Bette Porter

“Wow, Bette, you’re really good,” Tuomas says, shaking his head. I blush and look away, I really can’t handle any complements and I just know I’m not as good as they say.

“Yeah, you are,” Lee says. “But… I mean, look, really, no offense, but right now, we’re turning into this love band. It’s like we’ve only got slow love songs. Maybe we should work on some other stuff as well?”

I wince, but not because of his comment. I am more than willing to do that, but it would mean I’d have to work together with Gary. I really like him, but I feel a bit uncomfortable around him. After all, his girlfriend broke up with him to be with me and I don’t really know where we stand. Gary’s not a talker, rather silent and introverted. The problem is, so am I.

“Sure,” I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. “I mean, it’s not like I’m the only one here that can write songs. I could work together with Gary or Tuomas – or you guys could write a song on your own if that’s what you want. It’s not like Shades of Silence has to play every song I write.”

Lee looks relieved that I take it this way. He seems to have expected a scene – Lee is a good guy but he has no insight into characters at all. Gary looks content as well and I sense that this is something they have been wanting to bring up for some time already.

“Bette,” Seth suddenly says, panic in his voice. I look at him, confused about his tone.

“Yeah?”

“You’re not gonna leave the band, are you? I mean – you could easily be on your own. Bette Porter even sounds like an artist name, and well…” he rubs his neck. “You are popular. Not to bring you on any ideas – oh fuck – I should keep my mouth shut, I’m so -”

I laugh. “Of course I wouldn’t leave the band. Without Shades of Silence Tina and I would have never found each other again,” I say, gazing lovinly in my blonde girlfriend’s eyes. She smiles back at me.