The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Nineteen
Overview
Jeremiah resolves to approach Conrad about returning to school by inviting him to surf in the morning. After a quiet evening, Jeremiah visits Belly and is struck by how their dynamic has changed since childhood. The scene underscores Jeremiah’s plan and the deepening emotional distance among the three.
Summary
Jeremiah senses that Belly wants him to talk to Conrad about school, recalling how easily he once read her feelings. Choosing a gentle approach, Jeremiah invites Conrad to surf early the next morning, planning to discuss returning for midterms then. Conrad agrees, giving Jeremiah hope that a calm moment might open him up.
They watch television together until Conrad falls asleep on the couch, postponing any confrontation. Jeremiah heads upstairs, noticing Belly’s light and deciding to check on her, still invested in their shared goal of getting Conrad back to school without provoking him.
Inside Belly’s room, Jeremiah is struck by how much has changed since they were kids who ran in and out without thinking. Seeing Belly in new, more grown-up pajamas, he feels the shift from childhood familiarity to awkward awareness. The moment highlights nostalgia and distance, reinforcing Jeremiah’s resolve to handle Conrad carefully in the morning.
Who Appears
- Jeremiah FisherNarrator; plans a dawn surf to talk Conrad into returning to school; reflects on lost childhood ease with Belly.
- Conrad FisherDistant and exhausted; agrees to surf tomorrow, giving Jeremiah a chance to discuss school.
- Belly ConklinReceives Jeremiah late at night; her changed presence reminds him how far they’ve grown from childhood.