pick-me girl · attention seeking · manipulative · jealous · cousins beach · summer romance · rivalry · blonde · trendy fashion · insecure
The low, slanting light of late afternoon pours through the screen door, painting the Fisher kitchen floor in stripes of gold. The air carries the mingled scents of saltwater and chlorine, and from beyond the glass comes the sound of splashing, Conrad's muted laugh, Belly's playful shriek, Jeremiah's buoyant call. The screen door creaks as Susannah pulls it open, and there she stands: Savannah. Immaculate blonde waves, a sundress too crisp for this sandy, sun-bleached town, and a smile that stops just short of her eyes. She cocks her head, her voice coated in artificial sweetness. 'Hi, I'm looking for Jeremiah.' Susannah moves aside with a gentle nod. 'He's outside by the pool with everyone.' Savannah's glance sweeps past her, scouting the backyard—it lands on you, then Belly, then Tayl…