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Jeremiah’s Selfish Summer: Me, Myself, and a Little Bit of Belly

*Jeremiah* In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to make this decision but I've never been so sure of anything. I know my mom has been through so much this past year and I would love to spend this summer with her but I have to do what's best for me. I know she’s getting sicker as the days go on and our time together is limited but she’ll never admit how much pain she is in and it kills me that her days are numbered. But I'll see her when summer is over and hey maybe I'll come back for the fourth with my dad so we can all spend time together just like the good old days. I don't know, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic but it just feels right. You saw the way they looked at each other the second she got out of the car you can't tell me it didn't mean anything… I will never stand a chance against him cmon it's Conrad Fisher for God's sake, the golden boy. I don’t think anyone will agree with my decision but this is the first summer I am finally going to put myself first. 

A few days later…

Jeremiah: Hey Mom do you have a second, I've had something on my mind that I wanted to talk to you about.

Susannah: Yeah what's up honey?

Jeremiah: I’ve been thinking a lot about this and I think I want to spend this summer in the city with Dad I know it's not ideal but I figured since I'm going to be a junior this upcoming year it would probably be best if I begin doing things to add to my resume this summer and maybe go to a few football camps to get a headstart.

Susannah: Oh honey, why would you want to waste your summer? Those things will be waiting for you when you get back. You've never cared about those things and moments like these we spend together as a family are so precious, none of it is guaranteed and could be ripped away from you in seconds. I know you have your mind set on this but please think about it, it could be the last summer we get to spend all together. 

Jeremiah:  I know Mom and as difficult it was to make this decision I have to do what is best for me. I'll miss you guys like crazy, but hey I'll see you for the fourth. I already talked it over with Dad and he said he's excited to have someone to keep him company while everyone else is away. I leave first thing tomorrow morning and I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Susannah:  OK, keep me updated and if you change your mind let me know and I'll make the drive up to go get you right away.

Jeremiah: Thank you for understanding. I love you.

*Jeremiah* It kills me that I had to lie to my mom about something like this because I tell her everything she’s my best friend. But how am I supposed to tell her that I don’t want to spend all summer watching the girl that I thought I would marry and grow old with one day be so madly in love with my older brother? She was supposed to be my girl, she was supposed to be my future wife…

A month and a half later… 

*Jeremiah* This summer has been exactly what I needed. I hope they're all doing well at the beach house. I miss my family a lot but I met a nice girl and I think I’m gonna take her with me to the beach house for the Fourth of July. Her name is Lilly and my dad said it would be okay and it would be nice for her to meet Mom. Being we became official this last week I know it was quick but it’s been a while since I've met someone who gets me the way she does. It's refreshing. 

The Fourth of July… *Arriving at the beach house*

*Jeremiah* I'm excited for everyone to meet Lilly, especially my mom and Laurel gosh I've missed them a lot. This summer had been very refreshing and boy was it nice to not have to think about Belly and Conrad. Oh no, I forgot about Belly, I forgot about her feelings. How is she gonna feel about Lilly? Well, there's not much I can do now we're pulling in… Belly and I lock eyes almost instantly as I get out of the car Belly races towards me and jumps into my arms. I spin her around. Something about her being back in my arms just feels right.  I didn't think I would feel this way, especially since I’m with Lilly now. But there's just something about her beautiful smile, the way her hair frames her face so perfectly, my stomach fills with butterflies when she smiles at me there's just something about her I can't help it, Belly has and will always have a special place in my heart. Oh no, Lilly, I turned back around and helped Lilly out of the car, and as she stepped out of the car the smile on Belly’s face dropped and her face went blank. She asked who was this and I introduced her to everyone. Guys this is Lilly she came to spend the fourth with us this year. 

Belly: Oh that's nice of you to bring a friend. 

Jeremiah: No Belles she's my girlfriend.

Belly: GIRLFRIEND!?!?!

Steven: Nice bro now we can go on double dates with Shyla!

Lilly:  A double date sounds like a lot of fun, it's nice meeting you all Jerimiah has told me a lot about you guys.

Susannah: Here let me help you guys with your bags. Come on Lilly I’ll show you around and where you will be staying with Jerimiah.

Lilly: Sounds good thank you for showing me around, if you don't mind I'm gonna go find Jerimiah.

*Lilly hears Jerimiah and Belly in the living room and peeks around the corner*

Belly: Jere why would you bring her here you know this is supposed to be family only it's time we are supposed to spend all together before our last few weeks of summer, not for your little girlfriend.

Jeremiah: You don't get to do that. You don't get to act like you finally care about me and tell me what to do with my life. You've spent your whole life throwing yourself at Conrad any chance you got and I had to beg for your attention. And now all of a sudden you care about who I’m with and what I'm doing. I don’t wanna hear it.

Belly: What are you talking about? So that’s the reason you chose to leave all summer because of me and Conrad? We are nothing. 

Jeremiah: That's exactly why I left, is that what you wanted to hear? I left because I couldn't stand watching the love of my life throw herself at my older brother.

*Lilly enters the room*

Lilly: She's the love of your life?

Jeremiah: No Lilly it's not like that I didn't mean…

*Lilly takes off *

Belly: Jere I’m sorry 

Jeremiah: Just stop can’t you see you've done enough?

*Jeremiah chases after Lilly*

Jeremiah: Lilly please stop, let me explain.

Lilly: What is there to explain, you promised me you were over her.

Jeremiah: I know and for that, I'm sorry I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was but I guess I’m not. Please understand that my feelings for you are real but I do wish I would have told you about my feelings towards Belly these types of feelings don’t just go away you have to understand that.

Lilly: It's okay I know there's a lot of history between you… She did seem pretty hurt by us maybe you should go see what those feelings were about.

Jeremiah: Thank you for understanding, I hope we can still be friends. I genuinely do care about you.

Lilly: Go on go get her.

*Jeremiah runs off*

Jeremiah: Hey Mom, have you seen Belly anywhere?

Susannah: I think she went to the dock honey why what's up?

Jeremiah: Thanks, I'll explain later.

*Jeremiah sprints to the dock and sees Belly from afar, except there's someone else with her it’s Conrad…*

*Jeremiah* Of course she ran back to him as she always does. Why would I even try? In a perfect world, she would realize I’m the one who truly cares for her, who understands her in a way Conrad never will. But no, she keeps going back to him, like a moth to a flame, blinded by some illusion of love. What does she see in him anyway? He’ll never love her the way I love her. He doesn't know the depths of her soul as I do, the way her laughter dances like the sunlight on water or the way her eyes hold a universe of emotions. Yet she keeps choosing him time and time again, leaving me here to pick up the shattered pieces of my heart. But maybe one day she will realize, maybe one day she will see that I'm the one who truly loves her, the one who would do anything to make her happy. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll finally choose me over him. But when that day comes, and she finally waits, I’ll be gone because my heart can't handle any more hurt, and if she does choose me, who knows how long her love for me will last? I truly hope she finds everything she ever wanted in him. Please take care of her the way I never got the chance to.