THE SUMMER I LOVED HER, Conrad Fisher

TEN, Silver Springs.

CHAPTER TEN. Silver Springs.

• CONRAD FISHER'S POV •
• 12 MONTHS BEFORE •

BEING IN Daisy Bardot's palace was like a nightmare I can't seem to wake up from. The entire time I've been in this hellhole, I've been shoved to the side, splashed on, stepped on and have had multiple intoxicated girls psychically throw themselves on me because, I, Conrad Beck Fisher, seem like the best person to ask for assistance when drunk.

I, of course, did help them. But after leading the last girl to what seemed like a safe room for them to all sober up in the company of themselves, I was now wandering around this humongous house that was bigger than both of my homes combined. It was the governor's house, what did I expect? I swear I had seen a fully built gym on the north-side of the house, as well as an indoor pool and jacuzzi. How can someone have that much money in their pockets to afford those types of luxuries? I'd never know.

My family and I were well off, but even we could never afford something like this. No one can. The governor was the richest man in Cousins — even before he was given the political role. I can't even begin to imagine what Daisy's life was like growing up.

I hadn't seen Aubrey in at least two hours. It was now 10 at night, and I was ready to go home. But I had no clue where Aubrey was, and I wasn't leaving her here alone. I hated this party lifestyle. I had been to two parties in the past two weeks, and I was already getting sick of it. I don't know how people can do this every single weekend.

I seemed to find myself in a recurring routine when I come to these events. I slug around, avoid anyone I can, people watch, get bored and end myself up on the back patio. Something always seemed to lure me outside. Maybe it was my obsession with the stars. On nights like these, where its warm and still, I'd just go and sit by my parent's pool at our summer house, allowing my feet to soak while I daydream towards the sky.

Or should I say, nightdream.

I sighed. All I could do was sigh as I exited the witch's home. It wasn't a sigh of disappointment, oh, no. It was a sigh of relief. Just being in the place she called home made me lose five years on my life.

And then, out of nowhere, when I had thought I had gotten away from all the chaos — the wicked witch made herself known from the corner of my eye. Over by the pool, she laid there on the concrete, giggling to herself with a cloud of smoke dangling around her. I would be lying if I said I wasn't amused. She looked ridiculous, and I enjoyed when people I strongly disliked look ridiculous.

"Jaxon?"

"Shit." I mutter, cringing my eyes closed before releasing a heavy huff of air. With my eyes still sealed shut, I listened to Daisy shuffle herself upwards. The sound of her cursing under her breath shot my eyes open, watching as her now empty, red solo cup began to roll around the concrete ground. I chuckled at this, watching her pathetically brush off the spilled liquor from her bare legs. "How you doin', Dais." I take a few steps towards her, yawning a bit to myself. I was getting to the point of the night where I'm too tired to release any stored anger I have in me for Daisy.