“Mmmhmm…” Helena said, clearly enjoying the sereness.

“How are you settling down in that apartment of yours?”

“Great.” Helena grinned, secretly thinking about Bette and how she would prepare her meals every now and then.

“You’re thinking about that American roommate of yours, aren’t you?”  Ted guessed.

“No!” Helena answered a tad bit too quickly and loudly. She quickly regained her composure and said in a lower tone, “I mean, no, I am not.”

It was moments like these how she hated the way Ted could read her so easily, like a book.

“You are such an awful liar, Helena Peabody.” Ted laughed. “Now, spill the beans. What’s been going on between the both of you?”

Helena let out a loud sigh.

“Nothing has been going on. We’re just friends.”

“Oh really? So, I suppose that you don’t like her more than a friend?”

“Yes.”

“Liar, liar, liar.” Ted said, clicking his tongue. “You do know that it is rather obvious that you like her more than a friend right?”

“Ssshh…” She shushed him. “Keep it down, my parents might hear you.”

Ted threw his hands up, “To be completely honest with you, I do not understand why you try so hard to hide this being gay issue from them.”

“First off, I am not hiding it from them because secondly, I am not gay. Seeing and dating girls was a passing phase.”

Ted shot Helena an unconvinced look.

Helena glared back into his brown eyes, unwilling to give in.

“Finefinefine.” Helena surrendered with a sigh. “Okay, maybe I do like her. But it isn’t as if I am going to do anything about it.”

“I assume this is about disappointing your parents again?”

Helena looked into Ted’s eyes and spat, “Look Ted, you know that never did I have had a close relationship with both of my parents until the recent years. Am I going to jeopardize this relationship that I’ve always yearned for over who I am going to date?”

“No, I am not.” She answered, sounding exasperated. She felt as if she could cry from the pent up frustration and confusion that she had been feeling inside.

Helena quickly turned away from Ted, knowing that she would if she looked into his eyes any longer, she would literally start crying.

There was a short pause of silence.

“Listen, Helena.” Ted said gently, trying to get Helena to look at him.

When Helena did turn to look at him, he went on to apologize, “I am sorry for being such an insensitive turd.”

“I understand how much you cherish the relationship that you now have with your parents but you shouldn’t neglect your own feelings too. I don’t want to see you miserable when Bette gets together with another girl. I just want the best for you.” He explained as he slid his arm over to Helena’s other shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze.

“I really appreciate you looking out for me,” Helena gave him a tight smile. “But I think I shouldn’t peg myself down as a lesbian just yet. Maybe I just haven’t found the right guy because I’ve never dated a guy before.”

“Well, whatever it is, just know that I am here for you, okay.” Ted smiled. He wasn’t going to judge Helena for making those choices, he knew perfectly well how Helena had always wanted a close relationship with her parents. He knew how much Helena was neglected by them during her younger years. But he also knew how much Helena likes Bette. He just quietly prayed that Helena wouldn’t get hurt if or when Bette ever starts dating someone else.