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Post by sophie on Mar 6, 2011 0:25:50 GMT
Thanks!
The following morning India bumped into Jamie in the school corridor and he said bluntly, “Mr Simons wants to see a note about your dentist’s appointment.”
“Fine.”
“Where did you really go?” asked Jamie curiously.
“Just somewhere.”
India slung her bag into the locker and Jamie was dissatisfied.
“Come on, Indy, you know I won’t dob.”
“It’s not that,” said India simply and he exclaimed, “Are you still mad at me? I’m sorry I yelled.”
“I think you called me nauseating!”
“I didn’t say you were nauseating,” said Jamie defensively. “I said you and Elliot together were...but I didn’t mean it,” he added hastily and India raised her eyebrows.
“Look, I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “I was just annoyed that you’re never free anymore.”
“I wasn’t free that weekend,” said India, turning to face him. “I never said that I never would be free again.”
There was an awkward silence and then Jamie said in a rush, “So are we okay?”
“Yeah,” said India with a smile and he smiled back in relief too.
“Where did you go?” he asked again but India wouldn’t answer. Their argument was forgotten, all the same, and by the time they left school for the day they were laughing and joking together.
“India!”
India looked up to see Elliot standing outside, looking pleased yet puzzled and she said goodbye to Jamie and hurried to greet him with a kiss.
“I take it you made up then,” said Elliot, looking over India’s shoulder to see Jamie smile and wave before turning the other way and walking away with his hands in his pockets.
“Yeah,” smiled India. “It was a stupid argument anyway.”
Elliot smiled, yet looked a little odd but before India could ask why he asked, “Do you want to go back to mine for a bit?”
“Sure,” said India, and they walked down the street hand in hand. The brief peace, however was disrupted by loud arguing and a sound of a television when Elliot opened the door.
“STOP IT!” shouted someone and the loud giggles that followed hinted that that would be an unlikely option.
“Guys!” Elliot exclaimed, going into the front room and finding his sisters. “Tone it down!”
“Elliot, Leah’s being a pain in the butt!” yelled Maddie, red in the face. “I’m trying to watch my show and she keeps poking her wand at me and saying a heap of rubbish!”
“It’s a spell!” protested her sister through her laughter, but Leah soon stopped smiling as Maddie grabbed the wand.
“Give it back!”
“That’s enough,” said Elliot firmly, taking the wand away from both of them. “Leah, leave Maddie alone and let her watch the show.”
“The show’s boring,” whined Leah. “I want to watch my cartoon and Maddie won’t let me!”
“It’s my show, your cartoon’s on every day!”
“But I’m bored!”
“Guys,” said Elliot again. “Cool down. Leah, if your cartoon’s on every day Maddie gets to watch her show this once. Why don’t you just go and play until dinner? Or find Mum?”
“Mum’s cooking,” sulked Leah. “I don’t want to play by myself.”
“Elliot and India can play with you,” said Maddie mischievously and Elliot hastily said, “Leah, why don’t you go and draw a picture until Maddie’s show’s finished? Then she’ll play with you.”
“I won’t!”
“Fine,” sulked Leah, getting up. “I don’t want to play with her anyway,” and she sulked away, after grabbing the wand back from her brother. Elliot raised his eyebrows and he and India left Maddie to the television, the sound of a slamming door showing that Leah had gone to her room, and made their way to the kitchen.
“Hey Mum,” said Elliot cheerfully and Alice looked up.
“Oh, hello you two. Are you both all right?”
“Fine, thanks,” said India and Elliot added, “Mum, is it okay if India stays until dinner?”
“Sure,” said Alice, checking her watch. “It’ll be about forty-five minutes. You’re welcome to stay but I haven’t really cooked enough!”
“Oh, that’s fine,” said India quickly. “My dad’s expecting me home for dinner anyway, I can’t stay for very long.”
“Okay then,” said Alice, turning her attention back to the stove. “Take a drink if you like and I’ll call when it’s ready.”
India and Elliot got a glass of juice and headed to his room, shutting the door firmly behind them.
“Sorry about them,” said Elliot, sitting on the bed. “They’re always arguing.”
“That’s okay. Does Maddie ever argue with you?”
India took a drink of juice and a smile spread across Elliot’s face.
“No, we’ve always got on, probably because I’m a lot older. I remember helping look after her when she was a baby, it feels like yesterday. I reckon she and Leah fight because they’re only two years apart and maybe because they’re sisters.”
“Right,” said India awkwardly. “Has she ever been weird about other girlfriends?”
“What do you mean?” asked Elliot, frowning, and India went and sat down on the bed with him.
“Nothing...I just wondered if she disliked your other girlfriends?”
“I haven’t had many other girlfriends and my last one was last year. Mad’s too young to have thought about them much. Why, anyway?”
India shrugged.
“Just because she spilt the stuff down me...I wasn’t sure if she liked me.”
“Hey, Maddie’s not a bad kid!” exclaimed Elliot defensively. “She’s got a bit of a mouth of her sometimes and she can be a pest but she wouldn’t do something nasty deliberately.”
“I didn’t mean that she was a bad kid,” protested India, beginning to wish that she hadn’t said anything. “I didn’t mean that, I promise. I just wondered if she’d been weird with your other girlfriends...”
“I don’t think she’s been particularly weird with you,” said Elliot coldly. “And no, she hasn’t. She’s been her usual self and I know she can be a bit annoying, but that’s part of her being my little sister.”
“I’m sorry,” said India, feeling rather small. “I wouldn’t know.”
There was an awkward silence where India wished fervently that she had just kept her mouth shut, and that she had probably just misinterpreted the situation. Why did she always have to put her foot in her mouth? She took a long drink of juice.
“What are you thinking?” asked Elliot eventually and India gave an awkward smile.
“That I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“I like your mouth,” said Elliot, with a smile, and they began to kiss. They lay down on the bed and kissed harder, but a noise from outside made India both jump and feel increasingly aware that her school dress had ridden up, and she sat up and pulled it back down, feeling embarrassed.
“Sorry,” said Elliot awkwardly. “I know you don’t want to move too fast.”
“No, it’s okay....”
There was another awkward silence, however, and India stared at her legs. The smell of cooking wafted through from the kitchen and she began to remember the time that she needed to get back as well, but before she could open her mouth to say so Elliot said, “So what have you been up to since I last saw you anyway?”
“Not much,” shrugged India. “My grandma came round for lunch on Sunday and then I went to Lydia’s house. Her brother was being annoying.”
“A friend for Maddie, huh?” asked Elliot and for a moment India worried that she had annoyed him, but he laughed as he said it. “What else did you do?” he went on to ask and India fell silent. She thought about telling him about the expensiveness of the pill, but then thought it would sound like she wanted his money for it, which she didn’t, and that it would sound like she wanted to have sex soon, which she didn’t feel sure about yet. India didn’t really want to have that conversation with his family all in the house and his sister’s disregard towards knocking.
“You’ve gone all quiet,” he said and India shrugged again.
“There’s nothing else really to tell. I missed most of school on Monday.”
“How come?”
“I didn’t want to be there.”
“What did you do?”
India fell silent again. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of it, exactly, or afraid of talking about it, but it was the same with the death anniversary: it felt private and now she wished that she hadn’t told Elliot that she had missed school on Monday at all.
“Indy?”
“It’s sort of private,” she said apologetically. “Family stuff.”
“Okay,” he said, frowning. “So why did you need to wag school? Why did you go in anyway?”
India felt a little taken aback.
“I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Right,” said Elliot, but he felt a little distant and India exclaimed, “Look, I’m not going to apologise for it being private!”
“It’s not that,” said Elliot defensively. “It’s that you shut me out about stuff!”
“What stuff?” exclaimed India. “Do you mean when it was my mum’s death anniversary? I didn’t talk about that to anyone!”
“No, not that! You’re always hiding stuff. You didn’t tell me that you were seeing me in secret until I asked you about it! You never want to let me in.”
India felt her heart thumping in her chest.
“That’s not fair,” she said angrily. “I had only just started seeing you; of course I would have told you eventually.”
“How long’s eventually?”
“I don’t know!” India cried. “Why does it matter? And why does it matter that I don’t want to discuss something private with you? It’s my business.”
“I’m your boyfriend!”
“So what?” snapped India. “That doesn’t mean that I have to talk to you about every little thing.”
“It’s not every little thing, it’s practically everything! Apart from when you’re yelling about your dad or Jamie! Did you tell him? You seemed pretty close earlier.”
India was furious.
“I hope you’re not suggesting something,” she growled. “And no, I didn’t, but if I did then that’s my business. He’s been my best friend since kinder.”
“If he’s your best friend why are you always complaining about him and then always making up?”
“Because that is the kind of friendship we have,” exclaimed India, and she stood up. “I’m not arguing this anymore, it’s ridiculous. I didn’t think you were the jealous type. I’m sorry, my mistake.”
Elliot looked angry and a little ashamed, though was trying to hide it.
“I wasn’t trying to say –“
“I’m going home,” snapped India. “See you soon.”
She marched out his bedroom, grabbing her bag, and as she made her way to the front door she heard a smug-sounding reply of, “Bye, India!” from Maddie in the front room, but she didn’t answer and left the house, being careful not to slam the door but not careful enough to see where she was going.
“Oof!”
“Mind where you’re going,” came a kind voice. “It’s normally a daughter of mine bumping into me on the path, not young women! You must be India?”
India looked up properly to see a tall man with the same brown, wavy hair of his son’s, only slightly more faded and with a few lines around the face. Elliot’s father.
“Yes,” she said, and managed to smile. “But I’ve got to go. Sorry.”
“See you soon then,” he called in a puzzled voice as India made her way past him and down the street. As she reached the corner she heard a call of, “Indy!” from her boyfriend but she turned around, shook her head and continued around the bend, tears smarting in her eyes.
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Post by Bee on Mar 6, 2011 6:25:09 GMT
nice update Sophie (: cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Mar 6, 2011 21:59:43 GMT
Thanks!
“Hey!” called Declan, as India came in. “Where have you been?”
“At Elliot’s,” called India wiping her eyes and Declan came out looking slightly annoyed.
“You could have texted. I didn’t know where you were or whether to start dinner –“ he stopped and frowned as he looked at his daughter properly. “Indy, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she sniffled and Declan exclaimed, “Did something happen?”
“No!”
“Did Elliot try and push something?”
“No, Dad!” exclaimed India. “We just had a dumb argument. I’m sorry I didn’t text you. I’ll start dinner.”
“Hey, I’ll do it,” said Declan following his daughter into the kitchen. “What did you argue about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” sniffled India and Declan gave her a hug and a kiss.
“I’ll call you when dinner’s ready. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” said India, managed to smile and went to her room. She lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering how their conversation had escalated into such an argument. Maybe it was because she had brought up Maddie. Maybe she should have left that, but she had only been raising a concern, she thought defensively. It wasn’t like Maddie was an angel, he admitted it himself, so why was he so sure she was wrong? India guessed Lydia was right, that it came down to Maddie being his little sister and blood is thicker than water, so the saying goes. But she knew what she had seen and it wasn’t as if she was making it up...why couldn’t Elliot see that? But then maybe it didn’t matter, she thought, rolling over and sniffling into her pillow. Maybe they had broken up for good.
“Why are men such idiots?” India demanded suddenly, half-way through dinner, and Declan looked up, slightly amused.
“That’s a question we’ve been trying to answer for centuries, Indy. I don’t know.”
India sniffled and looked back down again and Declan said hesitantly, “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it? It might make you feel better.”
“It was a really stupid argument,” said India in a wobbly voice. “I don’t even know how we started arguing.”
“Don’t you?”
India shrugged.
“I tried to tell him about Maddie and he got all defensive and said she was a good kid, and I said I knew that. But then it was okay again. It was because he asked me about what I’d done since the weekend.”
“Why did you argue about that?” asked Declan, utterly confused by this point. He was trying to work out how that could possibly have led to an argument but still felt completely in the dark. India tried shed some light on the matter but it only confused Declan further.
“I told him I wagged.”
“And he got annoyed about it?” asked Declan. “I think I like him more now.”
“Dad! Don’t be stupid. It was because he asked me why I wagged and I couldn’t tell him.”
“Why not?” asked Declan in confusion.
“Because....I don’t know, it’s private. Mum’s private.”
Declan stayed silent and India exclaimed, “It’s not because I’m ashamed of her or anything like that. It just feels private.”
“Indy, I always raised you so you’d feel comfortable talking about Mum,” said Declan, frowning. “I never wanted you to feel that because she’s dead it's something sad that we can’t talk about and share with other people.”
“I know!” exclaimed India, feeling herself get upset again. “I’ve never felt like it’s shameful to talk about Mum, it just feels private. I don’t know why. I can talk about her to you, to Grandma, to Nan, to Grandpa Steve, to Uncle Riley and to Donna and Rachel and Zeke, and I can talk about her normally to anyone. I just can’t talk about her with my friends on days like her birthday. I don’t know why, but I just can’t.”
“Look, Indy, if he doesn’t respect that then I think he’s a jerk,” said Declan, taking his daughter’s hand but India shook her head and said, “I didn’t say it was because of Mum. I just said it was private and then he got mad at me and said I was always freezing him out, oh yeah, and that I must like Jamie because we’re friends. Actually Dad, you’re right, he is a jerk!”
“Indy, he should have respected it if you said you didn’t want to talk about it,” said Declan gently. “And I can’t believe I’m defending him on this, but it must feel frustrating for him if you don’t want to share things.”
“But it’s not because I don’t trust him or something!” said India angrily. “It’s because it feels private and if I get sad about it I don’t want people pitying me!”
“Indy, I know he should have respected it if you didn’t want to talk about it, but he didn’t know it was about that. And he’s your boyfriend so he’s going to want to comfort you,” added Declan, wrinkling his nose slightly. “Not that I really want to think about that.”
India didn’t know what to say for a moment and played around with the food on her plate.
“I guess I shouldn’t have been so defensive,” she conceded. “But he didn’t need to kick off at me. And what about him being a jerk about Jamie?”
Declan sighed and chuckled.
“India, that’s just part of men being idiots. Sometimes we get jealous about stuff too easily, though girls can do it too. I was a jerk about Josh, but then he deserved it...”
“Oh Dad, don’t start off with that story again,” groaned India, but she smiled as she said it.
“Now, he really was a jerk,” commented Declan, ignoring his daughter’s groans, and continued to tell the story about him regardless, and though India still felt frustrated about her argument she was laughing by the time she finished dinner and watched a movie with her father before going to bed. As she left the room Declan caught sight of the photo of Bridget, sighed and said out loud, “I can’t believe she’s old enough to be having arguments with her boyfriend.”
“So are you, like, over?”
“No,” said India uncomfortably. She and Lydia were sitting in the playground and had just eaten their lunch. "I don't know. I don't think so."
“Was it a big argument?” asked Lydia bossily.
“No.” India picked some grass and started twisting it between her fingers.
“What was it about? Was it about...you know?”
India didn’t know and Lydia gasped with exasperation.
“You know, going further?”
“NO!” exclaimed India irritably, and stood up. “God, Lydia, I swear you’re obsessed. Why do you and Dad think that’s the only thing we could have argued about?”
“Sorry,” said Lydia, not sounding it and raising her eyebrows. “You’re so touchy. It’s not that wild a guess. I mean, he has done it and you haven’t...”
“Thanks for announcing that in the school playground,” snapped India, as fellow students turned their heads. “Thanks heaps.”
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” shrugged Lydia. “Why did you argue?”
“It was about me not talking about why I wagged on Monday and because he thought I might like Jamie. Oh, don’t grin like that. You know that’s not true.”
“The lady doth protest too much,” remarked Lydia and India threw the bunched-up grass at her. “Hey!”
“You’re wrong,” said India, feeling annoyed with herself for not having a better response, and she marched away, feeling frustrated. Why did everything always have to lead back to sex and if they had done it or not? Was it all people thought about?
“Napier! Hey, Indy!”
India looked round to see Jamie jogging to catch up with her.
“Nothing,” she snapped, and then, feeling slightly guilty at her tone, added, “it was just an argument. Dumb girl stuff.”
“I wouldn’t know then,” commented Jamie. “Are you okay? You seem upset.”
“I’m fine,” said India quickly but Jamie didn’t look convinced.
“Sure?”
“Yes, of course,” said India, touched by his concern. “I just had an argument with Elliot, that’s all. I’m fine though, really. We’ll make up.”
“Okay,” said Jamie, frowning slightly. “It’s not my business. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“It’s nice of you,” smiled India, and she leant forward and gave him a quick hug.
“What was that for?” asked Jamie in surprise.
“Being nice!”
Jamie looked as though he was going to ask something else but then the bell went and India grinned at him and went back for her bag which she had left by the tree, and she and Jamie could not talk for the rest of the day.
As India left school she caught sight of someone milling at the corner and as she looked harder she realised it was Elliot and, feeling slightly nervous, she made her way over, calling, “Hey!” and he looked round and gave her a nervous smile.
“I didn’t know whether or not to go up to you.”
“How come?”
India hitched her bag up slightly and he shrugged and then said in a rush, “Look, I was a total jerk yesterday. I didn’t mean to be, if you don’t want to talk about something that’s your business. And I was a jerk about Jamie. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” said India in relief. “I didn’t mean to freeze you out. I’m sorry too.”
“Are we okay?” asked Elliot tentatively and India nodded, and they smiled shyly and they kissed.
“I’m sorry I was weird before,” said India, looking up. “It was just because it was my mum’s birthday on Monday and I don’t really like talking about it.”
“Indy, I didn’t know it was about your mum,” said Elliot, looking ashamed. “I wouldn’t have been mad if you’d said. Now I feel like even more of a jerk.”
“I’m too stubborn,” admitted India. “I didn’t want to say. I’ve got that from her, Dad says.”
“I like that you’re stubborn,” said Elliot, taking her hand and India laughed and said, “My dad doesn’t. Well. Maybe some of the time.”
“Do you want to get a milkshake? I won’t be a tool and ask you about Monday.”
“And I won’t freeze you out,” said India, and they began to walk away, unaware of Jamie, who watched them, feeling frustrated but unable to place why.
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Post by Bee on Mar 7, 2011 0:03:06 GMT
Great update Sophie (: can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Mar 9, 2011 15:09:03 GMT
Thanks!
The rest of the week passed in a happy daze for India. Every day after school she saw Elliot, every day it did not feel like enough time, and whenever they kissed she did not want to stop, the need to go home frustrating her beyond belief. After a short argument with her father, Declan agreed to let Elliot come round to their house until dinner, if India promised to keep her bedroom door open.
“You’re so old-fashioned,” India whinged. “When I go round Elliot’s his mum doesn’t have a problem with us being alone in his room.”
“I don’t have a problem with you being alone in your room if you promise to keep your door open!”
India groaned and stuck her lower lip out, despite knowing that it made her look like a petulant child.
“But she doesn’t say anything about us being in his room with the door closed. She doesn’t say anything, because she trusts us!”
“That’s her house and her rules,” said Declan firmly. “And this is my house and my rules. Also, Elliot’s nineteen and you’re not.”
“Mum was seventeen when you got married,” shot back India and, tired of the argument, Declan retorted, “And we were in a very different situation. India, it’s your choice, you can go to his house and be alone or you can be here and still be alone, just with the door open. I would have thought you’d rather be at his,” he added, feeling puzzled and India sighed and said, “We can have the door shut but it doesn’t stop his sisters from barging in whenever they feel like it, or from one of them spilling stuff down me all the time.”
“I see.”
“But Dad, I think you should trust me more,” India said, feeling hurt, and Declan couldn’t help feeling a little guilty, but not guilty enough to change his mind.
“Darling, I do trust you, but it’s very easy to get carried away. If it’s any consolation I promise not to bother you when he’s here.”
“Not much,” sulked India. “You’re still worrying too much.”
“I know. I’m a dad. But hey, at least I won’t pour juice over you!” said Declan, putting an arm around his daughter and she couldn’t help laughing, despite feeling slightly annoyed and so on Friday afternoon, after school, Elliot came home with India.
“Hello!” India called out but there was a silence. Her father wasn’t home yet.
“Looks like we’ve got the place to ourselves,” grinned India, giving Elliot a kiss. He kissed her back and they stood in the hall for a while, oblivious to everything else until a car suddenly honked outside, making them jump.
“Do you want a drink or something?” giggled India, wiping her mouth and he nodded and followed her to the kitchen where she poured two glasses of orange juice.
“Will your dad mind when he comes home?” asked Elliot and India wrinkled her nose and shrugged.
“Maybe a bit, but he said you could come home after school for a bit so he can’t be too annoyed. Anyway, it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”
They finished the juice and went into the front room.
“I can’t believe how quiet it is!” Elliot exclaimed. “Makes a great change!”
“I bet. TV?” suggested India but Elliot made a face.
“I know exactly what’s on at this time, too well, thanks to Maddie and Leah and I can tell you now that it all sucks.”
India laughed.
“I believe you.”
They stood awkwardly in the room for a moment before India blurted out, “Do you want to go in my room?”
“Sure,” said Elliot and India felt a slight twinge of guilt, knowing her father would be annoyed, but not enough to change her mind. He did say that they could come home together from school and he hadn’t exactly banned them from being alone in her bedroom, just that she couldn’t shut the door, so India left it open and followed Elliot inside, feeling slightly embarrassed at the mess. She hadn’t got round to tidying it properly and she hadn’t made the bed that morning as she had run late.
“Sorry,” she said shyly. “It’s normally tidier.”
“It’s fine.”
Elliot looked a little awkward and India felt unsure, and stood dithering in the middle of the room for a moment before shaking herself and pulling the doonah back over the bed properly and sitting down on it. Elliot sat down with her and they started kissing and India wished they had all the time in the world together as he ran his hand through her hair and up and down her back. They lay down and India felt blissful, wishing that it was always like this – no overprotective fathers, no unwanted younger sisters barging in and she felt a thrill as Elliot put his hand on her leg.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked and India shook her head but just then she heard the front door open and she quickly moved away from him, cursing her father’s timing.
“Hey Dad,” she said, coming out of her room, quickly smoothing her dress down, and Declan’s pleasure at seeing his daughter was thwarted as he saw someone else coming out of her room and that that someone wasn’t Lydia.
“Hello,” said Declan, trying not to sound too annoyed and Elliot smiled shyly and stuck his hand out.
“Hi. Indy said it was okay that I came round today?”
“Yeah,” said Declan shortly. “Sorry I wasn’t here before, I got stuck in traffic.”
“That’s okay.”
Declan bit back his retort of I bet you think it’s okay, trying not to be the father from hell and said, “Do you want a drink or something to eat?”
“Oh, that’s okay,” said Elliot quickly. “I’ve got to go home for dinner.”
“Have some juice or something,” said Declan, trying very hard to be pleasant. “We should have a chat before you go.”
“Okay,” said Elliot, casting a nervous glance at India, but she shrugged and all three of them sat at the table with a glass of orange juice and awkwardness each.
“How was your day?” asked Declan. “You don’t go to school, do you?”
“No, I had work. I worked all afternoon.”
“Right.”
There was a long pause and then Elliot asked, “How was your day?”
“Dull,” said Declan, draining the juice. “It was work. As you’d know!”
“Yeah,” said Elliot, starting to laugh, but Declan wasn’t smiling so he shut up and drank the rest of his juice.
“I really should go,” he said quickly, standing up. “I said I’d be home for dinner and Mum might want some help. Thanks for having me round.”
“You’re India’s guest,” remarked Declan coldly. “Sorry I wasn’t here.”
India bit back her retort of I bet you are and instead stood up.
“I’ll walk Elliot to the corner.”
“That’s okay,” said Elliot, noticing Declan looking annoyed. “I’ll say goodbye here.”
“All right,” sighed India, walking him to the door, and she gave him a quick kiss and muttered, “Sorry about him.”
“It’s okay. See you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” agreed India, kissed him again and quickly and then watched him walk down the street before closing the door and sighing, knowing what was coming.
“What did I say, young lady?” asked Declan irritably.
“You said Elliot could come round.”
“I also said when I was here.”
“Well, I didn’t know you wouldn’t be,” said India defensively and Declan angrily said, “You knew not to go in your room.”
“You said not with the door closed. I kept it open!”
“Don’t get smart with me, Miss! You knew full well what I meant!”
“Oh, Dad, we didn’t do anything!” exclaimed India. “You don’t need to worry! You trust me, don’t you?”
“Of course I trust you,” sighed Declan, but as his daughter went to go and get changed he couldn’t help worrying. He had seen the flushed look on her face when she had come out of her room and the way she had smoothed her dress down and couldn’t help thinking that he had got there just in time, but then he shook himself and began dinner. He didn’t want to think about that and he trusted his daughter.
India couldn’t think about anything else. For the whole of dinner, the whole of the evening and the whole time she got ready for bed there was only one thought in her mind and that was how right it had all felt before, how she had still felt nervous but in a different way and India allowed herself to imagine what would have happened if her father hadn’t come in and spoilt it. Still, India conceded, it would have been a hell of a lot worse if he had come home later and then found them and she felt herself go red just thinking about it. Maybe she was ready. Maybe not. Maybe she would have felt differently if they had continued and it had got too heavy, and maybe she would have changed her mind. All the same, India thought, maybe she should talk to Mr Wheezer tomorrow about getting her wages pushed forward or something so she could go to the doctor. India would rather be safe than sorry and she finally managed to fall asleep.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not, Mr Wheezer?” asked India, feeling terribly disappointed.
“I can’t give you two months’ wages ahead of time when you haven’t done the shifts.”
“But I will do them!” exclaimed India. “I’m not asking for two sets of wages.”
“That may well be, but suppose you get ill? Suppose you change your mind about working here?”
“I won’t,” said India, but she knew she was defeated and Mr Wheezer gave her a sad smile.
“India, it’s not me being a stick in the mud. It’s a legal thing too. I’m sure you wouldn’t change your mind either but I can’t change the system just for you. I’m sorry. What’s the importance anyway, if you don’t mind my asking?”
India did mind but instead mumbled. “Birthday present,” wishing she was a better liar, but Mr Wheezer didn’t seem to notice and smiled kindly.
“Maybe a family member can help and you can pay them back.”
“That’s not possible,” sighed India. “Thanks anyway.”
India despondently continued her shift, thinking that at least she could see Elliot afterwards, but on her break she checked her phone and felt her heart plummet as she read a text saying, Sorry Indy, I can’t see you after all. Mum and Dad have made us go and see our Grandma. Xxxx
India mooched along the street on the way home, feeling let down by everything. She decided briefly on going to see Lydia but then remembered she had gone away this weekend and India felt frustrated – the one time she wanted a girly talk and the one time her friend couldn’t provide it. And now she wasn’t going to have enough money to see the doctor and she couldn’t ask anyone for it. India didn’t want to have to wait that long in case they decided to do something, but wasn’t going to do anything without protection. Then she remembered yesterday and how she had thought she might have actually done it, but she hadn’t had any birth control. India stood still in the street for a moment and felt horrified with herself. Surely she would have stopped when she had remembered that? Even if her father hadn’t come home? She wouldn’t have let herself get carried away, would she? Of course not, she thought firmly, and then noticed that she was by the chemist again and this time she wouldn’t chicken out, she thought sternly, and marched in and up the counter.
“Can I help?” asked the girl and India took a deep breath.
“I’d like some –“
“India?”
India whirled round, going crimson in the cheeks and saw that her godmother was standing there with a smile.
“Donna!”
“What did you want?” asked the girl again and India, flustered, said, “Nothing, it doesn’t matter. I’ve just remembered that I have some at home.”
The girl raised her eyebrows but didn’t comment and India left the shop with Donna following curiously.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing,” mumbled India and Donna looked a little surprised but didn’t ask further.
“Okay. Do you want to get a drink?”
Five minutes later, as India sucked pink liquid through a straw Donna frowned and said, “You’re awfully quiet.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. Is something bothering you?”
India stayed quiet and Donna waited.
“I need money for something,” she said finally.
“What?”
“Something.”
“Indy, you know you can tell me anything,” said her godmother gently and India shrugged.
“Can’t you ask your dad for it?” she asked and India shook her head. “Is it very important?” and India nodded.
“I guess it can wait,” she said finally. “But I’d rather have it now.”
“How much?” asked Donna and India looked up, shocked.
“I can’t take your money.”
“Yes you can, we’re family. And I know you wouldn’t use it for anything bad or illegal.”
“No, but still, it doesn’t feel right.”
“Take it, it’s a gift.”
“I’ll pay you back,” said India gratefully. “Every cent. Thanks Donna. But you can’t tell Dad, okay?”
“Why not?” Donna asked suspiciously and India said, “It’s complicated. It’s not for something bad but Dad wouldn’t be happy.”
“Is it for the pill?” asked Donna plainly and India said, “Yes,” quietly. There was no point in lying and she didn’t want to lie to Donna anyway.
They were silent for a moment and then Donna sighed and said, “You don’t have to worry, I won’t tell. I’d rather you were safe.”
“We haven’t done it,” said India in a low voice. “I’d just rather be safe.”
“So would I,” said Donna, putting an arm round her and India managed to smile. “Hey, it’s okay. I promise not to tell your dad. But I want you to promise me something. Well, two things.”
“Okay,” said India unsurely.
“Promise me that you’ll take it properly. I know you will, but still promise. Don’t be lax with it. And promise me that you won’t do anything for the sake of it and just because you have it. That’s my only condition – well, two conditions.”
“I promise,” said India in a small voice. “You know I wouldn’t be stupid with it.”
“I know,” sighed Donna. “But I was once and I’ve regretted it ever since. It was the most stupid thing I’ve ever done. But then, you’re a lot more sensible than I was at your age.”
“I don’t know about that,” said India, and she leant in for a hug. “But I do promise all those things. I love you Donna and I will pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it. I love you too. How much is it?”
India walked home feeling a lot more positive, and a lot more lucky. Not many people had godmothers as understanding as that, and as cool as that, and not many had godmothers whom they could talk to about that kind of thing.
“Hey!” called her father, as she walked in. “How was your morning?”
“Interesting,” said India honestly, and she smiled. “Better than I thought it would be!”
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Post by Bee on Mar 11, 2011 0:10:28 GMT
Great update Sophie can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Mar 16, 2011 15:10:01 GMT
Thanks!
Jamie Adler wandered aimlessly around the school playground, feeling nervous. India had been his best friend since their very first day at school, he'd kicked her, she'd kicked him back, the teacher had given them both a timeout and they had been friends ever since. She was a mate, that was at all...she wasn't like the girls in magazines or on TV, or even the glossed-up girls at school who you were supposed to like...India wore barely any makeup, never wore dresses and she could easily beat you at footy. She wasn't like a girl, whatever that was supposed to be. He had said that to her once and she had clouted him and yelled something about sexism and Jamie had got the point and shut up, but she wasn't like other girls. She wasn't even like the girls at school who weren't very girly. For years, it had been like she hadn't even had a sex, she was just India, even when he remembered when it had become weird for them to get changed in front of each other and she would turn away, and then would go behind a tree, when they used to swim in the lake, and then one summer that had stopped being normal too. He couldn't remember which summer but suddenly it had become weird to go swimming with a girl if she wasn't your sister or your girlfriend or something and India certainly wasn't either of those. But even though that had changed, and even though their friendship had changed in the eyes of other people and they had been teased about liking each other, they'd known that wasn't true. Of course a boy and girl could be friends and they weren't going to let some idiots ruin their friendship. They would always be best friends and when they were little they had said that they'd buy houses next door. Even at the age when you were meant to hate girls he'd still sat with Indy and she had still sat with him and now, out of nowhere, it felt different. He didn't know why. He didn't even want it to but she had started to look different to him and now she was going out with that Elliot, stupid, perfect Elliot and Jamie wanted to hit someone (preferably him) whenever she went up to him, or kissed him, and it made him feel sick.
"I think you like her."
"I don't like her!" Jamie had exclaimed, red in the face. "She's India!"
"Exactly."
"But she's India," said Jamie again, desperately trying to get it across to his uncle the insanity of that. "She's....Indy. She's just Indy."
"You liked her before, didn't you?" asked his uncle with a grin. "A few years ago? Wasn't she your first kiss?"
"When we were twelve," mumbled Jamie. "Years ago. It didn't mean anything. Oh come on, it didn't."
"You seemed pretty happy at the time, until you stuffed it up."
"I was twelve," said Jamie defensively. "She was twelve. I was just...I don't know. I started liking girls for the first time and I felt confused. India was a girl I knew."
"If you like someone, you like someone, even at that age and I know you had a crush on her. Why did you go out with Stephanie?"
"Because...I don't know," mumbled Jamie, it all coming back to him clear as day. "The guys ribbed me about going out with her. She was India Napier, she wasn't a proper girl. Her favourite thing to do was play footy or read a book, not like the other girls. Stephanie was a real girl, they said. She liked doing her hair and trying out makeup and they said I should go out with her instead. No one ever told me that 'real girls' came without brains. That's all she talked about."
His uncle had laughed.
"I know you really liked India," he said. "And I remember you telling me why."
"Ah, Uncle Jeremy –"
"She's funny, she can play footy and she's got a cute smile," he had recited, making Jamie go red. "She doesn't care about looking perfect and her eyes are blue like the sea."
"Stop it!" protested Jamie, but he couldn't help smiling and his uncle gave a knowing smile.
"And I reckon you still feel exactly the same."
"But she's India!"
"So what?"
"So she's my best mate!" Jamie had exclaimed. "She always has been, since she was six! I can't like her!"
"Sometimes friendships do become romantic," said his uncle reasonably. "It's not uncommon."
"But it's weird!" Jamie had exclaimed again. "And besides, if I like her, then that's like proving right all the idiots who've said that we must be secretly pashing because boys and girls can't be friends. They're such morons."
"You have other mates who are girls, don't you?" asked his uncle after a pause and Jamie shrugged.
"Not close ones. There's some girls at school who are all right. Allie's all right. Hannah's all right. Lydia's all right, I guess, when she's not squealing about something or throwing a fit."
"Do you like them?"
"No!" exclaimed Jamie furiously and his uncle had looked satisfied.
"And there's your answer. You haven't proved those morons right at all. This is just one girl who's a friend."
"But when we were kids Indy was sort of like a sister," Jamie had protested. "It's weird."
"That was when you were kids. Feelings change."
Jamie looked rather shell-shocked and his uncle continued, "Look, how do you feel when you see her?"
"Happy, but –"
"And how do you feel when she talks about her boyfriend?"
"Annoyed, but that's because she never shuts up about him!"
"And how do you feel when you see them kissing?"
Jamie had looked revolted and his uncle had said, "I don't think I need to ask anything else. You like her."
"But she's my best friend," Jamie had said weakly, one last time. "And if I do like her, what if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"You can only find that out one way."
"But what if she doesn't and it ruins our friendship? I can't lose her."
His uncle was silent for a moment and then said, "Well, you don't have to go up to her and just blurt it out. You can just drop hints and see how she responds."
"How the hell do I do that?"
"I don't know, mate. You could suggest a drink or a movie or something. It wouldn't seem weird as you're already friends and it would give you a chance to be alone."
"I bet she brings Lydia or something, like last time," muttered Jamie and his uncle had sighed and said, "Well, try and make it clear that you just want it to be you two."
"What if it all goes wrong?" asked Jamie desperately and his uncle had said, "You won't know unless you try and if you don't try you'll regret it."
"I can't just ask her to ditch that guy for me. I'd like to, but..."
"Don't ask her that. She can think for herself and if she feels the same she'll probably do it of her own accord. Stop worrying."
"I know," grimaced Jamie. "I'm the one being like a girl in this, worrying like crazy."
"We all worry. I don't know what goes in girls' minds either – they're a mystery! "
"I guess. Thanks, Uncle Jeremy."
"What are uncles for?"
Now Jamie caught sight of India and started making his way towards her, feeling sick to his stomach. This was it, he guessed, and he saw her sit down and take out her lunch, admiring how the sun lit up her hair, but just as he came closer he saw Lydia march ahead and sit down beside her.
"So you've got it?" she asked in an excited voice and India mumbled, "Yeah," in a low voice. "I'm going after school."
"So you're going to do it?" squeaked Lydia and India shrugged and said, "Maybe," and then Jamie heard a warm glow in her voice as she added, "But I really like him Lydie. I like him so much..."
Jamie felt defeated and turned away, his heart sinking a little, and despite feeling relieved that he didn't have to address it now he still felt angry and let down. She liked him so much...what was so special about him? Just because he was nineteen and a poncey art student? What was so special about being able to draw a picture? He could do good sketches of everyone at school, Indy had admired them before, so what made him so much better? He couldn't stand how she simpered over him...India never simpered. It wasn't her, he thought angrily, he was changing her and she was leaving him behind. Jamie threw a pebble against a tree in frustration.
India left school, feeling a little nervous. She had made her doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon when she had been sure of her father not being in the house and even now she felt worried that he would somehow find out. She knew that she could just say that she had to go to the doctor for something else but then he would have insisted on giving her the money and wanting to know what was wrong, and India wouldn't have to known what to say. She couldn't lie on the spot so had said that she was going to Allie's after school to do some work which her father had seemed to have accepted. Now she had to walk over and couldn't help feeling worried about being seen, not even necessarily by her father, it could be by one of her neighbours and then India knew she would be stuffed.
"Indy!"
India almost jumped out of her skin, nearly dislodging all the money Donna had lent her.
"Jamie!" she exclaimed, turning round and seeing her friend. "What?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm...busy," she said vaguely. "Why, anyway?"
"Oh...I wondered if you wanted to go for a milkshake."
Of all days! India thought exasperatedly. He had never wanted to do that before and he chose today. He must have seen the look of annoyance on her face as he said, "Sorry," sheepishly and India felt guilty.
"No, I am," she said genuinely. "It's not that I don't want to....I can do another day this week. I promise we'll catch up then."
"It's okay," he said hastily, and India thought he seemed rather anxious. "Don't worry about it. Hey, where are you going, anyway?"
"Doctor's appointment," said India awkwardly.
"Oh – is everything okay?" asked Jamie in concern and then felt like an idiot as his friend suddenly went red. It was probably some sort of girl problem which he definitely did not want to know about and he could have kicked himself.
"Fine," mumbled India. "Just a check-up..."
"Right..."
They looked awkwardly at each other and then glanced down to the ground.
"I should go," said India quickly, at exactly the same moment Jamie said, "You should probably head off," and they laughed.
"Sorry," said Jamie, grinning, and it all felt normal again. "I didn't mean to hold you up. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah," said India fondly. "Hey, I promise that we will catch up this week. Sorry for being a lousy mate."
"You haven't been. You're great...."
India looked a little confused but smiled and said, "Thanks. Anyway – bye!" and she strode away, her curls blowing out. Jamie watched her go, admiring the way she walked before turning away, wishing she wasn't so stupidly perfect and wishing, more than anything else, that relationships came with manuals, or, more specifically, ones for your friends, and ones who were India Napier – his uncle's advice, good as it was, not being able to provide that.
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Post by Bee on Mar 16, 2011 22:41:43 GMT
Poor Jamie! Good update Sophie can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Mar 17, 2011 16:10:05 GMT
Thanks! India made her way to the doctor's, feeling sure that someone would see her, but they didn't and she slunk into the surgery, went to the desk and then sat with her book in the waiting room, feeling out of place. There were a few elderly people, a man with a cough and a woman with an energetic school child but nobody else and India tried to read, feeling awkward, despite knowing that they wouldn't know why she was there. Then suddenly it was time for her to go in and she stuffed the book in her bag and made her way in, feeling the man's eyes on her as she had got up. "India," the doctor said, looking up and smiling after she had hesitantly knocked and then opened the door when told come in! "How can I help?" "I want to go on the pill," India blurted out, imagining, stupidly, the doctor interrogating her about it and demanding parental consent, but instead the doctor just nodded and said, "Is it for contraceptive reasons?" India nodded and then the doctor asked for a quick medical history, checked her medical record and then took her blood pressure and told her how to take the pill. "Start with this one," she said, scribbling a prescription and giving it to India. "And if you have problems come back – you might have some small side effects in the first week or two but if they continue come back and you can try a different brand." "Thanks," said India, holding the prescription and wondering if the doctor was going to tell her anything else, but she just smiled at India and said, "Just take the prescription to the pharmacy." "Thanks," India said again and stood there for a moment before grabbing her bag and leaving, feeling foolish. Was that really all? she thought incredulously, leaving the surgery whilst everyone else still waited, the man still looking at her as she left. It had only taken five minutes and she had told her dad that she could be home an hour later, and India wondered what to do. Go to the pharmacy, she thought, feeling aware of the prescription in her hand and she walked over there. India had to wait in the pharmacy for a while but then when it was her turn it was as easy as buying a loaf of bread. No one made any comments, she hadn't seen anyone she knew and India pushed the pills to the bottom of the bag before making her way home, feeling rather in a state of shock that she had done it and that it had all gone so smoothly. It didn't feel very real and she clutched her bag the whole way home in case somehow the pills fell out, but they didn't. India took out a text book to make her story look convincing and now she was home, and her father was none the wiser. India planned to keep it that way. "Hello!" called Declan as India came through the door. "Hi!" she called out sheepishly, making her way into the kitchen and feeling very aware of the pills in her bag, as though they would somehow become visible. "Hey," said Declan fondly as he daughter came in. "Did you get all your work done?" "Yeah," said India shortly, clutching the text book, but Declan only smiled and said, "Good job. How about pasta for dinner?" "Sounds great," said India, starting to go to her room but Declan said, "Don't go off, come and tell me about your day." "Well..." said India awkwardly, sitting down at the table, "what do you want to hear?" "I don't know, Indy! How was school? How was Allie's house? The usual." Declan started getting pans out and filled the kettle. "It pretty much was just the usual," said India, her heart thumping slightly. "School was school. We got an assessment for History and a surprise Maths test." "Did it go okay?" Declan asked and sat down beside her. "Yeah. I hope so. I don't know." "I always knew I never did well," joked Declan and India smiled slightly. "What did you do at Allie's?" "Just studied," said India shortly and got back up. "I'm going to go and change." "Okay," said Declan, sounding slightly surprised, and picked up India's bag for her. India tried not to grab it. "Thanks," she said and hurried to her bedroom, closing the door with a sigh. She leant against it for a moment, making sure that her father was staying in the kitchen before going to the bed and taking the pills out. India sat cross-legged on the bed and read the instructions again and looked at the box, before dropping them suddenly as she heard her father's footsteps. Panicking, she picked them up again and as her father knocked she called, "Just a sec!" before looking blankly around her room and then quickly stuffing them into her underwear drawer. "Come in," she said after she had shut it and Declan came in. "I only wondered if you wanted cheese with your pasta." "Oh...yes, please." "Sorry, I should have just called through the door." "No, it's fine....I was just going to get changed." "All right then," said Declan, looking at his daughter who had an odd expression on her face. "Are you okay?" "Fine, why?" "You look a little weird." "Oh thanks!" exclaimed India and Declan grinned. "You know what I mean. Okay, I'll give you a shout when it's ready." India smiled, her heart still beating rather fast as he left. That had been too close for her liking, though she guessed he couldn't really do anything about it if he had seen them. It wouldn't be a fun situation though, and India could imagine the argument already and went back to the drawer, pushing the pills to the very back. "You were back early," remarked Declan as they ate dinner. "We didn't have as much to do as I thought," said India, reaching for the cheese. "I'm surprised you came home early instead of hanging out." India shrugged. "Did you argue or something?" "No, of course not!" India exclaimed. "She had more to do than me, that's all." "All right," said Declan defensively. "She must be quite a study freak too then. How was your day?" "I told you." "Not much." "It wasn't that exciting," said India. "I saw Jamie afterwards. He wanted me to go for a milkshake." "How come you didn't go?" "I said I'd see Allie. Oh Dad, what's that look for?" "I reckon he still likes you." "No he doesn't," protested India, her cheeks feeling hot. "And anyway, even if he did, I'm with Elliot. I don't want to be break up with him..." Declan raised his eyebrows but didn't comment and they finished their dinner in silence. India went to her room afterwards, feeling a little mixed up. Asking her out for a milkshake didn't mean anything, did it? He was her best friend – he always had been. And he couldn't like her now, not with Elliot going out with her. India liked Elliot, not him... "I don't," said India firmly to her mother's photo, as though to make it clear to both of them. "I like Elliot." Everyone was reading too much into it anyway, she thought decidedly, but it niggled at the back of her mind for the rest of the evening. The following morning India went to school with an uneasy plan of talking about it with Jamie, but he wasn't in school. "Where's Jamie?" she asked his friend, Luke, but he shrugged and said, "How should I know?" "You missing him Napier?" teased Marcus as she brushed past him in the corridor. "I always knew you two were meant for each other..." India ignored him and he called, "Just make sure you know who the father is!" "What's that meant to mean?" India snapped and he grinned and said, "I reckon you know." "I reckon you're a moron," said India, struggling to keep her temper. "And I reckon you've just proved that there really is nothing in that thick skull of yours!" "I'm just calling it like I see it," he said nastily but before India could say something back the bell went and she went to her next class seething, and felt the same way for the rest of the day. She didn't have feelings for Jamie and he didn't have feelings for her, she had just read too much into it because of morons like Marcus. India felt very relieved that Jamie hadn't come in that day after all and inwardly groaned, knowing what a fool she would have sounded like. At least that was something less to worry about though, she thought, and she messaged Jamie to ask where he was and as she left school she saw someone waiting for her. "Elliot!" she exclaimed, coming up to him and kissing him. "It feels like ages since I last saw you." "You too," he grinned, after he kissed her back. "Sorry I cancelled on Saturday." "That's okay. How was your grandmother?" "Fine. Hey, do you want to go back to mine? Mum and Dad are at Maddie and Leah's parent's evening." "Sure," said India, feeling daring and she walked back to his house feeling pleasantly excited. It felt bizarrely quiet when they went in; there being no rowdy younger sisters. "I could get used to this," grinned Elliot, as they went and got a drink and then into his bedroom. "Me too," said India but he cut her off with a kiss and they lay down on the bed. India wished it was always like this: no sisters coming whenever they felt like it, no paranoid fathers insisting on keeping the door open and no one keeping tabs. She wrapped her arms around him and they kissed heavily and India felt dimly aware of her dress riding up but didn't try to pull it back down. She didn't mind that, didn't mind him putting a hand on her leg and running the other through her hair but when Elliot undid a button on her dress India sat up and pushed herself away. "Do we have to stop?" Elliot blurted out and India looked down and said, "I'm sorry, I can't," and felt a little tearful. "It's okay," said Elliot awkwardly, sitting closer to her. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to pressure you." "I know..." There was an awkward pause and then India said, "I'm not saying never." "I know." "I just don't feel ready yet," sniffled India and Elliot took her hand. "We don't have to." "I want to," India admitted. "Just not yet." They sat in silence for a little while and Elliot asked tentatively, "Do you have birth control?" "Yeah," said India. "I've got the pill." "I just wanted to know," he told her. "But I'm not trying to pressure you." "I know," assured India but then the front door opened and the calls of the girls and conversation between Elliot's parents showed that the rest of the family were home and India got up. "I should get back," she said awkwardly. "Dad's going to want to cook dinner." "Okay. Do you want me to walk you home?" India shook her head, so he gave her a quick kiss and India made her way to the front door, escaping a conversation with his parents and the puzzling Maddie as they all were in the kitchen and laughing about something. India hurried home, cooked dinner and laughed with her father, but she could only think about one thing, something she had read in a silly teen magazine years ago: sex changes everything and once you go there you can't go back. But did she want to go back? India pondered as she got ready for bed and brushed her teeth. In what way would it change everything? Would she feel more grown-up? Would she regret it? India didn't think she would. She had even thought she was ready until she had panicked. It wasn't even like staying a virgin felt very important, so why did she keep freaking out? What would be lost with virginity? She'd still be her. But then, as they said: once you go there you can't go back. It was a confusing thing, India thought as she climbed into bed and as she lay there mulling over it all her phone beeped with a text from Jamie reading, Sick with flu looking forward to seeing you next week xxxxIndia smiled and went to sleep with the phone in her hand.
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Post by Bee on Mar 18, 2011 13:05:34 GMT
Teen magazines are so misleading lol
Can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Mar 20, 2011 0:13:46 GMT
The rest of the week sped by and Jamie was sick for all of it. India, feeling bad, texted him to see if he wanted her to come over but got a reply that he didn’t want to risk her catching it, so India instead just took notes for him and details of his assessments, hoping that he would feel better, and ignoring Marcus’s jibe that they were like a married couple. India began to take the pill in the morning before school, ensuring that it was well-hidden in the drawer before leaving, and it soon stopped feeling strange and new and soon became part of her routine. What did feel new, however, was a sudden rush of mood swings that hit India like a ton of bricks. India hadn’t as felt up and down since early adolescence and the smallest things started to make her want to cry. “You all right?” asked Declan in concern as his daughter sniffled uncontrollably at the end of a cheesy movie.
“Fine,” said India in a wobbly voice, wiping a hand across her eyes. “It was just so sweet...”
“I thought it was more corny that sweet,” commented Declan dispassionately. “You’re not really crying, are you?”
“No,” protested India weakly and her father laughed and gave her a cuddle.
“Come here, cry-baby!”
India smiled, sniffled a little and felt rather stupid yet felt very low for the rest of the week and despite trying to smile and not show it Declan picked up on it.
“Are you okay?” he asked one dinner and India said, “Fine,” in a surprised voice. “Why?”
“You’ve been so sad these past few days.”
“I haven’t been,” said India firmly, reaching for her glass. “I’m fine.”
“Did you argue with Elliot or something?”
“No!”
“Jamie? Lydia?”
“No, Dad!” exclaimed India, wishing she was better at hiding her emotions. “It’s just –“
“Just what?”
“Nothing,” muttered India, feeling like an idiot.
“Indy.”
“It’s really nothing,” she said firmly again. “It’s just that time...”
“Right,” mumbled Declan, wishing he hadn’t asked, and they went back to dinner in silence. Declan couldn’t help thinking that was something more to it, however, and called Rebecca when India was at work on Saturday.
“She just hasn’t been herself,” he said anxiously and Rebecca frowned.
“In what way?”
“She’s been really weepy,” Declan told her. “But she told me she hadn’t argued with anyone. She just said it was her period.”
“It can make you feel very weepy,” Rebecca said in India’s defence. “You could be worrying about nothing.”
“I guess,” said Declan awkwardly. “I wouldn’t know, but she’s never been this bad before. She was a bit moody when she was younger but that was years ago now. She’s just bursting into tears at the drop of a hat and trying to hide it! I’m worried about her.”
“Look, I’m sure Indy would talk to you if there was something really wrong,” said Rebecca after a short pause. “Try not to worry for now. If it carries on then talk about it again but she could be telling the truth. Hormones can do crazy things.”
“I guess,” Declan said again, starting to feel stupid. “I’m probably just completely overreacting. Sorry, Mum.”
“You don’t need to apologise,” she told him. “Overreacting is part of being a parent! Anyway, I have to go now. Try not to worry about it but if it carries on have a word with her, or I’ll have a word with her.”
“All right. Thanks, Mum. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Declan and Rebecca said their goodbyes and hung up and Declan sighed. He was probably overreacting, as his mother said and maybe she was right and India was telling the truth, he wouldn’t know (and didn’t want to either) but he had a feeling in his gut that there was more to it and, so, slightly guiltily, he opened the door to his daughter’s bedroom.
“So how are you feeling?” India asked. Jamie had finally felt up to going out and so agreed to see India for a milkshake after her shift had finished.
“Okay.”
“You still look a bit sick.”
“Oh, thanks!”
“I don’t mean it nastily,” India protested, sipping some of her drink. “I just mean that you still look a bit under the weather.”
“That’s what Mum said,” said Jamie, wrinkling his nose. “She didn’t want me to come because she thinks I’m still sick, but Indy, you have no idea how bored I’ve been!”
“I could have come over if you were bored but still ill.”
“I know, but I wanted to get out of the house. I’m sick of that too!”
They laughed a little and Jamie asked, “So have I missed much in school?”
“Nah,” said India, getting her bag. “We had a couple of assessments and Ms Jackson set us a history essay. I took some notes for you.”
“Thanks. Anything else?”
“No, not really. You just missed Marcus being an idiot, but what’s new about that?”
“What was he saying?”
“Oh, you know...just the usual crap about is being a couple.”
“Right,” said Jamie in a low voice and India frowned.
“I told him where to go. He’s not getting to you, is he?”
“What do you think?” asked Jamie, looking up and sounding normal again and India smiled in relief.
“I reckon it’s just that he’s jealous that he’s never had a friend who’s a girl, let alone a girlfriend. He’s such a moron, isn’t he?”
“Yeah,” said Jamie, sounding disgruntled again.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” asked India and he gave her a quick smile.
“Course. I just don’t like him hassling you.”
“Oh come on, you know I don’t need you to stick for me. I can take him on anytime.”
“I know, but I still don’t like it.”
India smiled and leant forward.
“You’re an amazing friend,” she said and Jamie went slightly red. “No, you are and you can’t let idiots like that annoy you, just because they think we can’t be friends.”
“I know,” said Jamie quietly and India picked her bag up.
“I’ve got to go now but here,” and she pulled out a notebook. “There’s all the notes you need, give me a call if you want help.”
“Sure you don’t want to do it for me?” asked Jamie hopefully and India laughed and got up.
“I’m nice but I’m not that nice. Bye!”
“Bye,” said Jamie, smiling back at her, but his heart sank as he watched her leave. He guessed he had his answer.
Declan couldn’t find anything in India’s room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary: in her wardrobe were just her usual set of clothes, in her desk drawers just stationary and a few odds and ends and in the drawer of her bedside table there was only some painkillers, hairbands and a book and Declan slid it shut, feeling foolish but relieved. He didn’t know what exactly he had been looking for but whatever it was he couldn’t find it and that was enough for him. He sat on the bed, smiling briefly at Bridget’s photo which was next to it and then gazed around the room one last time. He started to feel guilty again, though he told himself that he was only making sure that India was okay. His eyes set on the chest of drawers which he hadn’t looked in because it had seemed silly – there were only more sets of clothes but Declan wondered if he should check all the same. He got up, put his hand on the top drawer when suddenly he heard the front door open and he hastily retrieved it and left India’s room, but not quickly enough for her to see him.
“Dad!” she exclaimed. “What were you doing in my room?”
“I was...er....” Declan quailed a little under his daughter’s accusing stare and wished he was better at thinking quickly. “Putting a book you left outside back...”
“Dad,” said India dangerously, putting her hands on her hips. “Were you looking through my stuff?”
“Okay, I was,” admitted Declan recklessly. “Just because I was worried.”
That was a mistake.
“Worried!” yelled India. “That’s not a reason to go through my things! I’m seventeen!”
“Indy, I’m sorry, I just –“
“You don’t trust me!” exclaimed India angrily, and to her horror she began feeling tearful and blinked her eyes furiously to try and combat the tears.
“Indy, I do, you know I do –“
“Then how come you were snooping through my stuff?” yelled India and she rubbed her hand across her eyes and sniffled.
“That’s why!” exclaimed Declan. “Because you haven’t been yourself this week! You’ve been so down I was just worried!”
“But I told you why,” said India. “You’re not a girl; you don’t understand what it’s like...”
“No, but –“
“Dad, I’d tell you if there was something wrong,” said India wearily. “Anyway. I want to get changed; I’ve had a long shift.”
“I’m sorry,” said Declan anxiously and India gave him a look and went into her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. When she had heard her father’s footsteps retreat she hurried to her underwear drawer, heart in her mouth and then let out a shaky sigh of relief when she found the pills undisturbed. Had it been that obvious? India didn’t know what she would have done if he had found them and she slotted the drawer shut, letting herself relax.
“I’m sorry,” said Declan tentatively later that evening and India shrugged.
“You could’ve respected my privacy.”
“I know. I do, I was just worried about you. I overreacted and I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” said India in a small voice.
“So I’m forgiven?” asked Declan hopefully and India nodded.
“Thanks, darling,” said Declan in relief. “I really am sorry. I just worry about you, that’s all...sometimes I stuff up.”
“I know,” said India quietly. “I’d tell you if something was wrong.”
“I know you would,” agreed Declan, giving her quick hug, and India felt relieved that her secret was still safe – for now.
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Post by Bee on Mar 20, 2011 4:03:15 GMT
good update sophie, cant wait for more
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Post by sophie on Mar 20, 2011 22:06:38 GMT
Thanks!
Over the next week India’s mood swings lifted and Declan felt relieved and foolish. He had definitely overreacted and Rebecca fully agreed in no uncertain terms when she came over one evening the following week.
“I’m ashamed of you. How could you look through her things?” she asked angrily. “Don’t you respect her privacy?”
“Of course I do!” said Declan defensively. “I was just worried!”
Rebecca gave him a look.
“Declan, how would you have felt if I’d gone through your things when you were seventeen?”
“Angry,” admitted Declan. “And betrayed. I know it was stupid.”
“You’re lucky India was understanding,” remarked Rebecca and Declan said, “I know I shouldn’t have done it. I feel like a jerk now. I was just worried about her.”
Rebecca sighed.
“I know how easy it is to worry,” she said gently. “Especially as a parent, but you have to remember not to panic and you have to trust them. India’s not a child anymore. You have to respect her privacy.”
“I’m a jerk,” said Declan glumly and Rebecca put an arm around him.
“You’re not a jerk, you just made a mistake.”
“I don’t want to be the kind of father who breathes down his kid’s neck,” Declan said, feeling frustrated. “I know India’s seventeen; I know she’s a young adult. I know that I have to let her go and let her make her own decisions, even if I don’t agree with them, but when I worry about her it’s like all that goes out of the window. I’m not trying to excuse it but she seemed so miserable I freaked out and thought...I don’t know. And I justified it by thinking that if I found something I could help her.”
“Found what?”
“I don’t know,” said Declan miserably. “I hadn’t really thought about what. But there wasn’t anything there and now she’s fine and now I feel like a stupidly overprotective dad and she probably won’t want to tell me anything if there is something wrong.”
“Oh Declan, don’t talk like that. We all make mistakes,” said Rebecca firmly, and gave him a hug. “I’m your mum and I still worry about you even though you’re thirty-six. I’ve made mistakes as a mother, I’ve overreacted. That’s all part of being a parent.”
“You never went through my things though, did you?” asked Declan and Rebecca chuckled slightly.
“No, but I was very tempted sometimes. Declan, I really don’t think you need to worry. India’s a good girl.”
“I know she is,” said Declan guiltily. “That’s why I feel so bad. She’s fine now, anyway, and she was telling the truth all along.”
“Come on, stop beating yourself up,” said Rebecca sternly. “I mean it. It’s done, you’ve apologised, India’s forgiven you and most importantly there was nothing to worry about in the first place. Where is my granddaughter, anyway?”
“With Elliot,” said Declan grumpily, taking a biscuit from the plate in front of them.
“You’re still not keen, huh?”
“In some ways I don’t mind him,” Declan admitted. “He’s polite, good to Indy and she seems happy...”
“But?”
“But he’s nineteen and her boyfriend,” said Declan. “And I can’t seem to get myself to trust him.”
“But Declan, India’s only a year or so younger than him. She wants to be with him. I’m sure he isn’t forcing her into anything.”
“He’d better bloody not be,” muttered Declan and then asked, “Mum, how did you let Didge and I stay in the same bedroom for weeks? There is no way in hell I’d let Elliot and Indy do that.”
“I trusted you,” said Rebecca simply. “And Bridget needed somewhere other than home for a while. You could be a terror sometimes but you promised me not to take advantage and I knew I could trust you.”
Declan was thoughtful.
“I do trust India,” he said eventually. “And I know she wouldn’t lie to me about things, and I know she's sensible but I still worry. I don’t know. I just don’t want her to get carried away.”
“All you can do is trust her,” said Rebecca. “And hope that she’ll make the right choices for herself. Don’t assume that the worst will happen.”
“I know,” sighed Declan, but then the front door opened and India came in, eager to see her grandmother, and the matter was dropped.
India felt as though she was on cloud nine over the following week. The side-effects lifted and she felt like herself again and her father stopped asking questions, which was a relief on both grounds. On Saturday morning, as she prepared for work, there was a knock at the door, and feeling frazzled, India threw it open to find her godmother standing there with a sketch-book and a smile. “Hey,” India said, slightly puzzled. “What are you doing here?”
“Is your dad about?”
“Somewhere,” said India vaguely, looking for her bag. “Sorry, Donna, I’m running late, but he’s in the house somewhere. Dad!” she yelled suddenly, making Donna wince and Declan yell back, “What? I’ve told you I haven’t seen your keys!”
“It’s not that!” India bellowed and Declan appeared at the doorway, looking frustrated but then he smiled.
“Donna! How come you’re here?”
“I’ve got to go,” cut in India before Donna could answer. “I’ll see you guys later!” and the door slammed behind her.
“She’s like a whirlwind,” remarked Donna, looking behind her and Declan commented, “Tell me about it. It feels like I barely see my daughter these days.”
“Aw, Dec.”
“I’m just being dumb,” said Declan quickly. “It’s just that she’s always at school or work and when she’s not there she’s off with Jamie or Lydia or Elliot...it’s almost like the house is a hotel. I only see her for a full day on Sunday.”
“Have you told her how you feel?” Donna asked and he shrugged.
“No. I might do. What’s with the sketch-book, anyway?” and Donna’s face lit up with a grin.
“Well. That’s the interesting part. When I said I’d come to visit I also said I’d work on some designs...”
“Yes....”
“And I have, and I think it would be fun to do a fashion show.”
“Right,” said Declan, feeling a little in the dark. “Do you want to get Indy involved? I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“Not Indy,” said Donna and Declan looked at her, confused, and then shook his head violently.
“No. No way. Donna Freedman, I am sorry, but no chance in hell.”
“You owe me,” said Donna dangerously.
“What?”
“I gave India a sex talk,” Donna reminded him. “And you said you’d do anything in return. This is how you can repay me.”
Declan looked horrified.
“It’s not that bad,” said Donna defensively and Declan flicked through the book and exclaimed, “Not that bad! Donna, one of these designs has me walking along the catwalk in sunnies and a dressing gown!”
“It’s not a dressing gown, it’s a man’s robe,” protested Donna. “It’s all men’s clothing. It could be a lot worse.”
“Couldn’t you make me go shoe shopping instead?” pleaded Declan but Donna was merciless.
“You promised to do me a favour and this is how you can do it.”
“And there aren’t any male models?”
“Well,” said Donna wickedly. “Yes, but this way is a lot more fun.”
Declan let out a groan.
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Post by Bee on Mar 21, 2011 9:30:45 GMT
Great update sophie (: can't wait for more
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Post by sophie on Mar 21, 2011 14:29:41 GMT
Thanks!
After work India saw someone leaning awkwardly against the lamppost outside and as she walked closer she saw it was Jamie.
"Hey!" she said fondly. "How are you feeling?"
"A lot better but still kind of gross."
"That sucks," said India, wrinkling her nose. "Have you started any assessment work?"
"What do you think?" asked Jamie and India laughed and rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to go for a drink?" he asked but as India opened her mouth to answer someone called,
"Indy!" and India looked up to see her boyfriend.
"Hey," she said and quickly turned back to see Jamie.
"Maybe tomorrow or something?" she asked quickly and he smiled, shrugged and went away.
"What did he want?" asked Elliot after he and India had kissed.
"Just to go out for a drink," said India blithely.
"Didn't you see him for a drink last week?"
"Well, yeah," said India, frowning. "He'd been sick all week. I brought him some school notes."
"You talk about him a lot."
"Because he's my friend!" exclaimed India, looking at him. "Are you suggesting something?"
"No!" snapped Elliot. "I just...I'm sorry. I'm being a jerk."
There was an awkward pause and then Elliot said,
"Do you want to go back to mine?"
India nodded and they walked back in silence. Maddie and Leah were there, from the sounds of slight squabbling in the front room, and they went into his bedroom undisturbed.
"I'm sorry," said Elliot again when the door was shut. "I know I was being an idiot. It's just because you were so down last week and then you were laughing with him...I want to be the one that cheers you up."
"But you do cheer me up!" exclaimed India. "He's my friend, that's all. And I told you why I was low. I was looking forward to seeing you all through my shift."
"Really?"
"Really really," insisted India and she leant in for a kiss.
"I'm going away next week," said Elliot when they had sat back up.
"Where?" asked India, feeling a little shocked and he said,
"Just to New South Wales to look at some art schools but we're going to see my brother too."
"Right."
India looked down, feeling a little miserable and he took her face in his hands.
"Hey, it's only for the week."
"I know," said India, managing to smile and they started kissing again when the door swung open suddenly and they quickly moved apart.
"Maddie!" exclaimed Elliot furiously. "What have I told you about knocking?"
"Sorry," said his sister, not sounding it. "I've got you a drink."
She stood there with two brimming glasses and her brother asked,
"How did you know we were here?"
"I heard you come in," she said.
"Look, thank you for the drinks but please can you put them down and go back to playing with Leah?"
"All right," said Maddie wickedly and she moved over, her hands wobbled and both drinks landed in India's lap.
"Maddie!" exclaimed Elliot and India couldn't stop herself snapping,
"What did you do that for?"
"It was an accident!" said Maddie with big eyes, but India had seen the look on her face as she did it and retorted,
"No, it wasn't."
"India!" exclaimed Elliot. "Maddie slipped, it wasn't on purpose."
"Sorry," said Maddie and India didn't know what to say so she just stared at her until Maddie ran out of the room.
"Elliot, that wasn't an accident," said India desperately when she had gone. "I know she did it on purpose."
"Why would she do that?" snapped Elliot and India exclaimed,
"I don't know! Because she's possessive of you? Because she doesn't trust me?"
"Maddie's a little kid," said Elliot angrily. "And she wouldn't do something like that deliberately."
"You didn't see the look on her face when she did it," said India. "She's spilt things on me three times; do you really think that's a coincidence? I don't have a sister, I don't know why she does it but I know she's doing it deliberately."
"That's right, you don't have a little sister," retorted Elliot. "But I do. I've known Maddie her entire life and I know she's not a bad kid."
"I didn't say she was a bad kid!" exclaimed India. "I don't think that! But I know that she doesn't like me and is doing this stuff on purpose!"
"And I'm saying that you don't know her and I do. I'm her brother and I didn't bring you back so you could upset her and read too much into accidents."
"I'm not reading too much into it," said India, feeling like she was going to cry. "And I'm not trying to upset her or make you two argue. I'm just saying that three accidents involving me aren't accidental."
"You don't have any brothers or sisters," said Elliot after a small pause and India snapped,
"So I can't understand them, is that what you're saying?"
"I'm saying that you're overreacting!"
"Overreacting!" snapped India. "I've had juice spilt down me twice and chips as well!"
"Little kids mess up," said Elliot doggedly. "And if you had a sister you'd understand."
India folded her arms, feeling annoyed and they glared at each other and then India stood up.
"I'm going home," she said angrily. "Enjoy your trip."
"Fine," said Elliot. "Enjoy going to cry to Jamie!"
"Oh, get over it!" snapped India and as she stormed out of the house she saw Maddie smirk and thought that Elliot was right – she didn't know what it was to have a younger sister and she was glad.
"So how's everything been otherwise?" asked Donna. She had finally put the sketch-pad away and now she and Declan were drinking cups of tea and eating some cake that Rebecca had made. Declan made a face and shrugged.
"Bad?"
"No, not really," said Declan, putting his cup down. "I just did something dumb because I was worried about Indy."
"What?"
"Well, she wasn't herself last week. She kept crying out of nowhere and I asked her what was going on and she just said it was her period. I felt worried though so I looked in her room."
"Declan!" exclaimed Donna. "That's not cool!"
"I know, I know!"
"God, I would have murdered you if you were my dad," said Donna ferociously.
"India's forgiven me but I still feel like a jerk."
"You didn't find anything then?"
"No," said Declan, drinking some more tea. "I just overreacted and what would I know about that stuff anyway? She's fine now."
"That's good," said Donna, trying to sound nonchalant and Declan frowned.
"You sound a bit weird."
"I don't!" protested Donna, feeling herself go red.
"You don't know something, do you?"
"There's nothing for me to know," protested Donna firmly and Declan stared at her but before he could ask any further the front door opened and they looked up to see a tearful India.
"Indy!" exclaimed Declan, getting up and going to her. "What's wrong?"
"I hate him!" sobbed India and Declan took her by the shoulders and said,
"What's he done? Has he tried to make you do something?"
"No!" exclaimed India through her tears and she pushed his arms away. "He's just a jerk! I hate men!" and she marched into her room and slammed the door.
Declan and Donna looked at each other and Declan started to move towards her door but Donna shook her head.
"Dec, I think I should go in."
"But I'm her dad!" protested Declan and Donna nodded gently.
"And she might not want to talk about it with you yet. She probably wants to talk to a girl first and maybe it was something embarrassing."
"I....oh, okay," said Declan despondently and Donna knocked gently on India's door.
"Dad?" she sniffled. "I don't want to talk about it."
"It's Donna, honey, but I can go away if you want."
"Oh...." Donna heard her sniffle. "Come in, if you want."
Donna quietly opened the door and found her goddaughter lying on the bed with tears streaming down her cheeks and clutching her teddy bear.
"Hey," she said softly, going and sitting next to her. "What happened?"
"I hate men," sniffled India and Donna smiled but felt anxious.
"Did he want to take it further?"
"No!"
"Did you want to?"
"No!" exclaimed India, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "It wasn't to do with that!"
"What was it about?"
"His stupid sister," grumbled India. "She's spilt stuff down me three times and I know it was deliberate and he just won't accept it! He just says I don't understand because I don't have a sister but I reckon it's because he does. He loves her so much that he won't see what's in front of him."
Donna was silent but listened.
"And then he was even more of a jerk," wailed India, dissolving into sobs again. "He got all defensive and basically said that I was going to get with Jamie behind his back."
"Your friend?" asked Donna and India nodded vigorously.
"He's such a paranoid. And now he's going away for a week and he probably won't want to stay with me when I get back!"
"Hey, it was just an argument," said Donna gently but India shook her head.
"He was such a jerk. I don't even want to make up with someone who doesn't trust me."
"Oh Indy, I'm sure he didn't mean it. We all say stuff we don't mean when we're angry."
"I mean it," said India in a wavery voice, trying to sound convincing, but Donna didn't believe her so instead sighed and gave her hug.
"She all right?" asked Declan anxiously when Donna eventually emerged half an hour later.
"Yeah," she said in a tired voice, and sitting back down at the table. "Well. She will be. She's just upset."
"Did he do something?" asked Declan angrily.
"No. Not like that. I'll let Indy tell you the details but I don't think he did anything really wrong. They just had an argument."
"Even so," growled Declan. "He's made her cry."
"Declan Napier," said Donna, leaning forward. "I swear to God, if you go over to his house and do some fatherly ranting India will never forgive you and neither will I."
"I wasn't going to!" exclaimed Declan. "But –"
"Don't you dare," said Donna firmly and they lapsed back into silence. Declan ate some more cake.
"When do you think I should go in?"
"If she doesn't come out for dinner," said Donna. "But leave her alone afterwards. She probably wants some space – particularly away from men."
"It's not my fault her boyfriend was a jerk!"
"Ah, but you're thinking rationally," said Donna, pointing her cake at him. "When a guy upsets us we get angry with males worldwide, because we think of how the guy has upset us, and then we think of all the stuff guys do and then we decide to write them off completely."
"Thanks for the heads up," said Declan in a disgruntled voice and Donna shrugged.
"She'll get over it. The man-hating thing shouldn't last longer than a week at the most."
"Oh, great!"
"But you're her dad," continued Donna patiently. "So she won't hate you for very long."
"Thanks for the insight into the female psyche."
"I try," said Donna sarcastically and then stood up. "I've got to head back; Jess and Zeke are going to want to start dinner. Don't worry about Indy, she'll be all right."
"Thanks, Donna," said Declan gratefully and as Donna left she called,
"Phone me if you need me!"
A few hours later and India finally emerged, red-eyed and sniffling and had changed into her pyjamas.
"Hey," said Declan fondly as she went into the kitchen. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Guys suck," said India firmly, getting a glass of water and sitting beside her father on the sofa.
"I know we do sometimes," said Declan wryly. "I'm sorry."
India sniffled slightly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Declan nervously, wondering if India was going to start shouting again but she simply looked very young and shrugged.
"It was a really dumb argument..."
"About?"
"Maddie," said India in a disgruntled voice. "She's such a brat, to me anyway, and he won't listen. She spilt two glasses of juice down me and when I called her on it she lied and he wouldn't believe me, even when she left the room and I told him about all the stuff she'd done!"
"It's because she's his sister," said Declan simply. "Sometimes you turn a blind eye to your siblings. If someone was accusing Oliver of something I'd instinctively be on his side."
"I know, but she's a kid!" exclaimed India angrily. "And it's so obvious! I'm not saying she's a bad child but she's doing it on purpose to drive me away or something and he won't see it!"
"And he got mad?"
"Yeah," said India in a small voice. "He said I just didn't understand her and then he was horrible," she ended in a wobbly voice.
"How?"
"He accused me of being with Jamie, pretty much," sniffled India and Declan sighed.
"I'm sure you'll make up."
"He's going away for a week," sniffled India. "What if he doesn't want to?"
Declan was quiet for a moment and India asked,
"Dad, did you ever argue with Mum?"
"A few times," he said, after a small laugh. "Mostly because I was jealous of Josh, dumb things like that."
"What about when you were together?"
"Well, there was the Josh thing then too," he reminded her. "And when we fell out over adopting you. And when I was a jerk when Mum told me she was pregnant."
"Oh," said India uncomfortably.
"But you know what?" said Declan. "We always made up and when your mum took trips there was no way I could forget her. If Elliot really likes you he won't want to break up."
"I bet you want him to," sniffled India and Declan put his arm around her.
"Sweetheart, I'll always be a bit weird about him because he's your boyfriend but I know he likes you and I think he's a decent guy...for the most part."
"I don't mind if you hate him," sniffled India. "I hate him too."
"Oh, you don't."
"No, I don't," admitted India. "But I want to," and she started to cry a little again and Declan gave her a hug.
"Hey, do you want to hear something that will make you smile?"
"What?" asked India, not sounding convinced.
"Guess who has to star in Donna's fashion show?"
"What?" giggled India and Declan continued,
"In a dressing gown and sunglasses!" and India burst into loud laughter.
"Hey, how about pizza for dinner?" asked Declan and India nodded, still giggling, and Declan felt glad that even if he couldn't take away her sadness he could still make her smile.
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