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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Define Like

"You’re going to Helena’s party tonight right?" Bette asked, popping out of nowhere, joining Tina and Jenny as the two talked beside the blonde’s locker.

Tina released a worn-out sigh before turning around to face the F4′s leader. She and Jenny were having a hushed conversation about the said party when Bette interrupted them. She wanted to come, she really did, but there were certain things that were not working in her favor. First, there was an issue about the dress. She had none. Being a girl on a very tight budget, she didn’t have a decent thing to wear to the party – apart from an old dress that resembled swiss cheese for the amount of holes it had. And quite frankly, she really didn’t want to put herself on the spot and feel mighty uncomfortable when the well-dressed snobs in attendance scrutinize her less-than-stellar wardrobe. Secondly, she had to work after school today. She just got the job and she really didn’t want to jeopardize her work by attending a party. So with that in mind, she looked at Bette and gave her answer. "No." She said simply.

"Why not?" Bette whined like a child, her face dropping in disappointment.

"Cause she has no clothes and she has to work tonight." Jenny piped in and answered for Tina. The blonde gave her the eye for doing so. A sheepish Jenny shrugged apologetically at her bestfriend.

"Who the heck are you?" Bette raised an eyebrow, finally noticing the presence of the small girl beside Tina.

Jenny wanted to roll her eyes, but stopped herself from doing so at the very last minute. "Jennifer Schecter.." She said slowly, looking at Bette’s face to see if her name registered something inside the young Porter’s mind. It didn’t. So with a big sigh, she continued. "I’ve been your classmate for four years now.. well.. not since you changed sections anyway.." She mumbled, trying to suppress the incredulity in her voice. She found it incredibly hard to believe that Bette Porter didn’t even recognize her. There were even times during their four years as classmates that they were seatmates – not to mention teammates in gym.