“Good morning Dean Rivers.” Helena greeted politely.

“Good morning Miss Peabody.” He greeted with a tight smile, wiping his forehead with his handkerchief.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news.” He said worriedly, stuffing his handkerchief back into his pocket. “Augusten, I mean your father, has met with an accident in Tabora last night.”

Helena felt her stomach turn into knots upon hearing the news. She clamped down hard on her jaw as she felt a lump forming in her throat.

He then continued, “Your mother has sent the jet to fly you over to Tabora. Arthur would be here to pick you up in half an hour.”

Helena nods quietly, staring hard at the ground. Thoughts of her father all bloody, lying on the floor lifelessly filled her mind. Her eyes began to sting.

Please, please, please let him be alright.

Foregoing the formality between teacher and student, Dean Rivers placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze, “Are you alright Helena?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” She said meekly. “Thank you for informing me, I better get going.”

He nodded, “Do let me know if you need anything.”

Helena managed a small smile. She then quickly left, heading back to her own dorm to get her things packed. Just when she was done with packing, she noticed the breakfast that she had bought early on. She quickly realized that she had forgotten about Bette.

Grabbing a pen and piece of paper, she wrote a short note that said,

Dear Bette,

I am terribly sorry but I’m not able to bring you to the exhibition today. Something urgent had came up. I hope you understand. Once again, I am very sorry. I hope that the English muffin and tea would make up for it.

Helena

When she was done with her note, Helena got a friend of hers to pass the breakfast and note to Bette. Then, she left for the airport.

Present Time…

“I’m sorry about your dad.” Bette said, feeling awful and ashamed about getting annoyed with Helena on that very day. “How is he doing now?”

 Helena nods, “He’s doing much better now with all the physio sessions.”

“That’s good to hear.” Bette responded, unconsciously playing with her necklace.

“Yeah,” Helena smiled, noticing the pendant that Bette was wearing around her neck. “That’s a lovely mood pendant.”

“Thanks.” Bette smiled sheepishly, “My mom gave it to me before she passed on.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s alright.” Bette shrugged. Somehow, she felt comfortable in telling Helena things she hardly told anyone.

Then, the door bell rang. Bette got up from her seat, “I’ll get the door.”

She jogged to the door, wondering who could be at the door.

“Hurry up Porter! You’re taking forever!” Someone called out loud from the other side of the door, ringing the door bell again and again.

Bette quickly recognized that voice.

“Oh crap. It’s Alice,” She muttered.

Alice is so totally going to make a big hoo-ha when she sees Helena here. Crap, crap, crap!  What am I going to do?

Alice rang the door bell more impatiently this time.