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⁺｡°sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ sᴜʀᴘʀɪsᴇs⁺｡°

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James pushes her sunglasses further up her nose as she lets out a relaxed sigh. Shifting in the drivers seat, she regrips the steering wheel. Her dad let drive her new red convertible that she got for her 17th birthday to their destination...

Most parents don't let their kids drive very far or out of their hometown at this age, too nervous or uptight to do so, but James loved driving with the top down, the salty wind in the waves of her hair, soaking up the sun. Her dad even let her pick the station.

Usually she was relaxed while driving, sprawled out even, but today she was on edge.

Her and her dad were heading to the famous Cousins Beach for the summer to stay with his two childhood best friends and their families.... for the entire summer.

Joshua Lennon grew up with Laurel and Susannah, going to the beach house every summer with the two girls. They weren't a pair, but a group of three. Although, it became just the women keeping the summer tradition alive for many years due to Joshua being stationed all over the country for his job, so him and James haven't been since she was merely a child, having no memory of Laurel and Susannah, or their children.

As a result, she was tense, nervous. She was going to have to stay in a house for the next few months with a bunch of people she's technically never met, and the thought of that made her... uneasy. She felt exposed to have to share her space with those she was unfamiliar with, family friends or not, to her they were simply strangers.

ᴊᴀᴍᴇs's ᴘᴏᴠ

"Why don't you stop up ahead at that gas station." Dad points. "Fill up, use the bathroom if you need. We're almost there."

I chew at my lip as I check the tank quickly before adverting my eyes right back up at the road. "But I still have half a tank." I tell him.

"I know. Just wanna make sure you have a full tank if you need to go anywhere." He says nonchalantly.

I shake my head, letting out a scoff. "Dad, most parents are supposed to be telling their kids not to go out anywhere."

As a military father he's always been pretty firm. I wouldn't say strict, he's one of the most trusting parents in the world. But that's just how he is. It's always been the two of us, so there's always been a strong relationship built on trust, and honesty. If I go somewhere, I text him. And when I make it to said place, I text him. I've never not told my dad something- everything that's going on... well, until lately.

That's another reason he's been much more lax. He doesn't usually ever tell me no anyways, but he's been far more open and lenient these past few months since our last move, for the most part.

He shrugs. "I know everything there is to know about Cousins. I think you'll be safe. I trust you." He rubs his hands on his khaki shorts. "Besides, you probably won't be going anywhere alone."

Oh, right, I sigh to myself. Susannah and Laurel have kids that are all around my age. Dad swears to me that we'll all get along great, but they're use to each other. At least as use to each other as you can be for the span a of summer.

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ʙᴇʟʟʏ's ᴘᴏᴠ

The dads would come to visit, but it's not their place. They don't belong to it. Not the way we do.

The mothers and us kids.

It's the same every summer. I've always loved that about it.

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After all the boys throw Belly in the pool, their yearly tradition, she enters the house soaking wet. Laurel exits the kitchen for a second, bringing her back a towel as Susannah gushes about how grown she looks.

"Josh told me him and James would probably miss dinner." Susannah tells Laurel after they discuss their husbands, and ex-husbands, joining them later in the summer. Belly furrows her brows together, wondering who Susannah was talking about. Surely not their dinner.

"Has he ever been on time?" Laurel muses.

"Not once." Susannah giggles. "I told him he would have to do dishes."

"Who are we talking about?" Belly speaks up laughing nervously, hoping this was one of their inside jokes.

"Oh, Belly, you know the Lennon's. Beck and I grew up with Josh and we'd come here at Cousins during our summers. They send us a Christmas card every year." Laurel tells her daughter, yet Belly seems just as clueless as before. If Cousins is ever brought up around Belly nothing else matters, and if your last name isn't Fisher you are not relevant in the Conklin girl's mind.

"Yeah, they're finally getting to stay join us this summer." Susannah chimes.

"What?!" Belly turns to her in horror. "Here?"

"Yes, silly." Susannah chuckles at her. "Didn't your mom tell you?" She glances up at Laurel who looks at her sheepishly.

"What, no! I thought it was just the women and kids, like it's supposed to be." Belly whines.

"Honey, I told you months ago there was a good possibility Joshua and his daughter would join us this summer depending on where he was stationed." Laurel trails off with a sigh. "I was going to tell you in the car but then... I thought I could let you get settled first."

Belly frowns. "But it's always the mom's and us kids."

"He has a daughter Steven's age." Susannah pipes up. "Won't it be nice to have another girl in the house?" She smiles.

"Yeah..." Belly pouts, placing her chin in her hand. Though she's complained many summers growing up that she felt left out when it came to the boys because she was the only girl... she also reveled in the fact that she was the only girl. And now she wouldn't be. It was like her special thing. And she could already tell the boys were going to swarm all over her... Another thing she wasn't looking forward to. "Are they staying all summer?" She asks, hopeful they would be a temporary visit, like the dad's

"Should be." Susannah's smile grows. "Oh, I'm so excited! They haven't been here since you were so little."

"So make sure you're on your extra best behavior." Lauren comes around behind Belly, squeezing shoulder.

Laurel was sure Belly wouldn't be happy with the change, as she's grown accustom to how things are, which is why she was trying to find the right time to tell her.

"It's going to be great, we're going to have so fun! Everyone will finally be together again." Susannah sighs happily, grateful to have the house even fuller than previous summer's.

It's what she thrives on.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hey, heyyyy <3

Happy 1 year anniversary to TSITP S2!! And I thought what better way to celebrate than finally publish this book that's been in the works since last summer ;)

Also, in the books Susannah & Laurel were childhood friends & grew up together! I just want to make note of this so people don't think I got it wrong lmao & in the show they say they college but then they also say that they would go there for summers when they were like 15 so I just want to clarify that Joshua, Susannah, & Laurel are childhood friends & grew up together!!

ANYWAYS, what do y'all think of James & her dad so far?! And Belly's reaction which is SO freakin her it's insane bc you cannot tell me that's not how she would reaction lmao.

Hope y'all enjoyedddd!! Just wait til James & Joshua arrive at the house!! Don't forget to comment your thoughts, questions, & reactions!!

Until next time, mwauh!! <3