"I won’t be having any," Dana said, raising her arms, "seems like someone in our group should be sober anyway."

"Such a square Fairbanks," Alice said.

"Shut it."

"Here TK, take a drink," Alice said handing me her flask, "it’ll calm your brain from over thinking."

I reached for the flask and looked at it. I had never had alcohol, I’ve never even tried it. As I hesitated, the girls nodded their head for encouragement. I twisted the cap off and put my lips to the cold opening. The taste was too strong and I choked for a second and winced.

"Atta girl!"

"No worries Tina, Bette is gonna drive us all home. She usually does after we party. She keeps quiet in exchange for help around her house, the gallery or any other chore or errand she needs."

The thought of being a little loosened up around Bette did peak my interest. Helena had told me many a story about her drunk adventures. I didn’t want to think this way. Even though I had one sip, I felt a warm sensation sweep my body. Maybe this won’t be too bad.

The music was really loud and the lights were dim. A lot of my classmates had shown up and were dancing, eating and drinking. I was excited to dance and be with my friends. I had drank a little more out of Shane and Alice’s fasks and I was feeling good.

Soon it was well after midnight and the house lights came on and everyone sighed. My head was spinning and the girls were giggling and I was sweating so much by the time we walked outside, I started shivering. The California winter air was surprisingly cold.

"Here take this," I heard as a jacket was thrust at me, I looked up to find Bette smiling at me.

"Thanks," I said and slip the jacket on. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"Bette! Take us home, is freakin coooolddd," Shane shouted, Alice and Carmen giggling.

"Alright girls, let’s go."

I sat shotgun and all the other girls at in the back. The car was loud and crazy. She first dropped Dana off then Alice leaving Shane and Carmen in the backseat alone. Bette rolled her eyes at the activity going on. I laughed and chastised the girls. They were dropped off at Carmen’s house. And I was alone with Bette, riding in silence with only the radio on at low volume. The alcohol was making my head numb.

"Did you have fun," she asked as she parked in front of my house.

"Yeah, I had a blast. I love dancing and singing."

"And hopefully you leave the drinking until you’re twenty-one."

"Of course," I said my face flushing.

I felt a wave of encouragement, or stupidity, come over me as I unbuckled my seatbelt. I stared at Bette and moved out of my seat, turning to face her and I grabbed her hand. Our fingers interlocked and I smiled. I liked how her mocha colored skin and my tan, cream colored skin came together. I lean closer, briefly stopping as I didn’t know what I was doing but I continued. I kissed her neck and she let out a trapped breath. I then saw her eyes open quickly and she tensed up.

"Stop."

"What? Why," I asked confused.

"For one, you have been drinking so you aren’t thinking straight, and two, you’re only seventeen."

"So what? You act like you’ve never fooled around with someone who was drunk."

"Well that’s unfair, I am of age. Which brings me to my second point, you’re only seventeen."

"So what if I am seventeen? Why should that matter?"

"Well for one, it’s illegal. And two, you have no idea who you are and what you want."

"Don’t act like you know anything about me."

"Tina, trust me. You don’t want me. I am no good for you. I will only hurt you and you deserve much more than that. Graduate, go to college and figure yourself out."

"But," I said, the tears glossing my eyes.

"Go Tina. We can never be."

I sucked back my tears, I refused to let Bette see how hurt I was. I’m such a silly little school girl. I got out of her car and went inside my house, not looking back. I climbed up the stairs and fell face first into my bed and cried. I cried until my tears dried out. As I layed there, I cleared my mind. Why was I crying over her? I barely knew her. We were nothing but teacher and student, one of my best friend’s sister. Nothing romantic at all. Am I just crazy?