(lauryn's outfit for this part of the chapter)

Lauryn stared at the picture of her and her parents on her desk in her room, a frown on her face. The funeral for them was just a week ago, and it was only when she was sitting here that the full weight of her situation hit her. Her parents were dead, and they were never coming back. She now lived with her Aunt Coralee and Uncle Doug, her mother's sister and her husband. She had always been close with them and if anything had ever happened to her parents, Coralee and Doug were the ones who take care of Lauryn.

She was still in disbelief of her parents dying. It just happened so fast. A drunk driver was coming up the road, going well above the speed limit, and the police chase that had started a few minutes before had not caught up to the car. Her parents were both killed on impact, but Lauryn didn't know that until her aunt and uncle broke the news to her after she got home from school. She remembered the day clear as day.

It was a regular Thursday afternoon, the weather was nice, the birds were chirping, and everyone was ready for the weekend. Lauryn wore denim shorts, a t-shirt with a butterfly on it, and her white tennis shoes had grey stars on the sides of it. Her dark hair was down and it was curly. She also had her black sunglasses with her. The school day had gone by fast and she was driving home. Her parents car wasn't in the driveway, but she wasn't surprised or confused with that. They would've been still at work at that time, working at the diner they had owned. But she was surprised to see her aunt and uncle's car in the driveway.

And when she walked in and saw her uncle comforting her aunt in the living room, her heart dropped as she realized what must've happened. But she refused to believe it. Her aunt had said the words, but she had blocked it out. It was all a blur, a fuzzy haze. She had felt like she was outside of her body, looking in. Like she was dreaming, watching the scene in a dream. She didn't know what was happening. All she knew was her world was crashing down around her.

She remembered losing grip on her backpack, her backpack falling from her hands. Then she remembered losing her balance, feeling her legs buckling under her. She had fallen to her knees, the tears already falling down her face as her aunt and uncle rushed over to her. They sat on the floor with her, wrapping their arms around her and pulling her into a hug, the three of them crying and comforting each other.

Lauryn never once imagined that she would lose her parents like this, she didn't think they would die anytime soon. They had been completely healthy, but it was because of a drunk driver they had died. And since then she hated drunk drivers and alcohol. She never got drunk. Every time she looked at a bottle of alcohol, it made her remember that awful night.

Lauryn is snapped out of her thoughts when she heard her aunt speak up. "Lauryn? You almost ready?" Coralee asked her. She nodded and turned to face her with a small smile.

"Yeah, just gotta double check I got everything." She replied, exhaling sharply as she looked back at the photo and set it down.

Her aunt sighs softly as she notices this, she knew how Lauryn was feeling. She didn't want her to be miserable all summer. And she knew her parents wouldn't want that either. "Listen, I know it's hard without your mom and dad here, but I promise you we will try our best to make it an enjoyable summer." She told her, moving over to the bed and sitting down, patting the spot next to her.

Lauryn nods, and moves to sit down next to her aunt, leaning into her as Coralee pulls her into a comforting embrace. "I know it's going to be different this summer, but I also know that your mom and dad would want you to have fun and not mope around. So let's just give it a chance. We're going to have fun." Coralee said, smiling at her.

Coralee's words were gentle yet firm, echoing the sentiments of love and encouragement. Lauryn felt a mix of emotions stirring within her—a longing for her parents, a sense of grief for what was lost, but also a glimmer of hope for what the future held, especially with her aunt and uncle by her side.

"I'll try, Aunt Coralee," Lauryn murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

Coralee tightens her embrace, understanding the weight of Lauryn's pain. "I know, sweetheart. It's okay to feel sad, to miss them. But remember, they're always with us, in our hearts and memories."

Lauryn nodded, taking comfort in her aunt's words. The summer stretched ahead of her, a mix of uncertainty and possibility. With her family's support, she knew she could navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. We can't do much else but try." Lauryn spoke. 

Coralee nods and smiles. "That's the spirit. Now, come on. We gotta finish packing."

****

Once they were done packing, they started driving to Cousins Beach. The summer was already half way done, Lauryn's parents death had taken them by surprise. They had planned on coming to Cousins Beach way earlier than this, but had finally gotten around to come to Cousins Beach before the Fourth of July.

Coralee and Doug had a house near the Fishers. Every summer the Carpenters, Fishers, and Conklins would spend time together. It was a tradition, one that they all loved. And every summer they'd spend time on the beach, enjoying the sunshine and cool waters. Lauryn couldn't wait. But she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. It was the first time she'd been without her parents. The first time she had been on a summer vacation without her parents.

It was going to be different, but she had Coralee and Doug, and of course the Fishers and the Conklins and that meant a lot to her. She wouldn't know what she would have done without them.

****

(lauryn's outfit for this part of the chapter)

The day Lauryn and her aunt and uncle head to Cousins Beach, Lauryn wore a black tank top, dark blue denim shorts and black shoes. She wore some gold jewelry as well and had sunglasses on. As the sun sets and they pull up to the beach house, Lauryn looks out the window. The familiar sights and sounds bringing a small smile to her face. The houses are the same, the people are the same, the sand, the beach. Everything was the same.

When they got to the beach house, Lauryn took a moment to stand in front of the house and admire it. It was the same house. Same porch, same door, same everything. It was like stepping into a memory. And it brought a smile to her face.

Lauryn helped her aunt and uncle bring their luggage inside, smiling softly at the familiar interior. She knew where everything was like the back of her hand. Everything was still the same. The only thing that wasn't the same was the fact that her parents weren't there with her. After they unpacked, they went next door to greet the Fishers and Conklins.

"Hey, we're here!" Coralee announced, opening the door and walking in with Doug as Lauryn trailed behind them.

"Oh, yay! Finally!" Susannah smiles widely, walking over to them from the kitchen and pulled Coralee into a hug. "There's my beautiful Lolly!" Susannah grinned after seeing Lauryn.

Lauryn smiles brightly and hugs the blonde-haired woman back when Susannah hugged her. She remembered when she first got the nickname Lolly. Her mom always called her Lollipop because of her sweet tooth, but Susannah shorten the nickname to Lolly. She missed hearing her mom call her lollipop so she was always happy when she heard Susannah call her Lolly.

"Hi, Susie." Lauryn replied happily, her eyes lighting up at seeing the blonde-haired woman. 

"We're so sorry for your loss." Laurel speaks up softly, walking over to the group. She had concern and worry in her eyes as she looked at Lauryn, Coralee, and Doug. "If you need anything, we're here for you." She added.

"Thank you, Laurel." Doug smiled softly, hugging her back.

"Laur!" Belly said excitedly, eyes lighting up at seeing her and she quickly ran over to her, enveloping her in a big hug.

"Bells!" Lauryn smiles back at her, giggling at Belly's excitement. She hugs Belly back. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Belly admitted.

"We're so sorry we couldn't be here for your birthday, Belly." Doug apologizes. "But we still brought you a gift because we love you. It's nothing fancy, but we hope you like it."

"Aw, thank you, Doug." Belly grins and hugs him and Coralee, taking the box Coralee hands her. "I'm sure I'll love it."

"Go on, open it." Lauryn encouraged.

"Alright, alright, I'm going." Belly laughs, going to open the box. Inside was a picture frame with her, Lauryn, Coralee, Doug, and Lauryn's parents. She smiles softly, her heart warming at the picture. "Thank you, guys. I love it and will cherish it forever." She old them, pulling Lauryn and her aunt and uncle into a hug.

"I'm glad. We weren't really sure what to get you." Coralee confessed with a small chuckle.

"You didn't have to get me anything, but I love it." Belly assured her.

"Lulu!"

Lauryn grinned at hearing the familiar nickname reserved for the Fisher brothers. Jeremiah and Conrad had started calling her that when they were younger and it just stuck. They were the only ones she allowed to use that nickname. Lauryn's gaze lands on Jeremiah, the blonde curly-haired boy staring at her with a wide smile as she and Belly pulled away. She hated every time she looked at him her heart skipped a beat. He was just so pretty and she could stare into his beautiful blue eyes forever. But she also hated it, because she knew she would never have a chance with him.

"Jere!" She grins, her eyes lighting up. She walks over to him, pulling him into a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm great now that you're here." He admitted, hugging her back with a soft smile on his face.

Conrad had finished hugging Coralee and Doug and was waiting to hug Lauryn. She was just as beautiful as he had remembered, her brown hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her dark brown eyes sparkling and her smile could light up the entire room. It was hard not to smile back at her when she smiled at you and he hated how his heart fluttered at the sight of it. If it wasn't obvious, he had a crush on her. But he knew nothing would ever happen, she was too enchanted by his brother to even notice him the way he wants her to notice him.

Lauryn opens her eyes, having had closed them when she and Jeremiah hugged. She smiles widely when she noticed Conrad standing near them. "Connie." She said happily, hugging him once she pulled away from Jeremiah. "Hi, I missed you." She murmured, her voice muffled since she had laid her head on his chest.

"Hi, Lulu." He smiles softly at her, hugging her back. She returns the smile as he kisses the top of her head. "I missed you too. How are you doing?" He asked, pulling away from her, but not much, just to look at her and his hands rested on her forearms, the same with hers.

She takes a deep breath. "I've been better. It's really hard, but I'm coping. Or, well, I'm at least trying to. It's hard to imagine not being with my parents anymore. It's so different." She explained, her gaze drifting down, her hands falling from his arms.

He gently lifts her chin and makes her look at him. "It's okay. It's gonna take time, but you'll get through it." He said, smiling reassuringly at her.

"Yeah, I hope so." She smiled sadly at him.

"Oh, now that you're here I can paint your portrait!" Susannah spoke excitedly as she smiled at Lauryn. Her voice caused Conrad and Lauryn to finally pull apart from each other.

"My what?" Lauryn asked in confusion, tilting her head to the side.

Jeremiah chuckles. "Susannah is painting portraits of us all again like she did when we were kids." He explains, standing by her and throwing his arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, being painted isn't as bad as you think it is." Lauryn smiled at him, her gaze flickering down to his arm around her, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. She should be used to his touch by now, well, she is, but after she started having a crush on him since two summers ago, his touch had a new affect on her.

Conrad noticed the faint blush on her face and he can't help his jaw clenching. He hated how much Jeremiah affected her. He wished he was the one who caused her to blush, but he knew it was impossible. She was too infatuated with Jeremiah.

"How about we meet up at the beach in a few minutes?" Susannah suggested.

Lauryn brought her gaze back to the blonde-haired woman. "Sounds good, Susie." She replied, smiling softly.

Susannah then left the room to get her painting supplies ready. "I guess I better head over to the docks now." Lauryn chuckled, pulling away from Jeremiah.

"Want me to walk with you?" Jeremiah asked with a soft smile.

"Sure." Lauryn nodded, smiling back at him. The two of them said goodbye to the others and walked out of the Fisher house.

"I'm really glad you're here, Lulu. I missed you." Jeremiah told her as they walked.

"I missed you too." She grinned, nudging him with her shoulder.

He nudges her back, causing her to laugh. He chuckles and smiles softly. "I love your laugh." He muttered under his breath, and she was lucky enough to hear him say that, and his cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he realized she heard him.

"You-You do?" She stammered, a light blush forming on her cheeks while her heart fluttered. 

"Yeah. I've always loved your laugh." He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Well, I love your laugh too." She told him, and his gaze met hers.

"Really?" He asked, the blush on his cheeks growing darker.

"Of course. Your laugh is great." She giggled.

They walked in a comfortable silence the rest of the way to the beach. When they got to the beach, they walked over to where the lifeguard tower was. The sand was warm and soft, and it was nice feeling the sand under her feet. She felt like a little kid again, she felt carefree. She hadn't felt like that in a long time. But then, being back in Cousins Beach reminded her of happier times, more innocent times.

Her life had many ups and downs...That's what happens when you have cancer. She had been 4 when she and her parents found out she had cancer. She was 8 when the cancer went away and it felt like a weight lifted off her shoulders. She didn't have to have anymore treatment and she didn't have to be afraid anymore. There was a chance it could come back, but a low chance. They were always keeping a watchful eye on her just in case it came back. But they celebrated that day and it ended up with them here at the beach. They celebrated there and they had their own tradition, and her favorite part was watching the sunset.

But now her parents were gone and she wasn't sure what to do. She knew she couldn't give up, her parents would want her to keep going for them. To make the most of her life. That's what her parents had always taught her, to live her life to the fullest. And she planned on doing that. She didn't let cancer stop her, and she wasn't going to let her parents' deaths stop her.

She and Jeremiah got to the lifeguard tower where they saw Susannah was there with her painting supplies. "Alright, let's get this started."

Lauryn glances away from the blonde-haired boy, looking at Susannah with a smile as the woman carried her things to them. "Here, let me help you with that mom." Jeremiah offered, walking away from Lauryn to help his mom set up.

"Thank you, dear." Susannah smiled gratefully at her son. Lauryn smiled softly at the sight of them. It was a heartwarming moment and it made her think of her own mother. Her heart ached at remembering her. But she couldn't let it get her down, and she didn't want to.

"Hey, you okay?" She looks over at Jeremiah when she heard him say that. He was looking at her in concern, he had noticed her sudden mood change.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." She nodded, forcing a small smile.

"Liar."

Her gaze drifts down to the ground, her smile dropping. She heard Jeremiah sigh, then she felt his hand gently take hers and her heart skipped a beat at his touch. "I'm not going to force you to talk, but you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

She nods, her gaze drifting up to him. "I know, Jere." She smiles sadly. "Thank you."

"Of course." He replied with a soft smile, and brought her hand up, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. Lauryn's face turned a light shade of pink, but she smiled softly at him, feeling her heart flutter at the contact.

"Alright, Lauryn, I'm ready. Jere, can you get out of the way?" Susannah asked her son, smiling apologetically at him.

"Alright." He sighed, dropping Lauryn's hand and stepped away.

Lauryn couldn't help but feel her hand grow cold without Jeremiah holding it. It was strange, she had never felt like this before. But she shook it off. She didn't need to worry about that. Jeremiah walked to the other side of the lifeguard tower to be out of the way.

"Okay, just sit right there. Perfect." Susannah smiled as Lauryn leaned against the railing of the steps to the lifeguard tower, her elbow on it and her chin on her hand while smiling at Susannah.

Jeremiah's gaze drifted over to Lauryn, a soft smile on his face as he watched her. He didn't know why, but he loved the way the wind blew through her hair, making it flow gracefully, like the wings of a butterfly. He could stare at her all day and he wouldn't mind. She was gorgeous, and she had no idea. He didn't know if it was the wind or the lighting, but the sun was hitting her in a way that made her look like she was glowing, and he couldn't look away.

It was as if she sensed him looking at her, and she turned to look at him. He didn't look away and their gazes locked. A soft smile formed on her face and he couldn't help but return it. He could feel his face heating up, causing him to look away, his gaze looking out at the water, the blush on his cheeks growing.

Lauryn looked away from him, her own cheeks turning a light shade of pink as her own heart fluttered. She didn't know what was happening, but she didn't want it to stop. Susannah smiled to herself as she watched this interaction and continued painting Lauryn. She knew of Lauryn's feelings for Jeremiah, but she had a feeling Jeremiah was starting to have feelings for her as well. She couldn't wait to see how their relationship developed, if they became more than just friends. She knew they would be good together.

A/N first chapter is up !! i love lauryn so much & even though it's only the first chapter i gotta ask team conrad or team jeremiah??