Mirrors

Chapter 2

"So do you have a boyfriend?" Belly asked. She sat next to me sipping lemonade on the deck. I shook my head no. "Hmmm bummer. There's a party tonight you'll definitely meet someone there." She says very sure of herself. I was confused on why it was so important to her. Suddenly she snapped her head to across the backyard.

"Conrad are you eavesdropping?" Belly asked annoyed. Conrad was sitting by the pool trying not to be noticed. "No I was just looking for something I lost" he said quickly before walking back inside. Although he had an excuse I did not believe it for one second.

"He's so weird right. Anyways I think Jeremiah likes you." Belly says quickly. I rolled my eyes tired of whatever Belly was saying. "He's a human golden retriever I don't think so Belly. I'm going inside." I said quickly before disappearing inside also.

I felt guilty for leaving abruptly but I couldn't deal with more drama this summer.
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Before I knew it, it was time for dinner. We all gathered around the large oak dining table in the summer house. I sat right in between Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly and Laurely were right across from me.

The boys continued to be boys and were showing off and telling us all about their summer plans. Belly was poking fun at Steven per usual. I couldn't help but think that Steven and Jeremiah would grow up to be the perfect frat boys one day.

"Oh god I'm too sober for this." Belly said holding her temples. The two older women at the table laughed at Belly. "Sweetie you don't even drink." Laurel said in between laughs.

Belly rolled her eyes playfully and cracked a smile. "Well maybe I should start" she replied quickly and laurels eyes widened. She gave Belly a don't you dare think about it face which caused us all to laugh.

After much more bickering Jeremiah spoke again. "Bonfire tonight?" He asked looking at the two boys at the table. A smug smile appeared on Belly's face and her eyes darted between the boys.

Conrad nodded his head absently. He looked almost tired and uninterested in the conversation. He hadn't spoken to me again since I have settled in. Although I was not proud of it, I was dying to know what was going on inside his head.

"I'm going too" Belly said confidently. Steven scoffs clearly annoyed. Susannah and Laurel exchange glances. "No you're not!" Steven quickly said.

Laurel huffed at her bickering children. Although she appeared annoyed, she seemed almost content with her two children. "Belly may go as long as Caroline also goes." Laurel stated calmly.

Belly crossed her arms and stared at me. She awaited her response without saying anything. I raised my eyebrows at the fiery girl.

"I'll go... if that's okay" I said glancing at the two boys besides me. Conrad looked me up and down pursing his lips. It was almost as if he was angry with me for my decision.

"Awesome! Get to show off our girl." Jeremiah said winking at me. I couldn't hold in my laughter but Conrad did not fuck d it funny.
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I walked far behind Belly to the big crowded bonfire. The boys were long gone way ahead of us. I secretly hoped to find a secluded spot to hang out and people watch.

I wandered around slowly looking for a drink. My eyes landed on Conrad playing tonsil hockey and with a Boston Red Socks cap. I grimaced at the girls choices.

They broke apart quickly and she smiled not taking her eyes off him. His eyes immediately met my body but he refused to meet my eyes. Conrad is frowning at the sight at me making me extremely self conscious.

"Red Sox? Super bad taste Conrad. We all know the Dodgers are way better." I said quickly. My eyes widened, I had no clue why I just said that. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as the girl scowls at me.

"Whatever Caroline. What do you want?" He said annoyed. "Nothing from you" I replied walking away soon after.

Belly was talking to a guy by the bonfire and they appeared to be getting cozy. I found a secluded spot to settle down and sat for a moment. I took the party in and saw Conrad looking in my direction, I had no idea what he was doing. Steven was talking to a pretty girl at the party and Jeremiah was off showing off somewhere.

Suddenly an uproar caught my attention. Conrad Fischer was in a fight with two random guys and Belly was on the ground. I rushed over to help.

Belly was holding her face and I took her over to the ice bucket. "What are you doing Belly!" I raised my voice. I took a cold beer can and held it against her cheek.

"Thanks" she mumble holding the cold can. "I just wanted to help Conrad." She said quietly.

"I think he's okay Belly. Look he's coming over here." I said nodding over to him.

"You should've listened to me." He said looking over at Belly. She rolled her eyes at him. I became slightly annoyed that Belly was hurt because of him.

"Stop being a dick" I replied. He raised his eyebrows at me not saying anything.

"We're leaving now... cops are here" Jeremiah said appearing out of nowhere. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw flashing eyes and people were beginning to disperse.

I nodded following Jeremiah to his jeep. Conrad and Belly trailed behind me. They began bickering about Belly wanting to leave with the cute boy she had just met.

I was too tired to be here. There was too many things going on making me wanna go home. I slid in the backseat and the boys were bickering with Belly about her trying to leave outside the car.

I curled up into a ball and waited. They finally finished their discussions and we began to leave. Conrad slumped in the back with me. A scowl sat bc on his face and belly refused to look back at him. Jeremiah truly didn't care.

When we had just made our way, Jeremiah had an unreadable expression on his face. "Steven! We forgot Steven!" He said panicked. I so badly wanted to go home but we went back. Jeremiah went to go find him while we waited in the car.

It was silent between the three of us. The peace was interrupted by a knock on the window. A policewoman stood at the window.