Page 2 of Connie
“Oh, Con,” she says pulling me back into a hug. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
How can she say that? She just watched the same horror show that I did. My mind replays the whole thing again in slow motion from Ruben demanding to know if I was pregnant to Fin being unconscious on the floor.
What a mess.
I feel Emma get up as I think about how I could have handled this all so much more effectively. To be fair though, any way would have been better than this. All I’ve managed to achieve is hurt everyone I care about.
“Here you go,” Emma says when she comes back in. I look up to see her placing a huge mug of the hot chocolate on the table that is topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. I look back up at her in question. “Well I presume you’re off caffeine and I thought the sugar might do you some good.”
I just shrug at her and pick up the steaming mug. I glance around the room then out to the garden and realise that everyone has left. I suddenly feel awful for ruining what should be a really happy day for Emma. I’m too lost to say that out loud though. I hold the hot mug in my hands, letting the heat warm me. It might be a lovely summers day outside but I’m cold to the bone.
Emma sits silently next to me while I sip at the chocolaty, sugary goodness. She’s right, it does make me feel marginally better.
I put the mug back on the coffee table before standing and demanding that Emma takes me to the hospital. I need to be with him, I’d hate for him to wake up and for me not to be there.
“I promised your mum that I would make sure you’re stable enough before I took you anywhere. And apparently it’s not just you that I’ve got to look after now, is it?” she says sarcastically while glancing at my belly. “I want to know why you thought it would be a good idea to take a pregnancy test in my bathroom and leave the evidence there for anyone to see but that isn’t the most pressing issue here. So come on, you’ve put it off for long enough. What is the story with Fin? I want to know everything and from the beginning. And I should warn you that if you say ‘nothing’ or try to get out of this then there’s going to be trouble, Connie Foster.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at the fact that sweet little Emma just threatened me. My brother must be rubbing off on her!
Ten years ago…
I scoop up my towel, grab my glass and iPod and head inside. I’d spent the day laid out on a sun lounger in the garden. I was meant to be doing school work ready to start sixth form in a few weeks but I mostly slept and listened to music. Mum would kill me if she knew, I promised her that I didn’t need to be sat at the dining room table whilst working. She told me I’d get too distracted anywhere else, and guess what, she was right!
I dump my glass in the sink and head towards my bedroom so I can shower before dinner. I just turn to go up the stairs when a note on the side table in the hallway catches my eye.
Connie, we’ve popped to the shop, be back soon.
Mum xx
Smiling about the fact I’ve got the house all to myself for a little while I head up to my room. I kick the door open and drop my towel on the bed before walking over to my speakers and plugging my iPod in. The sound of the Pussy Cat Dolls quietly plays but I crank the volume up knowing I’m not going to get moaned at for the noise.
When the base hits I raise my arms above my head and do my best sexy dance along to the tune. I grind my hips and try to wiggle my bum Beyoncé style while watching myself in my full length mirror. I look at my new curves and smile that I’m developing my womanly shape at last. Over the last few months my hips and boobs have really popped out which I’m unbelievably happy about. I thought I was going to be the only woman to still have a girls body, all of my friends have been embracing their new figures for ages. I was feeling like their little sister when we all went out.
I reach up behind me and pull the bow holding my bikini top together and throw it on top of the towel on my bed while still shaking my bootie around my room.
I turn and go to change the song when something slow comes on but a figure stood in my doorway makes me scream and immediately I bring my hands up to cover my boobs.
“Shit,” I say willing my heart to stop pounding from fright. “I thought you’d all gone out.”
“Your mum and Ruben went to the shop but it was my turn on the Playstation so I stayed behind.” He runs his eyes up and down my almost naked body and mutters, “and I’m so glad I did.”
My mouth falls open and I watch him checking me out.
What the fuck?
Fin is my big brothers best friend. They’ve been best friends since they were in nappies, our mums had been friends since they were kids as well. I’ve pretty much grown up with Fin as an adopted brother, he’s always here and tagging along with our family outings. His mum sadly passed away when he was little and his dad isn’t very good at doing family things so we’re the best he’s got.
The only problem with this whole set up is that I don’t love Fin like a brother, like I should. I love Fin in a he is the hottest guy in the world and I want to marry him and have his babies kind of way. And this has always been the case, well for as long as I can remember.
Ruben and Fin are two years older than me and are both now doing their apprenticeships with my dad, they both think I’m this annoying little girl. Neither of them really have much time for me, as much as I’d love to join them playing the Playstation or even out playing football I’m not invited or welcome because I’m just a little girl. Yes, I’m pretty bitter about it. I also hate myself for fancying the pants off of Fin because I know he’ll never feel the same way. I wish I could just forget him and find someone who is interested in me.
Fin taking a step forward so that he’s in my room snaps me back to the present. My heart suddenly starts racing for a very different reason the closer he gets.
“I’ve been watching you sun bathing in that little bikini all afternoon. You’ve been driving me insane.”
My heart literally skips a beat at his words but then my brain makes itself known.
He’s joking, right?
