it girl, conrad fisher

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄

The fourth of July in Cousins is all about traditions. Susannah and my mom deck out the whole house, the dad's come up for the weekend and the boys steam clams and shoot off fireworks. 

Not this year. 

My dad's not coming, and I doubt if Adam's coming as well. 

I think Conrad prefers it that way. 

So do I, in a way. Summer in Cousins was like an escape from reality. Escape from my parent's constant fighting. 

I got up early and Conrad went to help Cleveland so I decided to go for a run on the beach. It was relaxing, to watch the sun's reflection on the clear ocean waves. Eventually, I headed back to the house. 

"Are we done for the portrait?" Steven asks, walking into the house. 

"For today" Susannah says, smiling. "But you do look good in a dress shirt, Steven, which makes me think, if Belly doesn't hurry up and ask Cam to that ball, you should take her"

"Ew, no way" Belly says, disgusted.

"Steven aren't you going with Shaylie?" I ask, confused.

"No, no, no, yeah Em, I'm already going with Shayla" Steven explains, frowning at the thought of taking his sister. 

"To the debutante ball?" Laurel asks incredulously, walking into the kitchen with my mom. 

"Yes" Steven says, dragging the word out.

"As an escort" She repeats doubtfully, raising an eyebrow.

"Wrap your head around it mom, all right?"

"Shayla's coming today with Nicole and Gigi, so you'll have a chance to meet her Laurel. I invited them" I put in, smiling reassuringly at her. "She's great, I promise."

"That's wonderful" Susannah says, looking pleased. "Oh and Miss Covington's dance rehearsal is tomorrow, so uh- tick, tock" She says, looking at Belly. 

"I'm asking Cam today" Belly says, and Susannah smiles at her proudly. 

 "I don't know my kids anymore" Laurel says, exchanging glances with Susannah and my mom with a resigned air about her. 

"Wait, Laur, are you wearing makeup" My mom asks disbelievingly. 

"Yeah, she's wearing makeup" Susannah says excitedly. 

"Oh my... she definitely is" Steven crows. 

"So what, we're having a party" Laurel protests. 

"Mmhmm" My mom says, smiling knowingly.

"I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that John is coming to the clam bake" Susannah says innocently. 

"Oh please, the husbands always come for the fourth of July" Laurel says nonchalantly. 

I bite my lip as I am reminded of the fact that my father won't be coming. 

"He's not your husband anymore" Belly says from the table, with a bitter note in her voice.

"Oops, yeah, ex-husband" Laurel just brushes it off. It's funny, the divorce doesn't seem to have affected her much. Or at all. I guessing she just doesn't want to reveal her emotions, which I completely respect, because I tend to do it too. 

"I still don't get why you invited dad's girlfriend" Steven complains. I roll my eyes. I've heard enough of Steven's complaining over the last week. 

"Her name is Victoria" Laurel patiently says. "And your dad wanted us all to meet her." She adds with a note of finality.