𝟭𝟲. 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆'𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆

My eyes felt tired. I didn't want to open my eyes, I just wanted to sleep, but I had to wake up. Today's not about me, it's about Belly, she's finally turning 16 which makes me so excited for her. You know that feeling when your older siblings go out without you because you're younger? That's how Belly often feels, but like the cool not sister that I am, it is my job to include her in everything.

I finally get off my bed and I look at myself in the mirror, I hate being sad over a boy. What makes it even worse is that we're nothing, we're not dating and definitely not talking,..nop, nop, he is just a boy and nothing else.

I grab my phone to see what time was but then I see new texts from an unknown number, which I'm pretty sure it's steve. Steve is such a funny name, never did I thought I'd be hanging out with a Steve this summer.

I snort as I read the message he sent me,

Steve

Do you think Steve is a funny name?

Wtf
I was just thinking that
is this steve from yesterday?

yes ma'am

oh then yeah I do think it's a funny name

Wow thank you
You seemed like the person to make fun of me for it so it weirded me out that you didn't

Well we did just meet but I thought about it like a second ago

Hmm
We must be twins huh

Oh sure sure

Yk I never heard the name Lennon

But it's a pretty name you can't lie

It is a pretty name
Did you know Lennon in Irish means lover?

I actually didn't know that
Did you just searched my name up?

Yup, I wanted to know what it meant

Huh I thought they named me after that one guy from the Beatles

John Lennon?

Yup him

they probably did
i don't think you're irish so

oh HAHAHAHAH no no
i'm cuban
well half cuban and half american

who's the cuban?

my mommm

oh that's cool!
i'm fully white

your name's steve... ofc you are buddy

okay ouch
🤕

I put my phone down as i shook my head and walk into my closet, I grab a white strapless top and a white short then walked downstairs.

"Is Belly awake?" Laurel asks. I shrug my shoulder as I walk into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl before snatching the box of cereal from Conrad's hands, his eyes went wide, definitely offended but didn't say anything.

"I think so, yeah. She's probably changing." I reply to laurel as I serve myself some cereal. I sit two stools away from Conrad, not wanting to be close to him.

Jacob definitely noticed the tension because he saw how Conrad kept glancing me, but I ignored it.

I do think the fight or discussion we had yesterday was stupid, we both made points but definitely didn't mean a thing or two of what we said, or at least I didn't mean them, hopefully Conrad didn't mean them either.

"So, sweetheart... what are you planning for your birthday? I want to hear your crazy ideas so I won't be full of suprises." My mom asks as she chops some strawberries. Jeremiah got behind her and started imitating taking shots, I snorted but quickly recovered when my mom looked up.

"I'm not sure, I don't think I'll be doing anything this year—"

"Hey! What about your—"

"Birthday dinner tradition! I know I know, other than that, I don't think I'll be doing anything." I finished her sentence.

Since Belly and I are the ones who's birthday is in vacation, we make a dinner for each. Today is Belly's birthday and July 3rd is mine. We've never made any other celebration since we always spend summer break at Cousin's beach, i never mind it because i don't have much friend back where i live, other than Beca.

"Such a shame, wasn't Rebeca coming to Cousins?" Jacob asked, biting the piece of bacon.

I look up and nodded, "She said she was but i'm not sure she'll be able to make it for my birthday."

"Why not?" My mom asked. I purse my lips as i play with my cereal, "She's staying with her dad this summer."

She nodded, understanding as she went back to cooking. Belly walks into the kitchen which made everyone turn their heads to look at her with a smile.

"Happy birthday, Belly!" I shouted as i hugged her, Jacob groaned. "In your face, i said it first." I laughed at him, he rolled his eyes as he handed me 20 dollars.

"You bet money on who wished me a happy birthday first?" Belly chuckled. We nodded, "He always ends up loosing so i don't know why he keeps accepting my bets." I snort.

She rolled her eyes and laughed. Everyone wished her a happy birthday and then sat down so we could give her the birthday pancakes we always make for her.

"I made you your pancakes." Laurel smiled as she got closet to her duaghter. Belly looked around before sighing, "I'm actually not... hungry."

The mother sighed in disappointment, wondering why she didn't want the breakfast. I thought about it too, but didn't say anything.

"Let's open presents!" Susanna smiled, making everyone walk into the living room.

Belly sat on the big couch, Laurel, my mom and Susanna sat on the other. Steven, Jacob and Jeremiah sat on the floor, leaving me and Conrad to sit in the small couch.

"Scoot over." I mutter to him, pushing him away with my hip, making him glare at me as he moves away.

I kind of zoned out when everyone gave her their presents. Laurel got her a book with annotations, i think? Susanna gave her a necklace and my mom gave her a bracelet. Jacob gift her a keychain as well as Jeremiah. Steven got her a hoodie from Princeton and Conrad gave her another keychain.

It was my turn and i was so happy to see her reaction. "Here you go!" I smiled. I got her a bracelet that matched with mine, belly is like a little sister to me so i wanted to get closer to her more.

"It's beautiful..." Belly looked up with a smile. My eyes light up as i went to hug her, "It's a matching bracelet," I said.

The girl looked at it then at me, "thank you, Lenn. You're amazing."

The older women stood up and left the living room, "Belly, should we go and get taylor? You can practice your driving." Jeremiah suggested to Belly. The girl nodded.

"You're meeting up with Taylor?" I asked. Belly nodded, "Hey, you should invite Steve over for dinner! Cam told me he knows him and i don't want him to feel awkward so..."

I raised my eyebrows and smiled, "Are you sure?"

"Definitely, the more the merrier." She chuckled

"Oki doki." I said as i grabbed my phone. Steven and Jacob then left as well as Jeremiah and Bely, again, leaving me and Conrad alone. I completely forgot he was next to me so i slowly turn my head towards him just to see him looking at me.

He was staring at my phone, "You're inviting steve?" He asked.

"He's my friend, besides, Belly said i should." I said, trying to be dry.

He nodded slowly before standing up and leaving the room. I look back at him then turn around, I am not liking this mood on him.

Steve

steve

lennon

are you busy today?

nope i'm currently on my bed and will be allllll day why?

come over to the house at 7, my friend is having like a birthday dinner

i don't know that friend
did you even ask if you could invite me?

she told me to

why

because she says you know the guy she's talking to and she doesn't want him to feel awkward at the dinner so she wanted me to invite you so he could have a friend

i have a lot of friends so you need to be more specific

omfg
cam

eyyy cam
that dude is so funny
he's talking to your friend?

yessir
are you in????

why not!
btw cam's vegan

okay?

oh jsut wanted you to know so you don't give him non-vegan food

i'm not the chef but alright
i'll tell belly

excelente

shut up
do you want to hang out with me rn?
i'm kind of bored and have no other friends than you

sure why not
want me to pick you up?

i was feeling like walking today

can i leave my car by your house?

oh yeah

alright
see you then

bye byeeee

AUTHORS NOTE

No Lenrad interaction because he's a lil butch wtf, also what do we thinks about steve🤔🤔

finally an update!!!!!!!! ugh i know i know i made you guys wait like for 8 months, but i seriously needed that time for myself and i hope you understand that.
But i'm back! and i'll try finishing this story and continuing with season 2🥰 i'm so excited for it, anyway i hope you enjoyed it.

- love, martina