Things have been going great for me and Tina. Wed been spending so much time together and Ive just never been happier. The incident at Milk was something inevitable. The topic would have been brought up sooner or later and Im happy it came out soon before anything very very serious was going on between me and her. One thing I regret though was how she found out about it. I shouldve told her sooner, so it wouldnt be as bad as how things were the night at Milk. I knew I had hurt her then and it was something I couldve controlled in the first place had I mentioned it to her earlier. And when she found out through Alice, Shane and Dana I knew it was a blow right through her heart.

I wasnt sure I liked the idea of Shane sending Tina home. I mean I know I want her to be safe home and all but Shane, well, I know shes a friend of mine but sometimes Shane just I dont know. Im sure she wouldnt hit on Tina cos shes going out with me but deep inside I know what Shane is like. Any girl can fall right to her feet. And what if the ride to Tinas apartment made her change her mind about me and will turn to Shane? Especially after her finding out about the bet?

But when Tina called me that night to let me know shes home safe I knew Shane had done something to make Tina see that the bet didnt matter what matter was the love we have for each other

After the struggle outside Milk, I watched Tina and Shane walked toward Shanes car. My heart was racing. She has to believe me She just has to. Ive never felt so strongly about anyone before please let this work out for me god for me and Tina both.

Alice: Bette honey come on. Lets take you home.

Bette: No I just… (Alice held my arm leading me to her car) Dont touch me Al!

Alice: Come on Bette well take my car. Youre not in any state to drive!

Bette: You were not in any state to interfere with my life Al! Why did you even mention it? Why the ***** did you?

Alice: Bette. Im sorry. I didnt know she was listening. It was a mistake Im sorry

Bette: Right! What? Are you trying to ***** up my life Al? Just like you ***** up yours? You just couldnt see me happy with someone else right Al? You dont think I know? I know that you still couldnt get over me? Do you like to see me like this Al? Does it bring you happiness?

Alice started to protest but Dana jumped in.

Dana: BETTE! That is enough. Al, Ill drive well take MY car. Bette get in!

I was startled to see how Dana was ordering me around. Ive never seen this side of her so I just climbed into her car my mouth shut the whole ride.

None of us spoke on the way to my place. Why oh why must this happen to me? And what is the deal with Alice? Why is she urgh She makes me so mad! Why did she have to let everyone know EVERYTHING that she knows?!!? I thought she knew that I was not one to get my personal life be paraded in front of everyones faces! I thought she knew. She should know that of all people. Weve been friends for too long.

Is she just doing it to hurt me for the reason I broke it off with her? But I thought the feeling was mutual. None of us wanted to be together. It wasnt going anywhere. We were not meant to be. We were just meant to be friends. But me and Tina we might be something. This is different from my previous relationships. I really want this to work. No matter the cost.

As we got home I called Tinas to check if shes home safe. Alice and Dana were sitting at the sofa looking like two little kids who just got punished by their mom. Her cell is switched off! *****! She must hate me now. Really, really hate me. I called her home; two rings, three rings

Bette: Tee? Its me

Machine: Hi its Tina. Im not home right now but please leave a message after the beep.

***** its just the machine! Get a hold of yourself Bette. You dont want to appear crazy! I took a deep breath

Bette: Tee, Im so sorry baby. Please believe me. I love you. I hope you get home safe

Ok well, I hope she gets the message. Yup thats right Bette. Stay calm. You wont be able to do anything so just stay calm. Shell call you back. Shes just not at home at the moment. She ***** I cant do this! I dialed her number again and again the machine picked up.

Bette: Tee I cant do this. Im going out of my mind nowPlease baby, believe me. I didnt mean to push you away, I love youI love you baby, I love you so much. I was such an ***** please forgive me Tee, please let me know when you get home I dont think I can sleep a wink not knowing where you are I love you, I I miss you Tee I already miss you

I hung up. *****!!!

Dana: Tina not home?

Bette: I dont know Dane, but shes not answering! *****!

Alice: Come on Bette. Itll be ok. I know Tina loves you things will work out, youll see.

Bette: How the ***** did things get out of hand?

Alice looked at me apologetically. I shouldnt have said the things I said to Alice at Milk. Alice is my best friend. Theres no way shed want to try to hurt me. She only has my best interest at heart. Im such a ***** for going at her like that. I even said that she couldnt get over me?!?! What the ***** was that? That was totally uncalled for. I know the thing with Gabby didnt work out, but I didnt have to go at her like that saying those harsh words to her face. God, Im such a fucked up ***** with a capital B!

Bette: Al, Im really really sorry for the way I acted at Milk. I just I didnt mean what I said. I was just furious for how things turned out tonight. I mean it was great at first but when Tina ran away I just its just the end of me Al! Im, Im sorry

Alice: I know honey its ok. But Im really sorry that it happened Bette.

Dana: Itll be ok Bette. Shell come around.

Bette: Yeah? But why isnt she answering her phone? I called twice already

Dana: Why dont you call Shane?

I looked at them. Call Shane? Yeah maybe I should do that. I dialed Shanes number. One ring two rings three rings ***** I should hang up now.

Shane: Bette?

Oh she answered! I hope Tina is with her still

Shane: Bette!

Bette: Is she there Shane? Is she still with you?

Shane: I just dropped her off Bette. Are you ok?

Bette: Oh ok Umm yeah. Well, I gotta go Shane. Thanks for sending Tina home.

Shane: No problem Bette.

I hung up and just held the receiver in my hand wondering what the next step should be. I sighed. What the ***** is going to happen here? I dropped the receiver on the couch.

Dana: Well? Shes safe at home Bette. Thats whats important.

Bette: But why isnt she answering my call? Ive called like

Alice: (In an attempt to calm me down rather unconvincingly) Maybe shes in the shower! Yeah thats probably it She must be

The phone rang. I just looked at it.

Alice: Arent you going to answer that?

I glared at Alice who just gave me the what-Im-just-saying look.

Bette: Ummm Yeah.

I picked up the receiver.

Bette: Yes?

Silence. My heart raced. This is Tee. This is her.

Bette: Hello? Is that you Tee?

Tina: Bette?

I nearly chocked. It is her… Its Tee.

Bette: Tee Im so sorry I shouldve told you earlier

Tina: Bette

Bette: but I just thought it wasnt

Tina: Babe!

Bette: important cos whats important is the fact that we have each other and to me

Tina: BETTE!!!

I stopped as I realized she was talking to me. Dana and Alice were watching me. I signaled to them that I was going to take the call in my bedroom. They just nodded and drank their beers. I closed the doors behind me and sat on my bed with my hand on my forehead.

Tina: Bette

Bette: Yes Tee?

Tina: Are you ok?

Am I ok? Why is she asking me that? I should be asking her that. I was the one who kept the bet from her. I stood up and paced back and forth from my dressing table to my bed.

Tina: Bette?!?!

Bette: Umm yeah Im ok Tee Are you home Tee? I just Are you ok?

I bit my nails. It was never my habit to bite my nails but this is a serious situation where biting nails can be excused

Tina: Yes Im home. And yes Im ok.

Bette: Did you get my messages Tee? I called you twice Tee but you didnt pick up Are you sure youre ok?

Tina: Bette!!! I received your messages. But I didnt get to pick up the phone cos I came a little too late But Im really ok, ok?

Bette: Yeah ok.

I stopped pacing and sat on my bed rubbing my forehead.

Tina: And I tried calling you back but your phone was busy.

Bette: Oh, yeah. I was just on the phone with Shane, I needed to see if you were ok and home safe and Oh Tee, Im so sorry The bet it was just a bet and I dont want you to think that I

Tina: Bette!!!

Bette: want to be with you because I wanted to win the bet. Its is more than that I wanted

Tina: I believe you

Bette: so much to be with you. And I know I shouldve told you earlier. I know I should have and if I hadnt kept it from you none of this wouldve happened. But now that you know

Tina: Bette!!! I believe you!!!

Bette: What?

What did she say? Am I hearing right?

Tina: Bette didnt you hear me?

Bette: I did but I wasnt sure if I heard it right. What did you say?

Tina: Baby, I believe you.

Bette: Really Tee?

Tina: Yes Bette. I believed you. Everything you said to me tonight, I believe you. And Im sorry to have put you through this tonight but I just didnt know how to react for the things that I just found out. It was shocking Bette, it really was. I mean I didnt know what to think. Am I just some kind of a prize to be won Bette? Or is there something more? But what you said to me tonight, it just occurred to me how stupid we both have been, well I have been. You love me Bette. I can feel it. I can feel your love. And thats whats important. Nothing else matters. And I love you.

Bette: I love you so much Tee. You dont know how much that means to me to hear you say that. Thank you Tee Thank you for believing me

I sighed. She believes me! I lay myself down on the bed and closed my eyes thankful for my lucky stars

Tina: And I miss you Bette

Bette: I miss you too, god… (why am I even here I should be there with you Tee)

Tina: And babe?

Bette: Yeah?

Tina: I need you.

Bette: Tee… I feel the exact same way.

We both fell silent; both not knowing what to say or do. I should be there with you Tee. Not here!!!

Bette: Tee?

Tina: Yeah?

Bette: Are you thinking what Im thinking?

Tee: I dont know Bette but if that involves you lying next to me then yes I am.