The Unspoken Currents

The Dance of Almosts.

I am so sorry. (A.N.)
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The school was buzzing with anticipation as prom approached, students chatting excitedly about dresses, dates, and the promise of a magical evening. Freen watched from the sidelines, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. Normally, she wouldn't care about events like this, but this year was different. This year, it was about Becky.

Becky, who had been forced into going with Nop, the son of the chief of the Ministry. Nop had been infatuated with Becky for years, despite her polite but firm rejections. But when Becky's father insisted she go with him to maintain social connections, Becky had no choice but to agree. Freen could see how much it bothered Becky, but it didn't make the reality any easier to swallow.

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Freen and Becky sat in Freen's room, the air thick with unspoken tension. Freen's eyes flickered over to Becky, waiting for her to speak. Becky had come to explain, to try to make Freen understand why she had to go to prom with Nop. But all Freen felt was a churning mix of jealousy and hurt.

"I hate this," Becky said finally, her voice strained. "You know I don't want to go with him."

"Then why are you doing it?" Freen asked, her voice sharper than she intended. She didn't mean to sound so harsh, but the thought of Becky on Nop's arm twisted something deep inside her.

Becky winced, her fingers knotting together in her lap, but she didn't look away. "My father insists. He thinks it's important for appearances, for connections. It's not what I want, but I don't have a choice."

Freen exhaled slowly, trying to temper her frustration. She knew how controlling Becky's father could be, how he dictated so much of her life. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't Becky's fault. But knowing that didn't make it any easier.

"I'm sorry," Becky continued, her voice softer now, almost pleading. "I know this isn't what you want to hear. But I promise, once we're there, it's just you and me. I'll leave with Nop from my house because I have to, but after that... it's our night."

Freen looked at her, her eyes searching Becky's face for sincerity. She saw the determination mixed with regret in her eyes, the way her lips pressed into a thin line as if holding back more words. "You mean that?"

Becky nodded, reaching out to take Freen's hand, her grip firm but trembling. "Yes. I don't want to be with him, Freen. I want to be with you."

A spark of hope ignited in Freen's chest, mingling with the jealousy and frustration. "Okay," she whispered, feeling the words slip out before she could overthink them. "We'll make it our night."

Becky's face softened into a relieved smile, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you. For understanding."

---

The days leading up to prom were a blur of preparations and conflicting emotions. Freen turned down every invitation she received, knowing it wouldn't feel right to go with anyone else. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of the night, torn between the excitement of being with Becky and the jealousy that simmered whenever she thought of Nop.

On the night of prom, Freen stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the white oversized suit she had chosen. It was simple yet elegant, making her feel confident in a way she rarely did. But as she prepared, her mind was elsewhere—on Becky, and on the promise of the night ahead.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. A message from Becky: *I'm on my way with Nop now. I'll see you there.*

Freen's stomach twisted, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself of Becky's words. Tonight would be about them, no matter how it started.