Summer Lovin |Jeremiah Fisher

one: come back, be here

Delilah Collins knew she was a good student.

She was president of the art club and vice president of the swimming club. Not to mention she had perfect attendance and straight A's.

And yet as Delilah sat in front of the career guidance counselor that particular afternoon, she felt as if she had done everything wrong.

"Ms. Amy, did I do something?" Delilah finally asked after a few minutes of sitting in silence.

Ms. Amy paused, staring intently at Delilah's records and report slips. Delilah held her breath as Ms. Any slowly looked up at her, her expression blank before it spread into a large grin,

"On the contrary Delilah, your records are outstanding! Perfect attendance, great extracurriculars, and perfect grades. Every Ivy would love to have you." Ms. Amy smiled warmly.

Delilah tried to smile, this was what every student would love to hear.

But Delilah's smile felt empty, her heart felt hollow.

"thank you Ms Amy that means a lot." Delilah nodded. Ms. Amy continued.

"im pretty sure it's in the family! You're brothers going to Brown, you're father and mother went to Harvard-"

"Can we not talk about my mom?"

Ms. Amy's face fell and her smile slipped away, the women's eyes turned into one of sympathy and Delilah's fingers itched to pick at her fingers

"oh, I'm so sorry." Ms. Amy said, Delilah felt her fist clench.

"It's okay, it's just there was a... close death in the family a few months back so my mom is a sensitive topic right now." Delilah tried to smile, but her face felt frozen.

Delilah can't remember the last time her smile ever felt genuine, to be honest.

Ms. Amy's eyes widened as she folded her hands," Ah yes I heard something about that. I'm so sorry Delilah."

Delilah smiled, her eyes burning as she held back tears.

"I am too."

🌊🌊

"Jeremiah you didn't have to wait for me you know?" Delilah raised a brow as she collapsed against the couch, setting her laptop down on the living room coffee table.

Jeremiah, Susannah, and Conrad' Fisher's faces were displayed on Facetime. Jeremiah was between the two of them, shooting his girlfriend a stink eye.

"You can't honestly think I would open this letter without you right?" Jeremiah scoffed, Delilah smiled and shook her head as she took a bite of the slice of cake she pulled from the fridge.

"I feel bad I made Con and Suz wait!"

"Please, Jeremiah was insistent on having you here for this moment. He's so whipped." Conrad rolled his eyes amusedly, earning a smack in the arm from Susannah.

"He made sure none of us opened it till you were able to join us for this moment. I agree with him anyways, this a special moment for family and you're family Dahlia." Susannah smiled at her through the screen, her eyes twinkling.

Delilah's lower lip wobbled as she smiled back, how much longer would be able to see Susannah's eyes sparkle or her warm smile?

"Okay enough talking, let's see if he got rejected." Delilah joked. Everyone laughed but they immediately got serious as Jeremiah started opening the envelope.

Conrad had already started college at Brown and from his texts and calls with Delilah, he was enjoying it. Jeremiah, Steven, (who would not shut up about Princeton) and Liam were starting in the fall.