Lovely Problems

Chapter 23

"Jordan! Hello!", Helena bellowed.
"Hey", Jordan replied quietly, "Happy late birthday Lena."

Jordan was mysteriously quiet, as Helena started to doubt herself for inviting William to her party, silently praying that Jordan didn't find out.

"So, why didn't you come to my party last week?", Helena asked Jordan with a sad expression.
"Oh well I, uh, had an accident", Jordan choked.
The way Jordan spoke did not convince Helena he was telling the truth.
"Hey, you're my boyfriend. It doesn't hurt to tell me the truth"
"You shouldn't worry about me..."

Helena lifted Jordan's fringe off of his face, only to discover a black eye and bruises that weren't there the last time she saw him.
He had been street fighting again, after she clearly told him not to.
Helena's fury was going to explode.

"JORDAN. WHY THE FUCK DID YOU GO STREET FIGHTING AGAIN?! I TOLD YOU NOT TO!", Helena yelled at the top of her lungs.
"No this is a total misunderstanding Helena, you have to listen to m-"
"HECK NO. I CAN'T BELIVE YOU WENT STREET FIGHTING AGAIN. WHY JORDAN, WHY?! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A TEENAGE BOY DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN BE A COMPLETE BUTTHOLE AND NOT LISTEN TO YOUR GIRLFRIEND. IM SO MAD AT YOU RIGHT NOW! STOP BEING SUCH A FAG!"
"HELENA, PLEASE! LISTEN TO ME! I REALLY DIDN'T GO STREET FIGHTING! I CAN EXPLAIN!"
Helena slapped Jordan with her palm, leaving a bright pink mark on his left cheek.

"Helena...baby I beg you...", Jordan stuttered, his voice shaking.
"I've suffered enough pain from worrying about some worthless idiot like you.", Helena retorted.
"No, give me a chance to explain..."
"You know what Jordan? I'm never talking to you again"
Helena left the room crying, slamming the door behind her.
"You don't deserve a bad, immoral boy who street fights Helena, William is way better", Helena comforted herself.

"Did Jordan tell you why he couldn't make your party darling?", Helena's mum asked, turning the car onto the main road.
"No. I don't like Jordan, not anymore.", Helena denied.
"Well, Jordan's parents texted me that he didn't attend your party because he got hurt. The Showzart cutout you love so much was his gift for you. While Jordan was still making his way to church by foot, boys from his rival gang recognised him and beat him mercilessly, leaving him on the ground, bleeding and helpless. He loved you so much that he endured the pain and continued carrying the cutout to church. He knew he didn't look presentable for your party, so he left the cutout outside the door and made his way home."

Helena started crying. An unstoppable amount of tears streamed down her face.
"What happened with you two sweetie?", Helena's mum asked, concerned.
"I...I thought he went street fighting again...so I swore at him because I was mad...and I didn't listen to him when he wanted me to...and I...I..."
"You what...?"
"I CALLED HIM A WORTHLESS IDIOT AND I SAID THAT I WOULD NEVER TALK TO HIM EVER AGAIN!"

"Helena, my daughter. I knew you and Jordan loved each other only weeks after you two met. You two got into all sorts of trouble, but Jordan would always protect you, blaming faults on himself. Remember that time when your dinner plate was accidentally smashed and Jordan owned up for it? I could tell you were the responsible one from the obvious guilty look on your face. And also remember that time when you two got lost from our church group in Solar Park? You guys had gone all the way to the roller coaster line, even though you were too short to ride. You and Jordan were inseparably close and still are, there is no way that Jordan won't forgive you. All you need to do is learn not to judge situations so quickly, and let other people explain things before losing your temper.", Helena's mum lamented.
"Mum, you're right. From now on, I will be more mature and patient with others.", Helena sniffled.

"Just apologise to Jordan honey, he will understand, I'm certain. I remember this time when you were really unhappy with Jordan because he said he was better than you at soccer after trying to teach you how to kick a goal. He apologised by giving you a handful of daisies he plucked from the ground. It was absolutely adorable.", Helena's mum smiled.
"When was that? Haha", Helena coughed.
"That doesn't spark a light in your memory? Well I bet you remember this one..."