Chapter 7

Yale – 1996

A few of months had gone by since Bette and Tina had become friends. They saw each other almost every day, whether it was for lunch, breakfast, studying sessions or pretty much everything else.

Their relationship was one of friendship and companionship. They were on the path of becoming best friends, but there was always something in between them, something unspoken that was starting to bother both of them.

Bette was unsure of what it was exactly, she still couldn’t put her finger on it. But she was certain that something was there, but what could that be?

Could that be an interest that went beyond a friendship?

No. Sure they were sharing many hours of almost their every day; after all they did live in the same building. And sure, they were becoming so close that they could almost finish each other sentences or know what the other was thinking just by looking at one another… but, was that love?

Not to Bette. Buying a different meal than the one Tina was having just so they could eat from each other’s plate… was hardly more than being a friend. And sure it wasn’t Bette’s first choice to eat big portions of pies for breakfast so that Tina could “try” a couple of bites -meaning half of it- and therefore break the diet she was in, which Bette kept insisting she didn’t need. That’s what friends are for, right?

What was it then? Or better yet… should she honour the pact she had made with Tina and come forward and be honest about this “itch”?

Probably that was the best idea. She could sense that something was happening to Tina as well, but how could she express it in a way that would not lead to misunderstandings?

“Like friends do Bette” Came the voice of the skinny brunette sitting across the table.

“Look Shane… I know but… won’t things be weirder?”

“Bette, you’re giving it too much thought. You two made this so called pact of “always being honest” right?”

“Jesus… you make it sound like we’re twelve”

“Well maybe you are, but… you did right?”