Tina finished her shower, changed into fresh clothes and made her way into the kitchen.  There she was, the only person that makes Tina nervous. Kathlene Kennard.

Tina’s mom was an overprotective, traditional mother who felt her constant harsh words where well intended.   Their relationship wasn’t always on the outs. It shifted when Tina came up with the idea that she wanted to take time off school and move to Los Angeles with her best friend, whom in mothers eyes, had been a terrible influence since the third grade.

"Children like that need guidence not encouragement" Tina remembers her mothers direct quote from when she learned Tegan was a lesbian. "She’s so pretty, it’s just a waste."

"So where were you this time Tina? Out with that french troublemaker? Please don’t tell me your dating him. You know that country hates us."

Tina couldn’t believe her ears.

Is she for real?  Did this woman really give berth to me?

"Um he’s not french mom. It’s just his name and no i’m not dating him he’s just a good friend."

Tina pulled a peach from a drawer in the fridge and took a bite. Her mothers eyes were still fixed upon her.

"I want you to have a good life, you need to get on track." she said walking towards her young blond daughter.

"Your so pretty, you have so much potential." she paused playing with Tina’s sunkissed locks. "I want grandchildren someday. I want to see you get married to a good man. Your father set you up with an interview at his law firm. It’s only an assistants job but you need something to put you in the right direction."

Tina waved her mothers hand away and tossed the pit in the garbage.

"I’m twenty one and am surely not looking for a husband right now and as far as the job goes, thanks but no thanks.  I didn’t go to film school to become some jerks assistant in a law office in Daytona Beach."

Tina usually just brushed off her mom’s words but today it really got to her. She took a deep breath to try to hold her raging emotions in.

"We told you not to go to that school. It was a total waste of time, I told your father to stop you. You never could make decisions well."

Tina had enough, she couldn’t hear it anymore. She quickly turned and headed for the stairs up to her only safe haven. Her bedroom.

          Tina entered room and closed the door behind her. Marley, her chocolate lab was resting quietly on her bed.

"Why are they so crazy?" Tina sat down next to her friend and stroked his head. "Can you tell me why i’m hanging around this place?" She threw herself back and cuddled up to her pillow.

Tina sat in silence pondering her existence as she often does after a family situation.

"Seriously what am I doing here?" she blurted out berating herself. She missed her best friend terribly. There was no reason to stick around somewhere that made her miserable.

Tina reached for her cell phone and skimmed through her contacts stopping on Tegan’s number.

She smiled and put the phone to her ear, waiting, growing more impatient with every unanswered ring.

Finally the sound of her best friends voicemail filled the receiver.

"Hey this is Tegan. I’m either working, sleeping or not paying attention to my phone. Leave a message and I swear i’ll call you back."

***Beep***

"Hey stanger it’s me. Give me a call when you get this, I think im ready for West Hollywood"

Without knowing it exactly, Tina had just made the decision that would change her life.

~~~~~~~*Coming up…*~~~~~~~

Tina moves to LA and lands a job on the set of a television drama and a school girl crush on it’s star…