Answering quickly whilst still looking at her cell phone, Bette didnt hear Kits question.

Um what? Wait, what did you say?

Do you want to have lunch at The Planet?

Yeh ok.

Pick you up at 12:30, bye

Bye

Not really listening to Kit, Bette hung up the phone without knowing what she had agreed to. Looking over at the flowers, Bette drew up her courage, and with a deep breath to clam her suddenly racing heart, she returned Tinas call.
It seemed to ring forever before it connected, Bette was about to speak only to hear Tinas voicemail message. Leaving an awkward and broken reply, Bette felt like throwing up.

God! Her thoughts were conflicted, she wanted to call Tee again but felt her courage fall as soon as the voicemail had activated. Wanting to just crawl into bed and hide, Bette was disconnected to everything around her even the flowers.

Kit walked into Bettes office only to be astounded by the sight that greeted her, even among the light and beauty of the flowers a dark cloud seemed to hand around Bette. Moving softly towards Bette she was startled by the hug she received and just held on.
Bette didnt want to move, she didnt want to know anything but Kit was able to take her to The Planet and get her to eat some food before she started panicking.

Bette just moved on auto pilot, following Kit with no recognition of anything until she was seated at The Planet and saw Marina.

Panic flared inside of her as she realised she was at The Planet the fear she felt at seeing or bumping into anyone was at full blast and she recoiled.

Kit tried to calm her sister down as she recognised the beginnings of a panic attack. Marina seeing Bette reactions rushed over to comfort her friend. Hearing Marinas soft voice assure her of her friends absences, the panic began to subside. Urging Bette to drink the glass of water, Kit and Marina waited for their friend to focus and calm down.

Wow! Bette and a panic attack together, didnt think that could happen, did you? But Bette was, after all rebuilding a shattered world. So some changes are expected right?

Focusing on marina and Kits concern Bette was able to push aside her panic and fears which allowed her to think a little more clearly. Staying for awhile more listening to Kit and Marina small talk and feeling grateful for their distraction, Bette caught a glimpse of a rose before in was placed in front of her.

Grabbing the rose and turning around quickly, she let a squeal of delight and leapt into Leos arms. Hugging her missing friend tightly Bette opened her eyes only to see Tina and her friends staring back at her.

Tina, Alice, Dana had decided to grab some lunch at The Planet and had just walked through the door when they heard the squeal. Turning around and following the sound they saw Bette jumping into someones arms.
Unable to look away they met her eyes …

tbc…