They didn’t know what love was and they didn’t want to know. It was proven that only 2% of high school couples get married without divorce. If they hooked up anytime soon before graduation, would they become a statistical anomaly for this fact or would they end up being the rest. So in their minds and hearts, Bette and Tina made promised to themselves that they wouldn’t act out on the strong feelings that involved the other because neither knew the outcome. So denial was the only option.

"Bette we can’t," Tina whispered, unable to catch her breath at Bette’s close proximity.

"I know," Bette agreed, brushing her lips to Tina’s forehead. Never in her short life had she wanted to be with someone like the way she wanted to stand by Tina’s side. It wracked her to the core.

The smell of Bette’s perfume evaded Tina’s senses and she tried to restrain herself. A woman that looked and smelled as good as Bette did deserved attention but it couldn’t be from her. She wasn’t going to let Bette be hurt by the rumors and stares they would receive if they walked into the campus hand in hand. Bette deserved better than that..

"We could talk on the phone," Tina reasoned out, contradicting what she just said.

"I don’t have a cell phone," Bette said. Talking on their home phones would cause a struggle between the parents and visiting each other was out of the question,, especially since Tina would easily be seen walking across the street from and to Bette’s house. It seemed like every solution had its downfall. Time spent away from home with each other would increase the suspicions of Victoria.

"The internet?"

"That’s not enough," Bette breathed out. About to suggest to communicate through their bedroom windows like encounters before, she knew that it wasn’t as good as being able to talk next to Tina. They weren’t reenacting Taylor Swift’s "You Belong With Me" music video.

"My cheerleading schedule is too hectic," Tina explained. She went to practice now since Victoria canceled her tutoring sessions with Bette. Sure they could spend time on the weekends in secluded places but two days a week was not enough. How long would they be able to keep this up? She needed to "be" with Bette physically every day. She wanted to prove to that ass Henry that Bette wasn’t his replacement but much more than Henry could offer.

"Tina, it’s just a crush," Bette admitted. ‘A really strong crush,’ Bette added in her head.

"Just a crush," Tina reiterated hoping senior graduation was the next day so they could run off together and figure out what the hell was going on between them. She protectively wrapped her arms around Bette’s neck, pulling her close, inhaling her scent, and tried to relax. They stayed like that for a while, pausing time and space to be in the arms of someone that they’ve learned to rely on trust. Both restrained kissing for they were still young and they had the rest of their lives to work on their so called relationship, right?