𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 - 𝘁𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 4

         It was 6 a.m. and my alarm was going off. It was the first birthday of the summer. Belly was officially turning 16! I was so excited to give her the gift I picked out. I bought her small gold hoops to put in her ears, a pack of six claw clips, and a bag of sour cherry candies we used to eat when we were little.

I put on a shirt because I had a tang top on. It was very hot when I went to bed last night. Victoria knocked on my door and opened it. "You ready to go out," she asked. We both loved birthdays. Belly was special to both of us. Being a twin growing up was hard. We had to share everything we got. Belly was one of the things we had to share.

I smiled and said, "Yes I'm ready." I walked out and Belly was standing there behind Victoria. I squealed quietly trying not to wake anyone. "Happy birthday Isabel," I whispered while hugging her. I let go and Victoria motioned us to come down the stairs.

We walked out the back and as soon as we shut the door I screamed. They both screamed too, we all ran super fast down to the ocean. It was a tradition to go to the beach early in the morning on birthdays.

The ocean waves were calm. We all ran to the edge of the water and stopped. I realized, "Guys I forgot to put on my bathing suit." Victoria put her hand to her mouth and said, "me too." Belly laughed and said, "me three." She continued, "Why don't we just swim in our bras and underwear?"

Victoria said, "But people would see us." Belly protested, "It's too early in the morning for anyone to see us out here. And it's my birthday after all." I looked over at the two of them. Victoria said, "Fine fine." I laughed and started to take off my shorts and t-shirt.

It was almost like one of those dreams where your standing in the middle of the classroom naked. But, I felt good and it was almost like being in a bathing suit.

I ran into the ocean and tackled Belly. We came up laughing and Victoria flopped down next to us. I pulled her down more into the water. It was so nice. The cold water hitting my skin was amazing. I kept splashing both of them. "Hey," Belly yelled as Victoria pushed her back in. Bells quickly got back up and splashed us with water.

We were out there for 30 minutes or so swimming and enjoying the morning. Taylor was coming from the airport that day to stay at the house for Belly's birthday. I didn't mind Taylor. She was fun to be around sometimes. But, she would make things about herself.

It was getting way too bright out. We were afraid people would see us. So, we went inside hoping no one was down. We were planning to sneak into the kitchen and up to our rooms to get changed. Belly kept on laughing as we went back inside. I'm glad she was happy.

Victoria opened the door and froze once we stepped in. I didn't know why so I followed her. I stopped too next to her. Laurel and Susannah were making pancakes with Jeremiah. Conrad was sitting at the table. My mom and Steven were cleaning the dishes. My face felt hot and I was embarrassed.

Steven was the first one to notice and started to laugh. My mom looked up and asked, "Why are you three in your underwear?" I shrugged and looked over at Conrad who was staring at me smiling slightly.

Jeremiah walked over and handed Victoria a towel. He eyed her, both me and Belly saw. I was so sick and tired of having everyone looking at us. I said, "Guys let's go get dressed." I grabbed Belly's hand and we walked away.

__________________

     We had opened presents earlier that morning. Victoria got her a gold necklace, a sweatshirt, and a pack of her favorite bubblegum. She loved her gifts.

I was in my room actually getting into my swimsuit this time. Victoria sat on my bed looking at her phone. I had music playing on my blue tooth speaker. "Jeremiah was looking at you." She laughed and set her phone down on her stomach. "No he was not," she said.

I rolled my eyes and fixed my bathing suit at the bottom. "Are you ready to go down," I asked. She nodded and put her phone on my charger. I walked over to my blue tooth speaker and turned it off.

We both walked down the stairs and out the door. I was surprised to see Nicole and Conrad sitting by the pool. She waved at me and I did the same. Just because I was a little jealous didn't mean her and I couldn't be friends. She said something to him that I didn't hear. Then, Nicole got up and left.

"Where is Nicole going," I asked. Conrad looked up at me and said, "She has to help set up for the deb tea tomorrow." My eyes grew wide and he laughed. I asked him, "There's a tea?" He nodded and swayed his legs in the water. I rolled my eyes while throwing off my shirt on to the ground.

Steven and Jere were in the pool on one end. Belly and Taylor were at the other end. Victoria jumped in the pool and swam over to them, I followed her. Taylor said, "Hey ladies. How's everything?" I answered, "I'm great thanks." Victoria replied, "I'm good."

Taylor turned her attention over to the boys. "I know your gossiping about us over there," she said with a flirty tone. Steven shouted back, "You wish!" She paused for a second and said, "We should play chicken." Belly looked down at the water and said unsurely, "I don't know.."

Taylor said, "Come on don't be a buzz-kill." Belly sighed, "Okay okay." Taylor got really excited and went over to the boys. "I call Jeremiah," she said. I turned to look at Victoria and she looked disappointed. Jeremiah said, "Actually I want to be partners with Vic." She smiled again and nodded.

Belly and Taylor were going to be partners with Steven. I was in the water while everyone else was talking. Belly turned to me and said, "But Julia doesn't have a partner." I said, "It's okay you should play it's your birthday. I can sit out." I was swimming toward the edge of the pool when Conrad said, "I'll be her partner." He took off his shirt and jumped into the water.

The first round was Taylor and Steven vs. Jere and Victoria. They were fighting pretty good for awhile but Taylor gave in and Victoria won. It was my turn now.

Conrad faced me and asked, "You ready?" His hair was dripping wet. I nodded and he turned away from me. I put my hands on his shoulders, his skin felt soft. He went under the water and let me get on him.

He came up and gripped his hand on my legs. It made me nervous. We have always hugged and stuff but he never touched me like this. Taylor and Steven stood in front of us. I grabbed her arms and started pushing. It was hard because she was slippery from the water. But, I slammed my hands on her one last time and she went down.

Conrad gave me a high five and adjusted his hands on my thighs. I sat on his shoulders, it was really nice. Taylor came up and shouted at me, "You cheated!" She was really angry. Taylor's face was really red. Conrad defended me, "No she didn't. Julia won the game. You are just mad because you lost." Taylor's eyes narrowed and she swam over to us.

Taylor put her hands on me and pushed me into the pool. I came up and shouted at her, "You're such a bitch. It's just a stupid game." She rolled her eyes. "Come on Bells let's go." Belly didn't move.

I was so mad I didn't want her to get the satisfaction. "Go to hell Taylor," I said while swimming away to the stairs. I pulled myself up and walked away.

I wish she never came.