Ugh! Bette sat up and impatiently pushed off her white cotton pajama pants. The heat was unbearable; even though their house was usually cool, the high was forecasted to be close to 105 degrees and scorching. She felt like she had been dunked into a vat of molasses; the sheets of the bed clung to her body uncomfortably as she sluggishly rolled over and sprawled across Tinas side. She heard the phone ring far off in the distance, even thought it was just a foot away from her hand on the nightstand. She was too drunk by the heat to even try to answer it, so it rang incessantly until it finally went to the voicemail. Hey guysI know youre there so pick up the phone! Ok, so were dying in my apartment because the central air is fucked up and you know the construction thats going on over at Danas placeplease let us come overI mean whats the point of having a beautiful, refreshing pool if you dont have a loving group of friends to share it withPICK UP! Alrightwhateverwere coming over, so get the margaritas going!

Bette groaned into her pillow. The last thing she wanted to do on a day like this was have a houseful of people, and knowing Alice, thats exactly what she would get. She managed to push herself off the bed and get to her feet. She rubbed her face lazily, staggering a bit as she made her way to the bathroom where she could hear the shower running. Rolling around in bed had done wonders for her hair; it seemed like the size of her head had doubled. She walked into the bathroom and felt the cool breeze of the running water in the shower and moaned out loud from the relief. Babe, did I hear the phone ringing? Tina asked as she rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. Bette leaned against the sink, thoroughly appreciating Tinas moving figure through the frosted glass, Yeah, theyre gonna come overthey expect margaritas when they arrive. Oh god! she heard Tina groan and proceeded to remove what was left of her clothing.

Oooh, nice hair! Tina chuckled as she shifted to make room for Bette in the shower. Bette mock laughed, unappreciative of Tinas pseudo-complement. The water was so refreshing that she had to brace herself on the tile walls as it washed over her body. Upon hearing Bette groan, Tina nodded, I wish we could stay here all day. Who says we cant, Bette questioned raising her eyebrows with closed eyes. Well, thats not very earth-friendly, Bette, Tina said, trying to inch closer under the stream of water. Bette placed her hands on Tinas slippery waist and pulled her closer as she sucked on her chin, ***** the earth. She nipped Tina lightly with her teeth, making her giggle, Bette, we dont have time for thistheyre gonna be here soon but her sentence ended abruptly; she inhaled sharply, feeling Bettes hand delicately stroking her ***** with a nimble thumb. She temporarily forgot to continue arguing as Bette continued to work her thumb in circular motions and her tongue and lips up and down Tinas neck. Tina lifted her right leg, pressing her thigh into Bettes hip, causing both of them to rock slowly. Bette held Tina tightly around the waist as she came, finally placing a kiss comparable to the days weather on Tinas lips.

Once Tinas legs regained their strength, she opened her eyes and smiled shyly at Bette. Bette arched an eyebrow and leaned in for another soft kiss, gently sucking the water off Tinas lips. She pressed her forehead against Tinas and chuckled, We can finish this laterwe need to make sure we have enough alcohol for all of our unexpected guests. Tina nodded her head and opened the shower door. As she dried herself off with her back to the shower, she smiled, feeling Bettes hot stare through the glass. Bette stayed in the shower for a while longer, cooling off in every sense of the word. Meanwhile, Tina put on some clothes: a black bikini set along with a pair of bright blue board shorts. She shuffled into the bathroom to find Bette wrapped in a towel and drying out her hair. Hey babecan you tie me up in the back, Tina said turning around and holding the skinny strings out behind her in offering to Bette. Bette took the strings and quickly tied them into a tight knot sighing, Tinado you have to wear this? Tina turned around and looked at Bette innocently, questioning. Bette grabbed Tina by the back of the neck and pressed her lips to Tinas while Tina laughed into the kiss. Just then the doorbell rang, and Tina managed to wiggle out of Bette hands. She ran down the hall, sliding (a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business) on the hardwood floor as she rounded the corner, redirecting her feet toward the front door.

She wrenched it open just as Shane was about to begin pounding, HeyIve got the tequila! she grinned slyly, holding up a large bottle of Jose Cuervo like a trophy. Oh, and Alex should be here any minute with the ice, she added walking into the house. Shane took off her denim shirt, tossed it onto a living room chair and followed Tina into the kitchen. Tina placed the tequila on the counter and opened the refrigerator door, looking Shane over and shaking her head, God, Shane arent you dyingwearing jeans on a day like this. Shane leaned over the counter, apparently deep in thought; after a few beats she shook her head looking down at her legs, Actually they breathe very nicely. Tina just chuckled and poured two glasses of water with lots of ice, offering one to Shane and drinking deeply from her own. She motioned toward the pool, Im gonna go clean the pool out a little… It looks pretty clean to me, lady! came a voice with a really bad fake Mexican accent. It was Alex, cradling too bags of ice in her arms as she stepped over the back door threshold.

Alexs short brown hair was still a little wind-swept, the soft curls a little more unruly than she would have preferred. She was a few inches shorter than Shane and much tanner. The spaghetti-strap white tank she wore showed off her toned arms as well as accentuating the smooth curves of her slim waist. Her knees were slightly bent due to her burden, making the strong muscles of her thighs and calves bulge a little. She groaned dramatically as she heaved the bags into the freezer while Tina held the door open. She leaned her back against the refrigerator, breathing loudly and grinning at how she was amusing Tina and Shane, revealing a single large dimple in her right cheek. Can I offer you something to drink for your troubles, Tina asked, reaching for another glass. Yeah, stick a straw in that puppy and hand it over, Alex replied, pointing at the Jose Cuervo. Shane sniggered, stepped forward and draped an arm around Alexs neck, pulling her toward the door to go out by the pool. Tina initially followed, but back-tracked and glanced down the hall to see Bette walking slowly toward her; Bette had opted for a (trademark!) white tank and a pair of Tinas running shorts”the hot pink ones. Tina covered her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle. Bette wearily threw her arms in the air, wearing a defeated expression on her face.

That colorlooks really good on you, babe, Tina managed to say through her laughter. Well it was either this or walking around nakedthese are really wellventilated, Bette said, arching an eyebrow at the end. Tina smiled, Well, I wore them for cross-country a lot in high school, she grabbed the elastic waistband, pulling and releasing it so that it snapped against Bette. Bette winced, playfully shoving Tina away as she rubbed her abdomen with her hand. The door bell rang again and Bette pushed Tina in that direction as she herself turned toward the back door, Penance for causing me pain. Tina sprinted toward the front and Bette stepped barefoot onto the hot stones of the courtyard, waving at Shane and Alex who were on the opposite side of the pool, frantically putting out what looked to Bette like a very small cigarette. She shook her head and walked around the pool over to them. Hey Alex, I didnt expect to see you here. Alex coughed loudly and fanned the air around her quickly as Bette approached, Yeah, well theres only so much studying you can get done on a day like this. Bette nodded knowingly, When will you be done for the year? Uhwellweve got exams all next week and then I have to get started studying for boards. Shane just shook her head as she gazed into the calm water of the pool, Thats ***** insane, she muttered.

Shane shook her glass a little as she stepped away to indicate she was getting a refill while Alex and Bette continued their conversation:

Bette: So what are you plans for the summer?

Alex: Well, Ive only got, like, threefour weeks between taking the boards and the beginning of third year, so I think Im gonna just take it easyIm trying to convince Shane to come camping with me for a couple of days.

Bette: Good luck.

Alex: Yeah, I think Im gonna need ithey you guys are welcome to comethe more the merrier.

Bette: ThanksIll talk it over with Tina.

Alex nodded her head enthusiastically, squinting in the sunshine as she looked up at Bette. They heard a chorus of loud voices emanating from the kitchen and Bette sighed, Well, now the whole gangs here she said with an unconvincing smile. Alex gave Bettes arm a soft, encouraging punch and led the way back into the house.

Margarita-ville here we come! and with that, Alice pushed the button on the blender with a flourish. Shane and Dana were perched with legs hanging on the edge of the breakfast table, making faces of mock amazement. Tina was in the living room, playing DJ as she fingered through the CD collection for something upbeat, as Alice put it. Bette waved and mouthed her hellos since the blender was still going as she crossed into the living room to see what Tina was up to. Alex exchanged high-fives with Dana and raised her eyebrows at Alice as the sound of the blender died down and the infectious beat of Juanes Luna drifted in from the living room. Jesus where have you beenIve havent seen you for a month! Alice said, pouring her concoction into the chilled goblets Tina had laid out. Umits called medical school, Alice. Alex replied, leaning against the counter next to Alice. So youve been pretty busy studying a lot and seeing patients and stuff, huh, Dana said, accepting the drink Alice handed her. Yeah, how many people have you killed so far? Alice asked with a smirk. Alex rolled her eyes, then glared at Alice, So are you still a bisexual, Al? Dana nearly choked on her drink, and Shane chuckled gently patting her on the back. Tina and Bette also joined in on the laughter as they grabbed their own margaritas.

Alice arched an eyebrow, placing one hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes in return:

Alice: Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.

Alex: You know you oughta let me cure you of that once and for all.

Alice: Oh, really.

Alex (grinning): YupIve got my own programbut its only got two steps as opposed to twelve, so you should be able to stick with it…

Alice: Oh give me a break!

Alex: The first one, of course is still the same”admitting you have a problem.

Alice: ***** you, Alex

Alex: Oh, no, no, nothats the second step.

The entire room erupted into laughter. Even Alices hard expression broke into a smile; however, she still grabbed a glass of water and splashed into Alexs face as payback. Alright guys, were gonna head outsideAlice keep the drinks coming, Bette finally said, grabbing Tina around the waist and ushering her outside. Dana and Shane followed close on their heels. Alice and Alex stayed inside, cleaning up the spill and getting more drinks made, still playfully shoving each other.