Lover (Conrad Fisher)

9

The next morning Carson and I head over to the Fisher's house. Belly had texted me last night inviting us over to celebrate her birthday with her.

When we got there everyone was downstairs running around. Susannah was the first to notice our presence. "Hailey! Carson!" She says hugging us. Jeremiah and Steven are next, both hugging me, and dabbing Carson up. I look over to Conrad eating cereal and make eye contact. Our moment from last night flashes in my head and I smile at him. He smiles back, forgetting he was in the middle of eating, as milk pours out of his mouth onto his lap. I laugh as Jeremiah says "Gross dude."

Belly finally makes her way downstairs. "Morning everyone." Everyone greets her, taking turns wishing her a happy birthday. "Your mickey mouse pancakes are ready," Laurel says. "I'm actually not hungry," Belly replies. There's an awkward silence, until Susannah suggests we open gifts, Jeremiah saying that she'll love his gift.

As we sit in the living room, Belly takes turns opening everyone's gifts. Laurel goes first, gifting her a book of old poems. "It's a first edition," Laurel explains. "I got it from a rare book dealer."

"Thanks mom," Belly says, with little enthusiasm. "Turn to the bookmark page, it's your favorite poem," Laurel says leaning over to Susannah. "Oh yeah, I remember Susannah teaching us to recite this," Belly says with a laugh. "For whatever we lose," She begins, "Like a you or a me," everyone joins in, "it's always ourselves we find in the sea."

Susannah tells Belly to open her present next. It's a beautiful necklace of pearls. "My mom gave me these pearls for my sweet sixteen," She explains putting them around Belly's neck.

Jeremiah is next, giving her a charm to put on her bracelet. "It's a good luck charm," He says. "To help you pass your driving tests." Next is Steven, throwing her present straight at her. "Wow Steven," She says, opening up her present, revealing a Princeton sweatshirt. "I can't believe you actually spent money on me."

"Relax," He says. "I just didn't want you stealing mine next year when I get in." Laurel turns to him saying, "I didn't know you were still considering Princeton."

"I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships," He answers. "Dad thinks I can apply for some  financial aid. I-I don't know. I'll see if I can get in." It's awkward for a moment. I lighten the mood again by saying, "Mine next Bells."

"Awe Hailey," Belly says. "You didn't have to get me anything." I laugh nodding my head, "Yeah I did." She opens the bag and pulls out a key chain. It has a sea turtle attached to it, along with a dolphin. "It's to put on your car keys," I explain.

"It's perfect Hailey, thank you," She says, sending me a big smile. Carson didn't get her anything because he was informed of her birthday so late. Susannah suggests Conrad give Belly her present next.

I look over to him and see that he's hesitant. He looks over to me and I nod my head, encouraging him. He hands Belly a small black bag. She opens it and out falls a gorgeous infinity necklace. "Oh Conrad, it's beautiful," Belly says, putting it around her neck. "It's the infinity sign from when we were little," Conrad says shyly. "I remember, of course I remember," Belly says. "It's like a racetrack with no start and no end."

Conrad clears his throat. "I gotta go. I promised Cleveland that I would show him some knots today." He gets up and walks out the door, wishing Belly a happy birthday again. Jeremiah tells Belly that he'll take her driving before picking Taylor up from the bus station. "Do you want to come, Hailey?" Belly asks me. "I really want you to meet Taylor." I nod my head letting out a "sure." Carson stays behind with Steven to play video games as we all pile into Jeremiah's jeep.

We spend the next hour with Belly driving, Jeremiah in the front, and me in the back.

"You excited to see Taylor?" Jeremiah asks Belly. "Of course, so excited," She answers almost sarcastically. "You sure about that Bells?" I ask from the back. "She's my best friend in the world," Belly says. "But Jeremiah knows how Taylor is, she's like a hurricane."

"Yeah, yeah hurricane Taylor," Jeremiah says, making us laugh. "I guess I just always feel like the supporting character around her," Belly explains. "Which normally I don't mind."

"But it's your birthday," Jeremiah says, cutting in. "And you're the main character, Belly, not her." They both make eye contact, smiling. "Thanks Jere," Belly says before almost swerving off the road.

"Woah Belly, I would like to live past eighteen." I say with a laugh from the back. "We're gonna need a part two to this driving lesson, okay?" Jeremiah says. Belly nods her head agreeing saying, "Part three and part four." We all laugh as Belly continues down the road.

Eventually we get to the bus stop and wait for Taylor's bus to pull up. "20 bucks says she calls you jeremy again," Belly says to Jeremiah. "I think she learned from last time," Jeremiah says. Belly just shakes her head and says, "That's her way of flirting with you." The bus pulls up and a gorgeous brunette carrying balloons hops off it, immediately running to Belly. They greet each other with a hug, letting out heys.

"Belly you little tart," Taylor says. "You finally took my advice. This outfit is snatched."

"Taylor!" Belly lets out with a laugh. "Isn't Belly looking like a snack?" Taylor asks Jeremiah. "Always," He answers with a smile. Belly just smiles back whispering, "Thank you." Taylor finally acknowledges my presence, turning towards me with a hesitant look.

 "Hi I'm Hailey," I say, holding my hand out for her to shake. She just looks at me for a minute before smiling and pulling me in for a hug. "Belly's already told me about you. The one person who can stand up to Conrad." I let out a nervous chuckle saying, "That's me."

"Here let me get your bag," Jeremiah says, moving forward and grabbing it off her shoulder. "Thank you, such a gentleman Jeremy," Taylor says. "Of course," He says with a bow. "It's actually Jeremiah," Belly explains. "I like Jeremy better," Taylor says, looking up at him and batting her eyelashes.

We all laugh as Jeremiah asks, "Should we head home?" Belly and Taylor look at each other with a look as Taylor says, "Actually, can we make a stop first?"