‘He’s so cute. Thanks, Lisa,’ I say warmly.
I lay him on my lap and I’m trying to decide between Albert and Winston for his name when Lisa hands me the second present. This one is in a shiny black bag with the name of a store in silver writing. The bag has little rope handles. Inside is a box. Lisa and Romy are both dead quiet as I open it.
Inside is the most beautiful bottle of perfume I’ve ever seen.
‘Wow,’ I say, and I can’t think of anything better to say.
I’ve never owned anything like this before. The bottle is amazing. It’s heavy glass with a long, curved gold neck and a glass ball on top. It looks like a genie bottle or something.
‘It’s sophisticated, don’t you think?’ Lisa says, looking at me closely.
Romy’s eyes are like saucers. ‘It’s J’adore!’ she says.
I know she’s talking about a brand name and, to be honest, I’ve never heard of it. But it’s clear from Romy’s expression that she has, and that it’s special.
Lisa unscrews the lid for me and squirts one short spray on each of my wrists. ‘Now, wait for twenty seconds before you smell it,’ she says.
We can’t last twenty seconds, though. We’re smelling my wrists after about five.
‘That smells so fantastic,’ Romy says, all dreamy and jealous even though she has a fabulous pair of boots.
‘I think it’s the right scent for you, Hazel,’ Lisa agrees. ‘It’s sophisticated but it’s still young and fresh.’
I like Lisa at this moment more than I’ve ever liked her before. It’s as though she’s realised something that my own mum hasn’t. That I’m ready to be mature with stuff like this. It’s nice that at least she and Romy know! Plus, it’s kind of funny how Romy keeps trying to spray her own wrist and I keep grabbing the bottle back.
‘Well,’ Romy says, ‘I might consider renting these out,’ she points to her boots, ‘for a few sprays of J’adore.’
It’s so nice to have something Romy wants for once.
‘I’ll think about it,’ I say.
Romy holds out her hands, squints her eyes and wiggles her fingers. It’s a threat. It means that she’s thinking about tickle-torturing me.
‘Okay, okay,’ I giggle. ‘I’ll let you have a spray.’
Romy holds her wrists out to me but I race past her and charge out of the room, the perfume safely in my hands.
‘If I feel like it!’ I yell over my shoulder, heading towards Dad’s study to find my tickle-torture protector.
By the time Romy and I have finished breakfast the next morning, Dad and Lisa have left for work. They always leave early, which Romy and I love because it makes us feel all grown-up, being in their beautiful apartment on our own. We eat a second round of breakfast then end up doing our teeth together. We can do that at Dad and Lisa’s because there are two sinks in the bathroom.
‘Let’s ’ave a spray ov ’erfume,’ Romy says, her mouth full of toothpaste froth. She spits into the sink. ‘Please.’
‘Okay,’ I say.
I fetch the bottle and allow Romy a squirt on each wrist. Because it’s my perfume, I give myself four. Two on my wrists and two on my neck.
At school I feel a bit different to how I normally do. A bit more grown-up.
I’m getting my lunch out of my locker when Edi calls out to me.
‘Haze, come down to the tree with me?’ she asks.
Olympia and Jess have gone to the library because they have an assignment due after lunch.
I grimace. ‘Um …’ I say.
The tree is a hangout for kids in the year above us. We don’t belong there.
‘Haze, you have to,’ Edi urges. ‘For me? It’s Thursday!’
I know what Edi’s getting at. Archie doesn’t have soccer practice on Thursdays, so he’ll probably be there.
‘I’m dying to see him,’ Edi moans. ‘Please, please, please, please?’
‘All right,’ I sigh.
The only other time I’ve been down to the tree I felt really awkward, like I’d gatecrashed or something. But Edi doesn’t care about stuff like that so I won’t either. I hope.
‘Oh my god,’ Edi says as we get closer to where the others are all standing around, chatting. ‘Just look at him. He’s so hot!’
I look up at Archie. Edi’s right, I guess. He is hot. He has olive skin and sort of emerald-green eyes, which is a pretty cool combo. Plus, he’s muscly and he shaves. But I can’t help thinking he knows he’s cute. It somehow makes him less good-looking. Plus, he’s obsessed with soccer, which is super boring. He’s obviously talking about soccer right now, as I see him doing pretend kicks with a few other guys. Three of his mates watch and laugh, one slapping him on the back.
There’s a fourth guy there, too. I know his name is Leo. I’ve seen him around school before and noticed his cute smile. He seems different to the others. He’s tall and has curly hair, and he’s leaning with his back against the tree, not being as slappy and cheery.
There are three girls from Archie’s year who are sitting on the bench seat nearby, watching the boys too. I’m pretty sure that Archie is looking over at Edi. The rumours about him liking Edi must be true.
Edi and I haven’t been there for long when Archie makes his way over to us. The girls on the bench seat follow him with their eyes. It makes me feel awkward, but Edi doesn’t seem to notice. She looks like she belongs here.
‘Hi,’ Archie says, and I have to admit it’s pretty cute. He’s talking to the grass, like he can’t look directly at Edi. He seems nervous.
‘Hi, Archie,’ Edi replies.
I say hi too, but I’m pretty sure Archie doesn’t hear me. Edi tucks some hair behind her ears, both sides, and I swear she looks even better than she did a second ago because more of her beautiful face is showing.
It’s funny watching Archie with Edi. I can almost see him melt as he looks at her. Everyone’s watching them now. His mates are laughing and I reckon they can see what I see. The bench girls, though, are straight-faced and staring. I try to block them out.
‘Um, ah, I am having an, um … a party,’ Archie says. ‘Next Saturday. I mean this Saturday. As in, this weekend.’
‘Oh yeah?’ Edi says, all casual, like she’s talking to just anyone and not Archie de Souza.
‘Yeah,’ Archie confirms. ‘So I was just wondering, um, ah, if you’d, um, like to come?’
‘Sure,’ Edi says without missing a beat. ‘Can I bring my friends?’
My heart is racing now, even though Edi is obviously in complete control. I’m not sure I want to go to Archie’s party. I know that kids in that year hook up all the time.
He looks worried. ‘Um, it’s invitation only and, um, I’m not really allowed to have …’
As Archie muddles through a speech about his mum and dad not wanting the party to be too huge, I hear footsteps behind me. I’m about to turn around, but before I get a chance, two hands clamp over my eyes. I know straight away who it is. Nick loves this game. It’s sort of an awkward time, but the thing is, Nick doesn’t understand about awkward times, so I have to play along.
I normally say about ten random names before I get to his. When I finally guess it’s Nick, it makes him really happy.
But today, the hands pull away quickly.
‘You STINK, Hazel!’ Nick says, really loudly.
I turn around, but Nick has taken a step backwards and he’s shaking his hands in front of his chest like he does when he gets upset.
‘Why do you STINK?’
The girls on the bench are all laughing and whispering behind their hands. Archie steps back from Nick, pulling Edi with him as though he can’t wait to get away.
I wish I’d gone a bit easier on the perfume this morning. I wish the ground would open up and swallow me. Everyone probably thinks I’ve farted or something. I’m not sure what to do. I know Nick needs help to calm down, but I also know that if I’m the one who tries it, with my stink and all, he’ll probably freak out even more.<
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‘Hey, Nick,’ says a soothing voice. I look up and see Leo walking towards us. ‘It’s okay, mate.’ He puts his arm around Nick’s shoulder and gives him a smile.
Next thing I know, Leo is leaning towards me and taking a sniff. He still has his arm around Nick’s shoulder. It’s so weird, but my neck tingles where he sniffs, and it keeps on tingling even after he’s stepped back.
He straightens up and smiles at me. He’s not exactly hot, but there’s something about him that’s really nice. His brown eyes sort of scrunch up when he smiles, and his curly brown hair is all cute and messy.
I don’t have a clue what my face is doing. I probably look like a rabbit in the spotlight.
‘She’s just wearing perfume, Nick,’ Leo says gently.
Nick’s hands have slowed down, but he’s still not very calm. ‘I like Hazel’s normal smell,’ Nick protests.
I grimace. I didn’t even know I had a normal smell. Now everyone will know that at least Nick thinks I do. I feel the blood rush back to my cheeks. I’m seriously embarrassed, but Nick wouldn’t understand that either. So, even though I’m blushing, I manage to say something to him.
‘I can wash off the smell, Nick. It will go away.’
Nick nods. He slips out from under Leo’s arm and walks away. That’s another thing with Nick. He can be really upset one minute, and fine the next. He seems fine now. He’s even stopped to catch a ball on the basketball court. He’s interrupted a game and I see a guy waving his hands about for Nick to return the ball. Nick is grinning as he passes it back.
‘You actually smell really good, Hazel.’
The tingle I felt in my neck turns into a shiver and runs down my back.
I can’t think of a single thing to say. Leo just smiles that cute smile and walks back over to the boys. But I’ve got that sentence on replay in my mind.
You actually smell really good, Hazel. You actually smell really good, Hazel. You actually —
‘How cool is this?’ Edi says, breaking the cycle. ‘Archie said I can bring one friend. I think that guy Leo must like you and he must’ve said something to Archie because then Archie said I should bring you. So, it’s you and me, Hazel. We’re going to Archie de Souza’s party! You’ll come, won’t you?’
I nod and try not to grin like an idiot.
I think I’ve just changed my mind about going to Archie’s party and the reason begins with an L.
‘That’s sooo unfair,’ Olympia moans when we meet her and Jess at the lockers.
‘Are you sure we can’t come?’ Jess adds. ‘I’ve got nothing on this weekend. It’s going to be so boring!’
‘Sorry, guys,’ Edi says. ‘I did try, but it’s invitation only.’
‘Well, I know why you’re invited, Edi,’ Olympia says and the way she says it makes me stiffen. ‘But how come Hazel gets to go?’ She turns to me. ‘No offence, Hazel.’
Now I feel really awkward. It’s like Olympia is telling me I’ve jumped the queue. As though she thinks that number seventeen is pushing in ahead of number eight. I wonder if she’d be like this if Jess was going to Archie’s party instead of me? I doubt it. Even though Jess is number eight and below Olympia too, I think she’d be nicer about it.
And the fact is, I’m pretty sure I only got the invitation because I was there with Edi. Still, if it was Olympia who was invited, I don’t think I’d be like this with her. Actually, I’m sure I wouldn’t be.
Normally I get all quiet and worried when Olympia is being mean, but this time she’s making me mad. I’m just about to ask her what she means by the comment when Edi answers.
‘You guys have to think of it like this,’ she says, ‘Hazel and I got the invitation this time. But this is just the start of things. If we get to be friends with Archie and the others, then pretty soon we’ll be able to include both of you. It’s just a matter of time.’
She’s clever, Edi. She’s definitely a girl with plans. I wouldn’t have thought of that angle. I can see the idea sinking in for Olympia and Jess too.
‘You really think so?’ Olympia asks.
‘Yep,’ Edi says, nodding firmly.
‘And you’ll fill us in on everything that happens? Every tiny detail?’ Jess asks.
‘Definitely,’ I say. ‘Every little detail.’ I direct it at Jess because I’m still a bit mad at Olympia.
‘It’ll be like having spies there to report back,’ Jess says. She nudges Olympia. ‘Come on, Limps. At least we’ll get all the party goss.’
Olympia shrugs. I can tell she’s still not over the moon that I’m going to Archie’s party and she’s not. But it does look like the idea of getting the party goss is making her feel better.
She gives me a friendly nudge like the one Jess just gave her.
‘Every little detail, Hazel?’ she says. When she smiles at me it feels like she’s forgiven me for queue jumping or whatever she thinks I’ve done. Cold to hot. I make myself smile back, but honestly, it always seems like she could swing back to cold any minute and it drives me nuts. I wish I could see inside her mind and find out, once and for all, what she thinks of me.
‘Every little detail, Olympia,’ I promise.
Even though I’m weighed down with my overnight bag and my schoolbag, I feel like I’m floating home rather than walking. Thursday nights are family nights, which means, for us, no boys allowed. Maybe Mum and I will be able to have a proper talk this time. Maybe, when I tell her about being invited to a party from the year above, she might finally get that I’m growing up and then we might even be able to have the period talk again, but a better one this time.
There’s weird music floating though our house when I open the front door. Whale calls with clanging cymbal noises in-between. I can’t believe people like this kind of stuff. Every time the cymbals clang I feel jumpy.
I dump my bag in my room and head through. Mum’s checking her emails on her laptop in the lounge room.
‘Hi, buddy,’ Mum says.
She must’ve caught the word from Jason, because she’s never called me that before. I didn’t know words were contagious, not for someone Mum’s age anyway. Obviously bad music is too. I sneak a quick peek at Dad on the mantelpiece. He would hate this music.
‘Hey, Mum,’ I say, raising my eyebrows at the music.
‘It’s relaxing, Haze,’ she says, closing the lid of her laptop. ‘How was your father’s?’
Mum never mentions Lisa unless she has to.
I’m about to answer when Romy appears from her bedroom. She hasn’t wasted any time getting the boots on. She looks good in her tunic dress, tights and boots. She knows it too. She catwalks around the lounge room. I wonder if I could convince her to let me wear that whole outfit to Archie’s party.
‘What do you think, Mum?’ she asks, landing a boot on the couch next to Mum. ‘I can’t believe that Dad and Lisa got them. Thanks for giving them my size. I love them.’
‘Mmm,’ Mum says. There’s a battle of expressions on her face, like she’s trying to be positive but she doesn’t want to be. Mum gets weird when Dad and Lisa buy us expensive stuff. ‘They’re … nice, Romy.’
Romy leans down and gives Mum a hug. She’s good like that. Mum’s face is way softer after the hug.
‘Show her what you got, Hazel,’ Romy says.
I nick back down the hallway to my room to get the perfume and the dog. When I come back into the lounge room, I hold out the beautiful bottle and Winston. Mum’s face reverts to the battle zone.
‘Well, I’m glad someone has money to burn,’ she says, glaring at the perfume.
I try to ignore the dig. Mum shouldn’t say stuff like that about Dad and Lisa, as though us not having much money is their fault.
‘He’s cute, Haze,’ she says. I hand her Winston and she pats him like he’s a real dog and I think that might be the end of the conversation, but there’s more. ‘But that perfume costs a fortune,’ she says. She shakes her head. ‘Ridiculous,’ she mutters, ‘for a thirteen-year-old.�
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‘Thirteen and four months,’ I point out, putting the perfume in my pocket.
‘I don’t know what gets into Lisa’s head,’ Mum says.
‘Gee, I don’t know,’ I say sarcastically. ‘Maybe Lisa thinks I deserve some beautiful perfume? Maybe she thinks that I’m not a kid anymore.’ This conversation is happening all wrong — again. You’d think she’d want to try a bit harder this time. ‘Maybe I’ll ask Lisa to take me to the doctor, since she’s the only one who gets it!’
Romy’s phone rings and she uses it as an excuse to go to her room. Mum rubs the bridge of her nose with two fingers, as if talking about this stuff has given her a massive headache. But she pats the seat next to her on the couch.
A harp has joined in with the whales and cymbals. If Mum has a headache, I reckon this stupid music is the real cause.
I sit down. Winston is between us.
‘Okay, Hazel, okay,’ she says. ‘I understand that you’re worried about not getting your period yet.’ She sighs a long sigh and pats Winston. ‘I honestly don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but I’ll book an appointment for you if it makes you feel better. There’s a lovely female doctor at the clinic now. I’ll do it, okay?’
‘Okay,’ I say, and it feels good that she’s finally acknowledging the problem. I wish she would stop right there but she doesn’t.
‘The thing is,’ she continues, and she’s interrupted by a couple of long whale groans. ‘The thing is,’ she repeats, ‘I really think you’re almost there. I mean, you’re definitely having mood swings.’
It’s such an annoying thing for Mum to say. If I’ve been moody, I think to myself, it’s because everything has changed around here. If I’ve been moody, then the reason has dreadlocks and wears paint-splattered trackie dacks.
But I squash down my feelings. Because she doesn’t get it. At all.
‘You know, the timing really doesn’t matter, Hazel,’ Mum continues. ‘Whether you get your period right now or in a few months’ time is no big deal. All that matters is that you’re happy being yourself, whatever stage you’re at. I just hope you’re not hurrying to be something you’re not.’
Waiting for It Page 4
