IMPERFECTLY PERFECT PERSON
"In a life of regrets and missed opportunities, I, an introverted soul merely existing, found unexpected salvation in a girl battling anxiety—a twist that rewrote my entire story."
Opening:
After the debate, Rena and I stepped out of the auditorium, our hearts still racing from the adrenaline. Rena turned to me with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling in excitement.
"Ashan, we did it! We actually won! And it's all thanks to you!" she said, practically beaming.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "No way, Rena. You're the one who nailed all the key points. I just threw in the last punch."
She laughed, still riding the high of victory. "But I wasn't expecting you to go all out like that! And what was that thing you brought up? Paillier cryptosystem? Where did that even come from?"
I grinned, slightly embarrassed. "Well, I knew a little bit about it, so I just tried to make it sound as fancy as possible."
Rena's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, so you just… bluffed your way through?"
I shrugged. "Pretty much."
What I didn't mention was that I had quietly prepped some people in the audience beforehand to back us up and corner the opposition. But Rena didn't need to know that part—she'd probably scold me for it.
She playfully smacked my arm. "Seriously, what was your plan at the debate? To confuse everyone into submission?"
Grinning, I replied, "Debating is like an art, Rena. It's not just about logic or facts. Sometimes, it's about making your argument so convincing that the other side looks like fools."
Rena shook her head, laughing. "You really are something else. I can't believe you sometimes."
As we walked, our conversation shifted to the future of Digital Den, our new club. We decided to meet up after class to plan things out. The next morning, I woke up to a flood of texts from random numbers, all interested in joining the club. After replying to Tsula's usual "good morning" text, I turned my attention to the rest.
Later, in class, Rena and I sat down to discuss the club's membership process.
"I think we should prioritize the juniors, give them more opportunities to get involved," I suggested, watching her reaction.
Rena nodded but seemed thoughtful. "That's a good idea, but if we focus on the juniors, the seniors might feel left out. The same thing could happen if we reverse it."
I leaned back in my chair, considering. "Then how about we take in the ones who applied first? It's fair and doesn't show favoritism."
Rena tapped her pen on the desk, then nodded. "It could work. Might cause a few issues, but nothing we can't handle."
The weeks passed by in a blur as our club thrived. We organized workshops, hosted events, and built a close-knit team. Throughout it all, Rena and I worked side by side as president and vice president, becoming a well-coordinated duo. Eventually, we decided to take a much-needed break and relax with a movie.
However, our original plan changed when two of our friends couldn't make it. Instead, Jee invited a few of her friends, turning it into a group of four girls and one guy—me. After the movie, we decided to grab dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Sitting down at the table, I felt a bit out of place as the only guy among the group. The conversation flowed naturally, though, with Jee taking the lead.
"We should totally get the combo platter. It's got a little bit of everything," Jee suggested, her enthusiasm for food unmistakable.
Rena nodded. "And we can't leave without trying their signature spicy noodles."
I glanced at the menu skeptically. "Spicy noodles? Not sure if my taste buds are up for that challenge."
Jee grinned. "Don't be a wimp, Ashan. You've got to try it."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'm not a wimp. I just don't want to spend the night sweating from the heat."
We ordered our food, and soon enough, the table was filled with a variety of dishes. The conversation continued as we dug in, laughter punctuating the meal. The combo platter was a hit, and as for the spicy noodles… well, they lived up to their name. My mouth burned, but I powered through with some teasing from the others.
As we wrapped up our meal, Jee leaned back and suddenly said, "Let's grab some drinks to end the night on a high note."
I hesitated, knowing my limits. "I'll have to pass. I don't drink."
Rena, who was sitting beside me, gave a small nod. "Same here."
The others, however, were eager to continue the night and quickly placed their orders. Soon, drinks arrived, and Jee raised her cocktail with a grin. "Cheers, everyone! Here's to a great evening!"
As the others clinked their glasses and took sips, Rena and I exchanged glances, opting to stick with our water and juice. The atmosphere remained light and fun, but there was an unspoken understanding between us. Even without drinks, the night felt complete, and we were happy just to be part of the moment.
As the night wore on, the others started to loosen up, laughing and joking as the atmosphere grew more carefree. I excused myself to use the washroom, needing a quick break from the chaos.
When I returned, Jee was waving a glass of Coca-Cola in my direction. "Hey, Ashan, got your drink!" she said with a grin.
I smiled, thankful for her thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Jee."
Rena, sitting beside me, accepted a glass as well. We sipped our drinks, enjoying the familiar sweetness. But not long after, Rena suddenly slumped against my shoulder, her eyes glazed over. "Ashan... I feel... weird," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
Startled, I turned to her, my heart skipping a beat. "Rena, are you okay? What's going on? You were fine just now."
The room seemed to freeze. Jee and the others exchanged nervous glances, their earlier laughter now awkwardly fading. "Uh, I think she might've had a bit too much," Jee suggested, looking guilty.
I frowned, suspicion creeping in. "But she was only drinking Coke. What did you guys do?"
Naro shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "Jee... might've added a little something extra to her drink."
My stomach dropped. "What do you mean by 'extra'?"
Jee hesitated, her expression apologetic. "It was just a tiny bit of rum... as a joke! I didn't think she'd actually get tipsy."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Seriously, Jee? That was reckless!"
Meanwhile, Rena had grown increasingly clingy, her arms tightening around my waist. "Ashan... I don't feel... good," she mumbled, barely able to keep herself upright.
I gently peeled her off me, trying to steady her. "Alright, Rena, let's get you out of here."
As I helped her out of the restaurant, her legs wobbled beneath her, and I had to support most of her weight. I shot a sharp glance back at Jee and the others. "You guys owe her an apology. This isn't okay."
Jee nodded quickly, looking remorseful. "We're really sorry, Ashan."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Just... be more careful next time, alright?"
With that, I waved off the others and reassured them, "I'll walk her home. Don't worry, I've got it covered."
They hesitated but eventually nodded, watching us leave. As we stepped outside, the cool night air hit our faces, and I adjusted my grip on Rena, making sure she stayed steady.
"I'll take care of you, Rena," I whispered softly. "Let's get you home."
As we walked, Rena leaned on me more and more, her steps growing unsteady. "Ashan... I don't think I can walk anymore," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
I glanced around, hoping to spot a taxi, but the streets were empty. Her house wasn't far, though. I made a quick decision.
"Alright, hop on," I said, bending down slightly.
Rena gave me a confused look before giggling and climbing onto my back. I stood up, securing my grip on her legs as she settled in.
As we made our way through the quiet streets, Rena's arms wrapped loosely around my neck, her head resting against my shoulder. I could feel her soft breath on my skin, and the gentle hum of her voice was like a calming melody.
"Ashan... I'm really happy," she murmured. "I'm so lucky to have you as my friend."
I smiled to myself, warmth spreading through my chest. "I'm lucky to have you too, Rena. You're pretty amazing."
Her grip tightened slightly. "No, Ashan... I mean it. I've been wanting to tell you something for a while."
My heart skipped. What was she about to say? Was this a confession?
"Ashan," she began, her voice a mix of seriousness and laughter. "You're incredibly annoying. Your laziness... it drives me insane."
I let out a relieved chuckle. "I'm not that bad."
"Yes, you are!" she insisted, playfully swatting my arm. "But even though you slack off sometimes, when it really counts, you work harder than anyone else. You push yourself, not for you, but for others. And that... that means a lot."
Her words caught me off guard. No one had ever said that to me before, and I could feel a swell of emotion.
Rena's voice softened, her tone sincere. "You're always there for me, Ashan. You listen, you support me, and... you make me feel like I'm never alone."
I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion. I hadn't realized how much my presence meant to her until now.
Then, with a soft, affectionate smile, she whispered, "No wonder I love you so much. You drive me crazy, but you're also the kindest person I know."
My heart skipped again. I wasn't expecting that.
I tried to play it cool, grinning as I responded, "Rena, we can talk about this when you're sober."
She giggled, resting her head more comfortably against my shoulder. "Deal. But don't you dare forget it."
I laughed softly. "Let's just focus on getting you home before you pass out."
"Left, right?" I asked, adjusting my hold on her.
"Left," she giggled, guiding me.
As we turned the corner, my mind raced. What did this mean for us? Would she still feel the same when the alcohol wore off? And what would I do if she did? Only time would tell.