Conrad and Belly’s relationship is at the center of the drama in The Summer I Turned Pretty’s emotional tornado. Their relationship, which is characterized by passion, longing, and unresolved tension, ends in one of the most tragic moments of the series: their prom breakup. However, what precisely brought about this moment? The breakup was the result of intense emotional struggles, unsaid fears, and the weight of grief rather than just poor timing or a misunderstanding. Let’s examine the facets of this tragic separation.
Character Bio: Belly Conklin and Conrad Fisher
| Character | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Belly Conklin |
| Portrayed By | Lola Tung |
| Key Relationship | Conrad Fisher (Ex-boyfriend), Jeremiah Fisher (Love interest) |
| Personality | Optimistic, sensitive, and emotional |
| Significant Moments | Kissing Conrad, Prom breakup, Relationship with Jeremiah |
| Major Conflict | Love triangle, Conrad’s emotional distance, family dynamics |
| Source | The Summer I Turned Pretty |
| Character | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Conrad Fisher |
| Portrayed By | Christopher Briney |
| Key Relationship | Belly Conklin (Ex-girlfriend), Susannah Fisher (Mother) |
| Personality | Reserved, introspective, emotionally complex |
| Significant Moments | Grief over Susannah’s death, Breakup with Belly at Prom |
| Major Conflict | Grief, Communication struggles with Belly, Self-doubt |
Conrad’s Battle with Loss
Conrad’s emotional turmoil following the death of his mother, Susannah, is one of the main themes surrounding his breakup with Belly. Conrad is struggling with his grief and unable to control his emotions at the beginning of Season 2. His disengagement from Belly is remarkably comparable to how people can shut down when confronted with severe loss. Conrad loves Belly, but he is aloof and closed off because of his grief. His inability to provide her with the emotional support she requires strains their relationship. His attempts to leave early and his refusal to open up during prom show how overwhelmed he is. Conrad’s loss isn’t limited to losing his mother; he also fears losing Belly, but his incapacity to express these emotions only widens the emotional divide between them.
Belly’s Increasing Disenchantment
Conrad’s emotional distance wasn’t the only reason for Belly’s breakup; she also realized that their relationship wasn’t working. She had hoped for the “dream” relationship—one that matched the fantasy she had created in her mind—during their time together. However, she became disillusioned with Conrad’s lack of transparency as their relationship progressed. Belly felt ignored and unimportant because of his persistent emotional distance.
In the end, she couldn’t deny that Conrad wasn’t providing her with what she needed. Despite her intense love for him, she came to the realization that their relationship had turned into one of suffering rather than happiness. In a flash of insight, Belly decided to end things because she deserved someone who could be emotionally present, which Conrad, in his grief, was unable to provide.
The Prom Breakup
Everything that has been developing between Conrad and Belly comes to a head in Season 2’s prom scene. It’s the point at which all that was previously unsaid at last becomes apparent. It’s obvious that Conrad isn’t ready to commit to the relationship when he tries to leave prom early.
After chasing him and getting soaked in the rain, Belly comes to the devastating conclusion that their relationship is over. Belly takes off the infinity necklace Conrad gave her, a potent representation of her choice to move on, as he drives off. The prom, which was supposed to be a magical occasion, turns out to be a pivotal moment in Belly’s development. In her path to emotional independence, it is a painful but essential step.
From Conrad’s Point of View: Keeping Belly Safe from Himself
Conrad had strong feelings for Belly, but the breakup was largely caused by his feelings of inadequacy. He battled self-doubt because he thought he wasn’t worthy of her. By encouraging her to go with Jeremiah, he believed he was doing her a favor by providing the emotional support and stability he was unable to provide. Belly became even more estranged as a result of this foolish self-sacrifice. Conrad was unable to be vulnerable with Belly because he didn’t fully comprehend his own value or the intensity of his feelings for her. Even though he truly loved her, his acts, which were motivated by guilt and fear, drove her farther away.
The Weight of Growing Up Emotionally
Ultimately, Conrad and Belly’s split was a time of emotional growth for both of them, not just for the relationship itself. Conrad needed to learn how to manage his emotional difficulties and grief. For Belly, it was about understanding that she needed someone who could be emotionally present in her life because love isn’t always enough. Even though it meant parting ways, this painful breakup was a necessary step for them to both develop and grow as people.
One of the pivotal moments in The Summer I Turned Pretty was the breakup at prom, which perfectly captured the intricacies of love, loss, and personal development. It emphasized the value of communication and emotional openness in relationships as well as the fact that sometimes the most intense emotions are insufficient to heal deep emotional scars. Conrad and Belly both set out on their own paths to recovery as the season went on, and while there was always the chance of reconciliation, they eventually had to learn to live apart for a while.
