nine. there's more than one story going on
"maybe we got lost in translation"

Despite what most would like to think, Belly was not stupid. Yes, it was possible for her to act idiotic and reckless sometimes, oblivious and a bit dreamy but Isabel Conklin was not a stupid girl. Never had been, never will be. She saw things others were unable to see.

Up until now, we've been hearing the story through Katherine's perspective, witnessing the unfolding events, the shared histories, and the broken promises. But there was another Conklin girl, much like her cousin... whose soul only ever awakened during the summer.

Belly had always been drawn to the enchantment of summer. It was as if the warm sun and salty breeze breathed life into her soul, awakening a side of her that was vibrant and full of possibilities. While the rest of the year may have dulled her spirit, summer had the power to ignite her with a sense of adventure and a thirst for experiencing life to the fullest.

To understand Katherine's story and thus Katherine and Conrad's epic tragedy or a beautiful fairytale as it will one day become, for we are not sure where fate will lead them, we first need to know Belly. 

When Belly was six years old, in her mind, Katherine was the best birthday gift she could have ever gotten. There was something so pure between their relationship, the grieving eight year-old and the younger cousin who just wanted to make the other girl smile. If anyone would ask her now too, she would still consider Katherine as the best birthday gift ever. Because Katherine was more than her family, and though they shared blood, their bond was forged upon real friendship, one that Steven himself would be jealous of.

Katherine was Belly's rock and Belly was one of the only people on earth for who she would let her own heart break a million little times.

Belly had always held a lingering suspicion that Katherine was in love with Conrad. Perhaps she hadn't fully grasped the depth of her cousin's feelings or consciously acknowledged it, but deep down, she knew. In the back of her mind, it had always made sense. Conrad was the kind of boy it was easy to fall in love with. It was no surprise that both the Conklin girls would fall for him.

In the quiet moments, when Katherine's gaze lingered a little too long on Conrad, when her voice softened and her smile carried a certain warmth, Belly saw the undeniable signs. She had always been perceptive when it came to matters of the heart. And with Katherine, it was no different.

Conrad had an effortless charm and magnetic presence that drew people towards him. He possessed an enigmatic allure that made it all too easy to fall under his spell. His quiet intensity had a way of captivating hearts, leaving a trail of admirers in his wake.

Belly understood the allure, for she had felt it too. She had witnessed firsthand the way Conrad's presence commanded attention, his words carrying a weight that resonated deep within the soul.

Perhaps it was because of Katherine that Belly never made any advances towards Conrad or maybe it was because she didn't know if he would ever feel such a way towards her. It could have been anything. But Belly knew that if Katherine ever told her that she was truly in love with Conrad and he wanted her too, the girl would be ready to bury her feeling six feet under and pretend that they never existed.

If there was one person on earth that she would do that for, it would be Katherine.

Little did Belly know that Katherine would do the same for her.

Belly and Taylor were on what side of the pool, opposite from Steve and Jeremiah.

"Conrad will loose his mind when he sees you in this bikini."

"I doubt it Taylor. I mean... he probably could not care less."

"C'mon Belly." Taylor rolled her eyes.

"No, seriously. He is being a dick. Even to Kath."

"What?" Taylor's eyes shot open in surprise, having witnessed a few summers back how close the pair were.

"Yeah. You know how he always got her a gift on my birthday too? He claimed 'he forgot' this year. You should have seen her face... she was so heartbroken."

"Ugh, what a little bitch."

"Yep." Belly nodded her head.

As they chatted, the birthday girl hesitantly shared her thoughts with her best friend. "You know, I can't help but feel that Katherine might really like Conrad."

The idea seemed bizarre to the Jewel girl.

"I'm pretty sure you're reading too much into it," Taylor laughed, "I know they are very close, or used to be, whatever but he is not her type."

"Maybe."

But Belly couldn't shake the feeling, the thoughts she almost deemed as fact. Because there was a certain way that Katherine looked at Conrad.

It was as if she never wanted to look away.

"Let's play chicken!" Taylor suddenly exclaimed. Belly shook her and watched as her cousin also walked into the swimming poor area, wearing the bikini they had bought together last summer.

"I was like twelve the last time we played!" Belly laughed, remembering the chaotic and exhilarating moments of their childhood chicken battles. But Taylor's determined smirk showed no sign of backing down.

"Come on, it'll be hilarious," Taylor persisted, her excitement contagious.

Katherine, ever the skeptic, rolled her eyes at the idea. "Seriously, guys? Chicken?" she scoffed, as if the game was not for her.

Belly couldn't help but giggle at her cousin's reaction. She understood Katherine's reluctance, knowing that she was not one to easily engage in such activities. But Belly was determined to persuade her to join in the fun, especially on her birthday.

"I'm just going to keep the scores, you guys play," Belly groaned, half-jokingly.

"Dibs on Jeremy!" The Jewel girl said.

"Hey I'm down, come on Steven! Apparently Taylor already got dibs on me." Jeremiah called out. Belly's gaze shifted to Katherine, her eyes darting over to the blue-eyed boy. She noticed a subtle shift in Katherine's expression, a flicker of hesitation followed by a brief contemplation.

"That means I will have to go with Steven!" Katherine faux whined. "Guys seriously? You're gonna force me into this?"

"Yeah, I am not that fond of you either, Kate." Steven rolled his eyes.

"Yes! Come on Katherine!" Taylor agreed.

With Taylor's cheer and Belly's plea, Katherine finally relented, albeit with a reluctant shake of her head. "Pretty sure the birthday girl should play, not me," she protested, attempting to use the occasion as an excuse to avoid joining the game.

"Oh hell no, you play. Come on, Kathy," Belly insisted, her eagerness evident. Taylor nodded in agreement, their combined persuasion directed towards Katherine.

Steven's voice chimed in, urging Katherine to participate. "Katherine, come on! Don't be a buzzkill," he called out, playfully taunting her.

Katherine sighed and reluctantly accepted her cousin's hand, her resistance giving way to a sense of adventure. Slowly, she climbed onto his shoulders. Belly watched the scene unfold, feeling amused.

Belly was the referee and stood in the middle as Jeremiah walked back over to Steven and Taylor.

"Steven, are you sure she isn't too heavy for your skinny shoulders?" Belly laughed at her brother.

"Please Bells, Katherine is very light, I am sure Stevey-boy can handle that much." Taylor smirked.

"Bells is right, you weigh nothing. I'm kinda worried. Should I ask mom to start feeding you more?" Steven joked.

Katherine hit his head but in doing so, she fell over. Soon, they were switching partners, with Katherine pairing with Jeremiah and Steven with Taylor. Belly felt that it was for the best– she already witnessed Steven and Katherine argue with each other all year round. She didn't need it on her birthday too.

Soon the game began but Belly wasn't even sure what happened because it was over just as fast with Taylor falling over.

The pool was filled with everyone arguing and Belly laughing at them. While Steven and Taylor argued that Katherine started before Belly said start, the other two just gloated.

"What? That is not fair!" Katherine crossed her arm. "It's not my fault Steven is scrawny. Last I remember, he can't even handle the weight of his own–"

"Hey guys!" Everyone went silent and turned towards the voice. Nicole and Conrad walked along side each other. They seemed confused by Katherine's shouting and by the undeniable fact that she was on Jeremiah's shoulders.

"Hi Nicole." Belly watched as Katherine muttered, gripping onto Jeremiah's head. The look that shadowed Katherine's face was not a hard one to miss. Annoyance. Jealousy.

"Hi. Happy birthday, Belly." Nicole said, while she continued staring at everyone, especially Katherine. Belly nodded in thanks.

"Are you guys playing chicken?" She still seem confused. To Belly, It looked like she was judging them for playing a "game" that was meant for little kids.

The other Conklin girl didn't focus her gaze towards Conrad. Belly watched Katherine's eyes as she looked away, warily.

"Um, yeah." Belly answered instead of getting into why her cousin was acting awkward. This whole encounter was awkward. Even she felt awkward. "It was- it was Taylor's idea."

"Hey, I'm Taylor." The Jewel girl waved awkwardly.

"Hi," Nicole waved back.

"She's my best friend from home." Belly smiled.

"Just visiting for the weekend."

"Oh," She started. "That's cute."

"Real cute." Katherine muttered.

"Yeah." Belly managed out.

There was a minute of awkward silence. "You guys wanna play another game?" Belly offered.

Everyone cheered a loud "yeah!" except of Katherine who was suddenly rushing out of the pool.

"You guys should enjoy," The girl shook her head at the rest of the kids, "I am gonna help Susannah with the dinner for tonight. I might even ask her if we can call Seb for dinner tonight."

"Kath?" Belly watched her cousin closely, "Is everything okay?"

If the younger Conklin girl hadn't been paying such close attention to the girl, she would have missed how her eyes darted to Conrad.

But Belly saw. She saw and suddenly Conrad was breaking her heart again because he was breaking Katherine's heart too.

"Yeah." Katherine shook her head, "I'm good Belly-button. Enjoy. Nice seeing you, Nicole."

Belly watched her cousin's retreating figure.

That's probably why she missed the way Conrad had looked at Katherine too, watching her walk away from him when all he wanted was her. If you were paying attention, the look on his face was hard to miss. Regret. Longing.

Perhaps, it was the tragedy of the Conklin girls, falling for the same man because soon, everything would be different.

Everyone would be different.