You’re still rooted on the spot ten minutes later.

You’re so excited. You cannot wait to tell Dana – she’s going to be so happy for you. She has known about your intense love for Tina for as long as the two of you have known each other – you’re not a fool, you know she can see it and the sex is pretty telling. She’ll be so relieved to see that finally, after eleven years, you got what you wanted – Tina Kennard. You remember telling her all about your awesome and super pretty friend Tina five minutes after you met her.

The next morning, an unfamiliar blonde is waiting at your locker.

You scowl, feeling the power surge through your body. You can handle the motherfucking world after last night. (Only a part of you is afraid that Tina will panic and deny the kiss ever even happened.) It’s only when you reach your locker that you recognize your friend.

"Dane! What did you do?"

She smiles and it kind of lights up the room. You can honestly say that some day, someone will love her very much. "I decided I wanted a change. Do you like it?"

"I… wow, it’s… different," you stutter, still surprised. You smile as a thought hits you. "Yeah, it’s nice. I guess yesterday changed a lot for the both of us, then."

"What do you mean?" she asks, clearly confused. A hint of dread shows on her face, but you’re too psyched to pay closer attention.

"Tina kissed me last night," you grin excitedly.

Dana smiles, but something seems off about it. You don’t know what it is, but you’re sure it’s nothing. It’s Dana. Dana is always happy for you.

Later that day, Tina quells your fear by pulling you with her behind the bleachers and making out with you. You have never felt this happy in your life.

"Do you love me, Bette?" she asks. Her voice sounds so insecure and you cannot fathom that she even questions that.

"Of course I do. With everything that I am."

"Then you understand that I have to keep seeing Liam, right? People have to think we’re a couple and that we love each other. We live in the middle of nowhere. People are bigoted and stupid. I don’t want anyone to hate me, or you for who we love and it’s none of their business either way. People don’t understand that what we have is way more special than the bland lives they lead with their bland husbands and wives, their bland children and their bland dogs and their bland houses and their bland jobs. I’ll have to keep seeing Liam, but please know that I love you, B. Always remember that I love you."