Well I'm British - isn't December a third of the way into the academic year? December '96 would make her a Year 9 would it not? Sorry.. I'm a bit confused there, we may be talking about different education systems. Anyway, based on paragraph two of your quote I see little problem with your relationship; again it was only the argument presented that I questioned.
Social and physical majority vary greatly from person to person, I respect that... all the best