Ryan Foster-Russel visits Cousins beach every summer to visit her dad. He just so happened to live right next to the Fisher's beach house. She's always had feelings for him. He's always shown more than friends to her. They knew that. But this summer...
I hear knocking at my door and look at my phone. 7:12, my alarm hadn't even gone off yet. "Lucas! Get outtt. My alarm hasn't even gone off yet". "Hush, Mom told me to wake you up". "Mom's here?" "I don't know? How about you get up and find out."
I did just that. I ran downstairs to see my mom eating breakfast with my dad. "Mom! I didn't know you were coming back down." "Well, I wouldn't miss my Irene being a Deb." she says with a hug, "And I brought something for you" she says with a huge smile. She walks to the living room holding a dress. "It's what I wore forever ago." I literally started to tear up. "Wow mom, it's gorgeous. Thank you!" "You're welcome, but you've gotta get down to the club soon right? Hurry my love." "Yes, I do. Thank you so so much" I say as I rush out the door.
••••
In the green room, all of the Debs were getting ready. It was good to see that Nicole and Belly had made up. "Ryan! You made it. I'm surprised you made it back before Paige got a hold of you." Belly says with a hug. "My mom's here" I say with a wide smile. "Really? She's so pretty" Nicole chimed in. "Thank you" I say back to her.
I did my makeup and got dressed. I looked at myself in the mirror. Feeling like the best version of myself. Right before it was time to start, Nicole ran up to me in a panic.
"Ryan, I am so, so sorry. Devin called and said that he got sick. He ate something this morning and can't make it." "You're joking right?" I asked as tears filled my eyes. "I wish I was. But Paige is looking around for anyone who knows the dances. Okay? We've got you covered." "Oh, yeah? Okay". My heart started to race. Tears wanted to fall but I wouldn't let them.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Ryan's debutante outfit
I was directly after Belly. My nerves were so bad. But alas, my name was called.
"Ryan Foster-Russel. Daughter of Dante Foster and Christine Russel. She attends Lincoln High School and is captain of her soccer team. She has raised $8,000 for the Addmas-Youth foundation a non-profit for activities and safe spaces for youth in their communities." Paige announced.
I walked out with my head down. I looked up to see Conrad, with a shy smile, ready to save my night. I didn't think Devin's replacement would be him. He's always there when it mattered.
We walked down the stairs to my families table where I gave my dad my bouquet and curtsied. There, I stood as we waited for the rest of the girls to be called.
A few moments later, I saw Laurel rush away from her table. With John and Cleveland chasing after her. "What's going on?" I asked Conrad. "I don't know" he tells me. We then see Jeremiah go after Laurel right before the escort's dance.
I joined my family's table next to my brother and mother. The dance was so cute. The escorts really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Conrad wasn't apart of that because that dance is new every year. He did join us at our table though. The room flooded with cheers for the escorts as they finished and they got a standing ovation.
The room burst with small talk after their dances until it was time for the big dance with our escorts. I go to grab Belly and she asks for Jeremiah. "You haven't seen him?"she asked. "Um, no. I was talking with my family for a bit, not paying much attention. I'm sorry." "Okay, I think I'm just gonna keep asking. Thank you" she tells me as she goes around the room.
I turn to Lucas and he's not there. He's walking up to Belly. A smile forms on my face. Both of our men to the rescue today. He takes her hand and guides her to her spot.
The dance started and any nerves that I had before, were gone. My brain was on auto pilot. The only thing I could see, feel, touch, was him. He's who my heart beats for. I couldn't imagine this moment with anyone else. The final part of the dance ended with a dip. It felt like we were the only one's in the room.
"Thank you". "I think I messed up some of the steps." "You were great." I assured him. "I'm glad, I'm glad that it was me". "As opposed to who?"
Jeremiah approaches us with urgency asking to pull Conrad aside. "It's about mom". "We'll-we'll talk about this later, okay?" "No, it's important" Jere insisted. "It's okay" Conrad tells him as he puts his hand on Jere's chest. "You know don't you? You've known this whole fucking time and didn't tell me?" "Jere..." Conrad starts but before he could say anything else, Jeremiah punches Conrad and they fall to the floor. Susannah yells at them to stop. As they approach her they tell her that they know.
••••
The drive home was quiet. The second I got home I started crying. I fell on the couch and let it out. "I knew" I said under my breath with tears falling down my face. "What?" Lucas yelled, "You knew!" "Why are you yelling at me?" I yelled back at him. "Stop it" my dad yelled, "Don't be mad at your sister because you're hurting." "Conrad told me at the beginning of the summer. I kind of just ignored it. She seemed to be doing fine. Now that everyone else knows it just feels so real." My mom sat down next to me.
"Baby, you don't need to feel bad. You were being a friend to someone you deeply care about." I just then got a text to meet Conrad at the beach. "How bad would it be for me to go meet said friend right now?" I asked. "Do what your heart wants" my father tells me.
••••
"I can't believe she said yes." Conrad tells me. "You did it. You convinced her." "Oh, it wasn't me. It was Jere. He did it." I was watching the waves as silence grew between us. "Ryan, I'm sorry for being shitty all summer." "I mean, you were going through a lot. Mostly alone. You told me what was happening but nothing else besides that." "I wanted to tell you more. I just didn't know how". I studied his face. "We should go back". "There's so many things I want to tell you". "Don't. Not now" I say while getting up. "Why?"
"Because you really need somebody right now. And I don't know if I'm that person for you." "I don't just need somebody. I need you". "I don't want you to need me. I want you to want me." "I do want you" he says with no hesitation. He grabs the side of my neck with one hand and kisses me. He pulled away and looked at me. As if to ask if it was okay. I nodded my head with a smile. He then grabbed the other side of my neck with his other hand and pulled me back in to kiss again.
The fireworks from the fourth of July were brighter and louder. The timing didn't feel too great. But everything else felt perfect. This right here, this is what I've always wanted.
