♡Cruel Summer♥︎ Steven Coklin

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart (TTPD - Taylor Swift)

"Where'd all the kids go? Oh, Jacob. It's lovely to see you again." Susannah appeared first on the porch int he backyard, with her nicely made cake on a glass stand.

"It's nice to see you too, Mrs. Fisher." He responded as he let go of Dani's hand and sid-hugged her mother.

"Oh, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Susannah." She said ina joking manner.

"More for us, then." Danielle said as she sat down on one of the chair on the deck. Jacob took the sea next to her. The two started a conversation to Cam Cameron, who didn't want to show that he was visibly upset about Belly being in a drunk state, ignoring him.

"Wait, are you two back together? Please tell me you are, my dear." Susanah said as she wondered if they really were, or if they came here as friends.

"I'm okay with what you want to be." Jacob said as he grabbed Danielle's hand. She smiled and nodded back at her mother. In reality, she doesn't even know if she wanted to be with Steven or Jacob at this point. She just wanted to make her mom happy since she didn't have much time left with the famiy.

The Conklin father and his new girlfriend were also sitting at the food table, having their own little conversation. Danielle's dad was with Conrad, the two were trying some new football throwing, but Conrad wasn't really into it.

Behing Susannah, Belly and her mom walked out the house.

"Oh, I want a piece with strawberries!" Belly exclaimed as she rushed down the steps. She unfortunatly tripped over and fell, dragging down Susannah and the cake with her.

"Belly, are you okay?" Laurel quickly rushed to her daughter, while Adam tried to approach Susannah.

"Honey, are you okay? Here, let me help you." He tried to grab her hand, but she pushed him away.

"Adam, I'm fine."

"Come on, please."

"I got it. I got it. Stop it!" She snapped at him. Danielle, who was standing next to Jay, was in pure shock. Her mom would never shout at anyone, even when she was angry. She was always a calm and sympathetic person. It was rare to ever se her angry.

She got back up on her feet and went inside as everyone was sparing glances at each other at loss of words.

"Hey, I think I'm going to head out." Jacob said as he turned to Danielle. She sadly smiled at him before pecking his lips and hugging him.

"Sorry about what just happened." She said in a muffled tone as her head was burried in his neck.

"Don't worry about it." He said before he pulled out of the hug, still holding her in his hands. "Text me if you need anything. I always have my phone on me." He said as she nodded in response. The two smiled at each other before he began to make his way out the side door.

She was left standing there, almost in panic. Something between her mother and father had been weird for the past few months, but she just didn't want to believe it. They were always a perfect family, nothing could ever be wrong with them.

Soon, everyone went back inside, and she was the only one left outside in her thoughts. Her whole life, never a single fourth had ever been the worst than this one, which was supposed to be the best.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when Autumn pushed her by the shoulder.

"Really, Danielle? Why would you being in Jacob? You know how much damage he did to you."

"Aut, you know how much I've been struggling. Since last summer, I just needed someone. I needed Jay. And he needed me."

"Yeah, but your problems are also my problems. You two literally couldn't handle a relationship together."

"Yeah, well that's because Steven kept interfearing. I needed to see a fucking therapist because of him and everything else that happened last summer."

"Oh, and your fucking therapist suggested that you get fucking drunk at a bonfire without your mom knowing, or kiss your best friend when you clearly know that he has a girlfriend?"

Danielle's heart shattered into a million pieces. She officially broke in that moment. Her best friend turned the knife on her. How did she even know about the party and the kiss?

"Don't speak to her like that." Conrad stood up, slightly pushing her behind him.

"Yeah, theres the stupid older brother acting like the superhero again. Conrad, you know better than letting her go back to her fucking ex or letting her kiss both of your guys' best friend." Autumn said.

"You know, you're being a really shitty person to be called a 'best friend' right now. Danielle never did anything to you, so why are you backstabbing her now?"

"Leave. Just, get out. I never want to see your face again." Danielle held a tight grip on Autumn's wrist as she dragged her inside and down the hallway to the front door. She threr her bags at her as they still were down in the main room and pushed her out the door.

Danielle sobbed more than he already was, running to hug Conrad. She held him tight as she cried on his shoulder. He was the only one left she had that really understood her inside and out.

Conrad silently comforted his younger sister, slowly calming down. Finally, someone stood up for him, nd he will forever be extremely greatful for his little sister.

Jeremiah was standing up top on the stairs, stairing at his siblings quietly. He never fully understood both Danielle and Conrad, but still felt for both of them. Sitting on the edge of the top step, silently crying himself.