No hiding

Rose finally got what she had gone for at the clinic, being given a warning and being thankful her mother had waited outside.

"Now Rose," the sister in the clinic was telling her. "I hope you're not just using these to sleep around with boys?"

"What? No, I have a boyfriend and we've not got that far yet. I want to be prepared if we do, what's wrong with that?" Rose replied.

"Well at least you're being sensible then, you'd be surprised how many girls come in with an attitude. Very well, I'll start you on a three month supply, see how you get on with them. Follow the instructions carefully. They will also stabilize your system. Any questions?" the sister wanted to know.

"I don't think so. I'll read the leaflet. I'm not gonna be swapping boyfriends all the time, I've known him for nearly two years."

When they got outside, Rose told her mother she was going straight to Alec's.

"Rose, you're never home now," she was reminded.

"That's because I want to avoid Bob. Mum, I'm sorry but there's something about him that gives me the creeps. I've noticed it for a while. He's got a funny idea about being a family, that's all."

Rose knew now where he'd got the idea from his creepy friends and she wanted nothing to do with them. Alec's family felt more comfortable since she'd been here but things had been better when it was just with her mother, before Bob had come along. She couldn't really blame her mother for not wanting to be on her own and had easily been taken in by Bob.

When she got to Alec's, she insisted they went out after they had eaten.

"I got what I went for Alec," she told him as they sat on a bench in the park.

"So, that means you won't get grumpy?" Alec teased her, getting a nudge.

"That and other things. Alec, we both know where things are going, I just wanted to do the right thing. I got a leaflet with them, I'll have to read it. Now, we have to see how things go."

"You mean when you get my t-shirt off?" he teased her again. "Sorry. I know, really and what we do so far has been okay but once you get over being shy at me seeing you, well, everything may change. Rose, we don't have much time after school so it may take a while before we are both ready for being more serious."

Rose knew he was right she had to get over being shy.

"Yeah, I know Alec and I will. I just wanted to know what you thought about it, I mean seeing me."

"Rose, I told you, you don't have to hide from me. Just take your time and maybe to make it easier, we could just have a little fun, you could maybe tease me?"

"I can do that. I was just bit worried, ya know, that ya wouldn't like what ya see."

"Rose, I see you in your swimsuit, I had noticed the changes recently. You look great in your swimsuit. You could start by letting me see you just in your underwear, if you want?"

"Okay, yeah, it's nice, lying on you and maybe now, well maybe I'll let ya unfasten my bra. I got some new underwear sets but I can't wear them for school, I'll have to wait for the next holiday."

"Then I can't wait to see them. Rose, I promise, I won't be disappointed. I could never be disappointed with you, you should know that. So, it's nice when you lie on me?"

"Yeah. I know I get up a bit fast, so ya can't see me but I'll try taking my time. It's all new to both of us."

"I know. Maybe you won't have to turn around to take your skirt and blouse off?"

Now she really knew he wanted to see her, she made her mind up she could at least do that. Over the next few days, they both enjoyed their time more as first, Rose would take her skirt off without turning around, then crawl over to him and they would unfasten her school shirt and she would take it off by turning away but by Friday, he had persuaded her to let him help her out of it.

Over the next few weeks, Rose stayed away from Bob as much as she could and he'd noticed, talking to Jackie about it one Saturday evening as they still weren't invited to any get togethers of their friends.

"I'm getting tired of missing out Jackie," he reminded her. "This is not what I wanted."

"I know Bob, maybe Rose will come round? Why don't you ask that if she's thinking about it, we can start going again?"

"Will she think about it Jackie? They were not keen she brought Alec with her."

"Bob, I thought that was your idea? Why don't they agree? Maybe if they got to know him?" Jackie asked.

Bob wondered if they would go for it and if it was worth asking. His idea to get Alec jealous could still work he supposed. All he had to do was get back in favour and on Saturday night when Rose was going out, tell them they were both required to stay when it was their turn for their friends to gather.

That was going to go down well.

The first day of the holiday, they had gone out with Alec's dad for a visit to Edinburgh, looking around the castle grounds and other places of interest. Alec was taking photos, getting her to pose in front of the castle and a fountain and Alec's dad watching the way they looked at each other.

When Rose had gone home, Alec was talking to his dad.

"Alec, I know you and Rose are really close. I want you both to promise you'll be sensible. You know what I mean by that?"

"Yes Dad, I know. We are being sensible," Alec replied, not wanting to go into details.

"I mean it Alec, don't tell me the two of you are not tempted? When Rose goes up to your room while I am in, it had better be to listen to music or helping Rose catch up on her school work."

"Yes Dad, I promise. Rose is doing well with history and geography, she should do better with her exam this year."

"Good, I hope her studying pays off. Alec, I know you are both going to get curious but remember you do as I say and remember you are both only fifteen, there will be time when you are older but not when I'm here understand?"

Alec could only agree but he doubted either Rose or himself would stick to it when his dad was out but as long as he didn't suspect, he thought they would get away with it. Rose had taken a wise decision so it must mean she knew things were likely to change between them.

By the end of the week, Rose had gradually allowed him to see a bit of her, which pleased him, the just kissing had intensified, Rose lying on him. On the Friday afternoon when they had been to his aunt's, Alec wanted to go down by the river but Rose wanted to go back to his house to talk.

Alec insisted as they went to their usual place, sitting on the log.

"Rose, I know you wanted to talk. My dad said no messing around when he was in so we have to be careful. We have to agree and stick to it, so, if we are going to my room after school, we have to act normally when he gets home."

"You think I can't do that?" Rose asked him, trying to stop a grin.

She nudged him, Alec knowing she was teasing him again.

Before they both knew it, they were enjoying their time after school lying on Alec's bed and getting more daring that Rose was glad she'd been to get something as the sensations got even more intense and one of them was about to lose their last piece of underwear and Rose had already decided it was best it was her when the time came.

Rose had already reminded her mother about their upcoming holiday and Bob's attempts to lure both Rose and Alec into their activities when it was their turn for their friends to come over failed and Bob, he was still having to cover for them. The summer holidays were coming up and Bob was trying to get their friends to agree to wait.

"We've given you plenty of time," Bob was reminded by one of the boys' parents.

"I know, they've been going out on Saturday nights, Rose has been meeting him downstairs. I'm going to insist he comes up and they both wait. I can't understand why she does not invite him up."

"He has the code to get in, he was here a while ago and he refused to let us in," one of the mothers told him.

"So you told me at the time," Bob replied, thinking he would be out of their circle soon enough. "Let me get Alec up here, they may want to stay."

"We hope so," one of the others replied. "We only let you back in because you said you could get them to stay. We already told you the boys are getting inpatient."

Jackie wanted to say something but thought she'd best not. What was stopping the two older teenage boys from going out and getting their own girlfriends? She got that Bob wanted Rose to mix with the other teenagers, she had very few friends and neither had Alec, from what she could gather, since Rose only mentioned her friend Sandra at school. She did wonder why they were talking about excluding them again though.

When their friends left, Bob turned to Jackie.

"We have to talk to her Jackie, I mean it this time."

"Yeah, I know Bob. Why don't we take a last minute holiday? Ya can get them really cheap."

"Why ask now? Has Rose agreed to go?"

"Well no but last year was good and Rose managed okay," she reminded him.

"Jackie, is Rose going off with him?"

"What? I never said that," Jackie replied.

"She is and you already knew. Where is she going Jackie?"

"They're going with his dad. We can still go somewhere can't we?"

"Please yourself Jackie, you should have told me. So when is she going?"

"I'm not sure, she never said. She can manage even if we go at a different time, she's old enough."

Bob wasn't happy. Things were not going as he planned, what was the point? He was going to have to take drastic action at this rate. He'd thought Rose having a boyfriend would be an advantage, even having Alec being there was better than her absence. He was going to have to do something but not let on to Jackie.

Bob agreed to a holiday and Jackie said she would find out when Rose was going. He made his mind up he was not giving up and that choosing Jackie and her daughter had been the right thing to do. They were still welcome every Saturday afternoon and he would have to work on getting Rose involved with or without Alec.

Rose was looking forward to going away, she spent more time at Alec's than she did in what was called home, it didn't feel like home to her and going out on Saturday night, they would delay in the fast food restaurant and get back as late as they dare. They would stand kissing outside Rose's door, not caring if her mother and Bob had friends round or not.

"We'll get caught one of these days," Alec laughed one Saturday night. "I was thinking, what would happen if you were to invite me into your room? Would they notice?"

"I don't honestly know but if I do, we'll have to get back earlier ya know? We never really tried, did we?"

"Well maybe we should try next Saturday, then other nights I walk you back? Well maybe not every night?"

"Yeah, we can try?" she had to agree, putting her arms around him. "I'm worried though. Bob's been very quiet and instead of going out, they've only had the odd couple or so round and they'd left before I got back."

"They must have got tired of waiting for you to join in," Alec replied, leaning into her neck.

"Yeah, they'll be in for a long wait. Even if they agree to let you stay, what then? Geez Alec," she tried to look up at him. "What do ya think would happen if we stayed one Saturday night?"

"Stop worrying Rose. We are not going to find out, we agreed. They can do what they like Rose, we are not going to be part of whatever he has planned. Now you know why I want to join the police, to protect someone like you from people like him. You've not said anything about applying for college lately you know?"

"Alec, how can I apply? It's easy for you, you know what you want to aim for, to get in the police training college. I've no idea what I want to do."

"Then think about it? See you tomorrow and think about inviting me in? Are you afraid what your mother would say?"

"It's not her I'm worried about," she replied.

It never seemed to happen as they broke up from school. They were just a week away from the holiday, Rose learning her mother and Bob were going away a week later so she really did have to fend for herself. Luckily, Alec's aunt said she really could stay with them in the spare room that had been made for Alec, since they never knew when his other cousin would show up.

"Of course you're welcome to stay," Alec's aunt had told her, the week before they were going on holiday. "We can't have you staying on your own. So, are you looking forward to your holiday, the both of you?"

"Yeah, Alec's looking forward to discovering more about the Loch Ness monster," Rose joked.

Rose was surprised her mother actually wished she had a good holiday as Alec called for her on the Saturday morning and Alec's dad had to smile when Alec sat next to Rose in the car.

"It's a fair way so we'll make a few stops," they were both told, not that he thought Alec would maybe want to sit in the front and spying through the mirror that they were holding hands.

When they finally arrived just outside Fort William, the caravan was a bit smaller than the one from the year before but had a double and a twin bedroom though Rose suspected they would have to leave the door open, since she'd got the double room. She didn't think his dad would appreciate Alec trying to sneak into her room though and the holiday and everything else could end badly.

After looking around the town the next day, over the next few they drove up towards the tip of Loch Ness, visited a museum about the legend of the monster and took a boat ride, which Alec insisted on sitting inside the craft to get a better view.

"Hoping you're gonna see it?" Rose smiled as his dad got some drinks from the small bar. "Aw, sorry."

"A lot of people claim they have seen it Rose."

"Hey, maybe when we get back, you can include it in one of your stories?"

"I may just do that then?" Alec replied, since he was leaning on the back of the seat and peering into the water.

Rose patted his shoulder as his dad put two hot chocolates and his tea on the small table.

She noticed he wasn't writing as much, since they had now got other ways of passing the time until his dad got home, like deciding if it was Rose who lost her underwear or not, since she considered it the safest bet should they get around to it. They hadn't actually got into Alec's bed yet though he'd found a spare bedspread and put it over them, since it was becoming apparent Rose liked being on top.

On the last day of their holiday, they went back into the town again, looking around the shops and taking a boat ride on the loch Rose couldn't pronounce the name of. All too soon, they were getting ready to leave, Rose was going home to wash her clothes and pack what she needed to stay at Alec's aunt's house.

Alec was sitting in the kitchen with her, since his dad had gone to get the groceries.

"We have a lot to talk about Rose."

Rose went to join him.

"Yeah, we have some decisions to make. Do ya think we should wait, to be more serious?"

"I don't really know. I mean we both like what we do so far, we have to both agree. This is something we can't talk to John about."

"Well, if we decide what to do, we have to agree it's not all the time. Alec, you should get back into your writing and we should go back to doing things like listening to music and dancing. I know we do some of that when your dad gets home but we should have two or three days we do normal things. We can still just lie on the bed kissing for a while. Whatcha think?"

The following Monday, Alec went round to his aunt's, Rose waiting for him in the kitchen as they had both decided to think about what they'd discussed. They went to the park and sat on a bench.

"If we make a commitment Rose, there will be no going back. You can back out, you only have to say, I won't be mad at you. It's a big step Rose."

"Yeah, I know. You know I love you? I mean if we go ahead, it may take a while, we both might lose our nerve."

"How about Fridays and Mondays?" Alec suggested. "The rest of the time we carry on with what we were doing and we'll only change it if we both feel it's not enough."

"Yeah, I can go for that. Should we wait until my monthly's out of the way?"

"You still have a week Rose. We could try later, if you want?"

"You won't get mad, if we stop?" Rose wanted to know.

"I said not Rose. We may both back off but if we don't try, we won't know. I love you too Rose and I want us to at least try. We have a week before your mum gets back and being away, Bob might have got tired of trying to get into what his friends are into. I'll look out for you Rose, I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

"I know Alec but it still creeps me out. What if those boys start coming around on their own? They might try another way, if they're that determined."

"Don't think that Rose. I'll see you to your door and collect you, don't worry about that. If Bob lets them in before I get there, go back to your room until you hear I'm at the door. Do you think they really would go that far?"

"Geez, I hope not. It really does give me the creeps thinking about it."

"I know. At least we can talk to John about that, we should talk to my dad as well when he gets home. You know it may be building up to that?"

"Yeah, it probably is. He's not said anything else but who knows what he's changed his plans to. He may try anything to get back in with his friends. What are they up to? Why don't they come out and say something, like they actually want me to go out with one of them?"

"I thought they had?" Alec tried to joke.

"I don't know, I was tryin' to forget about it, thanks for the reminder," she tried to smile as she nudged him.

"Sorry. Rose, it's leading to something, we know that. Just stay out of it like you have been doing, that's all you can do."

"Easy for you to say," she tried to joke.

Should she talk to her mother when they got back from holiday? Her mother wouldn t hear any bad about Bob but how was he stringing her along to agree with it?

"Alec, I just thought. Why is my mum going along with this? What is he not telling her?"

"Rose, she was on her own, everyone agrees she was an easy target for him. Who knows what he's told her and she knew no differently. He's got her to see his way of life and family and she readily agreed, since she only knows his friends."

"I wish she'd get to know your family Alec but Bob doesn't let her go anywhere. Look at the trouble I used to have with going out."

"Yes, I know and I'm glad it got easier Rose."

"Only because you stuck up for me. What would I ever do without you Alec?" she asked as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Rose, let's go back to my house?"

"To make a start?" Rose teased him.

"Well, it is Monday."

Rose had to smile.

When they got back to his house and he locked the door, he led her upstairs.

"Rose, whatever happens, don't get up and leave."

"I wouldn't do that Alec. Want to get under the cover before ya take those shorts off?" she almost giggled as he took his jeans off.

His hair had grown again and was spiky as she went up to him and ruffled it. She reached up, just in a vest top she'd put over her bra and her underwear and whispered in his ear.

"Ya don't have to though."

"I don't know Rose, we should get used to each other maybe? Do you maybe need some help?"

He realized what he'd just said as she giggled again.

"I meant with your bra fastener Rose, unless you really need help with your underwear?"

Rose went quiet. Was she ready for that?

"Maybe another time?" she just replied as she took off the top.

Alec was now used to seeing her but had not seen her in this new set of underwear she had bought.

"Wow Rose, where have you been shopping?"

"They're getting used to me in that shop, it was in the sale. So ya like it?" Alec nodded. "I could get something a bit more daring next time? I mean if ya want to start seeing me in it?"

Alec thought she had to be joking. How had things progressed so fast that she wanted to show herself to him? She had started by letting him unfasten the item but was she wanting him to take it off while they were standing there? He thought she just may want to as she did that sway of hers, her hair hanging over one side of her face.

He knew she may only be fifteen but she would be stunning when she got older. He wished he could encourage her more to enroll in collage, that he was going to have to choose soon, since they would be asked about it when they got back to school. She didn't think she was good enough though and she was.

"Yes Rose, I would like that. Want to turn around?"

Rose smiled and let him unfasten the clasp but dashed over to the bed, still clutching the item.

"Don't run away Rose."

She slowly took the item away and sat on the bed, leaning back on her arms. Alec crossed over to her and she scrambled over, Alec going after her, making her start to giggle.

"Don't hide from me any more," he asked her, leaning over.

"Okay, I was just a bit unsure. I mean what we were doing and this? Alec, I wasn't sure I was what you expected."

"What do you mean? That you're not good enough compared with models in magazines? They are not real Rose, they are made to look like that. I hear talk in the playground, girls like you thinking they have to be like them. Just be yourself Rose, even if that's only with me."

"I don't want anyone else Alec, you know that."

"Other boys will start to take interest in you," he replied, trying not to look unhappy about it and putting his hands either side of her.

Rose raised herself on her elbows.

"I don't care about them Alec. I spend all my time with you, when do I have time for them? Come here."

She sat up and put her arms around his neck so they touched. Then she pulled him back with her and she indicated where he should kiss her. He never hesitated, Rose moaning softly as it felt good, the light kisses seeming like they tingled.

"Geez Alec, why haven't we done this before?"

He stopped mid kiss. He wondered that himself. Rose was far more mature for her age but he had caught up, she though chose to hide the fact. Now he knew she'd never look at any of the other boys at school and certainly not those whom Bob was trying to force on her.

"I don't know Rose, maybe because you were hiding from me," he suggested.

"I'm sorry Alec. I'm over that now, I think."

"Yes, I can see that Rose," he smiled.

Now, everything was going to change between them.