*Lauren*
The sun was high in the sky as Shelby and I walked our way through the village the next day. The laughter and chatter from the main square, where tourists mingled with street performers, faded with each step we took toward the outskirts.
"Look at this," I said, gesturing toward the heart of the village where every storefront gleamed, and every cobblestone seemed placed for serene quaintness. "And then there's all this."
My hand gestured toward the sweeping island out past the main square—the real, breathing part of the island, away from the postcards and the souvenirs. My family had come to love the people on this island, now that they were all starting to accept us more. The drama with Mr. Cavalier was over, and the vibe of the island seemed calmer. It was refreshing.
