Fifteen Going on Grown Up

by Stephanie M. Turner

  Corrinne and Clia were happily chatting to Wes as he began to lay food out and at first didn’t notice Hally holding the note.

  “Look at this yummy picnic Hals.”

  Said Corrinne. When Hally didn’t answer her friend became concerned.

  “What is it Hally?”

  She asked. Clia and Wes then both looked up and saw the frown on Hally’s face.

  “Hally, what’s the matter?”

  Wes asked her, gently putting his hand on her shoulder.

  “It’s from Dana.”

  Hally replied. Corrinne and Clia both audibly took a breathe and though it was obvious by his expression that Wes had no idea what this meant, he did not ask any questions.

  “Hally, what does it say?”

  Clia asked, deep concern in her voice. Hally handed the note over for her friend to read out. It was poorly written in a very childish hand writing.

  ‘HalY i aM reely sorrY for wot I done to You i no wot i got to do noW

  Dana ’

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Corrinne asked, as she took the note from Clia and read it herself. Hally shrugged, she had no idea.

  “Well it’s about time she realised what she’s put you through all these years; now her own life is in a mess.”

  Clia stated without much sympathy in her voice.

  “I suppose so.”

  Hally replied, taking the note back and putting it away.

  “Come on girls, lets eat before it dries up in this lovely sunshine.”

  Wes chipped in lightening the mood. The girls laughed, but Hally felt somewhat unnerved by the note. However, when Wes handed her a plate it looked so delicious and his smile was so warm and comforting that she put everything except him out of her mind.

  The rest of the day was truly wonderful. They fed the scraps of the picnic to the ducks and Wes surprised them again by pulling some old board games out of his backpack; which they had enormous fun playing. Several times throughout the day people passed and spoke to Wes casually. Much to Hally’s joy when he politely introduced them he referred to the girls as “My girlfriend Hally, and her two friends Clia and Corrinne.”

  As the day turned to evening they mutually agreed to go back to Hally’s.

  “Have you sampled Hally’s homemade lemonade yet?”

  Corrinnne asked Wes. Hally gave her a wicked look, but her friend chose to ignore it.

  “You make lemonade Hally?”

  He asked her. For some reason this made her blush. It was such a small thing, but it sounded so domestic and to Hally really uncool.

  “Uh, well, my mum does and …”

  Before she had the chance to decide what to say both her friends chimed in with “You do too Hals, and it’s gorgeous.” Wes laughed and put his arm around Hally’s shoulder.

  “Sounds like you have a fan club.” Then in a mock posh voice. “Come then, to Hally’s for lemonade.”

  Even Hally couldn’t help but laugh at this, so forgiving her friends they made their way back to her house.

  The house was quiet when they got back. At first Hally’s heart skipped a beat thinking something was wrong; then she remembered her parents had promised to take Nathan to the cinema. Relaxing, she sent the girls and Wes out into the garden whilst she put together the lemonade.

  “Well I can’t have any of you recording my secret recipe.”

  She told them playfully. Wes patted her gently on her behind and said.

  “One day I will know.”

  Then with a laugh he joined Clia and Corrinne.

  Hally tried not to mull over what that meant as she took the already cooked and cooled lemons out of the fridge. Luckily for her, her mum kept a stock.

  As they sipped their drinks, Wes asked Hally what Clia had meant about Dana; so the three girls recounted many tales of the bullying Hally had had to endure over the years.

  “Most of the time it was just bitchiness.”

  Hally told him, but there had been times when it had got bad enough for Hally’s parents to visit Mr Hopkins the head teacher. On these occasions, Dana and her friends had been subjected to detentions, calls to their parents and even temporary exclusions. However, the situation was never truly resolved. “Until now, Dana seems to have stopped by herself, for whatever reason.” Hally finished.

  “My poor baby.”

  Wes said, wrapping his arms around Hally, and though it shocked her to hear him call her this she felt like she was in heaven.

  “Mmm, look at the time Corrinne. Think we should get going.”

  Said Clia, standing and pulling her friend from the other sun lounger.

  “It’s not that late…”

  Hally began, but Clia put up a hand to stop her and obviously faked a yawn.

  “All that swimming, delicious food and fresh air has totally worn me out”

  She claimed.

  “Me too”

  Announced Corrinne, faking her own yawn. Hally laughed as she stood up too.

  “Ok, I’ll see you out.”

  The three girls walked down the garden to the back gate.

  “I know what you two are up to.”

  Hally told them.

  “What?”

  They both exclaimed innocently. Hally shook her head lightly and the three girls gave each other a hug as they said goodnight.

  Hally then nervously made her way back up the garden. She had spent evenings alone with Wes quite often over the holidays, but she still got wobbles in her tummy each time. She always wondered when Wes, being so much older would expect their relationship to move on, but as yet he had not tried to push her at all. Most of the time she was very relieved by this, she was, she kept telling herself only fifteen. However, there were times, and naturally, she told herself; when he was holding her and kissing her; that she felt a fiery sensation deep inside her. It was then that she wished he would just move his hands to somewhere else on her body, like her breasts, she would say in her mind, or even somewhere else.

  These thoughts always brought heat to her face, and she dreaded Wes seeing this. But he seemed to understand and sense her feelings because he would back off a bit as though he knew she wanted more; but also knew she wasn’t really ready. She would then feel disappointed and worse, her body felt bereft, but relieved at the same time. These feelings created a great deal of confusion within her and she knew at some point she would be having a long chat with her mum.

  Now though, she was going to enjoy the rest of the evening and try not to get herself into a state about what may or may not happen.

  Wes was leaning back on a sun lounger with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed. Hally crept over to him and tickled him in the ribs. He grabbed her so quickly and pulled her onto his lap that she believed he had only been pretending to have his eyes shut. They both laughed. As Wes tickled her back, his fingers just brushed over the lower part of her breast. Hally felt a sensation so strong in her lower body that she could hardly breathe; her heart began to beat very fast and she leaned into him waiting to be kissed. Wes obliged and took her face between his hands, kissing her deeply. Too soon, the kiss ended and as Wes pulled away from her she saw a slight frown on his face.

  “Hally, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I really was just tickling you.”

  He looked so miserable that her first reaction which had been to tell him not to be stupid, was rapidly replaced with concern.

  “Wes, it’s alright.”

  She put a hand on his arm, but he still seemed unhappy.

  “No, it’s not. I should know better.”

  “But…”

  Hally began, but Wes moved so she had no choice but to stand up, as he stood also and moved away from her a little. He stuffed his hands in his pocket and looked at the ground.

  “I have to go.”

  He told her and moved towards the door. With tears beginning in her eyes, Hally followed him into the house. At the front door he turned to her.

&n
bsp; “Goodnight Hally.”

  Then seeing the glistening on her cheeks he pulled her into a hug.

  “It’s alright baby, don’t cry. I will call you tomorrow, but I must go now.”

  Hally buried her face in his shoulder and in a muffled voice that shook when she spoke said.

  “You, you’re nnot bbbreaking up with me?”

  She felt him shake his head and relief spread through her when he said.

  “No, definitely not. I just need to go home now. Ok.”

  He leaned back and planted a small kiss on her lips; then he let go and turned to walk down the path.

  Chapter 9

  Back to School

  Despite his reassurances Hally went to bed feeling miserable. She wanted to call her friends and talk but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She wanted to wait until her mum came home and talk to her, but she knew Nathan would be excited and rebellious about bedtime; so she took herself off to her room and when she heard her family come home stayed in her room quiet.

  After a very restless night, Hally wandered down to the kitchen in her dressing gown and relief spread through her when she found her mother alone. Turning to look at her daughter, mum knew something wasn’t right.

  “Hally, angel, what’s up?”

  Her words were enough to set the tears flowing and before she knew it mum had her wrapped in her arms.

  “Muuuummm I’m…”

  “Not now Nathan”

  Her mother told her brother as he was about to come bounding into the kitchen looking for food. Hally didn’t look up from her mum’s shoulder and to her surprise Nathan withdrew from the kitchen for once without asking why.

  Minutes went by where Hally simply sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. She didn’t ask any questions, just held her and let her cry herself out. Slowly the flow stemmed and then Hally murmured in between sobs.

  “I think Wes is going to to bbreak uup with…”

  She couldn’t finish the sentence as a fresh wave of tears flowed. Without releasing her hold mum gently said.

  “Why do you think that sweetheart?”

  With her face still buried in her mother’s shoulder Hally replied.

  “Because; something sort of happened last night.”

  Mum eased back slightly, brushing Hally’s now damp hair from her face. She took her daughter’s face in her hands and said.

  “Sit down my angel. I’m going to make some tea and then we can sort this out.”

  Hally nodded and folded herself into a chair. She felt wretched, never having felt like this about a boy before. Mum put a mug of tea in front of her and pulled another chair around the table so she was sitting next to Hally. Hally took a sip of tea then turned to her mum.

  “We were playing, just tickling each other.”

  She stopped and sipped more tea. Her mum nodded to keep going and then it all spilled out. In a rush Hally told her mum everything; all the feelings she had been having and the ones she’d had the night before.

  “Then he left.”

  She finished the story and swallowed the remainder of her tea. Mum had kept quiet throughout but now put her own mug down and took Hally’s hand.

  “My little girl, you are growing up. Everything you are feeling is normal and perfectly ok. What you have to do is make choices. These are really difficult times for you. Your body and your mind are in chaos and conflicting. One is telling you one thing and the other is saying something different. Now, Wes told you he wasn’t breaking up with you; well if he meant that then he will call you today as he promised. He is a lot older and that is something you have to think about; but from the sound of it, he is sensible and believe it or not, he did the right thing. Baby, he realised what was happening and made sure it stopped. I think he knows you are too young yet and not ready for that sort of relationship.”

  Hally looked at her mother and tried a little smile.

  “I’m scared mum.”

  “I know baby, unfortunately that is part of growing up. But, being scared will be what helps you keep things in perspective. It’s your mind telling you you’re not ready for anything else. If Wes is as decent as he seems, he will understand.”

  Hally sighed deeply.

  “Thanks mum. I’m so glad I can talk to you about this stuff. There are so many girls in my year that can’t tell their parents anything and I think some of them have already done it, but you know from what we have heard, they don’t seem to have a clue about it. They just seem to be seeing it as some sort of competition; like it makes them more popular the more boys they go with.”

  Mum smiled at Hally.

  “That my darling is the same as it was when I was your age. But you know, the fact that you and Clia and Corrinne can see that; just shows how much more mature you are compared to those other girls. You will know when the time is right for you whether Wes is a part of it or not.”

  At that point Nathan put his head around the door to the kitchen.

  “Please can I have breakfast now, before I starve to death?”

  He said it in such a sweet little voice that both Hally and mum burst out laughing. Hally stood up and headed for the door.

  “Come on squirt, we can’t have that can we.” Then turning to her mum. “Thanks mum, I’m going to get ready.”

  Mum nodded and smiled, a little lump in her throat aware that her daughter was truly growing up.

  Hally was in her room drying her hair when her mobile phone chirped indicating a message. Quickly she grabbed it and saw straight away it was from Wes.

  hi hope you are ok this morning im really sorry about last night i really want to see you today but chris has gone sick so I have to work i will call you later xxxxxxxx

  Hally’s first thought was that he was giving her the brush off. Then, furious with herself she told herself to stop being stupid. He had texted her and that was more than she’d expected. So she quickly tapped in a reply.

  hi im really glad i heard from you. xxxxx

  She was about to press send when she decided to add what she was really feeling, “or some of it anyway,” she murmured.

  i really thought you might think i am too young for you and wanted to break up xxxx

  This time she pressed send before she could change her mind. After the message went she stood holding the phone tightly with her eyes closed terrified she had said too much. However, within a few seconds it chirped in her hand nearly making her drop it.

  no hally I don’t want to break up i knew how old you were from the start its not a problem i will try and see you later if can xxxx

  Feeling like she was on cloud nine Hally pulled on her clothes and bounced out of her room. She suddenly realised that she was hungry and decided toast was needed. Mum was still in the kitchen clearing away Nathan’s breakfast dishes. She smiled when she saw her daughter was looking much happier.

  “You’ve heard from him then?”

  She asked with a smile. Hally nodded as she placed bread in the toaster.

  “Yep, he texted me and everything’s ok.”

  “Well that is good to hear. I hate seeing you so upset.” Then in a more serious note. “But… sometimes relationships have ups and downs, unfortunately it’s part of life and growing up.”

  Hally hugged her mum and sighed.

  “Yeah, I know. But, for now I am going to enjoy what I have.”

  The toast popped before her mum could reply; Hally buttered it, and seeing her so cheerful mum decided not to say any more.

  With just two days and the weekend left of the school holidays Hally was not going to waste a moment. As she finished her toast she dialled Corrinne’s home number knowing Clia had stayed the night before. Without telling her friends what had happened between Wes and herself she quickly arranged to go round to Corrinne’s house.

  “I’m taking Nathan to play scheme then going to your grandparents.”

  Mum told her as she gathered her bag and put on her flip flops. Hally stopped and looked at her mother.
r />   “Is everything alright with gran?”

  She asked tentatively.

  “Hally…”

  Hally felt a jolt of panic right in the middle of her stomach, and a coldness spread through her. Mum watched her daughter pale and immediately put her arm around her.

  “Baby, it’s ok. I didn’t mean to frighten you and I’m not keeping anything from you. Your gran is getting worse, we knew this was going to happen. Granddad is struggling, but neither of them want her to go to the hospice yet. So a nurse who is qualified in this type of care is going to be there. I haven’t met her yet she’s coming today.”

  Despite knowing how ill her gran was, Hally still felt a sense of shock.

  “Can I come round a bit later?”

  Hally asked. Mum smiled.

  “Hally, darling of course you can. You don’t have to ask. Bring the girls too, you know your gran loves them, and even though she’s very ill, she wants things to be as normal as possible.”

  Hally hugged her mum.

  “Ok, I’m going to Corrinne’s now. We will be round a bit later.”

  She kissed her mum on the cheek and left for her friend’s house.

  At Corrinne’s, Hally quickly brought her friends up to date with both her news about her gran and about Wes. As expected the girls were very interested in everything Hally had to tell them.

  “Well, you will know when the time is right for you and Wes Hals.”

  Clia told her as Corrinne nodded too.

  “Just don’t rush into anything ‘cos you think it’s what he wants or to stop him, you know, getting pushy.”

  Hally smiled at her friends.

  “Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing anything I’m not ready for, and you know, even though I want to when I’m with him, I know deep down it’s not what I want. Do you get me?”

  Both her friends nodded they understood.

  “Now, what are we going to take your gran today?”

  Clia asked. The other two giggled, because over the past few months they had taken to presenting Hally’s grandmother with a variety of unusual gifts; which gran had enjoyed immensely.