𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞|| 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐱𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝

5.

Willow arrived at the spot where Reese had instructed her to meet. It was a fenced-off area, and through the gaps, she could see Reese, Keon, and Ava on the other side.

"How am I supposed to get over there?" Willow called out, feeling unsure of herself.

"Climb the fence!" Reese shouted back, her voice carrying a hint of playful challenge.

"I don't know how to," Willow admitted, a touch of embarrassment in her tone.

"Just throw your skateboard over first," Reese instructed. Willow complied, tossing it over the fence.

"Now, put your feet on those little footholds and climb over. If you fall, I'll catch you," Reese reassured, her voice warm with encouragement.

"I don't want you to catch me. I'm good," Willow replied, trying to sound confident. However, as she attempted to climb, she lost her balance and tumbled to the other side. Reese burst out laughing as Willow landed hard, wincing in pain.

"I told you," Reese said, her laughter echoing. "You never want to listen."

Reese reached out to help Willow up, but Willow, embarrassed, initially pushed her away. "I'm alright," she muttered, trying to stand on her own. Their eyes locked, and despite the pain, Willow felt a flutter of something different in Reese's amber gaze.

"Alright," Willow relented, allowing Reese to help her up. As she stood, she took in the surroundings—an abandoned warehouse.

"Really? Y'all couldn't find a better place to film?" Willow asked, shaking her head with a teasing smile.

"Nah, just come on," Reese said, draping her arm over Willow's shoulder. Willow's heart skipped a beat at the touch as they walked inside together, the worn-out walls of the warehouse closing in around them.

"You ready, Reese?" Keon asked, holding up his camera.

"Let me just warm up real quick," Reese replied, preparing her board. "By the way, y'all tryna hit the beach Saturday?" she asked, glancing around at the group.

"Hell yeah!" Ava and Keon answered in unison.

"Yo, Willow, you in?" Reese turned to her with a smile that made Willow's pulse quicken.

"I gotta ask my mom first," Willow said, not wanting to commit just yet.

"Alright, just let me know, and I'll pick you up," Reese said, her smile lingering.

As Keon started filming, Reese performed a series of impressive tricks on her board with effortless grace. Willow watched in awe, her thoughts interrupted by Ava's voice.

"Willow," Ava called out, snapping Willow back to reality.

"Yeah? What's up?" Willow replied, snapping out of her daze.

"Why did you move here?" Ava asked, her tone curious but gentle.

Willow felt a lump in her throat and tried to hold back tears. "Uh... I don't really wanna talk about it," she said, her voice trembling.

"Oh," Ava said softly, sensing Willow's discomfort. Willow quickly shifted her focus back to Reese, who was now done with her tricks.

The group eventually made their way outside, sitting on the steps and chatting as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement.

Out of the blue, Reese asked, "So, how many bodies you got?"

Willow burst out laughing, caught off guard by the question. "Why you all up in my business?" she teased, shaking her head. "Just know I ain't a hoe."

"Nah, I just wanna know," Reese said with a playful grin.

"I only messed with one girl, back where I used to stay," Willow replied.

"We gotta get you some hoes," Reese joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Willow shot her a sidelong glance. "I'm alright. The next girl I mess with, we're gonna be locked in and married."

Reese laughed, "I mean, I could get you some girls to help you get experienced for your little girlfriends," she said with a wink. Willow laughed along, feeling a rush of warmth at the banter.

Keon chimed in, "She's just messing with you, for real." He and Reese dapped each other up, and Willow joined in with a small laugh.

As the sun dipped lower, Keon checked his phone and announced, "Yo, I gotta go." He stood up, followed by Ava, who called out, "Wait up!" Willow rose too. "I gotta go," she said.

"Why don't you spend the night with me?" Reese asked as Willow stood.

"Uh," Willow hesitated before nodding, "Sure. You coming with me to get clothes now?"

"Yeah," Reese replied with a smile, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and something else.

Willow texted her mom to let her know she'd be staying at Reese's. After grabbing some clothes, Reese sat on Willow's bed, scanning the room with interest.

"Damn, your room looks kinda cool as fuck, not gonna lie," Reese said, her tone genuine.

"Not too much on me," Willow replied with a grin. "I ain't done yet." She grabbed her bag. "You ready?"

"Mhm," Reese nodded, reaching for Willow's bag.

"Na, give me my bag," Willow said, gently pulling it away from Reese.

Arriving at Reese's house, Willow noticed the disarray in the living room—alcohol stains, scattered white powder, and used condoms. She hesitated, considering heading back home, but Reese's presence was reassuring.

"Don't mind it, for real. My brother's always up to some wild shit," Reese said, catching Willow's gaze. She headed upstairs, calling back, "Come on, man."

"Alright," Willow said, following her up with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Entering Reese's room, Willow was relieved to see it was clean and organized, a stark contrast to the mess downstairs. Reese opened a drawer and tucked a gun under some clothes.

"Damn, you got a gun?" Willow asked, her surprise evident.

"Mmhm," Reese said calmly, sitting beside Willow on the bed.

"Is it licensed?" Willow inquired.

"Don't worry about that," Reese replied with a sharp look. "Why you all in my business?"

"My bad," Willow said, raising her hands in mock surrender.

Reese smirked, then asked, "What's the freakiest thing you've done?"

"Honestly, I don't really get into that stuff," Willow replied, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.

"You ever take strap? Or you get head?" Reese's tone was teasing, her eyes locked on Willow's.

"Nah," Willow said, "I'm usually the one doing the strapping. But yeah, I got head once... wasn't all that though. She didn't really know what she was doing."

Reese leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper as she licked her lips. "I could change that."

Willow hesitated, then said firmly, "Nah, I'm good. I don't mess with studs."

Reese laughed softly, "We'll see," she said, leaving the possibility hanging between them.

Willow nudged her playfully. "Stop fuckin' playing with me."

Reese's laughter was warm, and the tension between them felt electric. Their playful banter hinted at something deeper, a mutual attraction that neither could quite ignore.