Last Kiss

chapter 70- sweet beginnings (bonrad's version)

The rain had stopped, leaving the beach drenched and glistening under the moonlight. Belly stood at the edge of the shore, her toes sinking into the wet sand as she stared out at the waves. The storm had been quick but fierce, mirroring the emotions she'd been trying to hold back all summer.

She heard footsteps behind her, familiar even in their softness. Without turning around, she knew it was Conrad. He had a way of always showing up when she least expected it—and when she most needed him.

"You're gonna catch a cold out here," he said quietly, coming to stand beside her.

"I'm fine," Belly replied, though she didn't feel fine. She felt like everything was slipping away, like summer was ending too quickly and taking everything that mattered with it.

Conrad didn't say anything for a while, just stood there, watching the ocean with her. His presence was calming, but also unsettling, like a reminder of all the things left unsaid between them.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Belly, I—" He stopped, his voice catching. "I know I've messed up. A lot."

She looked at him, her heart tightening. This was the part where he would say what she'd been waiting for all summer—that he cared, that he still wanted her. But the words didn't come. They never did with Conrad, not when she needed them most.

"You don't have to say anything," she whispered, turning back to the ocean. "I already know."

But that wasn't true. She didn't know. Not really. Every time she thought she understood Conrad, he slipped through her fingers like sand.

He sighed, running a hand through his messy, damp hair. "You shouldn't have to guess how I feel. That's not fair."

Belly's chest ached. "Then why do I?"

Conrad's eyes were on her now, intense and full of something she couldn't read. "Because I don't always know what I'm feeling either. But I do know one thing—I don't want to lose you."

The words hit her like a wave, knocking the wind out of her. She'd waited so long to hear them, and now that they were here, they didn't bring the relief she thought they would. Instead, they made her heart pound with fear. Fear that it wasn't enough. Fear that this moment would fade just like every other fleeting connection they had.

"You don't have to lose me," she said softly. "But you have to stop pushing me away."

Conrad's expression shifted, his usual guardedness faltering for just a moment. "I'll try."

It wasn't a promise, not exactly, but it was more than she'd gotten from him in a long time. She turned to him, letting the vulnerability show in her eyes.

"Okay," she whispered.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Conrad reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. And in that small, quiet moment, Belly let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could figure this out. Together.