Fifteen Going on Grown Up (20 page)

After spending time playing in the shops, they settled down to serious shopping. They had worked out a strategy before setting out whereby they compared gift lists, so they wouldn’t be traipsing back to the same shops if more than one of them was buying from a particular place. This worked very well and by the time they agreed to break for lunch, Hally had bought for Nathan and her dad, Clia for Nathan and her dad and brother, and Corrinne for Nathan and both her parents.

Feeling proud that their shopping trip was going as planned the three made their way to the Hotspot Café at the time Hally had arranged with Wes. Like other places it was jammed with shoppers, and unusually, more adults and families than teenagers. They entered the café and was very surprised when Wes came straight over and told them he had reserved a table for them near the window. They were very pleased and relieved by this as the café was very full.

“Sorry I can’t come and sit with you, but as you can see the place is heaving.”

Wes told them gesturing around the café.

“Wes, it’s ok, we can see how busy you are, and thank you so much for reserving this table.”

Hally told him smiling. He gave her a very big and cheeky smile back.

“That’s alright my sweet girlfriend, just remember when you come to buy my Christmas present.”

He then turned swiftly before Hally could retaliate and left them laughing and perusing the menu.

“Mmm, I think I will have a jacket potato with the chilli.”

Hally said.

“Well I think I’m going for the fish pie.”

Corrinne replied.

“And I’m going to have the steak and kidney pie.”

Clia told them both.

“No surprise there then.”

Hally said smiling. Clia nearly always opted for the Hotspot homemade steak and kidney pie, she simply loved it.

“Well it is just the best pie ever.”

Clia exclaimed. Wes came over and took their order squeezing Hally’s hand gently. Before returning behind the counter he said.

“I’ll bring you hot drinks.”

When he came back with a tray of drinks he was not alone. As he placed the tray on the table he said.

“Girls, I’d like you to meet two friends of mine.”

Indicating to each of the girls.

“Hally my girlfriend, and her two friends, Corrinne and Clia, this is Gregg.”

A tall, well built blonde boy with green eyes stepped forward holding out his hand to the girls. They shook hands and said hi but Hally noticed Corrinne blushing slightly as she said hello.

“And this is Rhys.”

He was not quite as tall as Wes and Gregg and was more slightly built, but with dark curly hair and brown eyes he had an almost model look about him. He leaned forward to greet them too and this time Hally noticed he blushed when he spoke to them. She suspected he had a gentle shyness about him and could see this really appealing to Clia. Hally noticed Wes had placed five mugs on the table.

“Well got to get on.”

He told them. For once Hally took charge of the situation as Gregg and Rhys were still standing by the table.

“Oh please sit down, Wes has brought you drinks too.”

She then scooted off the bench seat and stood up.

“Just nipping to the ladies.”

She told them all and quickly disappeared before her friends could protest. As she had been sitting next to Corrine with Clia opposite it meant the two boys could sit down next to each of the girls.

Hally fussed with her hair and makeup in the ladies long enough to give her friends some time with the boys. She didn’t stay too long so as not to make it too obvious and when she returned to the table the four seemed to be getting along quite well. At least there didn’t seem to be any awkward silences. She slipped onto the bench next to Rhys and smiling said.

“Queue.”

Corrinne and Clia gave her such a disbelieving look that she felt herself blush; which she quickly covered up by sipping her coffee, and to her relief saw Wes coming over with their order. He beamed at her as he laid out their food, Gregg and Rhys’ too. Hally was very proud of the way he had arranged this little get together for Corrinne and Clia and felt her heart swell with love. This sudden flood of emotion took her by surprise and did not go unnoticed by Wes.

“Hally, are you ok?”

He asked full of concern.

“You look all flushed.”

“Um… oh…yes I’m fine, just suddenly got a bit too hot. Too many layers, it’s cold outside.”

Quickly she slipped out of her jumper even though the top underneath wasn’t particularly thick. Wes gave a slight concerned frown but didn’t say anything further. Corrinne however gave her a look that told her straight away she didn’t believe what she had told Wes and that she would be questioned later.

After they had all eaten, Wes brought them fresh drinks and slid onto the bench next to Hally. He told them he was taking a quick break which pleased Hally. It did however mean that Clia and Rhys were a bit squashed together but from what Hally could see, neither minded. In fact her two friends were chatting to Wes’ friends like they had known them for ages. In fact they were all chatting like the whole group had been friends for a long time. Hally was almost disappointed that they had to leave and carry on with their shopping.

“Why don’t we all get together this evening?”

Wes asked as he stood up to go back to work and the girls prepared to go back to the bustle of Christmas shopping. Rhys and Gregg nodded immediately and Corrinne and Clia agreed too. Hally thought for a moment, not wanting to spoil what could be a great evening; but worried about visiting her Gran.

“Go and see Gran for a little while and then we will come and meet you there.”

Wes told her, reading her mind.

Hally beamed relieved, and again felt her emotions building in her chest like a dam ready to burst.

“Thank you Wes. That’s a lovely suggestion. Oh but aren’t you doing a split?”

He gave her a quick peck and grinned.

“I came in really early and promised to work through until five, so I wangled the evening off.”

The girls left the boys still sitting in the café and began the afternoon session of shopping. The rain had now turned to sleet and the temperature had dropped considerably. They tried to stay inside the stores as much as possible and chatted about Gregg and Rhys as they shopped.

“Wes is an angel.”

Clia told Hally.

“He’s an absolute angel.”

Corrinne told her sincerely. Hally smiled at her friends and felt happier than she had in a long time. For just a few moments all her family’s problems were buried beneath the tide of emotion she felt for her friends and their happiness and her boyfriend. Corrinne noticed the change in Hally.

“So… what happened in the Hotspot then?”

It took Hally a moment to realise what her friend was talking about, then felt her cheeks growing warm at the memory of her intense feelings.

“You’ll think I’m crazy.”

She mumbled.

“Sweetie, we know you are a crazy bird, so nothing will surprise us.”

Clia told her in her ever so grown up voice. Both Hally and Corrinne laughed and as Hally mulled over the two gifts she was looking at for her mum, finally came clean.

“I think, I really do think that I love Wes.”

Both her friends gave a deep sigh. Then Clia, rolling her eyes said.

“We know that already. We thought something serious had happened to you.”

Hally looked at them in pure astonishment. Her mouth formed a perfect O and she almost couldn’t speak.

“What…what…do…you mean, you know?”

She stammered. Corrinne laughed heartily.

“Hals, we can see it in your face, your voice, everything about you, especially when he’s around you.”

“Oh, do you think Wes knows too.”

Hally asked sounding worried.

“Probably.”

Clia and Corrinne replied together, and at the devastated look on Hally’s face.

“But hey sweetie, I think he feels the same way about you. Just because it’s not said doesn’t mean it’s not felt.”

Clia said. Hally remembered Wes nearly about to say something and then changing it and the smile returned to her face.

“Well, now it’s your turn.”

She indicated to both her friends. They all laughed and Corrinne and Clia nodded in agreement.

“So. Which one for mum? Oh I’m going to buy both.”

Hally announced taking both gifts and putting them in her basket.

As promised Wes and the others picked Hally up from her Gran’s that evening.

“How’s Gran today?”

Wes asked gently.

“Mum says she’s had a really good day and the time I spent with her she was quite lively.”

Hally responded. Wes smiled took her hand and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’m very happy to hear that. So, if it’s ok with you we thought we would go to Corrinne’s. Her parents are out at a Christmas party so she asked if we could all go there.”

Hally gave Corrinne a deep understanding look. Originally she was going to the party with her parents. As an only child she often went out with them rather than be alone, now Hally could see the excitement in her friend’s eyes at the thought of having not just her closest friends round; but a whole group. Corrinne had had a couple of boyfriends before, but like Hally they had only been brief relationships and none to take home. With a deep sigh Hally realised they were all growing up and the fears she had experienced about drifting apart resurfaced. Determinedly, she pushed them aside and resolved to thoroughly enjoy the evening.

The evening went very well indeed. The six spent the time chatting and finding out about Gregg and Rhys. They had met Wes because they worked with his dad who was a builder, and both boys were training in the building business. They listened to a variety of music and played some board games, girls against boys, which the girls won most of the time. The boys insisted jokingly that they had cheated, but Clia indignantly told them it was because girls concentrated better than boys and since the games had required thought and tactics, it was obvious they would beat them. Hally and Corrinne agreed with Clia which started a playful argument and left everyone laughing.

The girls took themselves off to the kitchen still giggling to fetch refreshments. Hally knew it would be an ideal opportunity to question her friends about Gregg and Rhys. However she didn’t have to start the conversation, as soon as they were out of earshot of the boys Clia put her hands together and raised them to her face.

“Oh my goodness!”

She exclaimed in a slightly hushed voice.

“Your Wes really came through. I mean Rhys is just so fit, but well, it’s not like he knows it, you know what I mean. He’s not vain with his looks, he’s just so sweet and that accent…”

Clia stopped. She simply couldn’t say anything more at that moment. Hally smiled at her friend’s delight and raised her brows to Corrinne.

“What about you?”

Corrinne smiled a soft, sweet gentle smile.

“What can I say, I’m happy.”

It was enough and all three girls giggled and hugged.

“Hey, have you three got lost or are you cooking up some new strategy for the next game?”

Wes called out.

“Just coming.”

Hally replied. Hurriedly they put together a tray of drinks and snacks and returned to the lounge to continue the evening.

On the way home arm in arm with Wes, they chatted about the success of his two friends getting along so well with her two friends.

“How did you know they would hit it off so well?”

She asked.

“I didn’t really. It’s just, I’ve got to know Gregg and Rhys quite well over the past couple of months. I just thought well, they are quite a lot like me in some ways and since you and the girls are similar too, well I just hoped they would like each other. I think I sort of knew who would go for who too.”

He told her. Hally smiled to herself.

“Well let’s hope they work out as well as we did.”

Wes stopped in the street and turned her into the circle of his arms. It was very cold now, the sleet had stopped and his breath came out in little clouds as he looked down into her eyes. There was just enough light from a nearby streetlamp for him to see her face.

“Your cheeks are all rosy and you have a little pink tip to your nose.”

His voice was quite husky and Hally felt warmth spreading through her body despite the cold air. She pressed against him and as he lowered his head and kissed her, through the thick layers of winter clothes she felt something she hadn’t experienced before. Wes’ body was reacting in the way any normal young man’s would. At first she felt a little afraid, but the warmth in her own body quickly turned to fire and she pressed closer, kissing him back. His kiss deepened and he wrapped his arms tightly around her pressing closer too. Quite suddenly she felt something build inside her and flood through her entire body, she shuddered involuntarily, gripped his shoulders tightly and felt her breathing quicken, and then the feeling began to subside. Wes stepped back releasing the contact between them but still holding her. Hally held onto him as the cold air began to seep back into her body. She didn’t know what to think, she thought she knew what had just happened, but it was all so new to her that she felt confused and a little embarrassed. She didn’t know if he knew, she didn’t know if she could tell him and worse she didn’t know if anything had happened to him too. Suddenly she felt so very young and inexperienced. All the times she had talked openly with her mum and friends had not prepared her for this moment and she did not know what to do or say.