chapter seven
the chaos of belly's sweet 16th

THE NEXT DAY WAS Belly's birthday, in fact it was her 16th birthday and just like every year, they were spending it in Cousins, at the Fisher beach house. Every year, the Castillo family would wake up early and head over to the Fisher's for breakfast, where they would greet Belly and eat Mickey Mouse pancakes before spending their entire day with her.

The family as usual, got up early, getting dressed before heading over to their friend's house. Florence walked through the door with a smile, her blue summer dress and converse complimenting her already tanned skin as she held Belly's presents in her hand.

"Happy birthday Miss Isabel!" Florence exclaimed, moving to hug the girl, who was surprisingly already awake.

"Thank you." Belly smiled, hugging her back.

"Happy birthday." Camden stated, ruffling her hair.

"Happy birthday Bells." Sydney hugged her friend, the two swaying on the spot for a minute.

"Your Mickey Mouse pancakes are ready." Laurel told Belly, who cleared her throat.

"Actually, I'm not really, uh, hungry." Belly shrugged.

"Oh."

"Shall we open gifts?" Susannah suggested.

"Oh, you're gonna love mine." Jeremiah stated.

The group all relocated to the living room. Belly sat on the chair opposite the reach of them. Sydney was stood next to Conrad with Jeremiah and Camden on the floor in front of them while Florence was sat next to Steven, their mums all on the sofa next to them.

Belly opened her present from Laurel, it being a book of poems. "It's a first edition. I got it from a rare book dealer."

"Thanks mum."

"Turn to the bookmarked page." Laurel told her at Belly's confused gratitude. "It's your favourite poem."

"Oh, yeah." Belly laughed. "I remember Susannah teaching us to recite this. 'For whatever we lose'"

Jeremiah joined in. "'Like a you or a me." The rest of them then also joined in. "'It's always ourselves we find in the sea.'"

"Thank you, I love it."

"Okay, open mine now Belly." Susannah handed her her gift.

Belly unwrapped it softly, opening the jewellery box inside to reveal a pearl necklace. "Oh, wow, they're gorgeous Susannah."

Susannah moved to sit next to Belly, taking the pearls and putting them on Belly. "My mum gave me these pearls for my sweet 16th. Radiant, isn't she?"

"They look great on you sweetheart." Laurel complimented.

"Here's mine." Camden handed Belly his present. The girl unwrapped it see a signed Lover CD. Belly's mouth dropped, looking up at the boy, who shrugged. "You said Lover was all you needed to complete the set. Happy birthday."

"Thank you so much." Belly smiled.

"Oh, I'm next." Jeremiah jumped up. Belly unwrapped his present. "It's a good-luck charm to help you pass your driving test."

Belly attached it to her bracelet. "Perfect."

"Think fast, Belly." Steven suddenly threw his present at her.

"What?"

"Steven."

"Wow, Steven, I can't believe you actually spent money on me." Belly pouted, holding the Princeton sweatshirt Steven had gotten her across her body.

"Relax." Steven shrugged. "I just didn't want you stealing mine next year when I get in."

"I didn't know you were still considering Princeton." Laurel spoke up, looking over at her son.

"You know, I-I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships, and Dad thinks I can get some financial aid. I-I don't know. I'll see if I get in." Steven explained. "Plus Flo is gonna come with me."

"You wanna go to Princeton?" Laurel looked over at the girl.

"Yeah, why not?" Florence shrugged before looking over at Belly. "This present is from both me and Conrad."

The girl handed her present to Belly. She opened it to see a scrapbook made entirely by Florence and Conrad, the two compiling all of the group photos they had together over the years as well as all of the photos from their various adventures during summer and put it in the scrapbook.

"Sixteen years of Belly." Conrad spoke up with a small smile. "Plus, we made Taylor Swift inspired bracelets in the back."

Belly's smile grew as she flipped through the book, looking at all the memories they had created before she came across the bracelets in the back. The girl looked up at them with the biggest smile they had ever seen on her face.

"Thank you." Belly stated. "I love it."

"You're welcome Bells." Florence responded, sharing a smile with Conrad.

"Sydney, uh, do you want to give Belly your present?" Emmeline asked the girl.

They all looked over at the girl expectantly. "Oh, uh, I'll, uh, give it to you later. I left it at home."

"Oh." Belly visibly deflated. "That's fine."

"I have to go." Conrad announced. "I promised Cleveland that I'd show him some knots today so..." The boy got and began to leave. "Happy birthday Belly."

Belly smiled at him, glancing back at Sydney once again. Jeremiah looked at Belly, who looked as if she was going to cry. "Hey, why don't we take my car and practicing driving before we have to pick up Taylor from the bus station."

"Sure." Belly nodded.

And with that, Belly put all of her presents away and the two best friends left the house. Steven left to go have lunch with Shayla. Camden decided to head out and Emmeline was quick to pull Sydney to the side and chat with her leaving Florence alone in the living room with Laurel and Susannah.

"I'm gonna go get a drink." Laurel stated, getting up and leaving.

"You okay, Flo?" Susannah asked, gaining Florence's attention.

"I'm good." Florence nodded, shuffling closer to the woman. "Steven's managed to get himself into a relationship with my best friend, though so—"

"He's ditched you." Susannah finished.

"Basically." Florence laughed softly. Florence leant her head against Susannah's shoulder, the two staying there in silence for a few moments.

"You know, I am very happy that you agreed to do the deb ball." Susannah stated.

"Me too." Florence replied. "It's gonna be lots of fun, thank you for getting me an invitation."

"You, my darling, are very welcome." Susannah smiled. "You're gonna look so beautiful in your white dress, I cannot wait to see it."

"You're saying that like it's the only time you'll ever see me in a white dress." Florence sat up. "Which is isn't because I will be getting married, even if I have to honour my pact with Steven where we marry each other at like 55 years old."

"I know." Susannah smiled weakly, placing her hand on Florence's cheek. "But now is just as good. And hopefully you will be glowing with your dance partner."

"I still have to figure out who that is." Florence told her.

"What about Conrad?" Susannah suggested, once again.

"You know, you already suggested him. And you're like the third person to do so." Florence shook her head. "He is not, he will not do another deb ball, he hates them."

"I think if he says yes to anyone, it's gonna be you." Susannah stated, repeating her words from the night before. "And he'd be a fool to say no."

"I love you." Florence smiled.

"I love you too." Susannah responded, hugging the girl tightly. "Now let's get your portrait done."

✿✼:*ﾟ:༅｡.｡༅:*･ﾟﾟ･⭑

AFTER A LONG DAY of doing, practically nothing other than posing for Susannahs portrait painting of her in her deb dress, it was time for Belly's annual lobster dinner. Susannah decided to make it Midsommer themed, so each of the girls had flower crowns on top of their heads. The table had been extended to fit Cam and Taylor, who sat either side of Belly. Sydney sat next to Taylor while Emmeline sat next to Cam.

Opposite them sat Jeremiah, Camden, Steven, Conrad and Florence, while Laurel and Susannah sat either end of the table. They were eating dinner with casual chatter between each little group, just enjoying each other's company.

"So Cam." Jeremiah spoke up loudly, gaining everyone's attention. "You mind if I call you Cam Cameron?"

"Mm-hmm. Yeah, man. Feel free. That's funny." Cam laughed softly.

"Cool."

"I'm glad you're here, Cameron." Susannah told the boy. "I know your mum, Denise, from the club. I have heard a lot about you."

"Thank you so much for having me, Susannah." Cameron smiled. "My mum says hi."

"Cam have you ever had miyeok-guk before?" Laurel asked. "It's a Korean birthday tradition."

"No, looks so good. Thank you." Cam smiled, taking the dish Laurel handed him.

"Belly told me your vegetarian so I didn't put any meat in it." Laurel told him.

"Thank you Laurel." He nearly dropped the plate. "Oh jeez."

"Why don't you eat meat, Cam Cameron?" Jeremiah questioned.

"Uh, the meat industry is, like, the number one contributor to global warming." Cam answered.

"Mm."

"And I just, I like animals." Cam added.

"Just don't come for my leather jacket." Taylor stated.

"I'm pretty sure you mean pleather." Steven commented. Taylor sent him the middle finger.

"You know, uh, actually, Belly eats meat." Jeremiah continued to talk. Florence rolled her eyes slightly, unaware on what the point of the conversation was. "So you let her kiss you with those lips?"

"Guys." Belly scolded as Steven laughed. "Stop."

"No, I don't judge people for eating meat. It's just, like, a personal choice. I don't care." Cam shrugged.

"So you don't mind if, uh, like, her lips touch a dead animal and then those dead animal lips touch your lips, right?" Jeremiah asked before both Sydney and Belly kicked him under the table. "Ow."

Cam chuckled. "I don't mind at all. Um, in fact..." Cam leant over and pecked Belly's lips.

Steven and Jeremiah pretended to vomit everywhere at the action, making them all roll their eyes at their antics.

"All right, all right." Laurel settled them down. "Belly's allowed to kiss, but that's it."

Laurel started laughing loudly, Belly turning to her. "Mum, please. No. You're so not funny. No more wine for you, okay?"

"I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anybody would want to kiss somebody who once fully shat in the bathtub." Steven announced.

"I was like two years old." Belly defended.

"Two? More like six."

"Shut up Steven!"

"Aw, I remember that." Susannah reminisced. "God, that feels like a lifetime ago."

"I remember when I visited last summer, and you and you dared him to pee in the fireplace and you stunk up the entire house for days. Do you remember that?" Taylor asked.

"I remember that!" Florence exclaimed. "Conrad slept on my bedroom floor to escape the house and the smell."

"I blamed the neighbour's cat." Susannah stated.

"We were drunk. We were drunk." Steven tried to explain over all the laughter.

"On like half a White Claw." Belly retorted, causing more laughter.

"She got you there." Jeremiah commented.

"You know, I'm thinking, uh, maybe we should go to Nicole's party." Belly changed the subject.

"Yes. I'm so excited." Taylor celebrated.

They all finished dinner, Florence and Sydney leaving the house and heading back to the Castillo House. Sydney decided she felt ill and was gonna stay at home while Florence rushed upstairs to get changed for the party. Florence put on a long white lace up dress with some black converse, tying her hair up in a bun before bidding goodbye to Sydney and heading to the party.

She walked towards the house, it not being too far and knowing she'd either go home with Shayla or convince one of the boys to give her a lift home, she wasn't too worried. Florence walked up the driveway and into the house, a small smile on her face at the partygoers.

"Flo, you came!" A voice exclaimed, the girl spinning to see Nicole approaching her. "Hi."

"Hey!" Florence hugged her. "Amazing party."

"Thank you." Nicole smiled. "Just waiting for Belly to join us."

"I'm sure she'll be here soon." Florence reassured her. Florence then left Nicole, walking into a room to see the rest of the deb girls. "Hey girls."

"Hey Flo." Gigi greeted her with a hug. "Shayla told me to let you know she wasn't going to make it."

"Oh." Florence let out a sigh, taking her phone out of her pocket to see a message from Shayla. "Yeah, she messaged me. I forgot she was in New York."

"Guys." Nicole then joined them, Belly trailing behind. "Look who's here, the birthday girl."

They all told her happy birthday before Nicole grabbed a lighter and lit the 16 candle that was on top of Belly's birthday cake.

"Woah, um, is this for me?" Belly asked in disbelief.

"Who else would it be for Belly." Nicole told her.

"Oh, my... Thank you, guys." Belly smiled. She then gestured to the other cakes on the table. "These cakes are amazing, Nicole."

"I never miss a chance to have a Sofia Coppola moment." Nicole replied, eliciting laughter from everyone. "Okay, well, Belly, make a wish."

Belly closed her eyes for a moment before she blew out the candles. The girls all cheered for her.

"Uh, Belly, where's Jeremiah?" Gigi asked.

"Um, I think he's over by the drinks table." Belly responded.

"Who's thirsty?" Gigi wondered innocently.

"You, clearly." Marisa stated making them all laugh once more.

"So, Nicole you and Conrad a thing or not?" The subject was quickly changed.

"I think 'or what'." Nicole answered.

"Wait, you live with him. You should know what he's up to." Marisa pointed to Belly. "Has he been hanging out with other girls this summer?"

Belly hesitated, glancing at Florence for a millisecond. A look that went unnoticed by everyone. Belly wasn't going to say Conrad had been seeing any other girls, because he hadn't been seeing anyone else. But there was no denying, in her humble opinion, that there was something between Florence and him. He was lighter when she was around... happier almost.

Belly cleared her throat. "No, he-he's always off by himself."

"Okay, well, new topic." Nicole spoke up, looking at Belly again. "Have you asked Cam to the ball yet?"

"No, I was gonna, uh, do it before dinner today, but, um, everyone was there." Belly explained.

"Do it right now." Florence told her.

"Yeah, just-just ask him." Nicole added.

"What you're gonna do is you're gonna take him to an empty bedroom and ask him there." Gigi ordered.

"No. Do not do that. He'll get excited."

"That's the point. He'll say yes."

"Gigi."

"That was my plan."

"I know."

"That's bad advice."

Florence tuned the girls out, turning around slightly. She caught sight of Conrad, the two making eye contact for a few seconds. She sent him a small smile before she turned back around, joining back in with the laughter.

The girls then decided to head to the living room. Belly sat on the sofa with Cameron while Florence casually spoke to Nicole and Gigi. She had to admit, she was having a great time, she just wished Shayla was here to enjoy it with her.

Jeremiah suddenly moved a karaoke speaker next to the girls. "Testing, testing, this one goes out to Cam Cameron and our favourite little Belly button."

Florence laughed as Summer Nights by Grease came through the speaker, Jeremiah beginning to sing very badly. Florence joined in with Nicole and Gigi, the three stepping from side to side as they sang back up. Belly, however was not very impressed, especially when Cam joined in with the singing.

When the song ended, Jeremiah dragged Florence and Cameron outside to play beer pong, Conrad joining them along the way. Jeremiah decided he was teaming with Cam leaving Florence and Conrad to play together.

"You're going down y'know." Florence told the two boys, who stood on the opposite end of the table. "I am a pro beer-pong player."

"She is." Conrad nodded. "Be scared."

The two laughed before the game got started, Florence and Conrad absolutely destroying Jeremiah and Cam. Florence threw another ball, it landing in the cup causing Jeremiah to down the drink. Florence cheered, Conrad hugging her in victory.

"Pro!" Florence pointed to herself.

"Pro!" Conrad repeated, pointing to Florence. They then stopped laughing, Conrad looking over at Cam. "Wait, Cam have you started the waltz lessons yet? Miss Convington is a real sadist."

"Who you talking about?" Cam asked.

"The-the dance teacher. For the ball." Conrad told him.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Belly hadn't really asked me yet." Cam admitted.

"Oh, dude I'm sure she will. Trust me." Jeremiah told him.

"She's a hundred percent going to. I bet she's just waiting for the right moment." Florence reassured the boy.

"If you say so." Cam nodded, looking at Florence. "Who are you taking?"

"Currently, me, myself and I." Florence laughed awkwardly. "I think I might be the first debutante to go to a ball stag, which kinda defeats the purpose but..." She shrugged, unaware of Conrad's gaze on her. She smiled at Cam. "I'm sure, I'll find someone."

Cameron nodded before shooting a ball and missing completely. "Oh that was close."

"Hey." Belly suddenly appeared.

"Hi."

Jeremiah gasped dramatically, hugging his best friend. "Belly. Hi. Where have you been?"

Belly sent him a weird look, ignoring his question and turning to Cam. "Yeah. Um, I-I thought you didn't drink."

"Oh it's water. It's water." Cam told her. "Jeremiah's been drinking for me."

"Mm-hmm. I love this kid so much." Jeremiah hummed. "So fun."

"Um, hey, can we leave? Like now?" Belly asked Cam.

"Yeah, um, yeah. Sure that's cool." Cameron nodded, putting his cup down and beginning to leave with Belly. "I'll see you later."

Florence looked over at Belly, how her demeanour had suddenly changed since she had been inside, like she had seen something upsetting. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern before she turned back to the table, Jeremiah having just got his ball in the cup.

After a while, Florence made her way back home, only to see Sydney eating ice cream on the sofa, no one else anywhere in sight. Florence made her way towards the girl.

"Hey." She greeted, sitting on the sofa next to her. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Sydney nodded. "I'm good."

"I'm not convinced." Florence commented. "What's wrong?"

Sydney let out a sigh, cuddling up to Florence. "I got Belly an infinity necklace but I haven't given it to her. She got Susannah's pearls and all I got her was a stupid necklace about a joke we made years ago."

"She'll love it either way, Syd." Florence told her. "She's your best friend."

"I know." Sydney forced a smile on her face, cuddling even closer to the girl. "I just—I don't want her to be disappointed."

"She could never." Florence reassured her. "She'd be stupid to even think of being disappointed. Your gift is incredibly thoughtful and special to the both of you. You need to give it to her."

"I will." Sydney nodded, closing her eyes for a second. "Can we just stay here for now."

"Of course." Florence smiled, hugging her sister tightly as the two slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Florence woke up to a knock at the front door. She groaned, sitting up and noticing that Sydney had moved to the other end of the sofa. She carefully got up from the sofa, careful not to wake her sister before moving to open the door, coming face to face with Conrad stood on the doorstep.

"Hi." Florence's furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I'm very hungover and I think I need 24/7 diner pancakes." Conrad stated. "And I didn't wanna take Nicole cause it's our thing and eating alone at 17 is kinda sad."

"Are you asking me to go get pancakes with you?" Florence asked him.

"Yes."

"Okay." Florence nodded. "Let me get dressed and I'll be right with you."

Conrad nodded. Florence closed the door before rushing upstairs and getting changed, putting on a simple cropped tee and a pair of jean shorts. She put her converse on before grabbing her phone and walking back downstairs. She left a note before walking out of the house, meeting Conrad at the end of the road.

The two headed to the diner where they ate the usual food, casual chatter between the two of them, laughter shared loudly before Florence walked Conrad to the docks were he was meeting Cleveland to teach him more about sailing.

"You ever sailed?" Conrad asked her as they sat on one of the boats.

"No, I'm more of a land girl than a sea girl." Florence told him.

"Really? I get mermaid vibes from you." Conrad stated.

Florence laughed softly. "All right. Well you are definitely a boat person, like a captain of one or something."

"You think?" Conrad scrunched his face up.

"Yes." Florence nodded. "I do. Like Jack Sparrow. Or Prince Eric."

"Well you are a mermaid after all." Conrad reminded her.

"You're early." A voice commented. Florence spun around to see Cleveland making his way towards them. "Oh, you have company. Hi, I'm Cleveland Castillo."

"I'm Florence... Castillo." Florence introduced herself, smiling awkwardly. "Last name twins."

Cleveland let out a small laugh as the girl turned to face Conrad. "I'll see you later, Prince Eric."

Conrad shook his head. "See you later, Ariel."

Florence waved goodbye and walked back up the dock. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket, the girl's mouth dropping before she practically stormed all the way to the Fisher household. She walked inside, greeting Jeremiah with a smile before going outside where Steven was sitting.

"What the fuck?" She shouted at him. The boy stood up, an apologetic look on his face as he stared at her. "Taylor? Seriously? Steven!"

"I'm sorry, okay? It was a mistake and—"

"What do you mean and? It happened, you can't take that back." Florence stated angrily.

"I know." Steven nodded. "And I feel bad enough as it is, okay?"

"You should feel bad, Steven." Florence snapped. "You kissed Taylor when you're dating my best friend, who really likes you by the way."

"I'm not so sure." Steven grumbled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Florence asked him.

"It's just—she deserves someone who can treat her like a queen and that is not me." Steven explained.

"Steven, she doesn't care about that." Florence told him. "She likes you for you, she doesn't care how much money you have. She has enough money to life the lifestyle she wants and see designers that she wants, and yes, I'm sure she wants you to see those designers too but if you can't afford it, Steven, she'll be happy with you wearing a goodwill suit to the deb ball if it means you're there with her."

"Flo—"

"I mean it!"

"Okay!" Steven shouted. "Can we just—can you not tell anyone?"

"Not that you deserve it, but fine. I won't." Florence took a step towards him. "But you're telling her. And if you don't, I will."

"Okay." Steven nodded. "I'm so sorry, Florence."

"I'm not the one who deserves the apology, Steven." Florence sighed, leaving him alone outside once again.

( 💌 ) isobel's notes
what a chapter hey?
conrad and florence making belly a present 🤭
YES syd got belly the infinity
necklace because they ARE infinite
party flo my girl beer pong queen
fav sibling syd and flo
more conrad and florence 🤭🤭🤭
THE NICKNAMES
fourth of july next chapter 👀👀