Growing Pains Novels & Stories

"There was even a day you broke Aiden's toy because you were angry that I was playing with him and poor Aiden didn't say anything. He was always gentle anytime you get angry like that." Aiden grinned widely and stuck out his tongue. "That's a lie!", I protested. "It's the truth", the three of them said at the same time. "Whatever!", I said and scooped a handful of Poptarts into my mouth. "But you guys have really grown a lot and I'm happy to always have my two babies with me", Mum said and hugged the both of us. I stood up quickly as I remembered something. "Our birthday is coming up!", I shouted excitedly.

Her parents were local farmers who majorly survived on selling farm products. So, on this particular day, having come home late from school, she passed by that road, singing as she skipped towards her home. Then it started happening. All of a sudden, her skin started itching and excruciating pain paralyzed her as she slowly started changing. First, it had been her hands, immense pain, almost like labor pains passed through her fingers. Her nails grew at a visible rate and then sharpened into what looked like claws. Then had come her back.

Thea explained, “Mom, I didn’t lose more weight. I’ve just been exercising lately. I might’ve lost some fat, but I gained muscle. I look better, and morning runs are good for you. My physical health has only been improving since then.” Nick nodded. “The kid is right. Her size was getting a little too much. A little exercise is good for her. Don’t tell me you still want her to keep getting bigger? That won’t do. What if she develops diabetes? Or high blood pressure? Kids these days—it’s not good for a high school student like Thea to sit still for prolonged periods.” Thea’s mom glared at Nick, annoyed.

"Did you know that at this stage, the babies are about the size of peaches?" I blinked. "Peaches?" "Yeah," he said, running a hand through his hair, looking almost amused. "They’ve started developing fingerprints too. You know, in case you want to commit a crime with them, they’ll have identification." I rolled my eyes. "Great. That’s exactly what I needed to know." Blaze smirked but continued, rattling off a few more facts—something about how their bones were getting stronger, how their little hearts were pumping more blood.

“Angel, why didn’t you tell me? I’ll call the doctor—” “I already did,” I cut in. “I spoke to her this morning.” “And?” “She said it’s normal. Part of the second trimester. Growing pains, or whatever term they call it. I don’t remember everything she said, but I know she said my body is adjusting to the pace of the baby’s growth.” I hear his breath catch faintly. A small beat of silence passes. “That doesn’t make it okay that you’re in pain.” He bites out. “It’s not exactly pain,” I say. “Just… discomfort. Like my body’s trying to make room but doesn’t know how.”

Katie resented the hell out of me for that, and I resented the way she bossed me around when we got up to get ready for school. I did feel fortunate that I hit a growth spurt in that junior year. I went from five and a half feet tall to six foot even over a five month span. The thing about growing quickly like that is that everything is growing at the same rate, but you just don't notice it. It's not like I woke up one day and I was suddenly taller than my sister. What you do notice are annoying things like your favorite t-shirt no longer fits, or you have to get new shoes and they hurt your feet until you break them in.

I obeyed, but couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, “Why do I feel like I’m being treated like a growing child?” She laughed with a soft melodic sound that made the room feel warmer. “That’s because you are growing,” she said, adjusting the equipment. “Your growth hormones were delayed. When I first met you, you were too weak, and your body was barely surviving. But now that you’re finally receiving proper nutrients, your growth hormones have kicked in.” She tapped my head lightly. “Take advantage of it while you can. Maybe another year, and your growth will naturally slow down.” After making a few notes, she asked casually, “When did your periods start? At what age?”

* Zeina * The days bled into one another, a haze of stillness and swelling breath. My belly had grown, rounder, heavier, a moon full of weight and mystery pressing against my skin. The movement inside had grown more frequent too, no longer flutters or whispers, but real shifts of muscle and presence. He was growing. Strong. Unrelenting. Just like his father. But even as my strength returned in quiet increments, bone knitting, magic crawling back into my veins like timid light, I felt something else begin to falter.

I tell him. He comes to sit next to me on the boys play mat. “Is it just me or did they get bigger?” He asks. “Yeah, they definitely did, according to my grandmother she said that they'll grow pretty fast and I will go back to normal once they turn four. I mean before Shelly took me away from them, they were so tiny and by the time I came out they were crawling. I mean at this rate they'll be talking and walking by next week.” I tell him and I get sad because I realise that while I'm watching all the boys firsts, I'm missing Leslie's.

I can’t track him while my body is changing. The unexpectedness and newness of it is difficult to And my rage returns! I don’t know what’s happening, but I want it to stop! I need to stop him! Aaaahhhh!!!!! This must be what it’s like to be consumed with anger. Now my skin is the least of my concerns. My bones begin shifting, painfully at first as my humerus and my femur elongate, stretching in a way not humanly possible. A growl rumbles deep in my chest and I throw my head back as my nose and jaw stretch out. My spine shifts and my shoulders begin popping. It’s painful, but in a glorious way.