Star was now on her way back to the bonfire with her friends but before she could join them back on the tree lodge or whatever they were sitting on she stopped she didn't think she could talk so she went over there and sat on the edge of the lodge while the group was deep In conversation talking about something she could not put a grasp around a unfamiliar topic, as always, she wasn't apart of the topic.  The crackling of the fire and the soft murmur of the group filled the air, but Star found herself on the edge of the gathering, standing apart from the others. The bonfire's warm glow flickered in the night, and the sounds of laughter and music felt distant, as if she were watching her friends from a far-off place.

Zara was laughing with Prince, her voice cutting through the noise, while King leaned against a nearby tree, scanning the crowd. His eyes landed on Star, and for a brief moment, their gazes met. She looked away quickly, not wanting to get caught in a moment of vulnerability.

But then, to her surprise, King started making his way over to her, a casual confidence in his steps that made her heart race a little faster. He wasn't the type to get too caught up in the social scene, always more observant than his outgoing brother. And tonight, something about his quiet demeanor made Star feel uneasy, like he could see right through her.

"Hey, Star," he said, his voice calm, but his eyes searching hers. "Mind if I pull you aside for a second?"

She hesitated but nodded, following him away from the group, the noise of the bonfire fading as they walked a little farther down the beach. King didn't look back at the others; his focus was entirely on her.

"What's up?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her heart was racing in her chest.

King stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression was soft but serious, not the usual playful smile she was used to. He studied her for a long moment, as if weighing his words carefully.

"I was wondering something," he said quietly. "Why didn't you reach out to me over the summer?"

Star froze. The question hit her like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, she couldn't find her voice. How was she supposed to answer that? The truth? That everything had changed, and she didn't know how to handle it?

She looked at King, his expression waiting for an answer. His eyes weren't accusing, just... curious. And something else too—genuine concern. The realization that he hadn't forgotten about her, that he was actually noticing her absence, made something inside her twist painfully.

"I—uh, I guess I just figured everyone was busy," she stammered, feeling the familiar knot in her stomach tighten. "You and Prince were probably doing your own thing, you know?"

King raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. "I get that. But you could've reached out, too. I'm not exactly hard to find."

Star's breath caught in her throat. It felt like he was calling her out for not trying harder. She should've reached out, shouldn't she? She should've sent a text, something. But what would it have changed?

"I just... I don't know. It felt like everything was changing, and maybe it was easier to just let things be. I didn't want to—" she faltered, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I didn't want to make things awkward."

King's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Star, nothing has to be awkward. Not between us. We've known each other forever, right? So why would it be? It feels like you're pulling away, like you don't want to be a part of things anymore."

Star couldn't look him in the eye anymore. His words stung, more than she'd expected. She had been pulling away, hadn't she? All summer, she'd kept to herself, shutting out the people who mattered most. The worst part was that she hadn't even realized how much she missed the group—how much she missed him.

"I guess I thought... maybe it was better this way," she said quietly, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire in the distance. "Maybe it's easier to just... fade out of the group. I don't know. It feels like I'm the only one who's stuck, while everyone else is moving forward. And I didn't want to be the one dragging everyone down."

King stepped even closer, his tone warm but serious. "You're not dragging anyone down, Star. You never have. You're part of this group, no matter what. But you have to let us in if you want to stay."

Star looked up at him, the sincerity in his eyes overwhelming her. For a brief moment, she felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them—two people who had been friends for so long, who understood each other in ways no one else could.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I've just been... overthinking everything."

King's lips curled into a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay. I just don't want you to think you have to handle things alone. We're all in this together, whether you want to be or not."

Star managed a small smile, the weight in her chest easing slightly. For the first time all night, she felt like maybe—just maybe—things could be okay again.

"I'll try," she said softly. "I'll try not to pull away anymore."

King nodded, then reached out, giving her shoulder a friendly, reassuring pat. "Good. Now, come on. The bonfire's just getting started. You deserve to have fun tonight."

Star hesitated for a moment, but then followed him back toward the others, feeling a little lighter, a little less alone. Maybe the group wasn't as broken as she thought. Maybe she just needed to believe that they could come back together.