"[Michelle Hedrick] is a little closer in age to [Kristin Sellers] and Kristin feels comfortable talking to her."

Kristin's mother said she senses when her daughter has had a rough day at school or if another kid has been bugging her, but Kristin won't always talk about it. As kids sometimes talk more openly to other children than to their parents, she says Kristin can confide in Michelle, who has become a big sister to her.

When Michelle and Kristin get together once a week for at least three hours, they might watch videos at Michelle's house, do crafts, go to the park or to the library so Kristin can practise reading. The friends discuss from week to week what they want to do.