Present Day…

"Hey Ash, do you want to come to the club fair with me?"

I grimaced at the idea. People, so many people, peddling the false joys of group activities. I had no interest in leaving the dorm, let alone leaving the dorm to join a club.

It had only been 2 days since I moved into the dorm; classes started in 3. I had spent most of that time unpacking the few items I brought with me and purchasing the many items that I didn't. Spencer was pretty in and out, and so there was plenty of alone free time. Yesterday, I had driven over to Jessica's and spent a few hours with her. She, like Spencer, was heavy into school and spirit and clubs. Not wanting to feel like I was holding her back, I drove back and spent hours strumming on my guitar and watching Spencer zip in and out, offering small Hi's & Bye's as she did. This was the first time she asked me to join her.

As if she could feel my hesitation, Spencer backtracked. "I mean, you don't have to. I've just noticed that you haven't really left… it could be fun."

"It's not really my thing," I explained.

"Okay, I get that." Spencer nodded before slipping her purse over her shoulders and tying the laces of her white high-tops. Her golden hair fell in front of her face, but I could see she was a little disappointed. I figured she wouldn't ask again – she didn't seem pushy – but I quickly felt that mental pinch. I didn't think I was being rude or mean, but maybe I could just try. What is the big deal? I asked myself. At the very least I'd keep her company as she roamed the club tables. I imagined Spencer probably thought she would get this bubbly and energetic roommate that she would spend the next 4 years building a meaningful and life long friendship with. Instead, she got cynical and detached Ashley Davis, the girl who hated most people and all groups and the feeling of grass beneath her toes – It just really creeps me out, okay?!

"Bye!" Spence said as she opened the door and started to walk out."

"Spencer, wait…" She looked back, eyebrows raised but still unassuming. "Can you give me 10 minutes to get dressed?
She smiled brightly. "Sure."

Thirty minutes later, we were walking down the hill, in comfortable silence, blinking into the bright California sun. It felt awkward, yet familiar. Like I was meeting my best friend for the first time.

Four Years Ago…

"So this is where you live, huh?" Jessica walked into my foyer, looking up into the 19-foot ceiling at a dazzlingly obnoxious and slightly out of place, antique Baccarat chandelier. She wasn't in awe, or impressed or assuming, instead just took the entire space in. She roamed through, loosely following me as she examined my home. Light poured in from all sides, illuminating the beiges, grays & whites of the furniture. She lingered, for a moment, on the shrine of photo frames, a small grin forming on her face as she saw the tiny version of me on display.

"Come." I urged, shifting her attention to older me, standing at the foot of the floating staircase, holding onto the glass banister. Her grin widened and she glided over to me, following me up stairs that opened to a sun soaked second landing. To the right was a panoramic view of the Pacific. Hardwood floors guided us down an open hallway of closed doors. I could feel Jessica's curiosity building behind me but she asked no questions. When we reached the last door in the center of the hallway, I turned and smiled which was reciprocated tenfold – her orthodontically straightened teeth brightly rivaling the sun.

"Voila," I said as I opened the door with exaggerated grandeur, bowing slightly and placing my arm out as if I were greeting the queen of England. Jessica lifted her skirt and gave me a curtsey before entering.

Now she was impressed. My room was a cacophony of deep purples, royal blues and glistening golds, a complete juxtaposition from the clean lines and muted colors of the rest of the house. It was slightly messy – remnants of that morning's wardrobe indecisions laid strew about the floor – but otherwise, everything had a place.

An array of guitars lined the back wall; some on floor stands, some mounted on the wall, surrounding my bedpost; one lay on the bed. Jessica strolled through and dragged her fingers across the strings of a few, stopping to examine the lone one on the bed. Most of the guitars I owned were unused, merely collector items or decoration for me, but the wood on this one was well worn – the two tone sunburst pattern completely rubbed away in some parts - the strings curled in excess from the tuning pegs and multicolored tape cover parks of the fretboard.

"Is this a strat?"

"Yeah, a 1959 fender strat," I said proudly as I walked to Jessica and picked up the guitar, lingering for a moment to marvel at it's broken beauty before placing on the only empty stand. "It's the first guitar my dad gave me. It was his. He said he got it from Mike McCready, though I'm not sure how much I believe him," I explained, chuckling at the thought. "No matter how many new ones I get, the songs always sound best on that one."

Jessica nodded. "Will you give me a show sometime?" I raised my eyebrow suggestively. Jessica rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean!"

I laughed. "Sure."

I watched Jessica continue to explore the room, her examination meticulous. Her fingers grazed the vintage embroidery, her eyes studied the overlapping black & white photos plastered on another wall and she sniffed each perfume on my vanity – even dabbing a little of my favorite on the small space behind her ear.

A loud ring abruptly cut through the serene silence and Jessica - slightly startled - stumbled to find her phone. She looked at it with a smile before flipping it open. "Hi Baby!"

Present Day…

"Ashley?"

I shook my head and looked at Spencer who was squinting at me with her hand over her brow. Her eyes were a perfect spring sky, her smile warmer than the gentle sun.

"Huh?" I hadn't heard the question.

"Anything look interesting?"

We were in the middle of the club fair with bannered tables and a mass of excited students surrounding them. Chess, Mathletes, LGBT, Film and so many more. As I figured, nothing seemed enticing; nothing except turning on my heels and heading back to the safety of the dorm. But I stayed rooted in place and gave a weak smiled.

"Not really, but let's look around."

Spencer seemed pleased with my mere effort and we strolled aimlessly though the sea of students, letting that comfortable silence fall over us again for a moment.

"So…what are you into?"

"Ah, where do I start?" I retorted. "Guitars, snowboarding, maintaining my tan, forest green, women, tattoos, light party drugs… Do they have clubs for any of those?"

Spencer let out a roar of a laugh that made my heart stop – either out of fear or pure elation, I wasn't certain. "I don't think so but maybe we can start one."

My phone rang as I chuckled at the idea. "Let's do it." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and smiled at the bright screen, before pushing "Talk" and holding up an apologetic finger to Spencer. "Hi Baby!"