𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 - 𝘁𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝟤

I woke up in my bed wrapped in my blanket. My hair was still a little wet because we were swimming until it was super late. I had my big blue t-shirt that was so long it covered my grey shorts. I sat up and looked at my phone.

Conrad had texted me.

"𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽."

I replied.

"𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟱."

I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I hated morning breath.

After I was done I went down the stairs to the back patio. I didn't see him by the pool, so I figured he was out on the beach. I walked out to the gate and saw him sitting in the sand watching the sunrise. It was still pretty early in the morning.

He turned his head and looked up at me. "I saw you got my message," Conrad said. I sat down right next to him. The waves were crashing against the shore. It was quiet for a few minutes. But, not an awkward quiet. It was a comforting silence.

Conrad then took out a joint from behind his ear. He took out his lighter. "Conrad what are you doing," I asked kind of surprised. He replied, "What does it look like?" I asked, "You smoke now?" Conrad said while trying to light it, "Yeah I do."

I took it out of his mouth. He asked me frustrated, "What are you doing? Give it back." I said holding it in my other hand away from his grasp, "You shouldn't smoke." He replied, "It's not like I'm playing football anymore. So, it doesn't even matter." I sat up straighter, "You quit football?"

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah I did. So what?" My eyes widened. I asked, "I thought you loved it?" He corrected me, "No Julia. My dad loved it. I only did it to please him." Conrad continued, "Now give it back." I said, "No I won't give it back."

"Conrad what's wrong? You can tell me," I told him firmly. His eyes softened for a second. But I saw the look fade from his face. "Nothings wrong. Sometimes people just change," he said defensively but I could tell he was lying. He reached over for it but I just tightened my grip.

"Please Conrad," I said. I had meant it too. He could tell by my voice. I could tell he wanted to take it anyway. But, he stopped and put his hands up. "Fine fine I'll not smoke," he said. I felt relieved. I sank back down into the sand. I didn't realize he had gotten so close. But, it didn't matter now because he was going back to where he was sitting before. It was quiet for what felt like forever.

He looked down at the sand. "I'm sorry Juliana. I just have personal stuff okay?" I met his eyes and smiled. I replied, "It's okay." I wanted to ask him again what was going on, but I knew he wouldn't tell me. "I'm going to go eat breakfast. Wanna come with," I asked while standing up brushing the sand off my shorts. He said, "I'm good I'm just going to sit out here awhile longer."

I nodded and started walking away. I was really worried about him.

__________________

      It was later in the day and Jeremiah and I had gone to the farmers market up the road to pick up fresh fruit and flowers. I pushed the cart around while he followed behind. "Did we get grapes," he asked as he read the list.

"Yes we got grapes," I replied while walking over to the flowers. There were daisies in a bundle in the corner. I knew Susannah would love them. I picked them up and put the flowers in the cart. Jeremiah was looking around and asked nonchalantly, "So what kind of flowers does Victoria like?" I turned to him. I said, "I think she likes pink tulips. Why do you ask?"

He said, "I just thought it would be nice to get some for her and leave them on her nightstand." A smile spread on my face. I asked, "Do you have a thing for my sister Jere?" He got super nervous which that never happens. It's Jeremiah Fisher for gods sake he is always super confident. I've rarely ever seen him like this. "I just wanted to do something nice! Okay?"