Tina was lazily watching tv while Marco, still in his bathing suit, was dozing off at her side. Muting the screen, Tina turned to look at her friend who noticing the stare, opened his eyes looking back at Tina.

Si? he asked, noticing the quiet look on his friends face.

What is like, being *****? asked Tina, her words barely a whisper.

What? Asked a surprised Marco, totally awake now.

Being *****, how is it feels? Tina asked, trying to sound nonchalant but feeling a knot in her stomach

Taking a few seconds before answering, Marco sat still.

I dont know, how it feels being blonde? He said, sweetly smiling at Tina.

Nodding, Tina blushed a little.

Why you asking me this, Cara? Marco asked taking Tinas hand, sweetly caressing it .

I dont knowI saw Bette Porter today and we talked, about nothing reallyworkbut mostly her friends, she is Danas friend remember?, she also knows Shane, and Aliceand and all of them are lesbians whispered Tina, trying to explain herself.

I know nodded Marco.

You know? asked Tina, surprised.

Nodding, Marco smiled again.

Yeah wellI was just wondering Tina added, lightly shaking her head

Ok said Marco after a minute, taking time to decide, knowing there was something else in Tinas mind but then giving her time to share it.


***

It was early in the morning and Tina, unaware of the time moving forward, was finally developing Bettes photographs in the dark room, finding new things about the brunette.

Images, words, feelings from the afternoon she spent at Bettes were messing her mind, making her to wonder, to doubt and, in many cases, to shiver.
With each new photo she printed, she noticed new lights in Bettes eyes. With each new negative she developed she found stories never told in Bettes smile.
Time was flying and Tina was finding difficult not to stop and stare at the wet prints that were hanging around in the dark room. Each wet print was a story never told, a secret never voiced, a song never shared. What Tina was seeing in her pictures was exactly was she knew was going to be there. Something exclusive, something forbidden, something that she was pretty sure many people didnt know about Bette.
It was a completely different woman from the one who James introduced her to. It was a different woman from the Bette in control that Lilly talked about. It was a different woman from what the legend was telling around. And Tina was curious, intrigued moved. Just then, unaware of how sensually she was caressing her latest print, cleaning the water that was slowly falling down, she heard a knock on the door. Surprised, she looked around, checking if everything was in its place. Leaving the print on the table she walked towards the safedoor, wondering if maybe the safelight was off.

Come on in she shouted taking one last look at her work

She heard doors opening and closing and then saw the door in front of her slowly opening. At first she didnt realize who it was but as the person moved forward she noticed the firm pace that was unmistakable Bettes.

Bette Tina whispered, astonished.

Tina, hiI I called you and Marco told me you were here, workingI was wondering if maybe you had my pictures Bette said, moving closer to Tina, trying to sound as honest as possible, noticing the lameness of her words.

Yeah, I was just working on them Tina said. Waving, pointing the prints hanging around.

May I? asked Bette, getting use to the darkness.

Looking around, thinking for a second, Tina finally nodded, whispering.

Yeahthese are just a few of them

Ok Bette whispered, moving closer to Tina.

Tina, noticing, feeling Bettes proximity, handed her latest print.

Careful, is still wet she added, caressing what it was the print of Bettes beautiful face.

Thanks whispered Bette, carefully holding the print, noticing Tinas tender hands.

It took Bette a minute to focus, to be able to take a good look at the print. Mute, not knowing what to say, she left the print on the table and quietly moved to the end of the room where the rest of the prints were drying.

Slowly, very carefully she looked at each and every one of them. Tina, meanwhile, was nervously observing while checking on the two photographs that were still in the liquids, slowly developing Bettes features.

Cradling the liquids Tina didnt notice Bette moving at her side. Feeling her body warmth, she looked up from the water finding Bette staring at her.

Tina started Bette, not finding the words she wanted to voice.

Having Bette so close, barely inches apart, Tina noticed for the first time, a tiny scar close to Bettes right eyebrow. Unaware of what she was doing, she raised her hand slowly placing her finger on the scar.

What happened? she sweetly whispered, caressing Bettes scar.

II Bette mumbled, feeling her knees weakening, her senses vanishing.

II fall off my bike when I was a kid she finally mumbled, noticing Tinas lips falling apart.

Tina, the photographs are beautiful Bette added, confused, dizzy trying to hold herself on the words that were escaping her lips.

Shhhs mumbled Tina shaking her head, moving lightly closer, slowly leaning forward.