Tina stopped grabbing onto the bag to stop it from swinging. Once it was halted she wiped away the hair and sweat that was upon her forehead.

Bette snapped out of her trance as she notice Tina had stopped. She cleared her throat. “How about we call it a day? I’m sure your fists are pretty raw. Here let me see.”

Bette glided over to Tina picking up her hands carefully and gently took the wrapping off. She studied Tina’s knuckles which were red and cracked with dried blood. Bette glanced up at Tina. “Do they hurt?”

Tina shrugged shaking her head no. “They are throbbing and feel a bit tender, but that’s about all.”

Bette nodded and had let go of Tina’s hands. “Go home and ice them or they will swell up pretty fucking bad. Trust me.”

Tina smirked at Bette’s choice of vocabulary. “Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow?” It was more a question than a statement.

Bette was picking up some of the equipment off the floor when she heard Tina. She stood up straight taking a deep breath, her eyes meeting Tina’s. “Yeah, tomorrow at 8am. Don’t be late.” Bette winked.

Tina laughed rolling her eyes. She headed towards the locker room changing out of her gym clothes and into her jeans and t-shirt. She placed everything in her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Walking out of the locker room, she noticed Bette was punching and jabbing at the same bag she had been using earlier. Bette was using the right amount of speed and force. If it had been a person instead of a bag they clearly would have had their asses handed to them. Tina licked her lips trying to find her voice. “Bye Bette” Tina called out.

Bette peered over between her punches. “Later, Tee.”

Tina raised an eyebrow confused on the nickname given. Was it a nickname or was she so out of breath from being so aggressive with her punches she couldn’t get it all out? She thought.

She shrugged it off walking out into the hot L.A. air. She breathed in with a smile and walked down the sidewalk with confidence.

Bette had been punching at the bag when she had heard Tina say bye. She did respond back but instead of saying “Tina” she had said “Tee.” What the fuck?! Tee? Really? Now you are going to have to play that one off. Tee…Tee…That’s not so bad. I kind of like the ring of it. It slides right off the tongue, she thought.

Bette begun to jab harder, the bag swinging wildly. All she knew was she could not wait for tomorrow morning.