Gold Rush - BOT ³

the calm to my storm

A/N: this is part of a double update! read the chapter before this too xoxo

:* ୨୧ Gracelyn ୨୧ :*

"And the coastal town we wandered 'round had never seen a love as pure as it"

May 16, 2005

My brother had been out of jail for a few days now. It was definitely an adjustment, having him back in the house, but it might've been a blessing in disguise.

The brother I knew, the one stealing televisions and sports cars while cracked out of his mind was replaced with a completely normal person. He wasn't reckless, he wasn't high and he wasn't talking about stealing anything.

His time in prison must have genuinely reformed him, because he was no longer the brother I knew.

Plus his presence seemed to scare my father, as no one had laid a hand on me since his return. Any comments dad made, Ian was quick to jump to my defence. I was finally safe in my house, a silent truce was built between us.

"So, you're like... normal," I blurted out, as my brother settled onto the porch bench beside me.

He chuckled, running a tattooed hand through his dark hair, "yeah, prison was good for me. I mean, in the sense that it shaped me into a good person."

"You know, I wasn't happy you were getting out," I sighed. "I didn't want to see you after everything, but now I'm glad you're here."

"I'm glad too," he nodded. "They can't keep kicking you around, Gracelyn. It's fucking bullshit, and I'm sorry I got locked up."

I shrugged, lighting up a cigarette, "it was shit. I was really mad you, but life goes on."

"I'm here now," he blew out a shaky breath. "You seem well, all things considered. I'm guessing that's from hanging around the Kavanagh's all hours of the day."

"Yeah," I nodded. "They keep me sane." Exhaling a cloud of smoke, I smiled, "I finally got Johnny to fall in love with me."

"Wow," he laughed. "I remember when they first moved here and you fell in love with him."

"Yeah, it's been awhile," I chuckled.

I smiled at the thought of him. Johnny Kavanagh was everything and more, I'd known that since the age of eleven and nothing was going to change that.

A comfortable silence settled between Ian and I. In a way it was nice, having someone in my family that didn't hate me for no reason. We stayed sitting on the porch, passing the smoke between us until the familiar Audi pulled up to my house.

Johnny climbed out the drivers seat while the back window unrolled and my best friend stuck her head out of the window.

"Oh my god! Ian, I haven't seen you in forever!" She shouted, her hands waving frantically.

"Yeah, prison usually does that," he nodded, offering her a wave.

"We are taking Grace to the cinema!" She squealed, "come on, babe!"

Johnny chuckled, making his way towards me and giving my brother a curt nod, "good to see you, Ian."

"You too, Kavanagh," Ian nodded. "Take care of her, alright?"

"Consider it done," Johnny agreed, placing a hand on my back and steering me towards the car.

"Hi, baby," I pressed a kiss to his cheek, as he opened my car door.

"Hi, beautiful," he grinned, moving to kiss my lips.

He closed the door once I was settled and moved to the other side of the car. I gave my brother a wave which he returned, before focusing on the people in the car.

Declan, Shannon and Addy were all piled in the back while Johnny and I sat up front.

"Hi, Dec, Hi, Shan," I gave them both smiles.

"Hi, Grace," Shannon grinned.

"Hi," Declan nodded.

Johnny started the engine and put the car in drive, his gaze landing on me and a smile stretching across his face.

"I'm so excited for the popcorn!" Addy giggled from behind me, "Grace, we have to each get a slushie too, but different flavours so we can share."

"Hell yes, babe!" I cheered.

"Oh, Shan, you get one too!" Addy squealed.

"Jesus, you're excited," Declan sighed.

I smiled, my eyes roaming over everyone in the car. I might not have been a Kavanagh by blood, but they were my family. I was born to meet these people.

They'd shaped my life, turned me into the person I am and I was eternally grateful for them.

"What are you smiling about?" Johnny nudged me.

"Nothing, I was just thinking," I shrugged.

"About what?"

"How much I love you," I smiled. "All of you."

"I love you too," he grinned. "We all do."

I knew how much he meant it. Johnny was a thread of gold in a world of black and white, a rush of emotions in the dull abyss of my life.

He was everything to me.
He was wholeheartedly the reason I kept my head above water—alongside his sister.

It might've taken him awhile to realize his feelings, but it was something I wouldn't change. Our stories were meant to play out like this, we were meant to be in every universe. We were a perfect match.

I wasn't scared to be myself, I wasn't going to run anymore.

He was the calm to my storm. The light to my darkness. The sun to my moon. He made it all better. He made me better.

THE END

———————————————————

guys i genuinely shed a tear because she grew so much. i know she didn't get out of her house, but i think that's a realistic viewpoint. life isn't perfect and that's okay.

don't fret, this isn't the last you'll be seeing of them. my patrick fic is based after this and they will make their appearances.

thank you for every read, vote and comment on this fic.

i've had the time of my life writing stories for you <3

i love you all dearly

xoxo

-Freyja