the summer you noticed me ↠ conrad fisher {1}

f i f t y - s i x

"Would've, could've, should've! If you never looked my way I would've stayed on my knees. And I damn sure never would've danced with the devil at nineteen!" I sing, swinging by bag in circles.

"Claire, stop before you lose all our muffins," Jeremiah says snatching the bag from me.

I chuckle, "I have so much energy right now!" I say and do a twirl. "We should race, I'd leave you in the dust," I say bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"Did you drink an energy drink? Because I know coffee doesn't effect you this way," he laughs.

I side eye him, "maybe?"

"Claire! That's so much caffeine. It's literally 7 in the morning!"

"In my defense. I went to bed at 2am and was up at 4:3" to see the sunrise!" I say loudly. "Shit sorry I'm being too loud."

"You're never too loud for me, girl. Don't apologize. You know I love when you get like this because it means you trust me. When you get loud it means your happy."

I sigh, thinking about all the times my Mom has told me to lower my volume when I tell her about things that excite me. It's made me very self conscious about it, and I'm always aware of when I get too excited because now I can't not notice the fact that my voice rises.

     Jeremiah pokes my arm, "what did I say?" He asks.

     I chuckle, confused. "What?"

     "Your face did your bunch up sad thing, why?"

     I roll my eyes, "stop reading me!" I groan.

     "We'll if you'd stop making it so easy!" He laughs, "but for real what's up?" He asks.

     "It's nothing, I just always hear my mom tell me I'm being too loud. It kinda gets drilled into your head," I shrug. "It just makes me over analyze everything I say making sure it's an appropriate volume."

He frowns slightly. "I never want you to dim your excitement for me, and I know for a damn fact Conrad doesn't either. He loves when you get like this. You have that man whipped," he laughs.

I grin. "Really?" I ask. I know Conrad loves me but I love hearing about what he says when I'm not there.

"Claire. He's been in love with you for years. I've watched him watch you as you went on a 45 minute rant about your love for The Hunger Games. He watched you in awe for the entire time. That was five years ago, now that he's older and understands his feeling that look only grew deeper. He loves you."

I didn't notice Conrad staring at me ever. Not until recently. "Really?"

"I swear," he says and I believe him.

"Thank you," I sigh. Any reassurance, even random ones I didn't know I needed, is much appreciated.

We finally hit our street and we both groan in relief. "My legs feel like jello," I mumble.

"Me too, about a block ago I thought I was going to fall asleep walking. I need to take a fat nap when we get back."

"Same!" I agree.

       "Girl you just said you were hyper," he laughs.

       "Oh right! Race?"  I ask again, but this time I don't wait for a response. I run the rest of the way home.

      When I run through the Fishers front door Belly is coming down the steps. She smiles, "what are you doing here? This early?" She chuckles.

      "Me and Jere went to go get breakfast, want a muffin?" I ask.

      "Sure!" She says. Just as Jeremiah comes in behind me holding the bag.

     "Hey," she says, her eyes trained on Jeremiah.

     "Hi," he grins. "Morning, want a muffin?" He asks.

     I chuckle, shaking my head. "Come on," I say leading them to the kitchen.

      I pull out the muffins and leave one on a napkin for Belly and she instantly comes in digging into it. "This was just what I needed," Belly grins taking a huge bite of her muffin. "Thank you so much for bringing some back." She says, stuffing the rest of the muffin in her mouth.

I can't start watching Jeremiah watching her. He's so in love, I feel physically giddy at the sight of it. If human eyes could turn into hearts looking at the person they love, his eyes would turn into hearts right now. He has a small smile on his face, and when she looks at him somehow his blue eyes brighten.

"It was all Jeremiah's idea," I say, giving him some more brownie points.

She looks over at him and seems to hesitate. I'm not sure if she knows I know. I don't want to be the one to say I do and possibly get Jeremiah in trouble so I bit my lip to keep myself from saying something I shouldn't.

"Claire knows," he says quietly. "I told her, but she won't tell anyone. Even Conrad. She promised."

Belly looks over at me, and I give her a thumbs up. "I promise. I'm just so happy for you guys."

"Thank you," she grins and then kisses Jeremiah quickly on the lips. I let out a small squeal.

"Sorry I'm just so happy. Hey!" I say clapping my hands. "What if we go to the beach today? Double date but Conrad doesn't have to do it's a double date!"

      Belly frowns. "I have Deb practice and I'm pretty sure Conrad works today too," she points out.

     "Damn you're right. Shit I'm off, what am I going to do today?"

      "Why don't you and Jere go to the club? You can swim and I can meet you guys after practice?" She offers.

      I look over at Jere, "any plans today Jere?" I ask, and just then Steven walks in.

      "Stevo! What's up?" He screams.

      Steven groans, "it's too easy, shut up."

      "So I guess you want to spend today alone?" Jeremiah taunts.

      I chuckle, "why? What are you doing?" Steven says his interest now grabbed.

       "Nothing," I chime in. Joining in the game. "You know, since you don't want us to talk right now," I grin.

     "Claire go home, you don't even live here," he snaps and I let out a laugh.

     "Touché," I agree.

      "We're gunna go swimming at the club today, are you in?"

      "Sure, give me a few hours to wake up."

      "Anything you need Princess Steven," I grin.

     "Fuck off," he says giving me the finger and I blow a kiss at him.