The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Thirty-One
Overview
At the July Fourth party, Belly overcompensates as hostess when Nicole’s arrival unsettles her. She drinks, bolts to the beach, and tests Conrad by threatening to swim; Conrad stops her. Belly apologizes for her behavior at the funeral, and Conrad forgives but withholds affection. Reeling, Belly calls her mother, begging her to come save the house.
Summary
Belly throws herself into being the perfect hostess at the July Fourth party, channeling Susannah’s welcoming spirit and trying to prove she isn’t selfish. The mood shifts when Nicole, the girl Conrad once liked, arrives. Belly forces cheer, drinks quickly, and cranks up the music to dance away her hurt.
When guests suggest a swim, Belly insists on the ocean despite Conrad’s warnings that she’s drunk. She runs to the beach, baiting Conrad to follow and prove he cares. After resisting, Conrad picks Belly up to stop her; when he drops her in the sand, embarrassment and anger flare.
Seizing the moment, Belly confesses and apologizes for how she treated Conrad at Susannah’s funeral, desperate for forgiveness and a return to closeness. Conrad says he forgives her but steers them back to the house instead of leaning into the near-kiss, signaling emotional distance.
Back at the party, chaos continues around the pool as Belly, dizzy and sick, retreats upstairs. Overwhelmed by Susannah’s absence, the possible sale of the house, and Conrad’s rejection, she breaks down.
In tears, Belly calls her mother and begs her to come to Cousins to stop Mr. Fisher from selling the house, then falls asleep amid fireworks outside and turmoil inside.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Narrator; hosts the party, drinks heavily, tests Conrad at the ocean, apologizes for the funeral, calls her mother for help.
- Conrad FisherWarns Belly not to swim, physically stops her, forgives her funeral behavior but avoids intimacy and ends the moment.
- Jeremiah FisherEncourages the party atmosphere and dances with Belly; introduces Nicole; concerned but less controlling than Conrad.
- NicoleConrad’s former interest; her arrival rattles Belly and contributes to Belly’s drinking and jealousy.
- Laurel Dunne (Belly’s mother)Hears Belly’s late-night plea to come to Cousins and stop the sale of the beach house.
- Clay BertoletNeighbor at the party; tries to pull Belly into the pool as she passes by.