It was a grey morning and Bette was placing all her suitcases in cab to head to the airport. Alice, Shane, Tina and Julia were there.

“Ok… I guess that’s it” Bette said trying her best to sound normal, as if this was not one of the hardest things she had done in her life. She hugged each and every single one of the girls, although she had spoken privately to Alice and Shane and asked them to please take good care of each other and also Tina.

“I love you guys… please take good care ok? We’ll see each other very soon.” Bette said and turned to get in the car.

“Oh wait Bette…” Alice said as she approached her brunette friend and handed her a CD. “Remember that DJ I was fooling around with?” Bette nodded in consent. “Well… I asked her to put together these songs so you can listen to them in the plane… just promise me you’ll listen until the end… ok?” Bette nodded again and Alice hugged her friend one more time and whispered in her ear. “I love you… we’ll be in touch.”

And with that Bette climbed to the cab and drove off, sobbing all the way to the airport.

Once the plane was in the air, Bette wasn’t able to sleep or drink or eat or pretty much anything, thinking if this was the right thing to do and especially replaying that odd conversation with Tina in her room.

Suddenly she remembered Alice’s CD and thought it might be a good distraction. She searched in her hand luggage for her CD player and started listening to the CD her friend had given her.

It wasn’t helping since the list included: Charles Aznavour’s “She”, Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, Elton John’s “Sorry seems to be the hardest word”, The Cars “Drive”, Boy George’s “Crying game”, Four Seasons “Can’t Take my eyes off you”, Prince’s “The most beautiful girl in the world”, Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (forget about me)”, The Cranberries’ “Stars”, Sixpence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me”, Nazareth’s “Love hurts”.

Bette was extremely confused at the songs selection, she had hoped that Alice would be a little more understanding, but she promised her friend she would listen until the end so kept it on even though she couldn’t control the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

The last song arrived and even though she hadn’t heard it before, it took her only a couple of seconds to start laughing.

Divinyls – I touch myself

I love myself
I want you to love me
When I’m feelin’ down
I want you above me
I search myself
I want you to find me
I forget myself
I want you to remind me

Chorus:
I don’t want anybody else
When I think about you
I touch myself
I don’t want anybody else
Oh no, oh no, oh no

You’re the one who makes me happy honey
You’re the sun who makes me shine
When you’re around I’m always laughing
I want to make you mine

I close my eyes
And see you before me
Think I would die
If you were to ignore me
A fool could see
Just how much I adore you
I get down on my knees
I’d do anything for you

Chorus

I love myself
I want you to love me
When I’m feelin’ down
I want you above me
I search myself
I want you to find me
I forget myself
I want you to remind me

Chorus

I want you
I don’t want anybody else
And when I think about you
I touch myself
Ooh, oooh, oooooh, aaaaaah

Chorus

Fucking Alice… Bette thought to herself but at least her friend had made her smile once again in times of tears…

PS: I know I have the worst taste in music, but please try to bear with me…