The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Nine
Overview
Belly asks Jeremiah for space but wrestles with wanting him to both back off and keep trying. Afraid to face him or Lacie, she isolates and packs. Taylor arrives with food, fierce loyalty, and humor, validating Belly’s hurt while acknowledging Jeremiah’s unique place in Belly’s life. The chapter reframes Belly’s next move as a difficult choice shaped by their history.
Summary
After leaving Anika’s room, Belly turns on her phone to a flood of texts and emails from Jeremiah. She reads them all, then replies asking for space. When Jeremiah agrees and stops messaging, Belly feels both relief and disappointment, recognizing her own conflicting desires.
Belly stays in her room packing, avoiding campus for fear of seeing Lacie or Jeremiah. The solitude gives her control, even as she struggles with hunger and the temptation to check her phone.
She calls Taylor and explains everything. Taylor rushes over with food, denounces the Zeta Phi girl, and threatens playful revenge on Jeremiah, signaling unwavering loyalty. Belly feels seen and comforted by a friend who knows her history.
When Taylor asks if Belly will take Jeremiah back, she withholds judgment but notes that while cheating would usually be a deal-breaker, Jeremiah isn’t “just some guy” to Belly. This reframes Belly’s dilemma: Jeremiah’s betrayal hurt deeply, but their shared past complicates any decision. Taylor’s humor finally makes Belly laugh, easing the tension without resolving the choice.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Requests space from Jeremiah, hides in her room packing, and confides in Taylor while wrestling with conflicted feelings.
- TaylorArrives with food, offers fierce support and humor, and frames Belly’s decision as complicated by history.
- Jeremiah FisherBombards Belly with messages; agrees to give her space, highlighting the rift after his betrayal.
- LacieFeared encounter on campus; her involvement in the reveal keeps Belly in hiding.
- JillianBelly’s roommate; mentioned as absent, allowing Belly privacy and loud music.