𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿.

𝘰𝘯𝘦

It was the most perfect day to be travelling to Cousins. The blazing sun created a colourful shimmer on the glass. I finally felt at ease for the first time since last summer, that was until Belly and Steven started arguing for the 3rd time in the last 10 minutes.

"We've listened to this song a million times. Can you please skip it?" Belly asked her brother as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of "Keep Driving" by Harry Styles.

"It has only been played 4 times. Harry Styles can never be skipped, not in my car!" Steven protested and turned the music up louder.

"God! You're such an ass Steven!" Belly kicked the driver's seat as her mom turned around to face her from the passenger side.

"Language" Laurel sternly stated.

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 been going to Susannah's beach house every summer since before she was even 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 to be close with the Fisher family and 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, purely 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. I guess 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 driveway of the house.

"We know Mom," Belly smiled at me with excitement 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 dying in the pool. Most people would just 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.