They were very verbal for 8-year-olds, and I enjoyed theirobservations.Then I told Sam about Lily and Clarisse both getting bandages off. I toldhim i...n broad detail about Lily's changes. The girls listened wide-eyed.And I told him about how Clarisse had had soft tissue cosmetic surgery andhow bruised and swollen she looked and how much she hurt.Finally, Madison said, "Helen, why did Clarisse have surgery?" I had toldher this before, but it was complicated enough that I couldn't blame herfor. .7am,,,Alarm on my phone went off and I woke up."Good morning." I said. There was no response. "What the fuck.." I thought to myself.I got ready for school and left.I was really tired because I couldn't sleep until I think 4-5 in the morning.At school I was just like a walking zombie until our councilor, I don't think I know the right word for it, but this is the closest I could get, and our teacher came in and presented us with a new student, Michael.Michael is tall and very well developed for. If my sister was right and the boy did like me, my turning himdown might ruin whatever friendship-like thing we had going on. If hedidn?t like me, it would be super awkward and embarrassing. Hell, itwould probably be that no matter how he felt, which made it seem like atruly terrible decision. It would be a lot better to just keep goinglike normal and ignore the whole issue until it actually presenteditself.The problem was, I had agreed to not do that, and my sister had sworn tonot let me. She kissed my cheek right along the corner of my mouth and I silently hoped that she would continue.With my eyes now closed, I waited to feel her lips on mine. I cracked open my eyes to see her looking at me again, her face now hovering a mere 6 inches from mine, her eyes taking in every one of my facial features, but mostly lingering on my lips.She brought her hand up to my face and tenderly cupped my cheek. I closed my eyes again, and felt the shock from the nerve endings going wild under her.