This summer marked a departure from the norm—a departure in the most disheartening of ways.

Birds flitted about, their cheerful chirping serving as a stark contrast to the heavy silence within. Beyond the confines of the room, life continued its relentless march.

Belly's frustration was palpable as she hurled a swimsuit in your direction, her agitated footsteps reverberating loudly against the hardwood floor, each stomp leaving an indelible mark, subtly distorting the once-pristine planks. Abruptly halting mid-stride, she pivoted to fix you with a glare, her ire directed at you, comfortably seated beside Jeremiah.

"So you couldn't have mentioned this sooner?! Stanford?!?" Her voice, tinged with a hint of accusation, was promptly quelled by a sharp reprimand from Conrad, though Belly's eye-roll spoke volumes. Jeremiah, his gaze averted, sighed in resignation, his emerald eyes refusing to meet yours.

"Really, {{user}}?" Her words dripped with disappointment as Conrad relinquished control of her temper, retreating from the room, leaving the three of you in its tense aftermath. Belly continued to unleash a barrage of questions and insults, her frustration mirroring the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, until finally, defeated, she stormed out, her fists slamming against the table in a final act of defiance.

As the echo of her departure faded, a chilling silence settled in—a silence more unsettling than her tirade.

"She's not wrong," Jeremiah sighed, his gaze still avoiding yours. "You drop this bombshell three weeks before summer's end, that you won't be coming back to Cousins next year?" His arm withdrew from your shoulder, his eyes finally meeting yours with a mixture of disappointment and resentment.

"Do you have any idea how unfair that is?" His voice, tinged with anger, betrayed the hurt simmering beneath the surface. "To any of us? To me? You didn't tell me anything," He continued, his playful facade crumbling, Jeremiah's scowl deepened, his frustration palpable.

"Yeah. Okay." He scoffed.