⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ midsummers ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

【 SEASON EPISODE 5 PART 2 】

Clara stood beside Kiara in the bathroom, carefully adjusting the flower crown nestled in her friend's curls. The crown, an intricate mix of lilacs and baby's breath, added a soft elegance to Kiara's appearance, though her disdain for the occasion was written all over her face. The tension in the room was almost palpable as Kiara tugged at the hem of her silky purple dress, glaring at her reflection in the mirror as if it had betrayed her.

"This is disgusting," Kiara muttered, her tone drenched in irritation. Her voice echoed faintly off the pristine bathroom tiles, the air heavy with her resentment for all things Midsummers.

Clara, in stark contrast, was the picture of calm. She smoothed down the light pink fabric of her own dress, which flowed softly around her figure, accentuating her understated elegance. A small smile tugged at her lips as she glanced at Kiara's sour expression.

"I know. It's just horrible," Kiara's mother, Anna, replied with an exaggerated sarcasm as she stepped into the room. Dressed impeccably for the event in a cream-colored gown, Anna adjusted her earrings while shooting her daughter a pointed look. Her presence was commanding yet maternal, her patience clearly running thin.

Clara couldn't suppress the soft chuckle that escaped her lips at Anna's tone. Kiara's defiance, while frustrating for her mother, was endlessly amusing to Clara.

Anna folded her arms and took a deep breath, her gaze flickering between the two girls. "Kiara, I'm just asking you to relax and enjoy a fun party for once. It's not the end of the world. And besides," she added, her tone softening slightly, "Clara will be there with you. You won't be alone."

Kiara whirled around to face her mother, her expression one of pure exasperation. "I look like a bourgeoisie pig," she declared, her voice flat and uncompromising.

Clara raised an eyebrow, tilting her head as she observed the exchange. Amusement danced in her eyes, though she stayed quiet, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

Anna pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a long sigh. "Will you please not worry about socioeconomic injustice for one night?" she said, her voice tinged with exasperation as she finished fastening her earrings.

But Kiara was far from done. She crossed her arms and stepped closer to her mother, her posture radiating defiance. "Mom, people not three miles from here have no power, no running water, and we're going to Midsummers. That's so tone-deaf."

Clara, who had been quietly observing, couldn't help but mutter, "She's not wrong," under her breath. Her voice was soft but audible enough to earn a sharp look from Anna.

Anna sighed again, this time more deeply, as she turned her full attention to her daughter. "Do you know how hard we had to work to get into the Island Club?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with frustration.

Kiara's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, Mom. How could I forget? You had to grovel for, like, ten years-"

"Twelve," Anna snapped, cutting her daughter off as she walked back into the bathroom. Her voice echoed slightly as she continued, "And we also had to cough up a huge chunk of dough. And do you know why we did that?"

"To keep up with the Joneses?" Kiara retorted, her tone sharp and unyielding.

Anna marched back into the room, her eyes narrowing as she approached her daughter. "No. So you could have the experiences that I had as a child," she said firmly, her hands gripping Kiara's shoulders. "Honey, do you even know what the Island Club is?"

Kiara stared back at her mother, unflinching. "A factory farm for debutantes," she replied, her voice dripping with disdain.

Clara bit her lip, trying to stifle a laugh at Kiara's quick wit, but her amusement was betrayed by the slight upturn of her lips. Anna noticed and shot her a brief, exasperated glance before focusing back on her daughter.

"It is a nice place," Anna said through gritted teeth, her hands moving to cup Kiara's face, "with nice people, where you can do fun stuff."

"With out-of-touch rich people," Kiara shot back, pulling away from her mother's grasp, "while the island sinks slowly into the ocean."

Anna stood up straight, clearly reaching the limits of her patience. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared down at Kiara. "Okay," she said finally, her voice tight with suppressed frustration. "I want you to put on your party face, Kie, if you want to live."

With that, Anna turned on her heel and swept out of the room, leaving the two girls alone. The tension lingered for a moment, thick and oppressive, before Clara let out a long breath and blew a raspberry, breaking the silence.

"You're relentless," Clara teased, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she glanced at Kiara.

Kiara turned to her friend, raising an eyebrow. "You're not off the hook, either. You laughed," she said, pointing an accusatory finger at Clara.

Clara shrugged innocently, her smirk widening. "Guilty as charged," she admitted, her tone light and playful.

Kiara rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. Despite her frustration, she was grateful for Clara's presence. Together, they turned back to the mirror, resigned to face the night ahead, no matter how much they both dreaded it.

The air at Midsummers was heavy with the scent of saltwater and freshly grilled seafood, mingling with the perfume of Kooks dressed to the nines in their pastel suits and flowing gowns. The Island Club lawn stretched out before them, dotted with clusters of people sipping champagne and exchanging pleasantries. The faint hum of an elegant string quartet played in the background, a sharp contrast to the tension Clara felt creeping up her spine as she followed Kiara toward Pope, who was manning the grill.

Kiara nudged Clara with her elbow as they approached, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Watch this," she whispered before putting on an exaggerated British accent.

"Excuse me, sir," Kiara began, holding her chin high as she gestured to the oysters Pope was grilling. "Do we have to shuck these ourselves?"

Clara stifled a laugh, quickly catching on to Kiara's game. Adopting her own British accent, Clara added, "It wouldn't be very manly-like to make the ladies work, now would it?"

Pope, his back to them, froze for a moment before turning around with a look of exaggerated annoyance. He raised an eyebrow, giving them both a once-over as they struggled to keep straight faces.

"She's right. It might mess up our costumes," Kiara continued, waving a hand dramatically over her dress, trying to keep the act going.

Pope chuckled despite himself, shaking his head as he reached out to dap them both up. "You two are ridiculous," he said, still laughing. Then he pointed at Clara with his tongs. "But that accent? Way better. Sorry, Kie."

Kiara gasped, placing a hand over her heart as if she'd been mortally wounded. "It was not!" she protested before breaking into laughter. "Okay, fine, it was. I was gonna let it slide, though."

Clara smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the edge of the grill setup. "Gotta admit, I nailed it."

"Yeah, yeah," Kiara muttered, rolling her eyes with a grin.

Pope shook his head, turning back to the grill and flipping an oyster. "You ever see this many Kooks in one place?" Clara asked, her voice more serious now as she scanned the crowd. The sight of so many polished, privileged people all gathered together in one spot made her stomach twist.

"Yeah," Pope said flatly. "Last year."

"We're in the lion's den," Kiara muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.

"Exactly," Pope replied, nodding as he adjusted the temperature on the grill.

Clara, meanwhile, couldn't help glancing toward the grand entrance of the Island Club. Her gaze lingered on the polished double doors, her stomach fluttering with nervous anticipation. Sarah Cameron was somewhere beyond those doors, and Clara couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were about to cross in a way that would change everything.

Pope's voice broke through her thoughts. "Hey, have either of you heard from JJ?" he asked, his tone low and tinged with concern.

Kiara shook her head. "Nope."

Clara hesitated, her heart skipping a beat at the question. She had seen JJ briefly in the chaos of the past few nights, but everything since then was a blur. Her mind raced, trying to piece together what she should or shouldn't say. Finally, she settled on silence, unsure of where she stood in all of it.

"He'll be all right," Kiara said confidently, trying to lighten the mood. "He's got the survival instincts of a cockroach."

"Not exactly comforting," Pope muttered, shaking his head as he closed the grill.

"It's not your fault, Pope," Kiara said firmly, stepping closer to him. Clara glanced between them, her brows furrowed. She could feel the weight of unspoken tension hanging in the air.

"Topper almost killed you. Remember?" Kiara added, her voice sharper now as she tried to snap Pope out of his guilt.

Clara blinked, her head snapping to Kiara. "Wait-what? Topper almost killed you?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly in disbelief.

Kiara sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah. While you were off doing who-knows-what, Topper and Rafe jumped Pope. JJ got involved, destroyed Topper's boat, and ended up in jail."

Clara's jaw dropped, her mind reeling as she tried to process the information. "JJ went to jail? Are you serious?"

Before Kiara could respond, a round of polite applause rippled through the crowd, drawing their attention to the grand entrance. Clara turned instinctively, her eyes snapping to the polished double doors as they swung open.

The Camerons emerged, moving with the kind of effortless grace and poise that only came from years of being at the top of the social ladder. Ward led the way, his polished smile hiding the steel-cold calculation in his eyes. Rose followed, her expression icy and unreadable, while Rafe trailed just behind them, his posture tense and his eyes scanning the crowd like a predator searching for its next target.

But Clara's gaze didn't linger on any of them for long. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes landed on Sarah Cameron. Dressed in a flowing white dress that seemed to glow in the golden light of the setting sun, Sarah looked like she had stepped straight out of a dream. Her hair was swept to the side in loose waves, and her confident smile lit up her face as she scanned the crowd.

Then, as if sensing Clara's gaze, Sarah's eyes locked onto hers. The noise of the crowd, the music, even Kiara and Pope's voices-all of it faded into the background as the two girls stared at each other.

Sarah's lips curled into a small, knowing smile, and she sent Clara a quick, playful wink.

Clara felt her cheeks heat up, but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face in return. In that moment, it didn't matter that they were surrounded by people or that the weight of the world seemed to be pressing down on their shoulders. It was just her and Sarah, caught in a fleeting moment that felt like it belonged to them and them alone.

Clara stood with Anna and Mike at the edge of the crowd, half-listening to their conversation while her eyes wandered the buzzing scene of Midsummers. The lanterns strung across the lawn cast a warm glow, reflecting off the perfectly manicured greenery and the polished champagne glasses clinking in guests' hands. But none of that mattered to Clara; she was scanning the crowd for one face, and one face only: Sarah Cameron.

"Clara," Anna said, pulling her attention back to the moment. Anna smiled warmly, resting a hand on Clara's arm. "We just want you to know how happy we are to have you staying with us. You've been such a positive influence on Kiara. And frankly, we're glad she has someone she listens to."

Clara chuckled softly, her lips tugging into a modest smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Carrera. That means a lot. But I'm not sure Kie listens to me all that much."

Mike, standing beside Anna with his champagne glass in hand, shook his head with a smirk. "Oh, she listens more than you think. Trust me. She's been a lot calmer since you've been around."

Clara's cheeks warmed at their kindness. She wasn't used to adults saying such nice things about her, and it left her momentarily speechless. "I appreciate it," she finally said, her voice sincere. "You guys have been really great to me."

Anna patted her arm gently. "You're part of the family now, Clara. We're just glad you're here."

Before Clara could respond, a sharp whistle sliced through the air, cutting through the low hum of chatter and clinking glasses. She blinked and instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.

Her gaze landed on JJ Maybank, standing a few yards away near a table of empty glasses. He was dressed in a waiter's uniform-black slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a black vest that somehow still looked rumpled on him. His hair was messy as ever, and his smirk was unmistakably JJ. He raised a hand and waved her over with an exaggerated flourish, as if he were a maître d' summoning an important guest.

Clara's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth falling open slightly. "Excuse me," she said quickly to Anna and Mike, offering an apologetic smile before slipping away toward JJ.

As she approached him, her shock turned to exasperation. "JJ, what the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, keeping her voice low as her eyes darted around to make sure no one was paying attention. "And why are you dressed like that? You look like... I don't even know."

JJ shrugged nonchalantly, shifting his weight as he held a tray of empty glasses. "Blending in, obviously. Gotta say, I pull off the whole waiter look pretty damn well, don't I?"

Clara crossed her arms, glaring at him. "JJ, this isn't funny. Why didn't you tell me you got arrested?!"

His smirk faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered, brushing off her concern with a casual wave. "Not now, Clare Bear. We can talk about that later. I got something more important for you."

Before she could argue, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it out to her. "Here. It's from Val."

Her brow furrowed as she took the note from him. "Val?"

JJ's smirk widened. "You know. Val. Sarah."

Realization dawned on Clara's face, and her lips curved into a grin as she unfolded the note. Inside, written in elegant, familiar handwriting, were the words:

Dear Virginia,
Meet me on the side of the country club.
Sincerely, Val.

Clara's grin grew wider, and when she looked up at JJ, her eyes were gleaming.

"You've got a thing for a Kook?" JJ teased, raising an eyebrow. "Bold move, Clare Bear. Real bold. But listen, she better not break your heart, or she's gonna have to deal with me."

Clara rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her smile didn't fade. "Thanks, JJ. Seriously."

He spread his arms dramatically. "Come on, bring it in. You know you want to."

She laughed and stepped forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "You're the best, you know that?"

"I've been told," he replied smugly, patting her on the back.

When they pulled apart, JJ gave her a crooked grin. "Now go. Your Kook's waiting."

Without another word, Clara turned and slipped back into the crowd, weaving through clusters of guests as her heart raced with anticipation. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses faded as she rounded the corner of the country club, the warm light giving way to shadows.

And there, standing under the soft glow of a lantern, was Sarah Cameron.

Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her smile lit up her face as she spotted Clara approaching. For a moment, the world seemed to pause, and it was just the two of them in their own little universe.

Clara's lips curled into a wide grin as she stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "Val," she said playfully, holding up the note.

Sarah laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "Virginia," she replied, her voice warm.

Clara couldn't help but admire Sarah from a distance as she stood, bathed in the soft glow of the lanterns scattered around the area. The light made Sarah's blonde hair shimmer, adding to her natural radiance. Her smile was warm and inviting, and Clara's heart fluttered slightly, that familiar pull between them stronger than ever.

Finally, Clara couldn't stand it any longer. She stepped forward, a little nervously, but determined. "You look beautiful," she said softly, her voice almost breathless as she took in Sarah's ethereal presence.

Sarah chuckled softly, her laugh light and easy. She reached out and pulled Clara into a hug, the kind of hug that felt like home. It was tight, familiar, full of warmth and affection, and it sent a wave of comfort through Clara's chest. "You too. So gorgeous," Sarah whispered, pulling away just enough to look Clara in the eyes.

Clara felt her pulse quicken under Sarah's gaze, but she knew that she couldn't get lost in those hazel eyes-not yet, anyway. There was something important she had to say. Something she had to tell her. "Oh my God," Sarah began, her excitement palpable. "You would not believe what happened. As soon as I got home, I had to sneak past-"

Clara wasn't sure why she felt so urgent in this moment, but something in the air made her cut Sarah off. Her voice low but determined, Clara said, "That's great, but I- I gotta tell you something."

Sarah paused, her brow furrowing slightly in curiosity. She tilted her head and nodded, sensing that Clara was serious. "Okay," Sarah said softly, her voice reassuring, her attention fully on Clara.

Clara hesitated for just a moment, as the weight of her words settled in. The reason she was here-the reason she'd come to meet Sarah tonight-was because of the gold. The gold that her brother, John B, had found. But it wasn't just the treasure that brought her here-it was the truth.

"My brother found the gold," Clara finally said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

Sarah's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth falling open as she processed what Clara just said. "He did?" she asked, her voice full of wonder.

Clara nodded, trying to hide the nervousness in her eyes. "You won't believe where it is."

"Where?" Sarah leaned in closer, her voice soft but full of intrigue. Clara could tell that Sarah wasn't just interested in the gold, but in what Clara had to say. She could feel the tension between them, the shared understanding that something bigger was at play.

"It's at Tannyhill," Clara said quietly, almost whispering. As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt the weight of their significance.

At first, Sarah froze, staring at Clara like she couldn't quite comprehend what she had just heard. Her expression shifted, and before Clara could even process the change, Sarah exclaimed, "Wait. What?"

Clara's eyes widened in shock. "Shh!" she hissed urgently, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby. They were hidden in the shadows, but she couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

"Sorry!" Sarah apologized, her voice lowering as she moved closer to Clara, a bit of panic creeping into her tone.

Clara didn't waste time with pleasantries; she needed to explain everything, and fast. "My brother got the letter translated," she said, her voice trembling with both excitement and anxiety. "There was this coded message, and I- I need the plat map."

Before Clara could say another word, Sarah did the last thing she expected. She leaned in and kissed Clara-passionately, deeply, as if the kiss held every ounce of feeling they had been bottling up. Clara's mind went blank, her body momentarily frozen in shock. Then, slowly, she melted into the kiss, heart pounding in her chest. The world seemed to fade away, and in that moment, all Clara could feel was Sarah's warmth, her lips, the electricity between them.

But as quickly as it had begun, the kiss ended, and Clara felt herself snapping back to reality, her breath coming fast and uneven. Before she could process the wave of emotions that had just overwhelmed her, a familiar voice called out, cutting through the moment.

"Hey, Sarah, is that you?"

Clara's heart leapt into her throat, and Sarah immediately pulled away, her eyes wide with panic. "Get down! Shit!" she whispered harshly, grabbing Clara's arm and pulling her down to the ground behind a nearby bush.

Clara crouched low, her body pressed against the cool earth, but she couldn't help the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Sarah was beside her, breathing heavily as she tried to remain as still as possible.

"Shh..." Sarah whispered, her finger to her lips as she peeked out from their hiding place. They both held their breath as Topper's voice grew nearer, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the distance.

Clara stayed perfectly still, her pulse racing as she glanced over at Sarah. Despite the tension, she found herself smiling-a small, secret smile that only Sarah would notice. Slowly, she blew Sarah a playful kiss, the action sending a spark of warmth through both of them.

Sarah smirked, her cheeks flushed as she returned the playful gesture. "Meet me at the Hawk's Nest at midnight. Bring the map!" she whispered, her voice low and urgent.

Clara nodded quickly, barely able to contain her excitement as she watched Sarah slip away, her figure disappearing into the night. Clara stayed crouched for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart. The kiss had been so unexpected, but it only made her feel more sure of what she had to do.

As Sarah vanished into the shadows, Clara started to crawl away, her mind still buzzing from the kiss, but also from the information Sarah had given her. She had to find John B. He'd know what to do. He'd always known what to do.

Her heart still fluttered in her chest as she crawled away from the lights and into the quiet darkness, ready to find her next step. The night was far from over, and Clara had a feeling that things were just beginning.

ASH SPEAKS!

sarah and clara own my heart <33

also clara knew jj had to get 30 grand to pay to the police (like said in last chapter) but she didnt know WHY or HOW. i realized that when i was writing this and i was like shit wait technically she already knows... so we're just say that cause i dont wanna go back and change things😭😭

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)