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Post by sophie on Mar 25, 2011 22:36:02 GMT
India felt like she was in a funk over the next few days. She constantly thought about her argument with Elliot and how stupid it had been and how she missed him and if he missed her, and wandered around the house in a state of gloom, oblivious to the mania surrounding her as Declan and Donna rushed around her as they organised and argued about the fashion show. Arguing was more prevalent.
“I am not styling my hair!” exclaimed Declan, looking at fashions shots Donna had brought along.
“Dec, come on –“
“No!” said Declan sternly. “No way! I’ll wear the clothes – some of them – but I am not putting my hair in a Mohawk!”
“You’ll look hot,” protested Donna, grinning and Declan turned, helplessly, to his daughter who had meandered into the room and opened the fridge.
“Indy, talk some sense into her,” Declan begged. “Tell her that your dad wearing a dressing gown and sunglasses is traumatising enough without adding a stupid hairstyle on top.”
India just shrugged and got the orange juice out, poured herself a glass and wandered away again. Declan stared after her and that at Donna.
“It’s not like Indy to pass up an opportunity to make fun of me,” he said. “What happened there?”
“Oh Declan, she’s just down in the dumps,” said Donna briskly. “She’ll be fine. She’s just feeling sad because she’s fought with Elliot.”
“It’s not like her.”
“She’ll be right, I promise. Look, Dec, we could wave your hair...”
“No!”
The rest of the week passed quickly by and India couldn’t get excited about the fashion show at all, which Donna was throwing in just a few days’ time. She kept checking her phone to see if Elliot had called or texted, but he never had, and a few times she began to start a message or call him but always stopped herself, not knowing what to say. Even though he didn’t know the number, India always felt her heart leap when the landline rang and always slunk back into her room in disappointment and Declan watched her, slightly worried. It wasn’t like India to seem so down, but he was so busy with the show and rehearsing for it that he never really had a chance to talk about it with his daughter.
“You know, you could be in the show too,” Declan said one evening, as he got ready to go to and rehearse at Zeke’s house. “It’s not a big, fancy show; it’s just a small one for charity.”
“No thanks.”
“You wouldn’t have to wear a dress,” offered Declan but India said irritably, “I don’t want to have everyone staring at me.”
“Suit yourself,” said Declan, raising his eyebrows and putting his jacket on. “I’m going now, if you want to come. You can just watch. It might be fun.”
“No, I have work.”
“Okay,” sighed Declan. “I’ll be a couple of hours,” and he left, leaving India feeling morose. She went back into her room, playing with the phone in her hand and suddenly threw it onto the bed. What was she becoming? India suddenly felt miserable – she never wanted to be one of the girls who moped over their boyfriends and she went and sat at her desk and picked her pen up. She had only done a couple of questions of her assignment, however, when her phone suddenly beeped. Heart thudding, India ran across her room and opened the text to say Indy, Leah’s sick and Mum doesn’t want to travel with her having a temperature. We’ll be back next weekend instead xxxx
India read the text three times before dropping the phone again. She felt bitterly miserable. India knew reasonably that it didn’t matter much and make much of a difference, and at least he had texted her, but it felt like a blow to the chest and she felt some tears roll down her cheeks. India stood in the middle of the room, feeling lonely and let down when suddenly the doorbell rang, making her jump, and quickly India rubbed her cheeks and hurried to the door, feeling sure it would be her father, but it wasn't.
“Jamie!” India exclaimed snottily. “What are you doing here?”
Jamie silently held up a movie.
“You won’t come to the DVD marathon so the DVD marathon is coming to you.”
“But it’s a school night!” exclaimed India, laughing. “And we have that assignment for History...”
“Oh, don’t be so boring,” said Jamie, coming inside. “I bet you’ve already started it.”
India’s cheeks went pink.
“You’ve been in a bad mood all week,” he remarked. “And you need to just chill out.”
“I haven’t been moping around, if that’s what you’re thinking,” lied India and he raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything and instead slid the DVD into the slot.
“Spin!”
“Donna, I’m not spinning,” snapped Declan, as Donna waved a camera around. “I’ll look like a moron.”
“You already look like a moron,” remarked Zeke, coming into the room, grinning and Declan grumbled, “Oh, thanks.”
“It’s all part of show business, baby,” said Donna with a lofty voice and grinned as Declan groaned. “Love the camera. It loves you.”
“Well, I don’t love it.”
“Come on Declan, it’s for charity,” said Zeke in a mock-serious voice and Donna, pleased, turned and said, “There’s still a space if you want to take part, Zeke.”
“That’s okay,” said Zeke hastily and Declan said earnestly, “But Zeke, it’s for a charity!”
Zeke looked murderous and Donna said, “Hey, you can wear the Hawaiian shirt.”
“I’ve got to help look after the kids,” said Zeke hastily but then Jess came into the room and said sweetly, “But I don’t want you to feel like you can’t join in. I’m fine looking after the boys.”
“But –“
“Great,” said Donna, scribbling something down. “You can wear the Hawaiian number.”
“I hate all of you,” grumbled Zeke as Theo wandered into the room.
“Is India going to be there?” he asked Declan innocently as he took off the sunglasses Donna had given him to wear.
“Probably, mate,” he said in a tired voice. “If she’s finished moping around the house. Why?”
“I just wondered. Why’s she sad?”
“Argument with her boyfriend,” Declan said, picking his clothes up and leaving the room to change, Donna adding, “Don’t get involved with relationships, there’s way too much heartache!”
“How’s that girl you like?” asked Zeke, grinning, but Theo just blushed and left the room. Donna and Jess hit him and he protested, “What?!”
“I know I’d hide.”
“They’d find you.”
“Not if you hid really well.”
“Oh Indy, haven’t you watched any zombie movies?” exclaimed Jamie. “The losers who hide get picked off straightaway.”
“And the ones who fight it out get eaten.”
“The main guy doesn’t,” said Jamie, puffing out his chest and, amused, India said, “And that’s you, is it?”
“Well, yeah, only I don’t have a girlfriend. In those movies they always hang on because of their girlfriends.”
“I could be the main girl,” offered India, and then hastily said, “But you know, as friend who’s a girl. We could fight side by side.”
“Okay,” said Jamie, grinning and they sat in silence for a moment. “Where’s your dad, anyway?” he asked suddenly.
“Oh, you know my godmother’s a fashion designer? She’s made my dad be a model in a show she’s doing...she secretly organised it and sprung it on him. It’s not big, it’s just for charity, but anyway, he’s over there rehearsing.”
“Are you going to be in it?”
“Nah,” said India. “I’m not into all that.”
“You’d look pretty,” he said, unexpectedly, and India looked at him for a moment and didn’t know what to say.
“Yeah, well,” she said, blushing. “I’d hate to have all those cameras on me. I don’t even want to go very much.”
“It could be fun.”
“I guess.”
“You know, you don’t need to be upset about him,” said Jamie suddenly. “He’s not worth it.”
“Jamie!” exclaimed India, feeling herself go red. “He is worth it. He’s my boyfriend...or was....anyway, I’m not that upset.”
“Oh come on. You’ve been miserable all week.”
“It’s not really your business,” snapped India, feeling annoyed. “You don’t know what it was about.”
“I don’t think he’s worth making you cry.”
“Who said I cried?” challenged India but before Jamie could answer a key turned in the lock and they both jumped.
“Hey,” said Declan, sounding confused as he noted Jamie on the sofa. “What are you doing here?”
“I just brought some movies over,” said Jamie hastily, getting up and collecting them. “I just came over for a couple of hours but I’ll go now.”
“Right,” said Declan, sounding confused. “Need a lift?”
“No!” Jamie nearly ran out and shut the door with a bang.
“What was that?” asked Declan, as India got up to go to her room.
“He just came over to see me because I felt a bit down. I didn’t invite him.”
“You didn’t ask him to leave.”
“He’s my friend,” said India defensively, folding her arms. “How was rehearsal?”
“Rehearsal,” groaned Declan. “But on a plus note Zeke has to join in too. Do you want to help out after work on Saturday?”
“Yes,” said India, to his surprise. “It’ll be fun,” and she kissed him and went to her room, leaving Declan feeling pleasantly surprised.
“Lights!” yelled Donna on Saturday afternoon. “Camera! Action!”
“It’s not a movie, Donna,” groaned Zeke and Donna snapped, “Shut up, we’re on a schedule!”
Declan and Zeke turned to each other, amused.
“I’m going to take that clipboard away from her,” muttered Declan and Zeke nodded but Donna shouted, “Five minute break and we are back in practise!”
“This is reminding me of the time Rach tried out to be a pop star,” said Declan to her, when Donna had finally sat down with a glass of water.
“And we used your sports car,” Donna giggled.
“And Karl and Susan’s potting green for a red carpet,” agreed Declan. "And you were Rachel’s agent.”
“And you and Didge and Ringo were the paparazzi,” remembered Donna, smiling. “Doesn’t it all seem so faraway?”
“Sometimes it’s like yesterday. One thing hasn’t changed.”
“What?”
“You’re still Miss Bossy!”
“I’m not!” yelled Donna, picking up her clipboard and pretending to hit Declan with it. “I just know how to do my job!”
Declan put his hands up and Donna drank some water.
“Are you sure Indy doesn’t want to be in it?” she asked quietly, looking over towards her goddaughter who was examining a pile of clothes.
“I don’t think so Donna, it’s not her thing.”
“But it’s just a bit of fun for charity, not a serious show. Everyone else is doing it. She’s seemed a lot happier today.”
“You can ask,” said Declan. “But don’t get your hopes up.”
“Indy,” said Donna tentatively. “Do you want to be in the show?”
“Oh Donna, I don’t want to,” said India. “I don’t like dressing up and walking along a catwalk...”
“It’s not a big show,” said Donna encouragingly. “You won’t even have to wear a fancy dress.”
“I’d rather be a fan,” said India awkwardly and Donna smiled and gave up.
The rest of the afternoon sped by and in no time at all it was quarter to eight and everyone was in the room at the back of the hall used for the venue getting ready.
“Makeup?!” yelped Declan, as he sat down to comb his hair. “No way!”
“It’s part of the look!”
“Makeup’s for girls! I’m not a girl!”
“Oh Declan, stop being so babyish,” snapped Donna as India giggled. “Think of it as part of the outfit. You need makeup because of the light. Now stop whinging and let me put it on.”
“Shut up India,” mumbled Declan but let his friend apply some foundation. As Donna reached for some eyeliner (“Why do I need that if I’m wearing sunglasses?”) someone suddenly burst into the room and exclaimed, “Jodie’s sick!”
“What?!” exclaimed Donna in horror, letting the eyeliner fall from her hand. Jodie was one the models. “Sick? How sick?”
“She has a temperature and is puking into a bucket,” said Donna’s friend grimly. “She’s not going anywhere.”
“But what are we going to do about the nightwear selection?” said Donna weakly. “Who’s going to show that? Could Kelly –“
“Kelly has to leave as soon as her piece is over.”
Donna sank onto a chair.
“There’s no other girls on the team,” she said faintly. “And I can’t do it. What are we going to do?”
India suddenly felt terribly uncomfortable. She knew what she had to do and badly didn’t want to do it but forced herself to say quietly, “I’ll do it.”
Donna’s head snapped up and she leapt to her feet before racing to her goddaughter and hugging her very tightly.
“Donna!” gasped India, struggling for breath, “oxygen!”
“I love you!” Donna shrieked and dragged her to the wardrobe. “Look, see there’s the nightgown with the shrugelaro top? It’s just that. Let me do Declan’s makeup and you start on your hair.”
In what felt like no time at all the show was starting and Declan, India and Zeke were dressed and feeling perpetually embarrassed. The dresses had just been modelled and now it was India’s turn. India stood at the edge of the walkway, feeling wobbly and Declan put his hand on her shoulder as Donna announced, “India Napier!” and he whispered, “You’ll be fine!”
India took a deep breath and stepped out into the light of the catwalk and rounds of applause, as Donna announced, “Here’s India Napier showing our very classical nightgown with a modern twist, the shrugerlaro!”
There were a few whistles and flashes of light as Donna ended with, “And doesn’t she look stunning? India Napier, ladies and gentlemen!”
India caught her grandmother’s face in the crowd and, smiling, turned and marched back before quickly changing and running to the seat next to Rebecca at the front, who squeezed her hand and whispered, “Well done!”
“Next up is Mr Zeke Kinski,” announced Donna, and India and Rebecca whooped and clapped. “Wearing what I think you will agree is a perfect outfit for the hot summer days with our Hawaiian theme! Thank you Zeke!”
Zeke marched away, bright red in the face and then Donna, trying not to laugh, continued, “And finally tonight we have our very special Declan Napier!”
“Whoo!” yelled India and Rebecca, cheering. “Yeah!”
Declan braced himself for the most embarrassing moment in his life and stepped out, already regretting letting Donna use hair gel.
“Here’s Declan Napier in a newly designed man’s robe,” described Donna, and India and Rebecca laughed. “Paired perfectly with a pair of sunnies and stylish new hair, I think you will all agree that he looks quite the modern man. Declan Napier!”
“I’ll never forgive you, Donna,” muttered Declan, marching away from the cheering crowd. “Never!”
“Oh, you were both wonderful,” said Rebecca firmly, putting her arms around her son and granddaughter. “Inspired, both of you and Indy, I’m so proud.”
“I reckon Dad’s the one with the future in modelling,” giggled India when suddenly a voice called, “Indy!” and India turned around, surprised, to see Theo looking awkward.
“Theo, what is it?” she asked, surprised, walking away from her father and grandmother and following him outside. “Where are your mum and dad?”
“Saying bye to Donna,” said Theo sheepishly, as they sat on some garden chairs. “I said I wanted to say goodbye to you.”
“Okay,” said India, feeling confused.
“You looked really pretty,” said Theo earnestly.
“Thank you.”
“No, I mean really pretty!” exclaimed Theo.
“Thanks,” said India feeling puzzled.
“Did you really argue with your boyfriend?” asked Theo suddenly and before India could answer he added, “Because he shouldn’t make you sad.”
A horrible thought crossed India’s mind. Zeke had said he liked an older girl, but Theo had never told her who, and how much older. They had just assumed it was someone at school.
“Theo, we’ll make up,” she said gently. “But you’re very sweet.”
“He’s not right for you!”
“Theo, you’re eleven –“
“I’d never make you sad!” he said angrily.
“Oh Theo, I know, but you’re eleven and I’m seventeen,” said India gently. “I’m too old for you. You should see a lucky girl your own age.”
“I don’t want another girl!” shouted Theo, tears brimming in his eyes, and he pushed away from the table and ran back inside, leaving India feeling terrible after calling, “Theo, wait!”
India sat in the chair, feeling heavy. She knew that she had to get back inside to Declan and Rebecca and make sure that Theo was with Zeke and Jess but she sat still for a moment, admiring the stars.
“Hey, you looked great.”
India looked up in astonishment to see her friend.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“I wanted to see the show,” Jamie shrugged. “I paid the donation and when I got in it was your piece!”
“You saw –“ “That’s right, I saw you in your pyjamas!” laughed Jamie as India went red. “You look nice in a nightgown.”
Before India could respond to that Declan and Rebecca had suddenly appeared.
“Indy? It’s time to go home.”
“Coming,” said India quickly, getting up and she waved goodbye to Jamie who disappeared into the night.
“What did he want?” asked Declan.
“He just caught part of the show.”
“Right. Oh, I’m never forgiving Donna,” whinged Declan. “I’ll never get this makeup and hairgel out.”
“What are you thinking about?” whispered Rebecca as India looked up at the stars, not listening to her father and she said honestly, “Boys are strange.”
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Post by Bee on Mar 29, 2011 0:09:46 GMT
Great update Sophie (: can't wait for more
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Post by sophie on Mar 29, 2011 10:44:36 GMT
Thanks!
India felt better over the next few days and after texting Elliot to see how Leah was, he said that there was still no change. Neither mentioned the fight but India felt relieved that he wasn't ignoring her. Theo, on the other hand, was a different matter. When she and Declan went over for dinner on Tuesday night he did not say a word at the table and would not look India in the face and when everyone had finished eating he left the table as soon as possible, raced upstairs and shut himself in his room.
"Don't worry about it, India," said Jess calmly, clearing the plates away. "He'll be his old self again soon."
"Theo's in looove!" sniggered Isaac and Jess gave him a light slap on the arm.
"Leave your brother alone!"
"I feel terrible," said India sadly and Jess exclaimed, "Oh darling, it wasn't your fault. He's only eleven, he'll be fine."
"He's too lovesick," giggled Isaac and Jess glared and said, "Another word and it's to your room, young man," and Isaac shut up.
There was an awkward pause and then Jess said in a rush, "The show went great, didn't it?"
"It was a success," agreed Donna, "and the charity made heaps. I think our models did very well; the photos are going to look great in the magazine."
Declan's head shot up.
"Magazine?" he exclaimed.
"That's right," agreed Donna, trying not to giggle. "It's the monthly special for the charity and they're going to have a double-page spread of the show."
"Double-page spread?" echoed Declan weakly. "Of who?"
"Well, Declan," said Donna wickedly. "They told me they loved the guy who modelled the robe and sunglasses and thought he took great shots and asked me if they could be featured. I thought it would only be fair to you to have some taste of fame after agreeing to do it."
Declan groaned as everyone laughed, and the subject turned to discussing the show and away from India's problem, but she still worried after she and Declan left to go home.
"I still feel really bad," said India miserably, as they left, and Declan put his arm around her.
"Why? You didn't do anything wrong."
"He was totally crushed, Dad!"
"What else could you have said to him?" asked Declan reasonably. "Indy, he's a kid. He'll get over it. We've all had crushes on the wrong people."
"Oh yes?" asked India curiously and Declan coughed and looked away. India laughed and then sighed and then said, "I know how he feels. I had a thing for Mr Andrews when I was thirteen."
"Your English teacher?" asked Declan with a grin. "Didn't you write his name on your notebooks?"
"Yes," sighed India as he laughed. "I was devastated when I found out he was getting married. I cried for a week."
"I remember too well," said Declan grimly and India added, "And now Theo must feel that way too only he's got two little brothers giving him a hard time about it. I should have said something else."
"Like what, offered to take him out for a milkshake? Indy, you said exactly the right thing. He's eleven."
"I just hate being what's made him feel so unhappy," said India miserably.
"We all go through it and you could have handled it so much worse. Remember when I told you about how Zeke handled Sophie Ramsay liking him? She was only thirteen and he freaked out and basically told the entire neighbourhood."
"Poor Sophie!" exclaimed India. "What did she do?"
"Yelled at him," grinned Declan. "And got over it, like Theo will. You didn't embarrass him like Zeke did, so please stop giving yourself such a hard time!"
India knew he was telling the truth but still felt terrible, yet knew she couldn't do anything about it now and that Theo would probably be best if he was left alone and not embarrassed about it, so she tried not to think too much about it. The rest of the week moved quickly by, with no more word from Elliot, though India knew that he was coming home on Saturday and felt her stomach churn with nervousness and excitement the whole of the day before. On the same day Declan had a conference in Melbourne and had to leave earlier to beat the traffic.
"I shouldn't be too late," he said absentmindedly, adjusting his tie in the mirror. "There's some pasta and stuff to heat up if I'm late and you're hungry, but I shouldn't be later than eight."
"Okay."
"You'll be okay, won't you?" said Declan, finishing his tie and going to hug his daughter goodbye.
"Yes, Dad! I'm seventeen now, I think I can handle being alone for a few hours."
"I just know you don't like being in the house on your own," said Declan knowingly, and he smiled. "You know you can call Grandma if you feel lonely."
"Stop worrying," lectured India. "Now just go!"
"What a heartfelt goodbye," grinned Declan, and he leant forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "All right, darling. I'll see you this evening."
India waved him off and then got ready for school. As she walked in she was pleased to see Jamie by the lockers and hurried up to him.
"Hey!" said India happily and he turned round and smiled.
"Hey! How's the future model?"
"Oh, as if," said India, blushing. "That was a oneoff for my godmother...someone got sick and it was for charity...."
Jamie just grinned and said, "Whatever. Do you wear that nightgown thing in bed?"
"I – oh, none of your business!" exclaimed India, going red. "And no, I don't!"
Jamie laughed a little and India hurried on and said, "Do you want to finish that DVD marathon tonight? My dad will be out tonight."
Jamie looked a little sad.
"Oh, I can't tonight. I'm sorry. I'm going to be away for the whole weekend to see my uncle and we're leaving right after I get back from school."
"Oh," said India, slightly disappointed.
"Some other time, hey?" Jamie said and India smiled and said, "Yeah, it can wait."
They left for class and India caught sight of Lydia grinning at her and she nudged her, whispering, "Oh, shut up!"
Soon the day was over and India was going home. She walked with Lydia a little way, but then Lydia remembered that she had left something at school so she went back for it and India stopped by her favourite tree and climbed onto its branch, letting herself hang upside down. It always felt funny seeing the world the wrong way round, no matter how many times she had done so, hundreds, by now, and India hung for a while, thinking about things until the blood rushed to her head and she got back up, wincing. She got home, changed into some jean and a top and waited for her father to get back. Six o'clock came and went but India didn't want to eat dinner without him and, not worried as she knew traffic was bad at that time, tried to do some work but was unable to concentrate, so went to watch some television. The sky had clouded over and now it broke; and a loud thunder and lightning storm began with heavy rain, the thunder making India jump and feel anxious. It was already dark and the wind was moaning and India felt like a child, feeling like the storm could get her. He was right, India thought ruefully, she did hate being in the house alone and eventually picked up the phone to ring her grandmother but there was no answer and India, feeling dejected, replaced it. Eight o'clock came and went and finally India gave in, her insides aching from hunger, and heated up the pasta, wondering what was taking so long when suddenly the phone rang, making her jump.
"Hello?"
"Hey sweetheart, it's Dad."
"Hey!" exclaimed India, sitting back down. "Where are you?"
"Still in Melbourne," said Declan miserably. "The traffic's awful and I drove over some glass some moron left on the road so I have to replace a tyre...I might be later than I thought."
"How much longer?"
"I don't know, probably quite late. I'd say ten or eleven looking at the roads and having to get the car sorted, and there's this storm as well. I'm sorry, sweetie."
"It's okay," said India miserably.
"And don't worry about food, I'll get something here. Have you eaten?"
"Yeah. Look, it's fine Dad. I've got the TV and work. It's not that long."
"I know, I just feel bad."
"It's not your fault."
"I know. Okay, I've got to go. Love you. Bye."
"Bye," said India and as soon as she hung up the phone there was a ring on the bell and, hoping it was Rebecca, India ran to open it but it wasn't. It was Elliot.
"What are you doing here?" exclaimed India.
"Surprise," said Elliot, smiling slightly and India stood aside to let him in from the rain, still feeling shell-shocked.
"What are you doing here?" she asked again, unable to say anything else and he shook some raindrops onto the floor.
"Leah got a lot better and then we heard there was a storm coming north and we didn't want to get caught in flooding or something so we headed home earlier than we thought."
"Oh," said India weakly.
"Is that all you have to say?" he asked in a strange voice and then there was an awkward pause, their argument still hanging in the air.
"I'm glad you're back," said India finally, but the tension was still there.
"Are we still fighting?" he asked and India said tightly, "I don't know, are we?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he said awkwardly. "And overreacted. I just don't like people picking on my family."
"And I don't like not being taken seriously!" exclaimed India. "I know she's your kid sister, I know you love her and I don't want anything to change that but why would I lie about that?"
"I didn't say you lied," snapped Elliot. "I said you misread it."
"I didn't," said India stubbornly. "I think you love Maddie so much that you won't see it. Think about it, Elliot. She loves you more than anything, you're her big brother and I'm your girlfriend. Maybe she feels protective. Maybe she thinks I'm taking you away. Maybe she doesn't like you paying attention to another girl – she's a kid, she doesn't see it in an adult way. I don't know but I do know that three accidents involving me aren't coincidences."
Elliot looked furious for a moment and then seemed to check himself and said, "She's not a bad kid."
"Why don't you get it?" shouted India as the thunder crashed outside. "It doesn't make her a bad kid to be doing mean things to me. It makes her a confused kid, there's a difference. I don't know her. I don't have a sister, but I don't think that's a crazy thing to say."
Elliot looked shocked and then looked a little sad and said, "I'll talk to her."
"Thank you," said India quietly. "That's all I've wanted you to do."
They stood awkwardly in the hall and then India said, "Come on, I'll get you a towel," and led him into her bedroom.
"Where's your dad?"
"Stuck in Melbourne," said India, handing him a towel and he took it saying, "Thanks."
"So are we okay?" asked India as he rubbed himself dry with it and he said awkwardly, "I want us to be. I'm sorry I was a jerk about Jamie as well."
"That's okay," said India quietly. "But I wish you were less insecure. He's my friend and he has been for years."
"I know...I just don't like thinking that you can tell him stuff you can't tell me."
"I don't feel that," said India, putting her arms around him. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," said Elliot and they hesitantly began to kiss. India held him close and as they fell onto the bed she realised how much, and as the storm crashed outside they felt removed from everything and in their own place. They kissed and kissed and when Elliot put his hand in the back of India's shirt and looked to see if she was okay, India felt calm and said, "I'm ready," and she knew.
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Post by Bee on Mar 29, 2011 11:36:44 GMT
naww awesome update Sophie!
cannot wait for more!!!
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Post by sophie on Mar 29, 2011 14:55:49 GMT
Thanks!
The storm had ended and India and Elliot lay in bed holding hands.
"Are you okay?" Elliot asked and India looked over to him.
"Fine, why?"
"You've gone so quiet."
"I'm okay," said India in a small voice. "I thought I might feel different."
"Are you sorry we did it?" Elliot asked anxiously and India shook her head and smiled.
"No. I just thought I'd feel different and I don't. I feel the same."
Before Elliot could ask any further India's mobile suddenly started to ring, making both of them jump, and India quickly reached over to her bedside table to answer it.
"Leave it," groaned Elliot but India shook her head and said, "It could be important," and answered, "Hello?"
"Indy, it's me," came Rebecca's voice and India sat up in surprise, holding the doonah around her.
"Hi Grandma."
"Did you call me before?"
"Oh, yeah."
"I was at work in Charlie's," Rebecca told her. "I've only just seen my phone. Is everything all right? Why were you calling?"
"Oh...it wasn't important. Dad's stuck in Melbourne because of his work conference and I wondered if you wanted to come over."
"I'm free now," Rebecca said. "Should I come over?"
"No!" exclaimed India and then said, more normally, "no, that's okay."
"But are you still by yourself?" asked Rebecca. "It's half past nine, darling. You can't be happy being all alone in the house."
"It's been fine," said India quickly. "I had work and the TV."
"But you hate being by yourself. Look, I'll come over."
"No, don't! No, it's really fine," said India, trying to sound convincing. "Dad will be back really soon and besides, it's late. I going to go to bed soon anyway."
"Well...all right..." said Rebecca unsurely and India quickly said, "I can come over tomorrow evening if you like."
"All right," agreed Rebecca. "If you're sure. I hope you're not just saying that because you think it's too much trouble."
"I'm not," said India truthfully. "It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay then. Goodnight, darling."
"Night, Grandma," said India and hung her phone up with a sigh and lay back down.
"That was close," she said and they both laughed a little.
"What did you say before?" asked Elliot suddenly and India frowned.
"About what?"
"Your dad! You said he'd be back soon."
"He said not until ten or eleven," said India, snuggling up to him. "We still have a bit of time."
"I wish I could stay here all night."
"Me too."
They lay still for a few moments and Elliot asked, "Can I see you tomorrow?"
"I can't," said India sadly. "I promised to spend the whole day with Lydia and then I'm seeing my grandma."
"Oh."
"Sunday afternoon?" asked India and he nodded and then kissed her. India kissed him back but they were interrupted by the phone ringing again and both groaned.
"Hello?" asked India irritably.
"Indy, it's me," came Declan's voice. "I'm nearly there."
"Nearly there?" echoed India in horror, sitting up again and Elliot looked at her curiously.
"I'm about five minutes away."
"But you said you wouldn't be back until ten or eleven!" said India weakly and Declan said, "That's right I know, but they were able to sort my tyre quicker than they thought they would and the traffic was better than I thought."
"But –"
"Sweetheart, I have to go, the lights are changing. Love you, bye."
"Dad!" exclaimed India but Declan had already hung up.
"That was your dad?" asked Elliot. "I thought he wasn't back for ages!"
"He was able to get back more quickly than he thought!" exclaimed India, desperately reaching around the bed to pick her clothes up and pulling them on as quickly as she could. "Look, you've got to get dressed and go, if he catches us he'll kill me!"
"He'll kill me first," said Elliot grimly, reaching for all his clothes and tugging them back on. "India, where's my shoe?"
"What?" exclaimed India.
"I can't find my shoe!"
"Look, it must be there –"
Suddenly the sound of a car pulling up was heard outside and India and Elliot stared at each other in horror before delving around the room. The atmosphere had changed dramatically from just five minutes before.
"Here!" exclaimed India, finding it half-hidden under the bed and throwing it at him. "You've got to go!" as they heard a car door slam.
"He'll see me if I go out the front! Do you think he'll believe we didn't do anything?"
"Not a chance in hell!" exclaimed India. "He'll see you've left my bedroom and the covers messed up and I can't lie for anything."
Her eyes darted round and she gasped, "Go out the window!"
"What?"
"Just do it!" begged India, as she heard the key turn in the lock. "Please!"
"Okay," said Elliot, running towards it and India opening it as quickly as she could. "See you soon, okay?"
"Okay," agreed India, helping him out and letting him give her a quick kiss before shutting the window, just in time as her father called, "Indy!" and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" she called, hastily going to her bed and straightening the doonah and Declan came in with a smile.
"Hey," he said fondly. "Sorry I got so held up."
"That's okay, you couldn't help it."
"How was your evening?" asked Declan. "What did you get up to?"
"Oh, you know," said India, trying not to go red. "Work. TV. The usual."
"Were you okay on your own? I know you don't like storms!"
"Yes, Dad!" sighed India and Declan smiled and said, "I'm going to make some hot chocolate, do you want some?"
India nodded and as he left let out a long, deep breath. That had been too close a call and she did not wish to imagine her father's reaction had he caught them, knowing that it would have been unpleasant to say the least. She felt a little in shock that everything had happened so quickly, and that she had done it, but, not dwelling on it, followed her father into the kitchen.
The rest of the night and Saturday were completely normal. India went to work as usual, stacked shelves and served customers as normal and Mr Weezer gave her orders as normal. She was being stupid, India thought, why wouldn't it be? It wasn't like they knew. In all the films she had seen and books she had read people always commented on someone looking different afterwards and seeing the change in them, but no one had seen that in India and acted as though nothing had changed. But then she didn't feel any different at all, really. She just felt the same old her.
India waved as she finished her shift as she saw Lydia across the shift and hurried over.
"Hey," she called. "What do you want to do? Go back to yours?"
"No," groaned Lydia. "Luke's there. Let's get a milkshake instead."
The girls headed over to the cafe and each bought a strawberry milkshake and it was only when both were sitting down with their drinks that India smiled nervously and said, "Lydia, I did it."
"Did what?" asked Lydia absentmindedly, drinking some milkshake and India said quietly, "I had sex."
Lydia stared at her and started to open her mouth which made her choke on her drink. India patted her on the back and gave her a glass of water and when Lydia had recovered she shrieked, "No way!" making other customers look round.
"Yeah...I did it."
"You didn't!"
"Lydia, I'm not lying!"
"Wow," said Lydia, looking rather shocked. "I can't believe it."
"Neither can I."
"You're the one who's done it!"
"I know, but it still feels weird."
"So how was it?"
"Not like in movies," said India after a pause and she drank some shake.
"How?"
"It hurt," said India. "And...I don't know. Everyone says you're meant to feel different but I don't feel different at all. All that stuff in movies, where they talk about girls having a glow or something, that's a load of crap."
"When did you?"
"Last night, in my bed. I haven't told anyone else."
Lydia looked pleased at that and they both drank their milkshakes and then Lydia asked, "You were safe, weren't you?"
"We didn't use a condom," India admitted. "But I'm on the pill so it should be okay."
"Are you sorry you did it?"
"No," said India truthfully, and she wasn't, but she did feel a little sad that she would never be a virgin again.
"How do you feel?"
"Okay," said India, playing with the straw. "It feels weird that I'm not a virgin anymore. I feel just the same."
Lydia didn't say anything back and they sat in silence for a moment.
"My dad came back early and Elliot had to climb out of the window," added India with a giggle and Lydia demanded to hear the rest, their talk turning to that.
"Did he catch you?"
"Do you think I'd be here if he had? He'd have murdered us!"
"Maybe not that."
"He would never have stopped yelling," said India grimly. "I'd be grounded for life. And I wouldn't rule out him killing Elliot!"
Later that night India came home from seeing Rebecca and went into the sitting room.
"Hey," she said to where Declan was sitting on the sofa. "I'm going to bed."
"Okay," said Declan, getting up and giving her a kiss. "See you in the morning. Night, darling."
"Night, Dad," said India and went to her room, staring at her bed. It seemed unfathomable that only a mere twenty-four hours ago she and Elliot had lain there together alone. It felt far away, and India got into her pyjamas and into the bed, his scent still there and, changed but not changed, she fell asleep thinking of him.
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Post by Bee on Mar 31, 2011 8:02:43 GMT
Great update can't wait for more
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Post by sophie on Mar 31, 2011 21:41:23 GMT
"You what?"
"I did it," said India to Jamie. "I had sex."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to," said India, feeling confused. "It felt right. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"We promised to tell each other," said India, going and sitting by him on the wall. They were in the school yard while class broke for lunch. "Remember? When we were thirteen we swore that we would tell each other when we did it for the first time."
"I remember," said Jamie, but he looked away.
"What is it?"
"Nothing!"
"Do you think I was wrong to do it?" asked India in confusion.
"No!"
"Do you think it's weird that I told you?"
"No!"
"He didn't talk me into it or something, if that's what you're worried about," said India, taking his hand. "I wanted to."
"You said," sighed Jamie but he still looked away and India stared at him, feeling like she was missing something.
"Tell me what's bothering you."
"Nothing," exclaimed Jamie and then he said, "Look, I'm happy for you, okay?"
"You don't sound it," remarked India and he didn't answer for a moment but then said, "Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know..."
"It wasn't amazing," said India truthfully, and Jamie blushed. "But it's not meant to be the first time. It was okay otherwise. We were careful. Anyway, I've got something funny to tell you."
"What?" asked Jamie, not sounding very convinced.
"My dad came home early and Elliot had to climb out of the window before he came in!"
India giggled a little as she said it but Jamie only gave her a small smile and said, "Look, I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad it went okay. We should get back to class," and he stood up and abruptly walked away, leaving India feeling confused and a little upset.
The past Sunday and following few days passed in a happy rush. On Sunday India had felt impatient all through lunch with her grandmother, longing for it to be three o'clock and to be with Elliot.
"India?"
"Hm?" India jumped when she heard her name and saw her grandmother looking at her.
"I had to say your name twice before you heard me! What were you thinking about?"
"Oh...nothing."
"Daydreaming," sighed Declan. "Pass the potatoes, please."
"When's this magazine coming out then?" asked Rebecca and Declan groaned and said, "Do we have to talk about that? It was bad enough doing it in the first place!"
"I thought you and India looked magnificent," said Rebecca proudly and, before Declan could contradict her, on his front at least, India's phone suddenly beeped and she whipped it out of her pocket.
"India, what have I said?" said Declan irritably. "You know the rule. No phones at the table."
"Just a minute," said India absentmindedly, opening the text which read, Can't wait to see you xxx and smiling.
"India!"
"Hold on," said India, going to reply, but Declan took it out of her hands and put it on the spare chair, ignoring India's protests.
"I need to reply!"
"You can reply after we've eaten. I'm sure your friend can wait."
"It was from Elliot!"
"He can wait too! I'm sure it's not a matter of life and death. Jeez, you're attached to that phone."
"Pots and kettles, Declan," said Rebecca wryly. "I had to force that thing out of your hands when you were with Bridget."
India grinned triumphantly and Declan looked annoyed and said, "Yeah, well, it's still not a good habit! So this magazine..."
"I'm definitely buying a copy," said Rebecca firmly. "The pictures looked great on the website!"
Declan's mouth hung open.
"Pictures? Website?!"
"Well, I'm off," said Rebecca a few hours later and, as India's phone beeped, she said excitedly, "Me too! That's Elliot."
"I'll walk you out," Rebecca told her.
"Okay," agreed India. "Let me just get my jumper," and she ran upstairs.
Rebecca turned to her son.
"What's going on with her?"
"Lovesick," said Declan in a tired voice. "I don't know. It's been Elliot this, Elliot that all weekend."
"Ah well," said Rebecca with a smile. "I guess you're only young once. Let her enjoy it. Young love is so special."
"I don't know about love," said Declan, sounding a little frightened. "I'd agree with young lust!"
"Let her enjoy it," said Rebecca again. "She's seventeen."
"I know," said Declan. "I just don't want her to grow up too quickly, like I had to."
Rebecca smiled sadly and India clattered down the stairs with the jumper on her arm and a smile on her face.
"See you later, Dad," she said brightly, and leant up to give him a kiss, before running out of the front door, young and carefree. On Monday afternoon, after the strange conversation with Jamie, India came home to find Donna in the kitchen with Declan and they were bent over the table and arguing about something.
"You have to get them to take my name off it."
"I can't, the copies have already gone to print."
"You're the one who ran the show, they'll listen."
"I don't control the magazine! Anyway, they're not that bad."
"Not that bad!" exclaimed Declan. "Donna, look!"
India peered over his shoulder and burst into laughter, making both of them jump. Her father was caught mid-pose with his hands on the sunglasses in one picture and was shot mid-twirl in the next, the dressing gown swinging out.
"Oh Dad, we have to keep that," giggled India. "That's a family heirloom!"
"That's a family disaster," retorted Declan. "Anyway, Miss, there's some charming photos of you as well!"
India stopped laughing and, feeling worried, flicked to the next page and groaned in horror. One was of her standing at the front of the catwalk with her hands on her hips, the other of her looking terrified backstage as Donna was attacking her hair with a hairbrush and hairspray.
"Is there any need for that?" groaned India and Declan, grinning, said, "It's a family heirloom. Maybe you're right, Indy. There's one of Zeke too."
"Where?" asked India and Declan found it and they all laughed. Zeke did not love the camera.
"Okay, I'll be back in the sec," laughed Declan, pulling on his jacket.
"Where are you going?" India asked curiously and he said, "We need some bread and the shop's shutting soon. See you in a bit!" and he strolled out. It was only until the door had shut and India had waited a few minutes to ensure that he was not coming back that India said anxiously, "Donna?"
"Hm?" asked Donna, distractedly, still looking at the magazine, and India slid into the chair next to her and said, "Donna, can I tell you something?"
Donna looked up.
"That sounds serious," she said anxiously. "Of course."
"You have to promise not to tell anyone, especially not Dad."
"Indy, what is it?"
"Do you promise?"
"That depends on what it is."
"It's nothing bad."
"All right, I promise," said Donna and India took a deep breath and said, "I slept with Elliot."
Donna stared at her and India looked back feeling anxious, her heart beating fast and smiled nervously.
"Donna?"
"I...wow," said Donna weakly. "I don't know what to say!"
"You always know what to say!"
"I know, it's just..." Donna rubbed her head and said, "it's you. You're my goddaughter. I saw you being born."
She stared at her, her goddaughter, who looked young, anxious and so like her mother.
"Are you angry?" asked India in a small voice and Donna's face changed and she hugged her saying, "Don't be silly, of course not. Are you okay?"
"Yeah," said India in a muffled voice. "It felt right. I knew I was ready, like you said."
"That's good," said Donna in relief. "I was worried you felt pressured."
"No. He never tried to make me."
"And was it okay?"
"It hurt a lot," admitted India, feeling embarrassed and Donna said, "Oh, it was the first time. The main thing is that you felt ready and you were careful."
India looked down at the table and Donna said in a warning voice, "You were careful, weren't you?"
"You know I'm on the pill," said India anxiously. "That's effective by itself, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Donna, in a tone that sounds like it has a but in it. "Why?"
"We didn't use a condom," admitted India and Donna sighed. "It'll be okay, won't it?"
"It's effective against pregnancy," said Donna. "But there's still a risk. It's not completely foolproof. And do you know that he's okay for STIs?"
"I'm sure he is," said India defensively. "He'd have told me. But it just sort of happened...we didn't plan it....I didn't have any condoms but I'm on the pill so thought it would be okay."
She was starting to feel worried and Donna took her hand.
"I'm not trying to scare you. I'm sure it will be fine, it's practically 100% effective if you take it properly, so I don't think you're in trouble. You'd have to be very unlucky and I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Just promise me you'll talk to him about it and buy some."
India nodded and asked, "Do you think I was wrong to do it?"
"No, of course not," said Donna warmly. "It's not something to be ashamed of. It's a beautiful thing."
"Dad wouldn't see it that way," said India strongly. "Do you promise not to tell him?"
"Your secret's safe with me," assured Donna and India let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Donna?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't feel any different. Should I?"
"You haven't changed," said Donna in surprise. "You know all that's a myth."
"I know," said India, but it felt better to hear her say it.
"Donna?" she asked again.
"Yeah?"
"I told my friend Jamie and he was weird about it."
"Weird how? Mean?"
"No, not mean," said India thoughtfully. "He just went really quiet and distant."
"Well, maybe it's because he's a guy," suggested Donna. "And it feels weird to him that you did it before him. Guys can be strange about that stuff."
"It's probably just that," said India in relief. "Thanks Donna."
"It's okay. Do you really promise me you're okay? It's a big thing, isn't it?" asked Donna and India nodded and she gave her another hug.
"I know it's a bit weird," mumbled India. "But I wanted to tell you. I've always told you everything."
"I'm glad you did," soothed Donna, holding her tight, and it didn't feel possible that her goddaughter, Bridget's baby, was old enough for this and India hugged her, feeling grateful to have the most understanding godmother in the world.
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Post by Bee on Apr 1, 2011 5:26:04 GMT
Great update Sophie you've definitely captured th characters reactions perfectly (:
I know I'll feel the same way Donna feels when my Nephews and niece are old enough for that!
Can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 1, 2011 10:16:36 GMT
Aw, thanks Lia!
Over the next few days India and Elliot stole time together as frequently as they could, at his house or hers, before parents came home from work and caught them, and India stayed true to her promise and talked to Elliot.
"Do we need them?" he asked awkwardly. "Isn't the pill like 99% effective anyway?"
"It's not just that..." India played with the doonah
"I don't have any infections or anything if that's what you're thinking about."
"I'd feel better with them," said India defensively. "Can you imagine if I got pregnant...."
Before Elliot could answer that they heard Declan's car outside and hurried out of her bedroom and into the front room, turning on the television, just in time as Declan opened the front door.
"Hello," he said awkwardly. Declan had relaxed his rule on Elliot being in the house if he wasn't there but still didn't feel completely comfortable with the situation.
"Hey," said Elliot and India said quickly, "Elliot's just leaving, I'll walk him out."
Declan nodded and went into the kitchen and as Elliot opened the front door he said in a low voice, "Don't worry, you won't get pregnant."
"What would you do if I did?" asked India and they stood silently for a moment, but then they heard Declan come back out and India gave him a quick kiss goodbye, leaving the conversation unfinished.
On Tuesday afternoon India made a stop at the pharmacy after school, already feeling embarrassed. She had to do it, she told herself sternly, it wasn't right to rely on him for it and she needed them and had given her word to Donna, and so India forced herself to walk in and up to the counter, before taking a quick look around to make sure that there was no one she knew.
"Yeah?" asked the girl bluntly behind the counter, putting down her magazine, and knowing she'd gone red, India said in a rush, "Iwantsomecondoms."
"Which ones?"
"I...." India felt at a loss. She had no idea and so, aware of the girl getting impatient, she just blurted out, "Those," and pointed to a box in the middle without even looking at it properly.
"Ten dollars," said the girl in a bored voice, as though India was just buying toothpaste, and she quickly handed over the money and took them before leaving the shop and taking a sigh of relief, after jumping when hearing, "Indy?"
It was her father.
"Dad!" exclaimed India. "How come you're back from work?"
"Meeting," said Declan. "I just went to the store to buy milk. What have you got there?"
"Oh...girl things..." said India vaguely, quickly stuffing the bag into her rucksack.
"Right," said Declan awkwardly. "Are you coming home now?"
India nodded, trying to act normal and walked back with him, taking the box out and hiding them in her drawer along with the pill, wishing that people didn't always turn up at the wrong time but feeling proud that she had done it.
Jamie continued to be moody and distant throughout the week, despite India's attempts to talk to him. During lunch breaks he sat with boys India didn't know very well, and didn't believe that he did either, and after school he would always leave too quickly for India to talk to him then but on Friday afternoon, having had enough, India ran up to him as he marched away.
"Talk to me," she said, falling into step.
"About what?" asked Jamie, his jaw in a grim line.
"You know what," gasped India, hitching her school bag up. "Do you have to walk so fast?"
Jamie slowed down by a minimum.
"Thank you."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Yes there is, you've been weird all week, you've been weird ever since I told you I slept with Elliot."
Jamie's eyes flickered slightly but then he got a hold of himself and just shrugged, and losing patience, India moved around and stood in front of him with her hands on her hips.
"Don't you dare try and act all mysterious with me, Adler," she snapped. "I'm not buying it. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Yes there is or you wouldn't be acting weird."
Jamie didn't answer and, feeling a little desperate, India asked awkwardly, "Is it because I did it before you?"
"What?" exclaimed Jamie, going bright red, and India felt herself go red too.
"Because it's not something to be ashamed of..."
"No!" snapped Jamie. "I don't care about that!"
"So what is it then?"
"It's –" Jamie bit his tongue.
"What?" asked India eagerly.
"Nothing!"
"Look, can you tell me, whatever it is!"
"Do you love him?" Jamie asked quietly and India felt very taken-aback and stared at him.
"What?"
"Do you love him?"
"I...I don't know," said India weakly. "No. I don't know. What does that have to do with anything?"
Jamie just shrugged again and looked uncomfortable and finally India shook her head.
"I have to go, anyway," she said. "I hope you get over whatever it is."
"Going to see Elliot?" asked Jamie in a sneering voice and India lost her temper.
"No, I'm seeing Lydia, funnily enough," she snapped. "I do have a life outside my boyfriend, don't worry, even if you don't want to be a part of it," and she strode away. Jamie watched her leave and opened his mouth to call something, but what? What could he say? That he didn't deserve her, he wasn't right for her? That it killed him that she had slept with him? Not because she had done it before him but that she had chosen to do it with someone else? It was stupid, he thought ruefully, and she was right, he had to get over it and he turned, heavily, and walked away.
"Hello India!" exclaimed Lydia's mother, opening the door.
"Hello," said India awkwardly.
"Come in. Lydia's in her room, making a big fuss about nothing, my goodness, just a dentist appointment and she acts like it's torture! How are you? How's your boyfriend? What does your father have to say about him? Does he approve?"
India felt a little guilty, as Lydia's mother was nice enough, but she had always felt wary of her, even as a child. She had always had to know exactly what she and Lydia were doing, ever since they were little, and was always sticking her nose in where it wasn't wanted.
"He's fine," said India, answering for both of them. "Thanks," and she smiled and hurried to her friend's room before she could be interrogated on anything else.
"He's jealous."
"He's not!" exclaimed India. They were sitting on Lydia's bed.
"Why else do you think he's annoyed?" asked Lydia smugly and then winced after moving her mouth too fast. "Ow!"
"You didn't get any fillings," said India. "Why's your mouth sore?"
"She scraped at my teeth like crazy," said Lydia. "And you haven't answered my question."
India felt uncomfortable.
"I think it's just because he doesn't like Elliot or thinks he'll hurt me or something."
"Why does he dislike him?"
"I don't know."
"I reckon I do," said Lydia annoyingly but before India could contradict her there was a knock on the door and, frowning, Lydia got up and opened it.
"Argh!"
Something had swung forwards when she had opened the door and splattered Lydia and, when she rubbed her face, it was something red, creamy and smelt pungent.
"What the hell is that?" roared Lydia, grabbing her brother who was standing nearby and helpless with laughter.
"You fell for it! You got the face-bomb!"
"What is it?"
"Your moisturiser, red paint and Mum's special perfume!"
"My moisturiser?" howled Lydia. "That's twenty dollars a pot! I'm going to kill you! Mum's going to kill you! MUM!"
"What?" came a call from the kitchen and, before Luke could stop her, Lydia shouted, "Luke's used your most expensive perfume and my moisturiser to muck around with!"
"What?!" came a shriek. "Luke, you are in so much trouble, come here right now!"
Luke glared at his sister and went to the kitchen and Lydia rubbed her face clean.
"Go on Indy, why does he dislike Elliot?" she asked again but before India could even think of an answer she was cut off by the door swinging open.
"You're meant to knock!"
"Mum says I can't go to the movies tonight," yelled Luke. "I hate you!"
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you used my stuff!" snapped Lydia and, his eyes narrowed, Luke hissed, "I'm going to get you back for this," and, noticing India, he added, "both of you. I'm going to tell!" and he turned around and slammed his sister's door shut.
India, worried, turned to her friend and said, "What does he mean, tell? Tell your mum what? Lydia, stop him!"
"He doesn't have anything," said Lydia, trying to sound confident but failing. "He's only ten. What can he do? Apart from ruin my things?"
"I guess," said India anxiously, but she felt worried all the same. Experience with Maddie showed her that younger siblings could do a lot, and Luke was no exception.
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Post by Bee on Apr 3, 2011 6:49:53 GMT
great update sophie (: cant wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 3, 2011 11:53:02 GMT
Thanks!
India left Lydia’s house feeling a little anxious, but as she ate dinner with her father and watched TV, she began to forget about it. As Lydia had said he had nothing on them, and she was sure Lydia could stop him from doing anything terrible. As India got ready for bed her phone rang. It was Elliot.
“Hey,” he said. “What are you up to tomorrow?”
“You know I have work.”
“After that?”
“Homework...”
“Do you have time for something else inbetween?”
“You know I do,” grinned India, tucking her legs up. “What do you want to do?”
“Come round mine? It should be quiet; Leah and Maddie are at their friends’ house.”
“I’m sure I can manage that,” grinned India, feeling excited. “Meet me after.”
“Sounds like plan. Night!”
“Night,” smiled India, and as she hung up there was a knock on her door.
“Yeah?” she said and Declan came in.
“Who was that?”
“Elliot.”
“I should have known,” groaned Declan, but he smiled. “Are you going to bed now?”
“Yeah, I might read for a bit though.”
“I just wondered how much longer you’d be up. It’s getting late now.”
“Not that late...”
“It’s past midnight!” Declan exclaimed.
“Okay, okay,” sighed India, but she smiled. “I promise to turn the light out soon. Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, darling,” said Declan and he went to give her a hug. “You’re a great kid, you know that, don’t you?”
“I don’t know,” said India, feeling pleasantly embarrassed and he gave her quick hug and said, “You are. Goodnight, darling.”
“Night, Dad.”
India was on her way to work the next morning when she caught sight of a lonely figure meandering along the street with a ball and, on closer inspection, she realised that it was none other than Theo.
“Hey!” she called, running up to him but he wouldn't look her way. “Theo!”
He didn’t answer.
“What’s going on?” panted India, slowing down and walking next to him. “Where you going?”
Theo shrugged and said, “Nowhere. Just a walk.”
“Felt like getting out of the house?” asked India sympathetically and he nodded and said in a disgruntled voice, “Isaac and Alex won’t leave me alone!”
“Oh well...” said India kindly. “They’re your little brothers. They’re supposed to be pains.”
“What would you know?” he asked rudely. “You don’t have any.”
India didn’t know what to say so settled for, “Well, I do know younger brothers and sisters can be annoying,” and Theo just shrugged again and bounced his ball up and down as he walked. India took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry about last week.”
“What are you sorry about?” he asked moodily. “You think I’m too young. That’s that. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But we should talk about it!” exclaimed India, taking his hand so he stopped bouncing the ball and he stood still, but wouldn’t look at her. India picked up the ball before it could roll away.
“Theo, come on.”
“Your boyfriend was being a jerk,” he said finally, in an angry voice. “I would never be a jerk. Are you even with him?”
“We made up,” India told him and he looked down. “But Theo, even if we hadn’t, even if I hadn’t met him, I could never go out with you.”
“Why not?” exclaimed Theo, finally looking up at her. “He made you cry, I would never make you cry!”
“I know, but it’s not that,” said India soothingly and he shook his head and said angrily, “You’re older than me, so what? Mum’s older than Dad!”
“By six months!” India exclaimed. “Theo, you know that’s totally different. She was in the same grade as him at school. And even if she was a few years older than him, that’s still different.”
“Why?”
“Because they would both be adults! You’re still a kid!”
“So are you!”
“I finish school in a couple of years,” India reminded him. “You haven’t even started high school yet. I’m legally an adult next year. You still have your whole adolescence coming up and you won’t want to be with me then. I won’t be going through all that you are.”
“But you have gone through it. You could give me tips.”
“Oh, Theo,” said India, smiling sadly. “You have an answer for everything! That’s not the same and you know it. Don’t get me wrong: you’re great. You’re funny and you’re clever and handsome and a girl would be lucky to have you but that girl’s not me. You need someone your own age so you can go through things together, someone on the same level as you. You’ll know what I mean when you find her.”
“Well, what if I never find her?” asked Theo tearfully. “I won’t find anyone because I don’t want to be with anyone but you!”
“Don’t say that,” said India desperately. “You have to trust me. It might not feel like it now, but someday soon you’re going to like someone your own age and wonder why you even liked me in the first place.”
“I’ll always like you,” said Theo tearfully, wrenching his arm away from hers. “I’ll always love you! And you don’t care!” and he ran away before India could stop him, leaving her standing there with his ball in her hand. She felt at a loss and felt like she should have said something else, though she didn’t know what, and then remembered that she was running late and had to go to work, putting Theo and his misplaced feelings out of her mind.
Declan was cleaning the kitchen when the phone rang, giving him a jump and making him crack his head on the cupboard door. Wincing, he put down his cloth, and, rubbing his head, he went to answer it, thinking that if he was a telephone salesperson they’d get an earful.
“Hello?” he asked irritably.
“Is this Declan Napier? India’s father?”
“Yeah,” he said, frowning. “Who’s this?”
“Clarissa Parkinson, Lydia’s mother.”
“Oh,” said Declan in confusion. “Hello.”
“Is your daughter around?”
“No,” frowned Declan, disliking her accusatory tone. “She’s at work but she should be back soon, if you’d like to call back, or I can take a message for her. What’s this about?”
“I’ve just had a very interesting conversation with my son,” said Lydia’s mother in a tight voice. “And I’m not sure if I want my daughter to be around yours anymore.”
“What?” exclaimed Declan, gripping the phone. “Why? India’s one of the best-behaved kids around. There has to be some mistake.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked in a prim voice. “Because he has just come up to me and told me that the other day he overheard your daughter and mine discussing pills, and that it was India telling Lydia that she had some.”
“I don’t know what you’re implying,” said Declan angrily, feeling terribly confused. “But I know my daughter very well and I know that she would never, ever go near drugs. He must have misheard. What was he doing listening to them anyway?”
“I think what they were talking about is more worrying than eavesdropping,” said Lydia’s mother snottily and Declan felt put in his place. “And no, I didn’t hear the exact conversation, but my son doesn’t lie and he hardly ever comes to me with conversations his sister has had. He told me India was talking about pills and that she had a pill.”
“Even if he did hear correctly, I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation,” said Declan stubbornly. “You say you know my son; well, I know my daughter and I know that she does not touch drugs.”
“Hm,” said Lydia’s mother, in a tone that showed that she thought Declan was wearing rose-coloured spectacles. “Either way, until this is cleared up I don’t want Lydia talking to her. I’m not putting my children at risk.”
Declan lost his temper.
“How dare you say that India is a risk?” he shouted. “How dare you say that I don’t know her? Maybe you should wait until you hear both sides of the story until you jump to a conclusion. Maybe you should tell your son not to listen at doors.”
“I trust what he says,” Lydia’s mother snapped. “But I’m not going to let my daughter be around yours until this is solved. You can understand protecting your child, can’t you? Though you were a child yourself when you had yours.”
“You’ve always judged me being a young parent, haven’t you?” snarled Declan and she said, “I don’t think it’s healthy for a girl to grow up without a mother.”
“She has a mother,” said Declan tightly. “She knows everything about her and there is nothing wrong with my daughter. She’s not perfect but she is good and responsible. Maybe you should take a look at yours. Your son listens at doors and your daughter copies all her schoolwork from other people. You know what they say about people in glass houses...”
“And you know what they say about children of teenage parents,” said Lydia’s mother pointedly. “The apple never falls far from the tree....”
“I’m not carrying on with this conversation,” said Declan, trying very hard not to shout some obscenities at her. “But I am not believing that my daughter has done anything wrong until proved otherwise and I do not think your children are too precious to be in her company. And my daughter has always known about being responsible with her body, because I don’t believe in shying away from hard subjects and I’ve lived it. Goodbye!”
Declan slammed the phone down before she could respond and kicked the wall in frustration.
“Ow!” he shouted, feeling like an idiot, but an angry one. Declan was beside himself. How could she believe that his daughter would do anything like that? His little girl wasn’t perfect but he could not, would not believe that she would touch drugs, even if you did hear that about teenagers nowadays. But then, as much as he didn’t want to believe it, there was the issue of her son overhearing their conversation and reporting it. Whilst he was definitely a sneak, Declan found it hard to believe that he would make something like that up and even if he did, how would he know about it? Maybe they were just talking about other people who did that...but why would India tell Lydia she had some? It had to be some terrible mistake. Declan finally sat down with a glass of water to try and calm himself down, knowing India would be back any minute, but fifteen minutes went by and she was nowhere to be seen. She had probably gone to Elliot’s house or something, Declan thought ruefully and, tired of being still, he stood up and paced around the kitchen. Another fifteen minutes later and she still was nowhere and Declan sighed in frustration.
A noise made him jump: the washing machine had finished its cycle and that took up some time as he unloaded it and then saw that he and India had not got round to unloading the clothes horse from before. He did so, put the next load of laundry on it to dry and carried to rest to his room to sort through. He put his clothes away and then took India’s to her room. She still wasn't back and Declan sat on the bed, wondering. He looked all round his daughter’s bedroom; the same as it always been, the same purple walls, only difference being a change in posters. When she was younger there had been pictures of kittens and puppies, all sorts of animals, and now there was a poster from a film she had liked and some photos of him and her friends spread around and he smiled at those, and then at the picture of him, her and Bridget. Where had that little baby gone? He felt a little sad and then even moreso when he saw the picture of Bridget on the table and picked it up, smiling at her, his beautiful young wife, holding it for a moment before replacing it and looking at the table, ignoring his conscience. He hesitantly slid open her bedside drawer, just to see if there was anything there and there wasn’t and then he felt angry with himself. What was he doing? He was invading India’s privacy all over again, just like he had done before and felt so guilty about and refused to do so again. Declan felt like a tool and got up off the bed to leave, but then remembered the laundry and decided to do India a favour and put it all away. He hung up her T-shirts and a pair of jeans and then opened her underwear drawer to put the rest in and, as he did so, he noticed something at the back, and, frowning, he reached for it.
“Do you really have to go?” asked Elliot wistfully as India pulled her T-shirt back on.
“Yeah,” she said, placating him with a kiss. “Dad’ll wonder where I am.”
“Let him wonder!” said Elliot and pulled India back down on the bed.
“Let me go!” she shrieked, but giggled and let him kiss her for a bit, until the sound of a car pulling up made them sit up.
“Mum’s back,” groaned Elliot, putting his shirt on as well and the shouts of children showed that his sisters were as well.
“Hello India!” exclaimed Alice as the two shyly came out of his room. “How are you?”
“Fine,” said India, feeling embarrassed. “I’m heading back now.”
“Oh, are you sure you won’t stay for a drink?” asked Alice but India shook her head and thanked her.
“All right then,” Alice said. “Well, I need to call Elliot’s father,” and she picked up the phone and went into her own room.
“Dad had to go away for work again,” said Elliot in explanation. “He goes away a lot!”
“Are you guys okay?” India asked Maddie and Leah and Leah nodded, but Maddie just walked away and into the kitchen.
“I heard you were a bit sick,” India said kindly to Leah. “Are you all better?”
“Yeah. I felt gross! I puked in the car!”
“On me,” grimaced Elliot and India laughed a little, and so did Leah.
“Oh, pick on me both of you,” teased Elliot and as they laughed Maddie returned with a full glass of cordial and as she brushed past India to into the front room she spilt it down India’s side.
“Maddie!” exclaimed India and Elliot and Elliot added, “Why did you do that?”
“It was an accident!” protested Maddie but Elliot said, “It didn’t look like it.”
“It was!” shouted Maddie, looking shaken that her brother was questioning her and suddenly Leah chimed in with, “No it’s not, it’s that game you told me about! You told me it’s fun pouring stuff down India!”
Elliot’s face set and Maddie looked scared.
“Madeline,” he said in a warning voice and Maddie’s face suddenly went red and her eyes filled with tears and, no looking like a smug, confident little girl she yelled, “It’s not fair!”, turned round and slammed herself into her own room.
India thought she would feel pleased that Elliot had finally realised the truth but instead she found herself feeling sad and sorry for Maddie.
“I think I should go,” she said quietly.
“I’m going to talk to her,” muttered Elliot. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before.”
“It’s okay....hey, don’t be too hard on her.”
“She’s been really badly-behaved!” exclaimed Elliot and India said, “I know, but she’s only a kid.”
“Did I get Maddie in trouble?” wailed a voice suddenly and India and Elliot turned to see Leah in tears.
“No, don’t be silly,” said Elliot and he went to give his youngest sister a cuddle and, smiling at them, India quietly left.
India felt thoughtful on the way home. The past few weeks had shown younger siblings to be totally impossible but then, they weren’t all bad really. Maddie had been naughty but it was only because she loved her big brother. Maybe she wouldn’t be a bad older sister. India didn’t expect that ever to happen but at least she had some idea about disciplining children, she thought wryly, not that that was in the plans either. India felt the sun burning her arms and legs; the weather had become warmer and she found herself hurrying home, longing for a tall glass of water. She made her way to the front door, brushing the sweat from her forehead in the heat and called, “Hello!” as she came in.
“Sorry I’m so late,” she continued, as she put her keys down and went into the kitchen. “I was at Elliot’s –“
India’s sentence broke off as she saw her father at the front table in the kitchen and she stared in horror as in front of him were her contraceptive pills and an open box of condoms.
“Do you want to explain something?” Declan asked.
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Post by Bee on Apr 3, 2011 12:38:00 GMT
Oooooh cliffhanger!
Great update can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 3, 2011 22:39:53 GMT
Thanks!
India didn't know what to say for a moment and then finally asked quietly, "How did you find them?"
"That's not the point, India!"
"How did you find them?" India asked again, finally looking up at her father. "Did you go through my things again?"
"Well, yes, but –"
"You had no right to do that!" shouted India, starting to feel angry as well as nervous. "You promised me that you never would again!"
"India, I wasn't looking through your stuff!" Declan shouted back, making India go quiet again. "I was putting your laundry away for you and I saw them at the back of the drawer. And you still haven't answered my question."
"What do you want me to say?" India asked and Declan sighed.
"I don't know."
There was a small pause and then he said, "Have you been sleeping with him?"
"Yes," said India in a small voice, deciding it was pointless to lie, and Declan felt his heart sink. He had known the answer before he had asked it, if he was being honest with himself, but he had still clung to a small hope that she hadn't and had them in her room in case.
"How long for?" Declan asked quietly and India said in a small voice, "Not long," and there was a silence.
Declan didn't know what to say and put his hand to his head and India folded her arms, feeling her palms go sweaty. She didn't know what to do and sank down into a chair.
"I guess that explains that conversation with Lydia's mother," he said eventually.
"What?"
"I got a phonecall from Clarissa Parkinson earlier," Declan said, looking back up. "And she told me you were doing drugs and that she didn't want you seeing Lydia anymore because Lydia's brother had told her you were taking pills."
"What?" exclaimed India furiously. "Why is it any of her business anyway?"
"India," said Declan in a warning voice but she ignored him and continued, "She's never trusted me, she's always sticking her nose into our business and Luke as well –"
"INDIA!" shouted Declan and India fell quiet again. "That's not the point. We're not discussing Lydia's mum. We're discussing this," and he gestured towards the contraception on the table. India felt nervous and tried to cover it up by being defiant.
"What do you want to discuss?" she asked sulkily. "I've told you the truth and I'm being careful."
"What's there to discuss?!" Declan exploded, making India jump. "What do you think, Indy? What happens if you have sex?"
"I know you can get pregnant," India snapped. "I'm not stupid! Why do you think I'm being careful?"
"It's not foolproof! Have you thought about what you'll do if you do get pregnant? Have you talked to Elliot about it? Do you know what he would do? Do you know that he would support you? Think about your future; you're seventeen years old. You still have the rest of school, university, your entire life and if the worst happened what would happen then? You will lose so many chances."
"Why do you always have to assume the worst?" India shouted, her eyes brimming with tears. "Why do you assume that if I have sex I'm definitely going to get pregnant? Why do you assume that he wouldn't support me? The pill's 99% effective and I'm using condoms as well! Just because you and Mum messed up doesn't mean that I will too!"
"That's enough!" shouted Declan back. "I'm your father, I'm concerned for you! I want you to be careful!"
"And I am!" yelled India. "Why are you so angry? You've always told me that I have sex I should be safe and that is exactly what I'm doing. I'm in a relationship and I'm old enough!"
"You're still only seventeen!"
"Yeah, and so were you and Mum when you got married and had me! I'm not a baby!"
"And that's just it, we were babies! We were babies having a baby; do you think that was an ideal situation? We were kids! I don't want that for you!"
"I am not going to get pregnant!" India shouted and Declan snapped, "And you can tell me that for sure, can you? You can promise me that nothing will go wrong and you know for certain that you're free from the risk?"
"You're acting like I'm being completely irresponsible," snapped India. "Like I'm not using anything at all and hoping for the best. No, I can't tell you that, but I'm not missing out of things because it might happen."
"India, it's not everything in life! I don't want you to take risks with your future, especially if you don't even know what you and Elliot would do and you don't know that he wouldn't freak out and take off!"
"Why are you being so horrible?" India asked in an angry, wobbly voice. "I know it's not everything but it's part of being with someone. I am not going to apologise for having sex when I'm being really careful and I'm in a relationship. You're acting like sex is dirty or something."
"I am not," said Declan, trying to keep his temper. "I don't think that but I do know that it's not risk-free, even if you are being careful. What's going to happen if you don't use a condom and your pill fails? What happens if somehow, I don't know how, you get pregnant against all odds? I want you to have a good future, I love you."
"I love you too," said India, trying to calm down. "But I'm not going to stop having sex because something might happen. You're too paranoid. You should be proud of me for being responsible. Would you rather I wasn't?"
"I'd rather you weren't sleeping with him!" Declan snapped without thinking and India lost her temper and stood up, snatching up the contraception.
"Well, that's not going to happen Dad, deal with it! I'm sorry you found out that way. I know you're worrying because you and Mum slipped up but it's not fair that you think that I will too and that I shouldn't have sex because there's a slim chance that I'll get pregnant. I don't know what I'd do but I would deal with it and I'm not living in fear and it's my life and you can't stop me!"
Declan looked angrily at his daughter for a moment, before saying, "No, I can't, but I want you to stop and think things through. And he's never welcome at our house ever again."
"Oh, that is so unfair!" India yelled. "You've just always hated the fact that I'm not a little girl anymore and being with him shows it. He's not a bad person, he never, ever tried to pressure me and I know that he would never run off on me."
"You'd be surprised," retorted Declan. "What being told something like that can do to a decent guy."
"I wouldn't worry, he isn't you," retorted India, in a cutting way and then, before she could think about what she had said, turned and slammed her way back out of the house and into the street.
Declan felt like he had been slapped. He couldn't believe what his daughter had just said to him. Declan guessed that it was true enough, which made it worse, even if she should not have said it, and he felt pangs of guilt hit him as he unwillingly remembered his reaction to Bridget telling him she was pregnant, all those years ago, and what a jerk he had been. It was all very well to tell himself that it had just been the shock, that he hadn't meant it and that he had come back and supported Bridget ever since but you couldn't excuse it, and sometimes, like now, Declan wondered if he was even a decent guy at all. Still, he told himself firmly, he had come back and did India know that Elliot would if he ran off? He wouldn't even have to come back if he didn't want to, if the worst happened. He was nineteen and hoping to go to uni. India was wrong, he thought angrily, it wasn't that he expected the worst to happen and him to react in the worst way, it was that he knew all too well that it could. He was a father, she was his daughter, how else was he supposed to react? It wasn't supposed to have ended up as a shouting match, he thought ruefully, but then most of their arguments did. They always spoke first and thought later, though when Declan had first found what was in the drawer he had tried to tell himself that he wouldn't hit the roof.
When he had seen what they were his heart had initially plummeted and he had stood there holding them in pure disbelief. They couldn't belong to her. They couldn't be India's, not his little girl. She was too young....Then anger had hit in. He was going to kill him. He was going to kill her. He would kill Elliot first though, Declan had grimly thought, and he had squeezed his spare hand and imagined it being his neck. He knew he should never have trusted him. He knew he should never let them be in the house alone together, this is what happens. They go and have sex with no one there to stop them and if he had talked to her into it he would definitely die. He would die anyway, but Declan would make it worse if so, he grimly thought, and almost left the house to go to his to hit him, but luckily hadn't done so. Then his blood pressure had lowered by a degree or so and Declan suddenly just felt terribly sad and worried out of his mind. India, his little girl, was having sex and she was only in her teens still. What if she got pregnant? Declan couldn't help thinking. What would she do, what would he do as a father? All he could do was support her, no matter what, but she was only seventeen, he thought angrily. He had never wanted her to go through what he and Bridget had, he wanted her to have the happiest, care-free life and all he could do was sit there and worry, before finally getting up and leaving her room, knowing he would have to talk to her and having no idea on what to say. But it had not been that, Declan thought ruefully. It had not been that.
India stormed along the street, stuffing the contraception in her pocket and rubbing angry tears away from her eyes. She had never wanted her father to find out like that (she hadn't wanted him to find out at all, if she was honest) but if he had to know it shouldn't have been like that. They shouldn't have had such a horrible argument and while India knew that he had definitely been unreasonable, she had said some cruel things too. Guilt crept up and she sniffled, feeling like a terrible daughter, but didn't know what to do. She couldn't go back yet and she had just left without a plan. India half-heartedly thought of going to Elliot's, spitefully to prove her point to her father, but she didn't really want to go over there, not like this, and besides, his whole family would be there. She didn't want to go to Lydia's, not after what her awful mother had done, and things were weird between her and Jamie still, so India just kept on walking, not knowing where she was going and finally letting the tears fall without caring enough to try and stop them.
"India!"
India unwillingly looked up and there was her grandmother, looking blurred and she sniffled and wiped her eyes to show Rebecca standing there looking concerned.
"Sweetheart, what's happened?" she asked, going to India and giving her a hug.
"I had a horrible fight with Dad!" India cried and Rebecca soothed her and took her back to her house.
"What was it about?" she asked gently, when they were both settled on the sofa and India sniffled and said, "He found out I've had sex with Elliot," and felt too miserable to care that she had just told Rebecca.
"Oh," said Rebecca, feeling rather shocked. "Oh, India. Have you been careful?"
"Yes!" cried India. "That was what the fight was about! He found my contraception and went mad at me! He's always told me I should be careful, whatever I do, and now he's found out I have been and is acting like I've done the opposite!"
"It's a shock," said Rebecca truthfully. "He's your father. How did you expect him to react?"
"I don't know!" wailed India. "I'm not stupid enough to think that he'd be happy about it, but he had such a go about me about what I'd do if I got pregnant. He's acting like it will definitely happen, like sex is dirty."
"India, he was a teenage father," said Rebecca gently. "It's great that you're being responsible but there's always a risk and he just doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. He's seen the consequences first-hand."
"But he was acting like I'd done something really wrong," said India tearfully. "Like I wasn't using anything or if I was sleeping with someone different every night."
"I'm sure he doesn't think that," assured Rebecca. "The reason he's angry is because he's worried and no parent wants to find out that their child has been having sex, even if they are old enough, even if they are being incredibly careful, believe me. It's your child."
"I guess," mumbled India after thinking about that for a moment. "But he was just so horrible. He was ranting at me and asking what I'd do if Elliot ran off on me, he wouldn't do that. And then I said something horrible too."
"What?"
"I said he shouldn't worry because Elliot isn't him," said India in an ashamed voice and Rebecca sighed heavily.
"I wish you two learnt to think before you speak," she said eventually and India sniffled, feeling terrible and Rebecca softened and gave her a quick hug.
"India, it's not the end of the world. You'll make up. He knows you didn't mean it."
"Can I stay here tonight?" asked India desperately. "Please?"
"Of course you can," said Rebecca gently. "But just for tonight and you two are sorting this out tomorrow. Are you okay to be here by yourself for a little while?"
India nodded and asked, "Where are you going?"
"To see your father," said Rebecca, pulling on her jacket. "Don't look so worried! It'll be okay," and she gave India a quick kiss and hurried out, India hoping that she was right.
There was a ring on the bell and Declan's head snapped up. He ran to the door and threw it open and then felt let down.
"Oh. Mum."
"Don't sound too over-enthusiastic," said Rebecca sarcastically and Declan shook his head and stepped aside for her to come through.
"No, it's not that...it's just...I thought it might be Indy. I was hoping it was."
"She's at my house," Rebecca told him and Declan sighed in relief.
"She could have called me," he said, slightly irritably and Rebecca, going to the kettle to make some tea, said, "She's only just got there. I heard about what happened."
"Oh. Right."
Rebecca didn't say anything for a moment but just silently made the tea before going over and sitting next to him with two mugs.
"I'm going to murder him," Declan muttered.
"You don't mean that."
"I do. I want to give him a serious injury, anyway."
"You don't," said Rebecca again and Declan fell quiet.
"Declan, it's okay," Rebecca said gently.
"Okay?" snapped Declan, feeling sensitive. "She's having sex!"
"Are you really so surprised?" asked Rebecca honestly. "Didn't you think this would happen?"
"I hoped it wouldn't," said Declan miserably. "I thought India would...I don't know...not..."
"Not what?" asked Rebecca bluntly. "Not grow up? Not want to take a further step with her boyfriend? She's seventeen and they're both head over heels for each other."
"Exactly, she's seventeen!" exclaimed Declan, gripping the mug. "She's still a kid! Mum, what will she do if she gets pregnant?"
"She's a young adult," corrected Rebecca. "And you can't assume that. You can't worry like that. I know it was horrible to find out, I know exactly how that feels, but try and look at this positively."
"Positively?"
"You found out by finding her contraception," said Rebecca sternly. "Do you know how I found out? By Bridget telling me she was pregnant. Imagine how that felt. At least India's being careful."
"We were being careful! We just got carried away one time."
"She's being more careful than you were, you should be proud of her. At least she has the pill."
"So what, I'm supposed to feel happy about this?" snapped Declan angrily. "Invite her boyfriend round and let him stay over?"
"Oh Declan, stop being ridiculous. You know what I mean."
"I guess," muttered Declan unwillingly. "It was just a horrible shock. It's Indy, it's my baby."
"I know," said Rebecca soothingly. "How did you react when you found out"
"Shocked," confessed Declan. "Then angry. Really, really angry and I still want to kill him, Mum, I honestly do. I know reasonably it was a mutual thing but I still want to. And then I just felt really sad and freaked out."
"I know. But Declan, you can't stop this from happening. At least she's being responsible. Try not to worry too much."
"I'm just so worried for her, Mum," Declan said, his voice breaking slightly and Rebecca put her arm around him and they both sat in silence, and Declan wished his mother could solve everything.
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Post by Bee on Apr 3, 2011 23:01:33 GMT
Great update! Can't wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 7, 2011 22:18:17 GMT
Thanks!
Declan was holding India. She was so tiny in his arms, his little baby, and he smiled as she stirred in her sleep.
"Shh," he murmured as her eyes fluttered open slightly and she began to grizzle. "I'm here."
She wouldn't settle, however, and something felt wrong, though he couldn't place what it was exactly, but still he held her close to his chest and tried to calm her cries.
"Dad!"
Declan looked up to see India coming towards him with a tired look in her eyes.
"Dad, give her to me."
"Indy?" he said in confusion, looking down at the baby, and then back up at the girl beside him. Her whole body radiated exhaustion and she said, "I have to take her back now."
"You're too young," Declan said desperately and she smiled sadly and said, "I'm all she has, since Elliot left me. I'm her mother."
"No!" Declan exclaimed, and the baby cried at a sudden noise, making him jump out of the dream.
Declan sat up, feeling his heart beating fast and he took a couple of deep breaths, hearing that someone was knocking at the door. It had just been a dream. It was only a dream, he reminded himself, getting out of bed. The knocks were getting more frequent and impatient.
"Jesus, I'm coming!" he muttered, padding towards the door. "It's Sunday morning!"
He threw the door open to see Donna with one arm raised and holding something with her other. For a moment Declan thought he was still dreaming.
"Donna," he said blearily. "It's Sunday morning."
"It's ten o'clock," said Donna briskly, marching past him and leaving Declan to close the door.
"It's still Sunday," grumbled Declan, following her into the kitchen. "What are you doing here? What's that?"
"That's why I'm here," said Donna brightly, sitting down at the table with a glass of juice she had poured for herself and handing another to Declan. "I've got the first copy of the magazine. They've been sent out today."
"Magazine?" asked Declan, still feeling rather out of it and sipping his juice. "What magazine? Oh," he groaned, realising. "That magazine. I don't want to see that."
"Wake up, Declan!" exclaimed Donna, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "You're like Dopey!"
"You woke me up!"
"You're not normally up so late," remarked Donna.
"I didn't sleep well," said Declan defensively and Donna shrugged.
"India's not normally up so late either. Is she still in bed?"
Declan looked uncomfortable and shifted slightly as he said, "She's not here. She's at Mum's."
"How come? Declan, what happened?" sighed Donna, noticing his expression.
"I was putting her laundry away," said Declan, wishing he didn't have to go over it all again. "And at the back of her drawer I found contraception."
"Oh," said Donna, putting her hand to her face and Declan continued miserably, "And she told me she'd been sleeping with him. I guess I worked that out already when I found the stuff in her drawer but I was sort of hoping that she hadn't."
"Right," said Donna and Declan frowned and said, "You don't sound very surprised."
"She told me," confessed Donna and Declan's eyes widened.
"When?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh, come on Declan, as if I was going to march over your house and tell you that your daughter had had sex for the first time. She told me in confidence and besides, you would have completely freaked out."
"I might not have," mumbled Declan, sounding very unconvincing and Donna snorted.
"Yeah, right. You probably would have told her she could never see him again or gone over to his house with a baseball bat."
"I'm still thinking about it," commented Declan, half-seriously. "I didn't say that but I'm worried."
"What did you say to her?"
"I asked her to explain it and then she said there was nothing to discuss and then I got angry and asked her what she'd do if she got pregnant, and then she yelled that wouldn't happen and it ended up with her telling me that Elliot wouldn't walk out on her like I had done on Didge and storming out."
"Oh Dec, she shouldn't have said that."
"Guess it's true though," said Declan glumly and Donna was silent. "Then Mum came round and said she was at hers which calmed me down a bit. Mum's awesome. I don't know how she stayed so calm about it. I'm still freaked out. God Donna, I had the most awful dream..."
"What about?"
"I didn't get to sleep for ages," Declan said. "I kept lying there worried sick about Indy and then I dreamt she was a baby again."
"That sounds cute."
"But she wasn't a baby," continued Declan doggedly. "I mean, I was holding a baby, but it wasn't India. It was India's."
"Oh, Dec."
"And then she came up to me in the dream," sighed Declan. "And she was this tired single mum. I still feel freaked out and I can't even say that it would never happen."
"Oh, Dec, you don't need to worry so much," said Donna sympathetically. "She's on the pill."
"Well, yeah, but –" Declan stopped and stared at his friend. Donna went red and looked away.
"How do you know she's on the pill?"
"I guessed," babbled Donna. "When you said you found her contraception..."
"Donna, you're the worst liar I know," said Declan, frowning and Donna gave up.
"Okay. She might have come to me a few weeks ago and needed money for it."
"And so..."
"So I gave her the money," mumbled Donna, feeling a little scared as Declan stared at her. He definitely felt awake now.
"You what?" he exclaimed and Donna squirmed slightly. "You gave her the money? How could you? Why didn't you tell me?"
"She needed it!" exclaimed Donna and Declan groaned and exclaimed, "It's like giving her permission to have sex!"
"Declan, she's seventeen," snapped Donna. "She's old enough and she needed it. She didn't need anyone's permission. Would you rather she got pregnant?"
"I'd rather she wasn't having sex!" exclaimed Declan. "If she didn't have it she might have thought twice!"
"Oh Declan, be realistic!" retorted Donna. "You know too well how easy it is to get carried away. If she didn't have the money she would have done it anyway, you know she would have done, probably with condoms or they might have done it without thinking. Wouldn't you much rather she was safe? You've always told her to be safe about it; you should be pleased she's being responsible. You're being really old-fashioned if you think that she shouldn't do it at all until she's married or something."
"I don't want her to be married, I want her to be older!" protested Declan and Donna sighed and said, "You know as well as me that that's not going to happen. You can't tell someone just not to do something and hope that they take your word for it. India's seventeen now and besides, it's already happened."
Declan was quiet for a moment and then he finally said, "I always knew this was going to happen, one day. Ever since she was born I knew one day she was going to grow up and be with someone and I thought that I'd be cool about it. Well, not cool, but I wouldn't pretend that it wasn't happening and I wouldn't tell her just never to have sex because I knew that wouldn't work out and the last thing in the world I want is for her to be a teenage mum, so ever since she was a teenager, I've told her that if she ever decides to sleep with someone she has to be so careful. I've told her that you can get pregnant the first time, that the condom can split, that it's really easy to get carried away and that if she ever needs to she can come to me. I think she took it all on board and even though she gets annoyed I've always reminded her because she has to know. And now that she's done it and even though she's listened and is being careful it feels like the most awful thing ever and all I can think of is that even if she's being safe you can never have completely safe sex, and I keep imagining her coming to me and telling me she's pregnant. I thought I'd be okay about it – more okay – but Donna, it's totally different when it's your own kid and they tell you."
Donna looked at him sadly for a moment as he drank the rest of his juice.
"Declan, you are freaking out way too much. India would have to be so unlucky if she fell pregnant – and that's a big if. I had sex as a teenager and I never got pregnant. Rachel had sex as a teenager and she never got pregnant. Zeke and Ringo had sex as teenagers and they didn't get anyone pregnant either. I get why you're so worried, but it doesn't always have to end up like it did with you and Bridget. Did you even use –"
"We were using condoms," Declan said. "We just got carried away once and we were so dumb, Donna, we didn't even think about it afterwards. I remember Didge saying after and I said something like it only being once. God, we were so dumb. We knew it only takes one time and we still didn't even think it could have happened to us. Didge was saying about getting the pill right before she found out she was pregnant. We didn't have to worry about the money for it after that."
"But Indy has it," Donna reminded him gently. "So even if she does get carried away and they don't use a condom it probably won't matter. Do you know what the chances would be?"
"I don't want to know," retorted Declan. "I still want to go and kill him. If he ever comes back here or I bump into him on the street someone'll have to stop me from throttling him."
"India chose to," said Donna. "I know it's something you really want to think about but I know he didn't push her into it at all. He hasn't really done anything wrong."
"He slept with my daughter," grumbled Declan, feeling angry and Donna rolled her eyes.
"If it hadn't been him it would be someone else, one day. Declan, I really don't think India's in any harm here. Like you said, you knew one day it was going to happen and at least it's with her boyfriend and she's being responsible."
"It's different when it's your kid," Declan said again and Donna sighed. He looked down at his glass and Donna, beginning to feel awkward, flicked through the magazine.
"There's a comment section?" exclaimed Declan, making Donna jump. He had finally leant over to look at the article, wanting to distract himself.
"Yeah," said Donna, smiling slightly and pushing the magazine closer into his line of vision. Declan read some more and said, in disbelief, "I needed a fan after looking at the models in this piece, especially Declan Napier. Could Declan Napier lend me his sunnies? I feel dazzled. Maybe I could share Declan Napier's robe. I don't know who is the hottest guy in this show but maybe I could go to Hawaii with Zeke Kinski and Declan Napier could walk me along the beach." He looked up in disgust and said, "These have to be made up."
"They're not."
"Come on, no one says stuff like that. Who's paid to write it? Is it you?"
"From your adoring fans!"
"I'm never doing a shoot again if that stuff is actually for real," said Declan, pushing the magazine away and feeling nauseated.
"Bertha, 70, from Barrington will be disappointed!" laughed Donna. "She wants you pierce her with your brilliant eyes or -"
"Okay, that's enough," said Declan hastily. "This isn't helping me feel better."
"It is for me," giggled Donna and Declan remarked, "There's a surprise. Okay, I'm going to go shower."
"Shall I take a picture of that for your fans too?" laughed Donna and Declan shouted, "Go!"
"All right, all right," protested Donna, picking up the magazine and then going into the sitting room with it.
"Do you want to read it again?"
"No, you and Indy can keep it," she said, going to the door, Declan following her.
"Thanks...I guess!"
"Are you really annoyed with me?" she asked anxiously and Declan frowned and she added, "You know, for not telling you about giving India the money, or giving it to her in the first place."
"Oh – no, of course not. I just overreacted. You were only helping her out and even though I don't like that she's doing it I'm glad she's doing it safely, if she is at all."
"You're sounding more sane now," grinned Donna and she put her hands on his shoulders. "You and Indy will be fine."
"I know."
"And Dec?"
"Yeah?"
"It was only a dream," said Donna, reading his mind, and she closed the door behind her leaving Declan feeling relieved and a little better than before. He couldn't shake the feeling from the dream, however, yet told himself not to be stupid and went to have his shower.
The previous evening India had looked up from the TV, wiping her eyes as Rebecca had come back.
"How was Dad?" she'd sniffled and Rebecca came over and had said, "He'll be okay."
"That's good."
"The main question is, are you okay?" her grandmother had asked and India had looked at her, surprised.
"It's a big thing, sex for the first time," Rebecca had continued. "Do you feel okay about it?"
"Yeah," said India, feeling a little awkward. "It felt right. It was a bit awkward, but it not in a bad way."
"That's good," Rebecca had sighed. "Do you promise me that you didn't feel like you had to do it?"
"Yes."
"I'm so glad to hear that," said Rebecca truthfully. "Because I did it because I thought that I had to. Everyone made me feel like I had to do it."
"Are you sorry?" India had asked in a small voice and Rebecca looked a little thoughtful and said, "In some ways. But I don't really regret it. I just wish that I hadn't felt pressured."
"Are you mad at me for doing it?" India asked in a small voice and Rebecca pulled her into a hug and had said, "Don't be ridiculous. Do you promise me you were careful?"
India silently nodded and Rebecca took a deep sigh of relief.
"Was Dad really mad?" she had asked and Rebecca had said, "He'll get over it. It's just because he's your dad."
"I don't want to go back tomorrow,"
"It'll be okay," Rebecca had promised. "How long has this been going on?"
"A week or so."
"And you're really okay?" Rebecca had asked again and India had nodded, and they hadn't said any more about it for the rest of the night.
"Morning," said Rebecca as India came into the kitchen the next day, still in her pyjamas. "Coffee?"
"Please," said India shyly, standing awkwardly next to the table and Rebecca said, "Help yourself to breakfast, darling, don't wait for me," and India slid down into a chair, still feeling embarrassed. She had always told her grandmother everything but hadn't really wanted to tell her that she had slept with Elliot and wondered if she was annoyed, or felt embarrassed as well, but Rebecca didn't act any differently.
"What's wrong?" she asked, sitting opposite her.
"Nothing."
"Indy," said Rebecca and her granddaughter blurted out, "Are you annoyed that I didn't tell you?"
"Why would I be?"
"Because I've told you everything else."
"It's not really an everyday thing," Rebecca told her. "I understand. I just hope that if something bothers you you'll come to me."
"You know I will," said India, feeling relieved, and she ate her breakfast.
"Good. Get dressed and we'll head over soon."
"Soon?" asked India in horror and Rebecca said briskly, "The sooner you and your dad discuss this the better. There's no use tiptoeing around it."
"He's mad at me," said India childishly and Rebecca sighed.
"He'll get over it. He probably already is. Now come on, get dressed," and India meekly did so and an hour later they were at the front door and Declan was opening it, looking as awkward as India felt.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They came into the house and India quickly said, "I'm going to get changed," and she hurried into her bedroom, closing the door. Declan looked at Rebecca and they went into the sitting room.
"Feeling any better?" she asked her son and he shrugged wearily.
"I guess. Not really. I don't feel as mad as I did –"
"Good!"
"But I still want to go and throttle Elliot."
"I won't let you," said Rebecca sternly and he smiled faintly.
"Is Indy okay?"
"She's fine. A bit worried that you're mad at her."
"I'm not mad," said Declan. "Just worried. Mum, I had the worst dream. I couldn't sleep for ages because I was so worried and then when I did get to sleep I dreamt India had had a baby and she was all alone."
"Oh darling, that was just a dream," said Rebecca, putting an arm around him and he sighed and said, "That's what Donna said. She came by this morning. I found out she gave India money for the pill."
"Were you upset?"
"I was a bit," admitted Declan. "What's wrong with me, Mum? I always thought that if India started sleeping with someone I'd want her to go to me and then I told Donna that she shouldn't have given her the money because then India would have thought twice."
"Oh, Declan!"
"But I know that's dumb," continued Declan. "But I wish she had asked me..."
"Would you have given her the money?" Rebecca asked and he looked uncomfortable.
"I hope I would have but I know I probably wouldn't because I wouldn't have wanted her to have done it. But at least she's safe that way. I would have done eventually."
"I think most girls would rather die than ask their dads about it," commented Rebecca honestly. "Don't take it to heart. I think you would have just freaked out because you're her father. It's always easier in theory when you think about helping you kids with stuff like that than it is in practice."
"I guess," said Declan and then India came back into the room. "I'm going to make lunch."
After an uncomfortable meal Rebecca finally went to go and said, "I'm going to take off and leave you two to talk about things."
"Can't you stay?" asked India without thinking and she shook her head and said, "You need to sort this out on your own," and left before they could argue.
India and Declan looked at each other and India sat on a sofa, fiddling with her hands.
"India, I'm sorry I got so annoyed," said Declan awkwardly. "I was just shocked."
"I'm sorry you found out like that," said India in a small voice.
"You could have come to me," said Declan and India snorted and said, "And have you completely go off your head and go and kill Elliot? You said he could never come here again!"
"I know," admitted Declan. "But I would have calmed down. I'd have given you money if you needed it."
"How do you know about that?" asked India suspiciously and Declan said, "Donna came by earlier. Don't worry, she didn't tell on you, I guessed."
"Dad, I didn't ask you because you would have freaked out!" exclaimed India.
"But I've always told you to be careful if you do something."
"It's private!" India exclaimed. "And I know you. You would have gone off your head, like yesterday."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I know you haven't done anything wrong, but you're my daughter and it's not something any parent wants to think about, especially if you've been a teenage dad."
"I understand," said India awkwardly. "But Dad, I won't get pregnant, you don't need to worry."
Declan didn't want to start another argument so he simply said, "I trust you."
There was a small pause and then Declan said sharply, "And do you promise me he didn't talk you into it?"
"Yes, Dad!"
"You can tell me if he did."
"He didn't, don't worry. You don't need to go and buy a baseball bat."
"I might do that anyway," said Declan and India rolled her eyes. They fell silent again.
"I'm sorry I said such a horrible thing," said India eventually in a small voice. "About Elliot not being you."
"It's okay. Guess it's true."
"I still shouldn't have said it."
"It's okay," said Declan again and then India spied Donna's magazine on the table.
"What's this?"
"Oh – the magazine of the fashion shoot."
India snatched it up and read the comments, laughing.
"Could Declan Napier lend me his sunnies? I feel dazzled."
"All right, all right..."
"Maybe I could share Declan Napier's robe – oh ew!" shrieked India, still laughing and Declan smiled at his daughter, hoping she could always keep that innocence.
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