Tides of grace

The calm before the storm

The days that followed felt like a delicate balance-Grace found herself hanging out with the Pogues more and more, getting closer to them while still trying to mend the rift between her and Sarah. The tension between the girls had faded, but there was an unspoken understanding: things weren't completely back to normal. Not yet.

Grace had learned to accept that some things took time, and she wasn't going to force it. Her focus, for now, was on spending time with the group, enjoying the moments where they could all forget about their complicated lives and just be together.

But the calm before the storm always felt fragile. And sure enough, as the weekend approached, Grace could sense that something was building-something was about to happen that would shift everything.

The group gathered at the Boneyard late on Friday evening. It was a familiar scene-laughter echoing across the sand, the crackling sound of the fire, the light of the stars above them. Yet, there was an undercurrent of restlessness. Even John B. seemed distracted, his usual upbeat demeanor dampened by something unseen. Pope kept glancing over at Sarah, who had been unusually quiet all evening. Kiara was sitting off by herself, eyes scanning the waves. Grace couldn't help but feel like the air was thick with anticipation, like everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As they sat around the fire, Grace found herself sitting next to JJ, who was strumming his guitar absentmindedly. He seemed to be in his own world, but she could feel his unease, too. There was something about tonight that felt different-like the calm was just a mask for the storm that was about to hit.

"You good?" Grace asked, nudging him gently.

JJ didn't answer immediately. He kept his eyes on the flames, his fingers tapping a rhythmic pattern on the strings. Finally, he let out a long breath. "I don't know, Grace. It feels like something's coming. Like... something big is about to happen."

Grace frowned, her gut tightening. She had sensed it too. But she didn't know how to prepare for whatever it was.

Before she could respond, Sarah stood up suddenly, her movements sharp. She walked to the edge of the firelight, looking out into the dark, her posture rigid. Grace felt a pang in her chest. Sarah had been distant lately, but this-this was different. The tension in the air had just taken on a new level of intensity.

John B. noticed her first. "Sarah? You good?"

Sarah's shoulders tensed, but she didn't turn around. "I need to go for a walk."

"Sarah, wait," Kiara said, her voice uncharacteristically urgent.

But Sarah didn't listen. She kept walking, her steps purposeful as she disappeared into the dark.

Grace exchanged a worried glance with JJ, but before she could say anything, Pope stood up. "I'll go after her. She's been acting off all night."

"I'll come with you," Kiara added quickly.

"No," Grace said, her voice firm. "I'll go. I think I'm the one who needs to talk to her."

It wasn't a decision she made lightly, but Grace knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. Sarah needed someone who understood the pressure she was under-the unspoken rivalry, the complicated emotions, the feeling of being caught between the Kooks and the Pogues. Grace didn't know if she could fix it, but she had to try.

With a deep breath, she stood up and started walking toward the dark expanse of sand, following Sarah's footsteps into the night.

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