Last Kiss

Chapter 6: Beachside Confessions

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the sandy beach. Belly and Jeremiah had been friends since childhood, spending their summers together in this coastal town. Now, as teenagers, they found themselves sitting side by side on a weathered wooden pier, their feet dangling above the gentle waves.

Jeremiah couldn't help but steal glances at Belly, the girl he'd secretly admired for years. Her long, sun-kissed hair danced in the breeze, and her laughter was as sweet as the saltwater air.

Belly turned to Jeremiah, a playful smile on her lips. "You've been quiet today. What's on your mind, Jeremiah?"

He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke. "Belly, there's something I need to tell you."

She turned to face him, her eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Jeremiah confessed, "I've liked you for a long time, Belly. More than just a friend."

Belly's cheeks flushed with surprise, and she looked down at her hands, picking at a loose thread on her shorts. "Jeremiah, I... I didn't know you felt that way."

Jeremiah felt his heart pounding in his chest, fearing her response. "I understand if you don't feel the same way. I just needed to be honest with you."

Belly finally looked up, a soft smile on her face. "Jeremiah, I've been waiting for you to say something like that for ages."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?"

She nodded, her smile growing brighter. "Yes, really. I've liked you too, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship by saying anything."

A wave of relief washed over Jeremiah as he reached for Belly's hand. Their fingers intertwined, and they sat there, gazing at the horizon, their friendship transformed into something more profound.

As the sun dipped below the water, casting vibrant shades of orange and pink across the sky, Jeremiah and Belly knew that their summers together would never be the same. Their teenage hearts had finally found what they'd been searching for all along – a love that had been right in front of them, hidden in the laughter and memories they had shared on this beach for years.