Tina had insisted that everyone deserves a second chance, and considered the circumstance to realize that Bette had changed. She was no longer the bully at school – she was transformed.

Still, Bette was quite down on herself as she divulged some of her relationship with her father to Tina, showing her exactly what had made her so insecure to begin with, which helped Tina understand where the issues had started.

Bette thought back to how Tina had touched her cheek and promised that everything would be alright. She brought her knees up, sitting by the corner of the shore, as she thought back to the support Tina had given her over the last few days especially. It seemed like they had known each other forever.

Just as Bette was reminiscing, she heard Tina come by on the path, so she remained tucked out of sight as she watched. At first, she couldn’t see much because there was a bush guarding her view of the blond, and then she inched a little closer and smiled as Tina slipped off her sandals and slowly stepped in up to her ankles. It was done so peacefully that Bette could only watch with a gentle smile. Tina was an amusing creature, her feet lost in the sparkling sea of bluish-green. The lake was almost as lively as Tina’s bright, vibrant eyes.

Tina looked up to the sky, and felt the sun on her face before stepping in a little deeper. It was almost as if she could feel Bette around her, so she surrendered to the feelings and waded her hands through the water below. “I know you’re not here, but … I just want you to know.”

Bette wondered if the moment would be too personal – would Tina admit something frightening? Who was Tina speaking to? And why?

She listened as Tina continued.

“I want you to be happy, and I’ll do whatever I can … but sometimes I don’t know if that’s enough. I don’t know if I have what you need.” She smiled for a moment into the water at her feet. “Sometimes I look at you, and I feel like that girl I was years ago … just another girl you sent off wondering why I wasn’t good enough.”