Chelsea had been invited to a party by a boy from school to celebrate them finishing elementary school. Chelsea had only just remembered about it and wasn't ready. This wasn't what she wanted specially before a big date!
She hadn't planned on having to shower, and now she'd have to start all over again! Kicking off her shoes, she ran out of her room and down the hall, pulled open the bathroom door and ...
"Jessica! What are YOU doing in the tub!!? Lets go! Amscray lil' Sis!"
"Jeez, Chelsea! I just got in here a minute ago - give me a break!"
"Look, Jessica, I don't have all night! I've got a date coming to pick me up in 20 minutes! I NEED to take a shower NOW!!" Chelsea was pulling off the last of her clothing, hopping around from foot to foot as she spoke.
Jessica sat up in the bath, glaring up at her younger sister, an angry pout on her cute face. "Chelsea! C'mon! Just because I'm smaller than you doesn't mean you can order me around all the time! Just remember I'm 14 years old now - I've got my rights too, y'know! It's not fair! I don't need to be baby sat any more! You're still treating me like a little kid!!"
Tossing off the last of her clothes, Chelsea stopped and, hands on her hips, stared down impatiently at the angry little figure occupying the bathtub. Looking at Jess' skinny undeveloped body, she could see why the cute little girl was so sensitive about being treated like a child. She sure didn't look like she was 15 - the poor thing wasn't even in puberty yet! Most people would have pegged her at 11 - at the most! "Well I NEED to take a shower because I've got a date tonight. What are you gonna do - play with your toys?" teased Chelsea, sneering down at her flat chested sister. "Don't tell me YOU'VE got someone interested in you? (giggle) You can't even wear a bra yet!"
"CHELSEA!! I can't believe you're being so queer!" The angry child jumped to her feet in the tub, water sloshing about her as she squealed in anger. "You take that back!!"
"Oh, come on, Jess! You're too sensitive..."
"MOM!!" Jess was on the verge of tears as she hopped out of the bathtub and grabbed a towel. "Chelsea's teasing me!!"
Mrs. Richards stuck her head in the door. "Girls? What's going on here? Jess, why are you crying like that?"
Mary scampered over to her mother and threw her wet arms around her. "Mom! (sob) Chelsea made fun of me an' said I can't get a boyfriend 'cause I'm too little!"
"Oh, goll! Jess, you're WAY over reacting! Look, Mom, I just needed to take a shower and she got all upset!"
Mrs Richards shot Chelsea a reproachful look while she gave little Mary a reassuring hug. "Chelsea, Please try to be more thoughtful!"
"Jeez, mom! Don't YOU get all bent outa shape too! Look at it from my point of view - I've got a date coming in 20 minutes! And it's not like Jess' got anything to do!" called Chelsea, yelling over the sound of the water as she hopped into the shower. "Jess just doesn't understand what its like to be an adult, y'know? Besides, she's just a little kid. She'll get over it!"
As Chelsea showered, Mrs Richards walked Jessica back to her room, whispering gently. "Now Jess, I want you to remember that you're a very pretty young girl! Now everyone is different and just because you're a late bloomer doesn't mean you're any better or worse than anybody else. You understand what I mean?"
Jess nodded, wiping away her tears. "I just wish I could be big like all my friends! I hate always bein' so little like this!"
Mrs Richards smiled and continued - it pained her to see little Jessica so upset about her lack of development. The poor girl was only 5" tall - well over a half a foot shorter than her mother! She stopped and held Jess' head up by her chin, smiling down at her cute daughter's little face.
"You'll be fine, besides. You have the whole summer to yourself. Chelsea's going on summer camp and you get to stay here." She said.
Jessica nodded and slumped back to her room. It was obvious the pills hadn't gone anything on the first day but she realised it would take time