The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Eleven
Overview
During the drive to find Conrad, Belly and Jeremiah talk about prom, revealing Jeremiah’s popularity and his prom king status. Jeremiah compliments Belly’s prom look, explaining Susannah had framed her picture, bringing grief into the car. Belly contrasts Jeremiah’s warmth with Conrad’s distance, hinting at shifting loyalties.
Summary
In the quiet of their car ride, Belly pretends to sleep while Jeremiah taps the steering wheel, then breaks the silence by mentioning his prom’s theme song. Belly asks how many proms he has attended; Jeremiah casually counts five, underscoring his easy popularity and social ease.
Jeremiah says he even bought a tux because he went so often, then unexpectedly tells Belly she looked good at her prom. When Belly asks how he knows, Jeremiah explains Susannah had framed one of Belly’s prom photos. The mention of Susannah shifts the mood, threading grief into their light conversation.
Belly learns Jeremiah was prom king and privately compares him to Conrad. She imagines how different her prom night would have been with Jeremiah—his attentiveness, remembering her favorite daisies, and charming her friends—revealing her growing sense that Jeremiah might be the kinder, steadier choice as they search for Conrad.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Narrator; rides with Jeremiah, recalls prom, imagines it would’ve been better with him than Conrad.
- Jeremiah FisherDriving with Belly; admits attending five proms, was prom king, praises Belly’s photo via Susannah.
- Susannah FisherMentioned posthumously; had framed Belly’s prom photo, stirring grief during the car conversation.
- Conrad FisherAbsent focus of the search; serves as Belly’s point of comparison to Jeremiah.