This article contains spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2.The finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 saw Belly and Conrad finally kiss and it their feelings for each other, however, the start of season 2 almost instantly puts a wedge between the two, breaking them up before they could even begin. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a romantic drama series based on novels of the same name written by Jenny Han. The show follows Belly, a young woman who returns to the same beach house every summer and realizes that, this summer, the crush she has always harbored on a family friend may actually come to fruition, along with other unexpected romances.
Although Belly knows that she loves Conrad, and has since she was a child, the romance is not an easy one. Throughout The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1, Conrad acts cold and moody and gives Belly mixed signals. At times, he seems to be drawn to her, but his warmth is taken away almost immediately after it's given. In the meantime, Belly grows closer with Conrad's younger brother Jeremiah, and she wonders if he is who she should actually be with. However, the finale of season 1 sees an emotional breakthrough for all the characters wherein Belly and Conrad can finally open up to each other.
Conrad & Belly's Brief Romance & Sudden Break-Up In The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 Explained
At the end of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1, it is revealed that Conrad and Jeremiah's mother, Susannah, has cancer. Both families reel from this news, but come together in their grief and their hope that everything will work out. With the burden of his mother's secret off his shoulders, Conrad softens, especially towards Belly. The two meet on the beach and it their feelings for each other. The season ends with them sharing their first kiss, hinting at a potentially happy future for the pair.
Unfortunately, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 makes it clear from the start that, despite last season's finale, Belly and Conrad are not together and in love. Episode 1 reveals through flashbacks that when Belly tells Jeremiah about her and Conrad being together, he has a bad reaction that neither of them were expecting. In turn, Belly decides that her and Conrad should put their relationship on pause so as not to hurt Jeremiah. Conrad agrees and the two part ways at the end of the summer as friends, however this separation doesn't last long.
Conrad Shut Belly Out When Susannah's Illness Took A Turn For The Worst
After their first break-up at the end of the summer, Conrad and Belly are drawn to each other again and begin to date, however, yet another break-up ensues. During the fall, the pair begin talking on the phone, Belly from home and Conrad from Brown where he's attending his first year of college. Although they decided to stay friends for Jeremiah's sake, they can't deny their connection and end up dating. They seem to be happy for a time, and even spend some of Christmas break at Cousins, but things eventually take a turn for the worst.
In the weeks leading up to Belly's prom, Conrad begins acting strange due to his mother's illness, and although Belly emphasizes that he can talk to her, he remains closed off. Finally, prom arrives and Conrad is forgetful and distant. The tension comes to a breaking point when Conrad tries to leave prom early, confident that he's only making Belly's life worse. Despite her pleas, Conrad pulls away completely and Belly knows their relationship is over. Conrad leaves prom and the two are essentially broken up for the second time.
Will Conrad & Belly Get Back Together In The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2?
Despite the rough way Conrad and Belly ended things, it seems likely that they could get back together, or at least move towards that, during The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2. Although Conrad hurt Belly, and they both said some harsh things to each other during Susannah's funeral, the two are undoubtedly drawn toward each other. Reunited at The Summer I Turned Pretty's Cousins Beach, the two can't help but share hidden looks, even as they are trying to stay away from each other. In this way, it seems inevitable that their relationship will improve, especially if Conrad comes clean about the mistakes he made.
The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 has started on an intense and dramatic note, but the elements of summer romance are most definitely still alive. Conrad and Belly may have a complicated history, but it's clear that they can't quite forget about each other. However, with the added obstacle of Jeremiah, their relationship almost certainly won't be an easy one to mend or continue until some hard conversations are had.