“Betteeeeeeeeeee” Tina screamed.

She didn’t even realise the name that had left her lips; Tim pulled back instantly, a look that was a mix of astonishment and anger in his eyes.

“Bette?” he finally managed to squeak out. “Bette?”

–

That Monday, I was standing on the school yard, talking to Alice, Shane, Lara and Dana. I wasn’t really engaging in the conversation anymore, since I had just spotted Ms Kennard. I was admiring her beauty so much that I didn’t even hear my friends.

“Hey – Earth to Bette!” Alice waved her hands in an exaggerated way in front of my face.

“Huh? What?”

“Geez, where the hell were you? I was asking if you wanna join us on Friday. The Particles, you know, Joes band, they’re having a gig at The Cave and it would be nice to have as many people as possible there.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it -”

“Oh, come on, Porter! It’s not like you’re ever getting out of the house.”

This stung me. I knew it to be true, but it wasn’t entirely my own fault. I knew my father didn’t like her going out very much, but I also knew that I couldn’t put all the blame on him; I really was a stay-at-home. Finally, I shrugged. “Okay, I’ll come.”

I looked back to where I had seen ms Kennard and my heart dropped when I saw she wasn’t there anymore. It quickly jumped up again, though, when I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard the most beautiful voice in the world.

“Bette – can I ask you something?” ms Kennard asked. I turned around, a lump in my throat, my hands sweaty. I looked into her beautiful hazel eyes and wondered how on Earth I would be able to resist her, ever. I saw her lips moving and I heard her voice, but not the words. It was as if the world was turning in slow motion, as if the two of us were the only ones walking it.

“Bette? Bette?”

Ultimately, I woke up from my trance. “Bette, are you okay?” she asked in a concerned tone. I nodded goofily and suddenly felt really embarrassed for tuning my friends out and having the same happening with her now. I just couldn’t help it.