(DANIEL: point of view.)

"Stop wiggling, we are leaving in ten minutes and you will have this suit on whether you like it or not!" my mother scolded me.

"Why do I have to wear this stupid suit to church anyway?" I complained.

"Melanie has to wear a dress, so you have to wear this." She pulled the tie around my neck until it hung properly down my shirt.

We were in the car, driving to church. Today was my First Communion. It was Melanie's too. I hated when mom dressed me up for church. She says I need to look like a gentleman. I watched as we pulled into the church parking lot. Other boys were also wearing suits. I smiled as one boy started crying and pulled off his shoe, throwing it across the street. His mother just shook her head angrily. If I did that I would get a spanking.

A car pulled up next to us. Mom opened my door and I jumped down to meet Melanie. I froze as she jumped out of her car. She was in a long, puffy white dress. Her hair was curled and pulled up on the back of her head.

"Hi, Daniel," she laughed.

"You look like a girl," I said in amazement. She always wore shorts and T'shirts. She never wore a dress; not even to church. She grimaced.

"Well, duh, I am one." she folded her arms across her chest. "Besides, I would rather look like a girl and wear a dress, than look like you in a monkey suit," she laughed.

I tugged on my clip on tie as i tried to think of a come-back.

"Daniel, don't mess yourself up, it took me an hour to get that suit on you," she chastised. She ran over to me, straightening my tie, and smoothing my hair. Melanie walked away with her mom into the church. I could still hear her laughing at me.

In the church, the lady in charge of us lined us up in twos. Of course I was paired up with Melanie. We were always paired up, it was inevitable. Our parents took countless pictures of us until we got to the point where we wouldn't even smile anymore. That of course, would only make them laugh and take more pictures. It seemed like we would die in that church. Finally though, a nice old woman escorted them to their seats in the church. We all stood in line as the same lady told us how important this sacrament was. Melanie stood with an intent look on her face as she listened carefully. I decided to listen too. If Melanie was paying attention then it was important. She never let any of the older bullies at school talk tough at her. She just ignores them and pulls me away so that I don't start a fight.

"C'mon, we have to go in that line," Melanie hissed to me. I followed behind her as the rest of the line moved forward. We stood side by side as we walked down the aisle of the church. Our parents cooed as we made our way. More cameras flashed and I grimaced toward Melanie who just smiled with one quick giggle.