Dear Journal, the past few days have been really interesting, I guess I've been stepping more outside my comfort zone. Though very reluctantly.

I went to my first party, made a friend, and had a good time. I think for the first time since, well...

This summer is going to be different, and I'm wondering if maybe I'll be happy? It's been a while.

Everyone's been worried, my parents, Lindsey. Hell, my counselor was freaking out a few days before school ended.

So I hope it'll be a good two months before I go back. If not, then it'll be a bummer like the last year has been.

Either way, I won't get my hopes up, it's good to just expect disappointment. That's a lot easier than getting hurt.

Matt sighed, today would be a chill one, his parents were at work, and he and Sam were chilling in his bed watching Supernatural. "Oh Cas, you angel, you." He said wistfully.

Sam huffed at the screen aware and paying attention, Matt glanced down at the fur ball laying in his lap. "I know right, he's adorable."

But that's when he heard the doorbell ring, just as it was getting to the good part too. "Alright Sammy, let's see who it is." The two boys got up, heading downstairs to the front door.

He opened it to be greeted by Lindsey, she wore an annoyed expression, her arms crossed. In that moment emulating his mother to a T. "Did you see my texts?" She asked.

Knowing he did, but 'forgot' to reply back, "Yeah, I did, but I forgot to tell you I didn't want to go out tonight."

She stepped inside, regardless of being invited, "Seriously dude, why not?"

Matt ran a hand through his tousled curls, "I'm not in the mood Linds, besides we just went to the bonfire."

"That was a week ago! C'mon Matt, please?" She pleaded.

Matt followed her further inside the house, "Lindsey I wanna stay in. My social battery is drained."

"That's the most sorry ass excuse I've heard from you in a while." Lindsey admitted.

"I'm serious, you already know parties aren't my scene." Matt replied.

"But you had fun at the bonfire, you made a new friend. Listen, this is the last one, after that, no more parties for you." Matt seemed unconvinced.

He gave her a pointed look, "What's in it for me?"

Lindsey smirked, "The fact that Jeremiah's gonna be there."

'Oh she's good' Matt sighed, "Fine. But this is the last one or I swear to god Lindsey."

Lindsey pumped up her fist in victory and dragged Matt up the stairs for a clothing montage.

All Matt could think was, 'This girl's gonna be the death of me'.
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Sweet sixteens were the magical birthdays, it marked the beginning of a newfound maturity.
Old enough to drive, but not old enough to vote or drink yet.

Belly thought of it as freedom nonetheless. Birthdays in Cousins were always special. Laurel would make Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes.

Jeremiah and Steven would put up decorations, while Conrad and Susannah kept watch. However, this year would be different.

Belly got ready, then walked downstairs to the kitchen. Everyone was scrambling around. She announced herself, "Morning, everyone."

The family began the cheerful happy birthdays, then Laurel walked over to the teen, hugging her, "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

Belly smiled, "Thanks, Mom."

Laurel pointed toward the kitchen island, "Your Mickey Mouse pancakes are ready."

Belly wasn't that hungry, but said maybe later, so Laurel suggested she open her gifts, she agreed, so that's what they did.

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

She began tearing open a gift from her mom, it was a poetry book, "It's a first edition. I got it from a rare book dealer."

Belly beamed, "Thanks, Mom."

Laurel instructed, "Turn to the bookmarked page."

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

Jeremiah, Steven, and Conrad chimed in, "Like a you or a me, it's always ourselves we find in the sea."

Belly set aside the book, "Thank you. I love it."

Laurel nodded her head, "You're welcome." Susannah handed over her gift, Belly gasped when she saw the contents in the box.

It was a beautiful pearl necklace. "Oh wow. They're gorgeous. Thank you, Susannah."

The older woman helped her put the necklace on, "My mom gave me these pearls for my sweet sixteen. Radiant, isn't she?"

Laurel agreed, "They look great on you, sweetheart."

Jeremiah jumped up, "Oh, I'm next. Here." handing over his parcel, Belly opened it and smiled, it was a charm of a key for her bracelet.

"It's a good luck charm to help you pass your driving test." Jeremiah laughed.

Belly put the charm on her bracelet, jangling it. She giggled, "Perfect."

Next up was Steven's gift, he'd given her a Princeton sweatshirt, of course he'd do that, but it made Belly roll her eyes playfully.

All eyes turned to Conrad, Susannah looked towards her eldest, "Conrad, uh, do you wanna give Belly your present?"

Conrad rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry, I forgot."

The room fell silent, Belly didn't care about the gift, what hurt was the fact she didn't buy his bullshit. "Uh, that's... that's cool. Um..." She trailed.

Belly smiled awkwardly, "I wasn't really expecting anything anyway, so."

Conrad uncrossed his arms, "Oh, so I got to go. Um, I promised Cleveland that I'd show him some knots today, so..."

He got up but glanced at the birthday girl, "Happy birthday Belly." With that, Conrad left.

Jeremiah and Belly decided to leave and pick up Taylor from the bus station. She was happy to see Taylor, but Taylor could be... extra to be nice about it.

She told Jeremiah, "Look, she's my best friend in the world, but, um, I mean, you know how Taylor is."

Belly kept her eyes on the road, hands gripped on the steering wheel. "She's like a hurricane."

Jeremiah agreed, "Oh, yeah, yeah. Hurricane Taylor."

"And I guess I always feel like the supporting character around her, which, normally, I don't mind." She continued.

"But it's your birthday, and you're the main character, Belly, not her." Jeremiah, always the hype man.

Soon they got to the station and picked Taylor up, stopping for an ice cream then headed back to the house.

After swimming in the pool, they ate dinner with the boys and moms. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

Belly agreed to go to Nicole's party. She, Taylor, Jeremiah, Cam, Conrad, and Steven headed to the festivities.
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Matt fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt, he couldn't believe Lindsey was dragging him to another party. He felt so incredibly out of place, as the two entered the house.

Chest rattling music could be felt, multiple overlapping conversations could be heard, and don't get him started on the cakes sitting on the dining table.

But this was the last party he'd attend for a long time, Lindsey told him to grab a drink and found her debutante friends. He weaved his way through hordes of teens and got some punch.

Thankfully it wasn't spiked, then he found Lindsey, talking to her group of girl friends. He walked up and the girls were ogling at him, which was confusing.

"Matt! These are my fellow debutantes, Nicole, our big sis, Gigi, Dara, Marisa, and lastly, Belly. She's a newbie like me."

"Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Matt." The teen introduced.

He got a chorus of hi's and hello's, "Nice to meet you too. We've heard a lot of things about you." Gigi said with a wink.

Matt wore a shy smile, "All good things I hope."

Dara nodded her head, "Oh definitely, can't wait to see your moves on the dance floor."

Lindsey gestured to Belly, "By the way, it's this girlie's birthday."

"Well happy birthday Belly. If you'll excuse me I'm gonna go that way." The girls waved him off and he walked over to the living room.

Where he saw Jeremiah sitting on the couch talking to a boy. Jeremiah looked up at him and smiled, "Matt, hey! Thought parties weren't your thing?"

Matt chuckled, "You can blame Lindsey once again."

"Right, I'm very happy you're here. Wanna hangout with us?" He asked, while the other boy was waiting.

The brunet rubbed the nape of his neck, "I don't want to impose or anything."

The other boy chimed in, "Don't worry you're not. I'm Lucas by the way." To which Matt gave a short wave.

Jeremiah smirked, "Are you a good singer?"

Matt was definitely wondering where this was going, "I'm decent. Why?"

Jeremiah jumped off the couch, having Matt follow close behind him, he grabbed a microphone, tapping it as the feedback squealed.

"Testing, testing, one, two, three. Checking out, checking out. Alright." He said, holding the mic to his mouth.

He turned up the music, "This one goes out to Cam Cameron and our little Belly Button."

There were laughs and cheers as Jeremiah began to sway and sing, "Summer lovin', had me a blast." Nicole and the debutantes danced alongside the boy.

He pointed the mic towards Belly but she declined, then to Matt, "I met a girl, crazy for me."

Lindsey cheered for her best friend, "Wooo go Matt!"

Jeremiah leaned on Nicole, who sang along too, "Met a boy, cute as can be."

"Summer days drifting away. To, oh, oh, the summer nights." Jeremiah continued.

Cam got off the couch grabbing the second mic, and they all continued singing, meanwhile Belly left the room. They finished the song and everyone went their separate ways.

Jeremiah swung his arm around Matt's shoulder, leading him and Cam outside, where they were at a beer pong table set up.

"That's my brother Conrad. And obviously that's Lucas. Whoever wins this owes the other say... twenty bucks?" Jeremiah suggested.

Matt informed, standing off to the side, "Fine by me, but I don't drink so I'll sit this one out."

"Me either, it's all up to you Jere." Cam replied.

Conrad smiled, aiming the ball at a cup, "No pressure or anything bro."

Jeremiah chuckled, taking a glance at his brother, "You're going down."

He threw the ball hook line and sinker, Conrad and Lucas drank, the game was back and forth. By the middle of it, Jeremiah was buzzed, but having fun.

After a miss, it was bottoms up, "You're supposed to be on my side, Walsh."

Matt chuckled, "I'm the score keeper Jeremiah, my job is to be unbiased."

Conrad looked at Cam, "Wait, Cam, have you started the waltz lessons yet? Ms. Covington's a real sadist."

However Cam was confused, "Who're you talking about?"

Conrad replied, "The.. the dance teacher. For the ball."

Cam shook his head, "Oh, Belly hasn't really asked me yet."

Jeremiah smiled at him, clapping his shoulder, "Oh, dude, I'm sure she will. Trust me."

Cam thanked him for his optimism. Speaking of the girl of the hour, Belly came out of the house, talking to Cam, Matt judged by her expression she was upset.

Jeremiah gasped, flinging his arms around the girl, "Belly! Hi! Where have you been?" He exclaimed.

Belly ignored the question, pointing at Cam's cup, "Yeah. Um, I.. I thought you didn't drink?"

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

"Mm-hm. I love this kid so much." Jeremiah praised.

Belly asked Cam if they could leave and he happily obliged, Conrad and Lucas went off somewhere. Leaving Matt with his friend, to be honest he was getting tired.

He couldn't wait to collapse in his bed. Matt put his hand on Jeremiah's shoulder. "Hey, I'd love to hang out more. I should probably get going."

Jeremiah whipped his head towards him, "Aw, no, Matt! Don't go!" He begged.

Matt stuck close to Jeremiah's side. "I wanna sleep, dude, but I do have a question. Do you have a ride back home? You're definitely not able to drive."

"I drove here. Didn't expect to get this buzzed tonight." Jeremiah replied.

Matt reached for his phone, texting Lindsey to come outside. "Do you have your keys? I could drive you home. If that's okay."

Jeremiah fished into his pocket for his keys. Pulling them out, and handing them over to the shorter boy. "Okay, let's wait for Lindsey as she was my ride."

Lindsey found them a few minutes later by Jeremiah's car, "Hey Matt, you sure you wanna drive him home?"

Matt nodded his head, "He can't drive Linds, and he seems tired."

"Okay, I'll follow you and take you home." Matt hummed in agreement, getting Jeremiah in the car, pulling out and driving to his house.

Jeremiah looked over at Matt, "I had fun with you tonight."

Matt smiled in response, "I had fun too."

Jeremiah sighed, "I want to hangout with you more. You're a cool dude."

Matt chuckled, "Be careful about that or else Sam will get jealous."

"Who's Sam?" Jeremiah asked.

Matt remembered, he never told the other teen about his fur ball. "Oh, he's my four year old dog. Basically my best friend other than Lindsey."

Jeremiah cooed, "Aw, can I meet him sometime?"

"Sure, maybe after the Fourth of July we can set up a day to hangout." Matt suggested.

"I'd need your number first Matt." Matt felt a warm flush to his cheeks.

"Is that your go-to pick up line for all the girls?" Matt teased, 'This guy is really something.'

Jeremiah admitted with a wink, "And guys, but it kind of worked didn't it?"

Matt pulled into the driveway, "I guess, I'll put my number in your phone."

Matt parked the car, seeing Lindsey was behind him in his rear view, Jeremiah slipped him his phone where a new contact was open.

Matt put in his number then handed it back to the other boy, Jeremiah smiled. "See you later Matt. Text me so I know you made it home safe."

"Will do, bye Jeremiah." Both of them got out of the car, positive that he handed over the keys. Then walked to Lindsey's car and climbed in.

He put on his seatbelt and they drove away, Lindsey spoke first, "I knew you'd get along with him. Are you glad you came?"

"Yeah, I mean, I'm done with parties for a while. I even got his number."

Lindsey gasped, hitting his arm lightly, "Seriously?! Go Matt!"

Matt rolled his eyes, "My god Linds, it's not a big deal!"

"Bullshit Matthew! It is a big deal! He wants your friendship, because you are such an angel." She exclaimed.

Matt blushed, "He's a good guy. And I don't want to screw anything up."

Lindsey glanced at her friend, an expression of sympathy on her face. "Matt, you're a good friend. Jeremiah is lucky as hell to have someone like you. I know I am."

"Really?" Lindsey knew Matt was doubtful of himself, she knew why, but he obviously wouldn't want to dive into that conversation.

"Yes. You deserve the world in my very humble opinion." She concluded.

Matt nodded his head slowly, "Thanks Lindsey."

"You're welcome, bestie." They finally reached Matt's house and said their farewells, Matt made sure to be quiet incase his parents were asleep.

He went up to his room and flopped onto his bed, but then he remembered that he needed to text Jeremiah. Matt pulled up Jeremiah in messages.

"Hey, I made it home safe. 😁" 'That's good, keep it simple. Don't overthink it.'

"Good! I'm going to crash lol. Night Matt. 😴" Matt chuckled at that response.

"Lol, goodnight Jeremiah." Matt plugged in his phone and didn't even bother changing into pj's, falling asleep.

In a few days, it'd be interesting, dance lessons... for the deb ball. May the lord have mercy on his soul.
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The End of Chapter 3