Carmen took a few seconds to look at Bette who was walking along the path towards them. She seemed taller and much more assured in how she was walking along. As soon as she reached them she grabbed Tina and hugged her
“Hello gorgeous “ she said and they kissed.
She grinned at Tina and then looked at Carmen and Shane
“And how’s the old married couple doing ?”
Shane laughed “We are fine – coping with the fact that we are no longer the hottest lesbian couple in our year “
“Well yes – that must be hard for you “ Bette put her arm round Tina’s shoulder and grinned. Carmen hadn’t thought it was possible for anyone to look different in just six weeks but Bette seemed to have matured in that time and she looked so much more assured and yes – it had to be said – beautiful. Her long dark hair was in a ponytail and in thin cotton trousers and a black sports shirt she looked 20 and not 17 if they all tried to get into a club Carmen suspected that only Bette would be allowed in without any checks on her ID.
“Are the two of you going to come out next term ?” Shane asked “That might be the only way that poor Carmen and I get a look in “
Bette looked at Tina and kissed her on her lips again
“We most certainly are not hiding our sexuality away. We are out and proud and I don’t give a rats ass what anyone else thinks about us. I love Tina and I am so proud that she loves me. I want everyone to know and those who don’t like it can go and fuck right off “
Shane laughed- this was a whole new Bette Porter and one that the school really wasn’t ready for – well that was their problem – because Bette wasn’t going to let it become hers.
“You realise the school are not used to this version of B Porter ?” Carmen said almost reading Shane’s mind
Bette smiled “Not my problem”
“I keep telling her she is going to get hit on “
“Well they will be wasting their time because I am a one girl girl and that girl is the sexiest senior in my eyes “ Bette said smiling at Tina
“I gather from Tina that the two of you have progressed beyond the holding hand stage”
Shane teased
Bette smirked “ Well that’s true – we don’t JUST hold hands any more. God isn’t sex just the greatest thing ever – I love being a lesbian”
Shane laughed – as well as a more confident Bette Porter this was also a much funnier version. Shane had liked the old Bette but she thought that this Bette was going to be so much more fun next term. Especially as they would be Seniors which meant responsibility  – regardless of the official titles that were given out – Bette Porter was going to be the undisputed Lesbian Queen of the school.
“So what are we going to do ?”
“How was the dentist ?”Tina asked
“Not too bad – I am really hungry  – shall we have a stroll around and you two can tell us what Florida was like – we are debating whether our parents will let us go away. I think if we both say that we want a holiday because of our good grades we might get something out of them “
“I gather your dad knows all about you and Tina “ Carmen said
“Yes and he’s cool about it – I wonder how many people spend months and years plucking up the courage to come out to their parents and when they do – when they have rehearsed the words and lost sleeping worrying about it – I wonder how many parents have already figured it out. My mother had and so had my dad “
“Well to be fair to him Bette – you talk more now than you ever did “ Shane grinned at her friend
Bette raised an eyebrow “Me ?”
“Yes you  – it used to be like drawing teeth”
Bette thought about this for a few seconds
“Well I am not like that anymore am I ? “
“No you most certainly are not and its wonderful to see”

“So are we going to sit here all day or what ?.. If we find a ice cream seller I will treat us all to some ice cream – that will do until we can find some more food – I am really hungry – making out does that to me”
Carmen laughed at Bette – this really was the most amazing transformation and they couldn’t be happier about how happy their friend was