The Summer I Turned Pretty Imagines

The Truth

I'm sick of dancing around this. I'm sick of pretending like Jeremiah is acting normal. Ever since I got to Cousins last year he's been acting strangely toward me. He jets jealous when I hang out with other guys and I can see the clench in his jaw especially when I'm talking to Conrad. And he knows I don't even like Conrad like that.

Last week

This all girls dinner was such a good idea. Me, Belly, Nicole, Gigi, and Taylor are all sitting around a table talking about life back home and relationships.

" Nobody is more attractive than Jeremiah Fisher" Gigi sighs. She's always had a crush on him.

" Girl your going to have to move on. He doesn't see you like that" Nicole says. Nobody says what we're all thinking. He'll never see her like that. No matter how much she wants him too. In fact I'm not even sure if he knows her name.

" Actually Jere seems to have a thing for Maria" Belly says nonchalantly. Immediately all attention goes towards me. I sense the daggers Gigi is already throwing me.

" No he literally doesn't. Gigi he's all yours" I say. I can tell this barely helps her. I kick Belly's foot under the table.

Dinner finally ends and we say our goodbyes. I can tell that I probably have one less friend. Once it's just me and Belly as well as Taylor I shout.

" What the hell were you thinking Bells?" I question.

" Just the truth. He likes you Maria. The way he looks at you says it all" Belly responds. Taylor just nods her head like she's agreeing.

Secretly I hoped he did. Belly was in love with Conrad but I only had eyes for Jere. I liked him so much but I always figured he just saw me like a sister. Now things may be finally changing.

Now

Since that day I've noticed a bunch of small things that I can't ignore anymore. It's the last night of summer. Tomorrow my family packs up and leaves to head back home and this issue will remain unsolved for another year. I can't do that.

I decide to do the only thing I can think of. Bravely I head up the stairs walk right past my bedroom and knock on the door. Conrad and Belly are out swimming and Susannah and my mom have been locked away in Susannah's room getting stoned all day. This was my chance.

" Come in!" He shouts. I suck in a sharp breath before I walk in and close the door behind me. This action catches his attention. He realizes it's serious.

He's laying shirtless on top of the sheets in bed and upon my arrival he's sat up. Why could he not have a shirt on. This conversation is going to be so much harder when he's shirtless. I'm already fighting to keep my eyes on his eyes and not his abs.

" Everything okay M?" He asks me. He pats the bed next to him and I sit on the edge.

" Jere we need to talk" i begin. A frown forms on his face. A confused worried frown.

" Did I do something?" He asks.

" Well sort of. I'm just hearing stuff from other people and seeing it with my own eyes now. I feel like you like me." I say quickly and in one breath. His expression falters slightly. Like he's been caught.

" Maria don't be silly we're practically related" he sighs. I know he's lying.

" But we're not related Jere. Just tell me the truth" I try again.

" Maria this is ridiculous. Who's telling you this?" I notice that he doesn't really answer my question. He's not telling me wether he likes me or not.

" I'm seeing it for myself too now. Your always jealous when I hang out with guys." I say.

" M that's just me watching out for you" he says. His eyes are shifting around and he looks nervous.

" Jeremiah stop lying to me! Is this because you think I don't love you?" I question. At this his heart seems to stop and his brain stops working for a second. It's as if his soul has left his body.

" Maria I- just leave" he tries.

" Oh my god that's what this is isn't it? You think I don't love you so you won't say anything" I'm raising my voice now.

" Maria leave" he warns me.

" I do Jere. I've always loved you. And I don't believe for a second you don't feel the same way. But if that's what you want I will leave." I say. I prepare to go out the door but he stands up and grabs my wrist.

" M wait. I'm sorry.  I'm being a dick. You know I love you. I'm just scared" he sighs truthfully.

" I know" was all I could manage.

" You love me?" He has a small smile creeping across his face.

" Of course I do. I always have" I say turning to face him now. He wastes no time in kissing me. I almost stumble over.