Angela gasped and let Betty free, then embraced her softly before calming down. Without a word, all of them got back to their beds and fell asleep.

The morning after, Betty was sure she would be thrown out. After the standard morning procedure of having breakfast with Stacy, listening to Angela's morning cough, the woman came down and found the girls eating without saying a word. Betty looked up at her.
- Look, I'm sorry for what happened. Please,, if you just could give me eight hours to find another accomodation and pack my...
Angela interrupted her by kissing her softly on the cheek without a word.
- What... How..., Betty said but Angela softtly took her hand and let the fingers slide over her nose. - We'll talk about it later, she said.

Betty had a hard day at the university, trying to study rather than worrying. She came home late in the evening. Stacy was staying at a friend's place over the night. Angela asked Betty to sit down with her for a while. They sat down and started to smoke together.
- I saw it in your eyes, when you watched me that first day here of yours, Angela started. - You see, Stacy has for some reason developed some kind of... let's call it a relation to my nightly cough since she was 12 or 13. It's like she can't help it. I wasn't sure about you, of course, but I noticed how you watched me and Stacy every time any of us coughed just a little. So, when you all of sudden turned up last night, I immediately understood. In case you're wondering, what I was doing I often do just to please my girl. And, when you came there and just couldn't resist me, I directly decided to try it on you, too. Simple, or?

Totally unexpected, Angela touched Betty's cheek cheerfully and gave her a warm smile.
- But... Betty didn't know how to say this. - But, I thought you also... you know...
- Reached my point, you mean? Angela suddenly started to cough deeply.
- Yes, and it has never happened to me before. Never, she said. She got up and Betty understood it was bed time. Angela embraced Betty hardly but kindly.
- N-e-v-e-r before, she whispered in Betty's air. - And it will probably not happen again.
She left the room with Betty following her.
- Angela, Betty whispered. - Yes? - I'll move out to some other place.
Angela looked at her, disappointed.
- It's your choice, she said.
- Unless you promise to cough in my face again, Betty whispered and gave Angela a hug.