❛ 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 eight — dancing through storms
It hadn't hit me that we were on the plane; he had changed his mind, Conrad was coming to Cousins. I don't know what or who managed to change his stubborn mind, but I was eternally grateful that he had agreed to join me.
We managed to book a red-eye flight that would land in the early hours of the morning, also known as the day of Susannah's dedication. It would be the first time since Thanksgiving we were all together again. Between the two of us, I think it would be safe to say that I was more excited to see everyone than Conrad was; hence, his hesitation to come.
I had missed my brother, my mom, and, of course, the others. I hoped that us being all together, for the presence and memory of Susannah, would also light the magic back into Cousins just like old times. All those summers ago, before all the chaos, that's what I cherished the most, and us coming together is exactly what Susannah would've wanted.
I looked out the window as the clouds softened, revealing clearer houses and greenery; the plane was preparing for landing while the sun peeked through the early morning haze.
I rubbed my temple as a wave of tiredness consumed my body, the length of the flight and the uncomfortable chairs making it impossible to sleep. However, for Conrad, that was a different story. I gently nudged his shoulder, not wanting to startle him as his eyes fluttered open.
"Morning, sleepyhead," I scoffed. His hair was fluffy and untouched, a familiar look for him in the mornings.
"How long was I out for?" He questioned, a husky voice escaping his lips as he stretched, confusion lacing his face as he saw people around us gathering their things.
"A little while," I smiled weakly, wishing I were able to sleep for as long as he did.
Like everybody else, we grabbed our belongings and exited the plane. We made it through the gate and stepped outside of the airport, the salty air hitting my face instantly as we found the car that Conrad had been able to hire out for the next couple of days.
"To the beach house?" Conrad questioned, opening my side of the car so I could step in.
"You read my mind," I smiled, wanting nothing more than to huddle in bed and sleep.
The engine roared to life, and we navigated the winding, dark roads, ensuring we followed a route similar to the one leading to the beach house. I cracked the window open a bit to let in a cool breeze before resting my head against the side of the seat.
As we drove along the familiar winding roads, memories flooded back, each turn reminding me of summers filled with laughter and late-night bonfires. I glanced over at Conrad, who seemed lost in thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
