Southern Charm | wlw

24

Aspen waited inside her truck, the engine idling softly as she scanned the entrance of the building. She felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, fingers drumming against the steering wheel. When she finally spotted Rowyn stepping outside, a bright smile broke through her nerves.

"Hey there, darlin'!" Aspen called out, her Southern drawl slipping effortlessly into her words.

"Hey, Aspen!" Rowyn replied, her face lighting up as she approached. "What's up?"

"Oh, you know, just sittin' here, lookin' for a good excuse to get away from studyin'," Aspen said, her tone playful. "I couldn't help but notice you and Kyle seem to be spendin' quite a bit of time together."

Rowyn's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she shrugged, glancing away. "Yeah, we've hung out a few times. He's really nice."

"Nice?" Aspen raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her lips. "Just nice? Girl, that boy's got a crush on you bigger than a Georgia peach."

Rowyn giggled, a hint of shyness in her eyes. "I mean, he's cute and all, but I don't know if there's really anything there. We're just having fun."

Aspen leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms with a knowing grin. "Fun's good, but don't let him sweep you off your feet unless you're ready for a tumble, sugar."

Rowyn bit her lip, glancing at Aspen. "You think I should just go for it?"

"Well, if you like him, why not? Life's too short to sit around wonderin' what could be." Aspen leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But if he's not makin' your heart race, maybe it's best to keep your options open."

"Yeah, I guess so," Rowyn said, her gaze dropping to her shoes. "I just don't want to lead him on."

Aspen felt a twinge in her chest at Rowyn's words, but she kept her tone light. "Honesty's the best policy, darlin'. Just be straight with him. You deserve someone who gets your heart racin' like a rodeo."

Rowyn smiled, her eyes brightening. "Thanks, Aspen. You always know how to make me feel better."

As they drove to a quiet spot overlooking the water, the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Aspen parked the truck and they hopped out, the warm evening air wrapping around them like a cozy blanket. They settled on the hood, both of them leaning back to watch the vibrant colors blend together.

Aspen stole glances at Rowyn, her heart racing for reasons she didn't want to admit. Each time she looked over, she caught Rowyn's eyes lingering on her, sparkling in the fading light. It sent a thrill through Aspen, a mix of excitement and confusion. Rowyn's gaze was intense, almost searching, yet she didn't say a word about it.

"Isn't this just the prettiest view?" Aspen said, breaking the silence and hoping to lighten the mood. "Like somethin' straight outta a postcard."

"Yeah, it's beautiful," Rowyn replied, but Aspen noticed how her attention seemed to drift back to her instead of the sunset. "You really know how to pick a spot."

"Just call me a sunset connoisseur," Aspen joked, nudging Rowyn playfully. "But really, you're the one who makes it special. Lookin' at that sunset's nice, but lookin' at you—" Aspen paused, a hint of nerves creeping in, but she quickly masked it with a laugh. "Well, let's just say it's a whole different kind of beautiful."

Rowyn's cheeks flushed, and she turned her gaze to the horizon, a soft smile creeping onto her lips. Aspen felt a rush of warmth at the sight, though she quickly pushed aside the fluttering feelings. Instead, she focused on the vibrant sky, hoping to ignore the way Rowyn kept stealing glances her way.

They shared stories, laughter echoing in the stillness as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. But every now and then, Aspen would catch Rowyn looking at her, and for a brief moment, it felt as if the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble. The tension hung in the air, but neither girl dared to break the silence about what was unspoken.

The laughter from their shared stories lingered in the air, but then Rowyn shifted, her tone turning slightly more serious. "So, I wanted to tell you... I'm going on another date with Kyle tomorrow," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Aspen's heart sank at the mention of his name. "Oh, really?" she replied, trying to keep her tone light, but the tightness in her chest betrayed her. "That's... nice."

Rowyn turned her head to look at Aspen, studying her expression. "Yeah, I know you might not think he's the best choice, but he's really sweet. He actually asked me to go see that new movie everyone's been talking about."

Aspen forced a smile, nodding. "Sounds like a real winner, darlin'," she said, her southern drawl thickening as she tried to maintain her charm. Inside, though, she was wrestling with a mix of emotions—jealousy and a sense of helplessness.

"I know you might not understand," Rowyn continued, her voice softer now. "But I feel like he's changing. He's actually been really nice to me lately, and I want to give him a chance. I mean, everyone deserves a second shot, right?"

Aspen took a deep breath, holding back the urge to blurt out how she felt. "Sure, I get it. Everyone deserves to be treated right," she said, attempting to sound supportive. "Just... make sure he's worth your time, okay?"

Rowyn smiled, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "I will. And I appreciate you being honest with me about him before. It means a lot."

As the conversation shifted, Aspen couldn't help but feel like she was losing Rowyn to someone who didn't deserve her. She forced herself to concentrate on the sunset fading into twilight, wishing she could let go of her feelings, if only for a moment. But as long as Rowyn had her sights set on Kyle, Aspen knew she'd have to keep her own feelings hidden, tucked away where they couldn't hurt her any more than they already did.