the summer you noticed me ↠ conrad fisher {1}

t w e n t y - s i x

I'm sitting next to Belly. My smile is so big, and I'm holding myself back from screaming what the present is before she even opens it.

I look over at Conrad who's sitting in the arm chair facing us. We're all sitting in a circle angled towards Belly who's opening gifts. Conrad holds a hand up to his face and covers his grin, and I can tell because he's getting a kick out of my reaction.

I look back at Belly just as she pulls out a pink bathing suit. "Ah!" I scream and cover my mouth.

  "Awe, Claire. I love it! But didn't I see you wearing like a purple version of this bathing suit last week?"

     I smile sheepishly, "I wanted to match," I admit.

     She squeals, and hugs me tightly. "So cute! I love it! Thank you!"

      "Okay Belly, open mine next!" Susannah cuts in. I'm glad she did because we probably could of gone back and forth like that for awhile.

     Susannah hands her a box, and when Belly opens it it's pearls. I've never truly seen pearls in person. I've seen them in movies on rich people, and modern day grandma's but never in person. They are so cute, I didn't expect to like them this much.

Susannah comes over to put the necklace on Belly, and I find that as my cue to go back to my seat on the floor. I prop myself up in between Conrad's legs. He leans forward so that he's towering over me, his hand moves it's way onto my shoulder and the goosebumps find their way across my skin.

I sink back into him, because I can never be too close and watch as Steven throws Belly's present at her. Then it's Conrad's turn, and he hands her a small box. I already know what it is, it's a keychain for good luck for her drivers test. I know what it is because I helped him pick it out.

Lastly we have Jeremiah, I'm honestly curious to see what he got her. He's been really quiet this whole interaction, he hasn't even really moved. His eyes are downcast focusing on the table in front of him.

     "Jere?" Susannah smiles. "Your turn." I look at Belly and she's smiling widely.

     I know anything he gets her she'll love, just because it came from him. "Uh," he mumbles. "Sorry I forgot," I gasp, involuntarily. Conrad squeezes my shoulder as a warning, don't get in the middle.

      "Oh, it's fine," Belly smiles but I can see the tears rimming her eyes. My heart drops for her. I glare at the back of Jeremiah's head as he stands. I wish I could shoot laser beams because I would totally do that in this moment. "I wasn't expecting anything," Belly finishes. 

      "Sorry, I have work. I got to go, happy birthday Bells." Jeremiah says avoiding eye contact with anyone in the room.

     I look over at Belly and see her rubbing her legs lightly. It looks like she's about to have a full breakdown, and no one deserves to feel that way on their birthday, especially her.

      "Hey!" I grin, snapping her gaze to me. "Let's go driving! You can drive my car!"

*   *   *

My cousin is just learning how to drive too. She's the same age as Belly and back home I let her drive my car in parking lots. Since it's Belly's birthday, and Jeremiah is an ass who I plan on killing later, I'm feeling brave and letting her drive my car on the main road.

She isn't doing bad, but I'm still nervous. My car is my baby. It was my first big girl purchase. I've always had everything given to me by my parents, but knowing I didn't want that my whole life I saved; every single penny I'd find on the ground, every birthday my cash went into my bank account rather then spend it on knickknacks that I'd forget about in a week, every time my parents gave me money when they went away for food I'd just find something in the house to eat.

I bought my car when I got my permit. I wanted a car that was mine. I didn't want to use my parents car my first year of driving just for them to possibly get a new one before my test and mess up everything. Jumping from car to car sounds horrible, I wanted something stable. My little 2019 Chevy cruise is stable. I love her, she does what I need her too and I don't have to worry about her breaking down because as long as I take care of her she'll last the seven year car payment, if not more.

     I know seven years sounds like a long time for a car payment but considering all of this money I had saved was from birthdays and what not, I clearly don't have $20,000 saved up to pay a car in full let alone go over $260 a month for a car. So I picked the seven year plan.

      Belly is stopping at a red light and it was the worst stop ever. We jolt forward and she looks over at me with a sheepish smile.

     "So," I say changing the subject. I attempt to let go of the door but I feel safer holder on. Like maybe I can protect my baby from here. "Are you excited for Taylor to come today?" I smile.

      I have met Taylor a few times over the years, and we talked occasionally when Belly and her are hanging out and I'm on the phone. Some may think it's rude to FaceTime someone else when you're hanging out with another but Belly knows my situation and Taylor has always made me feel welcome no matter what but sometimes she becomes a lot. I always find myself hanging more with the guys that week of every summer when she comes. I also try to let Belly have alone time with her since I get her every other day during the summer.

"Yeah, uh, of course. So excited," Belly says. I have to hold back from laughing in her face because that sounded so strained.

"You sure?" I giggle.

"Look, she's my best friend in the whole world," she pauses and looks at me real quick. "Second to you of course but hum, I mean, you know how Taylor is like hm," she pauses and shrugs her shoulder. "Like a hurricane," I smile because I don't think I've never heard someone being called a hurricane as a good thing, but somehow Belly proved me wrong. She meant it in the best way.

"Oh yeah," I agree. "Hurricane Taylor."

We laugh for a moment before Belly sighs and turns serious. "I guess I always feel like," she pauses and her face scrunches up like she does when she's upset and trying to process her feelings. Feel like the supporting character around her." She tightens her grip on the steering wheel. "Normally I don't mind."

"But it's your birthday," I finish for her. Her face unbunches a bit. I missed her. I love that she's talking to me about this, and we can still be Belly and Claire even if I'm dating Conrad now. "And you're the main character, Belly, not her."

She looks over at me again. "Thanks, Claire," she looks a moment too long and Swerves to the wrong side of the road.

"Whoops," she smiles sheepishly at me.

"Belly, we're gunna need a part two to this driving lesson, okay!" I say, grasping the car door for dear life.

"And part three and part four!" She agrees. And we both laugh as she pulls onto the side of the road, and we're still laughing when we switch and I take the spot behind the wheel.