SUNKISSED - Jeremiah Fisher

- 13 -

- Sarah -

"Can you believe he forgot to get her something?" I say, folding one of Jade's t-shirts a little too aggressively before handing it over to her. The weight of the whole situation settles into my chest again, and I can feel the frustration bubbling up, even though I'm trying to push it down. I've been trying not to think too much about it, but here we are.

Jade takes the shirt, shaking her head slightly as she folds it neatly into a pile. "Sarah, I was there. Trust me, I was just as shocked as everyone else in that room. Conrad's always on top of things like that."

I sigh, running my hand through my hair. "I know, you're right, I'm sorry. It's just... it's bothering me. It's not like him, Jade." I pause, struggling to find the words to express exactly what I'm feeling. "He hasn't been himself all summer. He's been distant, like there's this invisible wall between him and everyone else. And sure, I've noticed him pulling away before, but this... this feels different."

Jade watches me carefully as I continue, her eyes softening. She knows how much I care about Conrad, about all of them really. "The only time he's seemed like himself was that first night him and I went to the boardwalk. Do you remember? He actually smiled, like, a real smile. It was the first time in weeks where I felt like maybe things were okay. But since then..." I trail off, my thoughts wandering to the way he's been acting lately, how he's barely even been around.

"Yeah, I remember," Jade says, her voice quieter now, reflecting the seriousness of the conversation. "But maybe he's just going through something? You know how he gets sometimes. It's like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and doesn't want anyone to see it."

I shake my head, frustrated. "I know Conrad has his moments, but this isn't just one of those phases. He's never forgotten Belly's birthday, not once. Hell, he doesn't forget anyone's birthday. And it's not like he's been so busy that it slipped his mind—he's been... absent. Even when he's around, it's like he's not really there, you know?"

Jade raises an eyebrow, setting aside the pile of clothes and crossing her arms. "You think something happened between him and Belly?"

I bite my lip, considering the possibility. "I don't know. I mean, I'd know if it was something big, right? Belly would've told me, or at least hinted at it. But she hasn't said anything, and from what I can tell, she's as confused by him as the rest of us." I pause, sinking down onto the bed, letting the frustration seep into my tone. "Something's off, Jade. I've never seen him like this before. It's like he's shutting all of us out."

Jade sits beside me, her voice soft but firm. "Have you tried talking to him? Like, really talking? Not just the usual 'hey, what's up' kind of thing, but actually sitting him down and asking him what's going on."

I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "You know how Conrad is. He doesn't exactly open up when he's going through stuff. The last time I tried to get him to talk about his feelings, he brushed me off like I was overreacting. And now, with everything else going on... I don't even know if he'd let me in."

Jade nudges me with her shoulder. "I get that, but you're also one of the few people he actually listens to. If anyone can get through to him, it's you. And maybe that's exactly what he needs right now—someone who won't let him hide."

I sigh, knowing she's right but not quite sure how to approach the situation. "I just don't want to push him away. What if he's dealing with something and doesn't want to talk about it yet?"

"Then he'll tell you," Jade says simply. "But you can't keep tiptoeing around him, hoping he'll magically open up on his own. That's not how it works with him. You know that."