Shouldnt these guys be wearing roller skates?

What? Tina it isnt a theme restaurant. Well it is, but is isnt. Grace began confusing herself. Now that you mention it, it is kind of a letdown.

Hows your burger?

Magnificent. Grace responds breathlessly. Not really answering Tinas question because along with everyone else in the joint she was ogling the caramel beauty that was flanked by a handsome young man and a perky blonde.

Magnificent? How is that an answer? Tina looks at Grace and follows her line of sight to catch Bette, Eric, and Alice. She rolls her eyes as she knows that she Grace, has joined the hunt to get the beautiful brunette.

As Grace is studying the competition, she notices that she has an edge over all of them. Her eyes flash playfully as she comes up with a plan to get the three to their table.
Oh hey, thats our next door neighbors Eric and Alice. She says beaming.

Whose the other one? Tina asks feigning indifference. In truth, she spotted the trio before anyone else had. But she wasnt as obvious as the rest of the now lively restaurant.

Over at the barstools, Bette and Alice are waiting for a table while Eric retreated to the bathroom. Bette scans the room and notices that not only is she being so openly ogled, but people are mentally undressing her, I dont like this.

You dont like what? Alice pretended not to notice. But after seeing her friends pensive face and feeling enough sexual energy around the room to knock her off of her bar stool, she decided to get serious. Look Bette, its only gonna get worse at the Planet. This is just a warm up. I mean, me and Eric, and maybe you are bound to get people in a tizzy. Alice joked with her friend. Bette shoots her famous Youve got to be kidding face and Alice cracks. Ok, look you and Eric are just two beautiful and rare people in this town. Any guy or girl is naturally gonna want to be around you guys.

Thanks, Al.

Youre welcome. Hey do you want me to protect you?

Youre not serious are you? Here, now?

Relax. Ill tone it down for your sake. Bette nods her approval. Alice jumps off her stool, wraps her arms around the still seated Bette. She puts her head on her shoulder, then spins them around the room, all the while giving the evil eye to all of her admirers. Everyone quickly averted their glances and continued with their meal. Everyone except for Grace.

Well played, Alice. She says to herself. That must be her friend thats was coming to town.

Ok. Whatever. Tina states matter of factly.

Tina be nice; theyre our neighbors. Hey lets invite them over. Hey Al!! AL!!!!! She shouts effectively bring the restaurant to its second stand still. Tina looked around at all the shocked faces and began laughing hysterically.

Bette searches Alices face, praying that she doesnt notice that lunatic. As Alice prepares to march over to the table, Bette grabs her arm. Alice, no. Please lets not eat with that loudmouth. My head cant take it.

Relax B, Grace is harmless. And usually not that loud. Besides shes our neighbor and its good to play nice. Besides look she brought a hot, new friend.

Ok, whatd I miss? Eric said returning from the bathroom. Alice just points to the table with the two blonde crazies cracking themselves up. Oh hey, its Grace and He pauses trying to place a name with the face.

Dont bother, shes new. But hey, Bette Grace is a total sweetheart and shes available.

How do you know? Did you..?

Me, no. Now come on, were standing here talking about the people were about to go eat with. Bette hesitates, but Alice and Eric each grab an arm and pull her along. As they make their way to the table, Eric feels the eyes returning to the trio. He nudges Alice.

Oh, right. She slips behind Bette and slides her hands around the sun kissed beautys waist again. Bette initially jumps at the contact, but then smiles at Alices gesture to protect her. Alice, meanwhile tries to slow down Bettes strides so she can surround her herself once again, with her ex-lovers scent.

Um, Alice?
Yeah. Shes completely lost in the feel of her best friend/ex-lover.

Yo psycho. Eric piped in. Were here.

Oh, right. She jumped from Bette and sat next to Tina, while Bette and Eric crammed next to Grace.

Sorry about the yelling. But it looked like you guys were about to be corned.

Yeah thanks. These girls out here are vicious. Bette stated.

Right, so introductions. Im Alice, the brains of the outfit. And the meat tagged hottie here is

Bette Porter. She says extending her hand to Tina, who shook it gratefully. And then to Grace who shook it a little too enthusiastically.

Sorry, a little anxious. Grace says while blushing. Alice just rolls her eyes.

Jeez Porter, you think you could turn the charm down just a hair. You just met the girl.

Tina quietly concurs. She doesnt like the idea of her friend being reduced to a babbling mess. Not by someone who Tina thought was trying too hard any way.

Alice continued, And who announces their whole name with informal company, anyway? Remove the stick GP.

And shove it up yours, Al.

Good one, sis.

I try.

Anyway, this one that was born with the manners here is Eric. Say hello to Grace and Alice points to Tina.

Oh me, now. I didnt think you were finished. Tina says smiling.

Believe me, shes not. Bette says.

Im Tina, from New York, Graces best friend, and roomie.

No *****. Eric says. Bette just moved put here from Philly.

Yeah so we should go out and celebrate tonight Tina. To two young and successful women invading LA. Bette added.
Wait, how do you know Im successful? Tina questioned playfully.

Theres an air about you. Very positive. Very sure of yourself. Bette added flirtatiously.

For whatever reason, Tina took that as some sort of slight, so she snapped back. What like arrogance? You think Im arrogant? Cause so far, from what weve seen from you, its a good way to describe yourself.

Hows that?

Arrogant. Sure of yourself, maybe a little self centered.

Is that what you think of me?

Got no reason to suspect otherwise. Tina was getting upset.

Oh, shes got you there girl Porter. Alice jumps in.

What happened for the next moments was an intense staring contest between the newly acquainted neighbors. Grace knows she has to jump in. Not only is her friend getting annoyed, but she is also ruining her chance with her ***** new neighbor.

So, Alice, Eric, where are you planning on going tonight?

The Planet.

The Planet. Whats the Planet? Tina asks after the waiter brought their food that snapped her out of her staring match with Bette.

***** night club, sweetie. So that means that youre ***** right Bette? Grace asks crossing her fingers under the table.

24 years and counting. She says beaming.

And you? Tina asks suddenly really looking at Eric and noticing how good-looking he is.

Me, no. I just always seem to tag along.

He has no life. Im bisexual by the way. She says raising her hands. In case anyone was wondering.

And thats the way the rest of the meal went. Tina and Eric had hit it off big time, once the Ace Reporter confirmed that he was totally 100% not *****. Tina had seemingly gotten over her little argument with Bette. Although Tina still thought Bette was an *****, pointing that out when she was interested in her brother was probably not the best thing to do. Bette continued to study Tina out of the corner of her eye. But the aspiring actress also transfixed her. She still couldnt believe that these two friends werent related. From the way they looked and finished each others sentences, was simply astounding. The two were quite a formidable pair that she wanted to get to know.

Alice, who quickly became the fifth wheel, was getting frustrated that she was being largely ignored. No matter what questions she tried to throw into the conversations, she was only met with complimentary looks before they all turned back to each other. Finally she had had enough.

Ok, ok, wheres the waiter with that bill? Cmon Porters. Are we still going out or what?

Well yeah, its cool with me. Eric started. What about you two, any plans?

We really dont have anything for tonight, did we TK?

No not really. Do you guys mind if the straight girl tags along? Tina joked.

Do we really have a choice? Bette countered. Grace laughed along with Bette.

Whoa, easy on the haterade B.

Thanks. Tina was grateful that someone had shut up Bette. But she was a little annoyed that Grace just sat there and laughed it off. It was no use at least for the time being Tina had lost Grace to the Porter charm.

After the bill was paid, the group split up in the car in which they came. They were all going to meet at the Planet.

Im totally useless you guys. You both are totally paired off with our hottie neighbors. And Im left to what, hold the bags?

No ones paired off, Alice. At least not me. I cant really speak for Casanova here. Bette said looking the rearview mirror at he brother.

What? Tinas nice. And shes really beautiful. Go on admit it.

Ok Ill give you that. But that girl is so self-centered.

And what would you call an aspiring actress? Eric joked.

Just be careful Munchie. Thats all Im saying.

Bette, do me a favor and please dont call me that in front of them.

I make no promises.

Hey. If you buy the first round of drinks, Ill call you the Duke of Earl. Alice jumped in.

Deal.

Meanwhile in the other car, the girls were just finished discussing Graces upcoming interview when the conversation turned to tonights adventure.

TK, would you stop fiddlin with radio. Stop being all nervous and weird. This isnt like you. She said stealing glances at her apprehensive friend.

I know, I know. I dont know whats wrong with me. Its not like we havent done this before.

Damn straight. Remember when you broke up with Donnie and I took you to the Le Perky Pet to cheer you up?

Oh god yes. That was probably the worst ***** bar youve ever taken me to. Tina says laughing. That was the most god-awful hole in the wall. Bodies everywhere. Not to mention the drinks were for *****.

Yeah but you had fun, right?

Absolutely. I always have fun with you sweetie. Tina said beaming.

Alright then. So whats the problem. Is it because of Bette? Grace asks hoping that the answer would be no.

Tina thought about how to answer the question that she had been asking herself all night. True, Bette had pushed her buttons like no one else had in a long time. But she also felt a strange pull towards her. Maybe it was her cocky smile, or the way her face beamed when she got one up one Tina. But what ever it was left Tina torn between wanting to get to know Bette Porter or smacking her.

T, kid, are you starting to ignore me? Have we become an old married couple already? Grace playfully punched Tina in the arm.

Oh, sorry. No it isnt about Bette. I havent given her much thought since Eric and I hit it off. Tina hoped that the half-truth would be enough to stop the questions and convince her friend that all was well in Tinaville.

Yeah, he is a hottie. You should go for it. Grace answered. She knew Tina well enough to know when Tina was lying. But she also trusted her to know that Tina would come clean when she felt comfortable. She wanted her to get along with their hot new neighbor in case anything happened tonight. Because as much as she was attracted to Bette; she knew that a relationship was not possible if her friend did not like her. She thought hopefully after a few drinks the thick tension that gathered whenever Bette and Tina spoke would clear.

I should, huh? Tina finally says beaming and her eyebrows wiggling. As the pair pulled behind Alices mini, she added, I guess well just have to see what happens in there.