“Oh – I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you or anything.”

“Like I care. Jesus, do I have to spend all night with you?”

“It’s not like this is all good fun for me either. You keep on letting me know how much you don’t like me.”

“You’re thirteen; you know nothing. Do me a favor and shut your mouth.”

Bette was really annoyed. That these kinds of stereotypes still existed, that nobody taught kids about homosexual people being normal. She could strangle that girl. She was so boring, probably even played with barbies or something. Bette would have done anything to get out of there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“She’s just… she’s gonna act all mean on me again,” Tina pouted, knowing she was behaving childish but frankly, she didn’t care. At all.

“Come on, Tina. You’re eighteen, you’re a young woman now. Don’t let her get at you.”

“I just don’t wanna go. I want to go out, meet some people here.”

“You know how important it is for me that you all come along. It’s not like we see Lucy a lot and we will probably see her even less if we don’t come here for the holidays together.”

Right at that instant, Tina’s cellphone rang. She pulled the mobile out of her pocket and looked at the caller ID. She sighed and didn’t answer, chosing to ignore her boyfriend.

Pam raised her eyebrows. Her daughter was always so anxious to pick up the phone, scared she’d miss out on helping someone or doing someone a favour.

“Who was that?”

“Nobody,” Tina shrugged.

“Come on, you can tell me. I’m your mom. By the way – you should get ready.”

“It’s just… it’s Eric. Nothing important.”

“I promise you we’ll talk about it later, but you still have to shower and get ready.”

“I really don’t -”

“Christina Melanie Kennard!” Pam shouted. “Stop behaving like a child and listen to your mother!”

“Alright,” Tina sighed, getting up. The last thing she wanted was a row with her mom.

++++

John, Sky, Tina and Pam were standing at the doorstep of Lucy’s shop. It was dark inside and Pam had just rang the bell. Soon, a light switched on and the door was opened by a happy looking woman of Pams age.

“Pamela!” Lucy said excitedly. “Come in! Bette’s here too.”