Fifteen Going on Grown Up (12 page)

“So to the park.”

The others burst out laughing and joined her as she pretended to power walk towards the town park.

Unsurprisingly, there were a lot of people the girls knew at the park. Some were in large groups laying and sitting on various rugs and jackets. Some had phones and iPods playing, with the result that as they strolled towards the lake it was impossible to work out exactly what music was what. They found a spot of sunny grass and Wes pulled out two rugs from the side of the hamper. He spread them on the ground and Clia and Corrinne quickly dropped their bags next to one and sat down. Hally settled herself onto the second rug, and Wes kneeled next to her. The hamper had old fashioned leather straps and for some reason this brought a small lump to the back of Hally’s throat. For a few seconds she visualised her Gran’s face but swallowed hard and pushed it to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to dwell on why mum had really gone there so early.

The hamper opened to reveal one side with crockery, cutlery and glasses strapped neatly in and the other side with food.

“It used to have real linen napkins, but they disappeared years ago; so we will have to make do with paper.”

Wes told them as he began to unwrap various packages. This reminded Hally about the envelope. She took it out of her bag and turned it over; but there was nothing else on it. She gently slit it open and pulled out a single sheet of lined paper, which looked torn from a pad like they used in school. It was untidily folded several times as though it had been stuffed in the envelope in a hurry.

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.

“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.”