A week had passed since the near-disaster that had almost shattered Helena's resolve. The bruises on Selena's arms had faded, but the emotional weight of what had transpired remained heavy.
Helena's heart still ached—she couldn't stop thinking about how close she had come to losing her sister to the shadows of the Black Market. Everything felt like it was slipping away, and no matter how much she tried to be strong, the weight of their circumstances was becoming unbearable.
Amidst all this, Jay had quietly started to become more involved in her life. Helena wasn't sure when it started, but his presence brought an odd sense of comfort she hadn't expected.
They had known each other for so long, yet recently, something between them had shifted. He seemed to understand without her needing to say anything, offering support without asking for too much in return.
Summer vacation has arrived.
One afternoon, Helena found herself sitting alone at a small café near the school, staring blankly at the steam rising from her cup of tea. She didn't notice when Jay entered, but when he slid into the chair across from her, she didn't flinch.
"You've been quiet this week," Jay said softly, his voice warm with concern.
Helena looked up, meeting his gaze. His eyes were filled with a gentle understanding that made her chest tighten. "A lot's been going on," she replied, her voice softer than usual.
Jay didn't push. Instead, he reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. It was a simple gesture, but it grounded her. "You don't have to tell me everything. But I'm here, okay? If you need someone to talk to."
Helena looked down at his hand, the warmth of his touch seeping into her skin. For a long moment, she didn't say anything. The emotional rollercoaster of the past week had left her feeling vulnerable, and part of her wanted to close herself off from the world.
But with Jay, it was different. She felt safe—safer than she had in a long time.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "For being here."
Jay smiled, his hand gently squeezing hers. "I'll always be here."
They sat in silence for a while, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Helena found solace in the quiet, in Jay's quiet presence. He didn't demand anything from her—he just let her be. And that was exactly what she needed.
---
Later that evening, Helena found herself walking with Jay through the park, the evening air cool but pleasant. They didn't talk much at first, simply walking side by side, the rhythm of their footsteps keeping time with the thoughts swirling in Helena's head.
She was still worried about Selena—her sister had been distant since the incident with the Black Market, but Helena couldn't push too hard without risking another fight.
Jay glanced at her, sensing the weight on her shoulders. "You're still thinking about her, aren't you?"
Helena nodded. "I can't help it. She's been doing things—dangerous things—and I don't know how to stop her." She let out a soft sigh, the frustration in her voice clear. "It's like every time I try to protect her, she slips further away."
Jay stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression serious but kind. "You don't have to carry all of this alone, Helena. You're allowed to lean on someone."
Helena met his gaze, feeling the intensity behind his words. "I've been doing this for so long—looking after her, trying to keep us both safe. I don't know how to let someone else in."
"I get that," Jay said softly. There was something in his voice—a depth of understanding that caught Helena off guard. "But you don't have to do it alone anymore. You've got me."
Helena's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat. There was something unspoken between them—a connection that had always been there but felt stronger now. The way he looked at her, the way he was always there when she needed him—it was starting to feel like more than just friendship.
Jay took a step closer, his hand brushing against her arm. "I care about you, Helena. And I know things are complicated right now, but I'm here. Whatever you need, I'm here."
Helena's pulse quickened, her chest tightening with a mix of emotions. She had always known Jay cared about her—he had been there through so much already.
But now, standing here in the dim evening light, she felt something different. Something deeper. It wasn't just about comfort or friendship anymore.
"I care about you too," she whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Jay smiled, that warm, gentle smile that always made her feel like things might be okay. For the first time in weeks, Helena allowed herself to feel something other than fear or worry. It was a small moment of peace, of hope.
They continued walking, but this time, there was a new energy between them—a quiet understanding, a shared feeling that neither of them spoke about but both felt.
---
Over the next few days, Helena and Jay spent more time together, their connection growing stronger. Jay's presence became a lifeline for Helena, pulling her out of the darkness that had been consuming her.
With him, she could breathe again, even if only for a moment. They didn't need to talk about their feelings—they both knew something was there, lingering between them, waiting for the right time.
But even as they grew closer, the secrets Helena kept weighed heavily on her. She couldn't tell Jay the truth about Selena, about the dangers they were both facing.
And the more she kept from him, the more she felt the distance growing, even as they tried to navigate their feelings for each other.
One evening, as they sat on the bench near the beach, watching the sunset, Helena felt a pang of guilt. She wanted to tell him everything—to let him in on the secrets that were tearing her apart. But she couldn't. Not yet.
"I wish things were different," she murmured, her eyes on the horizon.
Jay glanced at her, his expression soft. "What do you mean?"
Helena sighed, her heart heavy. "I just… I don't want to hide things from you. But there's so much I can't say right now."
Jay's hand found hers, squeezing gently. "I understand, Helena. You don't have to tell me everything. Just know that I'm here, no matter what."
Helena's heart swelled with emotion, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. She didn't deserve someone like Jay—someone so patient, so kind. But even as she kept her walls up, she knew that Jay was breaking through them, piece by piece.
---
As the days passed, Helena couldn't shake the feeling that her life was spiraling out of control. Her feelings for Jay were growing, but so were the dangers surrounding her and Selena.
The closer she got to him, the harder it became to keep her secrets. And in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder—how long could she keep up the act before everything came crashing down?