Authors Note: I know a lot of you are seriously hating on Shane in this story, but I’ve got a few ideas so don’t jump to any conclusions yet. Don’t be hating on my baby. Haha.


Previously….
Well, if my name is on there, its all thanks to you. Tina blushed, slowly and hesitantly placing her hands on top of Bettes. She felt the familiar shock radiate from her fingertips and palms up through her arms and into her chest, where the shock brought her heart to beat in hyper speed. It definitely wasnt normal to feel like this. Thanks for everything, honestly. I dont think I say it enough.

Hey Tina, you and your friend having a nice little moment over there? Shouted a familiar voice from across the courtyard.

*****, Tina muttered, throwing her hands under the table as she winced, feeling the hand upon her shoulder. Its thin boney fingers digging into the soft flesh of her shoulder.

Thats right Tina, Im here and there is nothing that Ms. Porter over there can do about it. Shane said simply, raising her fist back above her head.

Tina did exactly what she did last time, she closed her eyes and waited.


Oh come on, Bette said sarcastically, jumping from her seat to tackle Shane. Except that she never reached the point of tackling, instead, she was greeted with a fist. She opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it and fell back onto the table.

Tina opened her eyes upon hearing the whimper that seemed to have been released by Bette, she noted that Shanes fist was no longer in the air, but at her side, her knuckles a deep crimson color. You hit her. Tina said in a daze, feeling the anger coursing through her veins. You ***** *****, you hit her in the face.

Tina had never been known to be violent or angry, but this was the last straw. She grabbed the skinny girl by the collar, pulling back a shaky fist. She swung her arm downwards, but stopped a mere inch from her nose. She saw fear in the two green eyes that stared up at her. She felt the tremors that were driving Shane to the point of insanity. She was scared, afraid of the small blonde that had so courageously stood up to her.

Christ… Shane said quietly, her voice weak and ridden with fear. Tina had never seen such a person in her life. Someone who was so strong, willing to push people around to have her way. But was afraid of a punch to the face.


Its not worth it, T. Bette whispered, reaching out to take Tinas arm. Tina released Shane, pushing her backwards towards the door.


Dont ever come near me again, ever. And I swear, next time I will not hold back. Tina said through clenched teeth, running back over to Bette. Her heart stopped and her stomach dropped at the sight she saw. Blood was dripping down the girls chin, a huge gash presenting itself through her thin lips. Her eyes went wide, and she felt the heavy pressure of tears pushing at her eyes. Oh my god, Bette….


Its nothing. She replied, lifting the bottom of her shirt to clear the substantial amount of dark liquid from her lips. She winced in pain, tears filling the corners of her eyes.

The blonde shook her head and immediately lifted Bettes backpack and her own. Come on, were going to get you taken care of. Im sorry, this is all my fault.


The brunette shook her head and stood, the blood still cascading down from the deep wound. She turned to Tina, watching the concern that floated across her features. Tina was so caring, even too caring. Bette didnt deserve it, she barely even knew the girl. Although, she was happy that someone cared.

Its not your fault. Bette said, covering her mouth to keep the blood from spraying when she spoke.


The blonde couldnt help but feel responsible, she guided Bette along to the nurses office in silence. She was verbally challenged at the moment, unable to say anything that would mean anything to Bette. This was her fault, she pushed Shane that one day, and since then Shane had been out for her. She closed her eyes and chickened out, letting Bette take the fall. She should have hit Shane back, so what if the girl was scared?

The moment that they entered the nurses office, they were bombarded by older women in crisp white clothing. They came after Bette, ushering her into a room to be looked at, leaving Tina standing alone in the waiting area. Tina sat down on a chair, ultimately defeated. She hung her head, letting it rest in her hands. She let the tears fall, her second day in a new school and she already had an enemy. She already got one of her friends into trouble. This was going to be a long year.

Excuse me? An older woman tapped Tina on the shoulder, looking down at the broken girl with happy eyes. Are you alright?

Fine. Tina said, her knuckles running along her lids to clear the tears. Is Bette okay?

She has a pretty deep gash in her lower lip, so were going to have to take her over to the hospital for stitches. We-

Tina interrupted, Can I go with her?

We cannot allow you to. The woman said, shaking her head. Im sorry.

Well, I need to go with her! My aunt will be so mad if her and I get separated. Its a huge deal. Tina pleaded, figuring that lying was the only thing that would get her out of this.

Ill see what we can do. But youll have to discuss this with your dean once you return. If there was a fight in school theyll certainly need to hear about it in order to make a suspension or file a report. The nurse smiled and lead Tina to the back room where Bette sat on a small table, holding a cloth to her lips. She forced a smile, immediately regretting it as a pain shot through her lip.

Hey, Tina said quietly, finding a seat as Bette scooted over to allow room for her. So were going to the hospital.

They said you werent allowed to go. Bette blinked, offering a smile.

I have my ways. Tina shrugged, cracking her knuckles. How are you feeling?

It hurts. Bette said simply, shrugging her shoulders.

You do know that you saved me once again? Tina laughed, raising her head so that her eyes met Bettes. And you took the fall for me, I really appreciate that.

Dont worry about it. Its better that I get hurt, if you would have gotten hurt you wouldnt have been able to star in Romeo And Juliet. The stitches would be a problem. Bette smiled, removing the towel from her lips. It hadnt stop bleeding yet, so she folded the small rag over and returned it to her lips.

Yes but that doesnt mean that you need to get hurt. Nobody deserved to get hurt today, nobody ever deserves to get hurt. Tina shook her head and offered a reassuring smile.

Bette shrugged as the opening of a door ended their conversation. A man dressed in a white shirt and formal black slacks entered, looking to Bette. Ambulance is here for you. He looked to Tina, You coming along as well?

Tina nodded and gathered Bettes things, carrying them out to the ambulance where Bette waited, the man handing her a pack of gauze to hold over her still bleeding lips. Tina wanted to take off the bandages and kiss the spot where the pain was. Kiss it away. But she couldnt do that, she knew she couldnt. Instead, she looked out of the window, pretending to focus on something outside when in truth, she was secretly admiring Bette from the corner of her eye.

***
Ow *****, Bette muttered as the gloved doctor examined her lip. Tina winced along with her, watching from the other side of the room.

This is a very deep laceration, and you said this was from someones knuckles correct? Doctor Iverson asked, glasses pushed up to the top of his nose.

Correct. Tina answered.

Did this happen at home? At school? He looked to Tina.

School. Tina replied, Got into a fight with this bully. She was about to hit me but Bette here took the punch.

Bette smiled slightly. That girl hit hard.

The doctor seemed taken back by this piece of information; as if he couldnt wrap his head around the idea that a girl would hit someone hard enough to tear their lip, Was she wearing a ring?

Neither of the girls had thought of this before. It wasnt exactly logical for a knuckle to have torn a lip so easily. All that Tina remembered seeing was all the blood dripping from Shanes knuckles, and she jumped on her so quickly that she hadnt thought to look for the culprit to the massive gash.

Bette seemed to be in thought, replaying the fight over and over in her head, attempting to remember if there had been a dash of silver mixed in the ashen skin. She nodded slowly, coming to the conclusion, She was wearing a ring, I remember it now. An oldish looking ring with a cross on it.
Alright, so that explains the gash. The doctor took that down in his notebook, calling the nurse to bring in a suture kit. He looked at the girls, turning first to Tina. I dont know if youll want to be here for this, it might get a little more bloody.

I can handle it. Tina smiled, looking to Bette who sent a wink in her direction.

Alright, Ill be back soon. Sit tight. The doctor smiled and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

Hey T? Bette said quietly.

Yeah? Tina wandered from her chair over to the place where Bette sat. You okay?

Fine, but uh… this may sound really stupid. She chuckled nervously, I dont want my dad to find out about this, or anyone else to find out how this really happened. Were going to leave it at some kinda accident.

Its fine by me. Tina nodded, pulling her chair over to Bettes side. Is your family that strict?

My dad would kill me if he found out I got in a fight. I swear, hed slaughter that girl too. She nodded sadly, this was one of those times that Bette wished her mom were here to help her. To understand her problems and make the pain go away. To stop her father before he got violent.

We dont need you in any more pain, so dont worry. Tina smiled and looked at her watch. Im going to try to call my Aunt Sharon. She probably doesnt know where I am. Ill just tell her Im going to spend some time in the theater after school. As a cover up.

Kay. Bette smiled and watched Tina disappear out into the hall. *****, she didnt know what to do. She was struggling to keep her composure, struggling to hold back all the tears that stung her eyes. She didnt want Tina to think she was weak, she wanted Tina to be with her and help her, but she didnt know how shed take a very emotional Bette Porter.

Ms. Porter? A nurse peeked into the room, her perky blue eyes immediately wincing as the spotted the source of the blood that had stained Bettes chin. Your father is on line 2.

Bette sighed. This was going to be one very eventful day.

Daddy? Bette said upon answering the phone.

Bette, what the ***** happened? He shouted, How could you let this happen to you? I send you to school so you can learn and graduate top of your class and you get into a fight. With a freshman none the less. Have I taught you nothing?

No sir. She sighed, raising her finger to her lips as Tina entered, arching a brow.

Im coming down there, youd better be ready to go home because there will be no going out for a long time.He said. Bette could only imagine her life when she got home, there would be shouting. Crying. Bette would end up in her room, pencil tips shattering beneath her strong fingers as she pressed them to the page. She hadnt noticed that tears had drenched her cheeks.

Tina watched Bette, shocked that she was crying. Whoever she was talking to must have been angry, or saying something that would turn the beauty from cheery to depressed in a matter of minutes. Tina slowly made her way towards Bette, wondering what she could do. She thought about wiping away the tears, but getting that close might frighten Bette. She brought her hand to Bettes shaking back, rubbing it in circles around her spine lightly.

Alright, goodbye Melvin. She slammed the phone into the cradle, shrugging Tinas arm off of her back. The tears flowed freely, soaking the front of her shirt. The doctor returned, motioning for Bette to join him over by the small tray the nurse had brought in.

This is going to hurt quite a bit. The doctor nodded, Refrain from slapping my hand away because that will deepen the wound.

Bette nodded, sighing as she let the doctor lift her chin and begin the work on her lips. The instant that the thread went through the flesh, Bette yelped, instinctively grabbing onto Tinas hand. There went the shock, this time Tina couldnt ignore it. She intertwined her fingers with Bettes, letting the girl squeeze each time she felt the pain.

Although in pain, Bette dried her tears. She wanted to smile as her heart pounded in her chest. She adjusted her gaze so that she spotted her own hand clutched by an ashen one. She eyed Tina, watching the smile spread across the young girls face. Bette couldnt be happier at this moment, she couldnt help it. Tina was holding her hand, in a way that made her feel so comfortable.

All done. The doctor said, catching Bette off guard. She still clutched onto Tinas hand, never wanting to let go. Tina offered a gentle smile, running her thin index finger along Bettes lower lip, tracing gently over the stitching. Bette enjoyed the sensation, all she could think of was Tinas lips on her own. That was until a man burst through the door, causing Tina to jump. Bette immediately dropped Tinas hand, watching as her father stalked towards them.

Who the hellre you? His dark eyes shot daggers at Tina. You did this to Elizabeth didnt you?

No…I would never… Tina said quietly, in shock. She had always known that Bette had a beautiful skin color, a dark tan perhaps. She hadnt known that Bettes father was african american. Not that it mattered, but Bette clearly didnt get her amazing looks from him. She couldnt wait to see Bettes mother.

No she didnt do it, Bette muttered. We care about each other was all that Bette could think, but she said otherwise. Shes just my friend, she helped me through all of it.

Melvin Porter eyed Tina with a look of utter disgust. As if somehow, this scrawny blonde wasnt good enough to be friends with Elizabeth Porter. His daughter, his perfect daughter. Well, come on Elizabeth. Were leaving.

Tina, Im sorry for putting you through all of this. Bette said, silently pleading for Tina to help her out. Ill see you around.

No Im sorry, Bette. Tina shook her head, offering a brief and beautiful smile before she disappeared down the hall.

Good, now come on. Melvin tugged at his daughters arm, ignoring everything else around them.

Bette felt the tears threatening again. She wouldnt dare cry in front of her father. She sucked up the pain and continued along after him, gently feeling along her lower lip, the same place that Tinas finger had been only a few minutes before. She felt the tingle remaining there, toying with the emotions that she had been trying so hard to fight off. As they drove home, Bette couldnt help but think about all the things that lay ahead for them. The two girls that would be best friends, or in Bettes dreams, maybe something more.

TBCCCCC