Speak now (Conrad Fisher)

Chapter ONE

Like clockwork, Poppy woke up as they turned into cousins after three hours of sleep. It was like her body knew where they were. She was home. Belly had texted her a few minutes before saying they had just entered cousins. The two of them had been planning this summer for months. And when it was finally here, it almost didn't feel real.

"Are you excited to see the others?" Her mom asked, breaking the silence that had been there almost the entire car ride.

"Yeah, especially Susannah," she said before looking back to the backseat to see if her brother was listening, but he wasn't. He was still sleeping.

"I know, baby. But you have to remember what we talked about, the others can't know, especially the boys"

Poppy found out that Susannah was sick again at the same time as her mother. Her mother made her promise not to tell anyone. Not Belly or Steven, and especially not Jeremiah or Conrad. And it was eating her alive. She only ever had one secret from Belly. She always told her everything, well except for that thing that happened last summer before everyone went home.

"Just see it as some peace before the storm. When we look back at this summer, don't you want nice memories to look back at instead of an entire summer of being sad? " All she did was nod. She knew what the mothers wanted, and it was sweet of them to do it for all the kids, but she hated that they made her a part of the lie.

"And I know you and Belly have plans for the summer, but if I know Susannah right, she is going to ask you both to be debs. I want you to at least consider it, Poppy, " her mother said as they made the last turn into the house. Laurel and Susannah were standing in the driveway, talking by their car. As soon as the car stopped, Poppy ran out of it straight to them. They both laugh, hugging her back as she pressed herself in between them, holding a tight grip around them both.

"Pop, baby. Give them some room to breathe. " she backed away from them and gave a nervous smile.

"Sorry." They smiled at her. Susannah cup Poppy's cheeks with both her hands, rubbing her blushing cheeks. She was about to say something when a scream from what sounded like Belly caught her attention.

"Go," Susannah said, and Poppy could feel how her cheeks pressed against Susannah's thumbs as she smiled wider than before. Poppy ran as fast as she could to the backyard. Just as she rounded the corner, she saw Belly flying in the air into the pool.

"You are seriously doing a Belly flop without me," Poppy said, bringing the boys' attention to her. Steven and Jeremiah started to run towards her, and she opened my arms for them only to run around them, jumping straight into the pool with Belly.

Belly jumped on Poppy as soon as she reached the surface, pushing her back down again. Steven and Jeremiah returned to the poolside and watched as Poppy got her revenge on Belly. Poppy swam to the bottom, grabbed her by her ankles, and pulled her under. A few seconds later, they reconnected at the surface and embraced each other.

"I missed you, birthday present," Poppy said as she pushed herself closer to the side of the pool where the boys were standing.

"I miss you too, my birthday twin." Belly was born on Poppy's first birthday. Amelia and Laurel decided they would spend every birthday together. And they have and always will. Belly was Poppy's special present.

Poppy jumped up on the ledge and quickly stood. Before Steven could react, she wrapped herself around him, giving him a big wet hug.

"Poppy seriously," he yelled, and Jeremiah started laughing. She
quickly turned to look at him.

"What are you laughing at, Jere?" She smiled wide. Jeremiah started running, but Poppy quickly caught up to him and tackled him to the ground, shaking her wet hair in his face. They started wrestling for some time before they heard a big splash. Both of them turned only to see Conrad in the pool, and Jeremiah and Poppy shouted with joy as Belly pulled him in.