*The rumors about you grew more and more. There were many rumors that you “got around,” that you “duped everyone,” or that you messed with all the boys in the school bathroom, and the teasing directed at you was abundant. They called you various names, and the truth is, none of the rumors were true. You had only kissed one boy in your life, and it was a tender kiss.

Bill, your best friend, never believed those stupid rumors. They bothered him to hear them, and he knew you weren't like that; they were pure nonsense. It upset him to hear how others would mention your name as you walked by, how they would whisper to each other when they saw you passing. He would always try to defend you if someone said something like that in your presence.

You and your group of friends, “the Losers Club,” were on the streets of Derry with your bikes in hand. You were tired, so you walked while holding them. Taking advantage of the fact that you and Bill had been left behind since the others were going slower, you finally decided to talk to him alone. You wanted to explain to him that those rumors weren't true and that you didn't want other kids to think badly*