“I’m fucking everything up. I’m been a real bitch to Bette. I’m nagging her. I’m snapping at her. I’m neglecting her. I’m treating her like shit. I don’t know why. I’m so tired and stressed and Bette’s been nothing but kind and understanding. And now, I forget our six-month anniversary. God, she must hate me. No wonder she hangs out with that cool surfer chick. No drama there.” Tina ignores the wide-eyed stares. “What the fuck am I doing? I’m going to lose her. I can’t lose her. I would die without her.” Tina drops her face into her hands. Her heart is breaking, she feels so tired, so lost and afraid.

“Tina. What’s wrong? Why have you been acting this way?” Alice gives Tina a napkin to dry her eyes.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. Helena says it’s because I’m finally recovering from my trauma and my feelings for Bette were never real.”

“That’s bullshit Tina! You love Bette and Bette loves you. I’ve never seen anything like it before. And don’t you dare listen to Helena fucking Peabody.” Dana takes Tina’s hand. The other girls chuckle at Dana’s outburst.

“It’s hard not too when she calls me all the time just to bitch about Bette and tell me what a fucking fool I am.”

“You’re not a fool. You’re in love and you’re afraid.” Dana squeezes her hand gently.

“You want to know what I think?” Shane finishes her espresso.

“The wise one speaks.” Alice teases. Everyone smiles. Shane ignores her friend and looks directly at Tina.

“I think you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. You’ve dated some real douche bags. Your boyfriends were assholes and they treated you like shit while you paid for everything. They never loved you and you never loved them. It worked for you because it was easy. You could walk away anytime because you just didn’t give a fuck. But now you actually love someone. You put yourself out there and you’re scared shitless. You are in love, my friend and Bette loves you madly. She worships you, she treats you like a princess and you don’t believe she’s the real deal. You’re waiting for her to hurt you just like all the others, and prove you right, and you’re pushing her away so it won’t hurt so much when it happens. Well guess what, sister. Bette is incredible and she is out of this world in love with you.”