Chapter Five: Love It or Fight It.
Hey y'all I'm back! So, just a heads up, this chapter is what I like to refer as 'the seemingly calm before the storm', because after this, you will meet Helen's mother…..ACA-AWKWARD. On another issue, I'd really appreciate it if I could start getting more reviews. My biggest pet peeve is not knowing if those who are reading like it or not.
YourEnchantingDesire: I will NOT say anything about that particular subject of Helen and Aro's relationship. You will find out what happens at the end, I'm sorry.
Cutie Bunny: Helen is as curious as a kitten in my mind. I think this chapter will answer your question….
"I do everything the man does, only backwards and in high heels!"– Ginger Rogers
"I never understood why a guy and girl couldn't hang out without at least one person assuming that they're a couple. I hung out with Wes's friends back when he was on the swim team and no one ever asked if I was dating them. Then again, Wesley would probably knock out their two front teeth if they ever made a move on me."
Saturday came with a feeling of anticipation. Helen wasn't nervous that Des was coming over to her house; when she was a little girl she had boys over for play dates all the time. Most of them were for Wesley, though.
No, Helen was nervous for Des, because her Dad had brought out his hunting rifle and 'conveniently' lied it down on the dining room table.
"Dad," she said in an exhausted voice, "what are you doing?!"
"Flapjack, I'm thinking about going back into hunting" He lied, "Henry needs a hobby other than that weird science stuff."
"If it wasn't for that 'weird science stuff', you'd have no cases," Helen replied smugly. "Please don't get all 'Papa bear' with Des. He's a good guy."
"I believe you, sweetie," he assured, "but I prosecute people whose families say that their son, brother, or father is 'a good guy'." He added bitterly.
"Dad," Helen warned, "do not scare him. Believe me, if Des ever laid a hand on me for alternative reasons to Pas des Deux, I'd taser his sorry ass."
"Language, young lady," Richard replied sternly.
"I'll be fifteen in a week and a half, Daddy," Helen retorted.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Later that day at exactly three-o-five, the doorbell rang in the Hendricks house. Helen scurried to the door dressed in a dark blue leotard and black tights combined with her pointe shoes. Her hair was pulled into a messy ballet bun.
"Hey, come on in, stranger," she said cheerfully while opening the door for him.
"Thanks, you're house is huge and kind of awesome," he said with a cute smile. His black hair was wavier than usual and his glasses were gone, revealing his soft greenish-grey eyes. From what Helen could tell, he had shaved and showered.
"It's old fashioned," she stated, "but it's home."
Des revelled in the Hendricks House, a flicker of fear crossed his face when he saw Richard's gun on the dining room table, but he let it go when he walked into the kitchen and sat down his pale grey backpack.
"It's amazing," he replied, "my house is about ten times smaller than this!"
"Well, ma maison est votre maison," Helen said with a smile. She noticed his confused look and gave him a playful grin, "make yourself at home, dummy."
Her face turned white when she saw Wesley walk down the stairs, 'well this should be good,' she thought nervously. "Hi Wes," Helen replied sheepishly, "this is my friend," she motioned to Des.
Wesley stared Des up and down with a dry look, "Hi," he said with a bitter voice. "I'm Wesley, Helen's older brother. You disrespect her, you hurt her in any way, and I'll kill you, got it?"
"Wesley!" Helen interjected, "it's not like that! We're just friends!" She faced Des with an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, my brother's an idiot. Wes don't you have a shift at Nemo's?" She said coldly.
"I was just about to leave," he said with a bitter smirk and left the room, but not before giving Des another death glare.
"I'm really sorry," Helen said softly, "he's kind of protective."
"It's fine," Des asssured, "I'm sure if I had an older sister, she'd get the same idea too."
Helen exhaled and regained her composure, "well do you want a snack or something before we head upstairs?"
"Got anything sweet?" He asked innocently.
"We have butterscotch scones and red velvet cookies." Helen replied, "we Hendricks's have the hereditary gene to love sugar."
"Wow," Des said in amazement as Helen went into the pantry and brought the two plastic bins out. "I'd think that with your...athletically toned body, that you'd eat nothing but carrots and lettuce, like Allie Alexander."
Helen rolled her eyes, "don't assume that I'm anything like that uptight 'Betty Bunhead'. I burn fat like that," she said while snapping her fingers, "but that's because I'm very active. I eat healthy don't get me wrong."
"Oh, thank you," he smiled while Helen handed him a napkin containing a scone and a cookie. Des took a bite of the red velvet cookie and sighed with pleasure, "this is the best cookie in the world!"
"It's an old recipe," she grinned, " it's called Tom Thumb."
"Alright," Helen said while catching her breath after the fourth time of running it through, "let's work on the fouette. We'll start on the transition from Adagio to Allegro."
"Okay," Des said while grabbing a drink from his water bottle, his hair was covered with sweat and his face was turning red. "Do you mind if we take a break first though?"
"Yeah," she exhaled deeply, "let's take a break." Helen walked over and grabbed her own water bottle. She was getting frustrated, they had the entire routine down by memory, but she knew why Des wanted to practice, he wasn't placing any artistic ability into the dance.
"Des you've got to put some feeling into this," she stated while sitting on the floor.
"I'm trying, I really am!" He defended.
"Do or do not do, there is no try." Helen recited with a snarky tone.
"I don't need you're Yoda, Helen!" He said loudly.
"Okay, sorry" she replied softly. "It's called 'the dance of two' for a reason, Des. This particular dance of two involves two people who have just met and they click. It is absolute true love at first sight. Cinderella and the Prince are so madly in love, that if they take their eyes off of each other, they might fall to pieces. It's almost like having a crush, a really strong one too. When you see the person you have a crush on, you smile gets brighter, you walk a little taller, everything about the world seems different.
"Let's try again," Helen said while standing up and brushing loose hair behind her ears. She picked up the remote and hit play on the stereo. Des firmly held Helen's waist while she grasped his forearms and extended her right leg into arabasque. Their eyes met, Helen didn't know why, but she felt her heart beat a little faster.
"So how was your date?" Henry teased while they ate dinner with Carole at Fish City Grill.
"Well," Helen said with a snarky tone, "first he held my legs while I stretched them, then we practiced the technically demanding turns, we ran through the routine five times, he ate a cookie and left. Was that exciting enough for you, twerp?"
"So," Carole changed the subject, "is Des nice?"
"Yeah, he's cool," Helen replied nonchalantly, "but he is cute, unlike Henry."
"Hey!"
"Flapjack," her father warned.
"Richard, why do you call Helen 'Flapjack'?" Carole asked innocently.
"Helen refuses to call pancakes, 'pancakes', because they remind her of 'Pancake Tutus' for ballet. She says that the appropriate word is: flapjack." Richard took a bite of his shrimp stew, "so I decided to call her Flapjack."
"I think that's really sweet," Carole said while flashing her white teeth.
"Back on another subject," Wesley said with a bit of a tone, "I don't want that Des kid back at our house, he seems sketchy."
"He seemed fine when I met him," their father assured.
"He is fine." Helen corrected, "Wes is just going into 'overly-attached older brother mode'."
"I don't like him," he sneered.
"Why?" Helen asked harshly, "because he was your age when you started dating girls? Or because he was your age when you slept with a girl for the first time?"
"Both." Wesley stated, "and I know what's going on in his head, you don't."
"Wes," Helen warned sharply, "for me to even consider Des like that, we'd have to be dating. Which we are not!"
"Henry," Carole interjeted to break the tension, "would you like to order dessert?"
"Yeah!" He said excitedly. Out of the three of the Hendricks children, Henry liked Carole the best, because he was the only child in the family who never remembered their mother.
"Does anyone else want to order dessert?"
"Wessy," Helen said innocently, "do you wanna split a creme puff?"
"Sure," he smiled.
Monday morning Repertoire had no new surprises. Allie sucked up to Ramona and Sydney got yelled at. Helen walked into Pas des Deux with an air of confidence, she had faith in Des and knew that he wouldn't forget what she had told him.
Ramona Vasquez and Zack Evans sat in two chairs next to Aro, he gave Helen a look of happiness when she looked at him.
"Alright!" Ramona said dryly, "first up, Alison Alexander and Jordan Goodfellow."
'Well this should be interesting', Helen thought with a sarcastic grin, 'a Cinderella who looks like she's constipated and a Prince Charming who looks like he's going to be sick. What a combo.'
"You don't think they'll tear each other apart, do you?" Des asked causing Helen to smile.
"Why am I hearing talking?" Zack asked in a tone much softer than Ramona's, "you should all be focusing on keeping warm."
Allie smirked while Jordan lifted her. Her eyes gazed at Helen and then back to Jordan, the latter of which seemed disturbed by his partner. After they finished their last turn and ended in a uncomfortable embrace, the duo finished and waited for the teacher's opinions.
"Wow, Alison and Jordan," Ramona said while blinking her eyes fastly as to not look at her, "I have seen a more disgusting variation in my whole career. I'm going to need a minute to shake that out of my head."
Allie and Jordan bit their lips and fought back snarls, Zack spoke softly, "guys, full marks for technical perfection. But this is just to much of an artistically demanding piece to overlook that you both have made no attempt to show positive feelings for the other. Constipation and sickness are not the looks that Cinderella and the Prince are supposed to feel when they see each other. I want you to remember that, because next time if you don't show us some artistry it will be zero, regardless of technical perfection."
"Helen," Ramona said while looking towards her, "you and Arthur go next, I need some actual dancing after watching these two." Helen nodded and walked over to centre stage with Des. She looked him sqaure in the eye, his glasses were gone again, had he decided to get contacts? Next thing she knew, the music started and the fast pace of her heart came back. Helen's cheeks flushed red while Des looked at her like she was the most wonderful thing in the whole world.
When he lifted her up, she pushed some of his hair back while cupping his face. Adding more artistry than she had intended to. On the final step, she was trying very hard not to find him incredibly irresistable. His stupid lips looked so kissable! Damn him for being so damn attractive!
Ramona and Zack's clapping brought them both back to reality, Helen glanced over and saw Sydney and Aggie whispering to each other with smug grins.
"Wonderful!" Ramona said with a surprising smile, "full marks, both of you! I found nothing wrong with that! The chemistry the two of you showed was spectacular!"
"I agree with her," Zack said proudly, "that is exactly what the variation is supposed to look like. I honestly think, Helen, that you and Arthur have shown me one of the best variations for that particular piece. And the fact that you're both only first years makes it even more incredible."
Helen and Des both smiled while Ramona and Zack said for the next pair to begin. She watched while Natasha and Brandon Finnerty walked to the centre stage. She than glanced over at Aro and assumed he would be giving her an affectionate gaze, but instead she saw him giving Des a death glare, weird.
"Helen and Des," Sydney sang while skipping circles around Helen in the parking lot, "Helen and Des, Helen and-OW!" She cried in pain as Helen punched her lightly on the arm as means of getting her to stop.
"That hurt!" Syd said in a childlike tone.
"Then stop singing and skipping like a weirdo," Helen retorted with a smirk.
"I think you of all people would know that I'm always going to be a weirdo, Helen," Sydney corrected happily.
"Guys!" Aggie shouted while running up to them, her voice of panic and worry, "did you hear?!"
"Hear what?" Helen asked with concern.
"I was in the doctor's office getting some bandaids for my blisters and Des was brought in by a couple of third years, they found him near the bottom of the stairs clutching his left knee. He's waiting in there for an ambulance; Doctor Willis thinks it's fractured."
"Oh my god!" Helen said with worry, "I have to go check on him!" Before the two girls could say anything, Helen bolted back into the school.
Helen ran as fast as she could into the doctor's office, "where's Des?!" She asked Doctor Willis.
"Helen," she replied calmly, "Arthur was just sent out the back door on a gurney by some Paramedics. I wanted the students to remain calm. I suppose Agatha told you what I said?"
"Is it really fractured?" Helen asked nervously while holding back tears.
"I think so," she replied, "I won't know anything until I get a word from the hospital."
"How did this happen?" Helen said with confusion and frustration.
"Arthur said he was...thrown down the stairs by someone he couldn't see. Probably a student who just found out they've been rejected by the company, putting Mr. Desmond at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Is he going to be okay?"
"I'm sure your boyfriend will be alright, Miss Hendricks." Doctor Willis smiled somberly.
"He's not my boyfriend," Helen corrected softly.
"Really? He asked Agatha to tell you what happened to him."
Helen's eyes gre wide as she turned and walked out the door, 'what the hell is happening to my life?!'
Helen sat by the curve on the grass and hugged her knees, Des was injured and she somehow had a gut wrenching feeling like she had done something wrong. Why did this happen to Des? Des was the kindest and...cutest boy she had ever met.
"It's not fair," she breathed. Her bag buzzed and she grabbed her phone, a text from Wesley: 'Held up at Nemo's. Can u get a ride?'
She rolled her eyes and groaned, 'sure, u owe me.'
Helen stood up and grabbed her bags and walked back inside the school to see if anyone was left, though she had her doubts.
'Four more days and I'll legally be able to have a learner's permit' she thought bitterly to herself. Helen prayed that some dedicated third year would still be around, but so far the only person left was the janitor.
Helen turned around towards the door, she would either need to call her Dad or Carole, both of whom were probably at arraignment.
"Hello, sweet one," she turned when she felt the familiar cold but loving touch on her shoulder. Aro greeted her with a loving smile upon seeing her face, a peculiar thing happened when she looked at him, his eyes were now pitch black instead of the usual milky red and dark circles had formed under his eyes. Not enough sleep combined with color contacts?
"Hello, Aro," Helen replied. "Why are you still here?"
"Paperwork," he said softly while raising his hand in dismissal. "With the company drawing up contracts, every hopeful third year is turning towards the patrons for support. Of course I have no intention of helping anyone other than you, Mia Stella."
"You're neverending faith in me is astounding," Helen replied causing Aro to laugh.
"Never you mind my troubles, sweet Helen. Go home, you shouldn't keep your elder brother busy." He added while patting her affectionately on the head.
"I'm not," she added with a sigh, "Wesley is held up at the restaurant. I am looking for a lonely soul with a car."
"Come along then, sweet child." Aro ordered softly and fatherly, his eyes meeting hers to bring out whatever power he held over her, "it will be getting dark very soon, and sweet little children should never wait in the dark."
"Well, if you don't mind," Helen shuffled her feet sheepishly.
"It is no trouble at all," he assured, "however, my family and I will be heading out to dinner, so we must make haste."
"Did you hear what happened to Des?" Helen asked while making conversation in the car, she was sitting right next to her patron in the familiar balck limousine. Aro cocked his head in curiosity and confusion. "Arthur Desmond," she corrected herself.
"Ah, yes," he sighed, "sad isn't it? The poor boy had such a bright future."
"You didn't seem to fond of him in Pas des Deux," Helen stated.
"I didn't particularly enjoy the way he looked at you with obvious amorous intention, Helen."
"God," Helen groaned, "first my Dad, then Wesley, and now you? Is every male in my life going to despise this boy? I'm probably going to go home and Henry will have some reason to hate him."
"I do not have contempt for the boy because of his thoughts, in fact I understand why he would desire you. You're a very lovely and charming girl, Helen. You've certainly won me over on your side. My dislike for Arthur Desmond is due to my wish that you shall never be hurt by anyone. I am positive that Richard Hendricks and your brother would share my philosophy," Aro said with another sigh.
"My Dad is easier on him," Helen explained, "but, no, Wesley hates him because he started sleeping with girls when he was fifteen. I think he sees his old self and his mistakes in Des and assumes that Des and I will start doing it."
"I'm not overly fond of that thought, either." Aro stated with a soft anger.
"We well we're not 'a thing', contrary to whatever Sydney might sing to the skies about."
The corners of his mouth formed into a smile, "thank goodness, you are much too young to be with another male."
"Finally! Someone accepts it when I say that!" Helen groaned, "I don't need a boyfriend. Even if I did I wouldn't have the slightest clue what to do. I've never even kissed a guy."
"Then save your kiss for the one who truly deserves it, Mia Stella, do not waste it on some unscrupulous failure who will bring you heartache." Aro explained softly.
"Well I don't think Des is an 'unscrupulous failure'," Helen replied innocently, "but I see your point. No boyfriends for me, not yet, anyways."
"That's right, good girl." He praised with a proud grin, he cupped her face in his cold hands and looked her directly in the eyes. "these foolish boys are nothing but trouble. Something you do not need."
"I don't need trouble," Helen breathed and accepted and believed every bit his words, "and boys are trouble." Aro nodded at her intake of his wisdom and lovingly kissed her forehead in approval.
"Hey Syd," Helen said to her on the phone while laying on her bed, resting on her stomach, legs kicking up and down later that night in her pink, cotton tank-top and lime green cotton pajama bottoms. "So I've decided not to focus on boys."
"WHAT?!" Sydney said in shock on the other line, "NO!"
"Yeah, boys are trouble and that's the last thing I need right now," Helen explained, "I have a little Jiminy Cricket to be guide since this afternoon."
"But I already made a colorful poster for you and Des!" Sydney whined making Helen giggle.
"Well, put some white out on my name, and when Des get's a girlfriend, you can put her name on it." Helen replied happily.
"SYDNEY O'DELL DOES NOT PUT WHITE OUT ON A COLORFUL POSTER!" Syd yelled loudly.
"Then you're just going to have to keep it as a momento of what might have been," Helen sighed nonchalantly.
"You're 'Boring Helen', where's 'Fun Helen'?" Sydney asked while clearly pouting on the other line.
"About to go to sleep," Helen yawned, "see ya in Repertoire. Nigh' Night'."
"Night." The line went dead and Helen sat her phone next to her smiley faced alarm clock. She turned off her lamp on the nightstand, curled under the covers and laid down and waited for sleep to take her away.
Helen couldn't tell what time it was when she awoke to a sound of the house phone ringing, but she knew it was still dark out. At first she thought if she ignored the sound, it would go away, but the phone rang continuosly. Helen groaned and got up out of her bed, she walked down the stairs into the kitchen in a zombie-like fashion.
"Hello?" She asked, still half-asleep.
"Helen! It's Carole!" She said in a worried voice on the other line, "I need to speak to Richard! Where is he?!"
"Asleep," she grumbled in frustration.
"Well get him up and hand him the phone!"
"Carole, it's..." Helen glanced at the oven clock, "two forty-five in the morning, can't this wait?!"
"Helen," Carole said with a harsh voice, "fifteen people were found murdered exactly the same way as the same guy who tried to rape you was found murdered." That woke her up. Helen dashed down the hall and shoved open the master bedroom door. She shook and shook and shook her Dad until he woke up panting and terrified, he reached to his nightstand and turned on his lamp.
"Helen, what the hell are you doing up?! It is almost three in the morning!" Richard shouted softly as to not wake up Wesley or Henry from upstairs.
"Carole's on the line from the law firm, and you need to hear what she has to say!" Helen also yelled softly.
"If they've caught the rapist, then have the detectives hold him-slash-her at the precinct until the morning!" Richard groaned and buried his face in his pillow.
"Dad! Answer the phone!" Helen yelled louder.
Richard Hendricks groaned and snatched the phone from Helen, "Carole, why in the hell are you calling at-" he paused when he must've heard the same thing that Helen heard only moments ago.
"Thanks, honey. Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow too, bye."
Richard sat up and placed the phone on his nightstand and ran his hands through his messy brown hair.
"We've got a serial killer on the lose."
HOPE YOU ALL LIKED THIS CHAPTER! AGAIN PLEASE REVIEW!