Chapter 1

The first time was maybe a few days after that old man had turned Enid to stone. KO had been particularly helpful that day, cheery and adorable as he could be. Both of them were alone in the back of the bodega, sorting boxes of whatever, and Rad had found some dumb excuse to leave early.

"That's the last one!" KO had said, and laughed; he had such a beautiful laugh. "We make a good team, don't we Enid?" Enid smiled. "We sure do. Couldn't have done it without you, KO." His smile put hers to shame, she thought.

She would later tell herself it was a spur of the moment thing, that it meant nothing, maybe she even believed it. She squat down to KO's eye level and called him over. "You're a pretty cool sidekick, KO. I think you deserve a reward." She gently put her hands on his cheeks. He seemed puzzled, but didn't pull away, even as Enid's face inched closer. He didn't understand what was happening until their lips touched.

She felt electricity run all the way down her spine. His lips were soft and warm and welcoming and she couldn't help but linger. It was a small kiss, but definitely more than a peck, and definitely less chaste than what Enid had intended. She pulled back and smiled at him. "How was that?" KO's eyes were wide and full of stars. "Wow." He finally muttered.

"That good, huh?" Enid chuckled and ruffled his hair. "C'mon, let's go close shop." She stretched nonchalantly, doing an outstanding job of looking like nothing was wrong, even though inside she felt like she was on fire. KO kept looking down and blushing whenever she looked his way, and couldn't stop giggling. "That's not too different from regular KO", she thought. It was hard to keep herself from smiling. Only on the way back home did she dare ask herself what the hell had happened.

Well, what the hell had happened? Her heart was pounding in her chest. Why had she done that? Enid had always thought of KO as a kind of little brother, hadn't she? Just a chance be the Cool Older Sis she wished she had growing up! She gulped. Nothing more, right? Doesn't matter how cute he looked, or how much he obviously admired her, or how he always knew what to say when she was feeling down. A cold bead of sweat ran down her neck. She needed to stop this line of thinking immediately.

But it was probably ok, right? Right! It's fine, it's just teasing, just a little teasing between friends that's all. Maybe a line was reached, but not yet crossed. Just kinda bumped a little. He kissed pretty good for what was probably his fir- Enid stopped that thought in its tracks.

This wasn't helping at all. No matter how you looked at it, this was a pretty shady thing for a 16 year old to be doing with an 11 year old. She became resolute, she'd never let this happen again. It would all be fine as long as this remained just a one time thing, she thought.

They would kiss a second time before the week ended.

But! But you have to understand the circumstances! She hadn't even been the one to initiate it this time. That had to count for something, right? Besides, it's not like things went any further than last time. Maybe the kiss lasted a bit longer, who can say? No one can keep track of stuff like that.

It had been a particularly hot day. They were lounging in the breakroom, plopped together on the beanbag, while Rad worked the cash register. Enid had just downloaded the new Mayday Parade album and KO wanted to listen.

"We can share earbuds if you want." She said.

He beamed. "Woah, really?"

"Yes, really, you goof. You're gonna have to scoot closer, though."

They were already sitting pretty close, but now KO was basically in her lap. His shorts and Enid's hot pants meant their legs made plenty of skin contact. Enid put an arm around his shoulder as she passed him the earbud and left it there. Alt metal blared gently in their ears, and they started humming along to the melody. Enid realized she was smiling.

As the third song on the album rolled in, KO nestled in closer and rested his head on her shoulder. Enid absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair. "Hey, Enid?" He said, barely above a whisper.

"What's up, lil guy?" She wasn't looking, but she could feel his eyes on her.

"Um." He hesitated. "When are we gonna kiss again?"

Enid turned to look at him, suddenly very aware of how close their faces were. She didn't know how to react, so she didn't.

"I don't know, KO."

"Oh." He said, but didn't move.

The next few moments felt like ages. He held his gaze, and slowly moved his hand to her neck. He moved in closer, until their foreheads were almost touching. He was the one who kissed her this time, his lips softly nipping at hers. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss, and her thoughts faded to black. She hadn't realized how much she'd been holding back until she suddenly wasn't.

He was the one to break the kiss. Their breathing was heavy as they looked into each other's eyes. KO snuggled against her and buried his head in the nook of her neck. "That was really good." He said.

Enid leaned back and let her head drop onto the beanbag. "Yeah."

She was too exhausted to think. The album continued to play, and they listened in silence until their break ended. Laying in bed that night, her fingers running furious circles on her clit, she came the hardest she'd done in months.

In the silence of the dark of her room, waves of guilt crashed against her like tidal waves. "I can't let this become normal." She thought out loud. "I won't. This is the last time, for sure." A part of her feared it was already too late.

But an even deeper part wanted it to be too late.