Breaking free - Gracie Abrams

019 X Week: Day one

X Week: Day One
019

June 30, 2024

the backyard was a flurry of movement, people unloading chairs, setting up lounges, and arranging tables under the bright afternoon sun. it was barely noon, the heat just starting to creep in, and the event wasn't set to begin until two, but gabriella had promised she'd be there early.

Favourite by Fontaines D.C

she stood on the patio, arms crossed, watching the setup with a half-distracted gaze. a few workers were struggling with a particularly large umbrella stand, grumbling to each other as they tried to get it into place. gabriella tilted her head, noting how the patio furniture looked different this year—sleek and modern, clearly her mom's touch. she glanced at her phone briefly, debating whether she had enough time to sneak inside for lemonade, instead, she stayed rooted to her spot, watching everything unfold. the sunlight reflected off her sunglasses as she adjusted them on her nose, scanning for any signs of her mom or siblings, who had yet to make an appearance.

the house itself sat on a low cliff overlooking the ocean, the kind of place that seemed ripped from a magazine. the patio spilled out toward the pool area, where a team of workers was inflating giant floats and arranging fresh towels on lounge chairs. the pool water shimmered under the sun, its edges framed by manicured greenery and white tile. beyond it, a short staircase led down to the private stretch of beach, where the waves crashed against the sand.

gabriella wandered closer to the edge of the patio, leaning against the railing. she watched as a few staff members set up string lights overhead, the kind that would glow and golden after sunset. on the far side of the yard, someone was arranging a small bar station near the cabana, complete with cocktail glasses and trays of sliced citrus. it all looked perfect, picturesque, and absolutely exhausting. she bent down to scratch astray behind the ears, mostly to distract herself from the fact that every step of this setup reminded her how soon the guests would arrive.

according to her mom, gracie's parents were coming late the to x week this year, which was unusual. it wasn't at their regular house; the event was being held at the windsor-fletchers' malibu beach house. that meant there was a good chance gracie would show up too(also because her mom invited her) something gabriella had been bracing herself since that day at her house. charlotte and sophie were coming, though glenn had bowed out, claiming filming conflicts. at least astray, her dog, was here, resting lazily at her feet like the loyal distraction he was.

charlotte and sophie will keep it easy, she thought,
though the idea of gracie being anywhere near her made her stomach twist in a way she hated.

she took a deep breath, muttering to herself, "just survive the week."

gabriella heard movement from inside, voices mixing with the sounds of footsteps. grabbing astray's leash, she made her way into the kitchen. there, nate and olivia were unloading several bags onto the counter, clearly, her mom had sent them on some kind of errand run.

"hey there, sweet baby," olivia cooed, immediately crouching to greet astray, her hands already outstretched toward him.

"hello," gabriella said, pulling astray gently behind her.

"i'm not talking to you," olivia swoop in to grab astray and scoop him up. the dog squirmed for a moment before settling in her arms.

"rude," gabriella muttered, rolling her eyes. "where were you?" she asked, directing the question at nate, who was busy pulling yet another bag off the counter.

"mom sent us to buy, like, a hundred candles or something," nate said, sounding vaguely exasperated. "apparently they're for the gift bags or whatever she's giving the guests."