You'll always have a special place

Inside the ward, Aria's breath hitched. Careful? Couldn't let her in? Something different? Was no one allowed to come see her and Helen used to sneak in? And did Miss Anhao know she was awake today and feared it was too big of a risk to let Helen in today?

Tears welled up in Aria's eyes as she remembered the last time everyone thought she was a monster and and a certain someone, who had refused to give up on her. Her black eyes glistened like a thousand stars shining on a dark night at the thought of having to leave behind Helen. Suddenly, Aria didn't regret risking her life and identity for Helen.

She was happy that Helen was safe, even if she had been found out for what she was. "You'll always have a special place in my heart Helen. And I'll come back to you one day." Aria muttered to herself. But she was injured and still weak, and the moment Aria let the flood of emotions take over her, the traces of her bending outside the ward became evident as her concentration faltered.

Helen immediately recognized her bending and shrieked, "ARIA!!!!!!!" and rushed inside, leaving aside a very stunned Miss Anhao,who followed as soon as she realized what was happening.

Helen rushed inside the ward not knowing where she was going, and would have fallen and injured herself had not Aria used wind bending to steady her and fly her to her bed. Miss Anhao rushed in and was horrified to see Helen floating to Aria's bed. Seeing her reaction, Aria immediately regretted what she had done and put down Helen a few beds from her bed, contemplating if Miss Anhao would call the guards before she could escape.

"How dare you use bending in your condition?!?!" Miss Anhao shrieked suddenly, pulling Aria out of her thoughts. She wasn't screaming monster or shrieking for Helen to get away, that was new. Both Helen and Aria looked around in confusion. The former wondering where Aria was and the latter looking for the guards that would be swarming in.

But to Aria's disbelief, Miss Anhao sighed as she walked over to Helen and led her to Aria's bed. "Since she's awake, you can stay a few minutes. But you'll have to go clean yourself up when the doctor arrives." she said to Helen. "And don't you dare use even an ounce of bending while I'm gone. Otherwise I'm going to give you a sleeping potion." she added, narrowing her eyes at Aria, who nodded, still very confused.

Once Miss Anhao left, Aria reached over and took Helen's hands in one of her own bandaged ones. "Do you hate me very much?" both the girls asked in unison and looked at each other in surprise.

They both started to chuckle as Aria used wind bending to pull a chair and asked Helen to sit down. "You shouldn't be bending. Miss Anhao said so, and you're too injured anyway." Helen mumbled as she sat down and caressed Aria's bandaged hands.

Aria decided to ignore the statement and instead ask, "Why on earth would I hate you?" Helen looked at Aria's face as though it was very obvious.