Where Sophia Conklin finally reaches her breaking point and falls into a downward spiral.
Sophia Conklin is the middle child. Every summer her family would go to Cousins with the Fishers. In the months leading up to summer, Sophie Conklin would be...
My mom shakes me awake. I slowly flutter my eyes open to see the Fisher's beach house.
Jeremiah is the first to welcome us, first running and hugging my mother with his usual smile etched on his face.
Between both brothers, Jeremiah has always been the more energetic and friendly. I don't think I've ever seen him not happy.
I start to get out of the car as I see my mom and Susannah hugging. They'd known each other since they were nine, and I would always think that they were platonic soulmates.
As I walked toward Jeremiah, he ran up to me to give me a huge bear hug.
"Soph! Great to see you" Jeremiah exclaimed.
" Wow Jere," I said as I stepped back to look at him," you got taller, and I see you've grown some muscles too. I guess football really whipped you into shape."
" Look at me, look at you, you look amazing."
" Aw, thanks, Jere."
"Oh my god," I heard Susannah yell as she hugged me. She pulled away just so she can hold my face with her hands," you look gorgeous honey, you look all grown up now."
" Really, I feel the same."
" No honey, you look different. You're in bloom."
With that I just smiled, Susannah always had a way of saying things that almost makes me believe her.
Just then, I see Conrad walking out through the back. My heart stopped. I didn't know why, he just seem different. He walked towards Belly.
" I liked you better with glasses," Conrad told belly with a smirk.
" Too bad, I like me better without them," Belly replied.
The thing about Belly and Conrad is that Belly had had a crush on Conrad since she was like 10. Everyone could see it except Conrad, he just saw her as a little sister.
I walked inside with my luggage, unpacking all my stuff into my closet and drawers. I could hear laughing, as I looked out the window I could see Belly getting launched into the pool. The boys loved it, every year, once we arrived they would do the annual Belly Flop to start off the summer. I just laughed as I continued to unpack.
When I finished, I changed into a blue bikini so I could go outside and relax. I brought a towel and a book in case I wanted to read.
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As I walked out, Susannah shouted," Don't forget sunscreen."
" I didn't," I said holding up my tote bag.
She just gave me a thumbs up and said," Have fun sweetie."
At the beach, I laid down my blanket a bit far from shore so that the tide wouldn't reach me. I lay on my stomach with my legs crossed as I began reading.
After about thirty minutes I flipped over so I could get an even tan. Just as I got comfortable laying on my back, a boy started walking over to me.
" Hey, mind if I sit," the boy asked.
" By all means, it's not like I own the beach," I said with a smile.
" You have a nice smile."
" Thanks," I said as my cheeks started to turn pink.
" So, what are you reading."
" Oh um, A Good Girls Guide to Murder."
" What, so are you planning a murder?"
" Maybe," I said smiling as I finally got a good look at him. He was cute, with brown eyes, brown hair, and a perfect smile.
He laughed," So there's this bond fire tonight, you should come."
" I don't know it's not really my scene," I told him honestly.
I've never really been a party type of person. Sure I've gone to a few, but only because my brother forced me to go.
" Please, it'll be fun and if it isn't I'll take you straight home."
"Okay, fine," I said oddly excited and with a smile plastered all over my face.
" Loren, it's time for dinner," someone yelled from a house in the distance.
"Shit," he said quietly and then turned to me," alright I got to go but I'll see you there right?"
" Yeah, I'll see you there."
Then he left running away towards what I assumed to be his house. Once he was out of sight I decided it was a good idea to go home, since they were probably going to eat soon.
Arriving in the kitchen, I asked," Hey where is everyone?"
" Belly and Jeremiah are at the beach, and Conrad and Steven are somewhere" Susannah answered.
" Hey, mom, can I go to the bond fire tonight," I asked getting anxious that she'd say 'no'.
" Of course, the boys can give you a ride, since they are also going," she said feeling happy that her daughter was finally going out and enjoying her adolescence.
" Okay thanks, now do you need any help with the food," I asked since I always liked to be useful.
" Yes, can you," my mom answered," You can help by cooking the vegetables."
I nodded as I finally got to work. I loved being in the kitchen and the smell was amazing.
The first dinner in the beach house was always the same. Susannah and Mom would make Spicy Bouillabaisse. It had a lot of shrimp, crab legs, and squid.
