↳ TIDAL WAVES ༉‧₊˚✧ C.F

39

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
✧.*CANCER ALWAYS WINS.✧.*

Juliette sat at the edge of the bed, hearing Belly and Laurels cry's from her room. She stared blankly at the ground, tears staining her cheeks.

Numb. This feeling was something she'd experienced before. Right when she found out her mothers cancer came back. She counted the hardwoods cracks ten times, her throat growing dry, eyes blurring.

Her door creaked as it opened, she didn't bother to tear her eyes from the floor, not even as the bed sank beside her, as soon as the floral perfume hit her nose, she knew it was Susannah.

Susannah's cold hands reached for hers, holding them tightly as she sniffled, placing them against her cheek, "Julie? Look at me."

Juliette tore her eyes from the ground, holding back a breathe as she locked eyes with the women she considered her mother.

"I should've told you." Susannah croaked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I wish you would've." Juliette hummed, shaking her head, shoulders shrugging slightly, "Part of me knew. I...I just didn't want to believe it was true. I feel so selfish. I've been worrying about myself all summer while you've been suffering in silence."

Susannah nodded, rubbing her thumb along her knuckles, blinking away her tears, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. But you're not selfish. That's how I wanted it. I didn't want you to worry about me. I wanted one last summer. I'm gonna do the trial. I'm gonna do everything I can. For you, for the boys, for Belly, and Laurel. And for this house."

Juliette hugged the woman tightly, knowing no words would be able to smooth this, or maybe it was the fact she had nothing to say. She only had to accept it. This was life, "This isn't our last summer."

Susannah had left her once more, urging the girl to join them for dinner in five, Juliette wasn't sure if she'd even be able to move from her spot, practically sinking into the bedsheets.

Three knocks were placed at her door, she was sure it was Susannah, turning her head, but it wasn't her. Conrad stood at the doorway, his black suit wrinkled, cheeks red, eyes puffy.

He let himself in, sitting beside her with silence. Holding his bottom lip between his two fingers as he puffed out air.

"I'm sorry." Juliette broke the silence, her unexpected apology making him glance at her, "I'm sorry that you had to carry that alone."

Conrad swallowed, eyes still glued to her side profile, "That's not your fault. I wanted you to enjoy your summer. Sorry if I ruined it."

"Ruined it? How would you ruin it?" Juliette finally looked at him, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"For exploding on you, treating you like shit, pushing you away." Conrad mumbled, more to himself.

Juliette glanced down, grabbing his cold hand, "I understand, Con. I understand what you're going through. I'd never be mad at you."

He smiled. It was a sad smile. And it broke her heart.

"Thank you." Conrad nodded, patting her hand that cupped his, "Do you wanna eat dinner?"

"Please." She nearly groaned, the boy laughing as he helped her off the bed, the two wiping their tears as they walked down the stairs.

Jeremiah, Steven, Laurel, Susannah, and Belly sat at the dinner table, Conrad and Juliette joining them as food was being passed around.

Juliette sat, taking in this moment. As she didn't know what is coming now. The trails, Conrad going to college, leaving the summer house, it was a moment she dreaded since she was a kid. Her growing fear of loosing Cousins beach.

Susannah's bright smile flashed her, passing her the leftover bowl of ice cream, the girl gladly finishing it, the cold taste of vanilla on her tongue.

After dinner, Laurel and Susannah cleaned up, Jeremiah, Belly, and Steven sat on the couch, talking about nonsense.

They talked for hours, conversations about things they hadn't talked about in years. The sun began to rise, showing them how much they'd been chatting for.

Juliette took this opportunity to go to the one place she loved them most, and that was the beach. With everyone preoccupied with cleaning the house or even sleeping, it gave her the alone time she craved. Finding herself busy the entire summer.

Feeling the sand between her feet as she made her way down to the beach, the large knitted sweater practically a dress on her. She sunk into the sand, not caring about the way it prickled her legs or stuck to her skin.

Cousins was home. The people were home. She gazed out into the water just a few feet ahead of her, watching as the sunrise reflected onto the water, it was silent. The only noise was the small waves crashing against the surface.

A few seconds later she was joined by someone, the familiar sent of vanilla hitting her nose, and she knew exactly who it was.

She kept her eyes on the ocean, holding her knees to her chest, "I can't believe she said yes. You did it. You changed her mind."

"Oh, it wasn't me. It was Jere. He did it." Conrad swore, staring at her side profile, he swallowed, "Julie, I'm sorry for being so shitty all summer again."

This time, she looked to him, "I mean, you were going through all this alone. I can't blame you. I just wish you would've told me."

"I wanted to." Conrad nodded, "I almost did a couple of times."

For a few seconds that sat in silence, staring at one another. Juliette could feel her heart begin to race, just like when she was ten and he held her hand for the first time. That giddy feeling when your crush talks to you. She glanced down.

Conrad was her weakness.