Unspoken Currents

018

Friday couldn’t have come fast enough. I had been riding the high of winning nearly all my badminton matches lately, and things in my life seemed... normal. Great, even. For once, I wasn’t consumed with overthinking about Colton or anything else that could complicate my life. I had amazing friends, was doing well in school, and I was finally feeling like I belonged somewhere. And Asia? She was quickly becoming a big part of that.

We’d been hanging out so much lately that my parents even joked about her. It felt nice to be teased about something harmless for once. It grounded me in the simplicity of this new chapter in my life. So when I decided to ask her out officially, I wanted to make it perfect.

The plan had been forming in my head all week: dinner at a semi-fancy restaurant downtown—nice but not over-the-top. I wanted it to feel special but still casual enough that it wouldn’t overwhelm her. Mom helped me pick out my outfit—black slacks, a light blue button-up that matched my eyes, and a leather jacket that gave it all a cool edge. She even helped me pick out a bouquet of sunflowers and roses, which, according to her, were a mix of cheerful and romantic.

By 6:30 PM, I was sitting in the car, parked outside Asia’s house. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I tried to calm the nerves that had been building all day. It wasn’t the asking her to be my girlfriend that had me sweating—it was the tiny, nagging voice in my head questioning if this was the right thing to do. But I shoved it down.

When Asia stepped out of her house, all those doubts vanished for a moment. She wore a flowing green dress that matched her earthy vibe perfectly, her braids styled in a loose, elegant way. She was smiling like she couldn’t believe I’d actually gone all out, and seeing her happy made my nerves settle.

“You look amazing,” I said as she climbed into the car.
She laughed softly. “You’re just saying that because you want me to think you’re charming.”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe,” she teased, and just like that, the evening started with ease.

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, but not the awkward kind of silence, it was comforting.

Once we made it to the restaurant we found our seats. The restaurant was exactly as I imagined—small, intimate, with soft lighting that gave the room a golden glow. We were seated at a table near the back, where it was quieter. Asia seemed impressed by the choice, which was a relief.

Dinner went smoothly. We laughed about how terrible we both were at pronouncing the names of the dishes and shared stories about our families. I told her about the time Layla accidentally set the stove on fire trying to make pancakes, and she countered with a story about how her little brother once tried to bake cookies in a plastic toy oven.

But as the night went on, the weight of what I planned to do settled over me. It wasn’t nerves—it was that same nagging doubt from earlier. Still, I reminded myself that Asia was great. She was funny, kind, and someone I could see myself being with. This was the right step forward.

When dessert arrived, I knew it was time.

“So,” I began, setting my fork down and looking her directly in the eyes. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately about... us.”

She tilted her head slightly, her expression curious but calm. “Yeah?”

I nodded, fiddling with the edge of my napkin. “You’re... amazing, Asia. You’ve made these last few weeks so much fun. And I really like spending time with you.”

Her smile grew, soft and warm. “I like spending time with you too, William.”

“Good,” I said, exhaling a laugh. “Because I was wondering if maybe... you’d want to be my girlfriend?”

For a moment, her face froze in surprise, but then it broke into the widest smile I’d ever seen. “Are you serious?”

I nodded, my heart thudding in my chest. “Completely serious.”

“Yes,” she said immediately, laughing as she leaned forward slightly. “Of course, yes.”

Relief and excitement washed over me as I grinned back at her. I hadn’t even realized how tense I’d been until that moment.

We spent the rest of the night talking and laughing, but deep down, that nagging feeling refused to go away entirely. It was faint, almost like a whisper, but it was there. A part of me questioned if this was really what I wanted or if I was just trying to convince myself it was.

The Drive Home

As I drove her back home, Asia rested her head against the window, humming softly to the music playing on the radio. She looked so content, so happy. I wanted to feel the same way—completely happy, without any lingering doubt or confusion.

When we pulled up outside her house, she turned to me with that same soft smile. “Thanks for tonight, Will. It was perfect.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, smiling back.

She leaned over and kissed my cheek before stepping out of the car, waving as she walked toward her door.

As I drove away, the quiet of the car gave space for my thoughts to creep back in. Asia was great—there was nothing wrong with her. But why did a part of me still feel... off?

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. Tonight was supposed to be a win, a step forward. I wouldn’t let myself ruin it with overthinking.

For now, I’d focus on the good. Asia was my girlfriend. Life was good. And everything else... I’d figure out later.

------------------------------------------