Aisling places her phone on the dresser. She picks up the brush and begins to pull her hair back into a tight bun. Aisling wears a lavender tank top with black silhouettes of butterflies scattered all over it and a pair of denim shorts. There would only be a few minutes until Maddie would arrive at the house. The girls had arranged plans to spend a girl's day downtown. Now Maddie arrives at the house.

"Ready for a girl's day?". Maddie pauses. "Maybe, I can get some details about the camping trip with Preston".

"I told you already, it was a good trip". Aisling fixes the strap of her navy crossbody purse.

"Oh, there is always something else. Besides good" Maddie replies.

Aisling rolls her eyes. "Think whatever you want,".

"Maybe Mads, being the best friend. You have more privileges to gain more details" Kyleen tells Maddie.

"Okay. C'mon". Aisling pulls Maddie to follow. "We're going now,".

   Now the girls walk down the sidewalk, headed in the direction of the local coffee shop. The pair of friends had already gone through a couple of shops that were located on the main street.

"So, you've been quiet about those trip details" Maddie presumes.

"I answered your text, during the trip" Aisling reminds her.

"Yeah. In the vaguest way possible. The trip is good. Preston is a good host". Maddie pauses. "There must be more information you haven't told me. What'd you guys do?".

"Walk around the campground. Talk. Nothing to exciting" Aisling answers.

"What'd you and Preston talk about?" Maddie asks.

"Basic topics. He has been camping most of his life. Like me. He isn't a huge smore fan" Aisling explains.

"I get that. You're the only smore junkie I know. I've never been a smore fan either" Maddie replies.

    The front door to the coffee shop is pulled open. A couple of customers reside in a short line at the counter. Other customers happen to be sitting at the few tables available inside. The girls proceed to join the line.

"Would you consider joining Preston on another camping trip?" Maddie asks, curious.

"If the opportunity presented itself," Aisling answers, reading the large menu chalkboard.

"Really?" Maddie asks, surprised.

"What? Did you think I'd reply no?" Aisling asks.

"Partly yes. Only because you seemed so mad for Tyler setting the scenario up" Maddie answers.

"I was madder at Tyler for volunteering me and setting the situation up. Then the actual trip itself" Aisling explains.

"Because you don't like people making decisions for you" Maddie recalls.

"Exactly," Aisling replies.

"So, did you two share a tent?" Maddie asks, attempting to get a rise out of her friend.

"What? No. We had separate tents" Aisling answers, while the line moves forward. She takes another step.

   The line appears to move forward again. A trio of friends in front of them, each converse their orders and move aside. Both Aisling and Maddie each order their coffees and pay.

"Did you tell him about your grandpa?" Maddie asks, curious.

"No. Not exactly" Aisling answers.

"I'm sure Preston would understand, if you explained it to him". Maddie picks up her grande coffee from the counter. "Although, that might be a conversation to have when you two obviously know each other a bit better".

"Yeah," Aisling agrees, secretly hoping that'd be the only mention of her grandpa.

   Then the barista places another grande coffee on the counter. She disappears to the other end of the counter, ready to prepare the next order.

"Did he cook you breakfast?" Maddie asks, before taking a sip of her iced latte.

"Yes. Blueberry pancakes, which were pretty good. Apparently, Preston is famous for his pancake skills" Aisling answers. "We ended up getting smore supplies. But we never actually got around to making them. A missed opportunity for now".

"There are always future trips" Maddie reminds.

Aisling picks up her coffee. "Yeah, maybe".

They depart the coffee shop.

"Can I ask you something without you being weird?" Maddie asks. "Do you ever talk to Preston outside the trips? Aside from the topic being, around trip details".

"Well, we talk when we are camping together" Aisling answers.

"Yeah, I get it. But it's okay to consider Preston as a friend" Maddie suggests.

"What makes you believe I don't consider him as a friend?" Aisling asks.

"You seem weird. Like you don't mind spending time with him. But there is a subtle wall with him. Like you're scared to commit a friendship with him because you both share the same passion for the camping world" Maddie expresses.

"Is that based on an assumption that I haven't told Preston about my grandpa?" Aisling asks, defensive.

"What did you say when he asked how you became passionate for camping?" Maddie asks.

"Same as him. Started with family trips" Aisling answers.

Maddie sighs, a little annoyed.

"What?" Aisling asks. "All I'm doing is answering your questions".

"You're in denial. You're not dealing with your emotions with your grandpa passing" Maddie states, loudly. "God, Aisling. I love you like family. But you're not taking care of yourself".

"Grief doesn't have a timeline. Besides, my relative died. Not yours" Aisling points out, angrily.

"Yeah, your relative. Your relative that you had a close relationship with. Have you visited your relative since the funeral?" Maddie asks.

Bystanders around them begin to observe the growing argument between the girls.

"You haven't, have you? I bet you haven't associated with your grandma much either" Maddie half asks.

"Why is it any of your business?" Aisling asks.

"I think you're choosing the wrong path by bottling your emotions. I think you're being awfully selfish" Maddie answers.

    Aisling starts to walk away. Then she turns around, faces Maddie and dumps her iced coffee all over the front of Maddie's shirt.

"I think you're crossing a line" Aisling informs, before permanently walking away.

    It wasn't long after Aisling arrives home, until Kyleen appears in her bedroom. Aisling lies on the bed, staring at the faded white ceiling. Her arms are crossed.

"Lashing out at Maddie. That is a new behavior" Kyleen comments.

"Disagreements happen between friends" Aisling point outs.

"From time to time, sure. But from what I'm aware of, from what Maddie explained anyways. Sounds like you were a bit out of line" Kyleen explains.

"Why? Because you only know Maddie's side of the experience" Aisling presumes, snappily.

"Then tell me your side. So, I know everything. What triggered it anyway?" Kyleen asks.

Aisling continues to stare at the ceiling. Her eyes begin to water. "Just go,".

"Aisling, please talk to me. You need to let yourself grief. You need to stop being so afraid too" Kyleen advises. "And you should consider visiting grandma. She would really like to see you. A visit from you would probably bring her some joy".

    Aisling falls quiet and refuses to acknowledge Kyleen. After a few minutes of silence, Kyleen decides to leave the room. Once she leaves, Aisling departs her bed to shut the door. Then she returns to quietly residing on her bed.