❝ fourth of july ❞

—

ALENA WAS IN THE MIDST of setting up the tables in the backyard, she draped the patterned table cloth over the top. The girl gazed up at the rising sun, delighting in the slight breeze that blew by, ruffling through her dark waves.

Lena broke out of her trance as the door clicked open, she turned her head to see Conrad with a bucket in hand. The girl gave him a small smile before unfolding the other table cloths.

Conrad gazed at the brunette for a moment longer before walking towards the hose, "Are your parents coming?"

Alena shook her head, "No, they can't make it." a small part of the girl was happy her father wasn't coming down, but the other part longed for her mother.

Conrad glanced back at the Elster girl, "How's your dad been?"

Lena kept her eyes glued to the table as she shrugged, "The same as always, working, working, and working." she maintained a unbothered tone as she let out a soft sigh.

Conrad hummed a reply before shutting off the hose, Alena dusted off her hands as finished up with the tables heading over to the door with Conrad.

The boy held open the door for her, allowing Lena to walk into the house as he followed shortly behind.

"Oh, speaking of dads, yours called. He's closing a deal, so he can't come."

Alena and Conrad entered the kitchen just as Susannah had spoken. The oldest Fisher gazed at his mother as he crossed the room, heading towards the counter as Alena stood by the table.

"Did you say Dad's not coming?"

Susannah nodded in agreement, Lena looked over to see a small smile lingering on Conrad's lips.

Jeremiah let out a heavy sigh as he leaned back in his seat, "But I got some serious fireworks for the show this year."

Susannah pursed her lips, "We'll take a video."

"It's not the same." Jeremiah complained as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Alena turned her attention over to Conrad, shaking her head in amusement to see him hiding a grin.

Jere looked over at his older brother, "What're you smiling over there for?"

Conrad merely shrugged, "No reason."

"Laurel, will you come help me move the table?"

"Be right there."

—

Alena rested her elbows on the kitchen counter as Conrad strutted into the area, "I can tell you're looking forward to this."

Lena rolled her eyes at his sarcastic comment, "Oh, fuck off."

Conrad let out a chuckle as he leaned against the fridge, "Family gatherings were never our thing."

Alena let out a soft snort, "No kidding, all the parents asking questions, telling you how you've grown, definitely not my favorite past time."

"What? You're not looking forward to getting questioned about your day to day basis?"

"Real funny, Connie." Alena grabbed a kiwi and chucked it at the boy, Conrad let out a hearty laugh as he dodged the fruit, "I don't think this is a war you wanna start."

"Oh? Is that a threat?"

Conrad eyed the girl, holding a carefree glint in his eyes as he watched her. Footsteps approaching caught Lena's attention as she turned to see Laurel and Susannah opening the front door to greet Belly and Steven's father.

Jeremiah, Isabel, and Steven ran up to the door, peeking through the glass to watch the adults.

Alena and Conrad gazed at each other before rushing to join their friends, Lena slid into Jere's side as she narrowed her eyes, having seen Victoria.

"She's hot."

Steven gave Jeremiah a look, "Dude." The youngest Fisher shrugged innocently, "What? I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking."

"I wasn't thinking that." Belly spoke up as Conrad huffed, "Yo, that could be their future stepmom."

Alena noticed the adults begin to make their way back inside and turned on her heel, "Guys, they're coming. Go." The brunette shoved both Jeremiah and Conrad into the living room as Belly and Steven waited at the entrance to greet their father.

—

Lena grabbed a plate of fruit as John turned towards her, "Lena."

The brunette gave her best friends father a smile, "Hey, John."

"It's good to see you, how have you been?"

Alena pursed her lips before humming out a reply, "I've been good. Enjoying the summer."

John nodded, "That's good, where are your parents?"

Alena chewed the inside of her lip, "Couldn't make it. Dad had work."

"And your mom?"

"Decided to stay back with him."

John lips parted in understanding, "Well, give them a hello from me."

Alena nodded as she grabbed a plastic fork, "I will."

"You remind me of your old man."

Lena's movement stopped as she stared down at her plate. Those few words echoing in her mind as she closed her eyes, attempting to not let it get to her head. "I'd say I'm more like my mom."

The Elsher girl turned taking a deep breath, that was last thing she ever wanted to be told yet it was constantly reminded to her that she looked like her father, some people said she even acted like him. She would always so everything she could to be told anything but that. Yet she would always fail.

Was she like her father?

Conrad glanced back to see Lena having a blank expression as she her brows furrowed together.

Concern was evident on his features as he watched the girl cross the patio, reluctantly turning his attention away from her when Nicole called out to him.

Alena sat on a lawn chair right across from Jeremiah and Victoria who was getting shown a playlist, "And then we do Hayley Kiyoko next. She's super vibey. You would love her."

"Love. Do you listen to SZA?"

Jeremiah gave the woman a look, "I'm kind of offended you felt the need to ask me that."

Alena crossed on leg over the other as she pursed her lips, "You take offence to anything, Jere."

Jeremiah rolled his eyes playfully as Alena took a bite into her strawberry, sparing a glance at Conrad who was in the pool with Nicole.

Lena shook her head, the way she had been feeling about the two of them lately was making her mind whirl. She began to doubt herself when she would mentally remind herself she held no feelings for the boy, because she was beginning to think that was far from the truth.

Alena blinked a few times before she realized Jeremiah and Victoria had disappeared, the brunette stood from her chair and walked back inside, into the kitchen where Belly was beside Victoria with Jere sitting across from them.

"What're you guys doing?" Lena curiously questioned as she slid into the seat beside her best friend, "Making pomegranate cocktails."

Victoria shut off the blender as she poured the drinks into margarita glasses, "Can I try a sip?" Belly questioned the woman.

"Are your parents cool with that?"

Alena hid a smile, knowing exactly what young Belly was about to reply, "Yeah, yeah, no, they don't care."

The Elsher girl sent her friend a look as Victoria smiled, "Oh, then, sure." the woman grabbed two glasses of the drink, "I'm gonna take this out to your dad. Do you mind taking those out to Susannah and your mom?" She disappeared into the backyard and Isabel was quick to grab a glass, eagerly taking a large sip.

"So?" Lena raised a brow as Jere spoke, "Is it strong?"

Belly's eyes widened in amazement as she nodded, "That is amazing." Lena grabbed the glass, raising it to her lips as she took a small sip. Alena smiled before nodding, "It tastes like a slurpee."

Lena handed the drink to Jeremiah who's face said it all, "That's really good."

Belly opened the pantry, taking out a container, "But I have an idea." Alena shook her head amusement as Isabel glanced between the two, "Sous-chef's, I'm gonna need some more pomegranate juice."

"You got it."

Conrad walked into the kitchen, gazing at the trio as Alena began to open more fresh pomegranate's, "What are you guys making?"

"Margarita's." Lena replied as Belly quickly added, "With a twist."

Conrad smiled before heading over to the cabinets, "Well, you got to use the good blender."

Slight terror washed over Jere's gaze, "Oh, I-I haven't used that thing since the great Kool-Aid debacle of 2011." Conrad let out a laugh as he plugged in the machine, "I remember, the counters were sticky for..."

Alena held up two fingers, "Two summers." Jeremiah nodded in agreement, "Yeah, just about. Dad kept his, uh, briefcase in my room for a year. As a reminder that all mistakes are not reversible."

Lena grabbed the tequila, unscrewing the cap as she stood from her seat, "Oh, Len's going for the good stuff."

Alena began to pour the liquor into the blender, letting out a laugh as Conrad placed his hand upon hers to keep adding more, "That's enough."

"Just a tad bit more."

"Oh my god."

Conrad looked up at Lena's smiling expression and admired it for a good second before letting go of her hand, "Okay, now it's enough."

Alena placed the top of the blender on as Conrad secured it, the boy flipped the on switch and Jeremiah was quick to speak, "Keep you hand on the lid."

Conrad did as his younger brother asked but removed it for a split second making Jere hold his hands up before him defensively, "Dude, it's gonna explode."

Alena pushed her hair back as Conrad let out a sigh, "Man, you know what I miss?"

Lena raised her brows as she hummed, signaling for him to continue, which he did, "Watching Laurel put Dad in his place. You know, she'd walk in, be like, Adam."

Alena's smile faltered as the Fisher father stepped into the kitchen just as Laurel had entered the room, "Adam."

Alena watched Conrad's smile immediately fall at the sight of his father, tension purged the atmosphere as Adam chuckled nervously but Jeremiah was quick to greet his father.

"Dad!"

Adam glanced over the group, his eyes landing on Conrad who didn't bother meeting his gaze, "Hey, guys. Hey, Connie."

The father glanced at the margarita glasses, "I'll have a little of what you're mixing up there."

Belly tensely smiled as she handed the male the beverage, earning herself a thanks from him.

Susannah suddenly appeared back inside, "Where'd everyone go?" her lips parted as she was taken back by the sight of her ex-husband, "Adam."

"Hey."

Susannah pursed her lips, "You managed to get off of work."

"Yeah, couldn't miss the fourth with my family."

Susannah merely nodded before she looked over at the teens, "All right, well, let's get back to the party."

Alena stood from her seat as Adam spoke to his eldest son, "Hey, Connie, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Conrad didn't bother glancing at the man before quickly walking away, "I'm gonna head to the beach."

Alena quickly moved after the boy as she followed. To the beach it was.

—

Alena let out a hearty laugh as Jeremiah made an attempt at a British accent, to which Shayla scolded him on how horrendous it was.

Lena looked over to see Belly walking over with a pitcher and her own glass, "May I present The Belly Special?"

Alena kept her smile as she gazed at Conrad, "Hand me one."

The boy licked his lips before pouring a cup for the Elster girl who happily took it from his grasp, plopping herself back onto the towel she and Jeremiah were perched upon.

Belly sat on her inflatable unicorn just as Cam approached the group, Jere smiled widely, "Look who made it!"

Isabel smiled at her boyfriend, "Cam!"

Conrad offered the boy a drink but he shook his head, "Oh, I'm good, man. Thank you, I don't drink."

Alena took a large gulp from her cup, "More for me."

Conrad began to chug down his drink, making Nicole give the boy a look, "It's not a race, Con."

Alena nodded in agreement, "You finish that by yourself and I will have your head."

Jeremiah wrapped his arm around his best friends shoulders, "I haven't seen you this energetic in awhile, Len."

Alena rolled her eyes as she elbowed his ribs, "Don't get used to it."

Belly tilted her head, "Okay, wait, wait, wait. But what if it was a race? I mean, isn't that... isn't... Isn't that the premise of, like, every drinking game?"

Alena raised a curious brow, "You wanna play a drinking game? Belly, I'm not sure you can take that much alcohol."

"So? It'll be fun, plus it's the fourth of July!"

Conrad shrugged, "I'm in."

Alena shook her head, "Dear god."

Everyone gathered around, holding coins as a bowl was placed in the center, those you didn't make it had to drink.

Alena tossed her coin at the same time as Belly, letting out a sigh as her rolled out of the bowl.

"Drink."

Lena took a large sip as Gigi and Jeremiah went next, the blonde pointing at the boy after not making his coin, "Jeremiah, drink."

Shayla and Nicole went, Lena pointing at the girl as her coin rolled on the table, "Drink up."

Conrad couldn't help but gaze at Alena every other moment, she looked as if she was truly enjoying herself, wearing the smile that used to always linger on her lips.

She looked like herself again, it made Conrad happy to see her in such a way. Alena deserved to be happy.

"Oh, my God, why am I so bad at this?" Belly laughed out.

—

Alena sat on the lawn, legs sprawled out as she continued sipping her margarita. It would then be her sixth cup.

Lena let out a sigh, admiring the ripples that flowed through the surface of the water before her.

She felt someone approach, taking a seat beside her.

"Conrad."

"Lennie."

Alena turned to look at the boy who's hair was wet, which only seemed to make him look more attractive.

Lena pursed her lips, "You look good with wet hair."

Conrad let out a chuckle, "What's there to like about wet hair?" Alena struggled to suppress a smile, "Everything."

Conrad shook his head in amusement before stopping to gaze intently at the girl, "I'm happy to see you like this."

Alena tilted her head in confusion, "Like what?" The oldest Fisher locked eyes with her, "Like your old self. You kept your smile for longer than you have these past few weeks."

Lena pursed her lips, "Yeah, surprisingly."

"I missed that smile."

Alena let out an unconvinced laugh, "Oh, sure you did."

Conrad gazed back out at the water, "I guess it's okay to let ourselves enjoy the moments where we are truly happy."

There was something about that sentence that stirred something up in Alena, it made her realize just how similar she and Conrad were.

"You're not gonna go with the others?"

Alena shook her head, "No, I've socialized enough already."

Before Conrad could reply to her, the two looked to see Belly wobbly making her way over to them, still holding her glass of margarita practically full as she continued drinking it, "What are you two lovebirds gossiping about?"

Alena gave her friend a look, "Bels, how many of those have you had?"

Belly gazed at the sky pursing her lips as she slurred out, "Two, five, it's— it's not important."

Lena shook her head, "Slow down there, Belly."

The sixteen year old girl blinked, "Oh, did I ruin a cute moment between you two? Whoops, that's my bad."

"Bels, go drink some water."

"Right, you two want some alone time. I get it, I get it." Belly turned on her heel before making her way back to the house.

Alena let out a laugh, "Laurels gonna kill her."

"Oh, most definitely."

—

Alena carefully picked up the shards of glass from the deck as Jeremiah, Conrad, and Steven helped pick up the trash.

"Is your mom okay?" Lena looked back at the Fisher brothers. Conrad nodded, "Yeah."

Alena picked up the last broken piece of the cake stand, getting up from the floor as she created a knot on the bag.

Jeremiah threw a paper cup at Steven open garbage bag, "Think fast."

"Jesus."

Steven gave the youngest fisher a look, "Why is your aim so bad?"

"Hey, listen, it's not my fault you can't hold a garbage bag."

Conrad threw away the paper plates as Alena began to grab to disposable table cloths to toss them into the bag.

Alena watched Conrad point at Steven and Jeremiah, "Hey, Dumb and Dumber, can you guys go set up the fireworks?"

Jeremiah dropped the bag he had, "Yeah sure."

Alena finished up with one table as Conrad approached her, "Hey, go on inside. I can finish this up."

Lena shook her head, "I'll help you then."

Conrad watched the brunette fold up on of the tables, a slight smile lingering on his lips that faded away as his father stepped onto the deck, taking out a cigarette.

"Hey, Dad."

Alena looked back, tilting her head in confusion at seeing Conrad engage a conversation with Adam.

"Oh, hey." his father replied. He glanced around the backyard, "Did you get everything cleaned up?"

"Yeah, and Belly's upstairs with her dad."

Adam gave his son a look, "Why'd you let her get so drunk? You're lucky she and your mom didn't get hurt."

Alena clenched her jaw as she narrowed her eyes at Conrad's father.

The boy shook his head, "I didn't know she—"

"You're the oldest. You're supposed to look out for the younger kids."

Conrad attempted not to let his disappointment peak through, "I don't know why, but I thought I could talk to you." he spoke before storming into the house.

"Hey, hold... Connie, hold on. I'm sorry, man. I got a lot going on right now."

Alena finished up with the last table, beginning to walk to the door as she stopped for a short moment, "People like you will always find an excuse to justify their actions. You don't deserve your sons."

—

Alena walked back to the backyard, peering out into the starlit sky as she pulled her sweater closer to her.

The girl gazed down to see Conrad in the canopy, Lena thought for a moment before heading down.

She let out a sigh, slipping into the boys side as she rested her elbows on the wood rails, catching his attention.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Alena began to fumble with her hands as she thought of a way to speak, "I'm sorry about your Dad acting like that."

Conrad shook his head, "Don't be, I should be used to it now."

Alena frowned, having heard those exact words before, because she too used to utter them, "You should never be used to being treated like that, you don't deserve it."

Conrad looked down at the brunette, "What makes you say?"

"I'm just tired of hearing people saying they should be used to dealing with that type of shit."

Conrad searched the girls expression, "Never thought I'd see you change so much from one summer to another."

Alena let out a soft laugh as she shook her head, "Well, we're all growing, every minute."

"It scares you, doesn't it?"

Lena pursed her lips, "Sometimes, I just wish time would stop, keep me in the moments I want to last forever, but before I know it, they've already slipped away from me."

"Can I ask you something?"

Alena gave the boy a single nod, "Yeah sure."

"Since when have you been having panic attacks?"

Alena gazed down at the floor, blinking as she thought of her answer, "Since I last left. Sometimes I just get too overwhelmed, y'know?"

A comforting smile spread across Conrad's lips, "Yeah, I know. If you ever need anything, Len. I'm always here."

Alena looked back up into the boys emerald green eyes, "The same for you then."

The pair became entranced as neither made a move to tear their gaze away. Alena searched his eyes, looking for any sign as to what he was thinking.

Conrad's eyes flickered down to her red tainted lips, staying there for a moment before glancing back up at her questioning eyes.

Alena watched Conrad begin to pull in, the brunette didn't know what became of her as even she moved, gaze looking down at his purses lips.

Alena suddenly remembered, Nicole.

The seventeen year old pulled back, turning her head as she cleared her throat, "I shouldn't have— um, you're with Nicole."

Disappointment was evident on Conrad's expression as he meekly nodded, "Right."

Alena slipped her hands back into her pockets, "I won't be someone you causally hook up with, Conrad."

"I—"

Before the boy could continue, Alena was already leaving, "Have a goodnight."

—

AUTHORS NOTE, it makes me happy seeing you guys like Lena bc I made her in the spitting image of me so thank you and thank you for 2k reads xx !