Novel & Cerita I Am Twelve

He set his cup down very slowly, like he was afraid he might break it. "A boy," he said, his voice low and careful, like he was testing the word. "You are twelve." I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks felt hot. "Dad, it is just a dance. We are not getting married or anything. Lucas is nice. He is funny, and he does not make fun of my drawings like some of the other kids do."

But you just made this worse for both of us. Wait and see. Happy New Year. Make it count. You have ten years, five months, twelve days. I'm counting every single one.

ANAHERA The last time I felt like this was ages ago. The last time I felt…carefree, happy, buzzing with energy. All of a sudden, I was twelve again and on the ice rink, defying my brother by sneaking out to play with the other kids on the frozen pond a few distance away. Except this time, it was with Noel and we were playing hockey. Hard. I sent the puck sliding into the goal again. “That’s…that is foul play. You had me distracted, Hera,” Noel panted, grabbing another puck. “I can’t believe you’re this good.”

I was twelve at that time, I usually watch and observe my brothers. I was still driving at a high speed while smiling like a clown when I heard"Who the fuck are you?." from the back seat.

I opened the message. “Hey Ree! So I know you’re busy but my field trip payment is due Friday or I can’t go and it’s the science museum one. Also my left shoe has been making a flapping sound when I walk, the sole is coming off a bit. The kids at school are laughing, but I taped it together. Love you.” I read it once. Then again. I taped it together. That was the most heartbreaking sentence I’d ever read. A twelve-year-old who was learning to fix things quietly so nobody around her had to feel responsible.

I asked. Please be in year eleven, “Year twelve.” He replied, "Oh ..." I looked down at the tool in my hands, “Oh...” I mumbled out, he moved closer to me, “What?” He asked softly, “I’m in year eleven,” I whispered, he just smiled at me, “Well you haven’t missed much coming into week six of term one should be easier.” He said, I looked at him in shock, “You think? I don’t think it would be.” I said, sounding dumbfounded.

Oh, and it’s 1989. How do I feel? Well, I want to grow up already. Being my age sucks. Everyone tells you what to do, and you have to do childish things such as homework and writing in a journal. I can’t wait to be 13 and be a teenager. ThirTEEN, see the word ‘teen’? Exactly. I know Doctor Bailey will be asking me why right now and writing in his notebook, so I will give you the answer. Because I want to do what I want and not listen to people. OKAY?

And now with the added variable that it was going to be cold. I didn't really mind that aspect as much as the fact that people might recognize me. Even so, I had decided that I would rather risk that than stay here alone most of the day tomorrow. I have changed a lot since I was twelve so maybe they wouldn't be able to recognize me so easily. My thoughts were cut short once I felt Nico's fingers slowly slide behind my neck, his thumb lightly skimming over the healing skin on my neck. I turned towards him, goosebumps rising on my arms from his soft touch.

Alicia POV The photo sat on my nightstand, mocking me. Two hours of staring, and I still had nothing. Just a blank space where something important should be. It felt like missing a step in the dark. It was 2:47 AM and I have classes in five hours. I picked up the photo again. Twelve-year-old me looked genuinely happy. The boy's hands on mine, comfortable. We'd known each other well. So where was he in my memories?

It was a simple a boy meeting a girl in high school but that meeting is going to last for a lifetime and I am really looking forward to it and enjoying every single day. The End.