After two stops, the blonde’s sister gets out.

“Is that your sister?” I ask, trying to have a conversation.

“Yes, Kate. She’s a real squirt, but when she puts up that deer in the headlight looks you’d forgive her anything.”

“I’d love to have a sister.”

“You’re only child?”

“No, it’s just… well, I have an older sister, Kit, but I don’t see her that much.” I don’t feel like explaining everything and I decide that maybe I’ll tell her later. I’m glad she’s being so kind to me.

The bus stops at our school and she gets out really quickly.

“Wait!” I say as I run after her. She stops, turns around and smiles again. I touch her hand, I don’t know why, but it feels like an electric shock.

“What’s your name?”

“Tina. Tina Kennard.”

“I am Elizabeth Porter, but only my father calls me that. My friends call me Bette.” Not that I have any friends, but she doesn’t need to know.

“Nice to meet you.” I see her looking at me, she seems to gaze into my eyes. It’s like she’s thinking about something. That moment lasts an eternity and I get lost in her beautiful hazel eyes. Stop right there, Porter.

Tina. I like that name. I love that name.

“My full name is Christina,” she says. “But I have always been called Tina. Listen, would you like to join me and my friends?”

“Sure,” I smile broadly.

Tina walks straight towards a group of girls. There is a blonde one who has her arm around a girls that looks rather shy.

“That’s Alice – call her All,” Tina points at the blonde one. “And that’s her girlfriend, Dana.”

She turns to a latina girl who smiles, she seems to have very much self-confident.

“That’s Carmen.” Next to Carmen, there’s a redhead. “That’s Lara.”

Lare smiles at me. I save all the names in my head, connecting them to their faces. Than there’s a brunette.

“That’s Helena. Shane should be here any second. Guys, this is Bette. She’s new, so be nice, Al.”

“I’m always nice, Tina.”

The girls are smile at me and I feel myself blushing. Alice pulls Dana closer and plants a kiss on her lips. I see how Lara flinches. I have my suspicions, but it’s none of my business.