“Oh no… Don’t say that Carmen.” Tina sighed reassuringly. Tina set her clothes down and took Camen’s hand, leading her to the couch.

“Carmen, Shane is the way she is,” Tina started, “Because of where she came from. I can’t tell her story for her. But trust me when I say she came a long way. And where she came from was ugly. All human contact were vile. That make her weary of anyone who remotely threaten the serenity that she built up around her. She feels that happiness is something non-achievable”

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“I don’t deserve to be happy.” Shane exclaimed quietly, breaking the silence between Bette and her. Bette turned at Shane concerned.

“Everyone deserves to be happy, especially you Shane. When we first met you, you were the kid from the streets. But look at you now! You made it through. An up and coming hairstylist with a solid roof over your head. You worked hard to get where you are and you deserve to own the happiness you are getting now.”

Shane stared at Bette dumbfounded. She had always thought of herself as the street junk. But she did come a long way. From the evils of the streets to this beautiful rented house in the safe suburbs. She worked hard to get off the streets, from a reluctant shampoo girl to a raising hairstylist. On the way there, she had fought to become a better person. And she never owed anyone anything. If she fough so hard to get where she was now, why can’t she fight a little harder to include that someone in her life?

“You are a good person Shane, don’t think you are not. Your friendship is dear to all your friends, if you could give yourself so wholeheartedly to us, to fight for our happiness, why not fight for your own happiness?”

Shane continued staring at Bette, her mind working out the words Bette was saying.

“I worked so hard to get her, and I am comfortable here. I won’t let anyone ruin this. I have no room for hurt now.” Shane snorted. She didn’t like the fact that Bette was rattling the very foundation that she built her life on. Her defenses seemed to be peeling away and she made one last attempt to preserve them.