After changing into her home clothes, Helena helped Tina set up the bathroom so that her friend could have a more peaceful and comforting ambiance while taking a warm bath. Scented candles were lit, creating an atmosphere of soothing tranquility within the area.

Filling the tub with warm water was Tina who still appeared to be spaced out, more like Jenny Schecter. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a bubble bath as she was always on the go since school started a few weeks ago. It was her senior year and she had more responsibilities now as compared to last year, like her girlfriend. Then she noticed Helena lighting some more candles inside the bathroom. She wanted to ask Helena how she got banged up but killed off the curiosity before the question careened out of her mouth. Tina sighed.

“Are you okay…?” Helena approached her with a bathrobe in one hand. “Here you go. You can use this.”

“Thanks a lot, Helena…” Tina smiled weakly, taking the bathrobe. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right.”

“Okay. So, I’ll just be out there, watching some TV. Take your time. I’ll see you when you’re done.” Turning around, Helena started heading out the bathroom to leave Tina by herself. She closed the door behind her. A puff of air had gone out of her lungs and she rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hands before walking to her bed. The pain had subsided, thankfully, and she could move more freely now. “Jesus Christ…”

Helena reclined her back on the comfortable mattress and looked up the ceiling while the television continued to pour information out. She thought about Nicole who had rejected her and the thwarting shame that it had brought her. Though the air conditioner was running, sweat broke from her forehead down to her neck and she wiped it off with the back of her right hand. Tilting her head to the left, Helena stared at the bathroom door and reflected about the unpretentious jealousy she had seen radiating from Tina. She had never seen her more jealous and more upset in her life before.