“She’s on her way. I was talking to her before you two showed up.” Alice clapped her hands together. “Now that everybody knows everybody, let’s get to practice.” Carmen pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, and Bette spoke up.

“Carmen—come and sit with us.” She patted a spot on the couch, and Carmen smiled. She walked over and took a seat next to Bette.  Bette looked at Dana. “So D—how’s the stomach?” Dana sighed and lifted up her shirt. Carmen gasped as she saw the black and purple bruise.

“What happened?”

“A deadly game of dodge ball.” Dana smirked and put her shirt down. “My ex was aiming at Alice, and I saved her from the attack.” Dana said with confidence. Carmen smiled, and Bette chuckled.

“Okay—I don’t want to seem rude, but you are all lesbians right?”

Bette nodded. “Yeah we are.”

“Dana still in the closet.” Alice blurted out.

“Shut up Al.” Dana looked at Carmen. “My parents are very uptight and old-fashioned. I don’t think they’ll like the idea of their only daughter being a carpet munching, tit loving tennis player.”

“But we always love you Dana, that’s all that matters.” Shane swung her guitar strap over her shoulder.

“I love you guys too.” She smiled softly. “Carmen—,” Carmen looked at her. “Are you from around here?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m from East LA.”

“You’re the girl that we saw at Leo’s right?”

“Yeah.”

“So are you and Shane—y’know.”

Carmen laughed softly and shook her head. “No—I’m actually going to your guys’ school now. It was my first day, and I asked Shane if she would show me around. I’m living with my aunt and her husband in Laguna Beach.”

“What song are we doing?” Shane looked at Alice.

 “I thought we do Never Again.”

“Are you sure?” Shane looked over at Dana and then Alice.

“Why not? Give it a try right?” Shane shrugged.

“All right—why the hell not?” Shane began to start, but stopped when someone rang the doorbell.

“Hey Bette, can you get the door?” Bette nodded and got up from the couch. She walked through the halls and made her way to the door. She opened it and saw Helena. She took a step back and smiled softly. She stood in front of her with her ripped up jeans and white wife beater and flip-flops. Her thick, long hair pulled up.