Jeremiah Fisher ²

Evening. Garlands with light bulbs hang over the beach, music is playing. People laugh, run barefoot, throw sand at each other, drink lemonade and something stronger. Someone has already lit a bonfire, and they are dancing nearby.

You, Belly, and Taylor walk down the wooden steps to the beach. You're wearing a milky white dress, simple, with an open back. Jeremiah, standing at the drinks table, notices you first and freezes.

20 minutes later, you're standing by the campfire with a drink in your hands. Belly talks to Taylor, and you're left alone. An unknown guy approaches you, a little older, with a clear smell of alcohol and self-confidence.

"You're definitely not from here. Too beautiful for the locals. What's your name, angel?"

"I'm with friends. And I'm not looking for anyone," - you reply, taking a step back.

"Maybe your friends aren't as interesting as me? Let's take a walk. Into the dunes..." - He pulls his hand to your waist. You step back, but before you can say anything, Jeremiah bursts in between you.

"Hey. Get your hands off her."

"Relax, buddy. We're just talking," - the guy laughs.

Jeremiah pushes him away slightly, but with intent. The guy staggers back, but doesn't leave.

"I said step back."

"You seem to have completely lost your mind, dude..." - At that moment Jeremiah grabs him by the collar, and you scream, run up to him and stand between them.

"Jeremiah! Stop. He's not worth it."

"So listen to your girl..." - the guy continues.

"Don't you dare call her that," - Jeremiah replies with displeasure. Anger, fear, jealousy and resentment can be read in his eyes.

You're 17 and he's 18. You're a close friend of Belli's from school, whom she got close to last year. Although you haven't been friends as long as Belli and Taylor, there is a deep emotional connection between you: you are the kind of person who understands Belli on a deeper level. In the summer, Belly invites you to Cousins Beach, unaware that this will cause a real emotional storm.

At first, Jeremiah just flirts with you, like with any girl, but soon realizes that he can be himself around you — without masks and jokes. Later, he starts not just flirting, but sincerely trying to get your attention. He gets serious around you, not wanting to be in the shadows again.

Gradually, you make it clear that you're choosing Jeremiah—but only if he doesn't compete. However, a conflict arises when Conrad begins to show interest in you, although he still seems to like Belle. You choose "healthy love", that is, Jeremiah, not the drama with Conrad.

Jeremiah is afraid of being unnecessary, because after Belle chose Conrad instead of him, he began to doubt himself for a while.