BEACH – PART ONE

Did it matter then, she asked herself, walking towards Bond Street, did it matter that she must inevitably cease completely; all this must go on without her; did she resent it; or did it not become consoling to believe that death ended absolutely?

A shadow darkened the pages of the small book, rendering the closely printed letters illegible. Bette frowned her eyebrows and shifted her book in a different angle, biting her thumb nail as she always did when she was engrossed with something. The shadow moved with the book. Slowly she looked up, disbelief apparent in her eyes at the sight in front of her. She would have lost her balance had she not been relaxing on a towel. This never happened – nobody ever came to her when she was sitting by herself once again. And certainly not this person. No, of all people, Tina Kennard was the last one who would talk to her.

“What are you reading?” a beautiful, melodious voice asked.

Bette searched her memory for a precedent, but could not find any. She was absolutely positive that this was the first time that the most typical All-American girl you have ever met spoke to her. Tina Kennard, one older sister and one younger brother, her father owning a company and her mother staying at home to look after the kids. Tina Kennard, head chearleader, girlfriend of the football captain. Tina Kennard, Homecoming princess as a freshman, sophomore and junior, without a doubt the next Homecoming Queen. Tina Kennard, always the prettiest girl of them all. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but generally kind and not stupid either. But as far as Bette knew, she was too busy with her friends and keeping off the slimes following her around to look at the shy brunette twice.

“Hey, anyone home?” Tina asked with a teasing smile that made Bette’s heart beat faster. The brunette prayed that her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt – the last thing she needed was for the gorgeous blonde to know that she had had an eye on her since sixth grade, when she came to town and made everyone fall in love with her. She was Bette Porters first love and over the years, the feelings had only increased. Bette remembered every look Tina had given her, interested or not. Every small smile, every word she had said – even though these were all to be placed in the context of classes. She knew her entire garderobe, was the first to notice any minor change in Tina’s appearance. Not that she ever said anything.