𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 ⇒ 𝘫𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘢𝘩 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳

𝙤𝙣𝙚

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

VERALYNNE AND ISABEL. Belly and Vera. Attached at the hip since preschool. You could never really have one without the other, and Taylor was always the third wheel in the friend group and she always knew it.

The first summer Vera spent in cousins was the summer before kindergarten. Laurel figured Belly might want a girl her age around, being that  the two Fisher boys mostly only hung out with Steven, even if Conrad was kind enough to let Belly tag along sometimes, she never really fully felt included. And Vera's parents never complained about having her out of the house the entirety of every summer. They didn't get along with their daughter, and had many other kids to worry about. So, Vera liked to pretend she was a Conklin every summer.

There wouldn't be a day during the school year she didn't think about Cousins. About the salty smell of the ocean that hits you as you drive into town with all the windows down. About night swims and the cozy beach house. But most of all about Jeremiah. The thought of getting to see him every summer is what kept her going through every winter.

And now finally here she was again, driving down the familiar roads that led to her own little paradise. She subconsciously curled her lips into a smile as she sees the "Entering Cousins Beach" sign. She was home. She wasn't sure anyone truly appreciated everything about Cousins as much and herself and Belly. She knew her and Belly shared a special love for the town and the people there that was unmatched by even Susannah and Laurel.

Steven pulled into a gas station parking lot and everyone got out to get snacks. Vera and Belly glanced at each other before going straight to the Cheetos and impatiently started eating them before checking out.

"Hey." The guy at the counter eyed them both up and down, Vera's eyebrows scrunched into a disgusted look, seeing as he was clearly much older than they were. Belly grabbed a Coke and they both hesitantly approached the counter to pay, Belly pulling out her mom's credit card.

"Are you guys new this summer?" The guy shifted his glance between the two girls.

"Uh, us? No." Belly chuckled nervously, looking at Vera for help, who usually did the talking.

"Really?" He sounded surprised, "I thought I knew every pretty girl in cousins."

"Well, clearly you don't." said Vera, before popping another Cheeto in her mouth and raising an eyebrow at the man. Belly just blushes, looking down.

"You coming to the bonfire tonight?" He said, "First of the season."

Vera elbowed Belly in her side, reminding her of the long conversation they had in her bedroom before leaving about how she wouldn't talk for her at all that summer. Belly needed to put herself out there more. Maybe take a few risks.

"Uh, maybe." Belly winced slightly, elbowing Vera back.

"Come." The man half smiles at Belly specifically that time, "I'll introduce you to some of my friends."

Belly looked at Vera for help once again who just rolled her eyes before replying. "We'll think about it." she said and grabbed Belly's arm, dragging her out of the store. "What did we just talk about a few hours ago?"

"I know, I know." Belly looked up, shaking her head. "I get it, you can't always speak for me, I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize." Vera laughed, "I just want us to have the best summer ever... and this summer is going to be different." She nods her head, smirking at Belly. "You're gonna get a boyfriend this summer."