Southern Charm | wlw

10

Chloe had left for Georgia early that morning, her departure leaving a palpable void in Aspen's world. The laughter and spontaneity they had shared felt like echoes of a different life, fading into the distance as she drove away in her family's SUV. Aspen had stood by the window, waving goodbye until the taillights disappeared down the winding road, a bittersweet ache settling in her chest.

Now, back in their dorm room, the atmosphere felt thick with unspoken words. Maya sat cross-legged on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, watching Aspen pace the floor. The remnants of their earlier argument still hung in the air, a tension that felt as uncomfortable as the humid San Diego afternoon.

"Aspen, can we just talk about this?" Maya finally said, her tone softening. "I didn't mean to blow up at you last night."

Aspen paused, running a hand through her tousled hair. "I'm sorry too. I know I've been... reckless lately." She sank onto the edge of Maya's bed, the mattress sinking slightly beneath her weight. "It's just that with Chloe gone and everything, I've been feeling a bit lost. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Maya nodded, relief washing over her face. "It's okay. I just... I worry about you, you know? Especially after the bar incident. It's like you're trying to outrun something."

Aspen took a deep breath, the weight of her thoughts bubbling to the surface. "I guess I am. There's this girl..." She hesitated, glancing at Maya, who looked both curious and guarded. "You know, the mystery girl from the party? I only saw her that night and then again at the dining hall. But I can't shake the feeling that I should get to know her better."

"Right," Maya replied, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "The one who helped you that night. What's her name again?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I only remember her eyes. They were this deep shade of hazel, almost like the forest." Aspen's gaze drifted, lost in the memory. "She just seemed so... free, like she didn't care about anything except the moment."

"Sounds like you really hit it off," Maya said, her tone light but edged with something deeper. "What do you like about her?"

Aspen shrugged, a smile creeping onto her face. "I don't know, it's just a feeling. She's mysterious, adventurous, and I think she could be a lot of fun."

Maya's expression shifted slightly, her brow furrowing as she tried to mask her emotions. "Fun, huh? Sounds like a real keeper."

"Yeah, I mean, maybe I'm just caught up in the excitement of it all," Aspen continued, oblivious to the subtle tension rising between them. "But I can't help but wonder if we could be more than just strangers. I know it sounds crazy since I barely know her, but it's just this feeling I can't shake."

Maya's brow creased slightly, and she crossed her arms tighter around her knees. "Right," she said, her voice steady but her eyes revealing a flicker of something unspoken. "But you also have to think about the people who are here, Aspen. You can't just keep looking for someone else when you already have good friends by your side."

"Of course," Aspen said, sensing the shift in the conversation. "I know that. I care about you, Maya, I really do. It's just..." She trailed off, struggling to articulate her thoughts without hurting her friend.

"Just what?" Maya pressed gently, her gaze fixed intently on Aspen.

"Just that I feel like I need to explore and see where things lead. You know?" Aspen paused, her heart racing as she recognized the weight of the moment. "But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate you being here."

Maya nodded slowly, a mixture of understanding and something else dancing behind her eyes. "I get it. Just... be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you to some stranger."

"Never," Aspen promised, reaching out to squeeze Maya's hand. But even as she did, a new wave of uncertainty washed over her, a feeling that their friendship might be shifting in ways she didn't fully understand.

As the silence settled between them, Aspen couldn't shake the feeling that the arrival of the mystery girl had stirred up more than just her own emotions; it had awakened something deeper within Maya too. Unbeknownst to Aspen, that unspoken tension would soon unravel in ways neither of them could anticipate.

Just as Aspen opened her mouth to break the silence, a loud knock echoed from the door, causing both girls to jump.

The loud knock jolted both Aspen and Maya from their thoughts. Aspen exchanged a glance with Maya, curiosity lighting up her face. "Wonder who that could be?" she mused, standing up and heading toward the door.

When she opened it, a tall frat boy stood there, grinning widely. He was decked out in a casual tank top, his hair tousled in that effortless way that suggested he had just come from a beach bonfire. "Hey, ladies!" he called, holding up a handful of colorful wristbands. "We're throwing another party tomorrow night! You in?"

Aspen's heart raced at the prospect. Maybe the mystery girl would be there, and she'd finally have a chance to learn her name. "Oh, we should definitely go, Maya!" she exclaimed, grabbing a wristband and slipping it over her wrist with excitement. "You know I love a good party!"

Maya hesitated, biting her lip. "Aspen, I don't know... the last party didn't exactly go smoothly, remember?" She glanced down at the floor, recalling the drunken chaos of the previous nights, and the tension that had brewed between them.

"But what if the mystery girl is there?" Aspen pressed, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. "I mean, I barely got a chance to talk to her, and this could be my shot! Plus, you can't let me go alone!"

Maya raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her voice steady. "Are you really that set on her? Just because she helped you that one time?"

"Come on!" Aspen laughed, a playful light in her eyes. "It'll be fun! And besides, I promise I won't drink too much this time... maybe."

Maya sighed, feigning annoyance, though Aspen could see the corners of her mouth twitching upward. "You know you're impossible, right?" she said, but there was no real edge to her words. "Fine, I'll go. But if you get too wild again, I'm leaving you there."

"Deal!" Aspen beamed, her excitement bubbling over as she threw her arms around Maya, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You won't regret it, I promise! We'll have an adventure!"

As the frat boy handed out more wristbands to passersby, Aspen felt a surge of hope. This party could be the perfect opportunity to connect with the mystery girl again, to unravel the threads of curiosity that had started to weave themselves into her life.

Maya, still grinning despite her reluctance, pulled away and crossed her arms, feigning a stern look. "Just don't blame me if you end up in trouble again. I have to look out for you, remember?"

"Always," Aspen replied, her heart racing with the thrill of impending adventure. Yet, beneath the excitement, a nagging feeling crept in—would this new connection jeopardize the bond she had with Maya?

As they settled back onto the bed, Aspen couldn't shake the anticipation building inside her. But somewhere deep down, she felt the weight of jealousy hanging in the air, a subtle shift in their friendship that she couldn't quite define. Would tomorrow night change everything?

The door clicked shut behind the frat boy, and Aspen turned to Maya with a sparkle in her eyes. "So, what should we wear?"

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "I have a few ideas," she replied, her voice light. As they began brainstorming outfits, Aspen felt the excitement of the night ahead overshadow the worry that lingered in the back of her mind. Little did she know, the party would unveil more than just the mystery girl—it would reveal the complexities of friendship, emotions, and the choices they'd have to confront together.