Summer Lovin |Jeremiah Fisher

six: baby let the games begin

To both Delilah and Conrad's surprise, it wasn't her who called out to him.

It was Steven.

Delilah watched with a confused frown as Steven ran towards them. Delilah was by Conrad's side near the shore, the boy's eyes were shut as he gasped harshly for breath.

"Delilah what's going on, Conrad are you a good man?" Steven called as he neared them. Delilah ignored his questions but Conrad managed to call back.

"Panic attack! Im fine, I'll be fine!" Conrad said, his breathing rapid.

"He needs a moment!" Delilah called back, her gaze trained on Conrad as he tried to get a hold of his breathing.

"You're okay con. In and out, you're okay." Delilah whispered her hand on Conrad's shoulder. Conrad shut his eyes, trying his best to follow her breathing. Steven watched the two of them worriedly.

"I'll go get Jere-"

"Don't get Jere!" The best friends chorused in unison. Steven's eyes widened, and Delilah shot him a guilty look as Conrad gripped her hand on his shoulder, his breathing evening out.

"He just needs a second. We're good Steven." Delilah said. Steven still felt helpless.

"Is there anything I can do?" Steven asked.

"I don't know man just talk! Talk about anything." Conrad shook his head shakily, his hand that wasn't gripping Delilah's pressed to his chest.

"Talk? Okay uhm... the beach. You know the first time you guys brought me here to surf, man I was so freaked out. You and Jere had just come back from this fancy surfing camp and you knew all these cool tricks. I felt like such a little kid but you stayed with me and paddled till we caught a wave together." Steven confessed. Delilah watched as Conrad eventually got ahold of his bearings, his breathing became calmer and his grip on Delilah's hand loosened.

"I thought you were the coolest person in the world." Steven chuckled.

"I guess you were wrong about that one," Conrad said bitterly.

"No. You're still the coolest." Steven shook his head. Conrad shut his eyes and took in a deep breath.

"You okay?" Delilah asked, her eyebrows drawn in worry.

"Im good. Let's go." Conrad nodded. The two of them walked back towards Steven, the Conklin boy watched Conrad with wary eyes.

"You get these a lot?" Steven frowned. Conrad nodded.

"Yeah, more since my mom died," Conrad said. The boy was silent for a moment before he flashed Steven a weak smile.

"Im glad you're here. Both of you." Conrad said, squeezing Delilah's shoulder. The girl flashed both boys a smile.

"That's what im here for."

"Wanna tell us what got you so worked up?" Steven asked.

"Found out I got into Standford," Conrad said. Steven and Delilah's eyes widened.

If there was one thing known about Conrad, it was that it's always been a dream of his to attend Stanford. Not just for him but for his mom too.

"What? Are you serious?" Steven asked.

"yeah, my mom had this fantasy about me finding myself on the West Coast," Conrad said.

"Con this is a good thing. You've been dreaming about Stanford since you were 10." Delilah shook her head, a laugh of disbelief and pride escaping her.

"Yeah I know... but things are just starting to get better with Jere, and he's going to Finch in the fall which is close to Brown so it doesn't make sense to transfer anymore-"