Nikola, we should really end this, but…
Helen walked arm in arm with John headed to her Chemistry class. They had been courting for a year and John had recently proposed.
"You looked lovely last night." He whispered in her ear. Helen ducked her head and felt a blush creep into her cheeks.
"And do I not look lovely today?" She questioned.
"Certainly not. You look stunning today."
"Excellent save, Mr. Druitt."
"Thank you Miss Magnus. Now as I was saying, you looks lovely last night, but it's a shame our evening was cut short by the rain." Helen bent her head and blushed again. But for all of the wrong reasons. Her mind flashed to the night before.
John and Helen had been out together for a night of fun. But that night had been cut short when it had started to rain. It was late and Helen told him she needed to check on some of the Abnormals. John had wanted to walk her home but Helen had insisted he head home so not to get a cold.
Helen had reached the Sanctuary, sopping wet. James had scolded her for going out without an umbrella and made her dry off before heading down to check on the newest intake.
After spending ten minutes drying herself off and changing, Helen made her down to see the newest intake. They had named him Jasper, and he was, in essence, a Pan. Half man, half goat. He was quite friendly and very funny. He had come to the Sanctuary, with several bullets lodged in his leg after being shot in the woods.
Helen came down to Jasper's enclosure where he was sitting quietly reading a book.
"And how are we doing today, Jasper? How is your leg feeling?" She said, coming up to him and his tree.
"Wonderful, thank you, Doctor Magnus. A little sore but getting better."
"That is excellent. Do you mind if I change the dressing? You old one is covered in dried blood."
"Not at all." Helen smiled and came forward, to change the dressing. When she was done, Helen stood.
"There. All done. Now, if I could suggest something?"
"Of course." He said nodding.
"May I suggest you get some sleep? You've hardly slept since you got here."
"I've gone days without sleeping."
"As have I, but you really do need to rest. You were shot five times." Jasper sighed and relented.
"Fine; I'll get some sleep."
"Well, I hope you have a good sleep."
"I will. Goodnight Doctor Magnus."
"Goodnight Jasper."
Once she was done with Jasper, Helen checked on a few other residents, and headed back up to the front door. She looked for an umbrella, but none were to be seen. So, Helen sighed and headed out into the pouring rain.
She had made it about six feet out the front door when she heard someone calling her name.
"Helen! Helen!" She turned and searched the darkness. A man came running towards her and it took her a minute to realize who it was.
"Nikola? Is that you?"
"Yes!" He said, shouting through the rain. As he came closer she realized he had an umbrella. She dashed towards him.
As soon as she reached him, Nikola put the umbrella over her head. And she, immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
"Nikola! It's so good to see you!" He laughed and enveloped his free arm around her waist.
"It's good to see you too!" Helen suddenly remembered something and stepped back from him. Once she was separated from him, Helen brought her hand up and slapped Nikola hard across the face. He stepped back and stared at her wide eyed.
"What was that for?" He asked, rubbing his jaw. Helen's face contorted further into anger and she slapped him again.
"What was that…?" Helen raised her hand again and Nikola stopped talking.
"Where the bloody hell have you been?" She screamed.
"Helen…"
"No! Where have you been? You've been gone for almost a year!"
"Well…"
"You didn't tell anyone where you were going! You didn't call, or write! You didn't…"
"I'm sorry!"
"Where have you been?" The joy of seeing her old friend was ruined by the anger of his leaving.
"I went to America!" Helen could see Nikola's own anger rising. Anger for what, she didn't know.
"And you didn't tell anyone? What the bloody hell is wrong with you?"
"I didn't think anyone would care! You knew I was considering leaving!"
"I didn't think you'd leave!"
"And why not? I have nothing left here!" Helen opened her mouth to yell back, but closed it as she took in his words. She tried talking again but couldn't. Instead she felt tears welling up in her eyes. But instead of crying, Helen took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, pushing past Nikola.
"Helen…" He called. She turned back to him, standing on the Sanctuary's front steps.
"Nothing left here, hmmm?" Her anger was back and her tears had already fallen, not that it mattered, you couldn't tell because of the rain.
"I…"
"I thought you cared about me! I thought we were friends! I thought…" But before Helen could finish, Nikola was up the steps, standing in front of her. He dropped the umbrella and leaned down capturing her lips with his in a passionate kiss. Helen gasped which turned into a sigh as Nikola cupped her face. Helen forgot about everything; The Sanctuary, her busy life, John. She just let her fiancé drift to the back of her mind as she started kissing Nikola back. She had missed him and all Helen could think of was how badly he wanted him.
She and Nikola never made it anywhere past her bed. Helen was rudely jostled from her thoughts when they had reached her Chemistry class. John leaned down and pecked her lips with a sweet, short kiss. Helen smiled and headed into class.
"Yes, it's a shame it rained." She whispered to herself.