𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄
↳ 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖞'𝖘 𝖇𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖍𝖉𝖆𝖞 . . .

              𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 morning, she still felt pretty exhausted from the evening before. She had been so excited when the date went well, but the fight with Conrad ruin her evening completely.

She just couldn't stand the new version the boy had become over the year. The two had been so close once, but now there seemed to be worlds between them.

As soon as the girl had put on her cloths, she quickly made her way downstairs, joining the other's in the kitchen.

Grace made her way past Conrad in silence. The brunette boy was ignoring her while he was concentrating on his breakfast as good as he could.

The teenage girl gave him a side glance, before she grabbed herself a bowl and filled it with some milk and cornflakes.

She had nearly finished get doing when suddenly, Belly rounded the corner and everyone in the kitchen flashed her a big smile. "Happy Birthday!"

The dark haired girl couldn't stop herself from smiling widely. Susannah streched her arms out, giving her a hug, "There's the birthday girl, looking like a vision in floral. Happy Birthday!"

Next up was Jeremiah, followed by Grace, Conrad and Steven, "Happy Birthday, Bells!"

"Now, Belly Button is getting old finally! Happy birthday!"

At last was their mum, who hugged her daughter tightly. Belly smiled at them excited, "Thanks everyone."

"You're Mickey Mouse pancakes are ready", her mother then told her happyly, but Belly's eyes widened and she stared stuttering. "Actually I'm not really, uh, hungry."

Her mother hesitated for a small moment, seeming disappointed, "Oh."

"Shall we open gifts?", Susannah questioned them, interrupting the awkward moment.

"Oh, you're gonna love mine", Jeremiah exclaimed, making Belly's smile reaper.

Grace smirked to herself as she watched the exchange between the two teenagers. But then her gaze wandered over to Conrad, who was just staring down at his breakfast again.

Only a moment later they were all gathered in the living room and Belly started opening the presents.

When she'd opened the first gift, it was a book. "I got it from a rare book dealer", their mother then told her smiling.

"Thank's, Mom."

"Turn to the bookmarked page", Laurel stated before she gazed at Susannah. "It's your favourite poem."

"Oh, yeah. I remember Susannah teaching us to recite this." Belly looked at the other's before they all quoted the poem together, "For whatever we lose— like a you or a me. It's always ourselves we find in the sea."

"Thank you! I love it", Belly told her honestly, closing the book. "You're welcome."

Susannah now handed the young girl a gift, "Okay, open mine now, Belly."

The girl slowly opened the gift, her eyes widening at what she saw, "Oh, wow. They're gorgeous. Thank you, Susannah!"

The blond woman sat down besides her helping her to put it on. Only now Grace could see that it was a necklace out of white pearls.

"My mom gave me these pearls for my sweet 16. Radiant isn't she?", the woman questioned as she joined their mother again.

"They look great on you, sweetheart", Laurel smiled.

"Oh, I'm next!", Jeremiah exclaimed before he quickly handed Belly his present.

It was a tiny little golden key that appeared when Belly opened the box. "It's a good-luck charm to help you pass your driving test."

The girl immediately put it into her golden bracelet, smiling she wiggled it. "Perfect. Thank you."

"Think fast, Belly!", Steven suddenly threw his present at his little sister. "What?"

The brunette caught it last second, shooting her brother an annoyed glare.

"Steven!"

"Wow, Steven. I can't believe you actually spent money on me", Belly smiled as she held up the pullover her brother had gifted her.

"Relax, I just didn't wanted you stealing mine next year when I get in", her brother stated smiling.

"I didn't know you were still considering Princeton", their mother suddenly spoke up again, catching Steven's attention.

The boy seemed nervous, "You know— I— I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships, and Dad thinks I can get some financial aid. I— I don't know. I'll see I I get in."

Their mother frowned, "Okay, uhm—"

Suddenly Susannah changed the topic again, "Conrad, uh, do you want to give Belly your present?"

And to their luck Conrad went on, handing Belly his present, which was followed by Grace's present.

At last Belly had opened every gift and Jeremiah stood up. "Hey, why don't we take my car and practice driving before we have to pick up Taylor and Sarah from the bus station."

Belly nodded, packing away the pullover, "Yeah, why not."

It didn't took long before the three sat in Jeremiah's jeep, driving down the street that lead from their house to the city.

"Okay, slow and steady. You're doing great. Just keep going straight, okay?", Jeremiah questioned her and Belly nodded.

"You excited to see, Taylor and Sarah?", the boy then questioned Belly curiously. "Yeah, uh, of course. So excited."

Jeremiah seemed sceptical, "You sure?" He chuckled quietly and Belly shrugged. "Look, Taylor is my best friend in the world, but, um, I mean you know how Taylor is. She's like a hurricane."

"Oh, yeah. Hurricane Taylor", the boy joked, making them all chuckle.

"And I guess I always feel like the supporting character around her, which I normally, I don't mind."

"But it's your Birthday", Jeremiah ended her sentence for her. "And you're theain character, Belly, not her." Grace started smirking again while she watched the two from the back seat.

Belly nodded at him, making eye contact she smiled, "Yeah, thanks, Jere."

Suddenly Belly didn't hold the steering wheel straight and Jeremiah quickly grabbed it.

The boy exhaled deeply as the girl looked at him, "Whoops."

Jere chuckled while his eyes were still wide, "Bells? We're gonna need a part two driving lesson, okay?"

Grace chuckled as she leaned back, "No offence, but also a part three and a part four."

They all laughed while Belly continued to drive them down to the bus station. About ten minutes later, the bus arrived.

"Twenty bucks she calls you Jeremy again", Belly suddenly whispered at the boy.

"You think? I don't know— I think she learned from last time", Jeremiah said as he gave her a challenging look.

Belly seemed pretty confident, "You thin? That's how she flirts with you."

The doors opened and Jeremiah's attention immediately turned towards the bus. "Here they come!"

Taylor and Sarah stepped out of the bus, Ballons in their hands while they smiled widely.

The four girls quickly hugged each other, "Oh my God! Happy Birthday!"

"Look at you!"

Taylor suddenly looked her best friend up and down, "Belly, you little tart!"

"What?", the brunette frowned at her. "You finally took my advice. This outfit is snatched", Taylor stated dryly, which made Belly chuckle while blushing slightly.

"Oh, my God. Taylor."

Taylor ignored her best friend and looked over at Jeremiah, "Isn't Belly looking like a snack?"

"Always", the boy agreed while he smiled at them. Belly nodded at him thankfully, "Thank you."

"Oh, uh, here, let me get your bags", Jeremiah proposed to Taylor and Sarah.

Taylor smield, handing him her bag, "Thank you. You're such a gentleman, Jeremy!"

Grace and Jeremiah exchanged a look, holding back laughter's while he bowed infront of Taylor. "Of course."

"Um, it's Jeremiah. Not Jeremy. Even I know that", Sarah corrected Taylor while she nudged her shoulder with hers.

"I like Jeremy better", Taylor simply stated while she watched the boy.

Jeremiah remained silent until then, "Uh, should we, uh, head home?"

"Ooh, actually, can we make a stop first?", Sarah suddenly questioned them.

"Mmm. I live. I would literally eat this every day if I could", Taylor said as she took another bite.

"Me too."

Taylor suddenly stuck her hand into her bag. "Okay. Open your present. It's from me and Sarah."

The girl handed Belly a bag and the brunette pulled out a purple Bikini.

"I'll think it'll look so hot on you. Do you like it?", Taylor questioned her best friend excited while Jeremiah scoffed quietly.

"Okay, Belly would never wear that", the boy suddenly stated, making Grace frowne at him.

"Actually, I really like it. Thank you, guys!", the girl then shot back at him before she smiled at her friends.

"You're welcome", they both chimmed in union. "Okay, so what's the plan for tonight? Where's the party?"

Belly packed the bikini away before she answered, "Well, Susannah always plans a big lobster dinner."

"Boring! No!", Taylor exclaimed. "It's your sixteenth birthday. We have to go out."

"No, no, no. These dinners are actually really, really fun. And Susannah had the idea to make Midsommer themed, so she got flower crowns especially made for us and everything", Belly answered her friend, seeming pretty excited about the dinner.

Taylor didn't look very excited, "Don't you think you should be spending your birthday with people your own age?"

"I am. You're here", Belly stated simply, a frown on her face. "Hello? am I invisible?", Jeremiah exclaimed while Grace waved at the girl and then pointed at herself.

Taylor shot them a look, "And I guess Steven too."

"And Cam's coming, too. As well as Ezra, I alloweded Grace to invite her new boyfriend", Belly smirked excited as she gave her sister a look.

Grace rolled with her eyes when Sarah suddenly spoke up, "Yay, I'm so excited to meet the guy who finally got Grace to take her eyes of you-know-who."

"Sarah! Don't say such shit!", Grace snapped at her best friend.

"What?"

Jeremiah cleared his throat awkwardly, "I have an idea. We can go to Nicole's big blowout at her place tonight. Maybe go after dinner?"

"Yes. Who's Nicole?", Taylor immediately questioned him.

"She's out big sister for the Deb ball. She's super nice and just really cool and fun and—", Belly explained to her and Gracw could see how uncomfortable Taylor got.

The girl looked away, "Ugh, I'm melting right now. Can we go back to the house? I want to change into my Bikini and jump in the pool."

"Sure."

"I can shotgun", Taylor stated, smiling widely at her best friend. "Come on, Bells."

          𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 helped Sarah unpack her things while the two gossiped.

That also meant that Grace had told Sarah about her and Conrads fight the evening before.

Sarah had told her to forget about him and the two decided that they would join the other's in the pool.

"Wow, Grace you look so hot. Conrad is going to lose his mind when he sees you in this bikini", Taylor stated as the group of four swum in the pool.

Grace scoffed as she blushed slightly, "You're crazy. He couldn't care less. I mean—"

"Come on, Grace", Sarah nudged her. "No, honestly!"

Suddenly Taylor's voice reached her ear again. "We know you're gossiping about us over there!"

Jeremiah and Steven's gaze moved over to them. The two boys started smirking. "Yeah, you wish!"

Suddenly Taylor gasped, "Let's play chicken!"

"No! Not chicken!"

"Yes!"

"I was like twelve the last time we played! I'm out", Belly tried to reason with her best friend. "Me too", Sarah agreed and the two swum towards the edge of the pool.

"Oh, come on! It'll be hilarious!"

"Hey, I'm down. Come on, Steven!", Jeremiah said and Steven quickly joined in.

"Dibs on Jeremy", Taylor suddenly called out. "Oh, great that means I'm stuck with Steven!", Grace murmured to herself.

"Welly that's not fair! You're kidding me, Taylor is so much lighter!", Steven argued with his friend.

"Oh, sorry that I'm so massive. I wouldn't want to break your delicate little school girl shoulders!", Grace snapped at the boy and Steven frowned.

"No! You're just taller than Taylor. That's all!", her brother tried to reason with Grace but the girl just spalshed water into his eyes.

The boy immediately groaned in pain, "Oh, come on!"

"You're just such a complainer! Let's switch!", Taylor stated while she approached Steven. "Fine! Fine! Fine!"

Jeremiah smirked at Grace before he helped her into his shoulders, "Let's take them down, Grace!"

Steven narrowed his eyes at Jeremiah, "You're going down."

"Let's go!"

The two girls got onto the boys shoulders. The boys stood up and Taylor frowned, "Urgh, Steven why are your shoulders so slippery?"

"Maybe it's all that oil you slathered on your legs!", the dark haired boy shot back at her.

"Uh, maybe if you had some hair and your chest, I wouldn't be sliding all over the place", Taylor destroyed him, making the rest of the group laugh loudly.

"Okay, let's just go!"

The four looked at each other and Jeremiah started the countdown. "Three, two, one!"

Grace and Taylor immediately tried to push each other down. Grace was close to falling down before she succeeded to finally push Taylor down.

"Yeah! Whoo!" Jeremiah and Grace gave each other a high-five.

Steven and Taylor broke through the surface, "Oh, that was so your fault!"

"That was completely your fault!"

The two continued stared bickering back and forth until they were interrupted by Jeremiah's and Grace's celebration.

"Hey, Guys!", Nicole's voice stuff caught their attention, making them all turn towards her and Conrad.

"Hey, Nicole!", Belly immediately greeted her friendly. "Hi! Happy Birthday, Belly! Are you guys playing chicken?"

"Um, yeah that was Taylor's idea", Grace smiled back at the dark skinned girl. "Hey, I'm Taylor", the girl next to Steven greeted Nicole.

"Hi."

"She's my best friend from home", Belly explained. "Just visiting for the weekend", Taylor added before she nodded over at Sarah. "Yeah, me too."

"That's cute", Nicole stated before Belly shrugged, her gaze wandered over them. "You guys want to play a real game?"

They all immediately nodeed and Jeremiah let Grace dropp into the water.

Jeremiah, Steven and Belly were playing against Grace, Taylor and Sarah. The six were having fun and Grace's team was winning, when Taylor grabbed the ball, looking at Steven.

She smirked confidently, "I don't think you're ready." Steven squinted his eyes at her, "Come on."

Taylor punched the ball and it collided with Nicole forehead. "Ow!"

The girl held her forehead in pain while the other's looked at her concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry. I didn't—", Taylor apologized with a smile on her face.

"Taylor!"

The girl looked over at Belly, the smile disappearing, "It was an accident."

"I'm so sorry. Are you okay?", Grace approached the dark skinned girl, who got up onto her feet. "Yeah, no. I'm— I'm totally fine. Y—you guys keep playing."

Conrad seemed concerned, "Let me see it. Let's go inside. I'll get you some ice."

The two got up, but Nicole assured him, "Conrad, it's okay."

"I'm so, so sorry again, Nicole. Feel better, okay?", Grace told the girl once more, feeling guilty for her friends actions.

Meanwhile Sarah made her way over to her, the ball in her hands.

"Yeah."

"Come on, Grace. Conrad can take care of Nicole. Let's go inside and look at ourselves in the mirror some more", Sarah suddenly stated loudly, her eyes narrowed at the boy, who now stopped walking.

His gaze wandered from Taylor to Grace before he replied, "Yeah, have fun with that."

After that the boy went inside and Grace shot Sarah a look. "Really?"

There was some awkward silence between the friends. The boys left the pool first before the girls decided to make their way down to the beach, taking a walk to relax.

"I don't know what to think of you this summer", Taylor stated out o nowhere, eying Belly from the side.

The brunette seemed confused while Grace and Sarah remained quiet, "What do you mean?"

"Suddenly, you care about clothes. You have new friends. You have a boyfriend", Taylor continued.

"Yeah, well, I told you this summer would be different", Belly stated as she looked at her best friend.

The girl avoided eye contact, looking down at the sand, "I know. I have to admit— I'm kind of freaked out by your glow-up."

Grace and Sarah looked at each other before they slowed down their steps, giving them a little space to talk.

"We're good. Aren't we?", Sarah suddenly questioned Grace worried.

"Yeah of course!", Grace stated immediately, frowning at Sarah. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"I know that I can be difficult from time to time", Sarah stated while they contiued walking.

Grace scoffed before she made eye contact with Sarah, "Don't be ridiculous. You're the best best friend someone could ask for."

Sarah broke into a large grin, "Hey, promis me that we're going to be best friends forever."

"We're going to be best friends until we die", Grace promised her, before the two started smiling at each other.