In the car is when Bette suddenly popped in her head, Tina wanted to ask her mother a question but she remembered that her step father was completely clueless about her mother’s true identity. She caught her mother’s eye and spoke her thoughts in her mind, “What about Bette? What happened to her?”

“Who?” her mother asked while still holding a conversation with her oblivious husband.

“The witch I was dream casting. A one way disconnect can…”

“She’ll be fine. She’ll only be sick for a little while.” her mother interrupted.

“But…”

“No buts Christina, I’m not letting you leave.” she spoke so sternly through her daughter. Christina just sighed and turned to look out the limo window. Today was supposed to be the final day for Alice’s experiment potion. It was also the day she could finally ask Bette out on a date, a real date. That chance was now shot to shit.

　

………………….

　

Tina arrived at her stepfather’s overly large Manhattan penthouse and went straight to her room. She didn’t bother to check if her brother was there. She put on her ipod and zoned out, her only thoughts were of Bette. There was no way she could call her or contact her. She’d stalled getting her number because Alice had specifically said absolutely no contact until after the experiment. Tina would have to find a way to call Alice and let her know that she was not going to be able to make the final phase of the experiment. The more Tina thought about how inconsiderate her mother was, the more she got upset.

“Easy there Chrissy-bot, you’re going to short out the house again.” an easy and very soft spoken voice said from the doorway. Tina was so into her ipod that she still hadn’t noticed that her 7’ 8” brother was watching her. He wiggled his pinky and turned her ipod into a bunch of lilies. She smiled big as she looked over to the door way.

“There’s my bear brother.” she said jumping up into his arms. And he squeezed her tight, easily bringing her off the ground. “Look at you,” she said jumping down. “You cut your hair.”