Since school had started, Ash had been swamped. Or, at least, she'd felt swamped. Classes had kept her busy and occupied, which was probably for the best given that, when she was alone, her thoughts tended to wander back towards the past. Over the summer, she had gone back home to visit her family and friends. It was weird, taking a step away from her university life to return to her childhood home. Every time, she was washed away with nostalgia, but this last time had been worse than the others.<br/><br/>Ash was glad that school had started up again.<br/><br/>She was now seated at a little table near the tiki bar. The beach was supposed to be relaxing, and it was a nice break from what Ash had been dealing with so far. Her dance classes coupled with ridiculous marketing classes left her both physically and mentally exhausted, and she had yet to actually sit back and enjoy herself since the semester had started. Even now, Ash was drinking alone -- which, as you probably know, is the most embarrassing way to drink. Clasped in her hands was the whiskey sour that she had managed to get some older college dude to purchase for her. Sadly, Ash wasn't<i>technically</i>legal, but it wasn't like that stopped her.<br/><br/>Her blue-eyed gaze followed a guy that purchased some mocktails. Ash's lips twitched into a small smile, her eyes rolling as she watched him walk back towards his group of friends. Mocktails were fun, but also felt like a waste of money. Why would you spend that much money on something that wasn't even going to get you drunk?<br/><br/>Ash's eyes lingered on his group of friends. She didn't recognize any of them, which was a real downer because they seemed fun. Lively. Ash could go for fun and lively, and she wouldn't have any issue approaching one or two people. But an entire group that acted as if they had known each other for years? That was intimidating.<br/><br/>But then her gaze caught on a familiar girl. Lily. She was in a couple of Ash's dance classes, and the two had talked on a couple occasions. Well, that was as good an in as any.<br/><br/>Finishing off the last of her whiskey sour, Ash stood up from the table. She wore a red bikini top with a pair of jean shorts, and a cardigan pulled over that kept her skin somewhat less exposed. Ash had always  been nervous about showing off her body -- hell, it had taken her years to ditch the ridiculous t-shirt that she used to swim in for a bikini top.<br/><br/>Ash crossed over the sand, her eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. "Hey, Lily." She called out, a smile playing across her lips as she came to a stop near the girl. There were so many people and now over here, Ash started to feel that familiar self-consciousness again, and she found her arms crossing over her stomach. "Who's your friend?" She asked, as her gaze flickered over to Ren.