I'll Stay

As Arthur and Helena were ready to leave, they grabbed their stuff for an overnight stay. Arthur was delighted to see Helena in short shorts, unlike when they first went to the forest, where she wore ripped jeans. Helena was wearing ripped black shorts partnered with a black sleeveless shirt.

Although he had seen Helena wearing a two-piece, seeing her in shorts was strange since the woman only wears a maxi dress at home. Even the first time Arthur saw Helena, she wore a yellow maxi dress with big petals printed on it.

"Hey," Helena snapped her fingers in front of Arthur for the third time. She doesn't like to be stared at intensely as it makes her uncomfortable.

"You look cute wearing shorts," Arthur said.

"Shut up, you've seen me in a two-piece. As if this was any better. Pervert," she left Arthur and went directly to the black pickup truck.

It was the first time Helena was pissed off after they had a frank talk a day before. She couldn't expect a day without Arthur's wit and naughty remarks.

"You look cute wearing shorts sometimes," Arthur shouted with a mischievous grin. Helena ignored him.

On their way to the forest, Helena got a call from her best friend, Gabby. She was excited to swipe the screen and answered it immediately.

"Hello, Gabby? I was just about to call you. The other day I remember you when I saw the two-piece you gave me; I wore it swimming on the beach," she said continuously before Gabby could utter a word.

"I don't know if that is worth celebrating. Girl, if not for my two-piece gift, you won't even remember me," Gabby sounded sincere, but Helena knew her too well. Gabby was tripping on her.

"Girl, you know you are the only one in this world I couldn't forget. I'm sorry I didn't call, I was occupied in cleaning and arranging my new home, and besides, I'm working on a new novel," she narrated.

She glanced at Arthur, who was focused on the road. If he only knew he was Helena's male lead in her new novel. It would be interesting to know his reaction.

"Ellen, next time, try to call me at least once a week. You know I'm worried about you living in a secluded area; there's no one to help you in an emergency. Since you got there, we talked only once. Now, tell me there's nothing to worry about."

Helena was happy hearing Gabby's narrative. "Nothing to worry about. In fact, I'm on my way to a camping trip now. You see, I'm enjoying myself here in San Antonio. Gabby, I found the perfect place for me."

"Oh, that explains the noise in your background. But do I have to hang up and call you later? I don't want to distract you while driving. Ellen, I want to talk to you a bit longer."

"No need. Someone is driving," she looked at Arthur, and the man was looking at her already. Arthur winked, and a smirk was playing in his mouth. It was then that Helena regretted admitting that it wasn't her driving. She glared back at him. Arthur chuckled, teasing Helena.

"That's great, so you find yourself a new friend there?" Gabby was genuinely happy about it.

"Yes, I have. And I'm exploring San Antonio for a while to help me ease and find my writing atmosphere again. My focus was messing up these days so I thought of having a breather to help me keep on writing again."

"Well, it's good you get a new friend you can talk to and help you just in case there's an emergency. I won't have to worry about you anymore. And hopefully, you'll get back in your writing atmosphere soon."

"Thank you, Gabby. You can relax, I'm doing great here. You take care of yourself as well."

"You know I will. In the meantime, enjoy your trip with your new friend. I'll talk to you again soon."

After Helena said goodbye, she thanked all the angels and saints that the call was not in speaker mode. It would be uncomfortable explaining who she was with while Arthur was listening.

When Helena and Arthur got to the campsite, they immediately prepared for their brunch as they skipped a meal before they left home. Helena was focusing on preparing the food while Arthur continuously peeked at her.

"Stop staring at me," she warned.

Arthur chuckled. "I'm sorry, I can't help it. But I'll stop now."

"Make yourself busy with other things," she suggested.

"I'm still eating, as you can see."

"Then eat fast," she said, taking her last bite and leaving the small table.

Helena put all her trash in a trash bag and kept it to avoid leaving some dirt on the campsite. While Arthur was cleaning the table they used.

After a while, Arthur sat on the foldable chair opposite Helena. They rested before going for a walk and exploring the massive forest. "By the way. Who called you, if you don't mind," he asked.

"It was my best friend. She's the only one I got. I mean the one I can trust," there was a trace of sadness in her voice when she said it.

"I can be your friend, and you can trust me, too," Arthur said sincerely.

"I'm sure you've heard the line; TRUST SHOULD BE EARNED."

"I heard. I'll make sure to earn your trust, Helena," Arthur said with utmost sincerity.

"Of course, you can try."

"I will," he answered firmly. "And why didn't you mention me to your best friend?"

"I don't have to. You'll soon be leaving anyway."

"What if I'm not?"

"What?" She looked Arthur eye to eye. "Don't tell me you planned on staying in this campsite you've made?"

"What if yes?" Arthur dared to say.

"Well," she crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "That has nothing to do with me anymore. If ever Gabby visits me, you'll no longer be staying with me anyway," she said, her voice fading.

Arthur was intensely looking at her all the while. She turned back, facing her backpack, trying to be busy getting her stuff out of her bag. Somehow, some force held her back not to let Arthur go and having him stay with her, maybe for economic or personal reasons. She shook her head, thinking it was ridiculous.

Her hands were shivering as she was picking the jeans to wear. Stuffing all the snacks in a small backpack she brought. Knowing Arthur's eyes were all over her.

I don't care about him. The line she forced on repeating in her head. But the more she suppresses and tries to get rid of Arthur in her mind, the more intense it becomes.