The snow fell silently outside, the fragile flakes swirling round the smoke she gently exhaled as she stood on the balcony in nothing but the blanket she had pulled from her bed that sat in the room behind her.
She felt calmed by the toxic habit that her friends gave her grief for, sinking into the chair that looked ever so inviting. She wasn't a morning person but she lived to see the sun rise as she breathed in the cold air and cigarette smoke, there was something about how the sun made the snow glisten.
Helena had no recollection of her childhood, nothing except the one familiar chubby faced kid who took a liking to her. Theodore always had her back, always protecting her and teaching her right from wrong.
"Hel, what are you doing out here? It's freezing!" The familiar voice sighed from behind her and she turned her head to confirm her suspiscions: Theodore had found her. She technically wasn't hiding from him and if she was, she hadn't hidden very well but it usually took him a bit longer to realise where she was.
"I'm just thinking, Teddy." She breathed, pulling up the slipping blanket to keep her extremities covered. She offered him a gentle smile but his grey eyes were hard today.
"Helena, I've told you before that you shouldn't smoke, it's not good for you and you're out in the cold in just your blanket? You are going to catch a cold!" It was only the beginning of the lecture but he paused to give her a pleading look and sighed before ushering her inside.
Theodore's blonde hair was dishelved, stubble present on his tanned cheeks and chin. Something was bothering him and that bothered her.
"Are you okay?" She asked and he nodded once, pushing a few strands of Helena's long black hair from her face before pulling her in for a hug.
"You just scare me sometimes, Hel." He mumbled, his grey eyes seeking out her blue ones which stood out compared to her naturally pale skin.
"How bout I go have shower and you make me a coffee?" She asks and he nodded, letting her go and leaving the room.
She rummaged through her clothes, finding a dress made of sweater material, stretchy tights as well as some underwear before she entered the small ensuite on the other side of her room.
She had wanted Theodore to take the master bedroom but he had gone ahead and set up her room in here before she could argue, telling her that he didn't fit the discription of a princess; whatever that meant.
Seated at the breakfast bar, delicate fingers were tapped gently against the marble top as breakfast was waited to be served. The wicked wrench Jen exited Theodore's room and scowled in Helena's direction who returned the unhappy look.
"Morning baby." She cooed, leaving a sloppy mark on Theodore's cheek while Helena made gagging noises. "I'll eat my breakfast in my room... Away from the wicked witch..." Helena groans, taking her plate from the counter. Theodore had mumbled to himself but Helena didn't catch what he had said.
"I don't know why you put up with her..." Helena hears Jen loudly whisper as she closes her bedroom door. Helena had no idea how Theodore put up with either one of them. Helena wasn't exactly innocent but at least she wasn't toxic like Jen, bleeding Theodore dry of his love and compassion.
Breakfast had been delectable, then again, Theodore never made a bad meal. The knife and fork were placed haphazardly on the plate that sat on the bedside table as Helena lay sprawled out on her bed. She tried to remember her past but nothing came. She couldn't remember any achievements, any heartbreaks, any lost friendships. There was just Theodore, whom she clung onto with her whole being for if she lost him, she would truly be alone in this world for she couldn't even remember the parents she had believed to have lost long ago.
There was a gentle knock and Helena lifted her head, grunting a noise she would know whomever was there would take as permission to enter. Theodore opened the door and slipped in through the tiny opening he had made, closing it behind him with his back against the door.
"Look, I know you don't like Jen but could you please try to get along with her? She's not as bad as you think she is." He sighed, scratching the back of his neck and looking at the ground. He was clearly upset and Helena furrowed her brow.
"You are joking right? She's a demon! All she does is use you, demanding food or money or your time but doesn't give you anything in return. Your best friend shouldn't hate your girlfriend and they definitely shouldn't feel as if you would chose said demon over your best friend." Helena huffs, she was angry now. How could he not see how utterly miserable Jen was making him?
"Helena, please?" He sounded exasperated but it didn't matter, Helena had dealt with Jen for months, her constant snark and meanness for far too long. "You're being selfish by not doing this for me.."
Helena rolled her eyes, "I'm selfish? You never even asked if she could move in and don't say she hasn't because there is hardly a day she's not here. She refuses to work, to help with bills, rent or food. Doesn't clean and expects us to do everything for her. I can't do it anymore Teddy, I've dealt with her for too long." Getting up, Helena pushes Theodore out of the way, grabbing her car keys and storming out.
She cried the entire drive to the beach, sitting on the hood of her beat up old car that she loved endlessly and just stared at the ocean. Helena had no plans on going home, not as long as she was there.
Calls went unanswered, texts were ignored and the gloomy sky rumbled angrily above her. She had smoked at least half her pack of cigarettes out of pure frustration, hoping the tobacco would help calm her but it didn't, it just made her more jittery.
