09 Mar 2020

Baby, they don't call it 'sweet 16' for nothing, although, I wasn't feeling too sweet at the start of my birthday.

I spent the morning getting a new haircut and boldly decided to get a front fringe and it was... jarring to the senses, to say the least. I did not suit it, it did not suit me, and I just resembled a sad horse. Not a good start to my 16th year around the sun.

Then I did my L's test. Unfortunately, I passed, so I had to have that savage front fringe plastered on my license for a whole year. I drove for three minutes after passing the exam, freaked out, almost swerved into a car and begged dad to drive the rest of the way home. 

Although I looked like a numb nut and had a brush with death, things got much sweeter that night as the celebrations commenced.

There was a bonfire that honestly turned out to be a health and safety hazard after one of the guys almost fell in it. That would have really put a dampener on my mood but he's here to tell the tale so all is well. There was good food and of course, a sickly, chocolate cake - just the way I like it. Good vibes all round.

My favourite part of it being my 16th party was that I could be the music god of the night and no one could say anything about it. I pretended not to notice the sideward glances between guests as yet another Led Zeppelin song came on. Someone tried to change the song midway through the song 'Celebration Day' whilst I was cutting the cake. I yelled "Don't touch Led Zeppelin!' whilst accidentally holding up the knife. They have never met eyes with me again. Whoops.

Games of truth or dare floated around.

"I dare you to run around naked".

"I dare you to shave your eyebrows off".

"Truth." "Do you have a crush on Mr Norsberry"...

Then it was my turn. Now, I'd never really liked truth or dare. I guess I liked watching it play out but being a participant stressed me out too much. And my dare was too nerve-racking for me to handle. I was sweet sixteen and never been kissed.

I'd been dared to pash a guy I'd had a crush on for years. AGH!!

We trudged over to a bench for some privacy as my heart thumped out of my chest. I was so so nervous that I actually felt like I was going to vomit - or maybe that was all the cake I'd inhaled. My brain felt like it was about to combust and then started to panic because back then I had this irrational fear of spontaneous combustion. I'm dramatic, sue me. 

He went in for the kiss, I made a sudden movement and we knocked heads, hard. I started cracking up before he went in for another try. After two seconds, it became too much for me to handle, so I broke it off, told him "well done" and sauntered off. My life is a joke and I have only myself to blame.

I still cringe over my first kiss but at least it wasn't as bad as the hair cut.

If you're entering the age of 16, let me tell you that it was my favourite age on earth. Play lots of truth or dare, listen to lots of Led Zeppelin and don't fear spontaneous combustion. It's a stupid thing to spend your time worrying about.

Have a sweet time!