Fifteen Going on Grown Up

by Stephanie M. Turner

  “We won’t do anything you don’t want.”

  She leaned into him and ran her fingers through his hair.

  “I’m alright, just a bit nervous.”

  She whispered.

  “How about I go to the bathroom and leave you to get yourself, well, where you want to be.”

  She smiled and breathed out, not realising she had almost been holding her breath. Wes turned and went out of the room. As soon as he left, Hally stripped off her skirt and top and climbed into his bed pulling the duvet over her. She kept her underwear on not wanting to feel completely naked. This way she wasn’t dressed much differently to when they went swimming and she had a bikini on. A little time passed and Wes came back. With no hint of self consciousness, he pulled his T-shirt over his head and stepped out of his jeans. Leaving his boxers on he slipped under the duvet next to her. Hally lay back on the pillows feeling very self conscious and nervous. Wes leaned over her and began to kiss her gently moving his hands up and over her body. All at once she was on fire and turning pressed herself up against him as close as she could. She immediately felt his own body respond and knew now was the right time, the very right time. She relaxed completely letting his love envelope her and soaked up every tiny touch he gave her. When she thought she would burst Wes whispered in her ear.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “More sure than I have ever been about anything.”

  She whispered back. Gently Wes unclipped her bra and slid her panties down. Hally closed her eyes. She felt him move away slightly and began to panic a little; sure he had changed his mind. Then eyes still closed, she heard a small tearing sound and realised Wes was unwrapping a condom, something she hadn’t thought about. With eyes still closed she felt him move on top of her settling himself between her thighs. There was a moment of sharp pain, she winced, and Wes stopped but she urged him on. Then she was completely taken by emotion so strong she thought she would explode. Then it was over.

  Sleep wouldn’t come although Hally was sure Wes was completely and soundly asleep beside her. He still held her in his arms and she was reluctant to move in case she disturbed him. However, she needed to go to the bathroom, so very slowly she slipped out of bed and tip toed out of the room. There was a tiny amount of blood on the inside of her thighs which she was totally unconcerned about. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror and was surprised she didn’t look any different. She didn’t really know what to expect but felt a sense of disappointment and had no idea why.

  She quietly returned to Wes’ bedroom and found his dressing gown hanging on the back of his door. She wrapped herself in it and wandered over to the window. There was a wide cushioned window seat and the windows were open. She sat down pulling her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them. The curtains were open as the room looked over open fields so there were no worries of anyone being able to see in. The moon was bright and she could see right across the fields, sitting quietly and drinking in the peaceful summer air. It smelled different to when she sat at her own bedroom window; being on the edge of town the scents were more country than those of garden flowers. For some time she stayed that way until she felt herself growing sleepy. Then quietly she slipped back into bed beside the still sleeping Wes and managed to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

  Wes woke her with toast and orange juice. He kissed her sweetly and looked in her eyes questioningly. She thanked him for the breakfast but didn’t feel ready to talk about the night before. Even though she felt comfortable about it, talking about it was an entirely different thing. Wes didn’t press her sensing the turmoil inside. So instead he left her to eat and get dressed and went downstairs to wait for her. She joined him soon after and they decided to go for a walk up the lane that ran along the side of the house. Wes put a couple of bottles of water into his back pack and hand in hand they set off.

  Hally was again astounded at the beautiful country sights that were so close to her home but which she had never realised were there. They walked for some time Wes pointing out different landmarks and came upon a small wood with a stream flowing through. They rested against a fallen tree and sipped at the bottles of water chatting about nothing in particular. Then they made their way back to Wes’ and spent the rest of the day in the garden before Wes walked her home in the evening. She had already decided she wanted to talk to her mum as soon as she got home and explained this to Wes. He said he was ok with that and kissed her at the back gate and waved until he reached the road and turned the corner.

  Hally walked into the kitchen but mum wasn’t there. She headed for the lounge and when she found that empty decided her parents were probably in the study on the computer. She made her way there and heard them talking as she neared. She popped her head around the open doorway and called out hello. Both looked up from the computer, and mum who had been leaning over dad’s shoulder patted her husband on the arm and said.

  “Tell them I’m with Hally.”

  Colin said ok and began tapping the keyboard. To Hally this meant they had been chatting online to friends and dad was explaining where mum had gone.

  Mum and Hally went into the kitchen, mum flicking the switch on the kettle and lifting mugs down. Hally felt comfortable with her mum and had no hesitation in discussing what had happened between her and Wes. But she also didn’t feel the need to rush, so she sat at the table and waited until mum made two mugs of coffee and sat down with her.

  “Are you alright?”

  Mum asked. Hally wrapped her hands around the hot cup and pressed her lips together gathering her thoughts.

  “Yes and no.”

  She said. Mum waited without speaking. Then Hally said.

  “I mean yes because of what happened, but no…well…because I didn’t really feel anything. Well I mean it was sort of disappointing. All that build up then, well nothing really. Am I normal mum?”

  May took her daughter’s hand and smiled at her lovingly.

  “My angel, you are completely normal. The thing is, for women, it can take time. The first time can be strange and not very exciting. In fact the other stuff, touching and so on can often give you a much better feeling.”

  Hally nodded knowingly, so mum carried on.

  “After a while you will find it gets better and much more enjoyable. It just needs a little patience and I suppose practice.”

  Hally sipped her coffee and squeezed her mum’s hand.

  “Do you mind that I did?”

  She asked a little note of worry in her voice. Mum sat back and looked at her.

  “Hally no I don’t mind. I’ve known it’s been coming for a while and the fact that we can talk about it shows me how mature you are and how you really thought about it first. The only thing I’m a bit sad about is that you are growing up.”

  Mother and daughter smiled each showing the other how much love they had between them.

  Corrinne and Clia were at Hally’s the next morning barely after she had got up. They came in grinning with raised eyebrows waiting expectantly for a detailed account of her night with Wes. Nathan was still getting ready for school and they had to wait until mum took him. The second they were out of the house they both practically shrieked at Hally.

  “Well?”

  Hally deliberately acted blasé and replied.

  “Well what?”

  Corrinne and Clia both clasped their hands tightly together and screeched.

  “Hally, come on give. What was it like?”

  Hally giggled and handed the girls a bottle of cola each then sat down and told them all about it.

  “So, it wasn’t all that then?”

  Corrinne asked with obvious disappointment.

  “Mum said that’s normal and it always gets better.”

  This brightened her friends up.

  “Well that’s a relief then. So it’s worth it really then?”

  Clia asked. Hally nodded realising that although her experience hadn’t been the fiery, romantic passionate nig
ht she saw in films; it had been a whole lot more. It had been filled with love and she told her friends this.

  Hally and Wes celebrated their first year together with their friends and later on their own Hally found that her mum was right. Wes was if anything more loving and caring than ever before and Hally wondered again where they were heading. It wasn’t something she worried about, just a question that came to her late at night when she was alone. She didn’t want to voice it to anyone because she knew no one would have an answer. It was one of those questions that could only be answered by time. For now the present was important, was good and happy and she was content.

  The summer seemed to fly by, the weather showing occasional signs of change. The nights were slowly drawing in and were becoming a little chillier only so much as needing a light jacket or jumper when they all stayed out after dark. Hally loved the warm summer days and the summer nights spending them sometimes with just Wes; other times with Corrinne and Clia and often all together with Rhys and Gregg too. They had all become very close and didn’t feel the need to join other groups. One evening they sat on rugs in the park just as the sun was going down. Wes had his arm draped around Hally, Clia was leaning against Rhys’ chest and Corrinne was lying with her head on Gregg’s lap.

  “Well tomorrow decides part of my future.”

  Wes said. They all knew what he was talking about. The A level results were out the next day and although he wasn’t going on to university; he still needed certain grades for the course he had chosen at college. Hally pressed his hand against her lips.

  “You’ve worked hard this year. I think you will pass with flying colours.”

  “What about our results? They’re out next week.”

  Corrinne said sounding very anxious.

  “Corry you always get top grades.”

  Hally replied.

  “Doesn’t mean I will this time.”

  She said pessimistically.

  “You will.”

  Clia announced. Hally sat forward.

  “You know what? I reckon we are all going to do really well. I mean we have put a whole lot into this last year and these three (she indicated to the boys) have supported us all the way. We will be fine.”

  “You are forever the optimist.”

  Wes told her giving her a squeeze.

  “I never used to be, you ask those two.”

  She replied. Corrinne and Clia both nodded in agreement.

  “So you are definitely going to college here then?”

  Gregg asked Wes.

  “Yes, I can’t imagine being away from the two people I love the most, Hally and Ellie.”

  Hally felt herself light up inside. It was the first time ever she had heard Wes say he loved her to other people and it made her glow. They all chatted some more then as it got late the boys walked the girls home.

  Hally was up and ready to meet Wes to go to the school to collect his exam results. Already the local radio was reporting from the school telling the listeners how the students were gathering, anxious and nervous. Hally felt nervous for Wes at the same time sure he had done well. As they neared the school gates they saw Corrinne, Clia, Rhys and Gregg waiting with beaming smiles.

  “Thought we would come and give you some support.”

  Rhys said.

  “Your dad said we could go into work later and that we had to remind you to phone him and your mum the moment you get your results.”

  Wes grinned even though Hally could see he was nervous.

  Inside the school hall, the students gathered in groups, some with their parents waiting impatiently. Finally the envelopes were handed out and the local media descended on random students to await their opening. Wes’ hand shook slightly as he slit his envelope and pulled out the sheet inside. He quickly glanced over it and a smile broke out on his face.

  “All ‘A’s.”

  He said. Hally leapt into his arms and he swung her around. A man thrust a microphone in his face and said.

  “Looks like good news. Would you like to tell us how you did?”

  Hally looked at the reporter and felt her stomach churn. It was the same one who had tried to interview her after Dana’s death. Wes noticed her distress and turned away from the man but he persisted, talking to his cameraman at the same time trying to push Wes into a conversation.

  “This young man has obviously got good news; tell us what do you plan to do next.”

  Wes shielded Hally and replied with.

  “I don’t want to talk to you. Please go away.”

  “Is that your girlfriend? Aren’t you the girl involved in that suicide last year?”

  He didn’t get any further. Mr Austin quickly intervened and steered the reporter away from them; sending him to a group of girls who were more than willing to appear on television. Hally overheard him saying. “Hi my name is Daly Fesandelo, what grades did you get?”

  Hally was determined not to let the reporter spoil or overshadow Wes’ achievements. She took his arm and kissed him, then smiling stood with the others whilst he phoned his parents and gave them the good news. They all heard his mum squeal with delight and his dad loudly offer congratulations. Then Gregg and Rhys said they had better get off to work, so together they walked from the school and headed for Hally’s house, Gregg and Rhys going in the opposite direction. Mum was at home and gave Wes a hug and kiss on the cheek and made them all drinks before she set off for Granddad’s. Wes’ phone chirped, it was his mum. She called to tell him that she and his dad had booked a table at Gesslers that evening for all of them as a celebration treat.

  Hally walked into Gesslers that evening with Wes holding her hand on one side and Ellie’s tiny hand on the other side. His parents were there, her family was there and Corrinne and Clia with Gregg and Rhys. Wes lifted Ellie into a high chair between himself and his mum and the whole party settled down to order. It was a very enjoyable meal, sometimes quite noisy as Ellie made herself heard.

  “Well next week it will be the girls’ turn.”

  Hally’s dad stated during the meal.

  “Perhaps we should all do this again then, obviously with Corrinne and Clia’s families too.”

  He added.

  “I’ll call them tomorrow and see what they say.”

  Hally’s mum said.

  “Maybe we should wait and see what we get first.”

  Hally said, Corrinne and Clia nodding in agreement.

  “Well I’ll just ring them anyway. I’m sure you will all get very good grades.”

  Mum told them. The girls left it at that not wanting to argue.

  The week went by very quickly and before they knew it the day of their results was upon them. Hally had woken very early and had received text messages from both Corrinne and Clia telling her they had been up for hours too. Wes was coming round to walk to school with her and she was meeting the girls at their usual point where their roads met. All three had declined offers from their parents to accompany them and again Wes’ dad had given Gregg and Rhys time off to go with them. They met up and nervously set off for the school.

  There was a lot of activity both outside and inside the school gates. Hally glanced around and was thankful to not see the local television van anywhere near. She thought that maybe the GCSE results were not as compelling news as the A levels. They made their way into the school hall and stood with their arms linked waiting for the results to be handed out. The boys stood nearby unable to ease their apprehension. After what seemed an age the envelopes were handed out. Hally stood holding hers unable to open it. Corrinne had ripped hers apart and was struggling to pull out the paper. Finally it came loose and she studied it. At first she stared at the sheet not speaking.

  “What?”

  Hally said. Corrinne offered the paper to Hally and she read it out.

  “A star for Maths and A for everything else.”

  Clia jumped in the air and grabbed Corrinne, Hally doing the same, bouncing around laughing.

  “Now
you two.”

  Corrinne told her friends. Clia held her envelope towards Hally.

  “Together.”

  She said. So they both slit them open and pulled out their results.

  “A star for English lit and language, B for Maths, A for the rest.”

  Hally said waiting to hear Clia’s results.

  “A for English lit and language, B for Maths, A for the rest.”

  Clia said. More squealing and hugging and bouncing ensued with the boys joining in. Finally Wes took Hally in his arms and kissed her.

  “Well done. You really deserve that after the year you have had.”

  She held him tightly then took out her phone and called her parents.

  That night they all met up again at Gesslers to celebrate the achievements of the girls. The parents sat proudly next to their daughters, Hally’s Granddad next to her mum, and the boyfriends and their families smiled and offered congratulations. Hally ate her meal enjoying every bite. Between mouthfuls she looked up and down the table. She had every person near her who was important to her. Wes’ dad had asked her the simple question ‘What next?’ and she had answered simply with ‘College’ but that wasn’t really the answer. The answer was out there somewhere but it was unknown. Who could say what was next, her future wasn’t mapped out; she hoped Wes would be a part of it, she hoped for a lot of things; especially that Corrinne and Clia would always be nearby and still like sisters. She hoped her family would always be happy and be proud of her. As she watched the party enjoying the celebrations, chatting and laughing, as she saw Wes glance at her lovingly and her parents smile at her proudly, she thought that right then it didn’t matter. The here and now was all that was important, what next would come and she would face whatever challenges it brought with it. Granddad tapped her on the shoulder leaning behind mum so he could speak to her.

  “Your Gran would be very proud of you.”

  He told her.

  “I know. What do you think she would say to me right now?”

  He smiled.

  “If you listen you will hear her, I do.”