Tibby awoke with a start. She pushed her hair out of her face and glanced at her clock. 5:00 A.M. She rolled over, fluffing her pillow slightly, trying to go back to sleep. She knew it was no good. She got out of bed and put on a regular t-shirt over her pajama top. She shoved her feet in some shoes and padded downstairs. She opened the door quietly, went outside, and shut the door behind her. The first rays of sunshine were peeking over the houses along Tibby's block. Tibby shuffled over to the Graffman's house and sat on the porch. She looked in the window. She saw a variety of furniture in a multitude of colors. None of them went together, but they worked. They looked good against the shaggy grey carpet.
Tibby sat on Bailey's porch for a long time. The sun was fully up, radiating heat onto Tibby's face. She heard the front door open. She looked down at her feet. Tibby saw small feet almost completely covered by purple pajama pants that looked three sizes too big. Bailey sat down beside her. Tibby looked up, but not all the way, her eyes hovering around Bailey's chin.
"How long have you been here?" Bailey asked.
"A while," replied Tibby.
"Why?" questioned Bailey.
Tibby wrung her hands in her lap. "I couldn't sleep. And I wanted to see you," Tibby replied.
"Okay," Bailey said softly.
"Okay," Tibby echoed.
Bailey reached for one of Tibby's hands. Instinctively, Tibby drew back. Bailey replaced her own hands on her lap. Slowly, Tibby relaxed and took hold of one of Bailey's small hands. It felt so light. Tibby held back a gasp. The skin contact made Tibby's stomach turn cartwheels. She moved her smooth hand over Bailey's rough one. The two girls sat there, on the porch, for a long while. Every little touch sent Tibby's insides swirling. A head on a shoulder here, a foot brushing an ankle there. It felt like pur bliss to Tibby.
Soon, Tibby became warm. She reached up and began to pull off her t-shirt. Along with the t-shirt came Tibby's pajama top, leaving her milky breasts viewable to all. Bailey's eyes widened. She quickly reached up to help Tibby pull down her pajama top, her thumb brushing against one of Tibby's erect nipples as she did so. Bailey didn't seem to notice, but Tibby did. Tibby let out a little moan, wishing Bailey would touch her more. With her shirt back in it's rightful place, Tibby got up to leave.
"Bye," she called to Bailey.
"Bye," Bailey repeated, a little flustered.
On the way home, Tibby felt lightheaded with happiness. She knew that touch was not on purpose, but she could pretend it was. She could most certainly imagine that Bailey hat felt Tibby purposely. Tibby happily kicked a pebble with her foot.
Tibby decided to stop by Lena's house on her way home. She knocked on the door. Ari answered. They gave small smiles to the other as Ari motioned Tibby inside. Tibby slowly stepped inside and climbed the seventeen steps to the second floor of the Kaligaras house. Tibby knew there were seventeen because she counted them on her way upstairs every time. Lena's door was open. Tibby stepped inside.
"Hey, Lenny," said Tibby.
Lena was sitting at her desk all hunched over with something on her lap. Working on a drawing, most likely. At the sound of her name, Lena turned around to face Tibby.
"Hi. What's up?" Lena asked Tibby.
"I just wanted to check up on you. See if you look any different after wearing the pants," Tibby teased.
Lena twirled around. "Well, do I?"
Tibby laughed, "No, and neither do I."
Lena joined Tibby in her laughing frenzy as both girls lay down on Lena's bed. As the giggling subsided, a more serious mood overtook Tibby. Tibby rolled over on her side to face Lena.
"Lenny?"
"Yeah?" Lena replied.
"How would you fell if I told you that…" Tibby trailed off.
"Told me what, exactly?" Lena prodded.
"Uh, well. That I... Like girls," Tibby said quickly as she buried her head under Lena's pillow. Lena let her mouth open a bit, fishing for what to say.
"Well, Tibs," She finally decided, "I'd say that, it's okay. And I love you anyway."
Tibby slowly slid the pillow down so it covered her chest rather than her head.
"Really?" Tibby asked, a little breathless.
"Really," repeated Lena.
Tibby sat up and gave her friend a hug. "Thank you, Lenny."
"Anytime, Tibs."
Lena grabbed Tibby's hand before Tibby got up and walked out the door, their hands sliding apart.