“Fated” – Chapter Three – by Querida

A week went by with no call from Tina.  The so-sought after, popular Bette Porter was waiting for Tina’s call like an infatuated teenager. Bette knew in her heart that it wasn’t an infatuation, nor was it about one more conquest.  Tina evoked a tenderness in Bette that no one else had ever done.  Take it easy, she told herself, you’re moving way too fast.  Yet Tina had wanted her to stay that night, and when Bette had kissed her, Tina had kissed her back.  It had been warm and intimate.  Bette’s mind churned with thoughts of Tina, her sweetness, the line of her jaw, the smell of her hair, her strength, her vulnerability, her quick intelligence, the taste of her lips; a strange mix of the sensual and the spiritual. Her friends at the coffee shop found her sad and withdrawn, not her usual self, but Bette just parried their questions because after all, she really didn’t have a relationship with Tina… not yet, anyway.  Tina was elusive, but Bette made excuses for her: she was preoccupied with her studies, she was under a lot of pressure, etc. 

That Saturday night Bette was at home, debating whether or not to go out with the rest of the gang to a gay club.  I may as well, she told herself, I’m not going to mope about waiting for someone who isn’t interested enough to call..and then the phone rang.

“Bette? It’s Tina.” 

“Hey, how are you?”

“Actually I’ve been busy as hell, school has taken over my life.  I need a favour, Bette.”

“What is it?”  (Anything, just ask! Bette thought.)

“Do you have a computer?  I have an assignment which must be turned in Monday morning, and the computer I had booked has crashed.  I was wondering if you would let me use yours?”

“Of course you can,” Bette replied.  “Shall I come and pick you up?”

“No, it’s ok.  Are you sure I won’t be in your way?”

“Absolutely not!  Come right over..”  Bette happily ditched any plans she had made for the evening.

Tina arrived about a half an hour later, laden with reference books and reams of paper. 

“This is great,” Tina said as she sat down in front of Bette’s state-of- the- art computer.