Sometimes things don't always go your way: Short story based on one aspect of growing up.

I remember when I was little; I used to play with my dolls non-stop. I loved going into a make believe world, trying to make their world perfect, trying to make my dolls the happiest they had ever been... I wish life was that easy.

I'm 15 and life is a difficult things to undertake. Boys, sex, parents, school, friends, maturity... it's all too hard to understand and there are too many expectations to live up to.

I try so hard to grow up as each day goes, I try to make new friends, understand changes, be the best girlfriend, daughter, sister, niece, aunty, granddaughter, and friend I can be. Sometimes I think I'm failing everyone.

My life used to be perfect, I had everything I had ever wanted, perfect friends, the greatest boyfriend that all the girls wished they had and the perfect family. Then it all fell apart.

My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)

President Clinton / Monica Lewinsky

The Girl Friend

A week ago, I watched my brother leave home with just the clothes on his back. I cried. My best friend had left me and he didn't even realize he was hurting me.

Three days later my so called boyfriend pressured me. I wasn't sure what to do, yes, no, maybe, I'm not ready... what to say? And when he told me to leave, what was I supposed to tell my parents when I walked in crying? That I had just said No to sex with 'him' and he told me to leave... what was I suppose to do? So I ran... ran away. I couldn't face it; I needed to escape for a day.

They came looking for me. My parents, my friends, everyone did. I know this because I heard them walk right past were I was, lying alone on the side of the road wrapped up...