The Summer She Turned Pretty

Again

I could've hung out with Devin all summer, maybe even longer. But what I knew kind of ruined it. Even if we weren't official it was obvious we were together. And something was happening with Conrad again. Like last summer. It just didn't feel right with Devin anymore. 

"I kinda saw this coming," Devin mumbled. "When uh, you figured out what happened at the party." 

"Yeah." I fumbled with my fingers. 

"I'm sorry, I just don't know what I was thinking- I wasn't thinking. I think I really hurt you, and I like you a lot but, I don't deserve you. I obviously know who you're meant to be with though. I think you know too." He ranted. "I didn't mean to hurt you." 

"I know. Um...I'm bummed. But umm.. I'll be fine. I think we should be with the people we really want to be with. I think we kind of forced this on ourselves." He nodded. 

"I hope he treats you right." I nod. 

We sat there for a little longer until I left. Feeling like a weight had been lifted. On the bike ride back, I thought about a lot. About Conrad mainly. 

Once I got to the backyard I found Jere laying down, shirtless with leaves in his hair. "Hey, what's with the crown?" I ask. 

"My mom's about to paint me as Hermes, messenger of the gods."

"Cool." Susannah hasn't done my portrait yet, but I can't wait for her too. I looked around the yard as if Conrad would be hiding behind a bush. 

"Who you looking for?" Jere asked me. 

"Um, I thought maybe Conrad would be back by now." Jere sat up and sighed. 

"Where have you been?" 

"I uh, had a picnic with Devin." 

"Oh, cute. How is Devvy?" 

"I don't think we're gonna hang out anymore." 

"Oh." Jere pouted. I nodded. "Well, poor herbivore." 

I laughed, "You guys were never gonna let that go." 

"No." Jere chuckled. "For the record, I liked him. And you don't look that upset. But if you are, this little nugget will cheer you up. Our moms-- high-key stoned right now." He nodded his head toward the house. 

I shook my head, "No way!" 

"Yeah." He laughed. "All our favorite snacks are gone." 

Jere and I snuck inside, peeking our heads around the corner of the kitchen. 

I heard Susannah shout, "I'm hungry. We should make lasagna." I saw all of the food scattered around the kitchen, a lot of wrappers. 

My mom gasped, "I love lasagna." 

"Shoot! I need to go shopping." Susannah yelled, looking in the fridge. 

Jere and I looked at each other with amazement. This was so funny to watch. They kept on eating and eating random things in the pantry and fridge. 

"Holy shit," I murmured

"I told you." Jere smiled. 

Suddenly my mom screamed, "Oh! Our beautiful babies!" They caught us. 

"Oh, look at them!" Susannah said over her. We slowly came out of our hiding spot laughing. "Oh, they're so cute!" She pointed at Jere, "Mm, you come with me. I got to get you while the lights still good." Jere put his hands on his hips smirking. 

"Okay, mom, well, let's do that." She came up to give him a kiss on the cheek. It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. As Jeremiah was leaving he looked back at me laughing.