FRESH- BEL- AIR

Chapter Thirty

Tucked in between the dorm bedding section and college storage bins, Alexandria and Jackie were in their own little world.

For the past three months, they'd become an unexpected duo — hanging out, laughing, sending each other TikToks. Their friends were surprised. Given their history, no one thought they'd be able to coexist, let alone bond. But something shifted after that ride to Promising Choices. The tension between them had melted away, and in its place was a rare, genuine understanding.

Alexandria held up a navy blue laundry bag. "Mesh or canvas?"

Jackie smirked. "Canvas. Mesh looks cheap."

Alexandria nodded, tossing it into the cart already loaded with pillows, notebooks, snacks, and color-coded hangers.

"So," Jackie began, holding a pack of highlighters, "how you feeling about leaving California?"

Alexandria inhaled deeply, gripping the handle of the cart. "Honestly? Nervous. Excited. I don't know. Like... my whole life has been here, and now I'm moving across the country."

"DC though," Jackie said with a small smile, "that's major."

"Right? And I'm rooming with Lisa, which helps. But still..." Alexandria trailed off before looking at Jackie with a soft grin. "New York's not exactly small-town either."

"True," Jackie chuckled. "My mom's already acting like I joined the circus. Keeps asking if I'm gonna be barefoot in Central Park doing interpretive dance."

"Are you?"

Jackie gave her a look. "No."

They both laughed.

Jackie then paused, her tone shifting just slightly. "What's it feel like... going to your mom's alma mater?"

Alexandria blinked, caught off guard by the question. She looked down at the box of shower shoes she was holding.

"Honestly?" she said. "It feels like I'm chasing her shadow. But... also like I'm keeping her with me. She used to talk about Howard like it was magic. I just... I want to feel that too."

Jackie nodded, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. They kept walking, aisle by aisle, each throwing items into the cart without saying much.

Then Jackie broke the silence, grinning mischievously.

"So about your senior lock-in at Bel-Air..."

Alexandria laughed. "Oh lord, what?"

Jackie smirked. "You and Will... you guys gonna find a classroom and get freaky?"

Alexandria gasped, shoving her shoulder playfully. "Jackie!"

"What?" she laughed. "I'm just saying. It's the end of an era. Seems like a fitting way to say goodbye."