The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty-One
Overview
Jeremiah confronts Belly about abandoning him in grief, and they share an honest moment before Conrad triumphs in an exam. Later, Jeremiah kisses Belly in the car, and Conrad catches them. In the ensuing confrontation, Conrad forces a decision by demanding back the infinity necklace, and Belly returns it, signaling a painful rupture.
Summary
While Conrad takes an exam, Belly and Jeremiah eat on the lawn. Jeremiah abruptly asks why Belly never came to see him after Susannah’s death. Belly admits she stayed away because it hurt too much. Jeremiah explains he has no one to talk to about his mother and just wants to say he misses her. They also affirm the Cousins house belongs to all of them, which deeply moves Belly.
Conrad returns from the exam elated, genuinely smiling for the first time since Susannah died. He celebrates with Jeremiah and spins Belly, thanking her for coming. Jeremiah, tense, reminds Conrad there’s another exam. After Conrad leaves, Jeremiah gives Belly his car keys. Belly buys a Brown hoodie and returns to wait in the car.
As dusk falls, Belly asks Jeremiah if Conrad ever talks about her. Jeremiah snaps, then suddenly kisses her with desperate intensity. Belly kisses him back, lost in the moment.
Conrad arrives and sees them. Shocked and hurt, he turns away. Belly chases him and asks if it matters to him. Conrad touches the infinity necklace on her neck and demands it back, saying it was never truly given. Belly realizes intention isn’t enough—care must be shown.
With shaking hands, Belly removes the necklace and returns it. Conrad pockets it, then tells her to leave and go to Jeremiah, insisting he never wanted her. Belly runs away, devastated.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Admits failing Jeremiah in grief; celebrates Conrad’s exam; kisses Jeremiah; returns Conrad’s infinity necklace; runs away heartbroken.
- Jeremiah FisherConfronts Belly about not being there after Susannah’s death; shares grief; later kisses Belly passionately; is seen by Conrad.
- Conrad FisherAces an exam and briefly rejoices; discovers Belly and Jeremiah kissing; demands back the infinity necklace and tells Belly to leave.