Chapter One

I thought I'd kill myself if I had to stay cramped in the backseat of our SUV any longer. My mother in the front seat was humming to a pop song. Steven, my older brother, was asleep in the passenger seat. My best friend, Stephanie was sprawled across the backseat with her feet in my lap; and let me tell you one thing; her feet didn't smell like roses. More like garbage.

"Are we there yet?" A groggy Stephanie asked sitting up and-thank god- taking her stinky feet off of me.

"We're getting close." My mother chirped from the front. I sighed, anxious to get there already. Cousins Beach was my home. Well, no technically I lived about 7 hours away from here; but every summer when we come to stay at the beach house, it was my home.

I looked out the window at the palm trees and busy street. I was glad we only had to come into the city to eat and hangout. Cousins Beach was made for all the people who had or rented out houses lined up along the beach. It was peaceful and quiet around the house; but only when the boys were out or sleeping.

"Why is it that we've been friends since first grade, you come here every single summer leaving me stranded with the Coklynn twins and all of a sudden the summer before our senior year you decide to let me tag along?" Stephanie asked with questioning eyes. I couldn't tell her the answer with my mom listening; and I didn't need too. She knew it was because I was going to need her help this summer. I needed her to give me advice about make up, clothes, how to do my hair. Stuff I've never worried about until a couple months ago, when I realized Conrad Fisher was going to be back from college this summer; I thought he'd never to return once he met all those college party girls. I was wrong though, happily wrong.

I knew this summer was my last chance to make him notice me. And I mean really notice me; as in other than 'Steve's lil sis' or 'Bellybutton'.

I scowled at her for bringing it up in front of Laurel. My mother was never pushy about anything. She knew that if I wanted to talk about something, I'd open up and share. If I didn't, she wouldn't say anything. Just keep her lips in a tight thin line, until I was ready to tell her. But the fact was, she still asked about it. I knew as soon as we got out of the car and had a little privacy, she'd ask me what Steph had been talking about. I'd make up some lame excuse like 'she's deranged' and walk out of the room. It wasn't that my mother and I weren't close, we were. I told her a lot, but not everything; there's a boundary between mother and daughter that shouldn't be crossed. And I was definitely not going to cross it.

"We're here!" Laurel yelled giddily. I remember when I was younger how I used to wonder if my mom really did bring us down here to have a fun summer away from all our problems back home- or if it was just so she could see her best friend since birth. Steven and I both knew it was so she could see Susannah.

My mother shook Steve's shoulder, "What?" He snapped, still half asleep.

"We're here, ass wipe." I snapped back. I was tired of his attitude. He'd become very distant and rude lately, ever since him and his girlfriend, Sara, had broken up. It'd been 4 months and I was nauseous after watching him mop around, looking like a hobo. He didn't shave for 3 weeks right after they broke up; he'd smelled and always had crump's in his short little beard. It was gross.

I was silently waiting for my mother to snap at me for saying such a rude comment, but she'd parked the car in the driveway and had already dashed toward the porch. The Beach house was huge and absolutely beautiful. The house on the outside was completely white; with a wraparound porch, six different hammocks (three inside and three outside), 10 different bedrooms, all of them being the size of a master bedroom. What was awesome about most of the rooms was some had a wall made of windows so you could see the beach at night. I, luckily, had gotten a room with that beautiful view. Steven, on the other hand, had gotten just a plain old room, like the one Stephanie would be staying in this summer.

Steven turned toward me and shook his head hopping out of the car, making his way toward the porch where my mother was hugging Conrad and Jeremiah. Stephanie nudged me, "God, you weren't kidding when you said they were hot. They're smokin'."

"I said Conrad was hot. Not Jeremiah."

She smiled slowly, "But he is too. Maybe we can both have summer flings; you and Con, me and Jeremiah."

I clenched my fist hearing her call Conrad by his nickname. Stephanie only called people by their nicknames if she liked them. And no way in hell was she about to crush on Conrad. I've been pining away at him since third grade. I love Steph, but she would not swoop in with her girly magical charms and steal him away from me. Not like Taylor had tried to do. This was my summer.

I jumped out of the SUV and tugged my very short, very tight holy shorts from Hollister, adjusted my yellow cropped peasant top I'd let Stephanie talk me into buying; letting my dark brown hair cascade in curls all the way down my back. We'd gone on a long shopping trip before we left getting tummy showing shirts, skimpy shorts, and tight bikini's to show off for boys-or more like the boy. She also made me buy a bunch of braided loop thong sandals in all colors squealing, 'they're so in right now'.

I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder, walking toward everyone. Stephanie was rambling about something to Susannah and everyone was listening, when I walked up. I felt like everything paused. Jeremiah looked at me, his mouth slightly open in shock. Steven sighed; and Conrad just stared. It was like he couldn't take his eyes off of me. Susannah's small smile grew wide at the sight of me.

"Bellybutton! You're all grown up!" She cried and reached out to hug me. I squeezed as hard as I could, so happy to see her. Jeremiah hugged me next, a confused look on his face. He looked taller with his blonde hair shaggy and almost in his pretty green eyes. He looked fit. Probably from football. He picked me up off my feet, and swung me back and forth on the porch, I giggled like a girl. I silently cheered myself on in my head. I was being a girl! A real girl, not a fake one. This might be easier than I thought.

Conrad, still staring, walked over and lightly hugged me, "I miss your baggy shorts and t-shirt." He said simply, with one of his beautiful yet annoying smirks on his face as he pulled away. He looked older. His features, perfect like a models, not perfectly chiseled but almost. His dark brown hair was in between that awkward short but not shaggy stage; but it looked good on him. His body was still perfection; obviously playing baseball had been good to him.

The mother's laughed and walked in the house. I felt disappointment wash over me. Didn't he realize I was dressed this way for him? I was dressing like some of those girls he had dated all last summer, making me want to cry every time I saw him laugh at something they'd said.

I quickly recovered, "Sorry to disappoint. But I like my outfit." I smiled sweetly and turned on my heel to go get my suitcase from the car. I heard them follow me.

After we got everyone's luggage out of the car, I showed Stephanie her room. She squealed in delight. I then departed telling her we'd go shopping later. I opened the door to my room and gasped. The walls that had been white last summer were painted to look like a beach with waves coming up onto the shore.

Jeremiah came up behind me, "Like it?" He asked, smiling.

"Of course." I said still in shock. "Mom had me paint it for you. She knew you'd love it." The boys lived here, right in the beach house year round. To them it was just home, but it was the beach house to me. Jere must've had to give at least a couple of parties to paint this, it looked amazing.

"She was right."

It was Monday morning we'd been here for two days and I hadn't gone to the beach yet; and somehow I'd managed not to get thrown in the pool. It was a tradition that every year the boys throw me into the pool and I do a 'bellyflop' because I'm 'bellybutton'. But I was grateful that Stephanie had wanted to completely settle in and then go shopping. Finally we were headed to the beach; the boys were in the room across from mine, where they always played games on the big plasma or pool. Stephanie was changing into her swimsuit so we could go to the beach to tan and scout boys out for her.

I slipped on my pink bikini, grabbed my bag with everything we needed-sunscreen, sunglasses, water, magazines. I had to go into the game room where the boys were to get a beach towel out of the closet.

As soon as I stepped in, I regretted it.

"Put on some clothes Isabel. God- I don't need to see my sister half naked!" Steven said, exasperated with my new look. Conrad and Jeremiah looked at Steven then me.

"I can wear whatever I like," I snapped "Why do you even care? It's got nothing to do with you." Steven stood up from the couch as I tried to pass to get a towel and leave. He grabbed my elbow, holding on tight so I couldn't get away.

"It will be my business when some guy thinks he can put his hands all over you cause you're dressed like a slut!" He said harshly. I was mortified that Conrad and Jeremiah had just witnessed this. I also felt like I had been punched. How could he say I looked like a slut? All three of them had dated girls who wore bikinis ten times worse than this one. Some of them didn't even cover their boobs! I was so mad and felt insulted, I wanted to cry. I peeled Steven's hand off of me, grabbed a towel and opened the sliding door leading to the beach. I could see Stephanie flirting with a lifeguard. What would she do in this moment? What would she say? So, I did what Stephanie would do.

I turned around slowly making eye contact with all three of them, my eye's landing on Steven, "Don't worry about a guy putting his hands on me." I paused, smirking "If he does, it'll be because I asked him too." There reaction was priceless. All three mouths dropped open, in pure amazement at my words. I then walked right out the door and bee lined for Stephanie, praying Steven didn't follow me and drag me back to the house. That'd be embarrassing.

By the time I'd made it too her, she had lifeguard's number. I smiled, happy that she was already having a good time. We lay on our towels and tanned for at least an hour before I got agitated and had to get up. I walked toward the ocean, letting the waves wash up on shore and touch my feet momentarily, then wash away quickly. It was the most amazing feeling. I could see a couple of boys eyeing me out of the corner of my eyes. They were pretty cute; three of them were tall and one was short. All of them were tan with blonde shaggy hair. They all kind of looked the same to me. One walked over toward me.

"Hey"

"Hello" I said as I turned toward him. I could see Steven and the Fisher boys all making their way down the beach toward a group girls. They were all blonde, one had red hair, but they still had that beach goddessness about them. I sighed, watching Conrad flirt with the skinny, tall blonde.

"I'm Parker." He said easily. I studied him. He was cuter up close. His features were defined, like you see on movie stars. His blonde hair was shorter than it had looked from a distance. He had hazel eyes that looked like they were smiling down at me. He looked nothing like the boy, Cameron I had dated last summer.

I smiled, "Belly."

He smiled back, "This is going to sound totally lame, but I've been watching you and your friend for the past hour." Something in me felt sad. He was here about Stephanie. Not because he wanted to flirt with me. Maybe Steven didn't need to be worried. The bikini wasn't working anyways.

I sighed, "And you want to ask her out? No shocker there. I can go talk you up to her. Give me a minute." I turned to walk off and he grabbed my arm.

He was shaking his head, laughing. His laugh was deep and somewhat sexy, "No, I wanted to ask you out. I've been watching you. I think you're really pretty."

I blushed scarlet red, "Oh. Thanks."

"You're welcome. So what do you say? Will you go out on a date with me this Friday?" he looked hopeful.

I saw the boys watching me. I stepped toward Parker, so close I was in his face and our bodies were inches apart. Steph and I had practiced how to flirt sexily. It took awhile for me to get the hang of it but once I did, I was a sexy machine. At least, I hoped I was.

I felt his sweet smelling breath on my cheek. I leaned up and whispered in his ear, where the boys could see me, "Definitely. Pick me up at eight." I stepped back, smiled slowly and glanced at Steven. He looked pissed; I could've sworn I'd seen a flash of something like jealousy cross Conrad's face, but then he just looked bored like he always did. I'd must've imagined it.

"That's my house." I pointed to it. Parker nodded, "I guess I'll be there at eight." He started to walk away and I noticed the boys weren't paying attention anymore. I knew what would get their attention. I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward me without thinking, I crashed my lips to his. They were warm and soft. I was going to make it quick, just long enough for them to see it. But then my stomach got butterflies. And I felt warm all over. I wrapped my arms around Parker's neck and ran my fingers threw his hair. His hands slid to my waist, up my arm and cupped my face. It was a cute gesture, I smiled against his lips. I felt him smile back.

Someone yelled, "GET A ROOM!" and I knew everyone on the beach had seen us. I pulled my mouth from his, but kept my face close to his, "Sorry, I couldn't wait. I needed to know if going out with you were a waste of time."

"Is it?"

I pulled away even more, "No." and with that I walked away triumphantly sitting back down on my towel. Stephanie looked at me like I was crazy, "What was that?"

"An experiment."

"To test what?"

"I don't know. But it felt good to do it. I think I like when people notice me."

"Uh oh. This friendship won't work with to two attention whores. I owned it first, sorry!"

I laughed, "I don't want the attention all the time. Just sometimes."

Stephanie giggled, then her face went white, "You might wanna go back to the house. Steven's coming over here. If you don't want to be completely embarrassed in front of everyone, get your ass to the house."

I jumped up quickly, and walked quietly to the house as Steph followed. When we got there, Steven wasn't in the room with Conrad and Jere.

"Where is he?" I questioned, looking into Jeremiah's eyes.

"He went into the other room." He sighed, "Why'd you kiss that guy? I know you don't know him. We don't and you're only friends with people we know." He said it as if I were retarded for kissing someone I didn't even know. Which, I guess wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done.

I huffed, "I have other friends outside of you people." I said pointing a finger at both of them. Conrad looked dejected, like he wasn't there, he was probably thinking about the tall blonde.

"Besides, Parker is taking me out on a date Friday."

Steven stepped into the room then, "Hell will freeze over before you go on a date with him." His tone was harsh. Why did he care all of a sudden? He didn't care when Derek King asked me to the homecoming dance this year and kissed me at the end of it. So why now?

"Steven, you can't control me. I'm going to date whoever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want. Simple as that. Ask mom, she'll side with me." I pressed. Stevie knew I was right; mom would side with me because she wanted me dating.

"Not once she finds out you practically had sex with him on the beach." He said flatly, his voice laced with disgust.

I squared my shoulders for what I was about to say, "I wasn't having sex with him on the beach. But if I DID decide to have sex with him-anywhere- you'd be the very last one to find out. If I even told your crazy ass!"

Jeremiah stood up then, seeing how made Steven was, "I think you should leave the room Belly. You too Steph." He nodded in our direction and Steph left the room, but I stayed put, refusing to back down.

Jeremiah's eyes were pleading, "Belly, please?" He turned his pleading eyes toward Conrad. Conrad sighed, then got up and grabbed my wrist, "Let's go." He hissed as he pulled me out the sliding door, closing it behind him.

He kept the hold on my wrist and walked us to the side of the house where the deck surrounded the in ground pool. When he let go he said, "What is your deal?"

I gaped at him. "What's my deal? Mine? Steven's the one who won't shut his mouth about me! I am not a little kid for god sakes! I'm almost eighteen!"

Conrad nodded, "Yes, but your his little sister. You don't need to flaunt around him by kissing other guys. It makes him want to punch them because he knows how guys think. It's usually just about sex for us. Not feelings." He said angrily.

"Well, I understand that, I'm not dumb. But he has never cared before. And I've been on dates before. So why now? Why does he choose now to care?"

He said it so quickly she thought she hadn't heard him right, "Because now you're not just Bellybutton. You're a teenage girl guys are going to drool all over and think 'hey I wanna get with that fine piece of ass'."

She fell silent. After at least five minutes she looked up at him, "I'm sorry, Con. I didn't mean to piss him off so much." Only half meaning it.

He sighed, "I know. I know."

And with that, that conversation was over.