Cousins

Chapter one

We were on our yearly drive to Cousins. Steven and I sitting in the back. Belly and my mom in the front. It had been silent for almost an hour, except for the faint music in the background. Steven finally spoke up and asked me, "Y/n, my headphones died, can I use yours?" I hadn't been using them the whole trip so I unzipped my bag and handed them to him. "Thank you so much, you are a life saver." He thanked me with a huge smile.

"Your are so welcome." I respond staring at a text I had received from Taylor. Taylor is Belly and I's best friend from back home. Her text reads, "Y/n I know we got into a big fight right before school ended, but please talk to me. I'm coming to Cousins soon to play in the volleyball tournament with Belly. Talk to me before then, I love you. I am so sorry."

Taylor and I got into an argument because she chose to be on Belly's team for the volleyball tournament. She usually chooses Belly over me, but this time I was just really hoping for her to choose me. So I told her how I felt. She made it a big deal and told the whole school I still haven't had my first kiss. She's been preaching up and down about how bad she feels, it's whatever though. In the end she's still going to choose Belly.

I decide to text back, "Taylor it's whatever. Maybe one of the boys will play with me. If not i'll just cheer for you guys. I love you too and i'm excited to see you. We can talk later." I send it as my mom pulls over to a gas station.

"We can stock up on snacks here. Go to the bathroom if you need to." My mom says putting the car into park. Belly and I can't drive yet. We still have our permits. Our mom never lets us drive anywhere. I think that might be her way of her refusing that we're growing up, or the fact we suck at driving.

I walk into the gas station with Belly and Steven. I grab a water, a bag of chips, and my favorite candy. I walk up to the counter and the cashier starts hitting on me. "You new here?" He asks flirtatiously.

"Oh not really. My basically family owns a beach house. I've been coming here since I was little." I reply as he rings up my things.

Before he has the chance to say anything Belly and Steven come up behind me and Steven says, "She's fifteen, you look at least 20."

The cashiers eyes get wide and he stutters, "Oh, i'm, i'm, so sorry man."

I slap Steven and shake my head. Finally we finish paying and we finally leave. We get into the car and I quickly say, "Mom, Steven just embarrassed me. The cashier inside was hitting on me and Steven told him i'm only 15. Then he got so embarrassed and still had to awkwardly scan our things."

"It was so embarrassing." I hear Belly laugh.

"I know right." I agree.

My mom of course takes Stevens side and argues, "Steven was just being a big brother. He was in the right, the guy was like 25."

"Whatever." I say in a laugh.

*At the beach house*

Finally we get here. The beach house has always been my second home. The memories I have here could last me at least three lifetimes. We pull up and my mom parks the car. I quickly get out of the car when I see Susannah. I run up to her and hug her. "I missed you so much." I whisper.

"I missed you too sweetie." She replies laughing.

I let go of her and walk over to Jeremiah. Jeremiah sees me and looks me up and down. "Damn Y/n, you and Belly both got hot. The Lord answered my prayers."

I laugh and hug him. "You are a clown Jere."

"A hot clown though." He laughs.

I look to my left and see Belly and Conrad talking. I walk over to them and Conrad looks over at me. He gives me a slight smile and I return it. "Hey Y/n."