𝒮𝓃ℴ𝓌 ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒷ℯ𝒶𝒸𝒽－ ᶜᵒⁿʳᵃᵈ ᶠⁱˢʰᵉʳ.

𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂ℯ𝓇 𝒾𝓃 𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓈𝒾𝓃𝓈 ⁰¹

I stood there at the bus stop, my two suitcases and backpack by my side. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. It had been three long years since I last set foot in Cousins, and I had never intended on returning. But when Susannah called, her voice filled with a mix of pleading and excitement, how could I resist? She knew exactly how to emotionally blackmail me, appealing to my love for her and the memories we shared.

The journey from Oakland to Cousins had been a nightmare for me. Since my mother's tragic accident, I had developed a fear of being in cars for extended periods. The idea of traveling for three days straight, switching between buses and staying at motels along the way, was a daunting prospect. But for Susannah, I would do anything. I would endure any discomfort to see that woman happy, to be reunited with the summer family I cherished so much.

Finally, after the grueling journey, when the bus came to a stop in Cousins, I stepped off with the familiar feeling of the salty sea air caressing my face. It was a bittersweet moment. The air held the same scent as before, but everything else felt different. I looked around, taking in the changes that had taken place in my absence. Buildings had been renovated, new shops had sprung up, and the landscape had evolved. I wondered if the people were still the same, if they would recognize me after all this time.

With a determined resolve, I made my way to a rental shop nearby. I couldn't carry all my luggage on a bicycle, but I refused to rent a car. The thought of being enclosed in a vehicle for an extended period sent shivers down my spine. So, I opted for the freedom and simplicity of a bicycle. I rented one and secured my luggage to be dropped off at the beach house later. I was determined to make my own way to Susannah's home, to feel the breeze on my face and take in the sights as I pedaled through the streets.

As I hopped on the bicycle and began to ride, a mixture of excitement and nervousness flooded over me. It was only a matter of hours until I would arrive at the beach house, until I would see Belly, Steven, Jeremiah...and Conrad again. I couldn't help but wonder how they had changed, how we had all changed since I had last seen them. But deep down, I knew that some things would always remain the same. The bond we shared, the memories we cherished, they were woven into the very fabric of our beings.

And so, with each pedal of the bicycle, I ventured forward, ready to embrace the unknown and reconnect with the summer family that held such a special place in my heart.

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I pedaled my bicycle down the familiar streets of Cousins, the wind whipping through my hair as I made my way to the beach house. The memories flooded back with each passing moment, images of carefree summers spent running and playing with Belly and the boys. The laughter, the adventures, the shared secrets-those were the moments that defined my childhood. We were inseparable during those summers, creating our own little world of adventure and friendship. It was a bond that time couldn't erase.

As I pulled up in the driveway, a rush of nostalgia washed over me. The beach house stood tall and inviting, a symbol of all the summers I had cherished. I parked my bike and took a deep breath, taking in the scent of saltwater and sunscreen. This was home, at least for the next few months.

Walking up to the main door, I rang the bell and was greeted by the beach house's friendly caretaker. She informed me that Susannah had informed her about my early arrival and that the Fishers were still on their way from Boston. It was strange to think that I would be the first one to arrive, but I welcomed the solitude for a moment. With a grateful nod, I entered the house and took in the familiar surroundings.

It was a sensory overload as I took in the subtle changes that had occurred in my absence. The wallpaper was new, replacing the memories of our childhood scribbles that adorned the walls. But amidst the changes, the essence of the beach house remained the same. The furniture, worn from years of summer memories, still stood in their familiar places. The living room walls were adorned with pictures of us kids, frozen moments of laughter and joy captured in time.

I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a refreshing drink from the counter. As I sipped on it, I found myself drawn to the couch in the living room. It was the same couch where we would gather for movie nights and where we would collapse after a long day of beach adventures. It beckoned me to sink into its comforting embrace.

Lying down on the couch, I let out a contented sigh. The exhaustion from the journey washed over me, and the memories of summers past played like a movie in my mind. The sound of waves crashing, the taste of salty air, and the warmth of the summer sun enveloped me, lulling me into a peaceful sleep.

I dreamt of the days when our laughter echoed through the house, when our friendships were unbreakable, and when the possibilities of each summer seemed endless. The anticipation of the rest of my summer family's arrival filled my dreams, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and longing.

As I drifted off into a deep slumber, I knew that this summer was going to be different. It was a chance to reconnect, to heal, and to make new memories. The house may have changed, but the spirit of our summer family remained strong. And I couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited us in the days to come.

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𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯
⋅• ━━━ ••⋅⊰☁︎︎☀︎︎☁︎⊱⋅•• ━━━ •⋅