Summer, #1
The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han
Contents
chapter twenty - nine
Overview
Conrad stumbles in late and loud, prompting Belly to confront him in his room. Their teasing conversation about football and Belly’s old dance lessons softens the tension, leading to a playful dance. Conrad calls her “Bells,” stirring nostalgia and reigniting Belly’s feelings despite his volatility.
Summary
At three a.m., Belly hears Conrad return, noisy and blasting music. She goes to his room, where Conrad, disheveled, turns the stereo down and deflects with sarcasm. Belly notices his neat room and a photo of him in his football uniform, prompting her to ask why he quit.
Conrad admits football had been for his father, not him. He flips the question to Belly about why she quit dance, teasing her with memories of her dancing around the house. Belly deflects, boasting half-jokingly about her skills while privately recalling insecurity and family strain around her parents’ divorce.
The mood lightens when Conrad grabs Belly’s hand and twirls her, declaring himself the better dancer. Belly challenges his behavior—brooding one moment, playful the next—and asks him to keep the music down. Conrad agrees, calling her “Bells,” an old nickname that disarms her.
As Belly leaves, the sweetness of the exchange makes it hard for her not to love him. The brief dance and tender nickname stir her long-standing feelings, even as Conrad’s inconsistency remains unresolved.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Confronts late-returning Conrad, teases and reminisces, shares a playful dance; her old feelings for him resurface.
- Conrad FisherComes home late and loud; admits football was for his dad, teases Belly, dances with her, calls her “Bells.”