“Yeah… why wouldn’t I b—” Isabel stopped mid sentence, finally understanding Tina’s confusion “Tina, Marisol is only my friend”

“Huh? But I thoug— Weren’t you a coup—”

“It’s complicated, but we’re just friends… Speaking of Marisol, this Saturday is her birthday, and well, I already told Bette about this, but I was wondering if…” And there was the nervous gesturing again “Well, it would be great if you guys could come over… It’s just for a while”

Tina gave Isabel a comforting smile“We’ll be there”

“Excellent… it won’t be nothing big. Just her, a friend of ours and you guys, Alice Dana… um, Shane? Yeah, Shane and myself. I know it’s not much people, but…” Isabel trailed off

“I’m glad it’s just us. I’m not much of a crowds person” Tina smiled again. “So, how can we help?”

“Oh, I couldn’t sk you that, really it’s fi—”

“Isabel, how can we help?” Tina repeated, with authority

Isabel looked at her for a couple of seconds before breaking into a smile “Well, you could help me with the furniture in my appartment.”

“Great, I’ll tell Bette and the others”

“Thanks” Was all Isabel said. She was amazed at how keen on helping was this group of women. And so, she mentally vowed to do everything in her power to help them back. She motioned for the check and, after taking care of it, they both took their bearings and left the restaurant.

“Where to, miss?” Tina asked, before she got in the driver’s side of her car

“Eh…” Isabel didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t used to ask anything of people, and now she was in LA and everyone wanted to do her favors, like giving her a lift, helping her with the furniture… Tina must have read the look on her face.

“Isabel, please. Just hop in. I’ll be happy to give you a ride, please?” Tina asked, looking into Isabel’s eyes

Isabel hesitated before finally getting in the car. Once they both were in the car, Isabel told her where and Tina started the car. They were in complete silence for some minutes until…

“I don’t like asking for anything” Isabel said out of the blue, causing Tina to turn her head for a second, before focusing on the road, but occasionally glancing at Isabel “I’m not used to ask for anything. When I was a kid, my parents didn’t let me ask anything to other people. They said I had parents for a reason and whatever I wanted, I could ask them” Isabel stopped for a moment, thinking of what to say “I just don’t like asking for anything… makes me feel cheeky and inappropiate” She finished, fidgetting with her fingers. She didn’t know why, but she found herself telling these things to Tina