–Tinas Apartment–

I had to get the ***** out of dodge, or in this case LA.  It had become some sort of cesspool over night.  I couldnt stay here, so I packed up my most prized possessions, which werent much.  Basically it was just my cameras, my clothes and the large Buddha statue my grandmother got me in Tibet.  Oh and the shoebox of course and my CDs.  I would die without those.  Everything else I would figure out later.

I know my mom is going to have a ***** fit when she finds out im leaving school, but Ill deal with that when I get there.  I packed up my car and took one last look at my apartment.  Its sad really.  I really didnt want to leave, but I had to.  I had to get away and sort myself out.  LA was a huge city but running in to Bette again was something I didnt care to chance.  I felt bad for not telling anyone I was leaving but im sure every single one of them would try to talk me in to staying. 

I had almost made a clean break, almost.  As I was climbing in my car I heard someone call my name from across the street.  I didnt recognize the voice so I just pretended I didnt hear them.  Didnt work, they called my name again, this time from right behind me. 

Shane:  Hey, I was calling you from across the street.

Tina:  Oh sorry I must not have heard you

Shane:  Whats up?

She spotted my stuff in the back seat.  The jig was up, I was caught. 

Shane:  Going somewhere?

She pulled out a cigarette and offered me one.  I accepted happily even though my lungs still felt deflated from last night smoke a thon. 

Tina:  Uh, yeah.  Im going home 

I was going to try to make something up but I didnt think it was necessary to lie to Shane.  There was something I could trust about her, plus she didnt look like much of a gossip.

Shane:  Did Berkley get a hold of you?  He was looking for you all night.