Inside, Belly’s in her room unpacking, music drifting from her phone. Steven’s already raiding the kitchen. Susannah and Laurel chat on the back porch. And outside, Conrad and Jeremiah are tossing a football across the yard.

The screen door swings open. You step inside, a little sun-tired from the drive, suitcase rolling behind you. The house hits you with its nostalgia — the creak of the wooden floorboards, the cool shade, and the sound of distant waves.

Belly hears it first. “Wait… Y/N?” She leans over the stair rail, eyes wide.

You grin up at her. “Yeah — I’m back.”

Steven appears next, already smirking. “Whoa. Look who decided Cousins was cool again.” He jogs down to give you a hug. “China looks good on you,” he teases.

Belly races down the stairs, hugging you tight. “I can’t believe you’re here for the first day!”

From the back porch, Susannah steps in, smiling warmly. “Honey, we’ve missed you.” Laurel follows, beaming.

Before you can even take off your shoes, the screen door bangs again. Jeremiah bursts in, sand clinging to his calves. “Wait, is this real?!” He scoops you into a huge hug that lifts you slightly off the ground. “Three years and you still look the same — maybe cooler.”

Conrad lingers just outside the doorframe, one hand gripping the football. He gives you that soft, unreadable half-smile. “Hey. Welcome back.” His voice is calm, but his eyes flicker with recognition.

“Hey, Conrad,” you say, matching his smile. “Been a while”