The Summer When Everything Changed

Chapter 10

Belly had leaned against the black car while she was wondering how things were how they were. She and Conrad was waiting outside the bus stop for Belly's best friend to arrive at the town while Conrad could tell that she was nervous. For Belly, she only ever had a few close friends, and they weren't a lot. Belly had known Taylor since she was a young girl and as they grew up, both girls grew up differently. While Belly was a tomboy and very casual, Taylor was girly and boy crazy. But they had remained friends over the years and it had hurt Belly whenever things wouldn't work out. Recently, Taylor had started to tell Belly that she deserves more than what Conrad is giving her. Taylor never liked Conrad since the day when he didn't fall in love with her when she came to visit two years back, and had been trying to make Belly notice that things weren't working out. Belly saw the bus stopping and saw a girl coming out with balloons. Both yelled as Taylor hugged Belly wishing her happy birthday.

"Welcome back to Cousins," Belly said.

"Belly, this outfit looks snatched," Taylor said as she looked at Conrad.

"She looks beautiful as always. Welcome, Taylor. Let me get your bag for you," Conrad said throwing the bag in the back.

"I thought Jeremy was here," Taylor said as Belly rolled her eyes.

"Be nice. Conrad has been good. Plus, Jeremiah has a very serious girlfriend now, so watch out," Belly said as she and Taylor jumped into the back of the car.

Arriving back at home, Belly and Taylor went up to the rooms. Belly needed Taylor to be away from Conrad and so did she. Belly looked how everything was slowly falling into place. She was now sixteen and for her all of that had always felt like a dream. Taylor gave Belly a bag as Belly took out the contents and just looked at Belly.

"Seriously, Taylor?" Belly asked holding a bright purple bikini.

"You need to show your body off. Don't hide it," Taylor said as Belly shook her head.

"I think I'll decide what I feel comfortable with. Not you," Belly said as she went next door to her own room.

"Tell me something that I won't believe," Taylor said plopping down on Belly's bed.

"There isn't much to tell," Belly said.

"Nonsense. What about you and Jeremy starting something? You are sixteen now," Taylor said as Belly looked at her.

Since they were young, Taylor has wanted Belly and Jeremiah to get together, but Belly's heart beat for Conrad since she was young. Belly shook her head as Taylor looked at her.

"What the hell?" Taylor said looking at the necklace around Belly's neck.

"Who has such expensive taste?" Taylor asked.

"Conrad, of course," Belly said.

Taylor rolled her eyes, but knew to not say anything. Belly and Taylor each put on a bikini, Belly more forcefully than Taylor, and they went down to the pool. Belly immediately dived into the pool as Conrad looked at Steven.

"Since when does she wear bikinis?" Conrad asked.

Belly's head appeared from under the water and she knew that the boys were talking about it. It was why she never wore bikinis. Because she was always afraid of what people would say. She just shook her head and instantly she had gone to the deep end. Conrad and Steven got into the pool, both knowing that things were getting hot, as Taylor also splashed in.

"Hell! The water is ice cold!" Taylor yelled as Belly shook her head smiling as she fell back into the water.

"Nothing is wrong with the water," Belly said as Taylor looked at Belly.