I began my ascent, a simple scramble up the rough slope. It was easy, and I'd done it a dozen times. This time it was no different, until a clump of s...lid earth gave way beneath my left foot. I reached for a nearby thick root sticking out conveniently close to my right hand. When it unexpectantly broke off and I began to topple backwards, that distinctive scent filled my nose. I had noted it before in circumstances of distress and trouble. I knew the feeling of danger and fear each of those. I fancied them!They were good friends, but they were also cute. Even though they we wereall only 13, they looked pretty nice with their tops off.I found myself glancing at their packages from time to time, And then Irealised it wasn't envy anymore. It was... admiration. I was no longerwishing I was like them. I was, just for a moment, feeling happy I wasdifferent, and admiring their male features.Later, when we'd finished our games and we were just chilling, still injust our bathing suits, I. ..The following morning Ruthie showed up at Mike's room in a conservative green dress and matching top. It was strange for him to see her in that outfit, because it was the most clothing he had seen her wearing since they met. He could tell that she was uncomfortable in that get-up. The dress looked good on her, but knowing what he knew about her, it did not go with her personality. To her the dress was not really clothing. It was a costume that she had to wear so she could perform a role in. The problem was that I didn’t feel like I deserved it,” signed the tall man. A little drink, a little argument, and he had destroyed other people’s lives. Then one day, he had destroyed his own. He signed, “I wasn’t always a good person.”Harry smiled and patted the big guy on the back. At six foot five and two hundred and thirty pounds, Too-Tall was a big man. Aloud, he said, “My big man, you have a big heart and good friends. Never doubt that. The three musketeers weren’t as close as you.