Chapter Eight

Three days later at school the cheerleaders couldn’t practice outside because it was raining and since it was also a Friday they all gathered in the gym to talk but mostly to catch up on the week’s gossip, the girls’ basketball team was practicing on the court. Tina was sitting in the center with the rest of the squad around her but her attention was directed to Bette who had just stolen the ball from an opponent and was now about to throw it through the net. They’d met the day before at Bette’s house to continue studying, for some reason she really enjoyed Bette’s company, she was smart, funny and easy to talk to.

“Earth to Tina” Alice said shaking her hands in front of Tina’s face.

“Huh……what” Tina tried to get her mind back on track

“Do you want to come to the mall with us? Tomorrow” Carmen asked “It’s my birthday”

“It’ll be great” Jenny the weird one in the squad chimed in.

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, I can’t make it” Tina said a little too eagerly. She was going to meet Bette again, Tina could hardly wait.

“Are you ditching us for your boyfriend” Alice asked sounding a little pissed.

“No……… I’m meeting som …. I mean I have an appointment” Tina said shaking her head after realizing her mistake. All of the girls stared at her as if she had grown another head.

“Are you cheating on Eric?” Alice asked

“No, I’m not” Tina shrieked out her palms sweating by Alice hitting the nail on the head.

“You’ve never, ever refused an invitation to go shopping, Tina” Carmen said “Plus it’s my birthday, it’s a tradition” Carmen seemed really hurt and it made Tina feel really bad.

Had Bette become that important to her or was it because she needed Bette’s help, Tina was still so confused with Bette her feelings were no longer black and white her feelings were now like a rainbow. Her head was telling one thing while her heart was saying something else.

“I’m sorry, Carmen, I really am” Tina said sadly meaning it.

“Cut the bullshit” Alice roared catching the attention of a few of the girls playing Basketball.

This made Tina jump that Alice would be that nasty to her, but something held her anger in. “Excuse me” that’s Tina said as she got up and started for the double door exit in the gym. Alice caught up to her at the door.