Fifteen Going on Grown Up (48 page)

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.”

He said simply. Hally smiled back and briefly closed her eyes. Granddad was right, she heard her Gran’s voice, sweet but strong, telling her she could cope with whatever life threw at her. Opening her eyes and smiling, Hally knew her Gran was right.