I looked over at Bette and Carmen, who still were completely unaware of our presence. I slap Bette playfully and she practically jumps up.

“Shit!” She shouts out. She holds her hand above her eyes and looks at who is standing in front of her. She sees it’s me and I notice her snuggling even closer to Carmen, if that is possible. It’s like she wants some… assurance. I shake it from my mind.

“Oh, hi, Tina,” she says in a casual tone. “Gary,” she nods.

“Porter, why haven’t you told us Kennard has a girlfriend?!” Alice shrieks.

“It must have slipped my mind,” Bette mumbles. I feel awkward, looking at her and Carmen. It still surprises me to see them as a couple. Carmen is so clearly into Shane and Bette must be blind not to see that. Apart from amazement, I feel something else at well. I try to deny the feeling of a giant monster in my chest gnawing my heart away as I watch them.

I throw my arm around Gary’s waist and pull him closer. I give him a peck on his cheek and smile at him. I think I can see some anger in her eyes, but I don’t think too much of it.

“Slipped your mind? How can something like that slip your mind?!” Alice says the last words in a very disbelieving tone. I am about to say something myself when the bell rings.

“I’ve got to hurry – Mrs. Ayrod hates it when you get late,” I say. “Are you coming, Bette?”

“All the time,” she answers in a serious tone. We all burst out laughing, except from Gary, who looks rather confused. I pull Bette up and casually throw my arm around her.

“I mean, are you coming with me so we won’t be late for English.”

She smiles at me and I think I am melting. She sure knows how to throw a puppy-look, as if she’s completely innocent. It amazes me she makes a joke like this, because she is very shy. I regret being that harsh on her yesterday, she did do nothing wrong.

***

I’m being extremely bored in my French class, the last one of the day, when someone pooks me. I jump up in confusement. I look up and see it’s James. He points at Seth and then hands me a note.