The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
Belly takes charge to get Conrad ready for midterms, turning the kitchen into a study hub and enforcing a reward system. After resistance, Conrad agrees to study while Jeremiah assists. The teamwork restores a glimpse of the old Conrad, prompting Belly to confront how much she still misses him.
Summary
Returning to the house, Belly insists they start preparing Conrad for his midterms despite Conrad and Jeremiah wanting to sleep. She allows a one-hour nap, then readies the kitchen as a study center—gathering books and a laptop, brewing coffee, and setting up supplies—before fetching McDonald’s cheeseburgers as incentives.
When the hour is up, Belly wakes them with Susannah’s spray bottle. She reveals the prepared setup and declares a reward system: study first, then food. Conrad initially rejects help, claiming he studies better alone, but Jeremiah refuses to leave, and Belly limits the food to keep them focused.
They divide tasks: Conrad reads psychology, Jeremiah makes note cards, and Belly highlights. Despite past habits—Jeremiah jokes he’s bad at highlighting—they settle into a rhythm, and Conrad complies, showing a flicker of his old, studious self. The trio eats quickly and works together, with Jeremiah and Belly wordlessly teaming up to keep momentum.
Watching Conrad concentrate, Belly remembers his childhood curiosity and discipline, which contrasts with his recent detachment. This progress triggers a quiet emotional shift for Belly: she recognizes how much she has been missing the old Conrad and silently wills him to return.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Drives the study plan, organizes materials, enforces incentives, and quietly longs for the old Conrad.
- Conrad FisherExhausted and resistant but ultimately studies psychology, briefly resembling his former focused self.
- Jeremiah FisherSupports Belly’s plan, makes note cards, keeps spirits up, and helps keep Conrad on task.