I'm Only Me When I'm With You

Introduction

Taylor and Belly have been best friends for years but a year ago their duo turned into a trio once Brianna Meadows transferred to their school. Ever since then, these three girls have been inseparable. One thing that has been a constant topic of conversation, especially now since summer is right around the corner: Cousins.

The three girls sit together in the cafeteria, only having to deal with the school lunch for one more day. Belly cannot contain the smile on her face. "Bells, what's got you so smiley today?" I ask. "Cousins!" she replies. Ah of course, what else could it be? "Right, how could I forget? Looks like you've got a fun summer ahead Bells" I say as she suddenly gasps "Come with!"

"What?"

"You should come with! Taylor's joining at some point like she does every year, but you don't have any plans right?"

"Well no-"

"So come with me! My mom and Steven would love if you came! So would Susannah, she really wants to meet you! Pleaseeee"

"I don't think my mom would let me, not after..." I pause, not able to say it out loud. She and Taylor look at me with understanding and sympathy. "Just ask okay? It could be good for you to get out of here for a while" Taylor says. Maybe she's right.

"Okay, I'll ask" I say with resignation but a small smile on my face betrays how I truly feel. It does sound nice; a break from home, a trip to the beach, a place that Belly spends the whole year thinking about.. They both look at me happy and Belly even squeals, causing us to laugh.

After school I walk home and see my mom in the kitchen. I take my shoes off and place my bookbag on the couch before making my way over to her. "Hi mama" I kiss her cheek.

"Hi angel" She kisses mine back. "How was your last day of school?"

I sit down on the counter. "It was good. Belly couldn't stop talking about going to Cousins, she's really excited." I bite my lip nervously trying to figure out the best way to ask her. She hums and continues cooking. "Hey mom?" She pauses and turns to look at me with a questioning look in her eyes. "Yeah baby?" I twiddle my thumbs and avoid looking at her. "Belly um she asked me if I wanted to go with her to Cousins this summer..."

After not getting a response, I look up at her. She's looking at me but her expression is unreadable. "You told her no right?" My heart beats quicker. "Well not exactly..." She huffs "Brianna you know you can't go" "Mom please? It's just for the summer, you'll be working all summer anyways so I'd be home by myself all the time." She sighs. "You know why. I just worry about you." I sigh too. "I know mama but I need a break from here. I need a distraction, I need a fun teenage summer where I don't have to deal with everything for a while. Is that wrong?"

She caresses my cheek. "No honey, it's not wrong" She sighs again and kisses my forehead "Alright"
I gasp "Alright?" I can't contain my smile as she agrees. I hug her tight and kiss her cheek a bunch in excitement as I repeatedly thank her. She laughs at my childlike behavior, but I can barely hear it as I've already started running up the stairs to call Belly.

And that is how I ended up here in a car with the Conklins on our way to Cousins.

Authors Note: Any pictures I use do not belong to me and the people in them have nothing to do with this story they are just for aesthetics :) But I hope you guys enjoy this story!