Growing Pains and Gains

 by 2D Janet Wong

Ashley’s birthday party was over.  It was very late when Constance left for home.  When she arrived, her parents were in the living room.

“Why are you so late?  It’s nearly twelve o'clock!  I didn’t get any call from Ashley’s home!  Where have you been all night? At a bar or somewhere?”

“Mum, I'm so tired. Maybe let's talk in the morning.  I had better go to bed now.  Good Night.”  Constance yawned and pretended to be very tired.

"Constance!" yelled mum.

"Mum, I've said goodnight," Constance replied in an impatient tone.

"Sorry, Constance, I don’t think I can let you go out at night anymore! You are NOT allowed to go out at night!"  Dad shouted furiously.

"Why dad? What have I done wrong?  FINE! You're so annoying!" Constance started crying and rushed out of the flat.




Constance looking down at the dark street

At midnight, she was walking along the street as a dark shadow moved slowly up behind her.  Constance looked round and trembled with fear.   She was about to scream, when the dark shadow moved towards her.  A girl with a friendly smile waved at her… "Hi,” she said, “I'm Jo."

She asked why Constance looked so sad.  Constance told her she had had a fight with her parents.  Jo gave her some medicine.

After meeting Jo, Constance never went home.  She stayed with Jo and some bad guys every night.  She seldom went to school.  Constance's bosom friend, Leah, was worried about her. She called Constance many times but every time she phoned her, Constance’s phone was switched off.  She left a voice message reminding Constance not to take drugs.

One day, Leah was on the way home and she saw a girl; she couldn't believe her eyes, Constance was lying on the street!  She phoned the school counsellor, Mrs Leung, and they took Constance to hospital at once.

Constance received residential drug treatment and realised that she had been extremely stupid. She felt sorry for her parents and apologised to them, and finally she regained a good relationship with them.  She really thanked her bosom friend Leah for the emergency help and realised that every teenager has problems; she had gained a valuable lesson.