Page 57 of Pretty Little Fears

Ilaugh and round the corner into the living area.VerenaandAspenare in the kitchen, setting down our snacks and drinks.Iscurry over giving them welcome hugs and help them remove our party supplies from the bags.

“Ifigured since we’re home, we could do a comfy pj theme?”Isuggest with a twirl.

AspenandVerenanod in agreement andAspenheads to her room to change whileVerenagets us started with some drinks.Shepops open a seltzer for each of us and we cheers. “Togirl’s night!”Shesqueaks.Weeach take a sip, the fizzy but fruity beverage coats my throat, and to my surprise, it’s not as bad asIwas afraid it would be.

Sometimes,Verena’sbubbly personality takes me by surprise.Everythingabout her look says, “Iwill cut you and set you on fire if you look at me for a second too long.”She’sgot dark hair, dark eyes, and meticulously sharp eyeliner.Herdark clothing and tattooed skin would make one hesitant to get too close, but she’s just as bubbly asAspen, if not more.Itmakes sense why they get along so well.

Aspenreturns to the living room in her hot pink sleep shorts and matching tank top.Itmakes perfect sense she’d have the attire to match the decorations.

“Goget changed,V!BlairandIwill set up the snacks in the living room,”Aspensays.

Verenatakes her seltzer and nods her head. “Ishall return, m’ladies.”Sheresponds with a giggle.Igrab the snacks from the island and begin moving them to the living room.

“Thanksfor suggesting a girl’s night,Blair.Thissemester has been kicking my ass andIhaven’t been out a lot lately.I’mhappy to spend some time with you and the girls.But,Ihaven’t heard anything fromLorelei.”Aspensays.

“Imean, she does live here.She’llshow up eventually.”Irespond with a light laugh.I’mpraying my underlying hope ofLoreleibeing a no-show isn’t completely obvious, butItake this moment to be honest withAspen.

“I’mhappy you guys were up for it though.Iwas hesitant becauseIknowIhaven’t gotten as much time with them asIhave with you.WhichIwant to say thank you for, by the way.Sinceday one, you’ve been my saving grace.Iknow you have your own life and friends outside the house, plus studying and your crazy class schedule.Thankyou for making me feel welcomed and…at home.”Isay with a smile.

Aspenholds her hands over her heart and pouts her lips out. “Blair!Youare the sweetest.I’mthe oldest of six girls.Nurturingcomes naturally to me.Ipromised myself a memorable college experience full of parties, boys, and most importantly, friends.I’dfinally get to experience a different side of myself.Onethat was carefree and spontaneous.Myfirst two years here are a blur.Itmakes my heart so happy thatIwas able to make you feel welcomed and included.”

Shecrosses the living room and envelops me in a warm hug. “Verenawill always be there for you too.Shelooks scary but she has the biggest heart,Ipromise.Loreleiis a different story.”Shesays, pulling back and chuckling.

“I’venoticedI’mnot her favorite person.Doesshe always have such a cold demeanor?OrdidIdo something to rub her the wrong way?”Iquestion, knowingAspenwill give me complete honesty.

“Itis definitely aLoreleithing.She’sbeen that way since the dayImet her.Iknow she’s had some heavy stuff happen in her past andI’msure it adds to the facade she puts up.VerenaandIhave learned how to get along with her, slowly but surely.We’vehad two years of practice, you’ve only had a couple of months.Onceyou get to know her, she’s a lot more lax.”Aspenreassures.

Inod, hopeful for the night ahead.Verenawaltzes into the living area at the same time the front door swings open.

Loreleibursts through the door hollering. “Whoo!What’sup bitches!Timeto get fucked.Whereare we going tonight?!”

Mymouth drops in shock.Idon’t thinkI’veever seen her in a good mood.

“Uhh, hey!We’reactually staying in tonight.Jammiesand movies type of night, ya know?”Istutter afraid to burst her bubble and get kicked out of her good graces.

Hersmile fades instantly. “Oh, how nice.”Shedeadpans.

Closingthe door behind her, she slides her bag off of her arm and steps out of her shoes.Thebag gets tossed beside the entryway table and her shoes are chucked on top.Loreleibeelines for her room andI’mafraidIjust fucked up our chance of kindling any type of relationship tonight.

Aspenis in the kitchen mixing drinks.VerenaandLorleitook the liberty of collecting all the pillows and blankets in the house to create the ultimate cozy zone for our movie.

Surroundedby the girls, there is still this part of me that feels left out, likeIdon’t belong.Whyis it so hard for me to just be myself and enjoy my time with them?Idon’t remember friendships ever being a packaged deal with anxiety.

Itake a deep breath and walk toAspen, offering my assistance.

“AnythingIcan help with?”

Aspenwhips her head in my direction and her infectious smile spreads across her face.Oneappears on mine too, andIautomatically feel at ease.

“Ohmy gosh, yes!I’mgoing to show you how to make piña coladas!Pullout the blender for me, por favor.”Shesays rolling herR’s.

Isalute and slide the blender with white and gold marble detailing out onto the counter.Iunwrap the wire and plug it into the outlet on the wall.Aspenlines up the ingredients next to the blender and starts to give me instructions.

“Okay!Whenmaking your drinks, you make them for you.Ifyou want more alcohol, dump it right in, babe.Ifyou want to enjoy the flavors a bit more, don’t make it as strong.Wecan add for the other girls, but let’s focus on yours first.”

Inod in agreement, pick up the bottle of rum next to the blender, and begin to pour.Aheavy stream comes out andAspenrushes to my side, laughing.Istraighten the bottle, a confused look on my face. “Isthat too much?”Iask.

“Notfor us, but maybe for you.Atleast we’re staying at home.”Shegiggles.

---