The Summer I Changed | The Summer I Turned Pretty Fanfic

My Song

When I woke up that Friday morning I didn't think much about how I was going to cousins later. I had to still shoot over some emails before running a handful of errands. I was brushing my teeth in front of the mirror in my one bedroom apartment when my phone buzzed.
It was a text from Amanda, the only friend i came across during my last year at finch. She was a beautiful, smart and funny brunette who'd been going to school to become a therapist. Funny now that I think about it, was in a terrible place in my last year.

Amanda: Drinks tonight?

Me: Can't. Going to the beach house to spend the weekend with fam.

Amanda: ...

Me: What?

Amanda: That sounds fun.

It wasn't like her to not give her opinion on anything and everything in my life.

Me: Conrad asked me to.

Amanda: Good, I'm glad you're going. You haven't seen them since Christmas...

Amanda: ...of last year.

That's true, but also not fair because I decided to take a solo trip to New York that Christmas. I couldn't help if everyone didn't want to come with me.

Me: How about dinner on Monday?

Amanda: I like that plan.

Me: How's Kyle?

Amanda: You mean Kevin?

Me: Right, Kevin!

Kevin was her current boyfriend of three months. Amanda was terribly hard to please, maybe it's because she psycho-analyzed every man she's ever had in her life. Including me that short week we spent hooking up.

Amanda: That ended last week. He had way too much baggage left over from his last relationship. How's Alicia?

I frowned at my phone. She's probably really sad about this but is joking it off. Something I knew far too well how to do.

Me: That didn't go past two dates. I guess that's our luck.

Amanda: Yup. Call you Monday *Kisses*

After I picked up my dry cleaning and packed a duffle bag, it was one last thing I needed. I walked over to the bookshelf in my office area and pulled out the Photo album of Every summer we spent at the beach house. If we were all there this year, we should add another photo to it.

I'd called Conrad to tell him I'd be in around five, but he didn't answer, so I texted Steven. They'd said they had no plans for tonight except Belly and Taylor were making a big family dinner and a movie night with the kids.

When I pulled in no one cars were in the driveway and the house looked empty. I used my key to open the door and called out, "I'm Here!" Nothing.

Maybe they'd forgotten I was coming and went to the boardwalk? followed a mouth watering aroma coming from the kitchen. Belly was standing with her back to me, her head was bobbing side to side, so I assumed she had headphones in.

As any grown adult would do, I decided to jump scare her. I was getting ready to grab her from the back when she started to hum the melody to a song I knew too well.
"C'est la vie, said the old folks. It goes to show you never can tell," She sung off key.

My mouth gaped open, Chuck Berry was playing in those headphones. was about to back away when she turned around and we were face to face. She let out a scream and dropped a bowl of mash potatoes.

"JESUS JERE!" She looked like she wanted to punch me.

I immediately started picking up the broken pieces of floral bowl. "I didn't meant to scare you." I actually had, but forgot when I realized she was listening to the song I chose for our firs dance.

"Actually, I did plan to scare you, but then I heard you singing," I looked up at her.

She flushed. "Well you scared me good job."
She walked over to the dining room and I followed.

"Where is everyone Bells?"

"Conrad and the girls went to the park, Taylor and Steven had some errands to run." She was setting the table.

I thought Taylor was suppose to be helping her. "Need any help?"

She shook her head. "No, I've got it." She folded another ivory napkin. "I'm glad you came," She added.

"Thanks," I said through pursed lips. I was fighting my brain to ask her about the song. I knew it was not the right plan, but oh how I wanted to bring it up. " missed you guys."
Belly nodded, "Yeah well Madison is going to just scream when she sees you."

I start folding napkins even though she didn't ask to. "She's the best, reminds me of you."

"She's nothing like me, she's confident as hell," Belly laughed. "She told me yesterday that she's really smart and really kind and going to be president one day."

"I mean where's the lie?" We laugh.
I hear the door open and Conrad calls out my name. "Jere you here!?"

"In here with Belly!" I shout back.
Madison is the first body to enter the dining room, she jumps into my arms. "YOU CAME!"