Allan had sat beside Elaine on the floor as the game proceeded. He didn't participate, just observed as Gwen whooped the others' asses. Horace still managed to get on her nerves, and the rest simply sucked at the game. He honestly didn't know who was worse between Elaine and Leonard. Helena was fairly good, but still not good enough to win.
After watching Elaine's constant failure, Allan began giving her a few pointers, which the others complained was cheating. That didn't deter him. The game was relaxing despite their constant shouts.
Until Elaine began squirming uncomfortably under the hard gaze of someone.
She subtly looked up to see Helena squeezing her cards so tightly they were badly wrinkled. Their eyes met in silent communication. Slowly, Elaine shifted away from Allan's body, which she had been using as a backrest.
She stood up abruptly. "Um… I'll be back," she said, leaving the sitting room.
Helena followed shortly after.
Horace, Gwen, and Leonard exchanged looks before continuing the game.
Helena returned first. This time, she didn't sit on the chair she had been using. Instead, she sat on the floor next to Allan, leaving a small space between them.
Elaine walked in next and took Helena's former seat.
She felt small, aware of eyes following her.
Horace broke the obvious tension with a loud clearing of his throat. "Let's continue," he said with forced energy.
And just like that, the game proceeded. The energy was lower now, but that didn't stop Gwen from winning.
After a couple of hours, Elaine said goodbye to Leonard and Helena, as well as Gwen and Horace.
Elaine entered the house, staring at the mess she had to clean up—used dishes, scattered snacks, cards everywhere.
She was halfway through cleaning when she felt someone walk back in.
She knew who it was and didn't turn around. She didn't want to meet his face.
Biting her lip, she wondered why Helena was wasting her time—and why she had been helping her. She didn't even know.
"What was that about?" Allan asked calmly, standing beside her at the counter.
"What?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
He stared at her for a long moment, making her feel small.
"What's with you and Helena?" he added, knowing she wasn't going to drop the act.
"Helena?" she repeated, rolling her eyes as if thinking, waiting for him to continue.
He didn't.
She sighed. "Okay, okay," she said, wiping her hands. "She likes you."
"And what does that have to do with you?" Allan asked, irritation clear in his voice.
"Well, I was just helping her out."
He stared at her again.
"Helping her how? To get closer to me?" he asked mockingly, arching a brow. "What does she think you know about me that would be of any help to her?"
Elaine's lips twisted slightly, hurt by his words. He was right. She didn't really know anything about him.
Sighing, she said, "I never said I know anything about you. I was j—"
"Just don't overstep your boundaries," he said harshly, detached, before walking away.
She dropped the towel on the counter, hurt settling in her chest.
What was she thinking?
She stared in the direction he had gone.
They had something nice going on.
At least, that's what she thought.
And she had just ruined it.
"Gwen!" a voice called loudly enough to be heard from fifty miles away.
Turning, she saw June.
"Where have you been?" June asked as she caught up. "I haven't seen you since yesterday."
"I was just busy," Gwen answered warmly. As usual, June didn't press for details.
"I've been trying—more like begging—Mr. Steven to accept my assignment," June said. "But he refused. Was it my fault I didn't know when we were supposed to submit it?"
"In that case, just forget about the marks. He'll never accept it," Gwen replied.
June sighed in frustration. "There goes half my CA. I wonder if I'd still get a C."
They chatted about mundane school activities and the upcoming exam.
Gwen subtly looked around, making sure no one was in sight. She stepped closer.
"There's something in your hair," she said, making June pause. "Wait, let me get it out."
"Ow!" June yelped as she felt a sharp sting.
"Sorry," Gwen said flatly. "If you had stayed still, I wouldn't have hurt you."
There was no warmth in her voice as she pulled out a white kerchief and dabbed the small cut, drawing enough blood into it.
"I've told you to clip your nails," June complained.
"You know I never listen," Gwen replied as they began walking again.
Her hand tightened around the kerchief before she slipped it into her pocket.