Unspoken Currents

03

Layla showing up on a Thursday threw me off. Usually, she only came home on weekends, so when I walked in after school and found her lounging on the couch, I was definitely surprised.

"Hey!" she said, beaming as if she didn't just pop up unannounced. "I thought I'd surprise you."

"Clearly," I muttered, dropping my bag on the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"Had a free day, and I thought, why not come home early? Plus, I was talking to Colton," she added casually, as if his name wasn't enough to make my stomach do a somersault, "and we thought it'd be cool to hang out this weekend. All three of us."

Of course, Colton. It always comes back to Colton.

I tried to keep my face neutral, but I could feel my heartbeat quicken. Hanging out with Colton was normal, expected even, but every time Layla mentioned him, I felt that weird mix of anticipation and dread. Like something in me wanted to be around him, and yet another part of me desperately wished I didn't feel that way.

"With Colton?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

She rolled her eyes, catching on instantly. "Yes, with Colton. Relax, Will. You like hanging out with him, don't act all weird."

I shrugged, trying not to give anything away. "Yeah, sure. It'll be fun."

She grinned, clearly satisfied with my response, then stretched out on the couch as if she hadn't just rocked my world with a simple suggestion. "Good! We'll all hang out on Saturday. You'll see."

The rest of the evening passed like it usually did when Layla came home. We ordered takeout and watched some random show on Netflix. It was easy, comfortable-just the two of us. Still, Colton hovered in the back of my mind like an unwanted guest.

***

Later that night, as we sat side by side on the couch, Layla suddenly whipped out her phone. "Hey, smile!"

Before I had time to react, she snapped a picture of us. I groaned, slumping further into the cushions. "Why?"

She chuckled, typing away on her phone. "Just sent it to Colton. Let him know we're excited to hang out this weekend."

Of course, she sent it to Colton. Because who else would she be sending random photos of us to? I tried not to let the thought bother me too much, but it did.

I stared at the TV, forcing my attention back to whatever mindless thing was on, but it was pointless. The image of Colton's name lighting up Layla's screen kept replaying in my head. It was stupid, I knew that. But the idea of him seeing that picture made me feel... I don't even know. Nervous? Weird? Like I wanted him to see it but also didn't?

"Seriously, Will, chill," Layla said, nudging me playfully. "I know you like Colton. Stop pretending like you don't."

I scoffed, trying to act like she was being ridiculous. "I'm not pretending anything."

She just smirked and turned back to her phone. "Sure, sure."

***

By the time Saturday rolled around, I had more or less convinced myself it would be fine. Colton, Layla, and I had hung out plenty of times before-nothing strange about that. But still, as I sat in the back seat of Colton's car, I couldn't help but feel on edge. Not in a bad way, exactly, but in that way where I was hyper-aware of everything. The way Colton's laugh sounded in the front seat, the casual way he talked to Layla, and even the small, meaningless glances he threw in my direction. It all felt amplified, like the volume on my thoughts had been cranked up too high.

"So, Will," Colton said, catching my gaze in the rearview mirror, "how's senior year treating you? You ready to graduate?"

I shrugged, trying to act cool. "Yeah, it's okay. Kinda stressful, but I'm surviving."

He nodded, that easygoing smile spreading across his face. "I remember that feeling. Just try not to let it get to you too much. It'll be over before you know it."

The way he talked to me made everything worse. He treated me like a little brother, which I guess was fine, but it also made me feel... small. Not in a bad way, but in a way that made me want more. More attention, more of whatever Colton seemed to give to everyone else without even trying.

As we drove out to the hiking trail Layla had chosen, the conversation stayed light, mostly between her and Colton. I chimed in when I needed to, but mostly I just watched the two of them. Layla was in her element, talking a mile a minute about her classes and some event she'd been helping plan. Colton laughed at all the right moments, and I wondered how he could just... be like that. So effortlessly comfortable in his own skin.

When we finally got to the trail, I was relieved to get out of the car and stretch my legs. Layla bounded ahead, her excitement contagious, while Colton and I fell into step behind her. The hike itself was beautiful, the kind of scenic place that Layla loved to explore. She stopped every few minutes to take pictures, dragging Colton and me into her little Instagram-worthy moments.

At one point, as we were climbing a steeper section of the trail, Colton glanced over at me. "You good back there?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said quickly, a little out of breath but trying not to show it.

He gave me a grin. "You sure? Don't need to take a break?"

I rolled my eyes, but there was no edge to it. "I'm not a kid, you know."

He laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Yeah, yeah, just checking."

And that was it. Just a normal interaction. Nothing special. But the way his voice wrapped around the words, the way his eyes flicked over me before he looked away-it stuck with me.

***

The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter, photos, and easy conversation. By the time we were done hiking and piled back into Colton's car, I was tired, but in a good way. The kind of tired that comes from spending a day outside, away from school and the rest of the world.

Colton dropped us off at home just as the sun was starting to set. Layla hopped out of the car with her usual energy, already planning our next hangout. I climbed out more slowly, my legs aching in that satisfying way.

"Thanks for today," I said, feeling a bit awkward but genuinely grateful. "It was fun."

Colton smiled back, that same easy smile he always wore. "Anytime, Will. We should do it again soon."

I nodded, trying not to overthink his words.

As Colton drove away, Layla turned to me, grinning. "Told you it'd be a good time."

I just smiled, unable to argue with her. Yeah, it had been a good time. Maybe too good.

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