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CHAPTER TWENTY
✧.* NOT MY PLACE ✧.*

Juliette walked out of the back doors, steeping down the small steps as she made her way to the back, deeply wanting to take a stroll on the beach.

She averted her eyes as she saw Steven laying on one of the couches, looking at his phone.

Belly and Laurel had took Taylor to the bus stop, Juliette giving the girl a quick goodbye as she decided she'd rather stay home.

"What, did Taylor leave?" Steven asked, making Juliette turn her head towards him as she stopped walking.

She cocked a brow, "Why? Do you want to go make out with her some more?"

"Juliette, don't give me sh¡t. All right? I feel bad enough." Steven scoffed, shaking his head as she sat up, resting his elbows on the tops of his knees.

"You should." Juliette replied flatly, sitting across from him with folded hands, "She really likes you."

Steven nodded, rolling his lips into his mouth, "Yeah, I know. Look, just... Can you please... please not tell anyone?"

"You mean Shayla?" Juliette hummed, nodding her head, "Not that you deserve this right now... She seems really into you."

"I don't... I don't know, I just feel like she's used to being with, like... you know, like, the kind of guys who were at Nicole's party last night." Steven admitted shyly, his cheeks growing red with embarrassment.

Juliette felt for him, attempting to reassure him, "Yeah, but weren't you a guy at Nicole's party last night?"

"I guess I mean she's used to... guys who treat her like a queen. You know? And I don't got it like that." Steven pointed out, flicking his dark eyes between hers.

"So, you were feeling insecure, and that's why you hooked up with Taylor?" Juliette pulled her lips to the corner of her mouth.

He nodded, "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I guess."

"Yeah. I won't tell anyone. Just don't fuck up again." She patted his leg gently, him stifling a chuckle as she walked away.

The doubles doors squeaked as she opened them, the house seemingly empty as she strolled over to the kitchen, deciding against walking to the beach alone.

She noticed the plate wrapped in aluminum, her smile coming across her face as she unwrapped it, the stack of pancakes sitting freshly.

Juliette placed two candles on the food, leaning on her arms as she shut her eyes, blowing out the flame.

"What'd you wish for?" A voice asked, making her open her eyes and jump up, she spun around.

Conrad stood, a smirk on his lips as she held her hand to her heart, clearly startled, "Jesus, Connie. You scared the shit out me."

"Sorry." He apologized with a laugh, sitting on a barstool diagonal from her, "So, are you excited for the fourth."

"No." Juliette replied with a low groan, "My dad's coming."

Conrad's eyes widened, "He's coming?"

"Yeah..." Juliette fought the urge to roll her eyes, shaking her head as she stared down at the pancakes, "He just felt like since the other dads are coming he might as-well."

"Are you upset about him coming?" Conrad asked, peering over at her as she simply shrugged.

Juliette rolled her lips into her mouth, her eyes dancing all over the kitchen counter in thought, "I..I don't know. I mean, I'm glad he's coming but being here is also a break from home and stuff. It sounds dumb."

"No, it doesn't." Conrad shot back, making her glance over at him, "I get it. I kinda don't want my dad to come either. Just less stressful when he's not here."

"Yeah. I like Mr. Fisher though." Juliette frowned slightly, making Conrad scoff, "Conrad, stop it."

Conrad laughed gently at her, "Alright, alright. I'll try to be nice. Uh, I hope you had a good birthday by the way."

"Oh, um, yeah. Could've been better but it's whatever." Juliette swallowed, averting her eyes from his bright ones.

"Well, we always got next year." Conrad patted her hand, making her chuckle as he stood, "I'll see you later. Gotta go help tie some knots."

Juliette leaned up against the counter, smiling at him as he walked through the doorway, "Have fun!"

He sent her two thumbs up, turning back around as he exited the home, she sat in the kitchen alone again, but this time with a large, stupid grin on her face.

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