The Summer We Changed

november air

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Jewel had never seen the magic behind wishing on a shooting star, always awing at the streak of light but never committing to a wish. But after finding out about Susannah's illness, Jewel couldn't help but to close her eyes and beg her lucky stars that everything would be okay. That when the heat of summer came along, Susannah was still there with him to bask in its warmth. And if it couldn't give her that, she wished that she would have as many opportunities to see Susannah as she possibly could. She hated how hopeful the silly habit had made her, especially when the call came one dismal morning and all her wishing had been proven pointless. Thanksgiving was the last time the families were all together, a time meant to be spent in each other's company. However, when all the leaves had fallen from the trees, and the family had gathered around the table again, Jewel could feel the November air that surrounded them. A chill Jewel now wondered was a warning of things to come.
She could feel the difference as they said their gratitudes, both Jere and Conrad holding distant looks throughout the meal. She could remember it being quieter than it ever had been before, a stark contrast of the younger rambunctious versions of themselves. Worry was evident in Jeremiah's eyes as he glanced toward his mother every so often. Betrayal evident in Conrad's expression as his eyes occasionally met Jewel's. Neither had meant to carry their burdens into the holiday, and yet both boys were equally stuck in their own heads. Jewel hated seeing them at war with each other, especially due to a decision she made in part. Half of her longed to stay with Jere, and yet the other half watched dismally as Conrad distanced himself from her. She knew things would change when she started dating Jere, but never had she meant to cause a rift between her and her best friend. Conrad couldn't trust in confiding in her anymore, too aware of the secrets she'd be forced to keep from Jere, and too proud to admit that he needed her.

When night had finally settled over the house everyone was preparing for bed, Jewel's hand encased in Jere's as they stood in the doorway of the dining room. Jere leaned down to her, placing a tender kiss against her lips.
"Do you have to do that here?" Conrad spoke from the doorway, causing Jewel to jump lightly at his abrupt voice.
"Don't you have someone else you can complain to?" Jere snapped back, prompting Jewel to roll her eyes.
"Well, you're kind of dating my best friend so..." Conrad reminded his brother, Jewel pinching the bridge of her nose as yet another argument began. Jewel could feel an ache growing in her head the longer the two bickered, frustrated that Thanksgiving wasn't as gratitude-filled as she hoped.
"Can we just go to bed, please?" Her voice spoke loudly, drawing the attention of both brothers away from their argument. Jewel pushed past the both of them, moving up the stairs and into Jere's room as he reluctantly followed behind. The room was silent as they entered, neither daring to speak first for a while.
"Do you agree with him?" Jeremiah finally asked as he moved onto his bed, Jewel's eyebrows furrowed as the question escaped his mouth.
"What?" She replied, her brain pounding steadily in her head.
"You didn't deny it." Jere pointed out, making Jewel suddenly aware that he was offended.
"Look, I have a headache, Jere." She attempted to brush off, not having the energy to deal with anymore arguing that night.
"Well, so do I." Jeremiah mumbled to himself, allowing the words to drip from his tongue like poison.
"Is this how it's going to be all of break; you two biting at each other's throats?" Jere asked, her frustration evident in her tone as her movement ceased. Jeremiah shrugged in return, too annoyed to have a productive conversation, before Jewel released a sigh and moved onto the bed.
"Well, I don't want to listen to you two argue all week, and I doubt Susannah does either." She reminded him, fiddling with her fingers in her lap.
"Well then, maybe you shouldn't have come." Jere spoke harshly, the words spewing from his mouth like a leaky faucet. The look on Jewel's face was enough to make him regret it, her expression shifting into a defeated one. Jeremiah watched as she moved toward her luggage in the corner, grabbing her pillow from inside with a void look in her eyes.
"Jewel, I didn't mean that..." Jere attempted to say, Jewel refusing to allow his apology at the moment.
"Goodnight." She spoke coldly, shutting the door behind her and leaving Jere alone in his room. She forced herself to take a deep breath, blinking away any tears she was afraid would spill out. She pushed herself back down the stairs, and into the living room where she could have a moment in private.

As Jewel entered the doorway however she was quick to notice that the room was no longer private to her. Susannah sat on the couch, a book in her lap and a blanket keeping her warm under the cool, crisp air. Susannah's attention turned toward the figure moving into the room, a smile quickly forming on her face.
"Hey, sweetie. Is everything alright?" Susannah asked, eyeing the pillow in Jewel's arm and shutting her book with its page-marker. Jewel forced a nod and a smile, not wanting to stress Susannah with the knowledge that her boys couldn't stand to be within ten feet of each other...thanks to her.
"I have something for you." Susannah spoke, patting the empty spot beside her before Jewel moved to her side.
She watched as Susannah grabbed a necklace from the end table, bringing it to her direction. Jewel hesitantly grabbed the locket from her, popping open the casing to reveal a small photograph inside. A photo of Laurel, Susannah, and Jewel's mom rested on the inside, their arms around each other as they smiled happily at the camera.
"Your mom gave me that for my birthday one year, and I figured you'd make the most of it." Susannah smiled, her eyes beginning to tear as she thought back to her late friend. Jewel's eyes followed suit, having been so distant from reminders of her mom.
"Thank you." She spoke quietly, leaning into Susannah's comforting embrace.