Strangers ~ Conrad Fisher

sixteen

the next few days nothing really happened. We all hung out at the house and belly started to prepare for the deb ball getting closer.

we decided to throw a party while my mom and susannah were out at the bar, probably not going to be home anytime tonight.

As it got darker people started to show up. Jere invited all of his club friends and what seemed like every girl in cousins. I was surprised that him and steven knew so many people, even though they take up every opportunity to make friends.

I started to help belly set up the snacks while the boys got all the drinks. I watched as conrad reached into the cooler to grab a few beers.

He looked back up to find me staring at him. "want one?"

I nodded. He handed me the beer and walked back upstairs.

"what's up with him?" Belly asked me. "Are you two still not talking?"

"No, there's just nothing to talk about anymore." I responded shortly.

She nodded. I left the kitchen and headed outside to find some friends.

"hey vic." Jere greeted. I looked around to see who was all there. Jere was sitting next to gigi, who sat close to shayla and steven on the edge of the pool.

I sat and listened to their conversation casually adding to it when i could. I took my phone out of my back pocket to see the time. Wow, it's already 10:30.

I realized that conrad had not been down since the party started which was around 8:30. I was surprised, he normally took advantage of parties.

A few minutes went by before i noticed that people had left.

"you guys up for the hot tub?" Steven asked. The rest of us cheered. We took off our clothes to reveal our swimsuits, the boys wearing their normal swim trunks, Gigi in a bright blue bikini, Shayla in a red one, belly in purple, and myself in emerald green.

Every couple were sitting next to each other which left me alone. It normally doesn't bother me being by myself but tonight was different. I felt left out, every one looked so happy together.

"hey let's play truth or dare." steven suggested.

"oh come on, really?" shayla joked.

everyone laughed. "hey where's conrad, he hasn't hung out all night?" Cam asked.

"yeah he's been pretty MIA this summer." Jere said.

Everyone nodded. "I can go get him." i suggested. the rest agreed and continued talking. I climbed out of the hot tub and dried off for a few seconds before entering the house.

I grabbed 2 beers on the way in and headed up to his room. I got to his room and heard him playing his guitar which i hadn't heard him do since the last time i was in cousins. i stood in front of his door for a while before knocking so i could hear him play. He was amazing.

I raised my hand and knocked. The music stopped and a few seconds went by before he opened the door.

He looked me up and down for a few seconds before he walked away from the door towards his bed.

"hey, the rest of us are playing truth or dare in the hot tub and we want you to come hang out with us." i said raising the beers in my hand.

"truth or dare really?" he judged.

"Yeah it was Stevens idea."

"What are you guys? like 13?" he scoffed.

i sighed. "this was a mistake." i turned around and started to walk out of the door-

"i'll be down in a few."

I turned back to him, giving him a small smirk. I walked out and heading back downstairs to the kitchen to wait for him. A few minutes later he came down in his swim suit.

I handed him his beer and walked outside.

"Look who i found." i said smiling.

"Finally!" Steven cheered, His arm still around shayla.

I got back in and was surprised to see conrad following me, sitting besides me. Belly's head rested on Cams shoulder as he laughed with jere who's arm was around Gigi.

"okay let's start, shayla. truth or dare?" gigi started.

"um... truth."

"how many exes have you had?" she asked.

She looked at steven and giggled, "2."

"woww." my brother joked.

"okay, jere. truth or dare" shayla asked.

"Dare." he said confidently.

"i dare you to down that whole beer right now."

"bet." he said grabbing the beer. he turned it upside down and started to chug. it was gone in 6 seconds.

"Damn jere." Conrad spoke. The rest of us laughed. Jere followed with a gigantic burp.

"I think i'm gonna be sick."He laughed. "okay next, Vic. Truth or dare?"

I bit my lip. "truth."

"How many people have you slept with?" Jere questioned. everyone's gaze landed on me waiting for my answer. I looked around and soon i was looking at conrad.

"well what is it?" shayla asked.

"um, 1." i responded embarrassed.

"what no! it has to be way more." Gigi spat. "A pretty girl like you normally has like 4 or 5 bodies by now!"

"Nope only one." I laughed.

"we'll you can't keep us guessing, who was it?" Jere asked.

I gulped, "it was adam. At a party." Everyone opened their mouth in shock as i awkwardly smiled.

"you go girl." Gigi laughed.

I smiled and looked over to conrad sitting next to me. He stared at me with an upset look then looked down.

The game continued for a while until it was conrad's turn.

"Truth." he answered.

"Why didn't you invite nicole tonight?" Steven asked.

I looked over at him. I wanted to know the answer too.

He sat there thinking of an answer, "i broke up with her."

i furrowed my brows in confusion, they were hanging out a few days ago.

"what no way man." Steven said.

Everyone was shocked. They had seemed to be perfect for each other. Conrad nodded and we moved on. He acted like it was nothing, but i could tell something was bothering him.

A few turns went by and we decided to end the game. Every truth or dare turned into a conversation. Shayla had brung her speaker and was playing chase atlantic.

I was talking to Cam when we looked over to see my brother and shayla making out, next to them, Gigi and Jere doing the same.

"oh my God." i whispered. Cam laughed. I looked to my right to see conrad watching as the others were all over each other. I tapped him on his arm and motioned my head towards the house. He nodded.

I climbed out of the hot tub followed by conrad. "don't have too much fun you two." Cam teased.

i looked at him and smiled. "Shut up."

Conrad laughed and shook his head. He headed into the house first. I finished drying off and headed up to my room to get dressed.

———————————————————————————A/N- i would have continued the chapter but i didn't want it to be too long 😭