Soaked-Tsitp

Chapter 08|About That Date Part....

Oceana sleepily opened her eyes. She yawned and sat up as she stretched. She turned her head to Belly's side of the bed, but Belly was nowhere to be seen.

Oceana frowned and got off the bed. She put on a hoodie and brushed her hair before walking downstairs. 

"Good morning, Oce," Laurel said with a faint smile. "Good morning Laurel," Oceana said as she nodded to the older woman walking out of the kitchen. Oceana sat down at the kitchen island and watched Jeremiah make a smoothie as Steven watched him closely. 

"Do you guys know where Belly is?" Oceana asked scaring the two boys. "Jesus, Oce," Steven flinched dramatically. Oceana rolled her eyes and looked at him. "Nah, I haven't seen her."

Oceana looked at Jeremiah but he shook his head. "Nope, haven't seen her," Jeremiah replied. "Weird," Oceana muttered under her breath.

"Are you really going to that Deb ball thing?" asked Steven as he read the invitation. "Yeah," replied Oceana as she raised an eyebrow. "You know you need a date, right?" asked Steven as he put the invitation back. "I know, I'm sure I'll find someone," Oceana said as Jeremiah turned off the blender. 

"Yeah, about that date part, I think-," Steven began. "The smoothie's ready!" interrupted Jeremiah with a shout. He slid the smoothie to Oceana who thanked him.  

"What is this smoothie?" asked Oceana with a frown as she looked at the juice. "My hangover smoothie, works well for hangovers," Jeremiah explained to the blondie. Oceana nodded and took another sip,"It's good."

"Come on, man. We have to hurry," Steven interrupted the two. "Okay? I can't be late for my first day at work.'"

"We won't be late, trust me," Jeremiah reassured him. "Come on man. Those old country club boomers are gonna tip me so hard, man, they won't know what hit 'em," Steven said enthusiastic as he did that weird move with his hips. 

"Steven, I swear," Laurel sighed as she walked into the kitchen. "What?" asked Steven confused. "Come on, Laurel. My boy has to have that bread," Jeremiah said as he put his arm around Steven's shoulder. "Thank you," Steven laughed.

The back door opened and Belly walked in. "Where were you?" asked Oceana. "Is that a black eye?" asked Laurel worriedly. Oceana frowned and saw that Belly did indeed had a black eye. "I bumped into someone," lied Belly. "Bumped into someone?" asked Laurel, who clearly didn't believe her.

"Cereal?" asked Oceana to her best friend to change the subject. "Yeah, hit me," Belly sighed as Oceana shoved the cereal at her. 

"Oh my gosh, Belly is going to be a Debutante!" said Susannah enthusiastically. "Oh my god, we both are gonna be Deb's," said Oceana enthusiastically.

"I'm sorry, Belly? Like my sister? That thing over there?" asked Steven confused as he pointed to Belly. "Shut up, cretin," hissed Oceana. Jeremiah chuckled. 

"Okay, this is going to be so much fun! Just wait! There's uh.... the tea, the auction, the rehearsal. I have to write this down. We have to shop," Susannah rambled. Oceana and Belly laughed at her enthusiasm.

"That sounds expensive," Laurel sighed. "Oh don't worry Laur, it's on me," Susannah reassured Laurel. 

"Belly, are you sure you want this? It's not really you," Laurel said with doubt. "It isn't," Conrad's voice sounded from behind Oceana.

"Conrad, can you be a little more supportive, please?" asked Susannah to her son. Conrad did not answer and sat down next to Oceana. "Okay, which one of you will be Belly's escort to the ball?"

"Not me, I went last year," Conrad muttered. "And I swore off balls," said Jeremiah. "Mhm," Steven nodded with a grin. "What?" asked Jeremiah as he gave Steven a warning look. "But not for-," Steven wanted to say, but Jeremiah slapped him on the back of his head so he would shut up. 

"Wow guys, stop fighting over me," Belly said sarcastically. "We'll find our own dates, right Bells?" asked Oceana with a smile as she gave her a little nudge with her shoulder. Belly nodded with a smile.

"Wikipedia says debutante balls require instruction in morals and social etiquette," Laurel read up. "I'm going swimming," Conrad said as he pushed his glass away from him. "She could use some etiquette," Steven joked about his sister.

"No offense, Beck, but I don't feel like a country club is the best place to teach Belly about morals," Laurel said as she looked up from her laptop. "Laur, times have changed. There's a girl debbing this season, and she's bringing her girlfriend as her escort, and the club was fine with it," Susannah reassured her best friend.

"How very progressive of them," Laurel said with sarcasm. "Hurry up! We have shopping to do!" said Susannah as she clapped her hands together and ignored Laurel. Oceana nodded and walked upstairs to shower.