Living with Alice was hell, as Helena would put lightly.

Alice had made a huge fuss about her moving in that she acted like it was bloody murder. Realizing her mother wasn't budging on the decision in letting Helena stay, Alice went out of her way to show her side of the matter by jumping out of bed each morning and stomping on Helena, who slept on the floor, to purposely wake her up. First, she stepped on her stomach. She jumped on it so hard, it made Helena's voice hoarse for the rest of the day and difficult to speak. Helena had to eventually cancel her date with Chris because it hurt too much. Alice would mockingly ask if she was okay, gleefully saying it was an accident before laughing her butt off.

Helena despised Alice. However, she knew she couldn't bring it up or say anything about it to Madame Lidiya after just taking her in. Alice took the liberty by making Helena's life living here torture, but it was her only option at the moment. It was either here or being homeless without a job. So Helena tolerated what she could of Alice for now.

Another week came by and went and Helena eventually finally got her first paycheck. It was just enough to buy groceries and a few essentials. Madame Lidiya offered that Helena could help pay her back by learning how to cook dinner, since she would be too exhausted after work to do it. It was nice, she taught Helena a few recipes while also learning a great way to get back at Alice secretly.

Whenever Helena made dinner, she made sure to add "extra" spices into Alice's dishes and leave Madame Lidiya and hers alone. First it was a sprinkle of the hottest hot sauce she could find in the cafeteria one day, a few pieces of chopped ghost pepper mixed into the stew the next, and then a sprinkle of dust she found next to the vacuum another.

Helena had never seen someone run so fast to a bathroom so many times before and it felt good to finally get her revenge. It got so bad that whenever Helena decided to cook for them, Alice always went out for food with her friends or ordered take out. Madame Lidiya never understood why and even complimented her cooking.

Another weekend came by and she was in high spirits. She had a date today with Chris. She figured Alice would try her same antics today, so when she went to jump on Helena, she rolled forward. Alice slipped backwards and landed on her butt while hitting her head on the bed frame.

Helena was trying her best to stifle a laugh while pretending to be asleep.

"Bozhe moi! Are you okay child?!" Her mother asked.

"Oww...my head.." Alice groaned.

Helena back rolled over pretending to be startled awake by the noise."Huh? What happened?"

"Alice fell out of bed." Madame Lidiya said." Must be still tired. You should be more careful, zvezda moya."

"Yeah, Alice. You should be careful where you step next time." Helena said slowly to her face and when her mother wasn't looking, she gave Alice a triumphant wink.

Alice hasn't tried it again since.

Helena was finally able to sleep soundly for once.

Eventually she offered to make Alice food again without tampering it this time. When Alice realized how much she was spending a day on fast food, she caved in and joined for once. They were at a truce for once, it seems.

Helena decided to pick up extra hours on the weekends, just so Chris didn't have to pay for all of their dates and to also start a savings to live at the dorms at school. Not that she minded Madame Lidiya's hospitality, she just missed having her own bed and space.

While maintaining the main kitchen one afternoon, Helena wiped down the countertops, checked to make sure each cabinet was cleaned, and that every spice was tightened and filled before climbing down a step stool.

"There. Everything's in place." She huffed, rolling her achy shoulders. She went for the mop to start cleaning the blue and white tile floors, but paused when she heard humming.

Liam stepped into the kitchen and Helena stumbled, almost forgetting how to human in front of him.

"Oh, hey Mr. Reider." She greeted while blushing

"Hey Helena. Good to see you." He smiled and when he pronounced her name, it already had her knees quivering beneath her dress. "Whatcha up to?"

"I was just cleaning the kitchen. I won't be much longer."

"Oh before you go, would you mind making me lunch first please? I'm feeling a bit dizzy from work today and I skipped out on breakfast."

"Of course!" Helena replied cheerfully. "What would you like me to make?"

"Pastrami sandwich with clam chowder. It's my favorite." He smirked.

"Right! I can do that."

She went to the counter to gather the ingredients while he sat down at the dining table that was in the same room as her.

Is he going to sit there and watch me cook? No, he can't! That's way too embarrassing!

She paced back and forth looking at all the food ingredients as her heart pumped 20 beats a second. "Now, was it green celery or basil used in the clam chowder? Oh no! I can't remember!" I barely remember the recipe when Madame Lidiya first taught me! Even worse, everything is made with fresh ingredients! With almost no cans or microwave instructions!"

Helena glanced over her shoulder to peeked at Mr. Reider. He gave her a wide grin and waved with full confidence in her.

"I can't exactly ask him what the recipe is. I'm supposed to know these things for him! Oh, wait!" She spotted a small binder leaning against the bread box. When she flipped through it, it was a list of every food and drink each Daville enjoyed. "This is perfect." She sighed to herself. "There's still hope for me after all."

As she read through each direction step by step, she was able to get the stove going to start cooking the clams. Most of the steps were starting to come back to her but she ended up dropping some of the tomatoes on the ground in front of him and accidentally spilled some of the broth on the counter from lifting up the heavy pot.

Mr. Reider chuckled to himself but allowed Helena to fix the mistakes and salvage what she could until she eventually had everything put together. It was the best she could do, even though it wasn't really presentable. She tried to make it as pretty as she could on the plate and then placed everything on a tray before carrying it over to him.

"Here you are sir, it's my first time making this, so it might not be the best."

"It does look like it could use some work, but it smells good at least." He smiled and reached for one of the slightly burnt pastrami sandwiches. He took a bite, taking a moment to judge the taste while Helena stood by with her eyes to the ground.

"Please like it. Please like it. Please like it! At least don't let it be horrible..." She pleaded in her head.

He cleared his throat.

"May I have some of the cucumber water from the fridge please?" He asked.

"Of course sir!" She squeaked after noticing that she served him without a drink. She ran over to the giant steel refrigerator, pulled out a pitcher of ice cold water with slices of cucumbers inside and then poured him a glass.

"Thank you." He nodded and took the glass from her.

He didn't say anything else while he ate and she went to put the pitcher back into the fridge. He let out a sigh from the refreshment and continued eating in silence.

Helena so badly wanted to ask him what he thought about her cooking, but was worried it would be out of place for her. After all, he was still technically her boss. So she cleaned up the kitchen of the mess, putting everything back where it belongs and washed the dishes. By the time she finished, he spoke up.

"That was pretty good. I will note that maybe there was a bit too much pepper in the clam chowder. And I prefer lighter mustard in my pastrami sandwiches."

"Right, I'll be sure to remember that next time." Helena sighed with relief. "Glad it didn't make you sick or anything."

"On the contrary, I quite enjoyed myself. Who was it that taught you how to make the clam chowder?"

"Madame Lidiya did. But I won't lie, I did have a little help from the maid's notes over there."

"Hmm, I thought it tasted familiar. Is this your first time cooking from scratch?"

"Not exactly, I'm still a bit rusty but Madame Lidiya has taught me a few things. How could you tell?"

"You didn't seem too precise with yourself, especially when it came to the measurements. You know, it's not too hard to make things from scratch. In fact, it makes things taste a lot better. How about this? Before I go, how about I teach you how to cook one of your favorite foods, so you'll know how to prepare it for yourself next time?"

Helena took a quick glance at the clock on the stove. Her date with Chris wasn't for another hour. She still had more cleaning to do, but she was finding it difficult to pass up time with Mr. Reider. "I...sure? What the heck, why not?"

"Alright then. Tell me Helena, what is your favorite food?"

"Spaghetti."

"Ah, not a bad choice. Not too difficult for us to do." He went and looked through the freezer and fridge and pulled out ingredients for it. "Here, I'll teach you a secret recipe of mine from my country. It's how I make special spaghetti."

"Okay!" Helena replied with a smile.

"Here, I'll guide you. Grab those tomatoes and those noodles and we'll get started."

After they created a tomato paste for the sauce, he told her to add in all kinds of spices she never heard of before with strong smells and aromas. As they were waiting for the noodles to boil, he instructed her to chop some parsley.

"Hang on, you're chopping them a bit too harshly." He told her gently. "Here. Try it like this."

He came behind her, wrapping his hands over hers and she gasped when she felt his presence against her back.

"Now, gently. Forward and back, then up. Forward, back then up. They're you go."

Helena couldn't move, couldn't say anything. His hands wrapped around hers stunned her but not nearly as much at how close his groin was against her behind. He enclosed around her, moving with the motion and guiding her hands with the knife.

"And then just drizzle it into the saucepan." He helped her scoop the leaves into one hand and let them fall into the dish.

"There, not so hard is it?"

"No, it's great. I mean fine! Ugh." Helena wanted to facepalm herself so bad. Liam released her and started laughing.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you blush. The food is nearly ready though. Just always remember the number one rule of cooking. Always taste what you make."

After 15 minutes, the food was done and he placed everything on a plate for her. He twirled a fork into the pasta and brought it to her face. "Go on, tell me what you think."

Another blush tinted her caramel cheeks before she closed her eyes and opened her mouth. He placed the fork with the steamy hot food inside it and she sealed her lips around it. He removed the utensil and she chewed a few bites before stopping in her tracks.

It was delicious! Better than any dish she had before.This wonderful delight was made by her and him. Her taste buds were singing to the heavens that she went for another bite, causing Liam to laugh again.

"Hahaha, it's good no? You like?" He grabbed a fork from a drawer and tried it as well.

"Yes, I like it a lot." She purred, as she chewed each bite like it was sacred.

"Mmm, you're right. Came out perfect Helena."

"All thanks to you." She gushed. "Thanks for teaching me."

"No problem. Here, you can save the rest for later." He grabbed a glass tupperware container and placed the food inside it before giving it to her. "I'm still pretty stuff. I'm sure you have more to do today than fool around with me. Don't want you getting caught eating off your break."

"Right! Thank you."

As she grabbed the container and placed it on the counter for later, Mrs. Daville pushed open the door and glanced between them. "What's going on in here?" She asked sternly.

"Hello dear." Mr. Reider walked over and kissed her. Helena glanced away nervously.

"I just finished having lunch. Helena is going back to work now."

Mrs. Daville looked at the watch on her wrist. "It's been two hours since you started the kitchen. Why is it taking you so long?"

"It's my fault." Liam answered for her. "I asked her to prepare dinner for me since it will be a long night of work for me. She was just putting it away. Right Helena?" He asked her.

"Oh! Right." Helena agreed quickly and put her container inside the fridge.

"Hmm.." Mrs. Daville grumbled.

"Now, why don't we head to our room and have some...alone time." He whispered into her ear.

"Fine. Helena, be finished in 10 minutes or else I'm not counting today's pay. You know how much I don't like overtime."

Helena's eyes went wide. She still had a lot to clean but she stammered, "Yes Mrs. Daville." before she and her husband walked out of the room.

By the time she finished all her tasks, it was just about 5 o'clock. Helena was tired, hungry, but mostly feeling ashamed. She was mad at herself for getting swept up by Mr. Reider again, but it didn't stop her from unconsciously grabbing the spaghetti out of the fridge. Because it was food and she didn't want it to go to waste, she told herself. As if the Davilles cared about wasting food. She thought sarcastically.

"I need to erase Liam out of my mind and focus on Chris anyway."

****

Since she was late getting out in time for their movie, Chris suggested they head to their college since one of his friends was hosting a concert and then go to a house party tonight, which would be perfect for her. She could explain her living situation to her teachers. Hopefully they'll understand and let her catch up without dropping the class.

After a quick shower at the maid's shower building, she got dressed in there as quickly as possible and tied her wet hair up into a ponytail. She went back to Madame Lidiya's room to drop off her stuff and found Alice watching TV.

"What are you getting all dressed up for?" She asked.

Helena sprayed her body with some sweet smelling perfume. "Nothing, just a date tonight."

"Ugh." Alice replied.

Helena didn't know what that meant but shrugged it off and grabbed her purse before seeing the container of spaghetti. She didn't have dinner today, so she heated it up and put it inside her purse before walking out the door.

******

The concert was held outside the band room and even though she wasn't really into rock bands, it was still fun to listen to. She was cuddled next to Chris jamming out and he even stole a kiss on her cheek when she wasn't looking. After a few songs, the band cleared out and people who were migrating down the street to Chris's friend's house. Helena and Chris started to go there hand in hand until Helena's friend stood in front of them laced around some guy's arm.

"Heeeyz there you areee. Aww, don't you two look cuuuute together!" Andrea slurred happily. "I thought you said you would text me babe?!"

"I know I'm sorry...wait, are you buzzed already?" Helena asked.

"Yeah! We grabbed some from the cooler by the stage." The boy on her arm shouted. "Now we're gonna go get hammered at Tony's place!"

"Hey, be careful alright? Don't be too wild, okay?" Helena warned her friend.

"Psh, don't worry, Daniel's the one watching me. He's gay!" She announced.

Helena felt mortified for thinking bad about her friend, but then laughed when he started bluntly catcalling one of the boys crossing the street.

"Let's meet up tomorrow! Promise you'll text me okay?" Her friend pleaded and used her fingers to symbolize the phone up to her ear. "Kay? Promise me."

Helena didn't even get a word in before she got distracted and frantically looked around her. "Huh? Daniel! Wait for me!" She screamed and ran after him.

"Well someone had a little too much to drink." Chris laughed.

"Yeah, so it seems."

The house party seemed small at first with a few people lingering on the porch but all the noise and music seemed to be coming mostly from the back. When they got inside the house, they walked through a dark room full of people dancing and talking to each other with drinks or red solo cups.

Chris grabbed a bud light from the coolers lined up near the tables. When Helena glanced in, she surfed through the ice until she found an Angry Orchid. They ended up hanging out on the front porch where he talked to his friends for a while.

Daniel eventually came by with Andrea looped around his neck as she barely tried to keep her posture.

"I'ma call this bitch an uber." Daniel slurred while trying to unlock his phone.

"I don't think that's safe." Helena replied.

"Don't worry, they have to be safe or else they won't get their five stars."

"Still..."

"Damn, don't get your titties in a twist hunnie." Daniel sighed. "I'll be riding with her. She can pay me back in the morning."

"Hey don't talk to her that way." Chris threatened.

"Oh hush, like you're gonna do anything. Why don't you come over here and give me a kiss, Chris?"

"I rather not." He said.

"That's what I thought." Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Hergnade, rumble bunk liason." Andrea gurgled.

"Please keep an eye on her." Helena asked him.

"Like a hawk with it's baby chicks." Daniel said sarcastically.

Once their ride appeared, she wished her friend good night and told her to text her when she got home. Chris snuggled his hands behind Helena's waist and pulled her into him when the car drove off. He nuzzled into her neck. "What do you think? Maybe we should get out of here too?"

"Sure. It is getting kinda late and I have work in the morning." Helena murmured and they wandered back over to his car.

When they got inside, the car was dark and quiet aside for their light breathing. They lingered next to each other for a while and Helena could feel her face heating up. "I think...it's about to happen with us! Our first kiss..."

Helena closed her eyes when he brought his face closer and waited for his lips. When they connected, it was like sparks lit up the night sky inside her heart that she couldn't help the soft moan that fluttered onto his lips.

He grew bolder, letting his hands run into her hair to draw her closer to deepen the kiss. Soon their tongues were a tangled mess inside each other's mouths and she wrapped her arms around his neck as the car fogged up.

"Gurrrrgggggllllllg"

They froze and she pulled away instantly.

"What was that?" Chris asked.

"Sorry! With all the drinking and dancing, I completely forgot that I didn't eat much today."

He started to laugh. "Don't worry about it. Do you want to stop by and get something to eat before I take you home?"

"No it's okay. I brought this." She reached in her purse and pulled out the container of spaghetti with a metal fork. It was still warm from earlier. Helena looked over at him. "Hey don't look at me like that."

"It's just weird to see someone bring out a whole plate of spaghetti ready in your purse."

"Leave me alone!" She whined and shoved him. "I made it myself okay?"

"Oh word?" He asked, sounding impressed. "Mind if I try it?"

"Sure." She nodded and opened up the lid.

"Mmm...you know, it actually smells really good."