"I know that something has changed."

LIFE IN COUSINS BEACH, ALWAYS FELT MAGICAL. My friend Isabel, has always told me that before and I can't help but agree with her. People just seem happy and no worries seemed to ruin their summer, they love this place just like my family loves it.

Thanks to this small town, I was able to meet many incredible people. My second family, my best friend and my boyfriend. They are everything to me, they were my missing puzzle piece.

Summer had arrived and it felt really different, I felt like I needed to change and have this new personality. My whole life I was told by my siblings I didn't had friends because I was quiet and would always stay home. Which, I agree unfortunately. I didn't really like going out, not even with them.

But now it was time to change, and I did. I had friends, I had a boyfriend, and I was going out more. I was told I looked and acted like a whole different person, I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if it felt flattering being told that I got prettier and smarter, why was that the only thing they noticed?

Nova: "Conrad! Have you seen my backpack anywhere? I need to unpack before the Conklin's get here." -I asked, peeking through the small bedroom owned by my brother.

He only glanced back, instantly forming this evil grin on his face. My eyes only closed shut after realizing where this was going, making me sigh already annoyed.

Nova: "Please don't tell me you hid it once again around the beach?"

Conrad: "I did. Jeremiah, helped me out this time...finally." -he replied, approaching me to brush my hair aggressively.

Nova: "Assholes."

I then walked off hearing his rapid footsteps behind me, followed by a devilish laugh coming from him. He continued to follow me downstairs as I searched for our Mom, wishing to find her quicker.

Conrad: "What? You already want to rat me out?"

I glared at him quickly, making him laugh as we arrived downstairs. We looked around the house, spotting our Mom, on the kitchen as she cleaned a flower pot.

Nova: "Mom, guess what your dear son decided to do to me."

Susannah: "Conrad...what did you do?" -she asked, not even looking back.

Mom, was already used to all the pranks and arguments we had almost every single day. She didn't even need to turn around to know who had done something already, this was a prank that repeated each summer.

Conrad: "You already know, Mom."

Susannah: "That's right, and I thought I told you to drop that prank."

Nova: "Thank you, I mean...it's too much." -I said, grinning my eyes towards, Conrad.

Conrad: "How is it too much? It's just like playing hide and seek."

Nova: "What if you forget where you hid the backpack?" -I questioned, placing my hands on my waist.

He stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, and right when he was about to speak our Mom, interrupted him.

Susannah: "Go get her backpack. Laurel, called and said she's almost here."

He nodded and quickly ran off to the backyard, only for me to see Jeremiah, making his way towards me. He stretched his arms open, making me roll my eyes to embrace him into a hug. Even though I was a little angry with him, I wasn't able to resist a hug from him.

Jeremiah: "You wish your older brother was me instead of Conrad, right?"

Nova: "Shut up, idiot." -I mumbled, slapping his back gently.

We then walked over to the living room, taking a look outside. The weather was perfect today, it was just how I wished for it to be. My smile grabbed Jeremiah's attention, making him stand right in front of me.

Jeremiah: "What's up with that smile?"

Nova: "Nothing, I'm just really excited to see everyone once again." -I replied, brushing my hair back.

Jeremiah: "You're more excited to see Steven, though."

I instantly glanced up to the boy with widened eyes, hitting his chest abruptly. He only grunted, glancing at me with widened eyes this time.

Jeremiah: "Ow?! What? It's true, you've always liked him before."

Nova: "I have a boyfriend, Jere. I don't like Steven, anymore." -I whispered, looking over to the kitchen to see if our Mom, was listening.

A loud honk gained our attention, only making the both of us stare over to the hallway rapidly.

Susannah: "They're here!" -she exclaimed, making me and Jeremiah, run off towards the house's entrance.

The both of us laughed hysterically as we pushed each other around. Jeremiah, was able to open the door first. We only smiled brightly, seeing Laurel, already walking over to the house filled with happiness.

Jeremiah: "What's up?!"

Laurel: "Hi. Oh, my god." -she laughed, stretching her arms out as Jeremiah, ran towards, the woman.

Jeremiah: "Hello."

The pair hugged in between laughter, I then looked back to see Steven, who waited patiently for me to notice him. He laughed in an instant when I had finally noticed him, making me run towards him quickly.

Steven: "How are you? You look...different." -he asked, pushing me back to take a look at me carefully.

Nova: "I'm good, I'm glad you guys were able to come."

I replied avoiding to answer the last thing he said, he had sort of changed as well. He didn't look different, but he did looked more mature.

Steven: "We'll always come here no matter what." -he replied, flashing me a smile before quickly walking off to hug Jeremiah, tightly.

Laurel, quickly embraced me into a tight hug as well. Pulling me away to hold onto my face gently, her smile could scream thousands of words at once. She was happy, extremely happy to see all of us once again. I could tell she missed this, she needed this for so long and we did as well.

We walked together towards Mom, I stood right beside them seeing how they hugged tightly. Both of them laughed, you could only hear it around the space. Steven joined shortly after Jeremiah, walked towards the Conklin's car.

My eyes darted towards my right, seeing Jeremiah spinning Belly, around the air as she exclaimed. I ran towards the pair quickly, only to get noticed by the brunette girl, in a matter of seconds.

Nova: "Hi!" -I squealed, pulling the girl towards me rapidly.

Belly: "Hello! I missed you so much."

Nova: "Missed you more, you need to know so many things." -I mentioned, making her laugh.

Steven: "Jere, Jere, Jere. Come over here, come on."

My brother nodded, smiling at us before running towards Steven, and the two beautiful moms. Belly and I, smiled brightly to each other but something gained the girl's attention.

She spaced out towards the entrance of our backyard, making me glance towards the direction her eyes were plastered on. I noticed Conrad, joining us with my backpack on his hands. He dropped it beside some pair of surfboards, walking towards Belly, quickly.

Nova: "I'll let you two catch up." -I whispered, winking at the girl, who only rolled her eyes while smiling.

I approached the two boys, who laughed while speaking to one another. They seemed to notice something instantly, my eyebrows only frowned by the sight.

Nova: "Oh no, what's wrong? Did you forgot something?"

Steven: "Yeah, we actually did." -he replied, looking over to Jeremiah, who nodded with a saddened expression.

He then made Jeremiah and I walk towards Belly and Conrad, the both of them fidgeted around in a fun way.

Steven: "Hey, hey, guys, guys. I mean, I-I don't know about you, but I...well I think it's time for a..."

Jeremiah: "For a..."

Nova: "Oh, God." -I mumbled, closing my eyes shut after realizing what they were about to say.

Jeremiah and Steven: "Belly flop!"

Belly: "Absolutely not!" -she exclaimed, beginning to try and run off only to be grabbed by Steven, quickly.

This has always been sort of a tradition, Belly, getting thrown into the pool as I watch, feeling extremely bad for her. They all laughed as she continued to run away, but the boys were quicker and already were able to grab onto her arms and legs. She looked like a potato bag being dragged towards a cart.

We continued to walk towards the backyard, the loud shouting of the group making me laugh over how stupid they sounded.

Boys: "One...Two...Three!"

The last thing we heard was the sound of Belly, screaming followed by the water splashing.

Jeremiah: "How's the water?" -he asked in between laughter, making me roll my eyes as I noticed Belly, grunting in pain.

Belly: "Guys, I hurt my ankle."

Nova: "Shit! Conrad, help her." -I whispered, trying to not gain our mom's attention.

Belly: "Come on."

She then stretched her hand towards Conrad, seeing how the boy, walked towards her carefully. He held her hand, but in a blink of an eye he was now inside of the pool.

I laughed hysterically after seeing the rest of the boy's faces, clapping excitedly after finally seeing them accept defeat.

Nova: "All right, that was enough pranks for me. I'm going inside, who wants to join?" -I asked, quickly being followed, by Jeremiah and Steven.

We left Conrad and Belly, splashing water onto one another. Arriving inside of the house, we couldn't help but smell flowers throughout the home.

Jeremiah: "Did your mom got that flower sent again?" -he asked, patting Steven's back.

Steven: "Yup, you know how she is."

I walked towards the kitchen leaving the pair behind, seeing Laurel, entering the kitchen as well.

Susannah: "Oh, my God, Laurel."

She held onto a basket filled with different snacks, later on placing them on the table while chuckling over my mom's face.

Susannah: "How many boxes did you bring? I told you not to bother." -she wondered, looking over to the woman, while pouring some lemon juice onto a jar.

Laurel: "Your fancy little market doesn't even carry Diet Coke, Beck."

I took a sit on one of the dining tables, looking over to Mom agreeing with, Laurel.

Nova: "She's right, they don't sell the actual good chips."

We heard footsteps approaching the kitchen, making all of us look towards the hallway seeing Belly, shyly approach me. She took a sit right beside me, smiling my way while water dripped all over the floor but we didn't mind at all.

Belly: "Hi." -she mumbled, brightly smiling to Mom, who seemed completely shocked over her.

Laurel: "You're dripping water all over the place."

We both stared at each other, while laughing. Only for me to reach for her hand, taking a look at her palms that were extremely cold.

Nova: "How was the water?"

Belly: "Better then I expected, it was the best belly flop possible." -she replied, making me laugh.

Susannah: "You have always been lovely, but, oh, honey, look at you." -she laughed, stretching Belly's arms as she smiled.

Belly: "I think I look pretty much the same."

Susannah: "You do not look the same at all. You and Nova, are growing up. You're in bloom." -she mentioned, rubbing Belly's cheek while smiling gently at her.

We smiled back at my Mom, watching her continue preparing the lemonade. Laurel then approached behind Belly, placing a towel around the girl's back.

Susannah: "Laur, she's you all over." -she said, making Laurel, laugh.

Belly: "People always say I look like my dad."

Nova: "That's not true." -I whispered, hearing my mom's laugh.

Susannah: "No, when your mom and I first met, she looked just like you."

Laurel: "Except I had no boobs at all." -she mentioned, pointing towards Belly's chest.

Belly cringed instantly, as I laughed over the mom's faces. I then stood up from the tall chair, walking towards the hallway only to hear a whistle behind me.

Nova: "Yeah?"

Susannah: "Where are you going?" -she asked, walking towards me.

She took a hold of my face gently, placing a kiss on my cheek while noticing my smile.

Nova: "I'm going to unpack now, Conrad, brought my backpack again."

Susannah: "Okay, then. Once you're done, get ready for dinner." -she mentioned, receiving a nod from me.

I later on ran upstairs, bumping into my room being slightly open. I walked inside filled with confusion, looking around the area to see Conrad, unpacking my stuff with a focused expression.

Nova: "Dude, what are you doing?" -I asked, approaching the boy, to try and stop him from unpacking everything.

Conrad: "I'm paying you back for my prank, don't worry about doing anything."

Nova: "Thanks, but I could've done it myself. I wanted my own payback to happen, Connie."

Conrad: "You're evil." -he whispered, tapping the end of my nose gently.

I scrunched my nose after his movement, taking a sit on my bed while watching him continue to unpack everything.

Conrad: "Are you going out today?"

Nova: "Why are you asking?" -I questioned, looking through my window as I sat completely still on my bed.

Conrad: "I noticed you picked this outfit out. You always do that when you're going out, where are you going?"

Nova: "I'm going out with Tate, he invited me to the bonfire."

Conrad: "You got back together?" -he asked, sounding completely annoyed.

Nova: "We're just going out as friends, nothing else."

Jeremiah: "That's a lie, she told me a couple of minutes ago they were a thing. I pretended not to be mad, but I am."

Nova: "Now you're spying?" -I asked, patting my bed so Jeremiah, could sit right beside me.

Conrad: "Why did you lie?"

Nova: "Cause I knew you would get mad by my actual response. He changed, he's trying his best now."

Conrad, only rolled his eyes, dropping a pair of clothes he had on his arms. He later on stormed out of my room, leaving me with Jeremiah, who sat completely silent.

Nova: "Great."

Jeremiah: "Here, let me help you out." -he whispered, picking up the clothes from the ground.

Nova: "Thanks, Jere."
________________________________
A while after Jeremiah, helped me unpack, I had stayed home alone. Mom and Laurel, went out to run some errands. I didn't know where Jeremiah and Belly, went but I supposed it was to the beach. While Conrad and Steven, probably went over to the neighbors home to play video games.

I had gotten ready for the dinner, and just waited for everyone to get home patiently. I then settled the table up so Mom, wouldn't have to do it. The house felt weird but comforting at the same time, the silence was peaceful but eerie...it felt different.

Minutes later we were already on the table, and everyone spoke to one another. Conrad, was still mad at me, and I only tried my best not to cry since I hate having fights with him.

Laurel: "Steven, I swear to God, if you look at that phone one more time, I'm putting it in the screen basket."

Susannah: "It's just, we want to see your beautiful faces." -she said, drinking onto her champagne while smiling at everyone sweetly.

I smiled back at her, placing my hands under my chin carefully. Looking over to Steven, who went completely quiet after getting scolded.

Susannah: "Can dinner be a screen-free zone? You know, like the olden days."

Nova: "Yeah, please?" -I mumbled, poking onto Steven's shoulder.

He didn't mind at all, since he was completely concentrated on what he was seeing on his phone.

Jeremiah: "Steven." -he said, grabbing his phone abruptly, later on throwing it into the phone basket right behind, Belly.

Steven: "Dude, are you kidding me?"

Jeremiah: "Boom! Nailed it." -he bragged, showing off his muscles making me laugh.

Everyone else just smiled over the pair, seeing how annoyed Steven, looked.

Steven: "Okay, okay, okay, we get it, you've been working out."

Belly: "Oh, you're just jealous because Jere, has a better body than you." -she argued, smiling proudly over her comment.

Nova: "That's facts."

Steven: "Uh, no, actually, it's all about the lean look now. Otherwise, you can't wear tailored suits."

Jeremiah: "Sure, sure." -he joked, as we all laughed over how stupid Steven, sounded.

Conrad: "Tailored suits."

That was the only sentence Conrad, has said on the whole dinner. It brought some sort of hope to me as I saw his smile, but he later on vanished it right after making eye contact with me and stop his smile from showing.

Steven: "When are you leaving for training camp, man?"

We all stood completely silent after Steven's question, I knew that if I spoke for Conrad, that would've just gotten him more angry with me. Thankfully, Jeremiah, did what I wanted to do.

Jeremiah: "Uh, he quit football." -he mentioned, making all of us stare around the table awkwardly.

Steven: "Wh...Wait, really? You quit?"

Conrad: "Mm-hmm." -he mumbled, looking completely unbothered.

Steven: "Are you kidding me, man? I'd-I'd kill to play college ball."

Susannah: "He can always change his mind."

My eyes shut after hearing my mom's comment, knowing how that was going to get Conrad, more angry. I opened them once again, seeing how he rolled his eyes completely annoyed.

Conrad: "I'm not gonna change my mind. I was just gonna sit on the bench all season anyways." -he stated, looking towards our Mom and later on to, Belly.

Laurel: "Well, if you're not playing football anymore, what are you gonna do all summer?"

Steven: "Oh, dude, you can work at the club. Yeah, with me and Jere."

Jeremiah: "Yeah." -he agreed, smiling towards Steven, excitedly.

Conrad: "I'm not gonna work at the club."

Belly: "Wait, you guys are working this summer?" -she asked, pointing at the pair, who sat right beside me.

Jeremiah: "Yeah, I'm lifeguarding, and Steven's working at the snack shop."

The both of them fist bumped each other, finishing it with a clicking sound. Belly's eyes darted towards mine, making me sigh as I realized she was sad.

Nova: "I'm also working, I work as a waitress on the clubhouse." -I said, seeing how Belly's face changed completely.

Steven: "Wait, really? That's literally one of the best jobs here."

Nova: "Yeah, Mom, was a lot of help. She knows her way around the clubhouse." -I mentioned, smiling at Mom, brightly.

We all stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, but we were later startled by Mom, jumping excitedly.

Susannah: "Oh, Belly, I almost forgot."

She ran towards a nearby desk on the dining area, grabbing a familiar piece of paper. Her smile already telling me where this was going, Laurel, knew as well.

Susannah: "I have a surprise for you." -she handled Belly, the paper excitedly, taking a sit once again.

Laurel: "So, this is why you had to stop by the country club."

Susannah: "Mm." -she mumbled, raising her shoulder confidently.

We all watched how Belly, opened the letter gently. Hearing then whispering coming from Steven, who sounded completely confused.

Steven: "What, uh, wh-wh-what is that?"

Susannah: "I wrangled Belly, an invitation to be a debutante."

Nova: "Of course you did." -I whispered, holding my laugh as I saw Belly's confused expression.

Belly: "Is that the thing where the girls wear white dresses and curtsy?"

I chuckled by her question, covering my mouth instantly. My mom's eyes darted towards me fully grinned, almost seeming to be throwing darts my way.

Susannah: "It's when a girl comes of age and it's presented to society. I-I know it sounds silly, but I swear it's fun."

Nova: "It's in between. Sometimes it's fun...sometimes it's not."

Belly: "You've done it before?" -she asked, placing the invitation down.

Nova: "Yeah, I think last summer?"

I glanced over to Mom, seeing how happy she seemed over the whole situation. Instantly making me actually want Belly, to say yes. Even if it's stupid and not that fun actually.

Susannah: "Girls come from all over New England to Cousins just to be a part of it. You'll make so many new friends."

Laurel: "I cannot believe you're still holding on to this archaic dream." -she commented, walking over to the wine room.

Susannah: "No, it used to be about finding a husband, but now it's about networking. They teach you leadership skills, like how to market yourself."

The boys all did different cringed expressions, receiving death glares from me instantly. They all smiled quickly, pretending to be interested on what Mom, was saying.

Susannah: "And it benefits charity. It's, um, like a bat mitzvah." -she shrugged her shoulders, looking over to Belly, for approval.

Laurel: "It is not like a bat mitzvah. There is nothing religious about a debutante ball."

Conrad: "The whole deb scene is bullshit, it's for sheep."

Jeremiah: "Yeah." -he agreed, looking back to our Mom, while smiling completely cringed out.

Nova: "Guys, stop it."

Susannah: "No, it's not. It's when a girl has a coming out, it's a formal recognition she's reached maturity." -she explained, only getting interrupted by the sound of laughter.

I glared at the boys as they laughed after hearing mom's words, my eyes only rolled annoyed by the sight making me hit the table slightly.

Nova: "Stop being so rude."

Steven: "Oh, sorry. I'm sorry. Mature?" -he joked, later on glancing over to Mom, while covering his mouth.

Susannah: "Yes."

Steven: "Belly?"

Susannah: "Mm-mhm." -she agreed, drinking more from her crystal glass.

Steven: "A-a couple months ago you had a cat funeral. You made us all wear black."

Belly: "Shut up, Steven. I saw you crying in your room." -she snapped, grinning her eyes towards, the black haired boy.

Nova: "She got you, bro."

Jeremiah: "Wait, Mochi died? Dang. I'm sorry, Bells." -he apologized, automatically seeming saddened by the news.

Susannah: "Belly."

We all glanced Mom's way, seeing a slight smile slowly bloom on her face. Her whole expression just lighted up by the thought of this ball, and I couldn't help but feel excited with her.

Susannah: "Don't you want to get all dressed up?"

Laurel: "It's just not Belly's kind of thing. She's our feral little alley cat." -she commented, playing with a strand of Belly's hair.

The boys only laughed after Laurel's sentence, I could tell how angry Belly, was. My eyes rolled annoyed by everyone's laughs, making me look at Belly, trying to reassure her.

Nova: "Well if she's the alley cat, I'm the trash from that alley."

Susannah: "Don't say that." -she laughed, grabbing my hand gently.

I then glanced at Belly, seeing how she was staring at the boys who only continued to laugh. She then read the invite one more time, looking up to Mom, who was already staring filled with hope.

Belly: "I'll think about it." -she smiled, making Mom, smile brighter instantly.

Susannah: "She'll think about it."

Nova: "Yay, that way I can help you prepare everything! I know my ways, Bells." -I cheered, standing up from the table to give the girl, a hug.

I glanced towards the boys while helping Belly, stand up from the chair. They only glanced at me filled with embarrassment, making me raise my middle finger towards them.

Nova: "I need to go get ready, I have a date today."

Susannah: "Wait, what? You're not staying for movie night with us?" -she asked, making me sigh feeling slightly bump for missing out the movie.

Nova: "What if I watch it tomorrow? Could that make it up to you?"

She stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, later on smiled brightly while nodding to me. I clapped excitedly, quickly running off to go get ready.

Things were starting to feel like the old times, just slightly different. Obviously we're all growing up, but none of us have really changed. They're still pretty much those stupid energetic kids they once were, and I'm still lowkey that quiet girl who hang around with them. It was the start of something new.

End of chapter.

Sofia's notes:
Back with another book, which I'm so excited to continue writing cause TSITP has a strong grip on me at the moment!! I can't wait to upload chapter 2, you guys surely cannot miss :)

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