“What are you doing T” Tina begins to throw her clothes into the holdall completely ignoring Bette’s question “I asked you a question” Tina continues to ignore Bette and continues to pack “Fuck Tina answer me!” Tina freezes at Bette’s raised voice but doesn’t turn around “What’s going on?” Tina still doesn’t reply. Bette walks slowly up to Tina and puts her hands on Tina’s shoulders. She doesn’t feel Tina shudder under her touch “Tell me why you want to leave?” Tina closes her eyes. It was too late to tell Bette how she felt especially since Bette now has a girlfriend

“I need my own space” Bette knew it went much deeper than just needing space

“No you don’t and you know it” Tina moves out of Bette’s grasp and turns to face her with a set look on her face

“You’ve been avoiding me and I don’t know what I’ve done wrong to make you want to avoid me” Bette knew it would come down to what happened that night at the restaurant, she knew Tina needed answers but would she like them?

“The night at the restaurant you said you only kissed me to prove a point” Tina closes her eyes. She had dreamt about that kiss since it happened and how much she wanted to keep kissing Bette “But did you ever for a split second think about my feelings towards you” Bette was repeating word for word what she had said in her dream. Tina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Bette had feelings for her? But how when she was with that girl?

“What are you saying?” Bette slowly takes a step towards Tina so she was standing only centimetres from her

“What do you think I’m trying to say?” Tina needed Bette to say those three words, she needed to hear them “I love you Tina” Tina closes her eyes to push back the tears. Bette loved her but she had no choice but to leave especially now. Her divorce had yet to be finalised, her parents were disgusted by her and she was confused about her feelings. She needed to get out and quick

“Bette I…” She couldn’t say it, not yet “I have to go I’m sorry” Tina zips up her holdall and walks past a clearly hurt and stunned Bette. She passes Nadia but then stops “Please take care of her” With that Tina leaves the woman she loved with the closing of the door. Nadia walks into Tina’s room and hears the sobs coming from Bette

“Bette?” Bette has her head in her hands. She had lost the woman she loved “I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were in love; I wouldn’t have come on so strong” Bette doesn’t react to Nadia’s apology. Nadia takes Bette in her arms and comforts her. Bette needed a friend right now and that what Nadia was. A friend with benefits.

TBC…