Southern Charm | wlw

18

Maya quietly closed the door to their dorm room, trying not to disturb Aspen as she stumbled in. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow from a desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. She watched as Aspen, still buzzing from the night's chaos, flopped onto her bed, her cowboy hat askew on her head. It was an endearing sight—one that made Maya's heart swell and ache all at once.

As Aspen's breathing quickly turned into soft snores, Maya felt a wave of emotions crash over her. She plopped down on her own bed, pulling her knees close to her chest. The kiss replayed in her mind like a broken record, a mix of exhilaration and dread. Had that kiss meant anything to Aspen? Would she even remember it in the morning? Or would it be just another reckless night in Aspen's whirlwind of fun and mischief?

Maya felt a pang of anxiety at the thought. She had long harbored feelings for Aspen—ones that ran deeper than mere friendship—but tonight had felt different. It had been intoxicating, a spark igniting something deep inside her. But now, in the quiet aftermath, the reality of the situation began to settle in like a weight on her chest.

What if Aspen just brushed it off as a game? Maya couldn't shake the worry that Aspen would laugh it off, or worse, act as if nothing had happened. That fear gnawed at her. The idea of Aspen returning to her carefree, oblivious self, completely unfazed by what had transpired, left Maya feeling hollow.

She glanced at Aspen, her heart aching at the sight of her best friend, so carefree and vibrant. "You're such a wild card," she whispered to the sleeping figure, wishing for a moment that she could reach out and shake her awake. "Why do you have to be so perfect and reckless at the same time?"

Maya ran a hand through her hair, frustration bubbling within her. She loved Aspen's spirit, the way she dove headfirst into everything, but it was hard to keep her feelings in check. It was hard to watch her flirt and charm her way through life without a second thought for the feelings of those around her, especially when that someone was Maya herself.

Sighing, Maya lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling as thoughts spiraled. She wanted to tell Aspen how she felt, to confess the truth that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. But fear held her back—fear of losing their friendship, fear of the unknown. What if Aspen didn't feel the same way? What if she didn't want anything more than a fun night with her friend?

The room fell into a comfortable silence, but Maya's mind was anything but quiet. She thought about their history together, the late-night talks, the laughter, and the moments that made her heart flutter. Aspen had always been there for her, the wild spark to her calm. But the kiss had added a new layer of complexity that Maya wasn't sure how to navigate.

As she lay there, she felt a single tear slip down her cheek, betraying the smile she wore for Aspen's sake. She wiped it away, determined to keep her feelings buried, at least for now. But deep down, the fear lingered that when morning came, Aspen would be back to her usual self, oblivious to the turmoil she'd left in her wake. And with that, Maya drifted off to sleep, hoping for clarity but fearing what the dawn might bring.

Maya's thoughts spun in circles as she tried to calm her racing heart. Pretend like the kiss never happened. It felt like the only way to protect herself and the fragile dynamic she had with Aspen. The idea of going back to their usual banter, their inside jokes, and carefree moments without the weight of that kiss hanging over them felt like a relief. But deep down, she knew it would be a challenge.

"Just act normal," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. "Normal is good. Normal is safe." But how could she act normal when her heart was racing at the memory of their lips brushing together, the warmth of the moment, and the way it sent her stomach into knots?

As she stared at the ceiling, Maya made a mental list of all the things she loved about Aspen—her laugh, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, her unwavering confidence. Those were the things that made their friendship so special, the very things that made it hard to forget that kiss.

Still, Maya was determined. "Just go with the flow," she promised herself. "No need to complicate things." Tomorrow, she would tease Aspen about the night, laugh it off, and sweep the kiss under the rug as if it were just another silly moment in their whirlwind of a friendship.

Maya closed her eyes, clinging to this new resolve, hoping it would carry her through the morning. The last thing she wanted was to risk what they had. She fell asleep with a mix of hope and trepidation, wishing that pretending would somehow make the truth disappear. But in the quiet of the night, her heart knew better.