Something's wrong with Helen

Aria saw Joseph and Jacob standing outside the dining hall as she approached with Helen.

Joseph came forward and clapped Aria's back, saying, "Good going. I knew you would breeze through the exam. And how did you do Helen?" He asked, turning to Helen.

" Fine." Helen answered with one word as Jacob also approached.

He asked, "How did the exam go?"

Helen grumbled something as Aria turned to Joseph. "How do you know about the exam?" she asked.

Joseph rolled his eyes, "I have friends you know?"

Jacob looked at the three of them and scratched his head. Aria turned to him with a smile and said, "It was fine. I didn't get to ask you earlier, why didn't you take the exam this month?"

Jacob rolled his eyes as the four entered the dining hall, "Very sorry that I am not a genius like you three. Able to take exams back to back every month."

Aria's lips curved into a small smile as Joseph patted Jacob's shoulder, "You do your best."

Jacob scowled and shrugged off Joseph's hand. Aria laughed out loud as she grabbed the two boys with each hand and said, "Now now boys. We girls are very hungry. Let's save the fight for after dinner."

Jacob narrowed his eyes at Joseph who took Helen's hand with a mocking smile on his lips.

The four sat down to dinner and Jacob said, "Aria? How was your exam? You taking two more this month right?"

Aria answered as she swallowed, "It was so so. And yeah. I'm taking earth and wind bending."

Joseph opened his mouth to comment when a voice came from behind Aria, "Congratulations Aria. I heard you aced the exam. How about going on a date to celebrate?"

Aria took another bite as she replied without even looking back, "How about I break your leg to celebrate?"

Jacob chuckled and Joseph almost choked with laughter upon hearing Aria's reply.

Stephen's lips were set in his usual flirty smile as he put a hand on the back of Aria's chair, "This is what I find so charming about you."

Aria replied with an emotionless voice, "Remove your hand right now if you value it."

Stephen put up his hands in defeat as he said, "Why won't you be nice to me? I'm nice enough to you."

Aria turned around with a sigh, "I'll start being nice to you when you start deserving it."

Stephen huffed and turned to Helen, "So, Miss Scott? How was your exam? You took it with Aria, didn't you?"

Helen did not reply as she kept her head lowered. Joseph frowned, "Nobody wants to talk to you here Hale, can't you see that? Now scoot to somewhere where you are wanted."

Stephen rolled his eyes at Joseph and said, "Fine Scott. I'll see you at your party. Bye Aria, Miss Scott."

Aria groaned as Stephen walked away, "He'll be at your birthday party?" She asked, turning to Joseph with an accusing look.

Joseph blurted out, "Don't shoot me. I don't like him any more than you do. Father knows Mr. Hale. He invites their whole family."

Aria huffed, "I guess it can't be helped. What's wrong Helen? Are you not feeling well?" she asked turning to Helen, who had not taken a single bite ever since they sat down to eat.