“Porter..” Tine held her forehead with her hand in frustration. “Come back. Let’s talk..” She begged. This was a perfect day for them, and she didn’t want to end it this way. She had a lot of things planned for Bette’s reward.. a lot of making up to do.

“No fucking way Kennard.” Bette answered slowly, enunciating each word. They needed to get far away from each other before they once again say something that they would regret. They would talk.. but not now.

———————————————–

Kennard apartment.

Tina stormed into her room and closed the door with a bang. Her eyes were all red and her face blotchy from all the silent crying that she did on the trip back home. She threw the otter and her bag on the floor and with slow, distracted movements, she stripped her clothes and began putting on her pajamas. She fell on top of her bed as she began another round of weeping, stifling her cries with her pillow. She tried to replay everything inside her head. Trying to justify her actions and defend what she had tried to do a few hours ago.

Pretty soon, she was able to convince her tired self that she was right and Bette was wrong.. allowing her feelings to shift from remorse to anger. She sat up on the bed and sighed as her eyes dried up and the tears stopped flowing. “Porter..” She seethed as her eyes landed on the small object on top of her bedside table. She reached for it and held it close.

“Fuck you Porter.” She said through gritted teeth as she held the black chess piece in her hand. “You’re a stupid, arrogant, proud, spoiled little snob.” She flicked the queen’s face a couple of times with her finger in anger. “I’m the coward?” She shook her head unbelievably. “You’re the one who walked away when I wanted us to talk things through! You’re the one who rejected my calls and refused to answer my messages!” She mocked the chess piece. “Questioning my feelings? Nice job for an infuriating, unbearable, thickheaded asshole like you..” She held on to the piece a little tighter as she brought it near her face and eyed it menacingly. “Porter..” She sneered. “I hate you. I hate you. I HATE YOU!!!” She screamed as she threw the chess piece against the wall opposite her bed. “Hmph.” Tina scoffed as she turned her face away from the mini-Bette and reached for her bedside lamp. With a light tug at the string, the light went off with a click and plunged her room into darkness. She went and made herself comfortable under the covers as she closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep, willing thoughts of Bette Porter away.