the summer you noticed me ↠ conrad fisher {1}

t w o

     "I didn't think you'd be here yet!" I scream. I start to run towards him, but he backs away holding his hands up. I forgot I'm wet, he isn't wearing a bathing suit. "Jeremiah, are you really not going to give me a hug?" I pout, batting my eyelashes. "How rude of you, it's been 10 months."

     I'm slowly inching towards him with my arms open, and a wide hopeful smile on my face. I really did want to hug him. "Not right now Claire-Bear, maybe when you're dry."

     I let out a small sigh, dropping my arms in defeat. He seems to accept my defeat and comes closer as if he was going to start a conversation, to his mistake I wasn't actually giving up. "Gotcha," I scream running towards him.

His eyes widen before his body had time to react, and when he did he turns and I was so close to him that I managed to grab the back of his shirt by my finger tips. He slips through, and starts running in the direction of his house. "No fair! You gave up!" He screams over his shoulder, laughing.

     "I just want a hug, I missed you!" I shout back. He starts to slow down and I know he's giving in. I laugh happily, and leap onto his back placing a kiss on his cheek. I then have the smart idea of smushing my cheek against his and he leans into me more. He leans so far backwards that I start to slip, but he steadies my feet for me by grabbing my shoulders.

     "I missed you too," he is grinning. I find myself staring at his eyes. I always get lost in them, although I've never looked at him more then a friend. His eyes are the main reason Belly loves him, and I can see why.  "Give me a proper hug," he says. I don't hesitate on his request. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he squeezes me waist. "It's really good to see you, C."

     "You too, Jere. Thanks for hugging me," I giggle taking a step back. "Uh, Jere?"

     He raises an eyebrow. "What?"

     I point to his shirt, and grin. "You're a little wet there bud."

     He rolls his eyes, but a smile is still on his lips. "Huh, I wonder why!" He teases.

     He wraps an arm around my neck, and pulls me in. "Come on, my mom wants to say hi!"

*   *   *

"Yeah so that's why my parents aren't coming down this summer, but I really do appreciate you talking to them. I know you said you'd look out for me, just know I'm okay! I have groceries and everything," I say quickly. I realize I was rambling, and I smiled sheepishly taking a sip of the water Jere had offered me.

     "We'll, it sucks your parents have to work their whole summer, they normally at least get off for the fourth," Jere says sliding into the seat next to me.

     I sigh, nodding. Wishing I could tell them the truth. I'm tired of having to hide this big secret, it's like a heavy weight holding me down. At the same time, it's a relief that I don't need to see them. It's a bittersweet.

     "Claire, you know it's never a hassle having you around. If you ever feel uncomfortable in the house alone you can always take our spare room," Susannah offers.

     "I really appreciate that, I may take you up on your offer on a later date but for now I'm excited to be on my own," I admit.

Susannah shrugs, "the offer stands all summer. Whenever you need," she smiles. "We always have room for you," she reached across the table to grab my hand and squeezes gently. She's so cold, it takes everything in me not to gasp at her touch.

I hide it with a smile, and a small sigh. "Thank you."

"Want to take a walk on the beach?" Jeremiah asks.

"Sure," I say slowly. "Where is Connie?" I ask. "I haven't even heard another person in the house right now."

     "He's somewhere," Jere shrugs. "You can see him later, there's a lot to catch up on." His expression became serious, and I decided not to push. I waited ten months to see him, I can wait another few hours.