Chapter 8

                                    

                                          
"Dani?" I heard as I came out of my trance. I could see Jere looking around the doorframe of Belly's room. I was almost already over the drive-in, but I didn't want to let it go so fast. 
"Jere." I said plainly.
"I'm sorry about tonight. I wasn't thinking when I agreed to go." I could tell he was sorry. The most he'd ever done to me was dump water on me while I was sleeping, so tonight I was shocked at his behavior. 
"I didn't deserve that. Especially from you." 
"I know. I'm sorry." He looked down at his feet and I could only see his hair. I put my hand up to ruffle it. 
"You'll make it up to me somehow." I said as I laughed. It was hard to stay mad at him for long.
"Okay." He said with a smile. He walked back into Belly's room, over to her bed. She was sitting on it as well, holding some Uno cards and watching us interact. 
She never really liked when I did anything with Jere or Conrad, especially Conrad. Which that part I understood because she had the biggest crush on him. But what I didn't understand was how she thought she could control what two people did with each other. If she could control the world, she would, and she'd call it 'Bellytopia'. I guarantee it. 
Before I could say anything about the ugly face she was making, my phone buzzed from my back pocket. It was Cam. 
Cam Cameron🤍🐋
hope I get to see you soon
like really soon...



I had to stop myself from throwing my phone across the room and screaming out of excitement. An idea popped into my head. Here goes nothin'.
"Hey, Belly?"
"What?" She didn't look up from the deck of cards in between her and Jere. They were both so competitive about cards.
"Can I invite Cameron to dinner tomorrow?" I sounded so scared to ask her. What a wimp.
She finally looked up at me, Jere too, only he didn't look like I just ruined his whole life. He looked happy for me. But Belly... "Ew. I don't want to see you guys making out on my birthday."
"So can he come?" I said through an awkward smile. Jere hit her on the arm and whispered something in her ear. I don't know what he said, but he smiled at me. Belly let out a sigh.
"Fine. If you give me five bucks."
"Deal." I never put myself above a bribe. My siblings would do anything for a measly five bucks. And they were terrible negotiators. I would've given her fifty dollars to get her to say yes to Cam being at her birthday dinner. 
Cam Cameron🤍🐋
how about tomorrow? it's my 
sisters birthday and we're 
having dinner
I'll be there
sweet dreams
good night
—
Today was Belly's sixteenth birthday. Every year, her birthday was the same. Mom makes her Mickey Mouse pancakes, we give her presents and she has to be included in everything. It was her one day to have a free pass.
This year, everyone was up before she was. We were all in the kitchen setting up decorations and breakfast. Actually, Conrad was the last to come down. I didn't have to look up from setting the table to know that it was him. He always scuffed his shoes across the floor, making a squeak.