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𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝗜. The Truth About Love

Sometimes, a single glance can
rewrite the chapters of our hearts.
📜 𝗨𝗻𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑
[ 𝗦𝟬𝟭𝗘𝟬𝟯︰𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 ]

❛ So, 𝒅𝒐 you 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 a 𝒃𝒐𝒚𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅? ❜

MAISIE'S HEART RACED WITH ANTICIPATION, and her fingers nervously adjusted the straps of her white sundress as Cameron parked his car outside Nicole's house.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Maisie, Parker, Belly, and Taylor piled out of Cameron's car, a song by Saweetie blared from an amp nearby. Maisie blew out a small breath, her fingers still fidgeting with the straps of her white sundress, before she walked up to the house with her friends in tow.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As she walked up the stone path, her eyes trailed around, scanning the group of people gathered outside. However, her gaze failed to find the two people she most wanted to see. The Fisher boys had gone ahead of the girls, having been ready earlier.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she continued walking until she reached the door. She opened it and held it for her friends.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Once Maisie turned around, a guy her age slid down the stairs, landing a few feet from her. He winked at her, and she shivered as Parker raised her middle finger at him. He rolled his eyes before heading down the hall with a friend.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Parker scoffed, pointing after the guy, saying, "And that's why I'm gay."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie rolled her eyes with a smile as footsteps approached them, followed by Nicole's voice saying, "Belly, you came!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nicole pulled Belly into a hug, a drink in hand. Belly smiled as she squeezed Nicole for a moment before pulling back and examining Nicole's colorful dress. "Hey, Nicole. You look so pretty."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh, me? Look at you. Oh, my goodness," Nicole gushed before her eyes went to the flower crown that Belly still wore. "Are those real flowers?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Belly nodded with a small smile before pulling Maisie closer to her. "Yeah, Maisie made them."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nicole's lips parted in amazement before she looked at Maisie. "These look really cool," she said, then motioned toward a room that appeared to be a dining room. "Well, we have to show Gigi."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nicole began pulling Belly and Maisie into the dining room, but the two girls stopped for a moment to check on their friends.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You have fun over there," Cameron smiled as Taylor crossed her arms. "I'm gonna go find a drink."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'll go with you," Parker murmured, and together, they made their way over to the drinks table. Maisie caught sight of Jeremiah on a couch with another guy. Her heart skipped a small beat as he smiled at the guy before she joined Nicole and Belly in the dining room.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Once Maisie and Belly entered the room, they were greeted by a three-tier cake adorned with sixteenth birthday candles, and all their debutante friends were standing around it. Dara passed a lighter to Nicole, who began igniting the wicks on the candles.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um, is this for me?" Belly asked with a bright smile, causing Nicole to roll her eyes with a smile of her own. "Who else would it be for, Belly?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh, my..." Belly glanced around the table of cakes with twinkling eyes. "These cakes are amazing, Nicole."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I never miss a chance to have a Sofia Coppola moment," Nicole snickered, and the room burst into laughter, causing Nicole to roll her eyes playfully.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As the laughter died down slightly, Nicole motioned to the cake. "Okay, well, Belly, make a wish."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Belly smiled before leaning over the cake. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her smile softened as she blew out a breath, extinguishing the fire.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The girls all cheered for Belly as she pulled away from the cake, and then Gigi spoke up, looking at Maisie. "Oh, Maisie, where's Jeremiah?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie felt a strange sensation niggling in her chest before she shrugged and pointed over to the living room/drink station. "He's over there with the drinks."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Gigi looked over into the living room before tilting her head at her friends, "Who's thirsty?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You," Marisa snickered, "clearly."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Everyone in the room giggled except Maisie, who felt a small ache in her chest.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Dara shook her head, stifling her laughter before turning to Nicole. "So, Nicole, you and Conrad a thing or what?" Maisie watched Nicole put her drink down with a frown as she faced Dara. "I think 'or what'."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Wait," Marisa interrupted, looking over at Maisie and Belly, "you guys live with him. You should know what he's up to."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Belly and Maisie shared a look, both of them shrugging, prompting Marisa to clarify, "Has he been hanging out with other girls this summer?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie watched Nicole shift uncomfortably beside her and shook her head immediately. "No, no girls. He's just complex and needs time to figure things out. He'll come around," Maisie assured, her heart hurting with each word.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nicole nodded, sending Maisie a grateful smile. "Okay, well, new topic." She then tilted her head at Maisie. "Have you found a guy to take you to the ball?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie shook her head with pursed lips. "Not yet." Nicole frowned at her answer. "Well, don't worry, you'll find a guy soon. I bet there's an entire line-up waiting for your attention."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀But what if Maisie only wanted the attention of two guys?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Belly shuddered for a moment, took a deep breath, and replied, "No, I was gonna, uh, do it before dinner today, but, um," Belly's eyes trailed over to the living room with a look Maisie couldn't entirely pinpoint, "everyone was there."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Do it right now," Nicole urged, crossing her arms to emphasize her seriousness. "Just ask him."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Gigi shook her head behind Nicole, pointing her drink in the direction of the stairs on the other side of the wall. "What you're gonna do is you're gonna take him to an empty bedroom and ask him there."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Dara, Marisa, and Nicole shook their heads as soon as the words left Gigi's mouth. Dara held her hand out with a small giggle. "No, do not do that. He'll get too excited."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Gigi scoffed at her friend before turning to Belly with encouraging eyes. "That's the point. He'll say yes."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's attention had drifted away from Nicole's conversation, captivated instead by Conrad's presence in the other room. As he laughed with his friends, his charming smile caught her eye, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. It was as if a warm, glowing feeling enveloped her at that moment.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀When Conrad ran his hands through his hair and glanced in her direction, Maisie couldn't help but smile back at him. Their brief exchange of smiles felt like a connection, a shared secret in a crowded room. But as quickly as it had started, it ended abruptly when Conrad's gaze shifted over to Nicole.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The smile on Conrad's face faded, replaced by something unreadable. He muttered something to his friends, and Maisie watched as he excused himself, slipping away from the group.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It was as if a sudden realization had dawned on him, one that pulled him away from Maisie's presence.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Conrad walked away, Maisie felt a pang in her chest, as if a piece of her heart had gone with him.

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⦗☀︎⦘

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MAISIE SIPPED ON A CUP OF WATER, learning her lesson from the beach. That day would be the only day she'd drink, hopefully.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie sat down on the couch between Belly and Cameron, her drink in hand. Her eyes wandered over to Jeremiah, who was deeply engrossed in conversation with a guy nearby.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As she observed their interaction, her expression shifted from casual curiosity to a subtle frown. It seemed Jeremiah wasn't just talking; there was a flirtatious energy in the air that didn't sit quite right with her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Maisie looked away, the bitter feeling in her heart lingering, she took a sip of her drink to distract herself. Just then, she felt the cushion beside her dip, signifying the arrival of someone new. Her curiosity piqued, she turned her gaze toward the person.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀His dark, brown eyes stared into hers, and his eyebrows knitted as he inquired, "What's got you so down? I mean, one would think that a party would cheer someone up." He then pointed to her drink, adding with a playful grin, "especially with liquid courage."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A small smile grew on Maisie's lips as she shook her head, her brown waves bouncing with her movement. "It's water," she explained, her tone lightening. "I learned my lesson with drinking at the last party I went to."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀His eyebrows nearly shot up to his black curls with amusement. "Well," he chuckled, "then I'm glad I didn't make a move on you during the bonfire."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's eyes widened slightly as she asked, "You were at the bonfire?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He nodded with a soft laugh. "I think that party was the longest bonfire we've had in Cousins. They usually get shut down thirty minutes in." He then playfully nudged her with his elbow, adding, "Guess we got a good luck charm this year."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie snickered, her teeth grazing against her bottom lip. "Smooth," she replied, a playful glint in her eye.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He held his hands out in mock defense, "I try."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He tilted his head at her with a soft smile before extending his hand. "I'm Lincoln." Maisie reached out with her unoccupied hand and shook his hand gently. "Maisie," she replied with a friendly nod.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Well, Maisie," Lincoln began as he pulled his hand away, "I may have heard that you're a debutante this year." His tone held a hint of curiosity and playfulness.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie took a sip of her water before shrugging casually. "Where'd you hear that?" she inquired.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A wide smile continued to grace Lincoln's face as he explained, "My sister did." He motioned towards another room, prompting Maisie to look in that direction.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her eyes widened in recognition as she realized he was pointing to Nicole. Maisie turned her gaze back to Lincoln, a hint of surprise in her expression, "I didn't know Nicole had a brother."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln maintained his playful smile and shrugged. "Guess she realized that if she mentioned me, I would outshine her," he quipped, winking at Maisie and eliciting a playful eye roll from her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As she took another sip of her water, Lincoln continued with a sly grin, "So, do you have a boyfriend?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie sputtered for a moment, caught off guard, as she choked on the water and then quickly chugged it down. She cleared her throat, wiping away the water that had dribbled down her chin, and looked at him in mild surprise. "A boyfriend?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln stared at her for a moment, a look of shock crossing his face. "Oh, shit," he said, his voice filled with genuine shock, "are you lesbian? Have I been flirting with a lesbian?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie instantly shook her head, a chuckle escaping her lips at the unexpected turn in their conversation. "No, I'm not a lesbian," she assured him, her amusement evident. "I like guys."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her attention briefly drifted to Jeremiah, whose eyes were already on her. She offered him a warm smile, but he didn't return it; instead, his gaze remained fixed on Lincoln with a clenched jaw.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her smile dimmed slightly, but she pushed the awkward interaction aside and refocused her attention on Lincoln, eager to continue their conversation.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln's grin widened as he continued their conversation, "So, no boyfriend?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's heart clenched slightly as she answered, her voice soft and honest, "No boyfriend."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln's attempt to continue the conversation was abruptly halted by a screeching feedback noise that pierced the air, causing Maisie to cringe.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The sudden silence in the room, with the music stopped, made the disruption even more noticeable. She turned her gaze toward the source of the noise, and it was no surprise to her that it was Jeremiah who had caused it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He stood at the speaker, tapping the microphone connected to it before speaking into it, "Testing, testing, one, two, three."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeremiah clicked on the speaker, and an instrumental version of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's Summer Nights filled the room. He playfully pointed at Maisie, calling her out, "Maisie, you better sing. All those late nights are going to pay off."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's head dipped slightly as her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She couldn't help but remember those late nights with Jeremiah when they would enthusiastically jam out to the Grease soundtrack.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeremiah had a knack for bringing back memories and putting her on the spot, and this was no exception.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeremiah, joined by Dara, Gigi, and Nicole, began singing the lyrics to Summer Nights with enthusiasm, creating a lively atmosphere in the room. As the next verse came up, Jeremiah playfully pointed the microphone in Maisie's direction, encouraging her to join in. With a hint of hesitancy, she started to sing along, her head gently bobbing to the rhythm, "Summer loving happened so fast."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeremiah playfully rolled his eyes before taking Maisie by the hand and pulling her off the couch. He twirled her around in time with the music as he continued to sing, "I met a girl crazy for me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie giggled as she danced and sang her way through the lyrics, her debutante friends joining in the fun, "I met a boy as cute as can be."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Jeremiah spun Maisie around once more, she couldn't help but notice how the atmosphere in the room had transformed. Couples and friends had joined in the dance, and the sense of camaraderie and shared joy was palpable. Her heart warmed as she took in the scene.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeremiah playfully pointed the microphone at her, letting her take the lead in singing the next part, "To, oh, oh, the summer nights." Maisie's voice filled the room.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh, well-a, well-a, well-a," a deeper voice joined in, and Maisie couldn't help but laugh when she realized it was Cameron, holding a microphone in his hands.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With the room filled with voices, everyone joined in, creating a chorus of laughter and shared enthusiasm. Jeremiah threw his arm over Maisie's shoulder, and they bopped along together as they sang, "Tell me more, tell me more. Did you get very far? Tell me more, tell me more. Like, does he have a car?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As the beats of the song pulsed through the room, everyone in the room enthusiastically joined in, mimicking the rhythm of the music. Jeremiah, ever the showman, twirled Maisie once again and dipped her slightly in a playful dance move. Maisie's body vibrated with laughter, and her cheeks ached from the continuous smiling.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Jeremiah righted her from the playful dip, Maisie suddenly felt her throat growing dry, a side effect of all the singing and dancing. She motioned to the drinks table, indicating her need for a drink. Jeremiah frowned slightly but let her go, twirling her once more for good measure. Maisie rolled her eyes playfully at his persistence before making her way over to the drinks table.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She grabbed a water bottle and wasted no time, downing a quarter of it in one gulp, feeling the cool liquid quench her thirst and refresh her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You have a good voice," Lincoln's voice suddenly sounded from behind her, and Maisie turned around to see him smiling down at her. She couldn't help but snicker slightly, her cheeks blushing just a bit. "Thanks," she replied.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln cleared his throat, his fingers fidgeting with nervous energy. "So," he began, "can I maybe get your number?" he asked, his request laced with a hopeful smile.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's eyes lit up slightly at Lincoln's request, and she nodded with a warm smile. "Uh, sure," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Lincoln's face brightened at her answer, and he eagerly fished his phone out of his pocket, nearly fumbling it in his haste. Maisie couldn't help but giggle at his enthusiasm as she gently took the phone from him. She opened the contacts app, ready to input her number.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀However, as her fingers hovered over the keypad, a moment of hesitation washed over her, and she paused, considering her next move.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀You wanted to get over the Fishers. This is your chance, a little voice in her head spoke.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie let the voice in her head guide her actions. She began typing her phone number into Lincoln's phone.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀This is a good thing, she told herself.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀If so, why did it feel so wrong?

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⦗☀︎⦘

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MAISIE STAGGERED SLEEPILY DOWN THE HALLWAY, stifling yawns as the sun peaked through the hallway windows.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her fingers idly brushed through her disheveled hair as she made her way past Conrad's room. In her half-asleep state, she noticed something—the door was ajar slightly, not completely closed as it usually was in the morning.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie stood at a crossroads, torn between continuing downstairs or succumbing to her curiosity and the desire to find Belly's birthday gift that she knew Conrad was hiding.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀After only a brief moment of contemplation, a determined look crossed her face. She pursed her lips slightly, deciding to take the risk. With a hint of hesitation, she quietly slipped into Conrad's room, her curiosity driving her actions.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie knew Conrad's habits well enough to head straight for his desk; he wasn't very creative with his hiding spots.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Maisie sifted through the items on the desk, she initially found nothing out of the ordinary. However, her eyes softened when she opened one of the drawers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀There, nestled inside, was a small jewelry box and a Taylor Swift-themed birthday card.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Curiosity getting the better of her, Maisie grabbed the Taylor Swift-themed birthday card and gently opened it, revealing Conrad's handwriting inside. Despite her initial intention to merely find the gift, she couldn't resist the urge to read the note and see what Conrad had written.

⠀⠀⠀Dear Belly,

⠀⠀⠀Congratulations, you're old.

⠀⠀⠀I'm writing this because I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what I said the other night.

⠀⠀⠀I shouldn't have made the mirror comment. I think you're pretty, Belly. As much as a gremlin can be pretty. (I'm joking. I hope you laugh at this.)

⠀⠀⠀Anyway, I'm also sorry for crashing your date. That was stupid. In the back pocket of the card, you'll find a gift card to the movie theater downtown. Hope the redo is better than the original.

⠀⠀⠀Also, I spent half of my savings on the necklace (why are necklaces 4000 dollars now?) so I hope you like it.

⠀⠀⠀Okay. Bye.

⠀⠀⠀With love and a sad face, Conrad.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What are you doing?" A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind her, and Maisie yelped in surprise, causing her to cry out, "Fóllame!" It was an instinctive reaction, a mix of shock and embarrassment.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie swung around abruptly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, and cringed as she found Conrad towering over her with a tilted head. The shock of being caught in the act of snooping had her heart racing, and she felt a rush of nervousness flood through her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie initially began to craft a lie in response, her mind racing to come up with an explanation. However, she quickly let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat. With an air of honesty, she admitted, "I knew you were lying to me, and I just wanted to have evidence for when I confronted you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Conrad considered Maisie's words for a moment, his expression softening. He sighed and gently took the birthday card from her, then reached behind her to retrieve the jewelry box. The proximity between them made Maisie shudder slightly, but she watched as he straightened up, holding the gifts in his hand.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Conrad nodded, his gaze fixed on the gifts, and he softly promised, "I'll give 'em to her later," as he placed the card and the jewelry box on the top of his desk. It was a silent pledge to address the situation in his own time.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie's eyes softened as she watched him, and she followed him to his bed, taking a seat beside him. She adjusted her baggy white shirt as she settled in.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Why didn't you give them to her earlier?" Maisie inquired, nudging Conrad slightly as he looked down at his lap. He responded with a casual shrug, saying, "Didn't feel like it." Yet, as he avoided meeting her gaze, Maisie sensed that there was more to it than Conrad was letting on.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You can tell me anything, Sailor," Maisie reassured him with a soft smile, using the endearing nickname that seemed to earn a small chuckle from Conrad.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Conrad ran his fingers through his hair in a gesture of frustration before finally sharing what had been bothering him. "When I went to the jewelry shop to get Belly her infinity necklace," he began, "the worker told me that my girlfriend would love it." He shrugged, looking over at Maisie, who was giving him her full attention. "I thought the gift was too...romantic."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Conrad met Maisie's gaze for a moment, his eyes scanning her face before nodding. "Right...Nicole."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie inhaled sharply, feeling the weight of the unspoken emotions in the room, before nodding. She pulled away from Conrad's penetrating gaze, breaking the intensity of the moment. "Well, I'm gonna go get breakfast."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As she rose from the bed, she looked at Conrad, who looked up at her from his sitting position. Maisie held his gaze for a moment longer. "Give Belly the gifts as soon as you see her, okay?" she urged, her words carrying a sense of urgency and care.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Conrad nodded in response to Maisie's request, his smile softening as he assured her, "Okay."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a triumphant smile, Maisie started to make her way out of Conrad's room. However, as she continued down the hallway, her steps faltered when she heard a muffled cry from one of the bedroom doors. It was her mom's bedroom door.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Concern instantly gripped Maisie, and she couldn't ignore the sound. She hesitated for a moment before moving towards her mother's bedroom door.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maisie approached her mom's bedroom door with caution, gently pressing her ear against it to better hear the source of the cry. Her heart felt heavy as she listened to her mother's sobs.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀However, as she started to pull away, she heard another voice, unmistakably Susannah's.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm sorry, Isla," Susannah's muffled voice came through the door, carrying a tone of remorse and sadness that hinted at her own emotional turmoil.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't get it, Beck," Isla cried softly, her voice filled with confusion and distress. "Why won't you fight? You fought last time, and you won."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Curiosity welled up inside Maisie as she listened to her mother's words. What the hell did she fight before?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A heavy silence followed Isla's question, and then Maisie heard Susannah's voice, filled with a sense of vulnerability and resignation. "I won't go through that again, Izzy," Susannah said quietly. "I can't go through chemo again. I want to be myself when... when I go."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The blood from Maisie's face drained, leaving her visibly pale as tears welled in her eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Susannah's cancer is back?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Suddenly, a wave of realization hit Maisie like a freight train. She remembered Conrad's recent behavior—the secrecy, the emotional distance, the drinking.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Does Conrad know?

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄

So...Maisie knows.

On a better note, next two chapters are the 4th of July... *wink*

▍PUBLISHED . . 09/23/23 — ♡︎ ୫
© POETICLULLS,                    2023