The sun was high in the sky, and the beach was alive with laughter and energy. I stood on the warm sand, brushing grains off my borrowed shirt—Kyra's Australian football jersey. Katie had been relentless all afternoon, teasing me about how "soft" I was
"Shut up, McCabe!" I yelled, shoving her shoulder playfully.
She stumbled back, laughing as her feet hit the sand, and then she dropped dramatically, throwing her arms out like she'd been hit by a truck.
"Foul!" she yelled, grinning as she stayed on the ground.
I heard Caitlin and Kyra laughing from somewhere behind us, and I turned to see them sitting a little farther down the beach, their legs stretched out as they chatted quietly. Kyra caught my eye and gave me a quick, subtle wink before turning back to Caitlin.
"Stop being dramatic, Katie," I said, rolling my eyes and holding out a hand to help her up.
She smirked, grabbing my hand and yanking me down onto the sand next to her. "Soft and gullible," she teased, cackling as I landed with a thud.
"You're impossible," I muttered, brushing sand off my legs as I got back up.
Katie stood too, grabbing a football that had rolled a few feet away. She grinned, tossing it up in the air and catching it effortlessly. "Come on, Becks. Let's see if you can handle me on the pitch—or, well, the sand."
"You never go a day without football, do you?" I asked, shaking my head but already kicking off my sandals.
She grinned, dribbling the ball between her feet. "Never."
The two of us started playing, passing the ball back and forth while the warm breeze ruffled our hair. Katie was fast, her movements sharp and practiced, but I wasn't about to let her show me up entirely.
"You've got skills," she said after I managed to steal the ball from her with a quick move.
"You sound surprised," I shot back, grinning as I dribbled the ball around her.
"Not surprised," she replied, stealing the ball back with ease. "Just impressed. Maybe you should join Arsenal."
"Right, because I clearly don't have enough on my plate," I said, laughing as I lunged for the ball and missed.
Katie smirked, juggling the ball effortlessly as I huffed in mock frustration. "You'd make a decent sub," she teased. "For me, obviously."
"Oh, obviously," I said, rolling my eyes but unable to hide my grin.
While Katie and I battled it out on the sand, Caitlin and Kyra stayed seated a little farther down the beach, their heads close as they talked.
I couldn't hear what they were saying, but every so often, I'd glance over and see Kyra smiling softly, her hands moving as she gestured animatedly. Caitlin looked equally relaxed, nodding and occasionally glancing in my direction with a knowing smile.
Whatever they were talking about, it seemed like a good conversation. I trusted Caitlin; she was one of Kyra's closest friends and someone who always seemed to have her back.
Still, curiosity tugged at the edges of my mind, but I pushed it aside. This was their moment, and I wasn't about to interrupt.
"Focus, Becks!" Katie yelled, snapping me out of my thoughts as she dribbled the ball past me and kicked it toward an imaginary goal.
I groaned, throwing my hands up in mock defeat. "Alright, alright, McCabe. You win this round."
"As always," she said with a smug grin, jogging over to pick up the ball.
YOU ARE READING
Breaking the Grid
Fanfiction"I don't get it," she says softly. "Why would you choose someone like me? There are so many out there who could give you what you truly deserve."
