Danny, Charlie, and Emily entered the Carefree Cafe, chuckling over Danny's tale of Dash's community service efforts.
"You girls should've seen Dash. It took him five minutes to pick up one can, while I collected over a hundred in the same time," Danny chuckled.
"For someone who claims to be strong, he sure is weak when it comes to lifting a single can," Emily giggled.
"Serves him right," Charlie added with a smile.
Seated at their table, they continued to laugh over Danny's stories. Nearby, Helsa observed them with a growl. She couldn't grasp the closeness between them. She knew the story of Charlie saving Danny's life and how they supported him when he returned the stolen items. Yet, she despised it. But why? What made her hate Danny's presence around Charlie so much?
She watched as Charlie rose to fetch their food, attempting to prevent the owner from banning Danny once more. Helsa was in a quandary. She was determined to retaliate against Charlie, and that boy was crucial to her scheme. Yet, she pondered why it troubled her so. She had no desire to mirror her father. She was more than just the progeny of envy's sin. She cast a glance backward before devising a plan.
Charlie returned with their food and sighed.
"He's still trying to ban Danny," She said, setting the food down.
"We even told him Danny left money on the counter before he left," Emily groaned.
"Something tells me he won't stop until I leave for good," Danny said, sighing.
"That's it! We warned him; I'm calling my dad," Charlie declared, pulling out her phone.
"And Sera," Emily added, taking out her phone.
Danny smiled as he watched the girls call their family members. He then sighed, knowing it would take a while. Suddenly, he felt arms drape over his shoulders, accompanied by a voice dripping with flirtation.
"Hello, handsome."
Danny turned and saw Helsa smiling at him.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
Helsa moved closer, her cheek brushing against his.
"Just wondering if you'd like to spend time with me? You seem to enjoy the company of rich girls," Helsa said loudly enough for Charlie to hear.
"Helsa, I'm not with them because they're wealthy..." Danny started to explain.
"I know. They saved your life. That story is famous around town," Helsa remarked, still smiling.
"It's because Sam kept trying to drive us apart," Charlie interjected, ending the call.
"And she thinks we should only associate with the affluent while Daniel should stick with outcasts like himself," Emily chimed in, also disconnecting.
"Seriously?!" Helsa exclaimed, astonished.
'How fucked up is she in the head?' She wondered silently.
"So, care to explain why you're wrapping your arms around our friend?" Charlie asked, glaring.
Helsa looked down before she smiled.
'Good, she noticed,' she thought before continuing her plan.
"Just wondering how a man like him would react to a girl's arms around him," she said, smirking.
"I'll have you know that both Emily and I have done that before!" Charlie retorted, still glaring.
"So, you've slept with him?" Helsa inquired, noticing Charlie's blush.
"NOT LIKE THAT!" Charlie screamed, embarrassed.
"We've passed out and slept near each other, but we've never shared a bed," Emily clarified, understanding what Helsa was implying.
"Helsa, please remove your arms from him," Charlie said, trying to suppress her blush.
"How about no?" Helsa smirked, planting a kiss on Danny's cheek.
Danny was taken aback by the kiss, while Charlie was fuming. She sensed Helsa was plotting something, and Emily had to ensure Charlie didn't react in a way that would be detrimental to all.
"Helsa, you're aware that you're violating his personal space, aren't you? It's unwise," Emily interjected.
Helsa rolled her eyes and edged even closer to Danny.
"Oh, I'm aware," she smirked, inching even closer.
Danny's cheeks flushed a deeper shade, his mind racing with the thought of her lips on his. Overwhelmed, he swiftly ducked under the table and reemerged between Charlie and Emily. Helsa looked on, taken aback by his quick escape from her grasp.
"Look, Helsa, you're a sweet girl, but I barely know you," Danny explained. "It's tough enough getting people to believe I worked part-time for Verosika Mayday, let alone that she kissed me. I'm just not the kind of guy to toy with someone's emotions. If you're interested in friendship, we should start slow and you'll need to let go of any hard feelings towards Charlie," He suggested.
"Hold on, did you just mention Verosika Mayday?! She was actually here?" Helsa asked, astonished.
"Yes, months ago," Charlie replied, shooting Danny a glare.
"Charlie..." Danny groaned, aware that she was still fixated on that kiss.
"How on the actual fucking earth did you manage to get a kiss from Verosika Mayday?!" Helsa exclaimed.
"I had been dared to kiss someone, and she overheard and volunteered. There was no one else around, and I certainly wasn't going to kiss my best friends," Danny explained, sighing deeply.
Helsa was in disbelief. First Charlie, and now Verosika Mayday? Who was this boy? Her shock quickly faded, replaced by a smile.
"Well, you're certainly more interesting than I initially thought," she remarked, pulling out a piece of paper.
"Here you go, big boy," She said, handing it to him.
Danny accepted it, puzzled, until he noticed the number.
"Wait, are you giving me your number?" Danny inquired, surprising Charlie.
"Indeed. If you've managed to impress a popstar and two other girls..." Helsa began, smirking at them, "...then it's undeniable that you'll charm many more."
She then playfully tapped his nose.
"See you around, cutie," She winked before walking away.
Danny stood there, blinking as she departed. He glanced at the number, then back at his friends.
"What just happened?" He asked, utterly baffled.
I'm concluding this chapter at this point. I've revisited my concept of Helsa attempting to lure Danny away, and although it's different from my initial approach, I'm content with the outcome. Helsa made another attempt to flirt with Danny, pushing Charlie aside in the process. There isn't much to comment on this part. Upon my return, I'll begin rewriting the episode titled "What You Want."