Teen - Girls Tickling

There is a specific sound that defined every single sleepover I attended between the ages of 12 and 15. It wasn’t the sound of a text message alert or the crunch of microwave popcorn. It was the high-pitched, breathless shriek of someone yelling, “Not the ribs! ANYTHING BUT THE RIBS!”

Tickling was a way to say, “I like you” without having to be vulnerable. It was a way to break down the walls of insecurity. You cannot look cool or mysterious when you are laughing so hard that you snort. In those moments, the pressure to be perfect vanished. Eventually, the tickle fight would end the way all great battles do: total exhaustion. Someone would cry "Truce!" while gasping for air. Hair would be a mess. Mascara (if anyone was brave enough to wear it) would be slightly smudged. Teen Girls Tickling

If you grew up with sisters or a close-knit crew of girlfriends, you know the rules of engagement. It always started the same way. Someone was lying on their stomach on a beanbag chair, scrolling through a flip phone or an early iPod. Someone else—usually the "instigator" of the group—would creep up behind her. There is a specific sound that defined every

But it was too late. The treaty was broken. ANYTHING BUT THE RIBS

(Don’t lie—we know it was the ribs.) Drop your war stories in the comments below. Disclaimer: This post is a nostalgic reflection on platonic childhood friendships. Always respect personal boundaries and the word "stop" in any physical interaction.