Why Does Conrad Break Up With Belly — A Complete Guide For Beginners
Okay, so you've stumbled into the wild, wonderful, and let's be honest, sometimes totally baffling world of "The Summer I Turned Pretty," haven't you? And you're probably sitting there, nursing your latte, wondering, "Wait, why did Conrad ditch Belly?" I get it! It's a question that has launched a thousand fan theories and probably a few tears, right? So grab another biscotti, because we're about to dive deep into this whole Conrad-Belly saga. It’s a doozy, I tell you.
First off, let’s set the scene. We’re talking about Belly, our perpetually hopeful heroine, and Conrad, the brooding, gorgeous, totally unattainable older brother. They’ve known each other forever, practically grew up in each other's pockets at that magical beach house. And for years, it was just… friendship. Best friends. The kind of friendship where you can borrow each other’s hoodies without asking. You know the drill.
But then, poof! Something shifted. Belly started seeing Conrad, well, differently. And Conrad, bless his complicated heart, started seeing Belly differently too. And that's when things got messy. Like, spilled-my-cereal-on-the-new-carpet messy.
The Big "Why Even?" Moment
So, Conrad breaks up with Belly. It's not a slow fade, it's a sudden, "It's over" situation. And for anyone watching, or for Belly herself, it feels like a punch to the gut. Like, "Seriously? After all that? What gives?!"
Honestly, the initial breakup in Season 1? It’s a bit of a mystery, right? Conrad is all sorts of moody, pushing Belly away, and then BAM! He tells her it's not going to happen. And Belly, understandably, is left picking up the pieces. She’s like, "But… why?" Is he just being a jerk? Is there someone else? Is he secretly allergic to sunshine and happiness?
The real answer, if we’re being honest here, is that Conrad is a walking, talking, sighing ball of problems. He’s dealing with a whole lot, and he’s not exactly equipped to handle it. Think of him as that ancient, slightly broken teapot your grandma keeps. It’s got character, sure, but it’s prone to leaking.
The Conrad Conundrum: What's Really Going On?
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Conrad’s internal world is a bit of a maze. It's not as simple as him just deciding he doesn't like Belly anymore. Oh no. That would be too easy, wouldn't it? We need drama!
One of the biggest things he's wrestling with is his mom, Susannah. She's the heart and soul of their summer. She's the glue that holds their crazy family together. And she's sick. Like, really, really sick. This is something that’s hanging over Conrad like a thundercloud. He's watching his mom fade, and it's absolutely crushing him.
And what do people do when they're drowning in pain and fear? They push people away. It’s a defense mechanism, I guess. Like, "If I don't let anyone get close, then they can't get hurt when everything falls apart." Sound familiar? It's a classic Conrad move.
So, when he tells Belly it's over, a huge part of it is him trying to protect her. Yeah, I know, it sounds backward. But hear me out. He thinks he's a walking disaster. He's got all this baggage, all this grief, and he doesn't want to drag Belly down with him. He's convinced he's going to mess things up, and he’d rather do it before they get too serious.
It's like he sees himself as a ticking time bomb. And he doesn't want Belly to be anywhere near the explosion. He wants her to have a happy, normal life, and he's not sure he can be a part of that. It’s incredibly sad, and honestly, a little bit frustrating because you just want to shake him and say, "Dude, she likes you! She can handle it!"
The "I'm Not Good Enough" Factor
Then there's the whole "I'm not good enough" vibe. Conrad feels like he's got so much to live up to. His dad is… well, let’s just say not the most supportive figure. And Susannah is this incredible beacon of light. Conrad feels the pressure to be something great, something strong, and he’s terrified of failing.
When he’s with Belly, he’s got this amazing connection. He feels seen. He feels understood. And that’s terrifying for someone who’s used to keeping his emotions locked down tighter than Fort Knox. He probably feels like if he lets himself be truly happy with Belly, it’ll all disappear in a puff of smoke. And that’s a risk he’s not willing to take.
He’s also probably thinking about the future, or the lack thereof, with his mom. How can he even think about a relationship when his world is crumbling? It’s a lot for a teenager to process, even if he is a bit of a dramatic soul.
The Other Brother Factor (Dun Dun DUN!)
Now, let’s not forget about Jeremiah. Oh, Jeremiah. The fun-loving, charming, golden-boy younger brother. He’s also very much into Belly. And this creates this huge love triangle dynamic. It’s like a classic sitcom, but with more angst.
Conrad sees how much Belly cares about him, but he also sees how much she’s drawn to Jeremiah’s carefree spirit. And I think, on some level, Conrad is jealous. Not just of Jeremiah’s personality, but of the ease he has with Belly. Jeremiah can just be himself, you know? Conrad can’t. He’s always got this mask on.
So, the breakup might also be fueled by a bit of "if I can't have her happy, and if she's clearly developing feelings for my brother, then maybe it's best if I just step away." It’s self-sacrificing, in a weird, angsty, Conrad way. He’s thinking, "Maybe she’ll be happier with Jeremiah. Maybe I’m the obstacle to her happiness." It’s a noble thought, if you ignore the fact that he’s breaking her heart in the process!
The "I Can't Be Who You Need Me To Be" Excuse
This one is a biggie. Conrad probably feels like Belly deserves someone more. Someone who’s not constantly moping, who doesn’t have a dark cloud following them, who isn’t dealing with the potential loss of their mother. He sees Belly as this bright, bubbly person, and he feels like he’d just dim her light.
He’s probably saying to himself, “Belly deserves sunshine. I’m a thunderstorm. We just don’t mix.” It’s his way of rationalizing it, of making it seem like the breakup is for her benefit. And in a twisted, tragic way, he might actually believe that. He’s painting himself as the villain so she can be the hero of her own story, free from his drama.
It’s that classic "It's not you, it's me" line, but with a lot more dramatic sighs and intense stares. He’s the troubled artist, she’s the muse, and he believes he’s protecting his muse by not corrupting her with his artistic madness. Except his "artistic madness" is grief and family drama.
The Timing Was Just… Awful
Let’s face it, the timing of everything is just terrible. Belly is just starting to figure herself out. She’s dealing with her own teenage awkwardness. And Conrad is in the thick of his family's crisis. It’s like two trains colliding, but one of them is already on fire.
He probably thought that by pushing her away, he was giving her space to breathe. Space to figure things out without his baggage weighing her down. He wanted her to have the best summer ever, the kind of summer she deserved, and he just didn’t see himself fitting into that picture anymore. Not with everything else going on.
It’s a situation where he’s trying to be mature, to make a difficult choice, but he’s doing it in the most heartbreaking way possible. He’s sacrificing his own potential happiness because he feels like it’s the right thing to do, even though it’s destroying Belly.
So, To Sum It All Up (Kind Of)
So, why does Conrad break up with Belly? It’s a cocktail of things, really. He’s:
- Overwhelmed by his mom's illness: This is the big one. It’s consuming him.
- Terrified of messing things up: He thinks he's a disaster waiting to happen.
- Dealing with his own insecurities: He doesn't think he's good enough for her.
- Conflicted about Jeremiah: The love triangle is a thing.
- Trying to "protect" Belly: In his own messed-up way.
- Experiencing terrible timing: They're both going through so much.
It’s not a clean breakup, is it? It’s messy and complicated, just like real life (and really good teen dramas!). He’s not a villain; he’s just a teenager grappling with some huge adult problems. And his way of dealing with it is to push away the one person who might actually be able to help him.
And that, my friend, is the wild ride that is Conrad Fisher. He’s got a heart of gold, buried under a mountain of angst. And Belly, bless her heart, sees it. That's why she keeps coming back, right? Because she believes in that golden heart. Even when he’s being the most frustratingly broody human being on the planet. You just want to hug him and tell him it's going to be okay. And maybe give him a little shake. A gentle one, of course.
So next time you're rewatching, remember all the stuff swirling around in Conrad's head. It's not just about Belly. It's about everything. And that, my friends, is why the Conrad-Belly breakup is such a heartbreaker. It's born out of pain, fear, and a desperate, misguided attempt at love. Pretty dramatic, huh? Now, about that second biscotti…