Every Kind of Way

The Future

Engfa's POV

I haven't spoken to Grandmother, Song or Sam in the past couple of months. Thanks to Charlotte, I know Song is doing just fine and maybe dating someone. I know Sam did nothing wrong, but she's always been one to follow the rules and if I told her where I was, she would probably tell Grandmother. I feel sorry for both of them. We lost our parents and now all they have left is a very strict grandmother, which is not the best consolation prize.

I try not to think about them too much. I have a future that I have been planning since I left. Char's parents agreed to let me live with them and we have both been working part time since finishing high school. Char wants to go to the graduation ceremony, but I know I can't go.

"Just go babe. It's okay. You only get one high school graduation." Charlotte was getting dressed. This was her third outfit. She changes her mind a lot when it comes to clothes.

"Just like you only get one college graduation and one of everything else, baby."

"That's not necessarily true. You can graduate from college at least twice if you do a bachelor's and master's degree." Charlotte rolled her eyes annoyed.

"I don't want to be there without you." She pouted hoping that I would change my mind and I almost did. I hate when she pouts, she could get me to commit a murder.

"This time it won't work. I'm not risking it." Charlotte sighed exasperated. She knew I wouldn't budge about this.

I had been thinking long and hard about what I would do once I graduated. I still wanted to leave Thailand behind. I would come back to visit every once in a while, but I needed to place an ocean of distance between me and Grandmother, even if she wasn't looking for me right now. I had spoken to Char's parents about this, and they agreed to help me. All that was left was to speak to Charlotte. That was the most difficult part.

During all this time, Charlotte and I hadn't really talked about what she wanted to do when we graduated. I let her know what I wanted to do since the beginning. The thought of her not being with me when I leave is scary, but I won't pressure her into anything. I'll just let her know what I feel and whatever she decides, I will accept.

A few days after graduation, I went to pick her up at her job like I always do. I waited outside with a bouquet of flowers just because. Her shift had finished, and she walked outside staring at her phone. She passed right by me.

"Hey Austin!" Charlotte looked up from her phone and smiled. "Your girlfriend is here to pick you up." Charlotte ran towards me, and I embraced her in a hug. I placed a little kiss on her shoulder. "Missed you too."

"Are those for me?" I gave her the flowers. "Thank you! What's the occasion?"

"Can't I do something sweet for my girlfriend?"

"Hmm, you can." She said feeling suspicious.

"Do you want to eat at Sirimahannop?" (Restaurant in Thailand)

"OMG, you know I have been wanting to go for months. It's so difficult to get a table there."

"Perks of still being known as a Mhom Luang." I shrugged and she laughed. We walked hand in hand to the restaurant. It was just a few blocks away. We were seated in a couple of minutes and after ordering the food and drinks I looked over at Charlotte who was staring at me.

"Ok what's up?"

"Again, can't I do something nice for you?"

"Baby, tell me."

"Ok." I gather my thoughts before beginning. "We have been unintentionally avoiding this conversation, but I think it's time that we have it. Char, I love you with all of my heart and I know it hasn't been easy..."

"Wait! Are you proposing?" I laughed and grabbed her hands.

"Baby no, relax. I just mean it's time to talk about what we both want which I'm guessing for you is marriage."

"I might, but we are too young. That's why I was scared that you were asking right now."

"We just graduated and now it's time to see what comes next. I still want to leave Thailand. I have spoken to your parents about it, and they will help me. I'm not pressuring you into going, it's your choice. If you want to stay here, I will accept it, but I need to leave at least for a couple of months."

Charlotte was quiet for a few minutes. The food came and we ate in silence. I let her eat in peace, but the silence was deafening. I cleared my throat in the hopes that she would say something. Charlotte looked up from her plate and then lowered her head again. After dinner, we walked back to her job to get the car. I opened the door for her, and she finally spoke. It was only a thank you, but it was progress. On the drive back home, I put some music on and started singing along. When her favorite song came on, I knew she wouldn't resist.

We sang like there was no tomorrow. We laughed. Everything felt better now, but I still needed Char to give me an answer. I parked the car in the driveway, and we just sat there in silence again.

"I'm going with you."

"What?"

"Where you go, I go." I smiled widely and we shared a soft kiss.

With Char by my side, I'm ready for anything.