Previously on Hazed & Confused:

Tina just stood there not really sure about what had just transpired. ‘Is she flirting with me.naw.she wouldn’t she’s too pretty to be gayhell I’m not even ***** what do I care.’ The silence seemed unbearable to Alice, she sat there looking back and forth at their faces , and fidgeting with her seatbelt. Bette wasn’t any help she just sat there staring with that goofy smile plastered on her face. Looking up at Tina she appeared lost totally enthralled in what Bette was saying, but she wasn’t saying anything at all. Shaking here head and thinking to herself ‘these two are hopeless’; Alice let out a quiet laugh.

Chapter 4

The sun shone persistently upon the cheek of one Ms. Tina Kennard, ‘Why is she starring at me like that?’ she pondered. The oddly familiar brunette holding her gaze with an unnerving intensity. Looking back into the eyes of this peculiar young woman Tina saw something that frightened her, she wasn’t sure what it was but it forced her to advert her eyes. Now suddenly finding the pattern of her shoe laces unreasonably entertaining she attempted to hide her now flushed cheeks. Becoming aware of Tina’s immediate discomfort Bette quickly glanced down at her hands.

Bette: (Looking at the dash clock) “Doesn’t look like he’s gonna make itwhat do you say I make good on that offer?”

Tina: (caught off guard by the break in the silence and glancing at her watch.) “I guess not.umm.sure I guess I could use that ride.”

And with that Alice wasted no time swinging open the door and hopping in the small and confining back seat. Tina sat quietly strapping on her seatbelt and searching for a safe direction to cast her gaze. Outside of the car Bette’s presence had been unnerving but sitting this close to her was almost unbearable. She was sure that her face had flashed three shades of red; her hands seemed to shake for no reason at all, as a cold sweat formed at the base of her neck. ‘Damnit Kennard what’s your problemfirst you freak out for half of the summer about going to a new school, and not knowing anyone, then the first day, you meet a pretty cool chick that could be a potential friend and you act like spazz. Pull it togetherBreathe.you don’t want to look like a dorkoh god I hope she hasn’t noticed.’ Of course Bette had noticed, she had that effect on most women ***** and straight alike, she thought it was cute. But she played it smart purposely not glancing in Tina’s direction. The ride was very quiet Tina only speaking when she need to specify a left or right turn. Pulling up in front of her house Bette began to panic grasping for a way hold on to Tina’s company.

Bette: (clumsily turning her body to face Tina) “So..you wanna hang out this weekend or something?”

Tina: (visibly excited) “yeah sureit’s not like I have anything else to do.”

Bette (smiling like a fool) “greatmy house after school on Friday we’ll have a blast.”

Smiling and thanking Bette for the ride Tina quickly exited the car and scurried to the front door of here colonial style home. As Alice fought her way out of the cramped back seat, ‘I hope you know what you’re doing Porter.’ Alice thought as she gratefully stretched her sore legs. Bette hadn’t said a word since they dropped Tina off she just sat there with that goofy dumbstruck look you get after you’ve had really good *****. Alice had been itching to break the silence, and had held out for as long as possible.

Alice: “so when’s the baby due?”

Bette: (Whipping her head around to shoot Al a lethal stare) “Al!!!…would you grow upshe’s so straight it’s not even funny”

Alice: “oh come on Porter that’s never mattered beforeand it doesn’t now and you know it she wants you.”

Bette: (ego growing exponentially by the second) “How do you know? (Raising a questioning eyebrow)

Alice: (Quickly catching on to Bette’s ploy) “Oh no missy.. you won’t trick me into stroking your ego todaywe’ll leave that to Ms. Kennard.”

Bette just shrugged off Alice‘s last comment and returned to tapping out the drum solo to Cream’s “White Room” on her steering wheel. Then it happened, a weird feeling washed over her, she was excited. She couldn’t wait for it to be tomorrow, she couldn’t wait to see Tina again. ‘Funny, that’ she thought to herself as she allowed the awesomeness of the day to fully consume her thoughts.