"And maybe in some masochistic way,
I kinda find it all exciting."

SUNSHINE, a word that for an odd reason brings comfort to me by just hearing it being mentioned in any sentence. It's sort of something that just brings happiness into my mind.

That's been one of my many nicknames in life, cause surprisingly a quiet girl could bring happiness to a lot of people. My family says I bring peace into a room, this ever since I was a little kid that barely talked to anyone as everyone already knows.

Susannah Fisher, she's my sunshine...the woman who brings joy and piece every time I get one simple smile from her. She on the other hand...she considered me her star girl, why? I've never known, but that nickname from her became so normal to hear that I believe it.

I woke up to the sound of her voice calling out to me while she opened my room's blinds, allowing the famous sunlight inside of my room. My eyes opened slowly to meet with those beautiful ocean eyes and that bright smile that never liked fading away in front of her special people.

Susannah: "Hi, my beautiful star girl."

I smiled faintly by her gentle tone, stretching my hands towards her that were quickly grabbed. She then lifted me up slowly, soon after beginning to caress my cheek.

Nova: "Good morning." -I mumbled, covering my mouth as I started to let out a yawn.

She was now looking at me with that saddened expression she sometimes does when she worries for one of us.

Nova: "What?" -I asked, already suspecting where our conversation was going.

Susannah: "I heard what happened with, Steven."

I nodded in agreement with her, looking aside to try and avoid the tears that were tempting to blur my sight.

Nova: "Doesn't matter right now, Mom."

Susannah: "It does, hun. I don't understand why  Steven, would do such a thing? He has always hoped the best for you."

Nova: "Well, we're no longer little kids. We're getting older and beginning to do stupid mistakes." -I mentioned while letting out a sigh in the process.

Susannah: "Are you sure that you saw everything correctly?"

I glanced over to her with a bewildered expression, feeling my head tilt slightly by her question.

Nova: "Are you believing him instead of me?"

Susannah: "Honey, it's not that! It's just that Ethan, told me you drank a lot yesterday. Didn't we make a promise recently about that?"

Nova: "I'm sorry, Mom." -I whispered, quickly getting embraced by her.

She rested her hand on top of my head, rubbing my hair in the process of comfort.

Susannah: "I know."

Nova: "I just...I just think everything's shitty."

Susannah: "It's not, Nova. Everything we'll be okay sooner or later, I promise." -she reassured, holding onto my face.

I tried believing those words, I really did. But as comforting as she tried being, there was other stuff rooming through my brain that I knew probably didn't had any solution.

Susannah: "I know this isn't something you would like hearing right now...but, you need to get dressed."

Nova: "Why?" -I asked, placing a strand of hair behind my ear.

She looked around my room surprised after my question, glancing back at me with widened eyes.

Susannah: "Today's the debutante ball, sunshine."

I closed my eyes shut after she finished her sentence, face palming myself right after.

Nova: "Shit!"

Susannah: "Hey, it's okay! Don't panic, it's still early."

Nova: "Then why do I need to get dressed?" -I questioned quickly, resting my hands behind my back as I caressed the blanket.

She took a deep breath by my question, once again looking around my room. But this time she seemed nervous to tell me something.

Nova: "Mom?"

Susannah: "Steven." -she mumbled while fidgeting with her hands.

Nova: "What about him?"

Susannah: "I need you two to sort things out."

Nova: "You've got to be shitting me?"

I stood up from my bed instantly, walking over to my dresser to get a new t-shirt that I could comfortably wear. I heard how Mom, stood up from the bed as well, instantly walking over to me.

Susannah: "Honey, this is important to me."

Nova: "Mom, you understand we literally broke up yesterday?"

Susannah: "Yes! I do, but this day is important to spend filled with family. All of us are going to celebrate and I need the two of you to be in good terms to do so."

Nova: "Well, I can just stay he-"

Susannah: "No!" -she interrupted, stumping her right foot onto the ground.

I jumped startled by her sudden movement, taking a deep breath by how rapid my heart started to beat.

Susannah: "You're both going to this ball, y'all are going to act as the grown kids you already are. Because it's time for maturity, bring the old Steven and Nova, back for tonight."

Susannah: "Then tomorrow...just be whoever you'll like being."

Nova: "Mom, I don't think I can do that." -I sighed, rubbing my arm nervously.

Susannah: "Yes you can, honey. You've always been strong, you're one of the strongest person I know."

She grabbed my hands softly, rubbing the side of them carefully to try and reassure me.

Susannah: "Do this for me and for the rest of our family, just for today."

I glanced at the ground for a couple of seconds, thinking of ways I could make the situation I was about to get myself into less hurtful. Cause I knew damn well things weren't going to be easy at all.

Susannah: "Please?"

Nova: "Fine."

She smiled by my reply, hugging me tightly right after.

Susannah: "That's my sunshine!" -she chuckled, rocking me side to side mid hug.

I pulled away to look at her, smiling nervously. She then glanced behind me and grabbed a shirt that she saw inside of my dresser.

Susannah: "This one is gonna look cute." -she grinned, showing off a pastel blue crop top.

Nova: "Okay, thanks."

She then walked over to my room's door, stopping her tracks mid way.

Susannah: "He'll take you on a drive by the way." -she mentioned, receiving a nod from me.

I put on my clothing fully, deciding not to put any makeup since I was pretty tired to do so. My hair was simply laid down, I just placed three hair ties on my wrist just in case. I brushed my teeth quickly and proceeded to look at myself in the mirror one last time.

My eyes darted all over my body, figuring if I should change something on my outfit or not. Steven Conklin, has such a strong grip onto my mind that it gets me fed up a lot. I always doubt myself, do I look pretty or decent? That's something I always wonder because of him...because I think he wants someone that is perfect. Which that's something I'm not, no one is.

I headed out of my room quickly, walking all the way to Steven's bedroom. My feet stopped right in front of his door, they shook nervously over how terrified I felt to talk to him again. I wondered if he was going to act like nothing happened yesterday or if he would actually have a spark of sadness on his expression. But right when I was going to open the door to find out, the door opened by itself. Well, actually...he opened it.

Our eyes met instantly, I was surprised to see his eyes bright red and puffed up. But that was probably because he had just woken up, right?

I fidgeted with one of the hair ties on my wrist uncontrollably, continuing to glance at him impatiently. He hadn't spat out a word at all, he just stood there while looking at me.

Nova: "Did Mom, told you about her plan?" -I asked in a whisper, cutting the silence off.

He nodded in agreement, opening his door wider so I could come in. I entered the bedroom slowly, admiring all of the objects inside. I wasn't expecting to see a collection of cartoon dvds on his desk though, I had never known about that.

Steven: "You can sit down, I'm gonna go shower really quick." -he mentioned, picking up some books that rested on his bed.

I got to read the title of one, it was some history book of Princeton, he's always mentioned dream college. I then glanced at him, once again making eye contact. He pointed the bed quickly, walking then towards the desk to place the books down.

I took a seat at his bed then, looking around the room continuously.

Steven: "I'll try showering quick."

He then proceeded to exit the room with a towel on his shoulder, leaving me officially alone in his space.

I sat completely still on that bed, wondering if I had done a mistake just like Mom, tried insinuating. Maybe I saw everything the wrong way and should've let him explain, but I didn't.

Was that right? I don't know.

My eyes noticed a picture resting on his nightstand, it was an old picture of him and I when little. That day was special, that was the first time he actually accepted my request of picking seashells together. Mom, had decided to take a picture of it cause we never thought that day would come. I remember feeling so happy and blushing all the way back home just by rethinking of everything that happened that day.

I stood up from the bed to pick the object up, only to feel something behind the picture frame after grabbing it. My hand turned the photo around, and my eyes were quick to notice a necklace stuck onto the frame. I frowned my eyebrows by the sight, taking a closer look at the necklace.

It was a seashell necklace made out of silver that inside had written something I wasn't expecting to read. It quoted "I love you" and at the end of the small engraving it had an "S" written too. I knew it was done by him, Steven, always wrote small letters to everyone around the house and at the end he would put the "S" to let everyone know it was him. At first, we all thought it was Mom, but then he confirmed it was actually him.

I took the necklace out of the frame, placing it inside of my pocket right after.

Steven: "Do you have my master collective shirt?"

I jumped by the sound of his voice echoing, turning around to see him a couple of feet away from me. He was currently shirtless, while looking around the room in search for the mentioned shirt.

Nova: "Yeah, I do. I've had it for quite a while already, it's in my room." -I replied, crossing my arms awkwardly.

He waited for me to talk again, rubbing his hands together in the process.

Nova: "Follow me."

I walked out of his room, hearing the boy's footsteps right behind me. As I opened my door I smelled the peony scent Mom, always sprays around my room when I'm no longer inside. I rolled my eyes while smiling, approaching my dresser.

Nova: "Ignore the smell, that was jus-"

Steven: "Susannah? Yeah, I know. It's fine, I-I don't mind it."

My hands scattered my clothes around desperately, this ones searching for Steven's shirt quickly. I then was able to finally find it, handling it to him.

Steven: "Thanks."

Nova: "Yeah." -I mumbled, watching how he put on the shirt.

Steven: "Hey, if you want...you can wait for me outside. The Jeep's keys are downstairs."

I nodded in agreement, quickly exiting my room with nothing but relief running through me. I was so nervous and tense at once while talking to him, my shoulders were now hurting by it.

As I reached downstairs, my hand was quick to grab the keys and put them on my pocket right after.

Nova: "Good morning." -I said, smiling at Belly, that just grinned back at me instantly.

Belly: "Morning, you okay?"

I stopped my tracks after her question, staring back at her with confusion.

Nova: "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

Belly: "You're just really red right now." -she replied, chuckling after her words.

I covered my face out of embarrassment, looking back at her once again with a smile.

Nova: "I was just moving really fast, I need to head out and buy some groceries."

Belly: "Want me to come with you?"

Laurel: "She's going with Steven, it's fine." -she interrupted before I could speak, smiling my way as she placed some plates on the sink.

Belly: "Oh, that's fine then. I'll see you later, right?"

Nova: "Of course." -I smiled, placing a kiss on top of her head that currently smelled like a familiar scent.

I stared at her bewildered, seeing how she was still smiling but quickly stopped by my expression.

Belly: "What?"

Nova: "Did you jumped inside of a pond or lake yesterday?" -I asked, taking a quick look at Laurel, that was now paying full attention to us.

Belly: "Oh...yeah. Shoot! Does my hair smell bad?"

Nova: "Yeah, sorry."

We then chuckled after seeing our expressions, making Laurel, roll her eyes as a smile formed on her lips.

Laurel: "Belly, go wash your hair. You don't want to get Susannah, annoyed with that." -she laughed, pointing at the girl's head.

Belly: "Fine, I'll see you later, Nova."

Nova: "Bye."

The girl then ran upstairs rapidly, leaving me with Laurel, who was already sort of staring at me suspiciously. I took a seat at the kitchen's bar, looking at the woman with a serious expression formed.

Out of everyone in this house, she was probably the one that knew each of us the best. We like to think it's Mom, but in reality...it's always been, Laurel Conklin.

Laurel: "What's up with you, sunshine?" -she asked, proceeding to pinch my cheek gently.

Nova: "Nothing, I've just been thinking of today."

Laurel: "Yeah, it's going to be stressful but fun."

Nova: "Exactly." -I smiled, taking a glance at one of the magazines that rested on top of the bar.

Laurel: "That's not what's on your mind though."

I looked at the woman again, seeing a victorious smile beam on her face. She knew she was right, she knew she had me already. It was sort of annoying not being able to keep anything from her, she was just too smart.

Nova: "Uhhh, Laurel, it's n-"

Steven: "Hey, Mom." -he interrupted suddenly, allowing me to let a relieved sigh fly away from my mouth.

Laurel: "Hi, honey."

Steven: "I'm gonna go out with Nova, for a bit. She needs to buy some supplies for work."

He lied right in front of me, but I actually appreciated him not talking about us. Laurel, nodded in agreement with a frowned eyebrow, taking a quick glance at me.

Laurel: "Everything okay with you two?" -she asked, instantly making my heart beat faster.

Steven: "Yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be, Mom?"

I chuckled soon after hearing his words, standing up from the marble chair.

Nova: "Exactly...why wouldn't it be?" -I repeated, walking towards the house's entrance.

I twisted the doorknob open, taking a look at the outside while hearing Laurel asking something else to Steven, at the moment. I couldn't hear it that well though, they were talking in a very low tone.

Then, Steven's footsteps approach my way right after. I walked away from him and exited the house completely.

Steven: "You got the keys, right?"

I nodded while handling him the object, opening the jeep's door and entering the vehicle with no other words. He entered as well, taking a quick glance at me while I buckled myself.

Steven: "Do you want to to stop by the seashell dock?" -he asked, bringing back a lot of memories by the mention of the place.

Nova: "It's still open?"

Steven: "Yeah, I heard they remodeled it and made a couple of shops nearby."

Nova: "Then...sure. Let's go, remember we can't arrive late." -I mentioned, receiving a nod.
________________________________
I stood completely still at the wooden bridge, this one being near a large pond. The sun hit my body softly and made my arm freckles show way more than they usually do. I was not used to seeing them that visibly, but they were now pretty visible and I surely have a lot.

Steven, went to some of the shops nearby to buy some food for us. I could feel my heart beating fast over how nervous I was, part of me didn't wanted to feel nervous. I wanted to be angry with him, make him feel the same exact sadness that I went through yesterday.

Steven: "Hey, I found an açaí shop and got you some." -he suddenly spoke, gaining my attention quickly.

I instantly noticed a large bowl of fruits on his hands. He handled them to me carefully, glancing behind me towards the water.

Steven: "The water looks nice, maybe we could go in."

Nova: "No thanks, it's cold."

He chuckled by my reply, seating down right after. I did the same and gently opened the fruit bowl while I felt his eyes on me.

Steven: "So, today is the deb ball."

I nodded by his comment, eating a piece of strawberry.

Steven: "You're gonna work today, right?"

Nova: "Yeah, why?" -I asked, passing him one of the fruits.

Steven: "Nothing I-I just thought you would've liked going with a dress and not your working outfit."

Nova: "I would've enjoyed that but I don't have an option."

I looked at the distance as I placed the açaí bowl down, watching how the sunrise began to look more visible. My hand reached for my pocket, suddenly feeling a familiar object contacting my skin. I pulled the object out of my pocket, rising it up to see the necklace from earlier.

Steven: "Shit."

I turned to look at the boy who's expression seemed saddened, but at the same time, he was now looking tense.

Steven: "You found it."

Nova: "Was I not supposed to?" -I asked, tilting my head sideways.

Steven: "I-I thought it was stupid and sort of a cliché."

I laughed by his reply, taking a look at the necklace once again. My eyes admired how shiny it looked under the beautiful sunlight, part of the light reflected onto my face brightly.

Nova: "Since when did you had it?"

Steven: "Since Belly's birthday."

Nova: "You're lying." -I said, my tone coming out surprised over his response.

Steven: "I'm not, I swear."

He then glanced at me, noticing my stunned expression. His eyebrows raised up completely, making me laugh nervously.

Steven: "What? Why do you look surprised?"

Nova: "It's just...we weren't dating at that time."

Steven: "Well, it was supposed to be a confession necklace but I was too scared to use it for that."

Nova: "You should've done it like that." -I whispered, rubbing my thumb against the cold object.

Steven: "You hate clichés."

Nova: "I love clichés." -I argued, hitting his arm slightly.

Steven: "You hate them cause you're always fighting with Susannah, over the rom-com movies she picks. You always say they're too cliché for you."

I stayed observing his features after the few words he mentioned, not noticing how long it took me to speak again. I guess I was just surprised with how well he remembered stuff from the past.

Nova: "Yeah...okay, that's true."

Steven: "I know you." -he grinned, pointing his index finger towards me.

We stayed quiet after that last sentence he said, looking into each other's eyes with nothing but confusion and sadness running through them.

Nova: "I guess you took that as an advantage."

Steven: "What do you mean?"

I sighed while looking towards the distance, placing the necklace in my pocket again.

Nova: "I'm keeping this." -I mentioned, seeing how he nodded.

Steven: "That's fine, it was already yours but seriously, what did you meant by that?"

Nova: "You know what I mean, Steven." -I sighed slowly, brushing my hair back annoyed.

I heard how he adjusted the way he was sitting, making him face my way completely.

Steven: "Is this because of what happened yesterday?"

Nova: "Yeah, no shit." -I rolled my eyes by his question, glaring his way.

I stood up from the wooden bridge quickly, beginning to walk away from the boy. My footsteps echoed through the space as I made my way towards the red jeep as fast as I could.

Steven: "Nova, wait! Could you please listen to me?"

Nova: "No."

Steven: "Remember what Susannah, said!" -he shouted, stopping my tracks suddenly.

Nova: "What even is it?! Why do you think explaining what I saw would change anything?"

Steven: "Because you didn't see everything that happened."

Nova: "Are you sure about that?" -I asked, crossing my arms suddenly while seeing him walk towards me.

Steven: "Yes! Shayla, was drunk and going through it yesterday. She feels stuff for me and I thought she didn't."

Nova: "Why do I need to kn-"

Steven: "Nova, just let me explain." -he interrupted, placing his hands on my shoulders.

Nova: "We need to get back home."

Steven: "No we don't! Look, she kissed me and I pushed her away as soon as possible."

I rolled my eyes by his comment, nodding continuously while holding in my anger.

Steven: "Everyone was laughing about it and cheering for her and that's when you came in and she pulled in once again to kiss me."

Nova: "Why didn't you say no or confronted her about this?"

Steven: "I felt bad, okay? Shayla's a nice girl, I was wrong for using her feelings as a way of gaining new popular friends or receiving acceptance from others."

He took a deep breath after speaking, letting go of my arms as he felt them going up harshly.

Steven: "I just feel like...I'm not good enough. I feel insecure everywhere I go when I'm here in Cousins."

As I was about to speak, Steven's phone rang loudly all of a sudden. He quickly grabbed the device as it wouldn't stop ringing, answering the call as soon as he read who it was.

Steven: "What's up, Mom?"

He listened to what Laurel, had to say for a couple of seconds. Throughout the call only receiving glares from me meanwhile.

Steven: "Oh...shit, shit, shit! Mom, I'll figure it out! Don't worry, yeah...I'll call you!"

He hung up the phone call quickly, looking over to me with widened eyes.

Steven: "We have to go and make a quick stop somewhere."

Nova: "What's wrong?" -I asked, feeling worried that something might've happened to, Mom.

Steven: "I don't have a tuxedo."

Nova: "Are you being deadass?"

Steven: "Ye-yeah?" -he replied, sounding completely scared for his life at the moment.

Nova: "The most important thing is what you forgot?"

Steven: "I know, I'm stupid."

Nova: "Don't say that." -I mumbled, walking towards the end of the bridge to grab all the stuff we had brought.

He helped me clean as well rapidly, soon after making our way back to the vehicle as quick as we could.

As we entered the jeep, he stopped to look at me with an uncomfortable expression.

Nova: "What?" -I questioned as I buckled my seatbelt.

Steven: "The only place I could stop by to ask for a suit...it's Shayla's home."

Nova: "And what about it?"

Steven: "Do you not feel...uncomfortable about that?" -he asked, scratching his neck nervously after his words.

Nova: "You're the one that's making it uncomfortable currently, just hurry up and drive or else one of the moms are going to kill you."

Steven: "Yeah, sure."

After driving for a while around the town, we finally reached Shayla's home. Her house was pretty big and beautifully decorated. I stared around completely mesmerized, not even realizing Steven, heading out of the vehicle until I saw him in front of the Jeep's window.

I rolled the window down, frowning my eyebrows towards the boy completely confused.

Steven: "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

Nova: "Yeah, I'm sure that things won't be awkward if I just stay here." -I replied, glaring at him.

He nodded awkwardly, tapping the car's door two times and continuing to walk off towards the house. He eventually rang the doorbell of the large home, waiting for someone to open up for him. Thankfully, that didn't took to long and Shayla, was already outside looking at him with confusion running through her face.

Steven, was moving a lot...it was clear he was nervous. Shayla, on the other hand seemed pretty calm. She had her gym clothes on and carefully cleaned some sweat off of her neck and forehead. I watched how they talked to one another for a couple of minutes, their conversation progressively seeming to get worse.

But, a while later they both reached an agreement probably, this since Steven, was now coming back to the jeep with a smile on his face.

I rolled down the car's window again, signaling him to tell me what happened with just a raise of an eyebrow.

Steven: "She's gonna hand me one of her dad's tuxedo, so I think I won't get killed today."

Nova: "That's unfortunate." -I mumbled, checking my nails out.

Steven: "Uh...what?"

Nova: "Nothing, that's great news." -I smiled, pretending that I didn't say what I said earlier.

He nodded slowly, looking at me completely terrified. I only rolled my eyes and placed my hand on top of his hand.

Nova: "Relax! It was just a joke, Steve-oh"

Steven: "Sure...I'll try believing that."

Shayla: "Steven!"

He turned around quickly, making me focus on the girl as well. She was now approaching the car with the suit on her shoulders, slowly reaching us both.

Shayla: "Nova...hey." -she smiled awkwardly, handling Steven, the suit that I noticed earlier.

Nova: "Hi."

We glanced at each other silently, leaving Steven, looking at us completely terrified probably. He then approached Shayla carefully, soon after.

Steven: "Is this my suit?"

Shayla: "Yeah, be careful with it...it's one of my dad's favorite. -she mentioned, cleaning some dust that laid on the clothing.

Steven: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

Shayla: "Okay, well...I'll see you soon."

She then reached for Steven's face, almost touching his lips. But, Steven was quick to swerve and place his cheek on her lips rapidly. My eyes darted towards my hand instantly, feeling my anger building up suddenly throughout my body.

Steven: "See you later, Shayla."

He looked back at me slowly, meeting my eyes instantly. I knew he felt embarrassed at that point, way more than he already was. I smiled awkwardly at the boy, watching how he nodded and proceeded to walk around the jeep with the tuxedo on his shoulder. Eventually, reaching the back seat and placing it inside.

Steven: "Want to go home?" -he asked, looking over to me as he hanged the suit.

I nodded in agreement, watching how he then closed the door shut and walked towards the driving area. He took a seat next to me carefully, avoiding eye contact this time which made me sigh out loud.

Nova: "Yeah...I do."

So that's what he did, except it took him a long time to arrive back at the beach house. I felt extremely desperate, something was telling me that he was driving slow to make me suffer silently. This since I hadn't said anything throughout the whole ride back, he knew the reason why.

But finally after minutes and minutes of silent suffering...we arrived home. Unfortunately, my eyes noticed something that brought instant panic to me. Steven, hadn't noticed yet...thankfully. I needed to do something so Jeremiah wouldn't get his ass beat by Steven, who's extremely protective over his little sister.

Belly Conklin, once again...kissing Jeremiah. Why is it always me? Why do I always have to see them kissing? My eyes darted quickly towards Steven's hands as he parked the jeep on the front yard of our home. He was about to turn off the engine, that making my heartbeat raise even quicker.

Nova: "Can you look at me real quick?" -I asked rapidly, turning his face my way.

He frowned his eyebrows out of confusion by my sudden movement, grabbing my palm gently all of a sudden.

Steven: "Wha-what are you doing?"

Nova: "I-I think you have something on your cheek." -I stuttered, looking behind the boy to see if Jeremiah and Belly, were done.

They weren't...more panic consumed me then. I pulled Steven's face my way, kissing his cheek quickly.

Steven: "Wow!"

Nova: "Shit! I'm sorry! I panicked, I don't know what came over me." -I exclaimed, pushing his face away from me in an instant.

I heard how the boy chuckled by my constant blathering, feeling his hand then reach for my shoulder.

Steven: "Nova, it's fine! I don't mind, okay?"

Nova: "I don't care, that was embarrassing."

I then looked up, only to see him glancing towards Belly and Jeremiah's direction. The pair kissed once again, leaving Steven, with a widened mouth.

Steven: "What the fuck?"

Nova: "Shit." -I mumbled as I closed my eyes shut defeatedly.

He glanced back at me quickly, eyes open that literally only looked like plates.

Steven: "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

Nova: "Uuhh...yeah?"

Steven: "And that doesn't bother you...like at all?" -he questioned, reaching for the Jeep's door handle.

I grabbed his hand tightly, forcing him to look back at me.

Nova: "Don't." -I firmly said, opening my eyes widely.

Steven: "What? Why not?"

Nova: "Because they're basically in the same position we were." -I replied, watching how Jeremiah entered the beach house after waving goodbye to, Belly.

He stayed quiet after my comment, looking around the space extremely silent. He then sighed out loud, letting go of my grip.

Steven: "I'm just gonna talk to her."

Nova: "No! Steven, don't!"

He then opened the vehicle's door, approaching Belly, very fast. I watched how the girl's expression instantly changed by her brother's presence, turning into an annoyed glare.

My legs weren't reacting, I kept seeing them argue within each other. I didn't wanted to suddenly barge in into their argument, obviously it's rude. But at the same time, Belly, deserved some back up defense.

I exited the car as well after finally reacting, hearing their distant arguing progressively getting sort of heated but thankfully not as much as I thought it was gonna be.

Steven: "So-so what about, Conrad?"

My eyes opened by the boy's question, but at the same time I wanted to find out what she would say. I knew that if she saw me arriving right there and then, she wouldn't answer the question at all. So I quickly hid behind Laurel's car, only getting seen by Steven, which thankfully he didn't say anything about it.

Belly: "What about him?"

Steven: "Uh, I don't know, maybe the fact that you've been, like, goo-goo gaga over him since you were ten."

After hearing his comment I instantly smiled, only to remember the current situation. My smile quickly faded away as I continued to hear.

Belly: "Well, I'm not ten anymore."

Steven: "Yeah, not far from it." - he argued, glaring at the girl from what I could see.

Belly: "Really? Because...Shayla's my age, which makes her a kid, too, and that makes you a dirtbag."

Steven instantly side-eye me after realizing what Belly, said. I could only stare at the boy completely saddened, and only continue to listen.

Belly: "Oh, and you know who else is my age? Taylor, you hypocrite."

Steven: "Yeah, okay, okay, okay. I get it...I ju-I just don't want things to get all screwed up."

You already screwed something up, dumbass.

Belly: "You think I'm stupid too? You're pretending like you didn't screw everything up with Nova, yesterday."

I opened my eyes by the mention of my name, glancing up quickly to take a peek at Steven's expression.

Steven: "What do you know about, Nova and I?"

Belly: "I know that you guys have something...Jeremiah and Conrad, were talking about it last night when they arrived from the party."

Steven: "We don't have anything going on? I mean, I-I...shit." -he stammered as soon as his eyes met mine.

Belly: "Oh my, God! You're falling for her." -she mumbled, her tone coming out extremely surprised.

Steven: "I am not! And about Conrad and Jeremiah, come on, they're like our family, Belly. This affects, like, way more than just you."

Belly: "I know. But you don't get a say in who I date and I don't get a say in who you date. I get to pick, and I pick Jeremiah."

The both stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, allowing me to rethink everything they said to each other. But then, the girl spoke again.

Belly: "You're just gonna have to trust me."

I then heard footsteps approach the area I was in, not leaving me enough time to find a new hiding spot. Belly, already spotted me crouching down right in front of her. We both stared at one another with eyes opened, leaving an awkward silence surrounding us.

I stood up quickly from the ground, moving away from the car's door so she could get inside with no trouble.

Belly: "Why didn't you say anything to me?"

Nova: "Belly, I-"

Belly: "I gotta go." -she interrupted, making her way inside the vehicle.

I stepped away from the car, watching how she buckled her seatbelt on and proceeded to start the car. Steven, walked off with a fast pace, and I instantly knew where this was going.

Nova: "Great...just great."

End of chapter.

Sofia's notes:
I came back from the grave!! Honestly so disappointed on how long it took me to upload a new chapter, but school and life have been a little tough lately unfortunately.

I hope that this chapter at least helped with how much y'all missed this book being updated, I'll try posting the new and last chapter of Act One very soon!! Just believe and me and be patient 🫶🏼

I love you all sm!! Don't forget to vote if y'all enjoyed this chapter 🤍

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