The Summer I Came Home

Home Again

The familiar scent of saltwater and sunscreen hit Belly as she stepped out of the car, and for a moment, everything felt like it always had. With its worn wood floors and breezy porch, the beach house stood just as if it had for years, waiting for them to return. The air was thick with the warmth of summer, but Belly couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted inside her. 

As the family unloaded their bags, she caught a glimpse of the Fisher brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, coming around the corner of the house. She smiled instinctively, but when they saw her, their reactions caught her off guard. 

Jeremiah, ever the extrovert, bounded over and grabbed Steven in a tight bear hug. "Man, it's been too long!" he boomed, laughing as Steven groaned in mock protest. Then, without missing a beat, Jeremiah turned to Belly. His smile widened, and before she could even brace herself, he swept her off her feet, lifting her into a spin. Belly gasped, laughing, and before she knew it, her feet were off the ground and she was spinning in the air. 

"You're not a little girl anymore!" Jeremiah said, her voice full of warmth and playfulness as he set her back down. 

Belly's heart fluttered at the attention, but the way he looked at her was different. She wasn't used to being treated like that like she was something...new. Something grown. It sent a small, nervous thrill through her. She pulled her hair over her shoulder, trying to ignore the small blush creeping up her neck. 

When she turned to Conrad, his response was more subdued. He met her gaze, his lips curving up into a barely there smile, but his eyes were different. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel...seen. He didn't hug her, didn't even approach her like Jeremiah had, but he raised an eyebrow and gave her a nod. 

"You look better with the glasses," he said with his usual dry tone. 

Belly blinked, slightly taken aback. She had always been self-conscious about her glasses, but Conrad never used to mention them. She tilted her head, trying to figure out if he was complimenting her or just teasing her. 

Before she could respond, Jeremiah piped up, "Oh, don't worry about Conrad. He's just jealous because now you look all smart and cute, and he's still over there being Conard."

Belly felt a burst of laughter escape her before she could stop it. The boys were still teasing each other, as always. But something bad changed. She wasn't sure what, but she felt it. Her mom's laughter from the front steps of the house reminded her that, even as she was changing, this house and this family had always been a place of comfort and safety. Or so it used to feel. 

As they all entered the house, the sound of playful banter and teasing filled the air. Belly's mind, though, was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts of what was to come. She hadn't seen her dad in months, and the upcoming Fourth of July weekend was supposed to be the time when he returned. The plans were always the same he'd show up for the holiday, and they's spend a few days together before he had to leave again. But now, with everything different, Belly couldn't help but wonder how he would fit into this new version of her life. This wasn't the same family she had known a year ago. She wasn't the same person. 

The Poolside Tease

As the afternoon sun grew stronger, the group migrated outside Belly felt herself relax a little. She loved this part of the summer the feeling of the sun on her skin, the endless stretch of sand, and the promise of late-night bonfires. It had always been about the water. and now that she was back, it felt like she could finally breathe. 

But as she turned toward the pool, she heard a shout from behind her. "Cannonball!"

Before she could move, Jeremiah, always the prankster, launched himself into the pool, sending a wave of water over the edge. Belly squealed, trying to move out of the way, but it was too late. Water splashed everywhere, and she found herself drenched in seconds. 

"Hey! Watch it!" she yelled, though she was laughing as she wiped the water out of her eyes. 

Jeremiah grinned up at her, dripping wet but proud of his splash. "What?" it's your first day back! Gotta keep it exciting!"

Conrad, who had been leaning against the railing, shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're such a child," muttered, but his eyes were amused. 

Belly, trying to play it cool, crossed her arms and smirked. "Oh, I think you need a little dip too, don't you?"

Without waiting for a response, she reached out, grabbed Conrad's arm, and yanked him toward the pool. His surprised grunt was too late to stop her, and before he could recover, he found himself being dragged into the cool water. Belly couldn't help but laugh as Conrad resurfaced, sputtering. 

"You're insane," he grumbled, licking his wet hair back. But there was a faint smile on his lips that made Belly's heart skip a beat. 

Jeremiah cheered from the poolside. "Yes! I love it when you two fight like this. It's better than Netflix!"

Belly swam to the edge of the pool, shaking her head. "I didn't even mean to pull him in. But I think he's secretly a big fan of poolside drama."

Conrad rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "I think I'm gonna need a drink after this," He muttered, glancing over to where the coolers were lined up on the nation. 

"Hey, don't think you're off the hook just because you're all wet and cranky," Belly teased, splashing water in his direction. Conrad didn't flinch. If anything, he seemed almost pleased by the easy back and forth. 

Jeremiah was already planning his next move, dragging Steven into the pool with him. The sounds of splashing and laughter filled the air. Belly couldn't help but smile there was something special about these moments. It felt like home. Even if there were still things that felt different, some things hadn't changed. The boys, the water, the summer light it was all still the same. 

Hayven's Internal struggles

 Inside the house, Hayven lingered by the windows, looking out at the scene unfolding outside. She was glad to be here it was a relief to be at the beach house, to breathe the ocean air and feel like a part of something again. But as she watched Belly and the Fisher brothers interact, a heavy sadness weighed on her chest. 

She had once been so comfortable in this space. This house had felt like hers too she had practically grown up here, running around with Belly and the boys, sharing secrets, and making memories. But now, it felt like a place where she didn't quite belong anymore. Her old friends seemed like they had moved on, grown up, and changed. And Hayven...well, she was still trying to figure out how to fit in again. 

She watched as Belly laughed, teasing Conrad and Jeremiah, feeling the natural ease of their friendship. They all seemed so connected, so at home with each other. Hayven couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the outside, looking in. She was still processing the trauma of the past year the loss of her mother, the upheaval of moving from one foster home to another, and now even here, in a house she once thought of as a second home, she felt like an outsider. 

She didn't know how to bridge that gap. She didn't know how to just walk up to Belly, to the boys, and act like everything was the same as it had been before. She knew she wasn't the same girl who had spent summer here as a child. She wasn't the carefree, playful Hayven that Belly and the Fisher boys had known. Now, everything was harder. Every conversation felt strained. Every laugh felt forced. 

It wasn't that she didn't love them she did. It was just that the weight of her grief and the years spent alone in foster care had changed her. Made her quieter. More reserved. More afraid of being let down. 

She didn't know if she'd ever feel like she belonged here again. But for now, she could just stay in the background and watch. Maybe, in time, things would be different. Maybe, one day, she'd find her place in the summer she used to call her own.