Tides of grace

Shifting tides

The conversation the night before was a turning point, but Grace couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't over. The storm wasn't finished-it had merely paused, like the calm before another wave came crashing down. But as she sat with the group on the beach the next morning, she hoped they were ready for whatever came next. They had aired their grievances, shared their insecurities, and cleared some of the air. But the underlying tension remained-beneath the surface, waiting.

The sun was already high in the sky as the group sprawled out on the sand. John B. was trying (and failing) to teach Pope how to surf, while JJ and Kiara joked about something that Grace couldn't quite catch. Sarah, surprisingly, was relaxed for once, her gaze softening as she watched the others. It was a rare moment of peace, and Grace tried to savor it, even if the worries still lingered in the back of her mind.

JJ flopped down next to her, his signature grin making a reappearance. "You know," he said, reaching over to grab the sunscreen, "I think Pope's going to break his neck out there. He's definitely more of a land guy."

Grace chuckled, grateful for the attempt at normalcy. She applied the sunscreen to her arms and legs before looking up at him. "He's stubborn, though. He'll keep at it until he gets it right."

JJ watched Pope struggle on the board, his brow furrowed in concentration. "He's gonna need a lot of lessons. And maybe some luck." He then turned to Grace, his expression softer. "But hey, how're you doing? After last night, I mean."

Grace hesitated. She appreciated JJ's care, but every time she thought about how the boys were acting around her lately, it just made everything feel more complicated. "I'm... okay, I guess. I just think everything's going to get harder, you know? All these feelings between everyone-between me and you guys, and Sarah, and Kiara. It's like no one knows where we stand."

JJ gave a short laugh, more out of disbelief than humor. "You think we know what we're doing? We're all just fumbling our way through this. But hey," he said, nudging her, "at least we're doing it together, right?"

She looked at him, the familiar twinkle in his eyes almost comforting, though something inside her tightened at the thought. "I guess so. But I'm not sure if I can keep up with all this tension. What if it's too much for me to handle?"

JJ's smile faltered slightly, and he leaned in a little closer. "You're stronger than you think, Grace. But you don't have to do it alone. We've all got your back. And if it gets to be too much, we'll figure it out."

She nodded, her chest a little lighter, but still not convinced. As much as JJ's words reassured her, she wasn't sure how long the group could keep pretending like they had it all figured out. And the feelings, especially between her and the boys, were starting to feel like an open secret. Every glance. Every touch. Every lingering moment.

Before she could say anything else, Sarah joined them, her expression serious but calm.

"Hey," Sarah said, sitting down next to Grace. "Can we talk?"

Grace glanced at JJ, who gave her a subtle nod, and then looked back at Sarah. "Sure, what's up?"

Sarah exhaled slowly, looking out at the water. "I wanted to apologize, Grace. For the way I've been acting. I've been distant, and I know it's been hard. I should've been more open with you. I don't want to make this about me or my issues, but I guess... I was afraid. Afraid that things were changing, and I didn't know where I fit in anymore."

Grace swallowed hard, feeling a lump in her throat. She had always known Sarah was struggling, but hearing her say it out loud felt like the first real step toward mending their friendship.

"I get it, Sarah," Grace replied softly. "I've been scared too. But we don't have to let everything fall apart. Not if we stick together."

Sarah smiled faintly, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned back on her hands. "I think we're going to be okay. I really do."

Grace nodded, a small sense of relief washing over her. But even as she felt the tension ease between them, another feeling began to settle in. It wasn't just about fixing things with Sarah. It was about understanding what she truly wanted, and whether that could be possible within the mess of emotions that had been building between her and the boys.

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