Chapter 26
A couple of weeks had passed, and Hannah had obviously been very unsettled and upset around the house, she just wasn't coming to terms at all with everything that had happened with her Dad and finding out he didn't have very long to live. Rachel had tried her best to help her but there really wasn't anything she could say or do to make things easier.
It was a Friday morning and the girls were just getting ready for school, it was only a couple of weeks before half term which Rachel was really glad about, she was desperate for a rest after a stressful term, and they'd booked a holiday to Majorca with Rachel's parents which they were all really looking forward to.
She decided to go and see if the girls were ready to go.
Amy and Gaby had just about finished getting ready, so she went to knock on Hannah's bedroom door
When she went in she found her in her school uniform curled up on her bed
"Love are you nearly ready to go?" She asked
"I don't feel that well"
Rachel sighed, Hannah had been trying to get out of school most days
"I know you don't want to go to school, but I'm sorry Hannah you can't miss anymore, I let you have a couple of days off last week because I thought you needed it but I really think you need to get back"
"My stomach hurts"
"Well you can take some paracetamol if you need to" Rachel said "I know things aren't very nice at the moment, and I understand that completely, but I really don't think staying off school is doing you much good"
Hannah knew there was no point in arguing and she reluctantly got up and followed Rachel out
A little while later they all got in the car and drove off to school, Rachel dropped Ivy off before driving to work
"Mum is it okay if I go to a party tonight?" Gaby asked
"What sort of party?" Rachel asked sounding sceptical
"Just a house party, Sophie's having a few people round"
"I don't know Gaby, you're only 13, it's a bit young to be going to parties"
"Mum that's so unfair everyone else is allowed to go"
"Will there be alcohol there?"
"obviously not" Gaby said, although she knew perfectly well that some of the boys from year 10 were coming and would definitely be bringing alcohol for everyone although she knew if she mentioned this there was no way Rachel would let her go
"I hope you're not lying to me Gaby, because I will find out if there is" Rachel warned
"Mum there's not I promise" Gaby said
"Well I've got a good mind to ring Sophie's Mum and check with her"
"Oh my god I'd literally never speak to you again if you did that, it would be so embarrassing!" Gaby said "Please can I go? Emma, Jess and Chloe are all going"
Rachel sighed, but she realised she was fighting a loosing battle, and she would feel mean stopping her when her three best friends were going"
"Okay, but I'll pick you up at 12 not a minute later, and I mean it about the alcohol"
"Thanks, so much mum" Gaby said smiling
Rachel shook her head, she couldn't believe how much Gaby seemed to be growing up lately
As soon as they got to school Amy and Gaby got out to go and meet up with their friends
Rachel turned to Hannah "How are you feeling?"
"My stomach still hurts"
"Well hopefully the paracetamol you had should start working soon, but just take it easy this morning okay?"
Hannah nodded her head before getting out the car
Rachel watched her as she went off, she was really worried about her and didn't know what to do for the best
Hannah didn't know what to do with herself when she got to school, all her friends caught up with her, but she didn't really feel like talking to them and ended up wandering off by herself. She really didn't feel all that well either which was making everything even worse.
Eventually the bell rang for registration, so she went into school.
All morning she was finding it really difficult to concentrate though, every day she was so nervous about hearing bad news about her Dad, it was all she could think about. She didn't understand why it was affecting her so much, after all she'd barely known him her entire life, it just felt so awful to know what was going to happen to him.
She was in her English lesson and her stomach was getting worse, so she decided to go to the toilet
When she got there she realised her period had started and she didn't have any pads with her at school. She instantly began to panic and used some toilet paper, hoping it would be enough. She hated having to deal with it on top of everything else.
Rachel was having quite a stressful morning, there just seemed to be so many things happening and she hadn't been able to crack on as she'd already had about 6 kids sent to her with various things
Just as she finally got a minute to look at some paperwork that needed signing, there was another knock at the door
She rolled her eyes, today really wasn't turning into a good day
"Yes, come in" she shouted, really hoping this wasn't another misbehaving pupil
She was surprised when Amy walked in
"Amy whatever this is it better be bloody well important, I've got about 50 things that need doing" Rachel sighed, "And anyway why aren't you in class, the bell hasn't gone for break yet"
Amy realised that her auntie was particularly stressed and what she was about to say wasn't going to go down well
"I got sent out of my lesson" she said sheepishly
"Oh for gods sake Amy, what have you done?" She asked, she really wasn't in the mood for this right now
"I was messing around with Chloe and not doing my work and Miss Smith said I was being disrespectful"
"Please tell me you're not being serious" Rachel snapped "Messing around in class you're 15 years old for gods sake, I'd understand that from a year 7 but this is the most important time in school for you and the teachers are working so hard to get you through it, they deserve more than a complete lack of respect"
"Alright Rach it's not that bigger deal" Amy said
This was met with a glare from Rachel
"Yes, it is a big deal, I'm so annoyed with you messing around like that, and you know fine well you don't call me that in school"
"What your name?"
"Don't try and be clever young lady, you're treading on thin ice already and it doesn't work well with me"
Amy could tell Rachel was in an awful mood so knew better than to say anything else to her
"Right well since you clearly can't be trusted to behave sensibly in your lessons you can finish your work off in the cooler and spend break time and lunch time in there, and if I get even a hint that you've been acting up in any more lessons you'll be grounded for a week"
"Surely you're not going to ground me, I'm 15" Amy said laughing
"Well start acting it then, now off you go"
Amy rolled her eyes and went off, her auntie really could be a right pain at school sometimes
When Amy left Rachel could finally get on with some work
Hannah was sat in class and was feeling really worried about everything, her cramps seemed really bad and she had PE next lesson which made everything even worse
She decided to go and see her auntie at break to see if she could get out of it, she didn't want to tell her about her period as she still got really embarrassed about it but she hoped if she said she was feeling ill she might write her a note
When the bell rang she started walking towards Rachel's office, however she ended up bumping into Amy
"Hey Hannah are you okay?" Amy asked
"I don't feel that well, I'm just going to see Rachel"
"Oh well I'd be careful, she's in full-on stressed-out mood, I just got treated to one of her finest tongue lashings, whatever you do don't tell her you saw me I'm meant to be in the cooler"
"I won't don't worry"
After speaking to Amy Hannah realised, she was probably best avoiding Rachel, after all she didn't want to end up in trouble with her as well
She was a bit worried about doing PE though as her period seemed really bad
Once the bell went she went over to the changing rooms
"Are you okay Hannah, you seem so quiet" Olivia asked as they got changed. Olivia was one of Hannah's best friends and had been quite worried about her lately
Hannah just nodded her head in response, she didn't want to tell anyone what was going on
When there PE teacher came in Hannah went over to her
"Miss, I really don't feel well, can I sit out of PE?"
"Have you got a note?"
"no"
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to join in, we're doing trampolining you always enjoy that"
Hannah knew there was no point in arguing so went back to join her friends
She spent most of the lesson avoiding going on the trampoline but eventually Miss smith made her
As soon as she got up she could hear everyone laughing at her
She guessed what had happened and ran off into the changing rooms and burst into tears
Olivia followed after her and put an arm around her
"Hannah it's okay"
"My periods leaked everywhere, and everyone saw" Hannah sobbed
"Nobody will say anything I promise" she said "It's happened to me before too"
Hannah was glad Olivia was being so kind to her, she really was a lovely girl
"Do you want me to go and get your auntie"
"No it's okay, I'll go and see her soon" Hannah said, she felt that embarrassed she didn't even want her auntie knowing about what had happened
"Okay, I've got some pads in my bag if you need them"
"Yes please, I forgot to replace the ones in my school bag"
Hannah did feel a bit better after talking to Olivia but she still felt mortified
She decided to go up to her aunties office and see if she'd let her go home
Luckily Rachel was in a better mood now after having a little while to catch up on paperwork
Hannah knocked on her office door, Rachel was just by the coffee machine so opened it up for her, she could instantly tell she'd been crying
"Hannah what's up love?"
"I really don't feel well, I'm not lying I promise, please can I go home"
"Come inside my office" Rachel said
Hannah went in and sat down on the sofa
Rachel was about to sit down next to her when her office phone started ringing
"Two seconds, just let me get that"
Rachel was surprised when it was Hannah's PE teacher, she was calling to her Hannah had left PE upset and wanted to check she was okay.
Hannah hoped she hadn't said anything about what had happened
"That was Miss Jones, she said you were upset in PE and she wanted to make sure you were with me"
"Yeah because I felt really poorly" Hannah said
Rachel could see Hannah was pretty pale and really didn't look that well
"Well enough to stay in school?" she asked gently
"I don't think so"
"Okay well if you stay up here in my office I'll drive you home at lunch, I guess I can work from home this afternoon"
"What you'll stay home with me?" Hannah asked surprised, normally Rachel would get her Mum to look after them if they were ill
"Yeah well Grandma is out at the theatre this afternoon so there wouldn't be anyone to look after you and I don't really want to leave you on your own"
"Thanks Rachel" Hannah said
"Okay, well just give me 20 minutes to finish off here and make sure everything's in order for this afternoon then we'll go home"
Luckily Rachel managed to get everything sorted and got some work to take home with her
"Come on then Hannah, have you got all your stuff?"
"Yeah"
"Let's go then"
The two of them walked out to the car, it was a boiling hot day, so Rachel was looking forward to getting out of her suit when she got in
"Is it just your stomach that's hurting huh?"
"Yeah, I'm going to have a lie down when we get in"
"Well that's probably a good idea, do you want a bit of lunch first?"
"I'm okay I don't feel that hungry"
"Alright love" she said
As soon as they got in Hannah went upstairs to get changed, she decided to get into her pyjamas
She remembered about her PE stuff, she decided to put her shorts in the washing basket now and just hoped Rachel wouldn't spot them amongst the other things in there
After she'd sorted that she got into bed, she really did feel rotten and hadn't slept properly in days so as soon as she closed her eyes she ended up falling asleep
After Rachel had gotten changed she made herself some lunch and a coffee
She then decided to put a wash on before doing some work
As she was sorting out the washing though she spotted Hannah's PE shorts, suddenly everything made more sense, she felt really sorry for Hannah, that was probably the last thing she needed on top of everything else.
She picked them up to put in the wash along with everything else
She didn't know whether to ask Hannah about it or not, but she knew how upset she'd be and wanted to make sure everything was okay
Rachel walked into her room however Hannah was fast asleep, so she decided to leave her for a little bit, she did look absolutely exhausted
Hannah didn't wake up for quite a while, she had really needed the sleep
Rachel went to check on her an hour or so later and found her awake
She went over and sat down on the bed next to her
"Have you been for a run Rachel" Hannah asked confused as to why Rachel was in her gym stuff
"No I'm going to the gym with my friend Louise later but I thought I'd just get changed now" she explained "I think going off for a run when I'm meant to be at work might be a step too far don't you?" she said causing Hannah to smile
"How are you feeling?"
"A little bit better"
"Well that's good, you probably just needed a rest" she said "Darling, is there something that happened in PE that you want to talk about?"
Hannah knew that Rachel must have found her stuff and instantly felt embarrassed
Hannah just shook her head, blushing bright red
"Did you get your period?"
Hannah didn't know what to do but nodded
"Oh love, I don't want to embarrass you I just wanted to check you were okay, I know it can't have been very nice but it's not that big a deal really"
"Everyone saw and it was so horrible" Hannah said "Olivia was really nice about it though"
"I know it was horrible, but it's happened to most girls before, honestly it's happened to me loads of times"
"Really?"
"Yeah, unfortunately as a woman it's something that's bound to happen, but the girls aren't going to say anything, by Monday it'll all have been forgotten"
"I hope so, I hate being a girl"
"I think everyone feels like that sometimes" Rachel said smiling slightly "I know it's really not what you need now though, especially with everything happening with your Dad"
Hannah suddenly started to cry, she just couldn't help it
"Hey, come here" Rachel said wrapping her arms around her and pulling her into her chest
Hannah started to sob into Rachel
"Shh it's alright, it's going to be okay"
"I'm getting your top all wet"
"Don't worry about that, it's only my gym stuff"
"It's not fair, I don't want Dad to die" Hannah mumbled "Why does everything bad have to happen to me"
Rachel didn't know what to say to this, she knew Hannah was having a pretty rotten deal at the moment
"I know love, I do understand I promise" she said "and there's nothing I can say that's going to make it any easier but I am always here or you and always will be"
Hannah stayed cuddled up to her auntie for a little bit, it was making her feel comforted
"do you feel a little bit better, I know it's eve worse when you're not very well either"
"Yeah my stomach is starting to feel better"
"Okay well let me know if you need anything" Rachel said "Now I know I'm supposed to be working but how about we stick a film on or something"
Rachel knew if she didn't do her work this afternoon, she'd have to stay up late tonight to get it finished, but she also knew Hannah needed her at the moment and she wanted to put her first
"Yeah that'd be really nice"
The two of them went through to the back room and put Mean girls on, Hannah always loved it and Rachel did end up getting quite into it
Before long it was time to pick the girls up from school
They got Ivy first who was glad she didn't have to go to her after school club tonight and then drove to Waterloo road to get Amy and Gaby, Rachel hoped nobody would spot her as she didn't exactly look very smart at the moment
Amy and Gaby spotted Rachel and got into the car
"Oh it's alright for some getting to skive off for the entire afternoon, if I'd have done that you wouldn't be very impressed" Amy said "It's a bit rich after the go you had at me for not working hard enough isn't it"
"Button that lip, Hannah wasn't very well so I took her home but I've been working solidly all afternoon, haven't I Hannah?"
Hannah smiled slightly and nodded deciding not to mention the fact they'd been curled up on the sofa watching a film all afternoon
"Yeah right" Amy said laughing
"Oi I'm still not happy with you about this morning so I really would watch it"
Amy decided not to push her luck and remained quiet or the majority of the journey home
As soon as they got in the girls rushed to get changed out of their uniforms
Gaby went into the kitchen to see her Mum
"Mum is it still okay if I go to the party tonight"
"Yep as long as you stick to what we agreed about alcohol" Rachel said "Will Tom be at the party?"
Rachel knew there was something going on between Gaby and Tom, they always seemed to be together and he'd been round to the house a couple of times. Although Rachel thought Gaby was far too young to be having boyfriends she couldn't really stop her and after all he did seem like a nice boy
"I guess so" gaby said, although she knew he definitely would be there
"You'll be pleased about that"
Gaby really didn't want to get into a conversation about it so went off
A couple of hours passed and Gaby decided to start getting ready, she was really excited as she hadn't been to a proper party before
She spent ages doing her hair and makeup before changing into a short red dress
Eventually she was ready so went downstairs
Rachel couldn't believe how grown up Gaby looked when she saw her
"You look very nice, you'll have to make sure you don't bend over in that dress though" she said "If I'd have worn that when I was your age …"
"Your Mum would have had a heartache, yes I know you tell me that every single time I wear a dress"
"Well it's true!" Rachel said "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep"
Rachel left Amy in charge and the two of them got in the car
Rachel drove round to Sophie's house
"Right have a nice time and I'll pick you up at midnight, and please be sensible Gaby, I'll be so annoyed if I find out you haven't"
"Mum I'll be fine I promise"
Rachel still didn't feel entirely happy about her going but knew there wasn't really anything she could do
Gaby went off inside
All her friends were already there when she arrived, so she walked straight over to them.
"You look amazing Gaby" Sophie said
"Aw thanks so much, so do you" Gaby said smiling "Are your parents in?"
"No don't worry, they're not coming back for a couple of hours so the place is all ours, I don't think they realise how many people have ended up coming though" Sophie said sounding worried
"It'll be fine, we can help you clear up the mess later"
"Do you want a drink? Jack and his friends have got loads for us"
The girls all felt quite excited drinking, none of them had much experience with it at all except for the awful time a few months ago when they'd all ended up getting in a state.
Sophie came back and made a vodka coke for each of them, they weren't really sure how much to put in and ended up making them quite strong
Gaby hated the taste of it but drank it all the same
The girls weren't used to drinking at all and it didn't take them long to feel quite tipsy. They were all having fun though and were dancing along to the music in the background
A couple of hours passed and by now everyone at the party was quite drunk, including Gaby who was now staggering quite a bit
Tom came over to her, he too was feeling quite drunk
"Hey Gaby, you look amazing tonight" he said
"Thanks" Gaby said smiling "So do you"
Tom put his hands round Gaby's waist and they started making out
They ended up getting quite passionate with each other, which was probably helped by the fact they were both quite drunk
"Gaby why don't we go into one of the bedrooms"
"Why?"
Tom just shrugged his shoulders
"Okay I guess we could"
Gaby followed Tom into one of the rooms
They started making out on the bed, it felt different and more intense than they ever had before
Slowly Tom started to put his hands up Gaby's leg, she was a bit shocked at first but didn't try to stop him
Before long things got even more passionate and Tom started fingering her
Gaby panicked a bit at this, she really wasn't sure if she was ready and ended up pulling away
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that" Tom said
"It's okay" Gaby said although she didn't sound too sure
"We don't have to do anything else I promise, you know I'd never push you into anything"
"I know, how about we go back outside"
The two of them quickly sorted themselves out before joining the others
Gaby let really confused and upset about what had happened
She instantly got herself another drink making it really strong
She told her best friends about it and they seemed really shocked, now that it had happened Gaby wished it hadn't, she just wanted to forget all about it
An hour or so passed and Gaby had, had far too much to drink, she also felt really emotional and kept going off to cry
"Gab I think you need to go home" Lucy said gently "Why don't we call your Mum"
"No she'll be angry" Gaby slurred
"Well just act sober and then she won't know"
Eventually Gaby agreed, she ended up texting Rachel to come and get her
It was about 11.30 when Rachel text Gaby to say she was waiting outside
Gaby said goodbye to her friends before walking out, she had sobered up a little but was still pretty drunk
She got in the front next to her Mum
"Hey how was your night?"
"It was good I had lots and lots of fun" Gaby said still slurring her words
Rachel could tell straight away she'd been drinking and instantly began to feel annoyed especially after the conversation they'd had earlier
"You've been drinking"
"No I haven't" Gaby protested
"Don't lie to me, I'm not stupid I can smell it on your breath Gaby, how could you go behind my back like this, you promised me there wouldn't be alcohol there!" Rachel said raising her voice
Gaby didn't say anything, she didn't have the energy to argue, everything that had happened was just getting to her and she started to cry
"I'm just so annoyed at you, you're far too young to be drinking, honestly Gaby how the hell am I supposed to trust you when you lie to me"
Gaby still didn't say anything she just sat there in tears
Rachel carried on shouting at her but it was just like white noise, none of it was going in
"I hope you realise you're going to be grounded for at least 2 weeks young lady" Rachel said as they pulled up on the drive, she was a bit worried though Gaby seemed extremely quiet and wasn't arguing back at all which was very unusual for her
"I don't need to tell you how disappointed I am in you, you've let me down so much" She continued
Hearing her Mum speak so harshly to her made everything even worse, tears were rolling down Gaby's cheek
It was only when they'd pulled up on the drive that Rachel realised Gaby was in tears, she hadn't looked at her properly while she was driving
She felt worried when she saw the state she was in and instantly softened towards her
"Gaby why are you crying, what's happened?" she asked
Gaby didn't say anything just continued to cry
"Should we go inside?"
Gaby just nodded so the two of them got out and went into the house
Rachel led Gaby through to the back room
Gaby instantly curled up and started sobbing loudly
Rachel crouched down beside her, feeling really concerned now "Sweetheart what's happened to make you this upset? You can tell me"
"I can't say" Gaby cried
"Yes you can, whatever it is I promise I'm not going to get mad"
"You will" Gaby said
Rachel was wondering what on earth had happened to upset Gaby so much
"Did something happen at the party"
Gaby just nodded
"What was it huh? I can't help unless you talk to me"
Gaby knew she couldn't keep it a secret, it was upsetting her too much "Me and Tom did stuff and now I feel horrible"
Rachel was shocked by this, Gaby was still so young
"What do you mean you did stuff?" Rachel said
"Mum I don't want to talk about it with you" Gaby cried feeling embarrassed
"Well I'm afraid you're going to have to, you are 13 years old Gaby! Surely you're not telling me you had sex with him"
"No we didn't have sex but he fingered me and now everything feels so weird" Gaby sobbed
"Gaby you are far too young to be getting into that sort of relationship with a boy, we've talked about sex and things so many times and now important it is to wait until you're ready"
"I didn't have sex with him" Gaby cried
"I know but you obviously weren't ready to do what you did or you wouldn't be feeling like this would you?" Rachel sighed
Gaby continued to cry hysterically "Are you really mad?"
"I'm not mad Gaby, I'm just worried about you and I don't like to see you upset like this" Rachel said "although I'm flaming furious with you about the drinking thing"
Gaby was crying even more now, Rachel got onto the sofa and pulled her into her
"Come on, it's all going to be okay I promise" She soothed "I know it feels horrible but you and Tom need to talk this all through together and it'll seem better once you have"
"I wish I hadn't have done it" Gaby mumbled
"Well I'm afraid there's nothing much you can do about it now is there? I am glad you told me about it though"
"I can't believe you're not yelling at me"
"Well I don't think it would do much good and besides I was your age once, I know what it's like when you start going out with boys and all the pressures you're under" Rachel said "You're going to wake up tomorrow with a sore head and feeling even worse about everything but give it a couple of weeks and you'll have moved on"
"Thanks for not being mad Mum"
"Believe me you're in for another massive lecture tomorrow about the drinking, I'm still very much mad about that" Rachel said "But let's leave that for tomorrow yeah?"
"Did you not get drunk at my age?" Gaby asked
"No I was a little saint" Rachel joked, knowing full well she was a far worse teenager than Gaby was
"I love you Mum" Gaby mumbled
"I love you too, no matter how much of a pain in the butt you are sometimes! Now come on let's get to bed I'm absolutely shattered"
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