Rhythmic Freedom

Chapter 11, Dress Rehearsal

“Okay, what do you think?”  Tina asked as she modeled her outfit for Shane’s opinion.

Shane looked over her shoulder from where she was sitting on one of the sofas in the den and regarded the blonde with a smile.  “Looks good… I’d do you.”  She said teasing her nervous friend.

“Shane!...” Tina scolded with a stomp of her foot.  “Be serious… does this look alright or not?...” walking across the room and standing in front of the brunette.  “…I mean…” looking down at herself, “…I know we’re going to the beach, but I don’t know where we’re going for dinner and I don’t know if this is alright because depending on where we go to dinner I may need to wear something more formal but I wouldn’t think Bette would pick a place for dinner that would be formal knowing that we’re going to the beach but just in case she does take us somewhere formal I thought this might pass on the casual side of formal and still be comfortable on the beach…”  taking a breath and looking up at Shane, “so, what do ya think?”  repeating her original question.

The slender brunette bit down on her lower lip to stifle her laugh and once she felt she had reduced her amusement of the nervous blonde to a smile, she tried to speak sincerely.  “I think you look great and that Bette will like it… unless…”  implying doubt with a forced look of concern and causing Tina’s weak smile to fade with fear. 

“Unless what?”  Tina asked timidly.

“Unless she takes you somewhere formal to dinner.”  Shane teased letting go her stifled laugh.

Tina snatched up a cushion from a nearby chair and threw it at the brunette hitting her on the head.  “You ass!”  She said laughing lightly at how ridiculous she must have sounded to Shane.

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“Honestly, Alice... I don’t know where you come up with this stuff…” Bette said shaking her head at her friend as she walked across her bedroom to her full-length mirror.  “I can’t imagine that wearing the color green will make any difference in a person’s sexual desirability.”  Looking at her profile in the mirror and running her hands down the front of her black and white graphic print scoop-neck tee. She was pleased with her look; black denim capris, black Gucci high-heel slides, and black denim jewel-neck zip front jacket – nothing green. 

Alice got up from Bette’s bed where she had been perched drilling her about the brunette’s day and date that night with the blonde cellist and offering up unsolicited advise.  Bette walked into her bathroom and Alice made her way to her friend’s jewelry box arguing her point to the brunette.

“I’m just saying you should cover your bases…” finding what she was looking for in the jewelry box, she closed the box and walked over to the bathroom door.  “here…”  she said holding out a pair of simple green jade teardrop earrings.  “Wear these and test the theory.”  Smiling enthusiastically at the brunette.

Bette laid down her comb on the bathroom counter and looked at the earrings in her friend’s hand.  “I am not going to wear those Alice…” walking past the blonde and back into her bedroom. “I do not need to wear green in order to get Tina to desire me…”  turning back to face Alice, “I can not believe I’m even having this conversation… don’t you have someone else you can test your theories on?”

Alice walked back to the jewelry box and returned the earrings.  “You’re probably right… I mean you’re not a good test subject considering its obvious the ‘I need ooh la, la, la, la’ diva wants your body.” She teased.

“Alice!”  Bette exclaimed turning red faced.  “That was totally out of character for Tina she is not like that at all!...” rushing her words and raising her voice, “there’s an innocence about Tina that is genuine and the fact that she had too much to drink and probably not much to eat on top of what had to be an exhausting night performing resulting in uncharacteristic behavior is not something that should define her desires!”

“Okay, okay… calm down…”  Alice said chuckling.  “Jeez Bette…” meeting the eyes of her friend,  “I hope you know your crush is showing.”  Wiggling her brows and grinning.