The club wasn't far from Dami's apartment, but the atmosphere hit them the moment they stepped in. Loud music, the smell of alcohol, and a riot of body sprays overwhelmed the air. Dami felt Helena shift closer to her, so she wrapped her arm around her waist, holding her protectively as they weaved through the crowd.
They found Dami's friends in the VIP section at the back of the club. Ronald, Dami's best friend, was the first to notice them. He hugged Dami and offered Helena a handshake. The music was so loud they had to yell to hear one another.
There was only one available seat, and Dami gestured for Helena to take it. "I'm going to get us drinks," Dami said. Helena tried to protest, but Dami smiled. "I'll be right back, I promise."
Helena stayed behind with the group, already feeling uneasy.
"Helena! Hi," Tony, one of Dami's friends, said as he moved closer. He extended a hand, which she took with a polite smile.
Dami's friends were the only ones who knew about their relationship. Dami believed they were cool with it, but Helena wasn't so sure. To them, Dami was "one of the guys," and they didn't take the relationship seriously. That made Helena uncomfortable, but Dami didn't understand when she'd tried to explain.
Dami returned with two drinks, gesturing for Helena to stand up. She took the seat and pulled Helena onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her waist. The group cheered, and Helena hid her face in Dami's shoulder, blushing furiously.
As the party continued, Helena gradually relaxed into Dami. While Dami chatted with her friends, Helena focused on the dance floor. The music had quieted, so they didn't have to yell anymore.
"Helena," Tony called out suddenly.
"Yes?" she answered, turning to him.
"I think Dami's tired. Why don't you come sit on my lap?" he said with a sick grin.
Helena's face hardened, and before she could respond, Dami stood up.
"Screw you, Tony," she spat, taking Helena's hand and pulling her away from the VIP section.
Helena stopped her in the middle of the dance floor. "I don't want to leave. Let's dance."
Dami's frustration melted as she smiled. "Alright, let's dance."
They held each other moving to the rhythm of the music,
"I told you they didn't like me," Helena whispered,
"Actually, Tony is just bitter,"
"Why?"
"he had a crush on this girl, I warned him she was gay, he didn't listen, until she told him that she was using him to get to me, he has been a little bitter since then." Dami explained, he wasn't even supposed to be here," she added.
---
Three songs later, they were still on the floor, wrapped in each other's arms as a slow song played. Half the club had emptied, and the place felt calmer.
Helena rested her head on Dami's shoulder and whispered, "I love you."
"What?" Dami froze mid-step.
"I love you," Helena repeated, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes.
Dami smiled, her heart swelling, and without caring who might see, she grabbed Helena and kissed her deeply, pouring all her emotions into it.
"Let's go home. Now," Dami said when they pulled apart. She didn't wait for Helena to respond, leading her straight to the car.
---
Helena's mom wasn't home when they arrived, so they let themselves in with the spare key Lara had told her about.
"Home sweet home," Helena said as she stepped inside. The house looked exactly as Dami remembered.
Dami carried Helena's bags upstairs and stayed to help her unpack. When they were done, they lay together on Helena's bed, waiting for Lara to return.
"You never said it back," Helena said suddenly.
"Said what?" Dami asked, confused.
"I told you I loved you, and you never said it back," Helena pouted.
Dami sighed. "Darling…"
"Do you not love me? Is that it?" Helena's voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hela," Dami said softly, holding her close.
"That's it, isn't it?" Helena cried, tears now streaming down her face.
Dami cupped Helena's face, forcing her to meet her gaze. "you mean the world to me Hela. But love for me is different, I will say it, but I'm not ready just yet."
Helena thought for a moment. "i understand."
Dami smiled gently. "Good." She pulled Helena into a tight hug. "Hela, right now, I care about you so much. You are the most important person in my life. I would chase you to the ends of the earth."
Dami kissed her deeply, wishing she could say those three words. But she couldn't. Every time she'd said them in the past, reality came crashing down. For now, this was enough.
They stayed wrapped in each other, happy in their bubble.
"No, God. Get the hell away from my daughter!"
Dami froze.
Shit. Fucking Reality.