “Do you like comedy movies?” will likely garner a one-word response, whereas “What kind of movies do you like?” will probably get a longer, more specific response and make it easier to continue the conversation. If you're trying to break the ice for the first time, it is important that she doesn't feel like your text is coming out of the blue with no reason or motivation behind it. Talk about something that you both share in common or that affects both of you.  For example, if there is a school function going on that night, you can ask “Are you going to that game/play/dance tonight?” You could even ask if she wants to come along with you (or with you and a group of friends, if you're feeling a little shy about jumping in on that first date). You could also make small talk about some experience you've both had, like saying "It was so crazy running into you at Starbucks today!" or "Can you believe how Mr. Smith yelled at that student in English class today?" If you know she likes a specific band, TV show, or movie, ask her about it! Ask her what she thought of the most recent episode, or if she has any song recommendations for that band. This will show her that you take enough interest to care about her opinions and remember her likes and dislikes.  These topics are especially great because people can be really passionate about their favorite bands or shows. They love talking about them, watching them, and learning more about them. It can be really exciting to meet someone who shares the same interest. If you disagree over something, don’t freak out! A little playful debate over “Which Beatles Song Is The Best” can help you two get to know each other, as well as be funny and enjoyable. Just don’t insult her or say something mean in the process. Smiley faces can be fun and flirty, but are also innocent enough that it won’t come off as too bold or forward. Just throw in a smiley face, and she’ll notice ;)  If you’re really unsure how to use a smiley face, start by just tacking one on at the end of a text, like “Have you seen the new episode of ‘New Girl’? It was really good :)” In general, winky faces are more suggestive and used with flirty texts and double-entendres. Don’t use a winky face where you’ll normally see a smiley face because it might seem misplaced or even confusing. Try not to overdo it with the emoticons, as that can be confusing and off-putting. Now that your conversation has started off on the right foot, make sure it keeps going just as well!  Check out How to Text Message Someone You Like if you need some more ideas. When you're ready, you can advance to the next level by using your text messages to set up a real live in person get-together-- whether it's a date, casual meet-up, or group get-together. Texting is fun, but talking in person is the way to take a relationship to the next level.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Get her phone number. Say hi — but don’t just say hi. Say something timely and relevant. Talk about her interests. Use smiley faces! Keep going!