sun, sand, and summer

chapter 6

Belly and I swam and splashed for hours, pretending like we were little kids again. It was easier that way. When we tore ourselves away from the ocean to go clean up and eat lunch, Belly suggested that we visit the boys at the country club.

I couldn't think of a good excuse to say no, so we showered and got a ride from Laurel, who was on her way to a book signing. 

"Hey!" Jeremiah said, sounding surprised as he came out of a storage closet with towels.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the pool, like, stopping people from drowning?" I said with a laugh.

"Actually, Eve, I'm on break," he said with a smirk. "Any drowning kids are officially not my problem."

"Where's Steven?" Belly said, looking around.

"He's a chef."

"What?" Belly and I looked at each other, surprised.

Jeremiah laughed. "He's working at the snack shop. The hairnet looks great."

"Hairnet? Where's the snack shop!"

"I was just about to go get a smoothie. I'll take you there."

As we walked over, I couldn't help but notice the dirty looks that tanning girls in skimpy bikinis sent our way. Unsurprisingly, Jeremiah Fisher was quite the ladies' man. After what seemed to be a walk of shame, we finally arrived. Steven looked over at us and groaned. We all laughed.

"Steven, I never knew you looked that good in a hairnet," I teased.

"Shut up, Eve. What do you want."

"I'll have a strawberry smoothie," Belly said after she stopped laughing. I ordered a mango smoothie, and Jeremiah got a blueberry smoothie with fries.

"I don't think that really goes together, Jere," Belly said.

"You'll thank me later. These are the best fries ever, unless Steven messes them up."

"Yeah, yeah yeah. Here's your smoothies," Steven said, placing them on the counter.

"That was fast," I said, surprised.

"They're pre-made," Jeremiah said.

"Don't tell everyone our secrets," Steven scolded him.

We left Steven to deal with the loud family that came behind us, and sipped our smoothies as we walked around.

A guy came up to us, looking maybe 20. His breath smelled like beer. "Jeeerrrreeeee! You coming to the party tonight?"

"Dude, there was one last night."

"I know man, it was lit. But this is at that guy's house. You know, the one every year where everyone gets wasted?"

"Sure, maybe I'll see you there." Jeremiah said as we walked away from the obnoxious guy.

"Wow, such a party animal," Belly teased.

"I'm not going, I just didn't feel like talking to Greg all afternoon."

"Well, I am," Belly said, smiling proudly.

"What?" Jeremiah and I said in unison.

"Yep. I'm going with Cam." This was the first I had heard about it. Seeing the confused look on Jeremiah's face, I whispered "Latin guy."

"Belly, you're not going to the party with some guy you barely know."

"I've known him for five years," Belly protested. When she looked to me for support, I frowned.

"Sorry Bells, but I don't think it's such a good idea either," I said.

"Well, you aren't the boss of me! I'm going to the party, whether you want me to or not." Belly stormed off.

Jeremiah sighed and scratched his neck. "God, she can be so immature sometimes." He looked down at me. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I know you guys are friends."

"It's okay. You're not wrong," I said. Now that it was just us, I felt the butterflies come back.

"Okay, so. Here's the plan. We go to the party together, and keep an eye on Belly and her nerd boyfriend without them seeing us. That sound good?"

"Um, yeah. Sure," I said. Had Jeremiah just asked me to a party? No, I reminded myself. He's only going with you because he wants help spying on Belly.

"I should probably go find Belly," I said nervously.

"Yeah, sure. See you tonight," he said with a wave. 

---𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆---

omg sorry it took so long for another chapter! i have been like so uninspired to write this story for some reason lol. sorry i know this chapter was kinda boring, i promise we have more exciting stuff coming up! have a happy thanksgiving if you celebrate :)