Bette remained in the same spot a moment, and smiling wryly as she allowed herself the royalty of replaying Tina’s agile body running in her mind.

“Oh Porter, you’re gonna make me puke. Why don’t you just tattoo her face onto the insides of your eyelids already?” Alice remarked sarcastically.

“She could do it herself from memory the amount of times we’ve caught her staring” Dana laughed.

Bette shook her head and made her way up the corridor.

* * * * *

Tina showered and dressed as quickly as she could. As she did, she found herself being watched by the girl introduced to her earlier.

“Hey. Helen, isn’t it?” she asked with a polite smile.

“Helena, actually, but hello” she corrected.

“Sorry, I’m Tina. Shane introduced us earlier”

“Yes, I remember. How are you finding the school?” Helena asked, politely enough.

“I like it. I mean, the school’s in good shape and the facilities are more than suitable” Tina replied, she’d been to enough high schools to recognise which were of the higher standard. This one definitely fell near the top of her scale.

“So impersonal,” Helena noted, “And the people? Do they not get an evaluation?”

“Of course. From what I’ve seen everyone’s generally lovely” Tina said, and continued, ignoring the Brit’s slight sneer, “the staff have been so accommodating, as have the students”

It was true; Tina had encountered no problems so far in making acquaintances. Helena laughed.

“Well they’re bound to be when they’re trying to get in your pants” she said. It was said quietly but also purposely loud enough to hear.

“Sorry?” Tina asked, wondering whether she’d understood correctly.

“Oh come on.. You really don’t know?” Helena smirked as Tina indicated that she didn’t, Well, Kate’s little stunt was more than transparent. And I saw the way Bette was with you. I’d recognise that look anywhere”

Tina frowned but shook her head, trying to shrug off the comment.

“You’ll hear about Bette’s reputation soon enough, Tina. I didn’t think you looked the type to fall for it, but I clearly got that wrong” she smirked maliciously as Tina made clear attempts to avoid eye contact. “How foolish of me to presume you wouldn’t be another of Porter’s nightly bed buddies.” Helena finished before taking her leave, knowing she’d hit a nerve.

* * * * *

Shane, Alice, Dana and Bette were all sat in their regular spot in the middle of the benches looking out over the Athletics field. As it neared the end of their recess, Bette glanced at her watch and frowned. Alice noticed the action and looked over to the school.

“What are the chances of Tina getting lost?” she said, “You should offer to show her around, Porter. Then she can repay you in kind..” she winked to Bette who was lying back across one of the seats below her. Bette’s face twisted into a conspiratorial smirk.

“Been there, done that” she said coolly, flicking on her sunglasses.

She knew she’d caught all of their attentions and smirked as they each tried to coax her into relinquishing more details. She merely shrugged as the bell rang out over the field.

“Nothing happened” she said with the same grin, standing up and making her way down the steps.

“Besides,” she turned and faced her three friends, “I don’t kiss and tell” she beamed as the girls whooped.

“Porter scores again!” Alice yelled, “And with a straightie too! Extra points for conversion!”

Bette turned back to head inside and felt the smile drop from her face. Tina was stood at the bottom step. Despite the distance between them, Bette could see how her eyes glistened. Without a word, she left. Bette’s mind flashed back to the way Tina had been so scared of her feelings. Now she’d broken the trust by opening her big mouth.

“Damn it!” She kicked the nearest seat, hard. She set off in the same direction, trying to ignore the sharp throbbing in her foot.

* * * * *

As Tina hurried to the bathroom, Helena’s words came back to her. She was furious at herself for being sucked into Bette’s trap. She thought of her stupid confessions the previous day, how pathetic had she looked? Had Bette been laughing about that too?

For the first time, Tina was looking forward to her father uprooting them again. Meanwhile, she vowed not to let herself get played again. Wiping her eyes, she headed off to the English class she knew Bette would be sharing.