19 | THE CROSS

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The next morning, the group of five sprawled lazily around the solarium, the warm sunlight filtering through the glass walls, casting soft patterns on the floor

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The next morning, the group of five sprawled lazily around the solarium, the warm sunlight filtering through the glass walls, casting soft patterns on the floor. The boys were engaged in an endless game of tossing random objects at each other—crumpled papers, a stray pillow, even a shoe—pretending they were basketballs. The air was filled with laughter and the occasional loud thud as things collided with walls or furniture. Avery and JJ were lounging on opposite ends of the same couch, the soft cushions sinking beneath them. Avery flinched every time something landed on her leg—always JJ's fault, his aim clearly less than perfect.

"Well, hello, princess number two," JJ's voice cut through the low chatter of the group, instantly drawing everyone's attention. His tone was playful, but the words he spoke made everyone pause and listen. Light footsteps echoed, growing louder as Sarah Cameron entered the room, her presence drawing all eyes toward her.

Avery sat up a little straighter, a mixture of curiosity and mild apprehension flickering across her face. "What's up?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though the tension in the room was palpable.

John B shot her a sly grin. "Shouldn't you be on Figure Eight with your little gang of polo players?" His voice dripped with mockery, before he added, "Or did you break up with Topper?" He grimaced as Sarah's eyes narrowed at him, the playful atmosphere abruptly shifting to something more charged.

"We're just friends," Sarah replied, her tone surprisingly calm despite the subtle heat in her eyes.

John B didn't seem convinced. "You have a lot of friends, Sarah Cameron," he said, his words laced with suspicion.

Avery, sensing the tension rising, leaned forward, her voice quieter now but laced with warning. "John B," she cautioned, not wanting this to spiral out of control. But to her surprise, it wasn't John B who took it further.

Sarah snapped back, her voice sharp. "Yeah, and it seems like you've got some of your own too," she shot, the undercurrent of irritation obvious in her words.

John B rolled his eyes, acting unbothered, but Avery could see the spark of challenge in his gaze. "All right, what do you want, Sarah? Why are you here?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the growing silence.

Sarah's answer was unexpected, her tone shifting to something more serious. "I'm here for Pope." She sighed, looking each of them in the eye before turning towards Pope, her expression a mix of determination and exhaustion. "I think I found the island room."

The room, previously buzzing with lightheartedness, fell silent. All eyes were on Sarah, the gravity of her words sinking in. No one had expected this. Avery felt her heart pick up pace, and JJ's eyes widened with interest. Without another word, they sprang to their feet, urgency taking over. They raced out of the solarium, their feet pounding against the floor in a flurry of anticipation.

As they piled into the Twinkie and began their drive toward the Cameron mansion, Pope's eyes were fixed on the diary in his hands, flipping through its pages with quick determination. His brow furrowed as he scanned the words, hoping to find any clue, any detail that would lead them closer to the room Sarah had described.

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