We kissed quite a lot that week. They were simple kisses. Closed mouth stolen moments. It wasn't making out or anything, but I enjoyed it all the same. I'm not sure Christian even knew how to make out properly, but I just loved the feeling of his lips against mine, no matter which way.

At the homecoming dance, we all just went as a group like usual. Kate and Holly had quickly found some new cheerleader friends and so they went with them. I wore a blue shimmery dress and high heels that grandma Addie had bought me. Christian kissed me on the dance floor.

Over by the punch bowl, I saw Kate sat by herself. The cheerleaders were scattered around, and Holly was dancing with an eighth-grade boy. I went to get myself a drink and she looked up at me with a smile on her face. I gave her a cold look.

After a few seconds of silence, she spoke.

"Ana," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

I took a sip of my drink and turned to face her. She had tears in her eyes and her lipstick was faded but she still looked beautiful.

"Sorry for what?" I asked, confused.

"Everything."

She stood then and came closer to me.

"The cheerleaders...they made me not speak to you. They said I couldn't hang around with you because you weren't cool. I didn't want to. You were my best friend Ana."

I stared at her incredulously.

"Nobody can make you do anything Kate," I said harshly. "You chose to not speak to me. You could have said no to them. They didn't force you."

"I know," she cried. "But I wanted to be a cheerleader so badly. My mom pushed me for it. She said it would be my legacy and help get me into a great college."

I knew how hard Kate's mom could push her, but I still wasn't giving in so easily.

"I don't know what else to say," she said, tears free falling now. "I made a bad mistake. I'm so sorry. I miss you and Christian and Jose so much. Can you forgive me?"

For someone so strong, she sounded awfully pitiful. Part of me felt sorry for her. Part of me wanted to hug her and never let go. But I couldn't. She'd cut me out of her life for a year and things couldn't be repaired so easily.

"So what if I do?" I said. "Nothing will change. You'll still be with the cheerleaders. With Holly."

She shook her head fiercely. "It's not worth it. I don't like them half as much as I like you and Christian. I want my real friends back. I'd quit the team if it meant you'd be my friend again."

I couldn't tell if she was bluffing or not. She looked sincere.

At that moment, before I could answer, Holly came over. She took one glance at Kate and stormed toward me.

"What have you said to her?" She snarled.

I stood my ground. She wasn't going to scare me. I was about to tell her to get out of my face, but Kate interceded.

"Holly, please go away," she said. "I'm talking to Ana."

Holly looked taken aback. "Why are you speaking to her?" She asked, looking at me like I was worthless.

I couldn't stand to be in their drama, so I left to go back to Christian. Kate needed to make up her mind. It was me or Holly.

She couldn't have both.

The next week, I didn't see much of Kate. I had heaps of homework and I was really starting to see where middle school got its bad rep. On Friday, before the end of the day, I went to the bathroom before going home and I saw a blonde girl crying in front of the mirror. She whirled around quickly, and I saw that it was Kate. She was bright read with tear streaked cheeks. Instinctively I walked toward her.

"Kate, what's wrong?" I asked, worried.

She turned away from me. I'd never seen Kate cry like this before and I realised she wouldn't want me to witness her in this state. I didn't care though. I still cared about her a lot and I would always be there help her. Unlike her, I couldn't shut off my feelings so easily.

"Kate, tell me," I insisted.

She took a deep breath, staring straight ahead. She still didn't look at me when she said "Elliot broke up with me."

I breathed a sigh of relief it wasn't something more serious. Still, I asked why.

"I guess he doesn't want a middle school girlfriend," she said angrily then, furiously wiping her face with a coarse tissue.

I reached into my bag and pulled out a soft one for her. She took it gratefully.

"I'm sure you'll get back together," I said, my attempt at consoling her.

"Yeah right," she huffed. She turned toward me then. "Do you know what he wanted? He wanted me to give him a hand job. He said all his friends get them from their girlfriends and they make fun about him for only kissing a thirteen-year-old."

"A hand job..." I repeated, confused.

Kate gave a little laugh then and sat on the sink counter.

"I've learnt a lot this year too Ana. It's the cheerleaders. Some of them are downright filthy," she said, which made me laugh a little.

"A hand job is when you touch a boy's...you know. Penis. You move your hand up and down until they orgasm. A blow job is similar, but you just use your mouth instead," she explained.

My face went bright red. Your mouth...

Kate giggled. "Exactly. I didn't want to do it yet. I'm just not ready," she goes serious then. "Holly laughed at me for it. She says she's given blow jobs before."

My eyes went wide. Holly. Doing that to boys...I couldn't comprehend it.

"I meant it when I said I missed you Ana," she said after a few moments.

She hopped off the counter and wrapped me in a hug. Despite myself, I hugged her back. The clean smell of her hair invaded my senses. She'd been using the same shampoo since we were five. I'd missed her so much.

Her parents were picking her up, so we said goodbye and I met Christian outside to get the bus. He was in a good mood and I wasn't sure why.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked as we got on the bus.

"Can't I be happy?" He countered with a laugh.

I raised my brows at him as we sat down.

"Okay okay. I've been working on it for a while and things have finally come to fruition."

Fruition. Sometimes, Christian spoke like he was from a different time period.

"What has?" I asked.

"My new business," he said proudly.

Now I was intrigued.

"Business?"

He nodded. "I didn't want to say anything in case everything failed but I've been working on it for a while. My parents helped buy all the stuff and I've been making dog tags. I've almost finished the website and everything, but I had my first buyer today."

"Really?" I asked, impressed. "Who?"

"Adam," he said with a shrug.

"Why dog tags?" I wondered.

"They're easy to make," he replied. "Come over today, I'll show you everything."

I nodded and texted my mom to let her know I'd be at Christian's. She never minded really. She got home quite late most days.

I was super excited to see all of Christian's stuff. He actually had a business. What other twelve-year olds could say the same? He really was fantastic.

He was busy on his phone when I turned and interrupted him with a kiss.

"What was that for?" He asked, smiling.

"I'm proud of you for your business," I said.

His cheeks tinged pink then.

"Thanks Ana," he said bashfully.

I kissed him again. When his lips parted slightly, I almost gasped. I closed my eyes and pressed harder.

I was really starting to like this kissing thing.