Tides of grace

Heart to heart

Grace couldn't focus on anything the next day. The tension in the air was unbearable. Every glance from Sarah or Kiara felt like it was loaded with meaning, and Grace wasn't sure how much longer she could pretend that everything was fine.

She had always been the type to bottle up her feelings-always putting others first, keeping her own worries tucked away where no one could see. But as she sat through class, her mind kept drifting to the same question: How much longer could she keep this up?

During lunch, Grace found herself sitting alone for the first time in days. She wasn't sure if it was by choice or if everyone else had subconsciously given her space. The usual banter from the Pogues and Kooks was absent, and it was unnerving.

Just as she was about to push her tray aside and head out, Sarah appeared in front of her. Grace tensed, her stomach doing flips. This was it-the conversation she had been dreading. Sarah wasn't exactly known for subtlety, and Grace didn't know how to approach the situation without making things worse.

"Grace," Sarah said, her voice quieter than usual. She sat down across from Grace, her expression unreadable. "Can we talk?"

Grace hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

There was an awkward pause before Sarah spoke again. "I know things have been... strange lately," she said, her eyes meeting Grace's. "I want to make sure you know that I'm not mad at you. It's just..."

"Just what?" Grace asked, her curiosity piqued.

Sarah sighed, leaning back in her chair. "It's just that things have been complicated. Between us. Between... you and the guys. I don't know if you're doing this on purpose, but I feel like you're pulling them away."

Grace's heart sank. The last thing she ever wanted was to make Sarah feel like that. "I'm not trying to do anything to you or anyone else," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I swear. I just- I don't know what's happening. I'm not trying to steal anyone's attention. I just like being around them, that's all."

Sarah's gaze softened slightly. "I get it. But... sometimes it feels like they're all focused on you. And when they're not with you, they're talking about you. It just... It gets confusing, you know?"

Grace nodded slowly. She hadn't realized it, but Sarah's words stung more than she expected. She had never wanted to come between anyone, especially Sarah, who had always been one of the girls Grace admired.

"I'm sorry," Grace said quietly, meeting Sarah's gaze. "I never meant to make you feel left out. I just... I like them. A lot. But I never wanted to cause tension."

Sarah was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying Grace. Finally, she let out a long breath. "I don't think you're trying to cause trouble, Grace. But the thing is... you're really easy to like. And when everyone likes you, it makes the rest of us feel... I don't know, less. And I don't want to feel that way about you. I like you, Grace. I really do. I just need some time to figure it out."

Grace blinked, surprised by the raw honesty in Sarah's words. She wasn't sure how to respond, but she felt a wave of relief wash over her. For the first time, she felt like she was being heard.

"I understand," Grace said. "I just want everyone to be okay. I never wanted this to become a problem."

Sarah smiled faintly. "It won't be. I promise. We're just... working through some things. I just need a little time, that's all."

---