𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿.

𝘰𝘯𝘦

It was the perfect day to travel to Cousins. I finally felt at ease for the first time since last summer—that was until Belly and Steven started arguing for the third time in the last ten minutes.

"Can we please skip this one?" Belly asked her brother as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the "Keep Driving" beat by Harry Styles.

"It's only been played four times. Leave it on," Steven protested, turning the music up louder.

Belly kicked the driver's seat as her Mom turned to face her from the passenger side.

Going back to Cousins was something I had longed to do for the last 365 days since we were last there. Belly and her family have visited Susannah's beach house every summer since she was born. I have only been visiting for the past 4 years, although I feel like I've been with them from the start. I have grown close with the Fisher family, especially the Conklins. Living in Pennsylvania with my Mom hasn't been the best since my dad died. It's sad to say, but I see these summer trips as an escape from my sad and lonely life back home. It doesn't help that my Mom hardly talks to me. Most days, I don't even hear a word from her.

"I am so excited to get a glowing tan." Taylor relaxed in her seat and placed her sunglasses on her face.

I laughed. "I usually just burn to a crisp in the sun".

"Have you never heard of sunscreen, Alan?" Steven joked as we drove along the road next to the beach. Alan is a nickname I gained from Steven when we first met because 'Alan' and 'Lana' have the same letters. We were minutes away from the summerhouse. I felt excited but different. This summer, I was single. My last boyfriend didn't work out because of his cheating tendencies. Most relationships don't work out when there is cheating involved. During a difficult few months, I believed I was worthless, and the only thing I felt deserving of was repeatedly watching '50 First Dates'. I will never watch that movie the same again.

"We're here! Oh, and guys, please remember your manners," Laurel instructed as we pulled onto the house's driveway.

"We know, Mom," Belly smiled at me excitedly as our summer was finally starting. I climbed out of the car to be greeted by a familiar smiling face running in my direction.

"What's up?" Jeremiah jogged out of the door to hug me. He is the human embodiment of sunshine. I remember the first time I met him; he was trying to save a bee from drowning in the pool. Most people would leave it to die, but not Jeremiah.

"Hi!" I replied, and Taylor joined in the conversation.

"Hey, Jeremy." She smiled and held her arms out. Jeremiah turned to look at the shorter girl next to me as they began their conversation.

"Tyler! Almost didn't see you there, Bud," He teased and picked her up in a hug. Belly and I always had this weird speculation about Taylor and Jeremiah. They always flirt with each other, but it never seems to go anywhere.