Soaked-Jeremiah Fisher

Chapter 12|Sweet Sixteen

Oceana woke up earlier that day for Belly's birthday. She snatched the present from her suitcase and snuck into the bathroom to get ready.

"Mickey Mouse pancakes? Does she still eat them?" asked Oceana as she came to stand next to Laurel. "Yeah, every year on her birthday," Laurel told the blondie with a laugh. "Cute," Oceana muttered under her breath.

Oceana silently helped Jeremiah with the muffins. "You look good," he said softly. "What?" asked Oceana, who hadn't heard him. "Nothing," Jeremiah said quickly. Oceana frowned but said nothing. Oceana pulled down her white dress with blue sea flowers a little more. 

"Good morning, everyone," Belly said with a big smile. "Happy birthday, Bells," Oceana said as she hugged her best friend. "Thank you, Oce," Belly smiled as she hugged her best friend back. Oceana let go of her so the rest could congratulate her.

"Belly Button is finally getting old, happy birthday," Steven said as he took a bite of his bacon. "Your Mickety Mouse pancakes are almost ready," Laurel said after congratulating her daughter. "Actually, I'm not that hungry," Belly said with a regretful look. "Oh," Laurel muttered, a little disappointed. 

"Shall we open presents?" asked Susannah. "Oh yeah, you're going to love mine," said Oceana as she tossed the present in the air and caught it again. Belly laughed and walked into the living room with her best friend. 

Laurel was the first to give a gift. It was a book of poetry. You could see from Belly's face that she didn't like it, but she thanked her mother anyway. From Jeremiah she got a charm for her bracelet and from Susannah a beautiful pearl necklace. 

"Okay, my turn," Oceana said enthusiastically as she handed Belly the present. "What is it this time?" sighed Steven. Jeremiah and Conrad looked at him with a curious look. "Oce always gives the most special and best gifts. I have to admit it."

"Thank you, Steven," Oceana said as she sat down next to Belly. Belly opened the present and it was a photo book of the two of them. Pictures of them at school, on vacation and at volleyball.

"Wow, Oce. Did you make this yourself?" asked Belly as she flipped through the photo book. "With help from my brother," Oceana admitted. "It's great, thank you," Belly said as she hugged her best friend.

"That's not even everything," Oceana said with a big smile as she got another gift. "Oh my god, Oce," laughed Laurel. Belly chuckled and opened the present. It was a promise ring made of real gold. "Oce, I-I can't take this," Belly said open-mouthed. 

"Yeah, you can. I have the same one," Oceana said as she showed the ring. "That way we'll always be best friends." Belly got tears in her eyes and hugged her best friend. "Thank you, Oce," she whispered.

Oceana laughed and pushed Belly off of her. "We don't have time to be emotional, my makeup is just right," she laughed. Susannah and Laurel laughed. 

"Think fast, Belly," Steven interrupted the emotional moment. "Steven," Laurel sighed. "Wow, Steven. You actually spent money on me," Belly teased her brother as she looked at the Princeton sweater. "I didn't want you to steal mine," Steven teased his little sister. 

Laurel and Steven started talking about how Steven was still trying to get into Princeton. "Conrad, will you give your present to Belly?" interrupted Susannah the awkward atmosphere in the room. Belly waited hopefully. "Sorry, I forgot," Conrad lied. Oceana raised an eyebrow. 

"That's cool, I wasn't really expecting anything anyway," Belly said with a fake smile. Susannah looked disappointed at her eldest son.

"I have to go. I promised Cleveland I'd teach him some stuff," Conrad said as he stood up. Oceana looked at him in disbelief. She usually liked Conrad, but what the fuck was this for a shitty move. 

He quickly congratulated Belly before walking out of the house. Oceana noticed the sad look in Belly's eyes. She took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. 

"Hey, let's practice driving before we pick up Taylor from the bus station," Jeremiah suggested to light up the mood. "Sure," Belly nodded. 

🌊

"To make it clear, I don't want to die yet," Oceana said as she leaned forward. "You're not going to die yet, Oce," Belly laughed. Oceana sighed and nervously leaned back in her seat. 

They drove into a forest path where no one was. "Are you excited to see Tay Tay again?" asked Oceana to Belly. "Yes, of course," Belly lied. Oceana frowned, what was going on? "Are you sure?" asked Jeremiah with a laugh. 

"Look, she's my friend but you know how Taylor is. She's like a hurricane," Belly explained to him. "Hurricane Taylor," Oceana chuckled. "And when it's just the two of us I always feel like the supporting character," Belly told him with a sigh. "I feel you," Oceana nodded. 

"But it's your birthday. You're the main character now, not her," Jeremiah reassured Belly. "Yeah, Jere is right. It's your day, Bells," Oceana said as she leaned forward again.

Belly swerved a bit with the car. Oceana clung to Jeremiah's seat with her life. "Oops," Belly said.  

"Oops?! That's what you have to say? I saw my life flash in front of my eyes," Oceana panted in fear. Jeremiah and Belly laughed at her exaggeration.

"You'll be fine, Oce. She just needs a lesson two," Jeremiah reassured the Swedish girl as he placed his hand on hers. Oceana blushed, but quickly looked at Belly to hide it.

"And a lesson three and four," Oceana said. "You're distracting me, Oce. Get back in your spot," Belly said, laughing. 

"I'm not your dog, I'm nobody's dog," Oceana snorted. "I thought you said you'd bark for Drew Starkey if he asked you to," Belly said teasingly. "Okay, I said that once when I was drunk," Oceana defended herself. "Relax, Oce. Drew Starkey is hot," Jeremiah laughed. "Shut up," Oceana said embarrassed. "Taylor made me say it."

Oceana remained silent and embarrassed in the back of the car the entire ride to the bus station.