𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

GRAYSON
MEADOWS

Summer ended in a way that felt too good to be true, leaving me with memories that replayed in my head daily. The last conversation I had with Stella in the limo, her words and that lingering tension, haunted me even after a month had passed. I told myself to get over it, but it was harder than I thought. We both ignored the topic and moved on with our lives, busying ourselves with preparations for the next chapter—France.

Stella, Jaxon, Liliana, and I were heading off to study abroad. Damon, Marcella, Daisy, and Avery promised to visit whenever they could, but for now, the group was breaking apart. Everyone felt it, the heaviness in the air. Avery sobbed, clinging to her friends as she said goodbye to Stella and Liliana, her usual poise crumbling under the weight of this change.

Jaxon and I stood off to the side, watching as Stella and Liliana cried into their best friends' arms. Jaxon looked tense, his eyes narrowing slightly as Damon approached us. Damon gave me a stern look, pulling me into a quick hug.

"You take care of those girls, alright?" he muttered.

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Of course."

"And don't fuck around too much," Alessio added with a grin, wrapping Jaxon in a brief hug. "This iconic group is really coming to an end, huh?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his usual bravado.

"It's not ending," I said firmly. "It's just a change. It's normal—we're growing, and we'll be apart for a while, but it's not the end. You and Damon are still here. Take care of Jaxon's sister, and Avery. Take care of yourselves too, alright?" I paused, looking at Alessio directly. "Study hard, don't get distracted. I hope sports go well for you."

Alessio nodded, blinking quickly. "And you two... don't find new friends, alright? Stay loyal."

Jaxon chuckled. "No one can replace you guys. Take care of yourselves."

He turned to Liliana, pulling her into a hug as she sobbed quietly. Marcella ran straight into Jaxon's arms, clinging to him like she couldn't bear to let go. I turned my attention to Avery, who stood nearby, her face a mix of sadness and resolve.

"Hi, sunshine," she whispered, wrapping her arms around my torso in a warm hug.

"Hi, crazy girl," I said softly, patting her head. "So... did you convince your mom she should really love me back? Because, you know, I think she hates me again." I rolled my eyes, trying to lighten the mood.

Avery let out a soft laugh, her voice breaking as she replied, "I tried. She said she's confused... she doesn't know what to do. You know how her mom left that scar on her. She's scared." Avery's voice dropped, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "But listen, you take care of her, okay? And take care of yourself too, sunshine."

I kissed her temple, letting the warmth of her words sink in. "I'm not worried about you. Alessio and Damon will take good care of you. But you better call me every week with updates—and gossip."

"Every day," she corrected, her voice trembling as Jaxon nudged her away from me, pulling her into a hug.

"Love you, okay?" he whispered in her ear. "Take care, little sis." His voice cracked as he ruffled her hair affectionately.

And just like that, it felt like everything was shifting. This was the end—for now. But deep down, I knew we'd be back. Maybe it would take years, maybe it would take something as dramatic as a torn loyalties to bring us together again. But we weren't done.

We were a legacy.

_

ONE MONTH LATER...