The ice cream that I was holding was slowly melting in my hand. Leonel, whom I could tell was getting tired of me making a mess on myself, sighed and handed me a wet cloth, I took it and wiped my hands, but more of the sticky cold mess dribbled onto them, I just couldn't help it. As my closest friend he could tell some things were going through my mind, and he could also tell I didn't want to talk about it.

"Uh...Alicia told my fortune today." He began trying to start a conversation, I politely replied with a 'Hm?' as he continued.

"Yeah, Alicia told my fortune, she told me I was going to have some risky twists, and it wasn't going to end well." I looked at him and began to snicker.

"You know how she is...she'll probably rob you or something to make her fortune come true."

"But...the risky twist..."

"She's probably going to trick you." I reassured him as he smiled and snickered as well.

"You're probably right, Clara." he said, "You're probably right."

The spring morning brought pounding rain, I heard the beatings on the glass of my window as I stirred a bit and sighed; I had to walk in this weather, which was unfortunate.

"Clara!" My mother called bursting into my room, "You're going to be late for school, it's already 8:30!"

"8:30!" I screamed jumping from my bed and rummaging through my dresser, I didn't care what I wore today as long as I was dressed; I slipped on a simple mini dress and a pair of high top sneaker, grabbing my books and bag I ran out the door as fast as I could, into the rain, running into my cousin.

"Clara, where's the fire?" She joked as my chest heaved up and down, my hair becoming soaking wet from the rain .

"I was just late waking up." I bent down and placed my hands on my knees, Leann cleared her voice.

"Cl-Clara...uh...I wouldn't bend down if I were you."

"Why?" I looked up at her face, she blushed slightly and I looked down; you could pretty much see the inside of my dress as I stood straight and tall.

"That was probably a bad idea wearing this outfit, huh?" Leann nodded, closed her umbrella, and pulled a scarf out from her purse placing it on my shoulders, pretty much covering my chest area.

"That ought to help. I don't want you getting into trouble." I smiled at my cousin's compassion; even if I was always jealous of her, she was very kind and she was family!

The front doors of the school opened as teenagers flooded into the classroom; honestly I think Ms. Mana preferred to teach a younger class; but since we were the only children she had no choice.

"Today, class," She began, taking a piece of chalk and jotting a few notes on the board, "We'll be learning about babies and taking care of them, this is an important role, especially for you girls." we all groaned as Ms. Mana cleared her throat.

"Now, now class, remember your parents had to learn how to care for you, and someday, in the future you all will be parents, so you'll need to know ahead of time."

Pretty much she just talked about how cute but demanding a child can be. I sighed and wondered a bit about how Yue and Ray were able to take care of two babies at the same time. Such a silly thing to wonder.

Ms. Mana dismissed us at the usual time the school yard became flooded with us as I pulled the scarf off and gave it back to Leann, thanking her, and running off to my house.

My father saw me running towards the farm and blushed a bit.

"Clara? What are you wearing?"

"Sorry, daddy! I woke up late and I wanted to put on something quick and simple!"

"And your mother let you BUY this?!"

I sighed, it honestly wasn't my fault, and I could tell he didn't want his little girl to grow up; but I couldn't help it...I was just...becoming a woman...

Oh gosh I could feel hot stinging tears arise from my tear ducts, I honestly did NOT want to grow up; my father noticed my tears and gave me a big hug.

"Oh, Clara." He said in a comforting voice, "I'm sorry, I...I'm just not ready for you to grow up."

"I'm not ready either, daddy." I sobbed, burying my face into his strong chest, feeling like his little girl again, "I'm not ready either."

I laid on my bed, staring up at my ceiling; wondering where the years went. Am I really fifteen? Or was I having this weird, and extremely long dream? Maybe in real life I was in a coma...and I was 9 or 10...but then again, it was all too real.

I quickly closed my eyes, facing away when I heard my door open, I heard my mother and father whispering about how great I was, how much they loved me, and bla bla bla.

Honestly though I wondered if it was true. Did they really love and care for me? Or did they just pretend since I was their child? I stirred a bit before falling into a deep, deep sleep.