SUNKISSED - Jeremiah Fisher

- 3 -

- Conrad -

Sarah and I had spent the entire afternoon wandering the boardwalk, taking in the salty air and sun-drenched sights. The boardwalk was buzzing with life—kids tugging at their parents for ice cream, couples walking hand in hand, the occasional street performer drawing a crowd. We ran into a few familiar faces from last summer, exchanging quick hellos and easy laughs. But it was always different with Sarah. She was the one I could be completely myself around—no front, no act. Just me. There was something comforting about knowing you had that one person who'd seen you at your worst and still stuck around.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of pink and orange, we decided to head back to the beach house. The walk was quiet at first, the only sound being the rhythmic crash of the waves in the distance and the occasional crunch of sand beneath our feet. My mind had been racing for a while now, debating whether or not I should bring up the thing that had been sitting on my chest.

Finally, I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I know you like Jeremiah," I blurted out, breaking the peaceful silence.

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide in surprise as she looked at me. "Wait, what?" she stammered, clearly caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, shaking my head. "Oh, come on, Sarah. I think everyone knows... except Jeremiah," I teased, giving her a playful nudge.

Her face turned a shade pinker than the sunset, her eyes darting away from mine as if she could somehow escape the conversation. "How long has everyone known?" she muttered, clearly embarrassed.

I grinned, trying to soften the blow. "For about two years now," I admitted with a shrug. "Honestly, I think my mom already has your wedding with Jere planned out. The seating chart, the flowers, the whole deal."

Her eyes widened even more, but then she broke into laughter, and soon, we were both laughing so hard that it felt like old times—before everything got a little more complicated. Before feelings got involved.

"You're kidding!" she giggled, shaking her head in disbelief, though I could tell she wasn't entirely surprised. "Susannah's already planning the wedding? That's so embarrassing!"

I laughed harder, wiping away a tear from the corner of my eye. "I mean, she does have pretty good instincts. And let's face it, Sarah, you and Jere have been dancing around each other forever."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, well... it's not like it matters. He doesn't see me that way."

I stopped walking and turned to face her, crossing my arms. "Not yet. But maybe that's because you've always kept your feelings hidden. If you don't show him what he's missing, how's he supposed to figure it out?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment, biting her lip. "It's kinda crazy though, isn't it?" she finally said, her voice a little softer. "We don't hang out just the two of us as much as we used to. I miss that."

Her words struck a chord. It was true. Over the years, with everyone growing up and getting busier, our one-on-one time had become less frequent. Sure, we still spent almost every summer together, but it was always in a group—me, her, Jeremiah, Steven, and sometimes Belly. The dynamics had shifted, and while I cherished those memories, there was something irreplaceable about just being with Sarah.

I sighed, bumping her shoulder gently. "Well, we've got the whole summer ahead of us. Plenty of time to make up for lost time... and maybe show Jeremiah what he's been too blind to see all along."