❛ i don't want to go to go think i'll make it worse,
everything i know brings me back to us. ❜
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･☼
❛ cousins felt like a second home to the brooke family, year after year they would return to the same place every summer. but this year felt diff...
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chapter fifty four — backseat driving
"The night would be even better with me there," Kath said playfully through the phone, which I had propped up on my desk to see her while I got ready.
"I know. I truly wish you could meet everyone because I'm certain you'd all get along," I sighed. Given our distance, FaceTime with Kath is my only opportunity to connect with her.
We continued our lively conversation, but my gaze began to drift toward the adjoining room. There, I spotted Conrad on the phone, his figure restless as he paced back and forth. His brow was furrowed, and he nervously ran his fingers through his hair, the strands falling chaotically as he spoke. Every few seconds, his lips moved in a rapid rhythm, forming sentences that were unauible from where I was.
"Liv?" My attention was diverted back to the phone; Kath looked at me intently as I shot her a small smile.
"Sorry." I apologised, suddenly feeling embarrassed for not paying attention to what Kath was saying.
"Everything okay?" She asked warily, worry crossing her face.
I went on to explain how Conrad had got the internship, which also meant he would be absent from his mom's dedication. Kath could tell it had upset me, but it couldn't be helped. He had to take this opportunity because things like this don't come around often and I knew it was breaking him as much as it was me. He had been quieter lately, in his own thoughts a lot, which also worried me because I didn't want him to shut me out.
Communication was important within our relationship. We knew that without being open and honest with one another, our emotional barriers would inevitably rise. When unspoken feelings and frustrations festered, it created a distance between us that was hard to bridge. Each moment of silence or miscommunication felt like adding another brick to an invisible wall, isolating us from one another. Eventually, the pressure would build to a breaking point, and we would lash out, redirecting our pent-up emotions toward each other in hurtful ways.
Understanding the importance of sharing our thoughts and feelings became essential in maintaining the closeness and trust we both valued so deeply. So when Conrad was given the conflicting news I knew it would be hard for him to make that choice, but he inevitably did.
"Hey Kath," He exclaimed, startling me with his sudden voice. He flashed a warm smile as he placed his hands on my shoulders and greeted my best friend. Conrad looked good, dressed in a shirt with the top buttons undone alongside a pair of blue jeans that he held up with a leather belt. His hair fell in its usual position, just above his eyes, and he had a grin lacing his face as I took in his features.
"Conrad," she said with a gentle smile, "I take it you're planning to whisk her away now, right?" She frowned a little at the thought of saying goodbye, but her tone was warm and inviting.
