A flock of bimbo blondes entered the cafeteria, with a tongue tied Tina Kennard attempting to break past their brigade without making trouble. For the young girl, the past 2 classes had been *****; sitting in a class with no air conditioning and a teacher who must have been 80, rambling on about god knows what.

The lunch room was even larger than Tina had imagined, with more people than she had expected to be there. The lunch lines were flowing out the door, kids with cash standing boredly with slices of pizza and chilled bottles of Coca Cola in tow. Tina clung to her water bottle as if it were a life preserver, eyes scanning the room for any of the plastic chairs that might be unoccupied. Hazel orbs lit up as an empty chair caught their corner, and feet followed the direction in which her eyes pointed, but were set downcast as a boy came and took the chair, slouching into it.

Tina rolled her eyes and studied the room once more, finding a small group of chairs towards the back of the room. She wandered there only to find bags sitting on the table, claiming it for another group of girls. Then a single chair at a corner table was left alone, calling Tinas name. She didnt think twice, despite the fact that the rest of table was occupied, and she strutted over, falling back into it.

A grin crossed her candied lips as she dug into her bag, pulling out the cold turkey sandwich she had prepared last night with her cousin, the two of them making one ***** of a mess in the family kitchen. She drew back the plastic bag and rose the sandwich to her lips, cringing as a hand grasped her shoulder.

Hey, blondie. A raspy voice said from behind. Tina turned her head, fully expecting to see a pubescent male with bulging muscles clinging to her shirt. Instead, she had to stifle the laugh that arose in her throat. She barely managed to swallow the glob of meat without choking, clearing her mouth with a swig of water before she spoke.

Yeah. She said, corners of her lips begging to turn upwards.

Youre in my seat. The girl replied, shaking the dark gelled locks of hair from her eyes. Green eyes bore down on Tina, digging into the flesh of her face and making her go pale.

The blonde stifled her laugh again, and met the eyes of the girl, I didnt see a name on it. Im sorry. She said simply, grabbing her bag and sandwich as she stood. Next time Ill think before I take an empty seat in the cafeteria.

No need to be a smart *****. The brunette retorted, using a arm to pin Tina against the brick wall. Now nose to nose, Tina met the fiery gaze again, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. Now if you know any better, youll run back to hicksville and stay the ***** outta Los Angeles.

Tina couldnt hold back the bubbling laughter anymore, she laughed directly into the bitchs face, pushing her back. The 5’8″ teen stumbled back, her friends grabbing her before she hit the ground. Tina stared wide eyed, unable to believe that she had just pushed a girl who could definitely beat her *****.

***** *****. She shouted, her friends tugging at her arms as she struggled to lunge towards Tina.

Shane, dont do it. It isnt worth it. Shes just a little ***** from the midwest, dont worry. One of the girls shouted as Shane broke from the grasp and charged straight for Tina.

Tina yelped and closed her eyes, waiting for the impact that never came. Tina slowly unclenched her fists and opened her eyes, meeting a thick mane of curls. She blinked for a few moments, trying to comprehend what might have happened, and then the girl before her turned and smiled.

So Tina, having a little problem staying out of trouble? Bette Porter asked, tilting her head as a smirk crossed her lips. Karli, Drew, keep her back please. She motioned towards her friends who had the strong freshman pinned back into a chair.

No problemo, Bette. Karli laughed and poked the captive who looked over and glared.

Tina still couldnt piece together what happened, all that came to her was the idea that this girl who she had met a mere 2 hours ago had saved her yet again, this time from perhaps a bloody nose and a black eye.

A paint laden hand waved before Tinas eyes, followed by a strong voice in her ear,Hello?

She jumped, startled and shook her head, fighting her way back to reality, Oh..yeah sorry. She blushed and found a smile on her lips, Seems like Ive got a guardian angel now, hm?

Bette laughed at this and bowed her head, Well, actually I was just coming over here because you were sitting at this table all alone, and my friends and I were going out to the courtyard to eat, and if you want to join us, you can.

Karli nodded and pushed dark strands of hair behind her ears, Bette already told us about how she saved your ***** from some ***** faced guys in study hall, we had to meet this little freshie that Bette so proudly supports.

Drew nodded as well, You know, we dont usually roll with the underclassmen.

We do now. Karli added, releasing Shane who had stopped fidgeting.

Youll get it later, Tina. I owe it to you. And your friends here too. Shane said angrily as she stalked off to join her friends who had retreated when the seniors had shown up.

She wont touch you, dont worry. Bette laughed. And well, Ill let you in on something else that nobody knows. Shes a freshman this year, but she thinks she owns the school. Must have one ***** of a family if shes that arrogant.

Shes a freshman? *****, shes huge! I thought she was a guy when she first came up behind me, her voice… its so…..

Manly? Bette added, laughing. Rumor is that shes big time lezzie, the ***** em and leave em kind. And shes a freshman, jeez. I dont see how people could want that. She nodded.

Well, everyone has different tastes. Tina said, grabbing the bag that she had dropped a few moments before. Thanks again, I think I owe you my life or something now.

Bette shook her head and took Drews hand, Cmon, lets go to the courtyard shall we? And together the small pack of teens walked, Tina between Karli and Bette, feeling as if she were the president and these two elders were her body guards. She looked at each person as they passed by, trying to judge people with her eyes. She already had one person who was out to get her, she clearly didnt need another.

Oh *****, guys look out. Drew said quietly, nodding ahead to a bouncy blonde who was busy trying to chase down her fellow students, a pad of paper in her hand. Everyone seemed to notice the fact that they shouldnt talk to her.

Who is that? Tina asked, looking from the dark girl on her right to the mocha girl on her left.

Alice Pieszecki, newspaper queen. Karli and Bette replied in unison, quickly turning down a hall to the right. Tina hadnt even seen the turn, but was dragged along like a leaf stuck in a gust of wind.

Bette Porter!!! The voice was approaching, pounding footsteps following.

*****, she saw us. Bette said, stopping to turn around with a smile. Alice! She laughed as the quirky blonde tossed her arms around her shoulders.

Howve you been? Did you have a great summer? She said happily, looking to Karli and Drew. Hey guys!

Hey, both replied, plastering fake smiles on their lips.

Summer was great. Bette said simply.

Yeah but Im sorry, weve gotta get going now. Theyre showing me around the school, deans orders. Tina said, winking at Bette out of the corner of her eye. Sorry.

Who are you? Alice asked, arching a brow.

Tina, but weve really got to go or Im going to get in trouble. Tina said, tugging at Bette and Karlis arms. Bye nice to meet you, Alice.

Alice jumped alongside them, Ill come too. Ive got nothing better to do.

No, thanks though. Tina replied, continuing down the hall to the courtyard.

Yeah, we really cant. They shouldnt even be here. Bette nodded towards Karli and Drew. Supposed to be only me and the frosh.

Oh… Alice said with disappointment, Ill see you around then.

Bye. They replied, turning back towards their original destination.

Hey, you know what, do you think we could check out the theater? Tina said, looking up to Bette. I just want to check it out, Im weird like that.

Sounds like fun, you guys in? Bette turned to her two friends who were already walking in the other direction. Okay well, just you and me then.

Alright, Tina replied, following Bettes lead as they headed down numerous halls before reaching the curtained door. Tina pushed aside the black velvet blanket, glancing inside the dark theater. She smiled and walked down the aisle, fingers brushing along the backs of seats as she walked.

It really isnt that special right now. No sets or anything, no people, no… nothing? Bette said, following closely behind Tina. Her hushed voice the only sound that filled the large empty space.

Tina nodded and stepped onto the stage, she glanced out at the audience and imagined her future on this stage. What would become of her? Could she be the one standing up here before the crowd, taking a bow as a roar of applause greeted her? This place is great. She wandered towards stage left, letting Bette fall into step before her.

This would be backstage where I- Bette stopped mid-sentence, a little bit taken-aback by the sight that had unfolded before her.

The two kissing women hadnt noticed the two younger girls watching them, and they continued the lip lock, keeping each other in an embrace against the back wall. Hands were moving -very quickly- along each others torsos and legs. Bette blushed and stepped back to the stage, grabbing Tinas arm as she left the backstage.

And uhm, you know Ms. Galla. Bette laughed and nodded backstage. That was her and the varsity softball coach. Ms. Miller. Theyre partners and all that since you know, girls cant get married here and all.

Tina acknowledged Bettes words, but was off in her own world of thoughts. The way that they kissed, it was so… magnetic? So gentle, kind, happy. It wasnt like the making out between a male and a female, the male trying so hard to get some. The two women she had just viewed were so experienced, knowing each others bodies like the back of their own hand. In all her life, Tina had never expected to see anything so, passionate.

Oh and I almost forgot, Bette said quietly, leading Tina back through the aisle. Thanks for saving my ***** back there with Alice. I appreciate that. She kinda stalks me, just a little bit.

It was no problem, just think of me as your guardian angel. Its only fair, I mean you are mine.

I like the sound of that. Guardian angels. Bette nodded, pushing through the curtain back to the brightly lit hall.

Tina winced in the light, and looked to her friend, Ill look out for you no matter what.

Always and forever. Bette laughed, smiling as she made eye contact with her friend.

Always and forever. Tina repeated, her conversation ended by the bell. She just smiled simply, not saying another word, as she disappeared down the hall and to the class that awaited her.

TBC…