“Come join me.” Bette smiled softly and began to walk. She threw off her shirt and slipped out of her jean shorts. She walked into the warm, blue water. She walked up to Helena and wrapped her arms around her. They twirled around the water, holding on to each other. They smiled and stared into each other eyes.

****

            Shane was sitting outside on the steps, smoking a cigarette. She took a drag and looked out at the orange-yellow sky. She scratched her head and watched as the cars drive by. Carmen walked outside and took a seat next to Shane. She wrapped her arm around hers and sat closer to her. Shane smiled softly and kissed her forehead.

“Shane, can I tell you a story?”

“Sure.”

Carmen sighed and pushed her hair behind her ear. “I want to tell you about my first love. I think that it’s time that I tell you about this woman in my past.” Shane shifted and looked at Carmen, and Carmen laughed softly. “I was seventeen years old, and I hung out with guys. I really didn’t have any girl friends except one girl. Her name was Gwen, and she was beautiful. Guys wanted to be with her or girls wanted to be her. We’ve become friends, and we could tell each other anything. She came from a rich family, and I was on the other side of the tracks. We didn’t care cause we were the best of friends, and no one could tell us anything. One day, she came over to my house to stay the night. We were in my room watching a movie. I couldn’t help, but stare at this girl next to me. I was falling for her hard, and I didn’t understand where these feelings were coming from. I remember leaning over and kissing her. I pulled away, and I kept telling her that I was sorry. She sat there and stared at me, but it didn’t stop her from kissing me back. Before I knew it, we were naked on my bed. I didn’t have any clue to what to do to her, but she guided me. I guess she had done this before.” She laughed as Shane continued to listen to her story. “I couldn’t believe how amazing this girl was in bed at the age of eighteen. She blew my mind, and I wanted more. After that weekend, I saw her in the hallway at school. We talked and laughed as if nothing happened. We would sneak off into the bathroom and have some fun from time to time. But it all ended after I went to her house. We were in her bedroom talking and laying on her bed. I was lying between her legs and kissed her. She kissed me back, but before we went too far her mom came into her room. Her mom was furious, and her father came up stairs. Everything was chaotic that night at her home. I got out as soon as I could. I remember going home and calling her, but no answer. The next day, I saw her at her locker. I tried to talk to her, but she pushed me away. I went to her house and knocked on her door. She answered and was screaming at me, telling me that she never wanted to see me again. I tried to tell her that I love her, but she told me that she didn’t love me. She broke my heart, and I walked off her doorstep. I was depressed for a few months, but came back around.” she wiped the tear that fell down her cheek. “But I’m happy in love with the woman that sits besides me, and I don’t want her to ever forget it.”  She smiled and grabbed Shane’s hand. She kissed it softly and held it tightly. Shane smiled and wrapped her arms around Carmen and pulled her close.

“I love you, and I’ll never forget it.”  Shane kissed her sensually, and Carmen caressed her face.