I knew it! I should never have acted so clingy. Now she’s totally avoiding me. Way to go, Porter.

Bette felt rejected and decided to give up and leave. She didn’t want Helena to see her as someone that doesn’t take no for an answer.

Present time…

The two brunettes were sitting closely next to each on the couch, looking through each other’s sketchbooks.

As Bette was looking through the last few pages of Helena’s sketchbook, she came across a black and white sketch of a beautiful dark-haired woman in a sundress smiling happily, her hands holding unto a camera that was hung around her neck. Bette ran her fingers gently across the drawing, feeling the bumps and prints of the pencil strokes. The details of the sketch was just remarkable, it was so intricate, so precise. Helena must have put in a great amount of effort in this sketch.

“Helena,” Bette murmured, not taking her eyes off the drawing.

“This sketch, it’s just amazing, the details, the shades…” Bette trailed off as she looked up to find Helena staring intently at the drawing. “It’s probably the best sketch I’ve ever seen.”

Helena kept silent, staring at the drawing for a few moments longer before looking up to meet Bette’s eyes.

Was that pain that Bette saw in Helena’s eyes?

“Thank you,” Helena finally said with a tight smile. She clearly looked upset.

“This picture must hold some sentimental value,” Bette blurted out. Realizing that she had actually blurted out her own thoughts, she quickly apologized, “Oh god, I’m so sorry. I’m such an idiot.”

Helena shrugged, and then chuckled at how Bette reprimanded herself, “You’re not an idiot.”

Bette smiled at the sight of Helena smiling. There goes that warm fuzzy feeling in her stomach again.

“That picture just brings back so much memories that I had shared with a good friend of mine.” Helena said, looking back at the drawing again.

This time, Bette made sure that she doesn’t blurt out what she was thinking to herself, good friend? Or was it ex-girlfriend. Maybe she’s gay afterall.

You wish! You’re just assuming because you have a crush on her.

Bette bit on her lower lip, ignoring that annoying voice in her head.

“I know,” Bette smiled sympathetically.

“Well, I…” Helena began, but was immediately interrupted by the loud knock on the door, “I, um… I’ll get the door, “Helena smiled uncomfortably, quickly getting off the couch.

Bette watched Helena make her way to the door. Wow, that was awkward, she thought to herself. It seemed as if Helena was about to tell her about her ‘good friend’.

Just as Helena was about to open the door, Bette suddenly recalled that the person on the other side of the door might be Alice. But before Bette could stop Helena, the door was already half-opened. Bette shut her eyes tight, preparing herself for the worst to come, Alice blabbing out crude comments.

“Oh my god, Ted!” Bette heard Helena exclaimed. She opened her eyes to find Helena hugging a tall brown-haired young man.  

“I missed you so much.” Helena squealed, still hugging the young man.

“And I missed you too!” Brown-haired young man responded, with a big smile on his face.

Bette began to feel a tinge of jealousy.

Okay, stop it Bette, she’s not even your girlfriend. There is no need to be jealous.

I told you so, she’s so totally straight, cchhh.

Or is she?

To be continued…