“So ms Peabody isn’t a good teacher – you’d have just asked for a second explanation if she was.”

“She is, don’t get me wrong. But well… maybe, you know, sometimes it’s better when someone else explains you, everybody has a different way…”

“I see,” Candace nodded.

Bette had never before been so happy to see the school gates. She practically ran through them and jumped in Kit’s car. Bette said some quick goodbyes and tried to urge Kit to drive away quickly when she saw Debbie approaching. Bette groaned inwardly.

Of course, Kit and Debbie had to make some small talk. Bette felt relieved as never before when they finally took off.

“So, how was practice?”

Bette told her everything, but left Candace out of it for now. The last thing she needed was her sister urging her to explore things with this girl who she didn’t even feel attracted to.

************

“So, it’s been a long time since we actually met up,” Tim said as Tina drank her smoothie.

“Yeah, things have been just busy…” Tina wondered why her best friend was acting so distant towards her. They used to be so close, tell each other everything, had no secrets. It had been a long time since they spent the night together watching bad movies, something they used to do several times a week.

“I take it you mean busy with Bette Porter?” Tim frowned.

Tina almost choked on her drink. “What do you mean by that?” she asked suspiciously.

Tim drew an invisible pattern on the table with his hand. “How should I put this…”

Tina rolled her eyes. “Just say what you have to say, Tim.”

“Well… people are talking about you. Colleagues, to be specific. Some of them noticed how much time you spend talking to Bette Porter.”

Tina shrugged, pretending it didn’t affect her. But deep down, she was worried. She didn’t want to screw up Bette’s good reputation or her own job. “Bette is having several problems. She has a delicate home situation and she isn’t feeling very well. I talk to her to try and help her.”

“You do this when? At restaurants on Thursday nights?”

Tina swallowed and looked away. “What makes you say that?”

“Mr Johnson’s son happens to have taken his date to the same restaurant, the same night. As you know, Jake attends our school. He said that Bette and you looked mighty cozy.”

Oh shit, what if he saw that near-kiss? “He is just making stuff up, Tim. You know, have an exciting story, something to feed the gossip mill.”

“Exactly what I’d think if I didn’t know about your… situation.”

“Oh, come on, Tim! You know I’m not stupid. And besides, I’m with Jesse.”

“Talking about, how come I’ve never met him? If this happened one year ago, I’d be the first person to meet him in person and check if he’s suitable for you.”

Tina giggled as a flash of the old Tim came back.

“I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. We should have one of our movie nights again as well,” Tina steered the conversation away from Bette.

We have to be more careful, Tina thought to herself.

************

A few miles to the west, a certain brunette was thinking something very similar; I have to be more careful.