JEREMIAH
He was out of his mind. I know we were all pretty wasted, but that was absolutely no excuse. I said what I said as a joke. I was around guys who didn't even know Belly that well; we were just messing around. He didn't have to make such a big deal out of this. I don't even know how much he overheard of our conversation, but I don't recall anything being so bad that I deserved what I got. It definitely blew out of proportion. On top of that, I didn't even expect him to be this strong, I guess that was his rage that gave him the strength to punch me like that.
Belly wanted to help me up, but it was unnecessary. I was fine.
„Your lip… it's bleeding." Belly said and I reached out to check.
We walked upstairs to the bathroom, and I sat on the edge of the bathtub, while she wiped the blood away. It wasn't anything major; it was burning just a bit. I was more worried about the black eye that was forming and how the hell I'm going to explain that to Laurel tomorrow. She is going to kill both of us.
„Why would he do something like that?" Belly asked, cleaning up the excess water from the sink.
„You know why." I said, rolling my eyes a bit. It was obvious for anyone. Why was she pretending that I she didn't see it? The way he just acted around her, it couldn't be more clear. She turned around, confused, and raised an eyebrow.
„Because he is jealous, Bells. He is still in love with you." Turning my body to her, watching her sit next to me.
„I don't think so. He and I, we had a talk, and he said he knew you were the better guy." She said, taking my hand in hers.
„That still doesn't mean he is not in love with you, Belly." Anger was building up again. Now wish I had hit him back.
„I think you're the better guy, too." She said softly, she was an angel.
Ever since we were kids, Conrad has always been the favourite child: the rising star in football, straight-A student, every teacher's pet. And I? Well, I was just Conrad's younger… average brother. I understood very well how much Belly meant to Conrad, but he made the choice to leave her. He saw her as a burden, as a mistake… I would never think of her that way. She was perfect to me, and she was everything I wanted. I would never say the things Conrad said to her; she didn't deserve it.
„Let's go home." Belly said and stood up, unnecessarily trying to help me up, he didn't hurt me that bad.
It took some time for her to say goodbye to everyone. I patiently waited at the door. She was confused as to where Taylor went, but Steven texted her that Taylor took him and Conrad home. At least she spared us one awkward ride back home.
Belly was a decent driver, she was very cautious and careful. I loved how cute she looked, so concentrated.
„Belly—"
„Yeah?" She replied, not looking away from the road.
„I'm so happy to be with you." I said and saw her smile, which made me smile, too.
„I'm so happy to be with you, Jere." She said.
We arrived at their house and noticed that Taylor's car wasn't there anymore, indicating that they were probably already asleep.
„I'll see you in the morning." She said, leaning in for a kiss. She was in front of me at the stairs so she didn't even need to stand on her tip toes as usual.
„Good night" I whispered to her, smiling. She giggled slightly and rushed into her room, gently closing the door behind her.
I really thought Belly would invite me into her room. Instead I'm left sleeping in the same room as Steven. He probably overheard the whole dumb conversation with those guys and is just as equally angry at me as Conrad. I silently opened the door and walked in, relieved to see he was already sleeping.
The next morning I woke up I saw that he wasn't there anymore. I checked the time to see I probably overslept and missed breakfast, in quite a couple of time zones, too. I stood up and went to take a shower, only to shock myself with the deep purple bruise on my cheek and under my eye. Damn it. All of the memories of last night flooded back.
Taking a deep breath, I walked downstairs to catch Conrad and Laurel laughing in the kitchen, drinking coffee. Steven was on his laptop, sitting at the kitchen table.
„She would love that, Connie. You're so thoughtful." Laurel said to Conrad. Steven didn't seem to be a part of that conversation.
„I can I come too?" Laurel jokingly asked Conrad, and they both laughed.
„Good morning," Conrad spotted me first and said, in an excellent mood, looking at me.
Laurel turned to me and gasped once she saw my face. „What happened to you?" She asked, shocked to see the bruise. She walked up to me and took a closer look at it. Just as I was about to say something, Steven cut me off.
„He tripped and fell flat on his face mom… it was… hilarious." Steven said, looking disappointed at me. He was so cold.
„You guys—" Laurel said, looking simultaneously at all of us—
„You have to be more responsible and careful when you're drinking." She said and turned around to pour me a cup of coffee. She handed it to me and lovingly, stroked my cheek, so softly, I almost didn't feel it at all.
„Where is Belly?" I asked curiously.
„She went out with Taylor." Conrad said, almost mocking me for knowing where my girlfriend was when I didn't.
„Well, under normal circumstances I would ask one of you to drive me back to Cousins to get some things in order for the house. But taking your state into consideration, I suppose we can do that tomorrow?" Laurel asked and all of us nodded, still feeling the effects of yesterday's hangover.
„I'm going to grab some stuff from the store. Text me if you need anything." She said and made her way out.
I sat down at the kitchen table, now at the opposite side of Conrad, who was on his phone texting. Steven was to my right, still typing on his laptop, pretending to look unbothered, both of them were ignoring my presence, which annoyed the hell out of me.
„So I'm getting the silent treatment now?" I finally asked. Both of them looked up and then at each other. Conrad didn't put his phone down, but Steven closed his laptop.
„Do you deserve anything else?" He asked angrily, raising an eyebrow at me.
„You guys need to chill, I was just messing with the guys." I tried to calm the situation down, growing frustrated with both of them.
„What do you think Belly would say to your… witty observations and mischievous plans?" Conrad finally looked at me. He never looked at me like that. He had a look of anger I could barely recognise.
„Depending on what side of the truth you tell her." I said, becoming annoyed by his tone.
Conrad stood up, visibly pissed off, and hit the table.
„And which one do you suggest?" He yelled at me. I tried to remain calm, but it was really difficult and my headache wasn't helping at all.
„Go to hell Conrad." I said, trying my best to sound unbothered. I stood up and walked outside to cool down and drink my coffee in peace. I had to tell Belly before he did. He would use that stupid one-time situation to ruin every chance I have in being happy with her. He would selfishly use it against me.
Once I heard Conrad and Steven leave the door, I returned back inside. I sat in the living room and tried to watch a movie, but concentrating was nearly impossible. After an hour or so, Belly came back home and walked over to the couch, sitting next to me. Her smile turned into a frown once she saw my bruise and black eye. She got even closer to me and leaned her head against my shoulder.
„Please tell me what happened last night." She said, her frustration evident.
„Conrad punched me." We both knew this wasn't nearly the whole truth, and we also both knew she wasn't just going to let that slide.
„He wouldn't just punch you without a reason." Yeah Belly, I suppose he's not a psychopath. I sat up straight, and explained to her;
„Conrad overheard me talking to some guys. He misheard some things and got pissed, that's all." Her face looked confused, I wish I could read her mind right now. I wasn't sure if she would ever go with that story.
„What did he mishear?" She asked, as expected.
„It was just guys being guys. We were talking about girls—" Her eyebrows raised, encouraging me to continue. „and you being extremely good-looking." I nervously said, attempting to flirt. Bad timing, to say the least.
„Okay." What? That was it?
„Okay?" I asked, suspicious. She was okay with this half-ass story? I shouldn't complain.
She nodded and gave me one of her most gentle kisses.
„Wanna watch the Hunger Games?" She asked in her sweet ´pretty please´ voice, how could I ever say no to her?
„Sure," I smiled back at her and leaned back.
We watched the whole first movie and for that brief period of time, everything felt good again. My girl was leaned against me, we were cuddled up on the couch and my arm was around her. She makes me so happy, like out of this world happy. Everything about her amazes me. Being with her felt like having everything I'll ever need, right here.
Our perfect alone time was disturbed by Conrad and Steven walking in.
„Dude, she'll flip out." Steven laughed, their enthusiasm bothered me.
„I know." Conrad smiled.
„How did you even get those?" Steven giggled.
„What do think I've been doing on my phone the whole morning?" He smiled and I could see his smile fade once he spotted us on the couch. Steven greeted us, and Conrad nodded our way. Belly greeted them back and I smiled, knowing their greetings weren't necessarily directed at me.
I kissed Belly on her forehead and whispered to her.
„I have to finish up some things for Finch." She looked up at me, somewhat disappointed.
„You still haven't filled out those forms?" She asked, pounding, I shook my head, stood up, grabbed a bottle of water for my headache and made my way upstairs.
I needed to submit all of the forms for the fraternity I was applying to, as well as sign up for all of the classes I'm taking this semester. I felt so relieved that Belly reacted the way she did; she trusted me, she trusted me to be the man she needs me to be. I admit, last night wasn't one of my proudest moments, and the things that I said would make me seem like a jerk. But that wasn't who I am; that is not what I think about Belly. She is so much more to me than just a beautiful girl.
After what felt like forever I walked downstairs, only so see Belly jump right into Conrads arms. Her eyes were glowing, he lifted her up and she let out of her happy giggles.
What the fuck?
BELLY
I knew better than to poke around Jere's version of the story. I knew Jeremiah; I knew he was a good communicator and said pretty much things exactly as they were in his mind. But I let that one go, for my own sake. For our sake. Besides, it looks like he's already been punished enough.
Being in his arms felt so natural to me. He made me feel safe, and listening to his heartbeat calmed me in a way I forgot about everything going wrong in the world.
„I have to finish up some things for Finch." He said, instantly snapping me back to reality.
„You still haven't filled out those Forms?" Okay, that sounded more annoyed than I intended.
He walked upstairs, and I acknowledged Conrad and Steven. They were in the kitchen, grabbing some drinks to take outside. Conrad saw me and gave me a weak smile, which I didn't reciprocate. After the stunt he pulled up yesterday and the embarrassment he made me go through for absolutely no reason, he should be happy I'm even acknowledging his presence. He nodded, understanding the message. It often came easy for us to communicate without saying much.
Steven watched Conrad walk outside and then turned to me.
„He definitely didn't deserve this." Steven said to me, opening his diet coke.
„After the scene he caused at the party?" I rolled my eyes, and Steven switched his tone from slightly annoyed to completely serious.
„He was standing up for you, Belly. He wouldn't let some lowlives talk shit about girls, especially not you." He said.
„You do realise that when you say ´lowlives´, you're also referring to Jeremiah, my boyfriend, right?" I asked, crossing my arms.
„Well, if the shoe fits—" Steven chuckled. I playfully pushed him, and he continued.
„He is just… protective of you." He said and I nodded.
That was the truth. Conrad was always protective of me. Ever since we were kids, he would't let anyone hurt or tease me. I just wished it wasn't Jeremiah, he was protecting me from. Seeing Jere on the floor, hurt like that, hurt me in a way as well. And right after, realising it was Conrad who hit him, that one hurt even more. I guess, I just want all of us to get along, but that's hard when there are feelings involved.
„I'Il go talk to him" I said and he leaned against the kitchen counter.
I walked outside and saw him sitting on the bench we had in the garden.
„Mind If I join you?" I asked, and as he moved a bit to his right, I sat down next to him. The weather was so beautiful, a warm breeze played with his hair, it was getting longer. I liked it. He looked hurt, an oh so familiar expression on his face.
„I'm sorry." Conrad finally said after what seemed like forever.
„I'm not the one you should be apologising to." I said, looking straight ahead.
„Except that I am. I embarrassed you and caused a scene and… you didn't have to see that side of me." He was speaking quickly, growing more and more frustrated by himself. I could barely keep up. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, he continued:
„Some things were said at the party that got me mad. I didn't have the patience to let those things slide, not even for a second." He looked down at his hands, he was so nervous.
„Please, forgive me." He finally looked at me and I turned my head to him. I nodded, and he flashed me one of his famous Conrad smiles.
There were numerous things we were both sorry for. If either one of us would posses a time machine, both of us would probably wish to change so many things that went wrong. But… we don't. The only way is forward, and I can't bear another minute of being mad at Conrad Fisher. It's torturous and exhausting because I don't even know how to do it properly. My body wasn't made for hating him. Not even when he deserved it the most. I could spend eternity making excuses for him.
„In other news…" He said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. His wallpaper, a sailboat, hadn't changed. He loved sailboats. I loved that he loved them. He handed me his phone, and I thought that was a joke.
„Taylor Swift?" My eyes got wide open and I needed someone to pinch me — now. I looked at him, completely shocked. He laughed and nodded. I was obviously very amusing to him as his eyes didn't leave mine. I looked back at his phone.
„The day after tomorrow." He said, sounding almost excited. He was barely ever excited since Susannah died.
„MetLife Stadium?" I asked, and he nodded, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.
„But that's in… New York?" My eyes lit up, growing more and more excited by the minute. Why was he showing me this? Is he going to—?
„New Jersey, actually. About 5 miles from New York." He smiled, and scrolling on his phone to reveal two tickets on his Ticketmaster app.
„I already asked Laurel… and—" I jumped up, and he leaped up as well to catch his phone, that I had accidentally thrown in the air. I jumped into his arms, and he laughed. I haven't seen him this happy in ages. He lifted me up as if I weight nothing. He held onto me for a second before slowly putting me down and taking a step back.
„… And she said it's fine… as long as I drive." He teased. I couldn't even be mad at my mom right now. He is taking me to see Taylor Swift? I was so excited I almost started hyperventilating.
„I thought we could head out super early, see the city?" He asked with an insecure smile, afraid of rejection.
„I've only been to New York once." I admitted shyly, looking up at him.
„We can explore it together." He suggested and I felt his hand still holding softly onto my arm.
„How did you get these? I thought they were sold out months ago?" I asked curiously.
„My dad pulled some strings. He owed me a couple of favours." I nodded and looked down.
„Thank you." I said just above a whisper and covered my mouth in excitement.
Steven and Jere walked out and over to us. Did he see… all of this? He was more silent than usual, it felt strange.
„I have to tell Taylor about this… My Taylor!" I was so happy I smiled brightly and gave Jere a quick kiss. He didn't say anything, he just stood there.
On my way inside I saw my mom putting away groceries. I jumped in front of her, unable to hide my excitement.
„Mom, you won't believe what—"
„I know Bean, how exciting is that?" She said with a wide smile.
„That's so cool." I squealed again, still not believing it.
„I already told Connie I'll be his date if you won't go." A date? Was this a date?
„That's not a date mom, I'm with Jere." I said, turning around quickly, before she could even reply. I wasn't ready to have a confrontational conversation with anyone. I wasn't going on a date. Conrad and I were friends, friends can go to concerts together. Jere and I were good, I was happy with him. He was good to me. He was patient and gentle. I was in love with him, with only him.