It was a calm Friday afternoon, just after the post-finals celebration.
Grace, Julian, Zoey, Ella, Dylan, Ethan, and David were lounging in the schoolyard, talking about the upcoming school festival.
Suddenly, Nate, Theo, Lucy, and Adrian walked over together.
Grace's first thought: Oh no… what now?
But then… something felt different.
They weren't sneering.
They weren't trying to compete.
They weren't… plotting.
Instead, they smiled.
Theo waved. "Hey… we saw you all celebrating yesterday. Looks fun."
Nate added, "Yeah. And, um… we realized something."
Adrian spoke up. "We never actually needed to fight. We can all get along."
Lucy gave a small nod. "And maybe… we should actually join your group?"
Grace blinked. Julian raised an eyebrow.
Zoey leaned over, whispering to Grace, "This is happening… right?"
Ella grinned. "I like it."
David chuckled. "This could be… fun."
The conversation continued:
Nate: "We spent the last few weeks realizing we actually have a lot in common with you guys. Even the chaos… it's kind of fun."
Theo: "And Grace… we know we've argued before, but seeing how close you all are… it's impressive."
Lucy: "Honestly, I don't want to fight anymore. And Adrian agrees. We'd rather be part of this… this squad energy."
Adrian: "Yeah. You guys are… unstoppable together. And it would be stupid not to try to be part of it."
Grace looked at Julian. He shrugged, smiling softly. "I think it's a great idea."
The merge:
Everyone came together slowly.
Zoey nudged Lucy with a grin. "Welcome to the chaos."
Dylan extended a hand to Nate, who shook it, laughing.
Ella high-fived Adrian.
David clapped Theo on the back. "Glad you finally get it."
Grace turned to Julian, who smiled at her proudly.
Julian whispered to Grace: "Looks like our squad just got bigger."
Grace smiled. "Bigger. Stronger. Unstoppable."
From that day on, the group dynamic shifted:
No more old rivalries.
No more hidden grudges.
Everyone had a role. Everyone had a place.
Even Lily and Zara noticed from the sidelines. Their attempts to interfere now felt laughably small.
The squad, now including Nate, Theo, Lucy, and Adrian, was complete.
Grace still at the center with Julian.
Zoey, Ella, David, Dylan, Ethan supporting.
Nate, Theo, Lucy, Adrian integrated into the energy seamlessly.
It wasn't just a group anymore.
It was a force.
And high school better watch out.