It was nearly 12am and the fire didnt show any signs of burning out. The caramel skinned teen curled up in her lovers arms, looking out at the long stretch of sand and shore before it was swallowed by water, the dark and endless ocean. Chocolate orbs gazed into the raging flames, finding the warmth and taking it in.

I cant believe were going to be seniors tomorrow. She said quietly, looking back towards the man that held her tightly. Feels like just yesterday that we were little freshmen, dressed in our perfect clothing; trying to make a good impression. You know what Im saying, Karl?

Totally, Bette. The girl sitting across the flames said quietly, engulfed in her own boyfriends arms.

This was the best way to spend your last night of freedom before starting the final grueling year in highschool. 3 years ago Bette had entered school wanting nothing more than to learn and get it over with. But as time went on, she found herself digging deeper into her hobbies; into her art. Now, as a senior, she was head of the art club, lead prop and set designer for all the theater performances, and not to mention a member of the honor society.

Bette Porter turned her head, gently pressing her lips to those of Andrew Heller, her boyfriend of almost a year. He returned the kiss, tightening his hold on her thin body. When one saw them together, it was almost instinctive to guess that the two were together. They were perfect for each other, Bette with her curly locks of brown and Drew with his soft tufts of blonde. They had grown to know one another, like best friends, except more. Next year would be the hardest for both of them though. Bette dreamed of college on the east coast, a steady job in art or history. He longed to stay near the west, where his home was, and study archaeology.

Bette stole another brief kiss and found her feet, brushing the sand off the bottom of her vintage pinstriped pants. Karli, dear, Im going to head home. Ive got a few things to do before tomorrow rolls around. And goodbye to you Mr. Heller, Ill see you bright and early.

Alright, Ill meet you two in the courtyard, at our table of course. Andrew smiled, running down the beach towards the lapping waves. A bucket of water was in hand when he returned. He motioned for everyone to step back before he dropped the cold liquid onto the warm flames, extinguishing them with a hiss of embers.

Bye. Karli said, chasing after Bette who was already making her way along the beach, feet bare and kicking sand in her wake. Porter, wait up.

Bette turned to greet her friend who jumped into her arms, ***** Karli, were going to be ***** seniors.

I know, this means we can beat freshmen. ***** yes. Her friend added jokingly, falling into stride beside the mocha skinned girl.

Bette turned to her friend,Dont beat the freshmen, because one day a large one is going to hit you back. Itll just be embarrassing. Besides, we leave the beatings to the jocks.

They walked in silence for a few moments, each taking the time to recover all the lost memories from the past 3 years of highschool. It all had gone by so fast, from the freshmen orientation to homecoming, junior prom and spirit week. It was funny, neither of them had even realized that the past wasnt even so long ago. Bette smiled at her own foolish memories, stopping as she looked to her friend before laughing and dropping into the sand.

Do you remember when we first met? Bette asked, tugging at her friends arm to drag her down into the sticky, wet sand. I think it was half way through freshman year.

How could I forget? I mean how many times do you get to see Bette Porter lose her lunch in biology class? Karli laughed, but saw Bettes stern look. OH you mean the other, other time?

Yes, you were the only person in all of art club to criticize my most brilliant painting. Bette muttered.

But you love me now, dont you? I wasnt going to lie to you. Its kinda strange that we ended up being friends. I thought youd hate me after that, for good. Steely grey eyes found the stars, admiring them. Why did you even take the time to talk to me? I was such a ***** to you.

Bette laughed, I suppose it was because nobody had ever had the guts to stand up to me before, and it was just such a surprise. Im glad that I got over it and now were friends, who else would help me nurse a hangover?

Hmmm nobody. I guess Im the only person that gets to see Elizabeth Porter at her worst. Hair matted, eyes red and blood shot, a little bit of drool dribbling down her chin. Like that one time after Jasons…

Jesus dont even start with that. I cant hold whiskey, you know that.

Well I do now. You ruined my favorite pants. A playful punch landed onto smooth, pale skin. Bette laughed and dodged the vengeance filled punch that came her way, falling over into the sand. Karli took a seat atop her friends toned stomach, looking out at the water with her head in her hands.

Ahh look its beautiful, I think Ill sit here all night. The brunette said happily, sighing as she pushed down Bettes wavering arms.

Get off. Bette choked out, struggling to grasp each breath. I cant breathe damnit.

Oh put more weight on? She laughed and stepped off her friend, laughing as the caramel toned girl coughed and gasped, trying to find her breath through each uncontrollable sob of laughter. Sorry! I didnt intend to kill you.

Sure you didnt, trying to crush my ribs and suffocate me. Bette said sarcastically, finally finding her normal heart beat and air intake, looking to her friend. What do you want to do, after school is out and all?

Jump right to it dont you? Karli shook her head and met her friends eyes for a moment, I want to…. I dont even know. I have no idea how were going to afford college and housing. Im going to have to stay back here in California, because itll be cheaper. But I want to be a lawyer. Or maybe an accountant. I guess anything works for me.

How will I last in college without you? Bette asked, looking out at the water. Without you, without Andrew. I dont know what Im going to do about it.

Youll do fine. I can see your future right now. Youre going to be an artist Bette, a damn good one. I see you with your own gallery, a great husband, popping out a couple of kids. Youve got success in your name, its going to happen for you.

Well youre a very optimistic girl, arent you? Bette laughed, finding her feet. I hope that we can really enjoy this last year, our last time together before separation. But just so you know, no matter how far apart we are, youll always be my best friend.

Promise? The girl asked, accepting her friends dainty hand as she found her feet.

I promise. Bette smiled as the two found their way to the car. The smell of sand and fresh water, ashes and sweat over took them. The fading fragments of a summer filled with only fun. Bette looked over at her best friend before she disappeared into her house.

As she drove back to the house that her and her father called home, she couldnt help but think about next year. College. A new start. She would be leaving so much here if she went cross country, friends, family, a boyfriend. The future was what mattered. If that future didnt involve Andrew or Karli, so be it. Bette Porter was going to be successful, she wouldnt sell short of it.

Her father wouldnt allow that.

Melvin Porter was a strict man, although at one point he was a gentleman. Now, however, Mr. Porter cared nothing for his daughters feelings, only for her future. No matter how high the cost, his favorite daughter Bette would succeed, unlike her mother. The two had been bitter ever since Bettes birth. Everyone around them knew that Melvin and Sarah were doomed from the start. Perhaps because of their unlikely partnership, their mismatched skin tones. Bette loved both of her parents dearly, but she remembered the fights, she remembered all the tears and shouts that erupted from the downstairs shaking paint from its containers on the desk.

Bette never let people in on the little secret about her artwork. That all inspiration thrown onto the canvas was brought about by her own family, by her own troubles. What one might think as morbid, was just another portrait of the life she led. That was why the girl tended to hold all emotions inside, share nothing but the bare necessities. No need to think that she was criminally insane.

This year, however, would be different. Bette was going to open up. Give the world a little taste of what theyd been missing. Friends from the past 3 years had barely even seen into her world, and now they would. It was a time for a change, one for the better of course.

Daddy? Bette whispered as she tiptoed into the house, finding the stairs on the way to her room. She crested the wooden landing, peeking into the room where her father was asleep in bed, a book resting on his chest, head lolled back against a stack of pillows.

A gentle smile crept across candied lips as his daughter dog eared the page, closing the book and placing it on the bedside table. She slowly brought the comforter over her fathers sleeping form, placing a soft kiss on his chocolate skinned cheek before flicking out the light and returning to her own troubles.

The door slowly creaked shut behind her as the rooms once looming shadows were illuminated by the dim light of a small desk lamp. Bette packed all her summer reading and works into a backpack, setting it at the desk. Beside the bag she placed a stack of canvases, their faces thick with oil paints. She glanced down at the portraits, staring into a set of deep blue eyes, accented by the pale skin of a womans face. Her first attempt at a face, and it had come out a lot better than the teen had expected.

Goodnight Mom, wherever you are. She said quietly, curling beneath a thin layer of sheets. Good luck to you.

The light disappeared and Bette found herself alone in the dark once again.

Tomorrow begins the life of a new Bette Porter. She thought, clinging to her oldest friend; Theodore the teddy bear. His fur was worn, missing in patches. The only reminder of her mother that she had left. They better be ready, because Im coming. And I wont stop until I make my family happy, until I find the truth in my life.

With her final thoughts in order, Bette Porter found sleep. One more year of this, one more year and she would be out.

She wouldnt limit her infinite possibilities.

TBC