For many of my teenage years, I never thought about whether I was going to be a real respectful friend for a girl. Maybe more honestly, I didn’t think I could be friend with a girl without sexual implication. As first a child and then a young man, I admired friendship when I saw others or heard them talk about how wonderful a good friendship can be or read about how friendship with the opposite sex can be enjoyable and joyful. Don’t get me wrong, this didn’t mean that I didn’t have friends at all. But, true friendship with a girl like the one I was going to develop with Yvalia was like a new world for me. These five bold font words in the preceding sentence are big words. Yes, they’re Powerful, Intimidating, and Splendid. These are words for heroes, for those who brave the impossible, who can control the part of their bodies below the belly button, and make the real difference between friendship and relationship with the opposite sex.
Armed with my enthusiasm and good intention as a self-described “protector,” I set out to write The First and Last Kiss; this book talks about how people of opposite sexes can benefit from a true friendship, but this book also explains the story of a seven-year-old girl abused by her oldest brother. I began the story with the circumstance that led to my wonderful friendship with Yvalia.
Each time I talked to Yvalia, the fiery, disgusting feeling against Yve, Yvalia’s brother, who was the rapist or abuser, got my frustration at the highest level. Even today, I am still asking how a brother has the guts to have sex with his own little sister no matter how old he is. And what pushes a brother to take the virginity of his own sister.
Listening to Yvalia, I felt a rush of empowered dignity, true friendship, and profound respect. This is the person that I became in order to help my unforgettable friendship with Yvalia. Internally and externally, I triumphed with my friendship with her. Yes, I was able to support her, give her good advice, study with her, go so boldly, and take a firm stand so bravely. Then, I avoided committing unwanted mistakes that could jeopardize my friendship with her.
After you have wisely purchased this book and read it, you have my permission to use it as the best example to prove that people from opposite sexes can be friends without having sexual implication. You are also free to undoubtedly unveil your criticisms about it. I think your criticisms will be like flavors making this book one of the best of its kind because my most significant, esteemed, and brave commentator isn’t somebody else but you, for you spent your money to buy this book.
I considered you as a new agent who will say no to the sexual abuses against kids. Everything in this book is real, and you must be prepared to laugh, cry, and think about this reality. You can no longer be confused about friendship and sexual relationships. You also won’t condemn me for the way the first kiss happened—you won’t judge me bad because I let the first kiss be the last based on the circumstance of the time. Whether you can admit this, the end of this wonderful book will reveal to you the natural side of a wonderful friendship.
I am a writer, not a psychologist. My insights come primarily from my own experiences and from experiences of other friends that I grew up with.
In light of this, I want to make it clear that this book is not meant to be a manual that teaches you how you should develop your friendship with anyone.
I believe everyone probably has something good to learn from their experiences.
