Her jaw dropped and for the first time ever, she had nothing to say. I couldn’t gauge her reaction. It terrified me. I know how much Bette means to her, and I know that she only wants me to be happy, but this might be stretching it too far.

"Are you mad?"

"No, of course not. It’s just, huh, wow."

"I know, I’ve just got this mad crush on her. Ever since we went swimming at her house, she’s all I can think of."

"Tina, you don’t know her," Shane said, defensively.

"I know I don’t we met and only talked for a brief moment."

"Talked? When did you talk to her?"

"In the house. I had gone to the bathroom and stopped and looked at all her paintings and photographs. She introduced herself and explained some of her photographs," I said, I dared not tell her that Bette said she’d like to take my picture in a suggestive manner, "I swear that was it Shane."

"Bette’s no good for you Tina. We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I am protective of all my friends and family. And even though Bette is family, she’s not good for you."

"Why not?"

"She will never be what you want her to be."

"And what is it I want her to be?"

"A girlfriend. Someone who is with you and only you. Someone who will love and dote on you. Calm your fears, and build you up. Someone that you can one day marry, have children and grow old with."

"What if I am not looking for that? Why presume I want something more," I asked, defensively.

"Tina I know you."

"You don’t know me," I said my anger rising, "Why are you assuming I want a relationship? I’m seventeen years old, I don’t know what I want."

"I’m sorry Tina I don’t mean to upset you, but that’s what I mean. You’re young, pure and virginal and Bette will ruin you. She uses women for sex and that’s it. She doesn’t want anything other than that."

"People are capable of change."

"I don’t know. But I know how Bette is and she didn’t change for her last ‘girlfriend’ so you should be careful."