A girl always needs a little love by Z. Timol (classic novels for teens txt) 📖

tired, even though I slept for a really long time, I feel like I have no energy left.We stopped at the traffic light, I turned my head just as a yellow jeep stopped beside us. There were three children in the back and one in the front on the mother's lap. The baby looked about 1 or 2 years old. The dad was on the phone and two of the children in the back were fighting for what seemed like a toy, the third one was just staring out of the window, she looked lost. For a second I locked eyes with the girl staring, she smiled and then waved, I returned her smile but didn't wave back. Suddenly the father turned around and said something to the two boys at the back, that seemed to keep them quiet. The light switched green and we drove off, they took a right while we went left. I thought about the girl and that look in her eyes, it was like she was unhappy. I thought about the move, I realized grandma hadn't said anything about it. We were supposed to move this week but with my accident, everything turned upside down. I decided to ask her about it.

 

''Grandma?''

''Yes darling?''

''What about the move? When are we going to pack up?'' I asked

 

She didn't say anything for a long time, then she gave a heavy sigh.

 

''Well, the doctor said you have to rest and that a move wouldn't be very suitable right now, so I've decided to postpone it, maybe in a few weeks time, once you're alright. I did get a call for the house, they're coming to see it tomorrow, in the meantime, you can start packing slowly, so it won't be too much last minute. Linda will be there to help you, she'll stay till we're gone. And Marcus promised he'll come every day or so. They all are really nice people.''

''Yes they are. I'm so sorry grandma, this whole thing just messed it all up''

''Oh Lizzie, it's not your fault, you couldn't help it. Don't blame yourself. These things happen, it's just a test we need to try and pass. Okay? Now, what do you say we go and pick up some boxes? I called Bob, he said he's got tons of boxes ready for us''

''Sure, why not?'' I smiled

 

Bob. He was a close friend of dad's. He handles supplies and stuff for shops so he always has extra boxes. He's a funny man, he's bald and a little round but he's very nice. He's wife is barren so they don't have any children but they have about 3 dogs and a bird. They had fish but they all died. His wife is a nice bubbly woman. Short hair and plump, very kind. She's with him most of the time at the shop, they bring their dogs with them too. I used to love going with daddy to their house to watch the dogs play. Mum used to stay inside because she hated dogs. She wasn't very friendly with animals, I on the other hand love animals. I actually plan on getting a horse. When I can afford one, that is. Hopefully one day. We parked up in front of the shop and got off. We stepped inside and the bell rang that was placed above the door. There was nobody there, I walked around looking at all the stuff when Bob appeared from the back along with his wife.

 

''Welcome welcome. My favorite customers'' he laughed

''Hey there Bob, hi Lucy'' grandma greeted

''Hello Uncle Bob and Aunty Lucy'' I smiled

''Enough with that uncle and aunt crap, we've told you, just Bob and Lucy, you're making me feel old'' he joked

''Sorry I forgot'' I said

''Oh dear, you get bigger and prettier every time I see you Lizzie'' Lucy said

''Thank you''

''So? How have you been holding up?'' Bob asked

 

He was asking about the accident. Grandma told me that when she called to tell him, he actually started crying

 

''We're fine'' Grandma said

''I've heard that you've been giving the doctor's work missy'' he said

''I hope you're feeling better dear'' Lucy said

''I am, thanks. Where are the dogs?'' I asked, trying to change the subject

''Oh they're in the back, wanna go see them?''

''Yes please''

''Oh, I'll stay inside with Lucy, you go with Bob, Lizzie. And please don't hurt yourself'' grandma said

''Ok'' I nodded and walked off

 

We walked towards the back door, I could hear barking getting louder. Bob held opened the door for me and I stepped outside. They were all sitting huddled up in one corner. One by one they got up.

 

''Hey buddies. Chester, Scruffles, and Lady'' I called their names

 

The two of them got up but Lady remained down.

 

''Why is she not getting up?'' I asked Bob

''Well she might be in some pain''

''Why? Did she get hurt?''

''No, just wait and see''

 

I watched her, waiting. After a few moments, she started getting up. And there was a beautiful surprise there.

 

''Puppies! She had puppies. They are so cute'' I squealed 

''She had them this morning'' Bob said

''Did you name them yet?'' I asked

''No not yet, but now that you're here, why don't you go ahead and to the honor''

''Really? Thankx'' I smiled

''How's Lady doing?'' Lucy came outside along with grandma

''Oh dear. She's got puppies'' grandma said

''Yes, they're so cute. And guess what? I get to name them''

''Oh that's great dear'' Grandma said

 

I sat on the stool and thought of names. There were 5 puppies all together.

 

''Are they all girls?''

''Uhh no, we had the vet check. He said that the one with the ..........''

 

He explained which ones were girls and which were boys. There were 3 girls and 2 boys. I nodded and then started thinking again. I took out my phone but remembered that there was no Wifi. After I thought for a while I decided on Poppy, Lola, and Roxy for the girls. Buster and Max for the boys. I told them what I thought.

 

''Yes that's perfect for them. You're a clever girl'' Bob said

''Thanks. They really are lovely. So tiny''

''Do you want one dear?'' Lucy asked

 

I wanted to say yes, but I knew it would be hard to manage with the move. So I said no.

 

''Well, you can come and see them anytime you want. You must come one more time before you go''

''Don't worry, we'll see you guys again. Definitely'' Grandma smiled

''If you need any help packing, remember we're just a call away'' Lucy said

''Thank you, we must really get going. Lizzie just came back from the hospital. I need her to rest'' grandma said

''Yes, of course, don't over work yourself dear'' Lucy hugged me

''Come on, let me get the boxes in the car for you'' Bob said

 

I waved to the puppies and the dogs, Bob and Lucy came with us to the car, we loaded the boxes. It was a lot of boxes. Lucy gave me a picture of all the puppies and the dogs that she took this morning. It was placed in a pretty frame. I thanked her for the gift. We bid them goodbye and drove off. We talked about how nice they were. Grandma said that once when I was small, we came to visit and when I saw the dogs, I started crying because they were barking, but then after that, I was always trying to grab them. I laughed at my own silliness. We reached home and I jumped out of the car. We carried in the boxes together and dumped them in the lounge. It was dark out, I skipped off to my room after kissing grandma goodnight.

 

My bed was calling me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture love

 I changed into something warm and switched off the lights. The room was dark, there was only a little light coming in from the window. I used to hate to sleep in the dark but as I grew I started to hate too much light, I don't know why. I heard grandma walking up the stairs and into her room. I just laid there staring at the ceiling. I can be so exhausted but the moment I get on the bed I don't feel tired at all. I sighed and got up, I took out the letter from my bag and read it once again. It was hard to make out the handwriting, it was new to me. As I said, I'm a people watcher so I pretty much know every person's handwriting that I know. I sealed it up again and took out my box. It's kind of like a secret box with all stuff that nobody knows about like my dozen diaries. There's also this picture that means a lot to me. It's of someone I don't know at all. 

 

********

 

I and my family came to the park for a picnic. It was a sunny day and it was hot. We bought hot dogs and ice creams. Daddy was pushing Daisy on the baby swing and mummy was pushing me on the big swing.

 

''Hold on tight Lizzie'' Mum said

''I can push myself, mum'' 

''I know but I just want to give you a start''

''Ok, push me high''

 

She pushed me twice then let me go, I swung on my own. Daisy got tired and started crying so daddy took her out. They went to sit on the blanket. I jumped out and went to the monkey bars. I always end up getting blisters on my hand but I do it anyway. I was on the last one when I let go and dropped to the floor

 

''Lizzie, come and eat'' dad called

''Coming'' I called

 

I got up and dusted off all the sand and got up, as I walked to them I saw a small paper in the sand by one of the bushes, I was curious. It looked like a picture. I picked it up and wiped the dirt off. It was a picture of a boy. He looked about 1 or 2 years older than me. I looked around, there was nobody else in the park. I placed the picture in my pants pocket and walked toward my mum and them.

 

********

 

4 years later and I still have it with me, nobody knows about it, not even Linda. For a while, I felt guilty that it may have been stealing but then it was buried in the bush and it was a bit torn, so it must have been lost for some time then. He was really a cute boy, he had a wonderful smile. From then I considered him my 'first love'. I would pretend he was there and I would talk to the picture. I know, stupid. But then I just kept it in the box and took a look at it once a while. I guess I have a fantasy that one day I'll meet this person, but that's all it is, just a fantasy. With the kind of life I have, I doubt any fantasy of mine will come true. I put it inside the letter and placed in the box, I kept back in its place at the back bottom of my cupboard at closed the doors. I switched off the lights and jumped back in the bed with the hope of falling asleep quickly.

 

I woke up with a start, I had that feeling like I was falling off a