Another Summer | C.F

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ADDISON ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Trying not to think about that kiss, I spent the rest of the day with Mom and Belly. This is something we started some years ago, and it's our family date without Steven, just us three spending a day together, and I loved that it made me forget a bit about that kiss. I don't want to get excited about it.

I used to know Conrad, but he is different now. I don't know how he will react later. So for the rest of the day, I tried to talk about different things and forgot about that kiss.

At home, trying to ignore the kiss was impossible. When we got back, the boys were playing on the TV and Susannah was reading my mom's book in a chair beside them. When the door closed, all of them turned to look at us. I tried to ignore Conrad's stare and focus on Jere, who was smiling at Belly. He only has eyes for her, and I love that.

"Dude, focus on the game," Steven told Jere.

"I'm focused," he responded, still looking at Belly.

"Go with him, Belly. I will be heading to the room. I want a night swim before going to bed." She nodded and walked to the couch. I headed to the stairs, while my mom went and sat next to Susannah.

"I'm tired, so I'm going to bed." I could hear Conrad's voice from behind. I slowed my steps on purpose so I could wait for him. "Hey," he said to me.

"Hi."

"Are you going to your room?"

"No, I was going to change to go and swim a bit."

"Can I join you?"

"Sure."

"See you there."

I was so excited I wanted to scream. I headed to the room and put on a light purple bikini and some shorts on top. I took off the mascara I applied this morning and went to the pool. I sat on the edge with my feet inside the pool.

I was so focused on looking at the pool and playing with my hands that I didn't notice that Conrad was already sitting next to me. It was until I felt his hand on top of mine, stopping me from playing.

"Why are you always so anxious?"

"It started last year. It began with playing with my fingers, then my hair got involved, and it became a problem. I got some medication prescribed, but I never took it."

"Why not?"

"I think I was scared of becoming addicted, so I started going to therapy and trying to stop it on my own. Now I just feel like I need to do something with my hands all the time," he didn't say anything more, but he kept his hand on top of mine, stopping me. "Want to swim?" He pushed me into the water and I took his hand and dragged him into the pool with me. We played and talked like we used to. This was the first time this summer that I could see the old Conrad, the one I fell for in the first place.

Two hours later, after just hanging around, each of us went to our rooms. That was the perfect way to finish the day.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Today is Belly's birthday and I want it to be perfect. I woke up before her and went downstairs to help Mom with the pancakes. Susannah joined us a few minutes later, and the three of us were in charge of the birthday breakfast.

When we were almost done, Jere and Steven came. They didn't have to work today, so they just stayed in the kitchen joining us. The last one to come was Conrad. When he entered, he gave me a small smile and sat next to Steven. Just like old times, all of us were together on Belly's birthday.