The Summer I Fell

tradition

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The honking of a car horn signified the Conklin's arrival, Susannah smiling excitedly.
"They're here!" She called out, watching Jeremiah jog down the staircase. Jewel moved toward the door, impatient to see Belly and Steven once again. Jeremiah was the first outside, greeting Laurel with a tight hug.
"Long time no see." He laughed, a smile plastered on his face as he welcomed her back.
"Good to see you." Laura smiled, releasing him from the hug.
"Hey, Bells!" Jewel called out, moving toward the girl with a hug.
"Hi!" Belly greeted, wrapping Jewel in a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're here, one more hour with Jeremiah and Conrad and I would've lost my mind." Jewel joked, earning a playful glare from Jeremiah.
"Look who came back all grown up." Jeremiah laughed, picking Belly up in a hug and spinning her.
"Oh, put me down." Belly laughed, hitting his shoulder playfully.
"Jewel." Steven called out, capturing the attention of the pair. The two left Belly side for a moment, Steven and Jewel exchanging a hug.
"Did you grow?" Laurel asked from behind her, wrapping her in a hug as she turned.
"Maybe a little." She smiled, happily accepting the growth.
"I don't know she looks the same to me." Jeremiah teased, leaning his arm on the girl's head. Jewel swatted his arm away as they laughed, Steven slapping his arm a moment later.
"Hey, guys. I mean, I don't know about you, but I... Well, I think it's time for a... For a..." Steven began, smirking as he looked at Jeremiah.
"Belly flop!" Jeremiah and Steven yelled in unison, Steven reaching forward to try to grab Belly as she ran.
"No! No! She's quick!" Steven rambled as Belly got loose, the boys following after her to grab the girl.
"Belly flop! Belly flop!" They cheered as they carried her toward the pool.
"Right here, right here. All right, ready?" Jeremiah asked, prompting the boys to start counting.
"Jewel, help me!" Belly laughed, despite knowing the girl would do nothing.
"Sorry Bells, it's tradition." She excused, amused by the yearly ritual they do at the start of every summer.
"One... Two... Three!" They counted in unison, throwing Belly as far as they could into the pool. Jewel laughed as Belly hit the water, watching as the girl came back up to the surface. Jewel felt a pair of arms around her stomach before she could protest, Jeremiah lifting her.
"Don't you dare!" She laughed, struggling helplessly before Jeremiah jumped in with her. The water was a stark contrast against her warm skin, soaking her clothes as they made contact. Jeremiah got them both back to the surface, still only inches apart.
"How's the water?" Steven asked, Conrad and him laughing at the three of them.
"Guys, I think I hurt my ankle. Come on." Belly scolded, swimming to the edge of the pool.
"Got you." Conrad volunteered, stepping forward to give her a hand. Their hands met for only a moment before Belly was pulling him into the water with her.
"Belly!" Conrad shouted playfully as he made his way back to the surface, grabbing the girl and pulling her under once again. It was only when the distractions ceased that the two truly noticed how close they were together.
"Did your mom get that fancy cheese or whatever...?" Steven asked, looking toward Jeremiah.
"Uh...yeah, dude, don't worry. She went out yesterday and got all of that." Jeremiah confirmed, clearing his throat as his hand left her. They both swam toward the edge of the pool, Steven handing them towels as they got out.
"Hey, do you want to go surfing with Belly and I? It'll give you a chance to practice." Jeremiah suggested to Jewel, who furrowed her eyebrows. She hadn't told Jeremiah she didn't have any intentions of doing the tournament this year. 
"Actually, I think I'm just gonna jump in the shower." She answered, Jeremiah nodding halfheartedly at the denial. She wasn't sure why she never told him. Maybe because she didn't want to disappoint anybody?
"I'll see you when you get back." She reassured him, watching as Jeremiah nodded.