I can't keep a conversation going

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This is my first time on the website, so please forgive me if I do something wrong.

I've liked this guy for over a year now, but I don't really know him as well as I should at this point, simply because I can never think of ways to keep a conversation going. Sure, I can rant passionately about things that I'm interested in to him, but when he mentions something he's interested in I don't know how to respond most of the time. It's not that I'm not interested in what he has to say, it's just that I can't formulate a response in time for it to be relevant anymore. It's like it doesn't come naturally, and I have to actually work to put sentences together. Other times, I just don't understand what he's saying. Words will come out of his mouth, but because I have auditory processing disorder as a symptom of Aspergers I can't discern them as any sort of words. The only conversations I have with him that are long are those about politics, because it's something we're both interested in that I can go on and on about. And then there's the anxiety of just being around him alone. In most social situations I rely on other people being there to take over the conversation so that I can just stare aimlessly at the ground until I think of something to say, and therefore I avoid one-on-one interactions. But they're not always unavoidable, and I tend to freak out when I get stuck in one and just ramble about random nonsense and hope a conversation is stirred from it. Later, I get self-conscious and fret over how many people I must've annoyed by doing that. I also have a lot of anxiety over the fact that he'll be a senior next year, meaning I only have one more year to tell him how I feel, which I worry I won't be able to do. The only relationship I was ever in began with the guy who liked me asking me out and ended eight months later without us ever going on a single date or even speaking about the relationship in person because I was so anxious about it.
Do neurotypical people my age (15) experience the same stresses? How should I cope with it?

Neurotypical experience experience lots of different stresses related to romantic relationships like getting self conscious as your described, but this specific thing with trouble conversing is definitely an autistic thing. The only way to get better at coming up with responses is practice. As for the listening part, you should explain to him that you are having trouble keeping up with what he is saying. He shouldn't get offended, after all by doing so you are expressing that you are in fact interested in what he is saying.

The best thing to do to keep a conversation going is to ask questions and listen. Most people will keep talking to fill in the silence if you just ask questions and wait.

Yes, ask questions and repeat what he has said to show you understand. Most people, ASD or NT like it when others show an interest in their interests. Often they are more than happy to answer your queries.

Thanks for the advice! I will try asking more questions.

Yes, and just keep practicing until you get it. It took me a long time to figure out basic social stuff like conversation and small talk, and people told me I wouldn't be able to figure it out. But I did. You will too.

I have the same issue! My dad gets so frustrated with me! It's not that I think they're boring r anything but my mind drifts habitually and by the time I force it back to the present reality, I have no idea what was just said. I know that SOUNDS like I'm not interested in what's being said but I swear I am. I just don't know how to focus. On anything. I can't even stay focused for the entire duration of a a film or TV show that I like. I usually have to watch it multiple times. Any suggestions?

be glad you are only 14!! !

I'm actually fifteen. My birthday was June 23, 2000. I'm not sure why it says I'm fourteen.

This is where I just don't even bother, unless it's a person I've already gotten to know somewhat. For a stranger, I don't know anything about them so I don't know what to ask them about. I'm not going to make small talk and ask pointless questions where the answers don't matter one way or another. My brain works like this:
Someone will suggest I ask a question to someone to get to know them. Usually along the lines of, "Ask where she works." I used to think that was stupid, even before I knew about Aspergers let alone that I had it (DAMN!). I've been able to distill this to myself with the following. Why would I want to ask someone a question if the answer they provide will be completely irrelevant and the information useless in and of itself? So I ask someone where they work and have received an answer. Whoopteeflippindoo. I wasted my time and energy to obtain a piece of pointless information that I will do nothing with.

Ask questions about his interests and pay attention to his answers. That way you can learn about him more and maybe learn something new yourself.

asking questions sometimes dont work. after a while its only about questions. sometimes when personal things get brought up. it's kinda not personal anymore when you are exposing them. if you cant keep talking and such. then say i am done talking. or say excuse me but i rather stop talking. slience is better than keeping a roaring lion running.