Alice? Helena questioned, rather surprised at the sudden phone call at what she would consider, a rather early time of the day. Is anything wrong?

What are you doing right now? along came the languid reply, not after long silence, which was quite apparent in the huge and lonely mansion in the middle of the night.

You call me at 1am in the morning, just to ask what I was doing? Helena responded incredulously, arching an eyebrow. I dont believe this. Are you going to come to the point now?

Helena had never been accustomed to random banter among friends, because she had always been regarded as somewhat of an outsider among her acquaintances. Sent to a British boarding school since she was six, she had become somewhat of a loner, when the other British kids made fun of her American accent. She found herself alienated from most of the people she met, being unable to relate to them on the same level. When she got older, her wealth got into the way of her relationships. People looked her up frequently when they needed something from her, more often than other. Eventually, Helena learnt not to trust anyone. It was only until Helena befriended the gang when she truly understood what genuine friendship was.

Realizing that her relatively curt comment could be taken badly, she added softly, No offence, its just that Im not quite used to receiving phone calls in the middle of the night, except for ridiculous requests from my mother.

Thanks for telling me, Helena. Now Ive the mental picture of Peggy Peabody having foreplay with a delicious Blond hunk, while a teenaged Helena runs out to buy condoms. Im not sure what to think about that. Alice teased, chuckling happily at the thought.

Ack! Alice!!!!!! What are you talking about? Helena said in mock horror, Before your imagination runs wild, Ill like to correct you – hes an oily brunette, and is nowhere near the delicious hunk youve described so affectionately.

“I did not need you to tell me that.” Alice grimaced. “I’m going to take some time getting that out from my mind now.”

Helena grinned. “Always happy to be of service. How do you want me to help you do that?”

Well, you can always do that by giving me some confidential information. She answered solemnly.

What is it you want to know? Youre making it sound like some top-secret-espionage operation, so awfully mysterious. No matter what, Im not telling you anything! Helena declared suspiciously.

Why are you always this paranoid? Alice asked. Its no big deal at all! Do you have a crush on Bette?

What? Are you always this direct? Helena demanded.