“Hey Bette..”

“What?!”

“Can I please cheer for Nicole again?”

“Give me one good reason why I should allow you to.”

“Umm.. if you don’t, I’m gonna rag on Kennard about how you were ogling the ladies and kept on looking at their shaking asses on stage..”

“Fuck.”

“Can I?”

“..I’m gonna get you for this Samantha.”

“Can I?”

“Go ahead.”

“Yeah!!!! Shake it Nicole! I love you!!!!! Aaaahhh!”

“I’m gonna tell Helena..”

“What?”

“Nothing. I’m telling you to loosen up my buttons babe.. but you keep frontin’.. oh yeah!!!!!!!”

—————————————————-

“Had to get out before the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head, huh?” Jenny smiled knowingly as she sat beside Tina on one of the wooden benches overlooking the lagoon. After the short visit to the ladies room, she and Tina decided to walk around a bit to catch some fresh air. She was so sure that the mini-concert was in full swing now. They would go back inside soon and her best friend would join Bette as promised, but now, they just needed a few more minutes to re-group.

Tina sighed as she fingered the newly stitched part of her dress at the slit. “Was it that obvious?” She asked in a small voice. God, when did she become so transparent?

“Yeah.” Jenny laughed. Tina cringed in response and turned beet red. “If it helps you feel better though, I don’t think Porter noticed.” She eyed Tina through the sides of her eyes and smiled meaningfully.

“How did you know?” Tina furrowed her brows, looking at her best friend quizzically. It was a good thing that Bette wasn’t as perceptive as the small girl, otherwise, she would have been exposed right from the get-go.

“I think..” Jenny paused as she bit her lip in thought. “..she just believed that you were angry because you didn’t like the group. She didn’t think you were jealous.” She shrugged. “Bette always seems to be trying so hard to please you and make you happy..” She added slowly as Tina rubbed the back of her neck while she listened to her words.

“She does.” Tina answered quietly, staring at the tranquil waters. She sighed and closed her eyes as the slightly muffled music from the pergola floated through the cold, night air. Comfortable silence landed between the two of them. Tina bit her lip, trying to collect her thoughts and prepare herself for a confession that she felt was coming for the longest time already. “I like her.” She opened her eyes and silently whispered, as if admitting her feelings to the wind. "I like her a lot."