Episode 3 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" kicks off with the dawn of Belly's sixteenth birthday, a day where the boys are mandated to make her the center of their universe—a tradition that makes it her most cherished day. However, as the clock ticks towards this momentous occasion, Conrad's demeanor betrays a startling indifference.
Jeremiah gifts her a lucky charm, while Steven's offering is a cozy Princeton sweater. When the spotlight shifts to Conrad, he slyly conceals his present and feigns ignorance, claiming he forgot to bring anything. Embarrassed, he hastily exits the room, muttering a birthday wish and claiming he has to leave.
Belly's disappointment is palpable, but Jeremiah does his best to lift her spirits by offering to let her take the wheel as they head to meet Taylor, who arrives with a bikini as a gift. Taylor believes it's the perfect attire to capture Conrad's attention.
Back at the pool, Jeremiah strikes up a conversation with Steven, who's agitated by Shayla's gushing over fashion and the upcoming debutante ball. A tense game of chicken briefly relieves the stress, but it multiplies tenfold when Conrad and Nicole arrive, sparking a confrontation that culminates in Taylor accidentally striking Nicole with a ball.
Despite assisting her, Conrad abruptly pulls away when Nicole attempts to kiss him upstairs. He's late for his book signing with Cleveland, a commitment he made earlier in the day. Outside the store, Susannah teases Laurel about how handsome Cleveland looks.
That night, the gang gathers for Belly's birthday bash. Cam joins the festivities, and Belly is warmly embraced in front of the assembled crowd. However, the spotlight soon shifts to Steven, igniting a new round of excitement and anticipation.
This fleeting scene is brilliantly crafted, particularly the nuanced reactions to Cam's unexpected kiss with Belly. The dialogue is remarkably authentic, capturing the essence of a casual dinner conversation, highlighted by Laurel's witty remark about "the kiss being just a kiss." As the night unfolds, Belly and Taylor converge at Nicole's party, where Belly is warmly welcomed by the girls, yet her former friend's jealousy is palpable. Taylor, avoiding Belly, clings to Steven and they head upstairs.
With her heart set on inviting Cam to the ball, Belly hesitates upon catching Conrad's glance. As the evening transforms into a karaoke frenzy, singing none other than Grease, Belly wisely opts for a brief respite. Little did she know, she would find Taylor and Steven locked in a passionate embrace upstairs.
Upon Belly's arrival, a heated argument erupts between the two girls. Taylor accuses Belly of selfishness, highlighting her transformation and confessing her long-held crush on Steven. Emotionally charged, Belly withdraws, bidding farewell to the others and making her way downstairs to say goodbye to Cam. Regrettably, she hadn't summoned the courage to invite him to the ball, and Cam, having heard of the Deb Ball from Jeremiah, is left disappointed.
The following day, Belly's encounter with Conrad intensifies her remorse. As she rummages through his drawer, she discovers a necklace adorned with the Infinity symbol, a poignant reminder of a past promise made with syrup on her pancakes. Despite Taylor's departure, Belly summons the strength to bid her farewell, comforted by Laurel's reminder that best friends are rare gems, unlike the fleeting presence of boys. Belly vows to keep Shayla's ordeal a secret, as the episode draws to a close.
