Southern Charm | wlw

28

The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the dorm room. Aspen stirred, blinking against the brightness, her mind instantly racing back to the night before. The memory of her confession hung in the air like a thick fog, and she felt a knot tightening in her stomach as she turned to see Rowyn still asleep beside her.

Rowyn's features were soft and peaceful, her hair a tousled halo around her face. Aspen studied her for a moment, trying to gauge whether the night's conversation had changed anything. But as Rowyn shifted slightly, her expression remained serene, almost as if nothing had happened at all.

Aspen took a deep breath and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She could feel a swirl of emotions bubbling inside her—embarrassment, confusion, and a hint of hope. She didn't want to push Rowyn, didn't want to make the morning awkward, so she decided to let it go for now.

As the minutes passed, she felt the weight of unspoken words settle heavily in the room. She carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to wake Rowyn, and padded softly to the kitchenette area to make coffee. The rich aroma filled the small space, and Aspen found herself grateful for the routine of it, something familiar to anchor her.

When she turned around with a steaming mug in hand, she found Rowyn sitting up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Morning," Rowyn said, her voice raspy with sleep. She looked around the room, taking in the surroundings as if it was the first time she'd seen them.

"Hey, good morning," Aspen replied, forcing a casual smile as she took a sip of her coffee. "How'd you sleep?"

"Really well, actually," Rowyn said, stretching her arms above her head. "I didn't expect to fall asleep so fast." Her gaze drifted to Aspen, and for a moment, Aspen felt the familiar warmth in her cheeks return. "Thanks for letting me crash here."

"Of course. Anytime," Aspen said, her heart racing a bit at the casualness of Rowyn's tone.

Rowyn swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet hitting the floor with a soft thud. She stood up, stretching again, and Aspen couldn't help but admire the way the morning light danced in her hair. "So, what's the plan for today?" Rowyn asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Not sure yet," Aspen replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "Maybe we could grab some breakfast? I think Maya mentioned wanting to go to that diner down the street."

"Sounds good to me!" Rowyn said, her enthusiasm evident. She walked over to the kitchenette and poured herself a cup of coffee, her back to Aspen.

Aspen watched her for a moment, anxiety gnawing at her. Rowyn hadn't mentioned anything about their conversation, hadn't acknowledged the confession at all. Was it too much to hope that she had heard and was just taking her time processing? Or had Rowyn really slept through it all, leaving Aspen to wonder if she had just dreamed the whole thing up?

"Do you think Maya will join us?" Rowyn asked, her voice pulling Aspen from her thoughts.

"Yeah, I'll text her," Aspen replied, quickly typing out a message on her phone, trying to shake off the uncertainty. She could feel Rowyn's gaze on her, but she didn't dare look up. "I just need to change first."

"Take your time," Rowyn said, and Aspen could hear the warmth in her voice. "I'll be right here."

Aspen nodded, forcing herself to focus on getting ready rather than the simmering tension of the unspoken between them. She quickly changed into a comfortable outfit, still unsure of what to say or how to act. When she emerged from the bathroom, Rowyn was leaning against the counter, sipping her coffee and scrolling through her phone.