The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Five
Overview
Belly goes wedding-dress shopping with Taylor, feeling Laurel’s absence and outsiders’ judgment. After awkward moments at a prom-focused shop and a morale dip, Taylor’s humor steadies Belly. Belly ultimately finds an affordable, beach-ready white gown that feels right, reaffirming her commitment to the wedding despite family resistance.
Summary
Before meeting Taylor at the mall, Belly stops by Laurel’s office and announces she’s dress shopping. Laurel offers only a restrained “Good luck,” leaving Belly unsettled as she heads out, already feeling the lack of maternal support.
At a crowded formal-wear store filled with prom shoppers and their mothers, Belly feels a pang at what she’s missing. She and Taylor wait to try on dresses, joking about prom timing and school gossip to lighten the mood.
When Belly appears in a sparkly dress she dislikes, a girl in the same style assumes Belly is going to prom and questions her age. Under the scrutiny of the girl’s mother, Taylor defuses the tension by joking that Belly is three months pregnant, and the two retreat laughing, restoring Belly’s spirits.
After several stores without success, they pause in the food court. Taylor encourages experimentation and optimism, nudging Belly out of her slump with humor and small comforts.
In the next store, Belly finally finds a long, white, silky, beach-appropriate dress within budget. Taylor immediately declares it perfect, and when Belly sees herself in the mirror, she knows it is the one. The moment reaffirms Belly’s determination to move forward with the wedding, even without Laurel’s blessing.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Protagonist; shops for a wedding dress, feels Laurel’s absence, and chooses a perfect, affordable beachy gown.
- Taylor JewelBest friend; leads dress search, uses humor to deflect judgment, reassures Belly, and confirms the final dress choice.
- Laurel ConklinBelly’s mother; offers a terse “good luck,” highlighting ongoing disapproval and emotional distance.
- Prom girlPeer at the store; mirrors Belly’s age and triggers scrutiny about Belly marrying young.
- Prom girl’s motherOnlooker; judges Belly, prompting Taylor’s joking defense and reinforcing Belly’s discomfort.