That Monday, Lilian got on the bus to go to school. At one point, she saw Clive get on and look for a place to sit. She told him, "You can sit with me if you want to." He said, "Thank you. That's very kind of you." He sat beside her. He then asked, "You all right?" She replied, "I'm just fine. Why wouldn't I be?" He said, "I'm sorry. For a moment, I forgot I wasn't in England anymore." The then explained that when a British person says "You all right?" or simply "All right?", it means "Hello!" or "How are you?" It doesn't mean the same as "Are you all right?" Lilian said, "I didn't know that. I learned something new, and I'm not even in school right now." Clive said, "My grandfather says that the most important lessons aren't taught in school." Later, when Lilian was walking to her history class, she saw Biff and his two followers picking on Clive. She couldn't just stand there and listen to them insult her new friend. She walked up to the bullies and said, "Leave him alone, Biff!" Biff asked, "What's wrong, shredder?" One of his followers said, "We're just messin' around." Lilian said, "He's scared enough as it is, being in a new country. Just leave him be!" Biff and his followers pushed her down the stairs, laughed and walked away. Lilian felt around for her glasses. She managed to find them, and she was relieved to know they weren't damaged at all. She put them on and looked up to see Clive sliding down the banister. He helped her to her feet. He asked, "Lilian, are you hurt?" She said, "No, I'm not hurt." He said, "I'm glad you're all right. Thanks for standing up to those bullies for me." She said, "You're welcome, but I hope you're okay." He said, "I'm fine. I've had worse things sinabi to me." After class was over, Clive asked, "Lilian, why does Biff call you shredder?" She said, "I don't want to talk about it." He said, "I'm your friend. You can tell me." She rolled up her sando sleeves and said, "This is why. Are you satisfied?" He looked at the scars with a sad expression. He then hugged her. She happily accepted his hug. On the way back home, she said, "Thanks for not judging me for the fact that I practiced self-harm." He said, "I knew a girl who went through the same thing when I lived in England. I tried to be her friend, but she wouldn't let me in." Lilian said, "Maybe she was afraid to. I was afraid to let Gideon in at first." Clive said, "Gideon? Who's Gideon?" She said, "He's my friend. For the longest time, he was my only friend. He moved away shortly before you moved in." Clive asked, "Lilian, are you willing to tell me why you started hurting yourself?" She said, "Yes. I'll tell you if you come over to my house." He said, "I'll come over if it's all right with my parents."
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