"Maybe I won’t fall flat on my face," Tina said. She had her sports bag slung over her shoulder and was exiting the house at the same time Bette was. She inserted the key and the lock clicked. They walked down the front steps toether and onto the sidewalk.

"You’ve probably been practicing it for weeks. I’m pretty sure you got it down. But if it helps, I believe you’ll do great," Bette said, her hands in her pocket. She started leaving her things at Tina’s house since she didn’t need the Geometry book anymore. (She took it in 8th grade.) "Good luck hug?" Bette circled the air with her arms.

Tina smiled and melted into Bette’s embrace. She loved it when Bette hugged her. She’d been spraying perfume like crazy just to make sure Bette wouldn’t back away. She inhaled Bette’s perfume and sighed. Her life really gotten better with Bette as a friend.

Bette was flipping through the channels, bored again. She would have still been at Tina’s house but because of the football game, the lesson was cut short. Bette knew something was bothering Tina but she also noticed Tina’s progress in school. She now showed up all the classes she had with Bette and would participate in class discussions. It was a complete turnaround. She was proud of Tina.

DING DONG

Bette ran downstairs to get the door. Outside, was a smiling Alice and Dance. It was time for their monthly movie night. Every Friday the three of them would hang out at Bette’s house. Alice and Dana had been spending a lot of time together but Bette didn’t want to point it out. It was best her friends found out about their feelings by themselves. It was only a matter of time before one of them confessed. Her parents took out her siblings to watch the "Princess and the Frog."

"How’s Tina?" Alice asked. Dana and her were seated on the loveseat and Bette was on the recliner. They were watching Saving Face tonight.

Bette noticed how Dana would look at Alice during the kissing scenes. She tried to hold in her laughter. "Good, why?"

"Just wondering," Alice responded. She carefully observed Bette’s facial expression. ‘So it was true, Bette does blush each time I say her name’

They heard a loud rumble outside and Bette went to go check it out. It better not have been those annoying kids next door messing up with their front lawn again. She saw a raggedy white pick-up truck pull up to Tina’s house. Henry got out and escorted Tina to the front door. Bette squeezed on the window frame and her eyes were on fire. Tina kissed Henry softly but he grabbed a hold of her lips and deepened the kiss.

"Woah," Alice said as she stood beside Bette.

Henry pulled away with a satisfied grin and drove off. Tina looked up at Bette’s living room window which was right next to Bette’s room. She saw the jealousy in her eyes and gulped.