[Previously-Chapter Twelve]

“So are you nervous?” Alice asked.

 “About what?”

 “About bringing Bette with you to your parent’s house.”

 “No; not really.”

 “Really?!”

 “Well…maybe just a little…” Tina folded her legs, hosting herself on the bed better.

 “Do you think Doug said anything to your parents?”

 “I don’t think so…” Tina shrugged; “I am almost positive he didn’t. I think my parents would have mentioned it maybe…” she said sarcastically.

 “True…”

 “I just want to spend time with Bette…and Spring break is our only time off from classes for awhile.”

 “You really like her huh?”

 Tina smiled; “Yeah I do…”

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[Bette and Tina on the way to SC from NY]

They made it to New Jersey not too long after the rest stop. Tina looked at the map and then at where they were going.

“Ummm, Bette…I think we missed our exit.”

“Um, nope…were going in the right direction.”

“But, according to the map…we aren’t…”

Bette smiled, “I found a better place to stay for the night….trust me…you’re gonna love it and its better than any hotel we were planning on staying at.” Bette looked over at Tina slyly.

 “Oh really? Wanna tell me where it is we’re going then?”

 “It’s a surprise…just trust me okay?”

 Tina smiled, “Alight. I trust you.” Tina decided to drop it at that and played with the radio.

To Bette’s advantage Tina had fallen asleep about an hour later. Not too long after they reached Exit 38, which read Atlantic City. She hoped they would make it in time before the sun completely set.

She pulled up to the house that she had gone to so many times growing up. Not much had changed; the house just looked a bit older. She quietly got out of the car and walked up to the porch. They key was under the door mat just as George said it would be. Once she unlocked the door she went back to the car to wake up Tina.

She gently stoked Tina’s face, “Tina…T….wake up…we’re here.”

Tina opened her eyes and looked around groggily, “And where exactly is ‘here’?”

 Bette took her hand, “Come on…follow me.”

Bette led Tina around the back of the house. There was a gate around the house; she opened it and it lead right onto the beach. The sun was just setting and there were few people still on it, most were heading back home. The breeze hit Tina’s face; she was no longer sleepy or groggy.