Seasons Changing

Actions Over Words

Days had passed and I hadn't really spoken to Conrad. I've also sort of been avoiding Belly. I know how Lucas feels about her and I also know how long she'd been waiting for him. But to see her with Jeremiah didn't sit good with me. 

The previous night, the boys had spent the night here, at my dad's house. I thought I woke up early enough to avoid him. Until Conrad came downstairs as I was getting my things together.

"Ryan? I'm sorry. For being an ass the other day and blowing up at you". "I-I don't know what to say?" "I know, it's too little too late. I get it." "I'm glad you do" I say as I stare at him. "Look, I know you already have an escort, but-" I turned him out. I knew where he was going just as I knew where Devin was going. This was what I was wanting. But I didn't know what I should do. He's going through a lot and I just don't want to keep falling victim to his problems. "Uh, let me think about it. Yeah?" "Yeah" he said with a smile. I then grabbed my things and left for the event. 

••••

"Good morning everyone. I'm Susannah Fisher, chair of the community service board, and I am delighted to welcome  you to Play It Forward! You know, my mother used to say, if you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough. And we are very fortunate indeed... which is why in the spirit of fun and friendly competition it is time to open our hearts and our wallets and give back to those who may be less fortunate. Let the games begin!" 

Susannah had asked me to make a team for the event, but I'm not necessarily the best at volleyball so I just got my dad to donate and my mom to send money down. 

As Belly and Taylor were playing, Taylor fell down and asked Jeremiah to sub. I was standing with Lucas while watching and his face dropped. They beat their first team and started losing their game on the second round. Belly called for a time out then subbed Jere for Lucas. Who had no problem jumping in. 

The game had a quick turn around and Lucas being on her team was really helping. As the tournament progressed, Steven and Shayla ended up going against Belly and Luca. The match was really close and truly could've been anybody's game.  But in the end, Belly and Lucas won.

We all ran up to congratulate them. Before I could reach them, Susannah pulled me aside. "Did he ask you yet?" "What?" "Conrad? I asked him to ask to escort you because you hadn't found one yet". My eyes darted to him. I knew he could hear us. His face got dark and I felt like an idiot. Why would Conrad Fisher actually want to escort me? "Um he did but, I actually did find an escort". "Really? That's exciting!" "Yeah" I told her as I walked away. 

"Hey Ryan! My dad's boat just got back and I was wondering if you wanted to come down with me and some girls later? Belly and Taylor are coming" Nicole invited. I still hadn't really spoken to her. Even after her win. "Uh, yeah, sure" I say. "Okay, it's gonna be in a few hours. See you there!" she tells me as she walks away with a smile. 

••••

On the boat, we ended up playing never have I ever. I suck at this game cause I can never think of any questions.

"Put a finger down if you've ever kissed more than one guy in 24 hours" Taylor asked, I put a finger down. "Put a finger down if you've ever had sex?" Me and some girls put our fingers down. One of them noticed Belly hadn't put any fingers down. So they kept trying easier questions for her. 

Taylor jumped in with "Put a finger down if you've ever made out with Jeremiah Fisher" Belly and I both put a finger down. The girls gasped and asked for the tea. "It started a week ago, uh we made out in our pool." Belly explained. "I always thought you had something for Lucas? Wrong friend huh" Nicole noted. "Wait, what about you Ryan?" Gigi asked. "Oh, it was like a year or two ago. It was a drinking game and I had to make out with the person across from me." The girls laughed. 

"Put a finger down if you've ever been skinny dipping" Taylor asks to change the topic. "Put a finger down if you've ever been if you've ever been skinny dipping off Hopper's Cove" Nicole asks. "Is that a dare?" "Absolutely".

We went to the cove and the Belly, Taylor, and Nicole got in. "Ryan, you're not gonna join?" "Uh, I don't think so. You guys have fun though." 

Before Gigi got in the water, she told Nicole to come check her phone. "Hey Nicole, is your car unlocked? I think I left my phone in there" she nodded at me as she got out of the water. As I started to walk back over Nicole and Gigi were headed towards me. 

"What're you doing?" "Oh, Nicole got cold so we were gonna sit in the car" Gigi answered. "Okay?" I responded as I headed back to Belly and Taylor. That's when I realized there was nothing there besides a phone. 

"Belly!" "I knew they were bitches" Taylor said. We found a tarp to wrap them in and started walking. 

"Why don't we call Lucas? Or like Steven? Or even my dad?" "No, that's embarrassing" Belly says. "Well I can't walk another two miles" Taylor complains. "Well it's up to you Bells" I tell her. "I-I'll call Jeremiah". "Thank God" Taylor says with a smile. 

Lucas and Jeremiah pulled up at the same time. Apparently Nicole had yelled at Lucas and told him about everything. She at least gave him their clothes. Taylor and I got in with Lucas and Belly left with Jere.

"I can't believe they would do that" Lucas tells us. "It was because of you dumbass. Nicole read your text to Belly. Look where that got us." "So I'm supposed to hide how I feel?" "No one- Lucas just drive" I tell him.

••••

After everyone got settled in for the night, Conrad texted me. Asking for me to meet him at the dock. My head didn't want to go, but my heart did.

"What?" "I didn't ask to escort you because of my mom, I really did want to". "What? It just took someone else doing it for you to realize?" "No, I just- Why didn't you ask me?" "Because every time it got brought up, your body language told me you didn't want to go. Would you had said yes? Say, two weeks ago?" he turned away, "I thought so". "I don't want to loose you Ryan". "Then don't. You have a lot of your own things going on. I don't want to be in the want to burden you?" "You wouldn't- you're not". "It's okay, Con, I'll see you later" I say as I walk back to my house.