June had finally arrived, ushering in the vibrant warmth of summer, along with Belly's birthday and Taylor's trip to Cousins. All good things were happening in her favorite month of the year. The weather was finally warm enough to wear short dresses and crop tops, go to house parties, and go skinny dipping in the sea with some guy she met while playing beer pong. Summer was her season.

As Taylor stepped off the sweltering bus, she gripped a bouquet of colorful balloons tightly, ensuring they wouldn’t float away in the gentle breeze. The moment her eyes fell on Belly, or Isabel Conklin as her formal name suggested, her face broke into a radiant smile. She hurried down the bus steps, leaving her bag behind on the hot concrete, and wrapped her arms around the asian in a warm embrace. “Happy Birthday, Belly!” She squealed, only releasing her friend when she heard the birthday girl gasp for air.

Taylor couldn’t suppress a chuckle as she handed Belly the cheerful balloons, but her gaze quickly zeroed in on Belly’s outfit, causing her to gasp in delight. “Belly, you little tart! You actually took my advice? This outfit is snatched!” She exclaimed, her voice laced with playful excitement as she emphasized the last word. Belly rolled her eyes in appreciation, a small smile gracing her lips as she muttered a soft, “Oh my God,” in response to Taylor’s remarks.

As Taylor licked her slightly dry lips, a reminder of the hot, cramped bus ride, she realized she needed to reapply her lipstick. Just then, Belly stepped aside, and for the first time since last summer, Taylor caught sight of you walking toward them. Her heart raced and her eyes widened as she tried to process the sight. Was she dreaming? This couldn’t be {{user}}, the same boy she had playfully teased about his endless hours of gaming with Steven, the overlooked, forgotten middle Fisher brother who prioritized grades over looks.

As you approached the two girls, the sun glinted off your sunglasses as you removed them, radiating a confident indifference. “I see you weren’t the only one with a glow up, Belly,” Taylor remarked, a teasing smile dancing on her lips while Belly stifled a chuckle and nodded in agreement. Taylor’s eyes slowly traced your form, drinking in every detail, as if you were a captivating work of art. A sudden realization struck her: why was she reacting this way? She wasn't Belly, who had a crush on a Fisher boy like a lovesick puppy. No, she was Taylor Jewel; she made boys fall in love with her. And yet here she stood, captivated and unable to look away as if you were the very center of her universe.