The Summer I Came Home

The Summer Countdown

Belly couldn't believe it was almost time to return to the beach house. Every year, it felt like the same ritual, but this time, there was an edge of excitement she hadn't expected. It wasn't just the salty air or the promise of lazy afternoons by the shore it was the fact that this summer, she felt different. Last summer had been a mess of awkward moments, misunderstandings, and well, Conrad. She couldn't quite figure out what had happened with him, but something told her this summer would be...better. She was ready for something new. Maybe ever ready for Conrad. 

She zipped up her suitcase, throwing in one last beach towel. Her best friend, Taylor, lounged on her bed, flipping through a magazine with a bored expression. She was wearing the same oversized sunglasses she'd had for years, but still Snowhow managed to look chic. Belly had never figured out how she did it. 

"You're bringing that?" Taylor laughed, her finger pointing at the neon green bikini in Belly's suitcase. 

Belly smirked. "Hey, it's a classic. I need to have options."

"Sure, sure, options," Taylor teased, sitting up and tossing her magazine aside. "So, are we talking about boys again, or do you want to talk about volleyball instead?"

Belly rolled her eyes. "Isn't it the same thing? Volleyball is just an excuse to flirt with boys."

"Exactly!" Taylor grinned, flipping her hair. "Okay, so who's the lucky guy this summer? Jeremiah Fisher? Or are you still pining after Mr. Brooding Conrad?" She smirked as she said it, knowing just how much the name still made Belly's heart race especially after last summer's near-miss. 

Belly laughed nervously, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I don't know what I want, okay? I'm just here for a chill summer."

"Right," Taylor said, leaning back and giving her a knowing look. "Chill summer, huh? And what about Conrad? You two are a walking rom-com waiting to happen." She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. 

Belly groaned and collapsed back onto her bed. "Don't start. I'm just trying to enjoy yeh beach, Volleyball, and not deal with any drama."

Taylor raised both eyebrows. "So, no drama with Conrad then? You sure about that?"

Belly didn't respond immediately, her mind drifting. Conrad was always part of the equation. He had been, anyway. She wasn't sure where they stood, but for once, she didn't want to overthink it. Maybe this summer, they could just..figure it out. Whatever "It" was. 

"Belly, we don't have time to sit here and dissect your love life," Taylor said with a teasing grin. "Your mom just texted me. We need to leave. Like, now. Are you ready?"

"Ugh, fine," Belly sighed, sitting up. She grabbed the last of her things and shoved them into her suitcase, thinking back to the endless summers spent in the Fishers beach house. No matter what had happened last year, there was something about that house the ocean, the sun, the soft breeze that made her feel at home in a way nothing else did. This summer was going to be different. It had to be.

The Drive to the Beach

The drive to the beach house wasn't quite the same as it had been in the past. Belly and Steven's conversations had gotten more tense over the years. They used to talk and joke about everything, but now, it felt like every little thing they said to each other had an undercurrent of annoyance. 

"Seriously, can you please stop playing the radio so loud?" Steven grumbled from the passenger seat, glancing at Belly. "I'm trying to drive, here."

Belly rolled her eyes. "You're so picky. It's not like I'm blasting heavy metal or anything."

"It's not about the music. It's about you always having the volume up to ten. It's like your ears are broken or something."

Belly stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm not the one who can't stand the sound of anything but silence." She knew how much he hated road trips and the long, monotonous drive to Cousins Beach. But it wasn't like she was thrilled about it either. She was almost ready to get out of the car, stretch her legs, and be done with the whole thing. 

Belly glanced out the window, daydreaming about the beach house and what was waiting for her when they finally arrived. She was so focused on the idea of the beach so wrapped up in it that she barely noticed the exit they were approaching. 

"Wait, we need gas," Steven said, noticing the blinking fuel light. "Let's stop at the station up ahead."

The gas station wasn't much. A small convenience store, a few cars parked along the lot, and a single attendant behind the counter. Belly hopped out, stretching her arms and legs before walking into the small store with Steven. But as she passed by a group of guys standing by their truck, one of them daughter her eye. 

The guy was tall, with messy dark hair and a wide, easygoing grin. He waved, catching her off guard. 

"Hey, I've seen you around here before, Haven't I?" His voice was smooth, like he was used to getting attention and liked it.

Belly felt herself freeze for a second before she smiled. "Yeah, I'm usually here with my family."

"You're the Fisher friend, right? He titled his head, then smiled wider. "I'm Jake. I was thinking of heading to a bonfire later if you want to come. It's right on the beach. Should be a good time."

Belly's pulse quickened as she glanced back at Steven, who was still at the pump. She hadn't even noticed Jack before, but now that he was standing right there, talking to her, her stomach did that weird fluttering thing it hadn't done in a while. It was strange, considering she'd barely even talked to him, but something about the way he looked at her made her feel...different.

"A bonfire? That sounds fun." She tried to sound casual, but she could feel her cheeks turning pink. "I'll think about it."

"Cool. I'll be there around eight if you change your mind." Jack grinned before walking back toward his truck.

Belly watched him go, still trying to shake the feeling that just happened. Her heart was racing in a way that made her wonder if this summer might hold more than just volleyball hames and awkward glances. Maybe, just maybe, something else was waiting for her too. 

Hayven's Introduction

Back in the car, the rest of the drive was quiet. Steven had put his headphones in and Belly was left alone with her thoughts. She found herself thinking about the bonfire, about how different it felt to be noticed in that way again. 

When they finally arrived at the beach house, Belly noticed a new face by the front porch. Standing there, almost as if she didn't belong, was a girl who looked like she was trying to fit in without quite knowing how. 

"Who's that?" Belly asked, tugging her suitcase behind her. 

"Don't you remember Hayven," Susannah said, coming out to greet them with her usual warm smile. "She's been staying with me for the past few months. I know it's been tough for her, but she's going to be spending the summer with us. You two can catch up later."

Belly studied the girl. Hayven was the same age as her, maybe a year older, but there was something about her that made her seem...distant. Her clothes were simple, more functional than fashionable, and her eyes looked like they were carrying a weight Belly didn't fully understand. She wasn't the bubbly, outgoing type that Belly expected from someone spending the summer at the beach house. She seemed more reserved, her posture almost defensive, like she wasn't sure if she was allowed to be there. 

Belly felt a sudden wave of sympathy for her. But she also knew that Hayven would probably never talk about whatever it was that was bothering her. Some people didn't, no matter how much you wanted them to. 

As Belly followed Susannah into the house, she glanced back one last time at Hayven, who was still standing by the porch, looking out at the ocean with a quiet sadness in her eyes. 

This summer was going to be different. But Belly wasn't sure yet whether it would be good different, or just hard different.