I grinned and knocked back blows. My confidence swelled and swelled with every moment. I would prevail. I would triumph over this cock-sucker.I smacke... back his attack. He squinted his good eye. His cockiness had vanished. He took me seriously now. I definitely could do this. I swung in at him. He knocked my sword to the side then did something I didn't expect.As he retreated, he dug the toes of his sandaled foot into the ground and then kicked sand into my face. I gasped as it sprayed over my. " It's nice to meet you," said Julie, shaking their hands. "Don't worry, I just washed my hands, so you won't catch my cold," she said with a sniff.Teresa's psychology degree included classes on the affects of drug abuse on mental health. As she shook Julie's hand, she was startled. The girl's reddened nose showed inflamed inner membranes that went well beyond cold symptoms, and her puffy eyes were too dilated."It's nice to meet you too," said Scott. "Are you coming to the wedding tomorrow?". He grinned nastily. The lock was one of those bedroom locks meant for privacy, not keeping out burglars or anything. It had a little hole in the middle of the doorknob and required only a stiff piece of wire to unlock.He grabbed a coathanger from the closet and straightened the end, then moved back to her door. He pushed the end of the coathanger into the little hole and felt the knob turn under his hand.He shoved the door open. Paige was standing by her bed, clad only in a tiny pair of string. " Chrissie wanted toslap the smirk off her stepmother's face."Oh, cool!" Laurie exclaimed."Doesn't she know any other expressions?" thought Chrissie to herself."Um, well..." Chrissie mumbled."Perhaps Laurie can help you, Chris," her step-monster continued."I'd love too," Laurie almost cooed. "Here Chris."She reached under the cape and grasped Chrissie's hand. Pulling it out,Laurie handed her the scissors then wrapped her own hand around thescared girl's. She lifted Chrissie's hand back to the.