⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ "i love you." ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" 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 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 but its annoying when i see views go up but low on votes. STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!

【 SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 PART 1 】

After Sarah showed John B to his new room at Tannyhill, he barely bothered to glance around at the spacious room. His exhaustion from the day's events overtook him, and without a second thought, he flopped onto the bed, burying his face in the pillow. Within seconds, he was snoring, completely out of it. Sarah, on the other hand, was still buzzing with excitement and a little nervous energy about the big changes in her life.

She led Clara to her new room, a bright and airy space filled with soft, muted colors and cozy furniture. There was a large window that let in the morning sunlight, and the bed looked like something out of a magazine-a plush comforter, soft pillows, and just the right touch of elegance.

"This is your room," Sarah said as she opened the door wide, stepping aside to let Clara in.

Clara's eyes immediately lit up. She had seen this place from the outside, but now being in it, it was even more impressive. She walked in and ran a hand over the bed's fluffy duvet, a soft smile crossing her face.

"This place is amazing," she said, clearly impressed.

Without missing a beat, Clara flopped herself onto the bed, her body bouncing slightly on the soft mattress before she immediately rolled herself over, laughing as she flipped over to land on her back.

Sarah chuckled as she watched Clara, clearly at ease in the room. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her girlfriend with fond amusement. "My room's just upstairs, in case you were wondering."

Clara shot her a look over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow as she flipped herself over again. "I'm not sure if I'm getting out of this bed anytime soon," she said playfully, looking comfortable and carefree.

Sarah smiled and gave her an exaggerated look of mock concern. "Careful, Clara. You've got a cast," she said, a soft laugh following her words.

Clara grinned mischievously. "I'm fine! Besides, I have to roll around in a fancy bed. It's a rule," she joked, kicking her feet up in the air as if testing the comfort level of the mattress.

Sarah couldn't help but smile at how carefree Clara was. Even though Clara had gone through so much recently, there was a part of her that always seemed to radiate joy, especially when she was with Sarah.

However, Sarah's smile turned into a more serious expression as she leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "But I have to warn you..." she trailed off, her tone teasing but slightly mysterious.

Clara cocked her head to the side, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh?"

Sarah's eyes glinted mischievously, and she leaned a little closer to Clara. "I sleepwalk," she said quietly, her lips curling into a smirk.

Clara's eyes widened for a split second, then she sighed dramatically, putting a hand over her heart as if overwhelmed by the revelation. "Oh no," she said teasingly, making an exaggerated show of her concern. "What does that mean for me?"

Sarah chuckled at Clara's antics. "So if I show up in your room in the middle of the night..." Sarah said in a low voice, giving her girlfriend a playful look.

Clara smirked, her lips curling slightly. "You just want me to roll with it?" she asked, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

Sarah leaned in a little closer, their lips barely brushing as she responded, "Yeah, maybe," with a mischievous grin.

Just as they were about to kiss, they were suddenly interrupted by a loud voice from the doorway.

"Sarah Elizabeth Cameron!" Ward's voice echoed through the room, causing both girls to jump back, startled. Sarah's eyes widened in horror, her face flushing with embarrassment. Clara's face, however, immediately turned bright red as she scrambled to sit up straighter, her heart racing a little from the sudden intrusion.

Ward marched into the room with his usual stern expression, taking in the scene. He didn't waste any time and immediately pointed a finger at them, clearly annoyed. "You've already broken the first rule," he said firmly, his voice low and serious.

Sarah groaned, clearly exasperated. "Dad..."

Ward raised an eyebrow, his tone not giving an inch. "Stay out of each other's rooms. That's the rule. Seriously, picture that as a boundary. This is like a minefield, Sarah." He shook his head slightly. "I'm supportive of your relationship, and I get it-liking girls, whatever. But you can't get pregnant, and still..." He waved his hand as if dismissing the topic before gesturing toward the door. "I'm just saying, set some boundaries, okay?"

Both Sarah and Clara, clearly embarrassed, nodded in unison. Ward, satisfied with the response, turned and left without saying another word.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh, and the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. She turned back to Clara, her lips curving into a playful grin as she leaned in to kiss her once more. But just as their lips were about to meet, they were interrupted again-this time by none other than John B.

"Oh, for god's sake," Sarah muttered under her breath, rubbing her eyes in frustration.

John B stood in the doorway, his face split into a wide grin. "Sorry, guys," he said with a chuckle, clearly enjoying the chaos he was causing. "Can I talk to my sister alone for a second?"

Sarah gave Clara an apologetic look before nodding and walking out of the room, closing the door behind her.

John B looked at Clara, his expression turning more serious as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "So, Ward was acting pretty weird," he started, crossing his arms. "He walked into my room and asked if you and I were trying to find the gold like our dad did. I lied and said no, but that's kinda weird, right?"

Clara shrugged, not looking overly concerned. "I don't know, John B. Maybe he's just worried about us. He's been acting off lately, but it could just be him trying to be a good dad," she said, not wanting to dwell on it too much.

John B nodded thoughtfully, clearly unsure. "Yeah, you're probably right. It just feels... off, you know?" He paused, then looked back at Clara. "But anyway, we should meet up with the others. We should head to the Crain's house, see if the gold's still there."

Clara hesitated, her face turning a little more serious. "I think I'm going to sit this one out," she said quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't know if I'm ready to face Kie yet. She's probably pissed that Sarah and I are together."

John B looked at her, concern in his eyes. "Are you sure? We could really use your help on this one."

Clara nodded, her face softening but still conflicted. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'm not ready to deal with all that yet. Maybe next time."

John B sighed but accepted her decision. "Okay, well, how about this: Meet us at the chateau at 5 p.m. tonight, with Sarah. We can try to get Kie and Sarah to talk things out. I'll talk to Kie, and you can talk to Sarah."

Clara gave him a small smile, relieved that John B understood. "That sounds like a good plan. I'll be there."

John B smiled and stood up, giving her a nod of approval. "Thanks, Clara. See you tonight."

Clara watched him leave, feeling a little lighter after their conversation. It wasn't going to be easy to fix things with Kie, but maybe-just maybe-they could start the healing process tonight.

Clara sat on the edge of Sarah's bed, absently flipping through channels on the TV. Her mind wandered to the conversation she'd had with John B earlier. The way Ward had acted when he barged into John B's room, grilling him about whether Sarah and Clara were searching for the gold like their dad-something about it didn't sit right. Ward was always a bit of an overbearing father, but that felt different. It was like he knew more than he was letting on. Clara had brushed it off, though. It was probably nothing, just Ward being... well, Ward.

But then the yelling began.

It was distant at first, muffled by the walls of the house, but the volume increased quickly. The anger was palpable, harsh, like the air itself had thickened with tension. Clara froze for a moment, her eyes wide, as she listened. Ward's voice, usually authoritative but calm, was unmistakable-shouting, commanding. And then there was Topper's voice, higher and more frantic, like he was trying to explain himself or defend something. But the words were hard to make out, only the anger and frustration were clear.

Clara's stomach dropped, and she got up from the bed, her heart thumping in her chest. She had to know what was going on. Her feet moved almost on their own accord as she quickly walked out of Sarah's room and down the hallway.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she paused, holding her breath. She couldn't see anything yet, but the shouting was louder now. The voices were outside, in the front yard. Clara hesitated, her mind running wild with thoughts. She'd heard Ward and Topper clash before, but this felt different-violent, desperate even.

She slowly crept down the stairs, as quietly as she could manage. The old wood beneath her feet creaked with each step, making her wince, but the shouting was so loud now that it drowned out any noise she made. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see the open door and the figure of Ward looming over someone-Topper.

Clara's heart skipped a beat. Ward had Topper by the throat, lifting him off the ground, his grip tight and unrelenting. Topper's hands were clawing at Ward's arm, his face turning red as he gasped for breath. Ward's face was twisted in pure anger, the veins in his neck bulging. The scene before her felt like something out of a nightmare, and Clara couldn't move, couldn't make a sound.

"Dad, stop!" Sarah's voice cracked, full of desperation, and Clara's stomach turned when she saw Sarah rushing toward them. She reached for Ward's arm, trying to pry his hand off Topper, but Ward didn't seem to notice. Sarah's voice was frantic, pleading. "Please, Dad, let go!"

But Ward didn't respond, not at first. He only tightened his grip, his voice low and dangerous as he snarled something Clara couldn't hear. Topper struggled, but it was clear he wasn't getting free. It was as if Ward didn't care, as if Topper's struggles only made him more furious.

Clara felt the air in her lungs freeze. This wasn't normal. This wasn't how Ward acted. He was supposed to be the family patriarch, the one everyone respected-even feared a little-but he'd never seen this violent. Never like this.

Then, just as quickly as the chaos had started, it ended. Ward suddenly shoved Topper away from him, sending him stumbling backwards, almost falling. Topper gasped, coughing, hands still rubbing at his throat. Without another word, Ward turned away and marched toward his car parked in the driveway, his anger still evident in his posture, his movements sharp and aggressive.

Sarah, now kneeling on the grass, seemed to crumble into herself. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, hands covering her face. Her whole body trembled, and Clara felt a pang of sympathy for her. She wanted to rush down to comfort her, but she was rooted to the spot, too afraid of being seen.

Ward got in his car, the engine roaring to life, and drove off, the tires screeching against the pavement. The sound echoed in the silence that followed.

Clara took a step back, retreating silently to the stairs. She pressed herself against the wall, feeling like her heart was trying to crawl out of her chest. She needed time to process what had just happened. That wasn't like Ward. Something wasn't right. Her mind raced as she replayed the scene over and over, her thoughts tumbling over one another.

Sarah was still on the lawn, her head in her hands, body wracked with sobs. Clara could feel the weight of the situation, but her body refused to move. What had just happened? Why was Ward acting like that? What had Topper done to provoke him?

As if in a daze, Clara backed up the stairs, each step feeling like a mile. She didn't want to be a part of this, didn't want to be seen in the middle of this mess. She reached the top of the stairs, her breathing shaky, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just witnessed something that would change everything.

That was weird.

The thought echoed in her mind, almost a whisper. Maybe John B wasn't wrong. Something was going on with Ward-something he wasn't telling Sarah, or anyone. Clara had a feeling that this was just the beginning of something bigger.

She had to know what was really happening.

Clara and Sarah walked side by side, the sun slowly sinking behind the trees as they made their way to the Chateau. The air had cooled down from the scorching heat of the day, but there was still a buzz of energy between them, the anticipation of what was to come hanging in the air like electricity. The tall grasses whispered as they brushed against their legs, and the steady crunch of footsteps on the gravel path punctuated the silence between them. Clara rolled her bike along beside her, the sound of the tires against the uneven ground almost soothing.

"So, my brother found the gold," Clara broke the silence, her voice light but tinged with a sense of excitement that was impossible to hide.

Sarah's gaze snapped to Clara, her eyes widening with surprise. "Where?"

Clara grinned, letting her eyes flicker briefly to Sarah before looking ahead again. "Under that Crain lady's house."

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, her jaw practically falling to the ground. "Under an axe murderer's house?" she asked, her voice half disbelieving, half joking.

Clara let out a soft chuckle, her lips curling upward at the corners as she shrugged casually. "Kind of? I don't know. John B didn't tell me much."

"Right," Sarah replied with a raised eyebrow, trying to process the information. "Under an axe murderer's house. Makes sense, I guess."

Clara chuckled again, her steps slowing as she glanced sideways at Sarah. "It's not that weird. People hide things in weird places all the time, right?" she said, trying to make light of it. "Anyway, it's a pretty solid lead."

"Well, I guess we'll find out tonight, won't we?" Sarah said, her tone a little more serious now. She gave the bike she was holding an absentminded roll in the grass as they began walking again, her thoughts clearly racing. "But we're going there tonight to get the gold?"

Clara's response was confident, a hint of mischief in her smile. "Yeah, of course. We're doing this. It's the best shot we've got. You in?"

Sarah gave Clara a long, thoughtful look, her gaze flickering between the path ahead and Clara's face. She seemed to be weighing something. "Is it okay?" she asked, her voice a little softer now, with a touch of concern beneath the surface.

Clara turned her head, her brow furrowing slightly at the question. She didn't expect Sarah to doubt her intentions. "What? You think I'm gonna lead you into something dangerous?" Clara nudged her gently with her elbow, the playful glint never leaving her eyes. "Come on, Sarah. Virginia and Val gotta be together, you know."

Sarah gave a small smile but didn't respond immediately. She just kept walking beside Clara, her gaze shifting to the horizon as she processed everything. The weight of the mission, the gold, the uncertainty of the night ahead-it was all beginning to settle on her.

Clara, sensing the hesitation, turned more serious. "But seriously, we're doing this. Together."

Sarah took a breath, her voice low and hesitant. "No, no. I mean... with the others. Is everyone on board with this?"

Clara shot her a sideways glance and let out a soft sigh, trying to read Sarah's mood. "Yes, everything's fine... with John B and JJ," she said, her voice trailing off as she added, "Not sure about Pope and Kie." There was a slight hesitation in her words, a faint edge to her voice, as though she wasn't entirely sure how things stood with everyone else.

At the mention of Kiara's name, Sarah stopped walking entirely, her posture stiffening. She looked at Clara, her brows furrowing with the concern Clara had been expecting. "Kiara said something, didn't she?" Sarah asked, her voice steady but with a note of warning.

Clara's expression shifted. She looked down at the grass beneath her feet, then back up at Sarah, trying to mask her unease. "I... I don't know," Clara muttered, her tone lowering. "John B said he'd deal with it."

The uncertainty in her voice was palpable, and it didn't go unnoticed by Sarah. "You can't have John B fight your battles all the time, Clare," Sarah said softly but firmly, her eyes never leaving Clara's face.

Clara's lips pressed together as she let out a frustrated sigh. She crossed her arms over her chest, briefly looking away. "Look, if she's gonna get territorial-" Clara started, but Sarah didn't let her finish.

"No, no, just listen," Sarah cut in, her voice gentle but insistent. She stopped and turned fully toward Clara, her eyes meeting Clara's in a way that felt like she was really trying to understand. "You're a part of this too. You got us the Tannyhill map, remember? Without that, John B wouldn't have even found the gold." Sarah's tone softened slightly, a hint of admiration lacing her words. "We just gotta hope that JJ and John B can get Pope and Kiara on our side. Okay?"

Clara stared at Sarah for a moment, her thoughts racing. The weight of what Sarah had just said-the validation, the acknowledgment of Clara's importance in all this-settled over her like a warm blanket. She straightened, the confidence returning to her. "I'm their Clare Bear," she added, a small but proud smile tugging at her lips.

Sarah's expression softened, a knowing smile curling at the corners of her mouth. But the concern never fully left her eyes. "Just don't get too caught up in it, okay? This isn't just about you and Kie. It's about all of us."

Clara's smile grew, her shoulders relaxing as she nodded. "I'm good. Really. We've got this. We'll get the gold, make sure we're all on the same page, and then we'll deal with whatever comes next."

Sarah let out a small sigh, finally feeling a little more at ease with the situation. "Alright," she said, her voice now lighter. "Let's get to the Chateau and meet up with the others. I don't want to waste any more time."

Clara smiled, her heart lifting as she matched Sarah's stride once more. The two of them walked side by side, the sound of their feet crunching through the grass filling the quiet evening. The air smelled faintly of saltwater, a gentle reminder of the beach just beyond the trees. Clara's mind raced ahead with excitement for the night's adventure, but the words Sarah had said-about getting everyone on the same page-lingered in her mind. Whatever was going to happen next, she was determined to make sure it worked for everyone. For her, for Sarah, for the entire group.

Tonight was going to be big, and nothing-nothing-was going to stop them from finding that gold.

The tension on the porch of the Chateau was thick, like the air before a storm. Kiara's fury was palpable as she stood at the edge of the group, her body rigid and her eyes flashing with anger. "No effing way!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the stillness. Her glare was fixed on Sarah, and then it quickly shifted to Clara, as though Clara was the source of all her frustration. "You brought her here? So what? She's in on this now?" Kiara's voice was harsh, laced with disbelief and hurt.

Clara felt a wave of unease wash over her. She glanced quickly to Pope, JJ, and John B for support, but Pope only shrugged in response, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "I dunno," he muttered, his voice tight.

JJ, ever the protector, spoke up, though his words were more for Clara than anyone else. "Look, all I care about is as long as she doesn't hurt Clara's heart," he said firmly, his eyes briefly flicking over to Kiara, trying to diffuse the tension.

John B, though trying to be the voice of reason, found himself getting drowned out by Kiara's anger. "Here her out, Kie," he said, his tone almost pleading, but Kiara wasn't having it. She wasn't going to be silenced.

Clara stood still, feeling the weight of Kiara's glare. She wanted to say something, to explain, but it was as if her words were stuck in her throat. Kiara's next words came out in a sharp, cutting tone. "I don't remember taking a vote. This is our thing. A Pogue thing," she yelled, her voice trembling with the force of her anger.

Clara bit her lip, looking away for a moment, trying to steady herself. She opened her mouth to speak but then shut it again, unsure of how to handle the situation. Sarah, standing beside Clara, wasn't having it. Her hand tightened around Clara's, a silent show of solidarity. The expression on her face was one of quiet defiance as she glared at Kiara.

"I gotta say, I'm just a tad uncomfortable with all of this," Pope's voice cut through the tension, but the way he spoke only seemed to add fuel to the fire. Kiara whipped her head around, her eyes narrowing at Pope, as if he'd just committed some sort of betrayal.

"Thank you!" Kiara exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "When are you not uncomfortable?" Clara shot back, her voice sharp with frustration.

"I dunno. I rode here on the back of JJ's bike pretty comfortably," Pope muttered, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips, as if to lighten the mood.

"Most relaxed I've ever seen him," JJ chimed in, his voice light, almost amused, trying to make a joke out of the situation.

Clara, however, wasn't laughing. "Amazing," she muttered, her eyes rolling. The banter wasn't enough to cut through the tension that had already settled over the group like a heavy fog.

Kiara's anger was still simmering, her voice seething with resentment. "You know, we were all extremely comfortable until you brought her," Kiara snapped at Clara, each word a slap to the face. Clara felt her stomach twist, the sting of Kiara's words cutting deep. She tried to hold back the tears, biting the inside of her cheek, but she could feel the frustration and hurt bubbling to the surface.

"Kie-" John B started, trying to intervene, but Sarah was quicker, her voice rising in a sharp retort.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Sarah shouted, her voice carrying the weight of frustration.

"Then leave," Kiara shot back, not even pausing to consider Sarah's feelings. Her words were a dismissal, as though Sarah didn't belong here, didn't belong with Clara.

Sarah scoffed, but her grip on Clara's hand tightened, a silent gesture of solidarity that Clara appreciated. "I told you," Sarah muttered under her breath, referencing the conversation they'd had earlier about Kiara's territorial behavior.

Clara, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her, turned to Sarah. "Told her what, exactly? That you're a liar?" Kiara's voice cut through the air, challenging Sarah with an accusation.

"No, that you're a shit-talking bitch," Sarah retorted, her words sharp and unforgiving. The room seemed to go still, all eyes now on Sarah and Kiara, the two of them locked in a silent standoff. Clara's eyes widened in shock, the words hitting her like a punch in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but at the same time, she knew Sarah wasn't wrong.

"Enough-" John B tried to interject, his voice frustrated, but the moment was spiraling out of control too fast for anyone to stop it.

"Oh, shit!" Pope exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief as the tension escalated.

"Oh!" JJ laughed nervously, raising his hand like he was about to bet on the outcome of a fight. He fumbled through his pockets, pulling out money to place a bet with Pope, who seemed equally entertained by the spectacle unfolding before them. John B just rolled his eyes in exasperation, as if this was just another typical day with the Pogues.

Clara, frustrated beyond measure, snapped at Pope. "When have I lied to you?" Sarah asked Kiara, her voice seething with the anger she had been holding back.

"You get somebody close to you for a month-" Kiara began, her tone venomous, but Sarah cut her off.

"I didn't lie about shit-" Sarah shot back, her voice now cold and unyielding.

It was at that moment, Clara couldn't take it anymore. The building tension, the anger, the hurt-it all spilled over. Clara stood up abruptly, using her good hand to grab a nearby table, her casted arm dangling uselessly at her side. With a sharp cry of frustration, she threw the table to the ground, the crash of wood on concrete ringing through the air. It was a shocking outburst from Clara, one that broke the silence and demanded everyone's attention.

"Everybody shut up!" Clara yelled, her voice hoarse with emotion.

"Oh, shit!" JJ chuckled nervously, clearly not expecting this outburst.

Clara's heart pounded in her chest as she turned to Kiara, her voice now steady but full of resolve. "Kie, you are my best friend. I'm sorry for lying to you for months. But I can't help that I've always had feelings for Sarah. Out of respect for you, I stopped being friends with Sarah after what happened." Clara's words came out in a rush, the truth spilling from her like a dam breaking.

Kiara's face softened slightly, but she said nothing, her frown deepening as she processed Clara's words.

Clara, heart in her throat, turned to Sarah. "And Sarah, you're my girlfriend and I- I lo... I..." Her voice faltered for a moment, but Sarah squeezed her hand, encouraging her to speak the words she'd been holding back for so long.

"Say it," Sarah urged gently, her voice a quiet whisper of support.

Clara took a deep breath, the weight of the moment crashing down on her. She looked Sarah in the eye, her heart racing. "You're my girlfriend and I love you," Clara finally said, her voice trembling with the rawness of her confession.

The group was silent for a beat, the words hanging in the air.

"Oh... that's new," Pope said, breaking the silence, but his tone was almost casual, as if he had expected this moment to come eventually.

"No, it's not, Pope," John B said, his voice calm but with an edge of finality. "She's been in love with Sarah secretly."

"Yeah, we didn't know who at first," JJ added, his voice tinged with amusement, but it was clear he was proud of Clara for speaking her truth.

Kiara, however, was having none of it. "If she's in, I'm out," she snapped, her anger still simmering beneath the surface.

John B, exhausted by the constant drama, raised his hands in frustration. "No one's in or out," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "We're not doing this, Kie."

Clara, standing tall now, turned to face Kiara. "I'm not doing this, Kie," she said, her voice hardening. "You're going to decide."

Kiara's eyes burned with fury as she glared at Clara. "Me or her?!" she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion.

Clara took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. "Both!" she said firmly, a finality in her words that left no room for argument.

Kiara rolled her eyes and stormed off the porch, leaving the group in a heavy silence. Clara sighed, leaning back against the railing, the weight of everything pressing down on her.

"John B, you said you were gonna handle this," Clara whined, clearly frustrated with the way things were unfolding.

"I tried! She kept slapping me with the skeeters!" John B exclaimed in frustration, his hands thrown up in defeat.

Clara rolled her eyes at him, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It wasn't over yet, but they'd made it this far. And with Sarah by her side, she knew they could face whatever came next.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

they said i love you!! (sort of we'll get a better scene where they both say it)

kie and clara's friendship is not okay rifht now but it'll get better next chapter!!!

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