Chapter 4

I walked down the stairs thinking in my head about what I was going to say and do, 'Stay natural belly, don't worry, it's Conrad' I comforted myself. This was Conrad after all. I'd known him since I was born. All I had to do was talk to him, tell him how I felt. How difficult was that anyway?

I looked around the house but couldn't see him anywhere. The place was packed with people dancing and some people stopped to chat, I asked each person if they'd seen Conrad but they said no unfortunately. Had he left? No he wouldn't without telling either me or Jeremiah. I was on my third lap of the house when someone touched my arm. I span round hoping it was Conrad but saw it was Cam. Oh god.

'Hey Cam' I said brightly, 'um, how are you doing?'
'Yeah good belly, look can we talk?'
'Um what about Cam see I'm kind of in the middle of something..'
'Oh' His face fell, 'Don't worry then'
A wave of quilt went through me, 'No don't worry, what's up?' I asked
'I'm just going to say this okay?'
At my silence he just continued, 'I want to be back together.'
Shit. 'Um Cam I'm really sorry but I have feelings for someone else, it has been ages as well, we could be totally different now, I hope I am..'
'You're not Belly, just much more beautiful, not that you weren't before!' he added hastily.
I forced a laugh out, 'Well Cam we can catch up at some point but I do have to go right now' I said.
'Sure Belly, see you soon'
'Um yeah, oh, by the way, do you know where Conrad is?' I asked
A frown crossed his face, 'He's on the beach Belly, I don't know if you want to go down there though..'
I'd already left though, as soon as he'd said beach. Finally ready to face Conrad.

I walked down to the beach in the darkness. It was getting later and the last light was just fading away. It was still light enough to see though, just about and as I reached the beginning of the beach I couldn't believe what I saw. Taylor and Conrad were talking. Taylor? Why was she here? Why was she talking to her? Why was Conrad talking to her? This was all wrong. I wanted to shout and storm over but I had a feeling in me that I need to wait. So that's what I did. I stood behind a tree and stared at them both. I was trying to read their faces and body language and it seemed that they were arguing or something but then Taylor shot a look in my direction. I had to hide quickly so she wouldn't see me and when I turned back they were kissing. It had happened so quickly I hadn't registered it happening till it did. It was like slow motion now though playing before my eyes. Taylor I bet had moved in and sprung on him and I kept thinking 'Conrad, break it off!' But he was kissing her back. I sank down into a ball and started sobbing. After what felt like ages I lifted my head up. It had only been ten seconds I realised but I was furious, and filled with rage. As I stood I was ready to shout and yell at her for betraying me again and him for kissing her back but then, just as I opened my mouth to scream I watched him push her away. he looked mad, I could tell from the way he was standing and he was shouting at her. The words filled my ears.
'What do you think you're doing Taylor, get out of here. If Belly see's you or ever knows what you just did she'd hate you, you'd never be friends again so leave, or I'll tell her!' The passion in his voice was overwhelming, he sounded terrifying. But she just replied,
'Look Conrad, Belly doesn't want you anymore, she's moved on and you need too as well, and as for our friendship, Belly needs to grow up, it's you I want now.'
'Taylor I don't care how Belly feels, get out of here now.'
'No.' She replied defiantly, 'If you want to tell Belly go ahead but I'll tell her how you kissed me back and then that's it for you as well.'
'You're a bitch, I didn't cause this.'
'But Conrad you didn't stop it either. A part of you wants me.'
'No Taylor, and you know what, I pulled away. I don't want or like you at all okay? Get that into your tiny brain and leave, now.'
'No. I'll see you later' she said and walked off up the beach. Towards where I was standing. I didn't know if she'd seen me or not but I didn't want her too now. So I ran, back to the house, I'd had three ciders already but I needed more, to drown this pain. I picked up a bottle of tequila and went to join the dance floor.

I was lost in the mob and tequila was my killer. I drank and drank and drank. When people started to play beer pong, I joined teams with a girl I barely knew, we won our first game but lost the next five. It was okay though, I just drank harder as we lost, starting to favour loosing over winning. it got to the point where everything was going blurry. I couldn't remember my own name but I was on such a high it didn't matter. Me and this girl were partners for a long time, for beer pong, then darts, we lost again and then we finally volunteered to be shot glasses for the boys we were hanging with. These were my new friends. The girl was called Ellie, her brother Hudson, there were a pair of twin boys James and Flynn, and one other girl called Kimberley. Anyway. At the time me Ellie and Kim were lying across the kitchen table with vodka in our belly buttons. Ha! My old nickname would finally not be so patronising! Hudson was preparing to take a shot from me, Flynn and James from the other two. I couldn't tell them apart. All I knew now was Hudson was hot. Very hot. He had a perfectly chiselled jaw line, big blue eyes that stared into you and a short blonde hair style that only looked good on some guys. Model guys. They took the shot and the feeling was insane. We carried on partying and for the first time in my life I was in Cousins and not obsessing over Conrad. Not even thinking about Conrad. I didn't know what time it was anymore but when Hudson suggested we go for a walk, it was pitch black, I agreed and we walked out to the back doors holding hands and laughing. I knew Kimberley had disappeared with James and Ellie with Dean. Knowing practically everyone was paired up made me more excited to be with Hudson. I glanced at the time as I walked out, 3:42 am, but that didn't register with me anymore. I'd lost any sense of responsibility, all I wanted was fun! And tonight I was going to make sure I didn't miss out.

Conrad's POV

I walked into the house ages after shouting at Taylor. I couldn't believe how she'd acted. She was a complete bitch. After I'd shouted at her I walked along the beach in a cloud of doubt. Had Belly moved on? I hadn't thought so but I didn't know for certain. I sat on the beach and thought about Belly. How I felt about her and decided to go and talk to her. To see where we stood. I walked back toward the house and checked my watch, one and a half hours had passed since Taylor and I had spoken, wow, time had slipped away and in that time it seemed the party had gotten very wild very quickly. As I approached the house I saw couples scattered all over the beach and sitting there kissing was Jere and Anika! I didn't want to break them apart but I needed some idea of where Belly was. Speaking of which, if she wasn't with these two who was she with? It better not be Cam.

'Hey guys' I said looking at Jere. They broke apart.
'Con, what's up man?' Jere asked, looking extremely happy.
'Do you know where Belly is? I need to talk to her'
'Haven't you seen her yet?' they asked puzzled
'Um, no?'
'She was looking for you Conrad, she's probably inside. Do you want me to help you look?' Anika asked. Jere shot a look at me. The look said 'she's probably inside, don't take Anika away from me, after all you got Belly.' So some grudges never left then.
'Nah it's okay An, I'll find her' I said half smiling as I started to walk again.
'Good luck man' I heard Jere call but as I turned back to acknowledge him they were kissing again. I sighed. At least he was happy right.

I stepped into the house and looked round for a sign of her. I saw her almost immediately. Lying on a table, looking smashed out of her mind with some blonde guy leaning over her. Taking a shot. From. Her. Bellybutton. No. Just. No. That bellybutton was the nickname of her childhood and he'd just ruined that. I was about to go over and give him a piece of my mind when she sat up and whispered in the guys ear before leaning in to kiss him. His eyes lit up and I had to get out of there. I hated people seeing me cry.

Belly's POV

Hudson and I ended up on the beach, making out. It was intense but there was no sparks. There was a rush though which is what I acted on. We ended up kissing for about two hours then watching the sunrise at around 6 just talking and getting to know each other. My head wasn't so crazy now but it felt awful. Not rushing anymore but twisting, pulsing and spinning with every moment. I battled forward though talking to Hudson more and more. He was 24, the same age as Conrad, and had just finished training to become a lawyer at Harvard, as I learned more and more about him I realised how genuine he was. Wow. Him and Ellie knew Flynn and Dean from previous years of summers they'd spent together in California but they'd decided Cousins was where they wanted to be this year. Ellie was my age and Flynn and Dean Jere's age. he informed me that Ellie and Dean had a friends with benefits deal going on. They hooked up at every party but were just close mates. I wondered if I could do this. it sounded fun! But who with? I placed the question at the back of my mind to think about later. Right now all I wanted was sleep and with that we drifted off. Just as the sun rose above us. Hudson and I curled in ball together and fell asleep on the warming sand.

I woke up with a start to find the sea lapping around mine and Hudson's ankles. Shit my head hurt. I tried to remember what happened last night but it was mostly blank bar a few scenes here and there. I woke Hudson up.
'Morning Iz' he said, I wondered why he was calling me Iz instead of Belly. I'd probably asked him too so he didn't remind me of Conrad or Jere. Shit. Where were they? Were they worried? I checked the time on Hudson's watch- 11:11 am. I hadn't spoken to either of them in over 12 hours, or Anika at that. Then it hit me, Anika and Jere in the bathroom, Taylor and Conrad on the beach, bellybutton shots, the lot.
'Make a wish' Hudson said, breaking my train of thought.
I turned back to him with my eyes shut, wishing for it all to be okay. 'What did you wish for?' I asked, opening my eyes.
'You' he replied simply.
At the look on my face he backtracked.
'As a friend Iz' he added, 'you told me all about this Conrad guy last night, not that I remember that much if I'm honest'
I hugged him hard. 'Thanks you Hudson, so much, last night, was good for me.'
I stood up, getting ready to leave.
'Want me to walk you back to yours?' he asked
'Yeah, in a minute, let's go find Ellie and the others'
We walked inside with his arm around me I looked around at the mass destruction. Clay was going to have a heck of a cleaning job. Ellie, Dean and Flynn were sitting in the kitchen eating nutella on toast.
'Hey bro, hey Belly' she said bounding up to us. 'Ouch' she added after, 'head hurts a lot, anyway, how was your night guys?' she asked winking at us.
'Good' we replied in unison smiling. She just grinned at us and led us back to the table.
'Where's Kim?' Hudson asked
'Left about an hour ago' Flynn replied, 'I've been stuck with these two for the past hour' he added rolling his eyes.
'Come one bro, you love us really' Dean laughed at him
'Sure bro, spending an hour with a pair of lovebirds, what's not to love?' Flynn snapped back grinning.
'Ehem, we are not love birds' Ellie retorted.
'Sex buddies then' Hudson piped up. Ellie and Dean just blushed behind there toast.
'Anyway, I'm going to walk Iz back, catch up with you lot later okay?' Hudson continued.
'Sure man' Dean directed at Hudson
'Oh and Belly, you're welcome to come chill anytime as well' Flynn added
At these words Ellie stood up, came over to me, gave me a hug and told me, 'you have to come hang with us all yeah?'
'I'd love too, I'll see you all soon' I said hugging Ellie back, waving at the twins before walking away with Hudson's arm still around me. When we got outside we walked along the beach together and I checked my phone. I had three texts. Two from An, one from Jere.

From Anika at 8:02 am: Iz, you okay girl? We looked all over for you but have no idea where you are. We're heading back to the house. No sign of Conrad either so are you with him? Call me later x

From Jere at 9:34 am: Anika, Conrad and I are at the beach house, where the hell are you? Conrad won't talk to us properly, just looks terrible. Ring me if you need anything x

From Anika at 11:59 am: Iz, hey. All Con's said is you were with some blonde guy? Don't worry about Jere he's getting worried just maybe reply so we know you're okay. I'm trying to reassure them but you know them better than anyone. It's not working, see you later x

It was 12:07 now.
I texted An back: I'm fine, back within the hour, love you both a lot, we'll chat soon x
There that took care of the home situation. Hudson and I continued to walk along talking. It was weird having a friendship so close with a guy who was strictly a friend. A nice weird. He was still really hot though.

When we arrived Hudson offered to walk me back up to the house. I told him no, and I'd call him later so we could hang out. I meant it, he made me relax and I loved the others already. He gave me a hug then left, I watched him walk down the beach before turning to face the house I loved more than my own. It was only the second day here and already so much had happened. I realised this was going to be a summer not like any other. I also realised my plans for all hanging out together last night had been ruined, thanks Taylor and Conrad and Jere and Anika if I'm honest.

I was happy for Jere and Anika, honestly. I just wouldn't be able to stand being in the middle of them if anything bad happened. As soon as I thought that though I realised nothing bad could happen, they were both level-headed cool people, and I could see them together. It was better than Jeremiah with some random girl anyway. As for Conrad, I didn't know where we stood, he did kiss Taylor, but then pushed her away, and then defended me. But he kissed her back. Now she had taken that from both the brothers. That cow. I wanted her to have gone already but I also didn't. I wanted the opportunity to yell, scream rage and slap her. We'd just have to see what happened.

I walked inside and put my cell on the table calling everyone,
'I'm back.' Within 30 seconds Jere and Anika were next to me,
'Hey Bells' Jere said first, 'I was getting worried' he added, surrounding me in a massive bear hug.
'I'm fine Jere, just a pounding hangover, that's all' I responded
'You don't look your best Iz that's for sure' Anika smiled at me before hugging me also.
'Alright, alright' I replied, 'Where's Taylor and Conrad?' my voice sounded icy as I asked my question.
'Con's locked up in his room' Anika replied
'and Taylor is no-where to be seen, luggage all gone, like she was never here' Jere added.
'Back to normal then' I commented, they both just gave me an uneasy smile.
'What?' I questioned
'Are you okay Bells?'
'I will be, I just need rest. You two mind if I go lie down?'
'Nah we're cool' they said smiling at each other. At least something was going right.

I trudged upstairs, went into my bathroom and showered for ages. The hot water soothed my head and back which apparently had a fresh bruise on it. How that happened I had no idea. Once I was finished I changed into my old fuzzy Cousins top and cotton shorts and laid down. I considered going into Conrad's room but decided against it. He needed to be the one to fix things. As I lay down I started listening to my summer playlist which was dated with all Susannah and my mom's favourite songs as well as some of Steven's, Conrad's, Jere's and even my old ABBA tracks. We'd made it the summer I was 10 and we'd play it all summer, there were something like 62 songs so as soon as we finished we'd start again. This house was full of music. The memories made my eyes well up and I soon fell asleep.

I woke up around 5 pm still feeling hung-over but a bit better; now more restless. I got out of bed before realising. My door was ajar, when I fell asleep it had been closed. Someone had been in my room. I changed into my swimming costume and went out to the pool where I saw An and Jere splashing around. We greeted each other and I turned to them.
'So what happened last night then?'
'What do you mean?' They asked
'Are you two serious now or what?'
'We're not serious' Anika replied, 'I'm only here for two weeks and it's only been like 24 hours but yeah, we're having fun, that sound about right Jere?'
'Yeah pretty much' he said but I knew he was lying, two weeks wasn't going to be long enough for Jere if only An could stay but she was flying out to New York for the rest of the summer with her parents.
'Cool, oh and while I was sleeping did either of you come into my room?'
'No why?' They both shook their heads.
'Just wondering' we all knew what I was thinking- Conrad. We splashed around for a while and it was refreshing to just laugh and enjoy myself with the them, it had been so long since Jere and I had been anywhere near each other and I'd missed him. They were a part of my life. I could never lose that. After a while they turned to me,
'What happened with Conrad?'
I explained to them the whole Taylor situation, that I didn't know where we stood then not seeing for the rest of the night, I also didn't know how he knew of Hudson but what he could of seen was bad. I realised he must think me and Hudson were a thing now. Crap. I'm an idiot.

I ran up to his room and knocked on the door, 'Conrad?' I said, 'are you in there?'
'Yeah Belly I'm here' He replied wearily
'Can I come in?' I asked
He hesitated before saying, 'Sure Belly, I think we need to talk.'
I opened the door.