Alianna wasn't known for going to parties after Cousins, during Cousins she would go to any party she had the chance to attend — especially if knew Jeremiah was going to be there.
       
    There was always a spark between them. There was a way Jeremiah made Ali feel safe and able to herself around him. He made her feel free.
      
    After Susannah's death, she believed it was selfish to be joyful and go out to parties. That explains why, following her death, Alianna never engaged in any enjoyable activities.
      
    The girl search through her tidy closet, looking for something decent to wear. Her eyes were caught by a light pink dress with a slit on the side.
      
    Once she slipped on the dress, she stood in front of her mirror, examining how the dress looked on her.

    She hadn't worn a dress like this in a long time.
      
    It felt different, she felt kind of weird. But she put on a happy face and jumped in the car. She took in a deep breath, her hands resting on the steering wheel.
      
    She sighed softly before taking off and blasting her hyping herself up playlist that Taylor made for her.

♾️ ⋆｡˚

flashback to last summer !

    Conrad and Alianna talk on the phone while Conrad does his laundry, and Alianna sits on the front porch. Conrad at college and Alianna at home.

    "You wanna hear something crazy?" Alianna asked with a smirk.

    "What?"

    Alianna laughed through the phone, "Belly and my brother went on a date!"

    "No way!"

    "It gets worse."

    "What happened?"

    "My brother totally forgot Belly at the restaurant and drove home before realizing and having to drive all the way back." The girl laughs so hard, her stomach starts to hurt.

    Conrad can't help but chuckle at her laughter, imagining the scene in his mind, "God, that's priceless."

    Alianna grins, "But honestly, can you imagine Belly's face when she realized he left her behind?"

    "Was she pissed?" Conrad asked, resting against the washing machine.

    "Oh yeah, she was so pissed." She told him, it felt like she was actually there with him. Or at least that's what she wanted to believe.

    Ali adds. "Safe to say, my brother and Belly will never be a thing."

    The two giggle at the thought of Belly getting mad, then randomly Conrad says, "Did you know my dad cheated on my mom?"

    Alianna's emotions changed quickly to a saddening expression as she asked, "Adam cheated on Beck?" She blinked.

    "Uhm, yeah, the first time my mom was sick." She heard Conrad say, "He had an affair."

    "Con, I'm sorry." Alianna breathed slowly.

    "Als, I never heard her cry like that before." His voice became more and more shaky as he spoke.

    He exhaled slowly, "Shit, it's 2:00."

    "Five more minutes?"

    "Fine."

    Conrad gave in all with a wide grin, fully knowing that she was extremely happy with his response and was probably doing a dance on the other side.

back to reality !

    At the front of the crowd, Belly and Alianna cheerfully hold hands and sway to the music. "He's actually really good." Alianna smiled at Taylor who gave a quick nod.

    "He's very romantic as well."

    "Oh is he?" Softly, Alianna smirks, raising an eyebrow.

    "Mmh."

    Her gaze is focused on Milo who is already looking at Taylor. Milo sang into the microphone, his lyrics weren't the most meaningful but interesting.

    Steven stood in his spot in the corner and sipped on his beer, he saw Taylor dancing with Milo and he seemed pretty upset about it.

    The night went by fast, with Taylor and Milo singing together many times along with his band which brought up the energy more.

    Alianna was happy and danced while also talking with friends here and there.

    Steven was drinking more beer and the alcohol kept making his mindset worse as he kept watching Milo and Taylor dance together. Steven's mood didn't change, his thoughts kept spiraling about Taylor and Milo.

    It's like he was in a trance, he wasn't acting like himself.

    He quickly excused himself and snuck onto the makeshift stage and took his shirt off just like how Milo did, but less attractive.

    "What the fuck is this kid doing?" Ali cringed as she watched Steven throws his shirt at Belly's face.

    He exclaimed, "Belly, I'm gonna crowd surf — hold my shirt for a second."

    "Ew, Steven. No, I don't want to hold your sweaty t-shirt."  Belly groans and removes his shirt quickly.

    Steven jumps into the crowd, knocking over Belly and Alianna.

    "Ow!"Alianna whines, "God, did you have to do that?" Alianna brushes off the dirt that was on her arms.

    "I'm sorry." Steven says instantly, "It's okay." Belly recovers quickly and stands up with help from Taylor.

    "I'm gonna go get a drink." Belly sighs and starts to walk away.

    "Don't forget you're my sober driver tonight, Belly Bells." Steven yells out.

   "Seriously?" Taylor asks, also annoyed.

    Alianna leaves the party and sits at the front of the house by the steps. She pulls out her lighter and a pack of cigarettes, only getting one out. She puts the cigarette in her mouth and lights it.

    Alianna takes a deep breath, her eyes closed as she inhales.

    As she exhales, she looks up at the night sky, taking a second to appreciate the view. She was reminded of Conrad, how they go down to the beach and watch the stars. Alianna chuckled to herself as she thinks of him. She takes another drag of her cigarette.

    "Ali?"

    A voice calls out from behind her, "I thought you quit?" Alianna turns about to face Belly, "I did."

    "Then why are you smoking?"

    Belly says, staring at the cigarette in Alianna's hand. Alianna takes a long drag on the cigarette, looking at her friend.

    "It's just a cigarette, Isobel. Calm down." she says.

    Belly crosses her arms and stares at the girl, "Yeah, that's how it starts. Just one and then you're having a pack a day."

    "Just like Conrad."

    Her words echo in Alianna's ears. Alianna frowns, taking another drag. "Whatever," she says. "It's not like that, okay."

    "Ever since Susannah's death you've lost yourself. Now you're failing school, you've ignored everyone, we don't even hang out anymore!"

    Alianna looks away from Belly, "Don't try to guilt trip me, Belly. You don't get it." She disclosed before taking another drag.

    "Don't get what, huh?"

    "You all acted like nothing happened." The silence was loud. All of you are celebrating and acting like Susannah isn't gone." Alianna turns to face Belly, tears starting to flow and Belly stays silent.

    "You want me to cry and stay at home and do nothing but mourn?" Belly bellowed. "I'm not you, Ali." She says, her voice softened.

    "I'm trying to move on in my own way," and she lets that hang, "She's not coming back, none of them are coming back and you need to understand that."

    Belly's words break Alianna's heart, tears falling down her cheeks. "You made things messy with Conrad and Jeremiah, okay?"

    Alianna wiped the tears from her eyes and left Belly outside.

    "I'm gonna go home now." Alianna tried to get rid of her tears but her eyes were still red and puffy.

    Joshua asks his sister, but the girl doesn't dare to look up. "Hey, what's wrong?"

    "Please, can you just drive me home." Alianna says, tears starting to fall again.

    "Uhm, you can just use my car — I'll go home with the others." The older Connors sibling hands her the black car keys.

    "Thank you." She replied. Her voice was croaky, and she kept her head down while she talked. This was the worst Belly had ever made her feel, this was the first time Belly made her cry like this and all the guilt feels upon Alianna.

    She had ruined everything.

lish speaks !

oh no, a short chapter :(( i hate these so much because i feel like short chapters make this writing process even longer and harder !!