The ABC's of Growing Up

You know what I think there needs to be? Some kind of manual for us teens trying to grow up and be the mature young adults our parents want us to be. Something to tell us how to get through things…or at least to warn us of what's ahead. Nothing complicated or necessarily particularly in-depth. Something simple like the ABC's…

A is for Apple right? Well what is it for teenagers? Adults? Surely it changes as you get older. When you're a kid, sure…A is for Apple. But as you grow you realise that A isn't just for Apple. A can be for lots of things…Ant…Acid…Acorn…

The point is, is that someone out there should be helping us along a bit more. Maybe that someone could be me. I don't know. Probably not. But here's my shot at it. Only a few weeks of my life but enough happened in those few weeks that made me change how I was thinking. And enough happened for me to make my very own ABC.

So here it is…The ABC's of Growing Up by Teagan Jacobs.

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"How long have we been together now?" Jack asked me as he nuzzled his face in the side of my neck.

I smiled as I tried my hardest to concentrate on the homework I was attempting.

"About six months," I replied before turning to look at him. "You're not going to let me do my work are you?"

Jack shrugged as he smiled; something about him that I'd always adored. The way his face lit up as his lips curved upwards and the way his eyes shone. He was the kind of person who smiled with every part of him. That was how you knew if his smile was genuine or not. By the way the rest of his face reacted.

"That all depends on you," he answered as he brushed some of my hair away from my shoulder, his fingers dancing across my back and then down my arm.

I shivered slightly at his touch before letting my eyes slip closed for a moment as he pressed his lips to the curve of my neck.

"Jack," I whispered. "I've really got to get this done."

"I'm not stopping you," he commented against my skin, both his hands now running up and down my sides.

"You're not really making it easy either," I pointed out.

Jack chuckled and lifted his head, propping his chin on my shoulder as I looked down at the book that was open in front of me. History was laid out for me to read but for some reason my mind just wasn't on the task in hand.

"Jack," I whined as he slipped a hand under my shirt and stroked my skin gently.

I heard him chuckle again and I turned my head to look at him. I pouted and watched as his eyes flickered around my face before landing on my lips. I smiled under his lips as he pressed them against mine gently. I brought up a hand and curled it around his neck as I kissed back just as softly as he was kissing me. Jack moved a bit closer to me and brought both his hands up to cup my jaw before deepening the kiss.

I could feel feelings beginning to stir within me. Feelings I'd had before but had never acted on because I was somewhat scared. For some reason I'd made my virginity a big deal within my mind and so, for me, losing it would be a big deal too. So far Jack had been very understanding and patient, telling me that he'd wait until I was ready. But I knew that I couldn't hold out for too long. There was only so much patience running through a teenage boy's body.

I turned my body so I was facing Jack and dropped my pen off the side of my bed, shoving my books off as well. Jack pulled away from the kiss and raised an eyebrow at what I'd done. I shrugged and smiled as I straddled his lap and brought my hands up to play with his hair.

"Screw homework," I commented before kissing him again, this time with more passion and need I even knew I had in me.

Jack's hands went straight to my hips as he kissed back before one of his hands drifted upwards and under my shirt. His hand slid up as far as it could, the buttons on my shirt restricting further movement for him, and rested just below my chest. The feelings that had been stirring within me before we were well and truly there, slowly boiling and bubbling as I finally let myself go.

I took my hands away from his hair and pulled away from the kiss as I sat back slightly. I raised my hands up to the top button of my shirt and Jack let his hand fall out from beneath my top as he watched my fingers intently. I slowly unbuttoned the whole of my shirt, letting the dark red and black checkered material fall around my wrists. Jack's eyes drifted down my body before flicking back up to my face.

"You're gorgeous," he whispered as he watched me rid myself completely of my shirt.

I felt a blush infiltrate my otherwise pale complexion and bit my lip to stop myself from grinning at his comment. I'd always been pretty insecure about the way I looked but Jack always made me feel beautiful. He made me feel wanted and admired and it was something I was always grateful for. And something that made it easier for me to say what I said next.

"Take me Jack," I demanded quietly and softly.

His eyes flickered up to mine again and I could see a certain amount of hesitation within his gaze.

"You sure?"

I nodded and pushed my hips down to his, feeling the way his fingers dug into my hips slightly as a groan fell from his lips.

"Take me," I repeated quietly before pushing my lips to his again and pushing him back against my bed.

Jack's hands began to explore my body and I could feel goosebumps arise in the places he'd just touched. A quiet moan escaped me as Jack started to pay attention to my chest before he flipped us over. My hands went down to the hem of his T-shirt and I pulled away from the kiss long enough to rid him of the clothing. I threw it to the side, not caring where it landed, and let my hands reacquaint themselves with his toned body.

Jack's lips moved down my body, lingering in certain places as he kissed down to the top of my jeans. His fingers played with the buckle of my belt before undoing it as he kissed up my body again. Our lips came crashing together again and I bucked my hips up against Jack's as I tried to ignore the nerves that were rattling through me. I felt his fingers dance over the button and zipper of my jeans and just as he was about to undo them my phone rang, rather loudly and somewhat obnoxiously.

He groaned as I pulled away from the kiss and tried to get him to sit up off of me.

"Ignore it," he pleaded as he sucked gently just under my ear.

I moaned and almost gave in but knew I had to answer my phone.

"It could be important," I insisted.

"Or," he hypothesised. "It could be your friends just seeing what you were doing."

I rolled my eyes and reached out for my phone as Jack rolled off of me, an aggravated sigh falling from his lips.

"Hello?" I answered my phone, not bothering with looking at the Caller ID.

"Hey!" I heard two of my best friends chorus together.

"Hey Lyndsey. Hey Sarah."

I smiled slightly as I sat up before my smile fell as I saw the pissed off look on Jack's face.

"What's up?" I asked down the phone as I tore my eyes away from my boyfriend.

"Nothing," Lyndsey replied.

"Just seeing what you were doing," Sarah finished.

I couldn't help but laugh slightly at the way that Jack had been spot on.

"I'm with Jack," I answered and bit my lip slightly as I swung my legs over the side of my bed.

"Ew, really?" Sarah asked, not hiding her dislike for him.

"Sarah be nice," Lyndsey chastised her before turning her attention to me. "So, what are you and jerk face doing?"

I sighed and rubbed my forehead gently. "Nothing. Don't worry."

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I chewed the inside of my lip as I waited for Sarah and Lyndsey to turn up. I heard my name called out and turned my head to see them both coming towards me, dragging their boyfriends, Jason and Brian, along behind them. I sighed as I grabbed my hot chocolate and stood up to meet them at the door of Starbucks.

"Hey guys," I greeted them with a small smile.

Sarah and Lyndsey hugged me and Jason nodded. Brian however simply smirked at me slightly.

"So you and Jack done it yet?"

Lyndsey gasped and spun around to smack her boyfriend on the chest. He simply laughed and pulled her to him, his gaze flicking back over to me.

It was no secret that the guys didn't really get on with me well. I say the guys…Brian was the only person who usually said anything to me. The rest of them pretty much treated me with slight indifference.

"Brian," Lyndsey scowled up at him.

"What?" He chuckled with a shrug as he smiled down at Lyndsey. "I was only asking."

I rolled my eyes and looked to my side as Sarah tugged my arm. I glanced behind me for a moment to see Jason obediently trotting over to the counter to get her a drink and then I watched as Brian did the same for Lyndsey. The girls then grabbed either one of my arms and dragged me over to one of the sofas. Once we were sat down I realised they were both looking at me expectantly.

"What?" I asked before taking a sip of my drink.

"So…have you two…?" Lyndsey trailed off slightly.

"Why would you care? You don't like him," I pointed out.

Sarah shrugged and flicked some of her hair out of her face before glaring as some of her fringe fell back in her face.

"But we like you," she commented as she glanced at me and then delved into her bag.

"And?"

"And," she replied as she pulled out of her bag a hair band to keep her fringe at bay. "We want you to get laid because we like you."

I shook my head and chuckled. "You two make no sense."

"We make plenty of sense," Lyndsey protested.

"Totally," Sarah affirmed.

I rolled my eyes and settled back against the soft cushions of the sofa.

"So?"

I looked at them both before sighing and shrugging.

"Almost there," I replied quietly.