Dana strolled into Bettes in the middle of the night, after spending the evening with Shane, Tina, and Jenny. She must have cried a million tears in those few hours. She still loved Alice more than anything else in the world. It broke her heart that Alice could be so nasty to her, but at the same time, she knew she broke Alices heart too.

Alice, stop. Bette pushed Alice off her. Shh. Act normal.

What the *****?

Didnt you hear the door?

Alice kept reaching for Bette who continued swatting her hands away. Stop. Alice!

Dana froze seeing Bette and Alice with their hands all over each other. She wanted to yell, scream, curse her friends, but somehow she couldnt sort out her conflicted feelings. Was she jealous or relieved? She saw the beer bottles everywhere and saw that her friends were clothed. Did she feel better? Alice and her did break up right? Why would she care? It was still bizarre seeing Bette and Alice this close together. Maybe there was still something between them after all these years.

Bette hopped off the couch first, Dana! This isnt what it looks like!

Dana only looked at Alice, the hurt completely visible on her face.

Why are you here, Dana? Alice slurred.

I live here.

Alice glanced at Bette, hoping for an explanation.

She does.

You gotta be kidding me. Neither one of you said anything. Thats just real great. What else are you going to hit me with? Alice buried her face in her hands, Boy, do I feel like ***** all of a sudden. How much did I ***** drink? She put her hand over her mouth, I think Im gonna be sick. Alice ran to the bathroom and hung her head over the toilet.

Excuse me, Bette. Dana trailed Alice and grabbed a washcloth and ran it under the faucet. She wrung it out and sat on the cold tile floor. Lay back. Put your head in my lap. Dana waited for Alice to get comfortable before putting the compress on her forehead. As she took care of Alice, the tears fell in streams down her face. Everything is falling apart.I havent slept for days. I dont have a home. My parents hate me. You hate me. My fans hate me. Everyone hates me. She bowed her head, her hair in Alices face.

Alice sat up despite the pleas from her nauseous stomach not to. She put her hands on Danas arms. Youre too ***** hot to hate.

I cant be here, Dana got off the floor and nearly crashed into Bette as she made her way to the front door.

Alice stumbled back to the couch, Shes a real party pooper.

And youre still drunk, Bette remarked before chasing after Dana. She stopped Dana at the car. Dana, dont go. This is your place, too. Ill take Alice home.

Bette, you cant drive. You look drunk. Look, I dont know what happened between you two and I dont care.

Bette grabbed Danas arms. She could tell that Dana didnt mean what she said. Her infidelity screwed up her relationship with Tina, she wasnt going to let Alice ***** up hers with Dana either. She knew this might get back to Tina, but Alice had been nothing but wonderful to her and Tina the last few months. Dana, this was all my fault. Alice was really upset before and we gottrashed. And I kissed her. Im sorry. Bette let go of Dana and walked back up the porch like a wounded puppy.

Dana hit her arms against the top of her car and slid down the door to the ground. She wrapped her arms around her knees and began to cry again.

Bette was staring out the window, Dana patted her on the shoulder. Dont beat yourself up over this. Were done. Alice and I arent together. What you two do is-

Bette touched Danas hand, cutting Dana off. I still love Tina. I cant stop loving her. I miss everything about her. I even miss our fighting. I needed to snap out of this funk and I preyed on Alices vulnerability. You dont have to forgive me, no one does.

Bette, were not all out to get you. Even Tina. You cant keep punishing yourself.


A few days later, Bette walked into the Planet for the first time in four months. She sat at her friends usual table.
Shane took the seat next to her. Bette, its been awhile. Good seeing you.
Bette got up and hugged Shane much to her surprise. Ive missed you.

Shane smiled, Yeah, I know.

Dana, Jenny, and Tina arrived joining them at the table. Bette once again got off her seat and hugged her friends and then paused as she reached Tina. She was at a loss of what to do and held out her hand, her heart pounding so hard, she could hear it in her ears.

Tina couldnt remember a time when Bette was ever shy. Tina took Bettes hand, pulling her in for a hug. She whispered in Bettes ear, This isnt like you. So shy.

Bette whispered back, You make me shy.

Tina released her former partner, a slight smile on her lips.

Is Alice coming? Dana asked, unaware of the positive reaction between Bette and Tina.

Tina shook her head, Sorry, Dana. She couldnt make it today. Tina noticed Bette looking at her and quickly glancing away when she tried to make eye contact back. She thought it was cute, it reminded her of high school.

Bette invited everyone to a rock and roll exhibit at the museum. She wanted to just invite Tina, but now wasnt the time. Besides she wanted to reconnect with all her friends and this seemed to be a fun peace offering.

Alice was alone at her apartment typing away on her laptop. Her hands were jittery without her usual shot of espresso and cup of coffee. Whats more addicting-a lover or coffee she typed. She cleared her Word document. Withdrawal and its dark side, she shook her head and erased that title as well. Sounds too dirty, she thought. She knew she couldnt avoid Dana forever and she refused to cut off her friends in the way Bette had. Bette had more discipline than her. But Alice needed to stay away from Dana because otherwise she would curse her out. And she didnt want to cause a scene in front of everyone. Why cant I focus? Alice decided she needed to clear her mind and take a nice, long bath, but not after writing, Why, Dana?

Bette answered her cell phone. Bette Porter.

Dana Fairbanks please.

Bette handed her phone to Dana. Its for you.

Dana pointed to herself, Me? She put the phone to her ear. Hi. There was no response. Alice, you there? Still no answer. No ones there. She gave the phone back to Bette. I should go to the club now anyway. I have a match next week.

Dana opened her locker and saw a laptop in it. Ooh, a present. She took the laptop out and flipped open the screen. There was Alices wallpaper. She opened the document that was minimized on the bottom of the screen. Youre a real *****. Dana frowned and thought to herself, You could have just printed this out or wrote a note.

Alice was rejuvenated, her mind was clear and this was the time to write. She went to her desk and paused. Where was the computer? Youre losing your mind, Alice. She saw a note that must have fallen on the floor. Needed your computer.
Alice searched for her phone and dialed Tinas number. She didnt even wait for Tina to say hello. You could ask before taking my stuff.

Alice? What are you talking about?

My laptop that youborrowed.

I didnt touch your laptop.

You left a note.

No, I didnt. Maybe Dana has it.

Alice cringed at hearing Danas name. She dreaded calling her. She was relieved that the voice mail picked up, Dana, I need my ***** computer. Bring it back some time today.

Dana showed up at Alices after a miserable practice. She knocked on the door. Alice answered it as Dana held out the laptop, This is yours.

Yeah. You could have asked first. Alice barked.

Ask for what?

To borrow my computer. You know, the one in your hand.

You put this in my locker.

No, I didnt. Do you get some sort of sick pleasure out of ***** with my head?

What the ***** did I do to you? I dont deserve this, Al. Im sorry I broke up with you. But still I dont deserve being treated like this.

Alice huffed, You know I cant take people messing with my head. And youre doing that.

Im not. God, Alice! I went to my locker and your laptop was in it. You typed me a nasty note. If you think that lowly of me, just say it to my face.

What on earth are you talking about? The only thing I typed was- she grew embarrassed.

Was what?

Why, Dana?

Dana shook her head sadly, I dont know.

No, the last thing I wrote was Why, Dana?

Oh. Thats not what I read.

Do you still have the file on the computer? Dana nodded. Alright, come inside and show me. Alice read the note, I wouldnt write something like that. Im guessing then you didnt leave me this. Alice handed her the note she found.

This isnt mine.

Maybe Shanes pranking us.

Al?

Yes?

Do you hate me? Dana’s voice quiet as she feared the worst response.

No, of course not. Dana, why would I hate you? I mean you can be a real pain in my *****, but I dont hate you.

Because Im too ***** hot to hate?

Alice laughed, Dana, I cant believe you said that.

You said it first. Dana took Alices laughter as a good sign that their friendship could still be intact.

Alices phone rang. She answered it, Hello?

Hi, Alice. You have a pretty hot girlfriend there.

Uh, thanks, but shes not my girlfriend. Who is this?

Im just a Fairbanks fan.

Dana intently watched Alices face while she was talking. Who is this?

But God isnt a fan of homosexuals. God punishes that lifestyle. You can seek redemption for your sin.

Yeah, well go ***** yourself, Alice hung up the phone.

Who was it, Dana asked.

Just a church group or something.

Alice, you shouldnt tell a church group that.

Eh, whatever.

Alice? Dana felt like she was walking on eggshells, afraid to set off the ticking time bomb that was Alice’s temper.

Yes?

Did you mean what you said about wishing you never came over?

Alice paused for a second, thinking of what to say, I think I did at the time. I regret that I said mean things to you. Alice, what are you doing? Shes not your girlfriend anymore. Stop looking at her like a piece of meat. Alices eyes moved to the table.

Alice, I uh have been um going through a lot lately between the settlement and tennis. Im uh sorry that I-that I took it out on you. She finished her sentence quickly and hungrily kissed Alice.

Alice pulled away, panting, What are you doing?

Danas hand traveled up Alices thigh. Alices breath caught in her throat as her body ached for more. Dana purred, What Ive been dying to do for the last two months. Dana forced her lips against Alices. Her hand moving up and under Alices shirt.