Read Online Fifteen Going on Grown Up by Stephanie M. Turner - Free Book Online Page B

the door.
    “WHEN ARE YOU GONNA GROW UP!”
    She bellowed at Penny.
    “Hey cool it Dana, it was just a …”
    She didn’t get the chance to finish.
    “Joke? Yeah everything is just a joke to you. What do you know anyway?”
    Her voice had returned to its former flat hardness. She glanced at Hally who was standing still, shocked by Dana’s reaction, let go of Penny and walked back out of the toilets. Penny straightened her jacket and without a word stormed out after Dana.
    Hally again stood looking in the mirror. This time though her mind was on what had just happened and not on her embarrassment. Thinking about Dana’s outburst she quickly repaired her makeup and tidied her hair. Just as she turned to leave Clia came in.
    “Are you ok honey?”
    Clia asked gently.
    “I’m fine.” Clia frowned. “No seriously, I’m ok, but I bet Wes just couldn’t wait to get away from the table and back to work.”
    “Actually, he’s still there. In fact he suggested one of us come and see if you were alright.”
    Clia said this in such a way that Hally couldn’t help but laugh.
    “Well, I best see if I can get his attention in a better way then. Come on let’s go.”
    The two girls returned to the table and as Clia had said Wes was still there. He and Corrinne were chatting but as soon as he saw Hally he looked up and smiled.
    “You ok?”
    He asked very gently.
    “Just feel like the world’s biggest idiot, but other than that no harm.”
    She replied as she slipped comfortably into the seat beside him. Clia sat next to Corrinne and smiled.
    “Wes has been talking about Oxford.”
    Corrinne said.
    Hally looked to Wes and he spoke as if she hadn’t left the table at all.
    “Sometimes I miss the place, but mostly am glad to be away. It’s great to live in a new place though, you know new friends and well, just somewhere new.”
    Hally thought that he seemed to be stumbling over his words a bit, especially about being glad to be away from his home city, but she didn’t feel she should question him, it was too soon.
    Hally felt herself relaxing and soon the four of them were happily chatting about school, the holidays and the town. Wes seemed genuinely interested in everything and though he spoke to all three of them he seemed to glance and smile more frequently at Hally.
    “I saw Dana and Penny go into the ladies when you were in there Hally.”
    Corrinne commented. She didn’t ask any questions but said it casually to give Hally the option of telling them all if anything had been said or to leave it until later for just her and Clia.
    “Oh yes, we were just coming out as they came in”
    Hally told her. Corrinne knew then there was more because she had noticed the other two girls coming out before Hally and Clia.
    “Are you talking about those two by the juke box?”
    Wes asked. Corrinne looked over her shoulder.
    “Yes, do you know them?”
    She asked warily. Hally frowned, immediately worried about where the conversation was leading.
    “No, I don’t know them, just have sort of found out about them. They come in here a lot. Bob, my boss just told me to keep an eye on them when they come in ‘cos they like to cause trouble. They’re usually with a bunch of lads, older I think. I’m surprised to see them on their own.”
    Hally felt the tension drop from her shoulders and she very nearly let out a deep sigh, quickly disguising it with a wave in front of her face.
    “Bit hot isn’t it?”
    She said to no one in particular. Both her friends nodded their agreement even though she could tell that neither of them thought this was the case, especially since they were sitting next to an open window. To change the subject Clia asked if anyone wanted any more drinks.
    “I’ll get them.”
    Wes said, casually standing up.
    “Same again?”
    The girls all nodded and replied with thanks and Wes moved towards the counter which was now clear of customers.
    “Well what do you think?”
    Hally quickly and quietly