“Good advice Tina, why don’t you try it yourself?” Alice said smiling

Both Bette and Tina rolled their eyes, Shane finally smiled, Lara was shocked and Dana didn’t get it.

“We’re not talking about me right now Alice” Tina managed to say

“Then let’s do it, because I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t understand what’s going on” Alice smirked and Dana glared at her then she asked Lara to explain it to her, that lightened the mood and everybody laughed again

“Leave them alone Al, they never talk about their problems in front of us, at least not when they’re in the same room” Dana said and then she asked Bette “Dean Porter, how you’re doing at the Art College?”

“You can call me Bette when we’re not at the Art College Dana, this goes for all of you except Alice” she laughed hard and everybody did the same except for Alice

“Smart ass, remember that I’m friends with Helena Peabody, an important business woman and I call her Helena”

“Still, you have to call me Dean Porter Alice”

“Good one Bette, but please tell us what are you big projects for the students?” Shane asked

“Actually, we have a big one, it wasn’t my idea but I have to carry on with the project, the senior class wants to make an exhibit at the MOCA”

“Wow! A hell of a project Dean Porter, I know you have friends in the art world but the MOCA? How are you gonna do it?”

Bette knew that what she was about to say would bring her problems with Tina but she doesn’t care that much “Senator Barbara Grisham is supporting the project, some of the students members of the Student Council were introduced to her in New York, they presented her the project and she was immediately interested so we have a meeting tomorrow” That was it, she said it

Shane and Alice froze and Tina begun trembling, Lara and Dana were oblivious to the situation

“The same Senator who tried to get you into bed? I’d be careful if I were you Dean Porter” Alice tried to joke, she noticed the worried look on Tina’s face

“I think I can handle it as I did it in New York”

It was ten thirty and Alice was ready to go, Dana had noticed that she was all dressed up but the idea of Alice having another appointment never crossed her mind, she walked Alice to the front door “Big date?”

“Nah, just a cocktail with big people, not the same”

“With Sarah?”

“Yeah, she invited Helena and me”

“Do you like her Al?”

Alice noticed the real intention of the question, she wasn’t sure about telling the truth or not “I do but we’re not dating” she said some part of the truth, she did like the girl but she was about to make some progress that night

“I’d like to meet her so I can give you my opinion” Dana smiled weakly

“Good, I’d love to know your opinion, goodnight”

Shane was ready to go, she said she needed to sleep on the idea of calling Carmen or not.  Bette said she had to have breakfast with the Senator the next day and Tina said that she wasn’t feeling good and it was true.

Alice arrived at the party, Helena was already there with Dylan, they were sitting with Sarah at the same table, Alice spotted them and walked towards their table.

“I thought you weren’t coming Al” Sarah said while Alice kissed her cheek

“I promised you I’d come”

“We’ve been here for three hours now that you’re here to make Sarah some company we can go” Helena said and winked at Alice

Alice and Sarah made some small talk for a while but three glasses of champagne later Alice could talk to Sarah about her feelings “I know that we’re friends but I like you Sarah, a lot” she took Sara’s hand “do you think that there’s an opportunity for us?”

“You shouldn’t being asking that, I thought you’ve noticed that I liked you since I met you at Sparkle” Sarah smiled embarrassed “I thought you believed I was too young for you”

“Are you calling me old?” Alice asked playfully

“Something like that” Sarah replied and kissed her