3d Person's POV :

Valenthio was looking down at her face to find her smiling. He knew though that behind that smile was a girl who was struggling, yet trying to be strong for others.

But who was strong for her?

<<I had a nightmare>> she whispered.

Her heart was beating rapidly, she was scared. Of what? She didn't know. Maybe of his reaction? Maybe that was it. Kids have nightmares with monsters and things they despise, not grown ups but even if they do, they don't get that upset that they need someone to be there for them.

You can't blame her though. When she was younger, those friends from the pool kept on making fun of her behavior. She would sit alone at school during breaks because she would feel like everyone's staring at her so she'd head to the toilet instead. When she had to sing infront of the school and her hands were trembling, they'd find it funny. She wouldn't talk to boys, she thought they hated girls like her. She thought she was weird because they told her she was. So she didn't know what to expect from people.

She was always trying to look at the good, when she was younger at least. But the world seemed so cold and cruel so she soon gave up. She just couldn't do it anymore. What was the point anyway? Did others even try? Did others even care? Was it even possible? To look at the world and ignore the bad.

Maybe that's just what we're told when we're babies. In the fairytales, the characters are always happy, always excited, always successful. They never doubt themselves, never feel bad, never feel sad.They are perfect. Plus, there is always a happy ending. Helena didn't feel like it. She couldn't feel happy or excited or successful, most of the times.

Maybe that was the difference between fairytales and real life. Life was nothing like that, those were just stories to help kids sleep.

She was like a flower. She needed the light in order to grow, to find strength.
The light of a sun.

She thought her sun was Leana, or her family. But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that they were enough to make her happy, she wasn't.

She had been fidgeting with the hem of Valenthio's shirt for some time but he didn't care at all.

He could see how she was feeling. The fear was clear in her eyes.

<<I'm sorry>> he said carefully.

He wasn't sure if he should ask because he knew that the answer would be no. But he did anyways.

<<Want to talk about it?>> His tone was soft, gentle. It calmed Helena. He had such a beautiful voice.

<<Some other time. Thank you though. For caring. For coming. For everything.>> She looked up at him and he put his palm on hers.

<<You don't have to thank me. I'm here for you, Helena. I'll keep on telling you till you're sure I'm not lying.>>

Silence filled the room.

<<You know, um- you know we were at the same high school, right?>> She said, blushing and turning to the floor so he wouldn't see it.

He looked at her in awe.

<< I know. Why? Do you want to confess something? >> He asked teasingly.

Her cheeks grew a deeper shade of red which made him smirk proudly. He was the one who caused it after all.

<<No!>>

Deep down though, she did. She'd still get butterflies when she'd stare into his face. He was so handsome. That jawline, it was something else. Now that he was older, he was even more good looking. He was great looking in fact.

<<Mm, sure.>> He didn't stop smirking.

It felt like the temperature in the room was rising.

She just wanted to kiss him so badly.

But of course, he'd probably have a girlfriend. How would someone like him ever be single?

She was lost in her own thoughts when Valenthio whispered in her ear:

<<Do I make you nervous?>> His lips slightly brushed her ear and she could feel his hot breath on her skin.

His voice is so nice.

Helena didn't know she actually said it out loud until Valenthio looked at her amused.

<<Hm. I don't think my voice is the only nice thing on me>> he said smirking.

She hid her face with her hands in embarrassment when she realized what has just happened.

<<Aw, c'mon.>> He took her hands in his so that he could stare into her eyes again.

She was so adorable.

He was so pretty.

<<Maybe it's because I sing you know. I have a performance today, if you want you can come and listen to my nice, wonderful, amazingly unbelievable voice and see how skillful I am when it comes to... Singing, you can come. >>

He said and took something out of his pocket. It was a ticket.

She was amused. Him? A singer? Tonight? Live performance? A ticket? He's gotta be famous.
That's so hot, she thought.
Oh c'mon Helena! Jesus Christ!

<<You, y- you are famous?>>

<<I got a crowd. I'm part of a band. You should join us. I'm pretty sure you sing too.>> He gave her a heartwarming smile.

Wait. What was he saying? How would he know? He wasn't there that day at high school, was he? No, no, no, he couldn't.

As soon as those words came out of his mouth, Helena was scared. Of the following questions, of what was going to happen next when she said:

<<Oh no! I don't sing.>>

<<C'mon you were amazing that day at high school.>>

When she heard those words she felt as if at least someone actually liked her performance. But nah, that couldn't be possible, could it?

<<Aww, cute, but you know you don't have to lie.>> she said. Because she didn't believe it.

She was feeling a bit unsure of even saying that. She felt as if she was being annoying, an attention seeker.

Looking at the floor again, feeling a bit sad.

Valenthio sensed it and took her chin in his hand, lifted it up roughly to make sure her eyes was meeting his.

<<I'm not lying, Hele. I'm not. I'm not afraid of speaking the truth. Your voice is good, you can sing. And I'm seriously offering you a place in my band. Because you are talented.>>

<<I can't, I'm sorry.>> Helena said, maybe she's already said too much.

<<Why?>> His hand was still on her chin, his eyes denying to leave hers.

<<I um - I'm scared. Of performing. I get you know like um- anxious ? Yeah, but anyways I'm not interested.>>

He knew that she was interested. That night at the high school, she was nervous yeah he clearly remembered her hands shaking while holding the microphone. But except for that her performance was stunning.

He knew though that something has caused that fear, something triggered her anxiety while performing.

Then he remembered. One of those girls who were laughing the whole time she was singing. She was making fun of her. Other girls did too.

And she was just staring back at then, smiling, hoping they'd stop looking like that. At least that's what it looked like for him.

His jaw clenched but he didn't take his hand off her chin. Not yet.

<<Is this about them?>>

Helena was praying that he wasn't talking about them.

<<Who's them?>> She said, bursting out laughing.

<<You know. That girls.>>

She got up and turned her back at him. She stared out the window. The sun was out. The pavements were full of people, like always. She had tears in her eyes. Tears she was trying to hide.

She didn't want to cry no more.

<<Hey, Helena. They were fucking stupid, okay? Don't listen to them. They didn't deserve to be there.>>

<<They did nothing wrong.>> Her voice was shaking again. She was trying to convince herself that they were friends and that it was normal to laugh at her. Which wasn't. And she knew it deep down.

He stood up and rushed next to her. He put his hand on her arm.

<<They didn't deserve you. You were too good for them.>>

<<But you don't understand. Everyone agrees. My voice is not fine it's not good. It's nowhere near good. And when I have to sing by myself I get so scared. I feel exposed. I feel like they'd judge me. That I deserve to be judged like that.>>

<<You don't. Hele, can't you see it? You're amazing. They were jealous of you, I promise you. That's why. Everybody's just jealous of you.>>

He put his arms around her waist and hugged her from behind.

Which wasn't such a good idea because his mind wasn't thinking right.

He was thinking that his pants were touching hers. That-

He brushed of the thoughts.

Some tears rolled. They reached his hand. He turned her around and wiped what was left.

<<It's okay, Helena. I won't let them hurt you again but I will not push you to do it if you don't want to. I've been there too, scared of judgement. But after a while I overcame it.>>

He calmed her down for the second time today. He was perfect. Too good to be true.

<<Now I'd love to stay like this but I think we're pretty late. We got to be at the theatre in fifteen.>>

<<Thanks.>> She smiled and he smiled back.

<<So I guess I'll see you in fifteen.>> She said, getting ready.

<<Oh c'mon, I'll take you>> she wasn't sure if she should say yes. Wouldn't it bother him?

<<Please?>> He gave her a puppy face.

And she chuckled.

<<Okay, okay>> she agreed.

They were acting as if they were in love.

As if?