“Anything else that went… well… less pleasant?”

Bette was silent – something’s wrong. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Tines. I know you – there’s something else bothering you. It wasn’t in your classes, so it must have to do with the meeting.”

“I’m fine.”

“If you want to lie to me, feel free, just try to be less obvious,” Jesse said a tad bit irritated.

“Alright – there’s this student of mine, Bette.”

“The brilliant writer and excellent sporter with the low self-confidence?”

“That one – how did you know?” she tried to talk about Bette as little as possible so she wouldn’t raise any suspicions with her boyfriend.

“You talk about her all the time, Tines,” he smiled. “Anyway, what was up with her?”

“She was very silent – she’s not much of a speaker otherwise, but it was different today. I’m worried about her.”

“I’m sure she’ll be able to take care of herself. You’re not her mom.”

Tina sighed. “I know. I just wish I could help her in some way, it seems so weird that she thinks so low of herself. She is so very talented and intelligent, she should have an ego all the way to Tokyo and back.”

Jesse laughed. “Maybe it’s better she hasn’t. It’ll keep her down to earth when she’s all famous.”

Tina frowned her eyebrows. “She really thinks she’s worthless, it’s not necessary. Anyway, I still have to do some shopping, want to come?”

“If it means I can spend some time with my favourite teacher, sure,” he winked.

She slapped him playfully. “How can you make that sound so dirty?”

“It takes talent,” he flashed a grin.

She sighed. It was impossible not to love this man… so why couldn’t she?

###

Bette had taken a good look at the cupboards in the kitchen and concluded that she really needed to do some shopping. She was walking around in the supermarket, thinking of other stuff she should bring. Maybe a present to make up with Emily? No, not as long as she wasn’t sure that her girlfriend wasn’t upset – if she wasn’t and she bought a present, Emily would think there was a reason for Bette to feel like she had to make up and she would think that she had cheated on her with ms K, which meant she would lose Emily forever and she didn’t want that – they could talk so good and well… the sex was great.

She was pondering these things when a familiar blonde mane caught her eye. She looked up – no, it couldn’t be. What were the odds of running into ms Kennard here?
The blonde woman looking like her so much turned around and Bette almost lost it – it was indeed ms Kennard!

But who the hell was that tall guy next to her? Was he her lover? Bette couldn’t even think it, it hurt too much. He’s probably just a friend, nothing more. Maybe a cousin of hers. Don’t worry Bette, do not draw conclusions. He’s just a friend, just a friend, just a –

His hand wandered to her ass and he squeezed it softly – she looked up – he looked down – he kissed her – fuck, on the lips – she smiled – he pulled her a bit closer – FUCK.

Bette left her groceries where they were and left the store as quickly as possible, hoping nobody would notice her tears. She didn’t remember how she got home or how it came that Shane was there – Shane and not Emily. She felt sick, she couldn’t eat or sleep or think, panick overtook her, the world was turning and she was crying her eyes out in Shane’s eyes.

“What’s wrong? It’s going to be okay, Bette, I promise – but what’s wrong? Has Emily broken up?”

Bette shook her head. After a while, the words came out and just hearing her own voice say them was so surreal.

“I – ms K – she – she has a – a boyfriend.”