ch.18

A Fresh Start

A week had passed since Helen’s trip to the Dominican Republic, and she was back home, settling into her routine. Things felt different now—lighter, happier. The air in her home carried an ease she hadn’t felt in a long time.

It was a quiet morning, and Helen sat on the couch, sipping her iced coffee as Ethan and Jennie played together on the living room floor. Their laughter echoed through the house, making her smile. She glanced at her phone, scrolling through emails when a new message popped up from her manager.

"Call me ASAP. Big opportunity."

Helen raised a brow, curious. She quickly dialed, and within seconds, her manager’s excited voice filled the line.

“Helen! You’re not gonna believe this,” they said. “The director of a major film project just reached out. They want you as the lead.”

Helen blinked in surprise. “Wait, what?”

“It’s a biopic,” her manager continued. “A story about a legendary female artist. They think you’d be perfect.”

Helen sat up straighter. Acting had become a big part of her career, but this? This was something else. “Who’s it about?”

A brief pause. Then—

“Aaliyah.”

Helen’s heart skipped a beat. “Aaliyah? Like THE Aaliyah?”

“Yes. They’ve been working on the script for a while now, and they want someone with the right voice, the right look, and the ability to bring her essence to life. Your name came up immediately.”

Helen took a deep breath, overwhelmed. Aaliyah was one of her biggest inspirations. The idea of portraying her, honoring her story—it was huge.

“Damn…” she muttered, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes,” her manager encouraged. “At least meet with them. Hear what they have to say.”

Helen exhaled, her mind racing. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. She looked over at her kids, playing so innocently, unaware of the major decision their mom was about to make.

“I’ll think about it,” she finally said.

After hanging up, she sat in silence for a moment, processing. That’s when Javon walked in, shirtless, fresh from the gym, wiping sweat from his face with a towel.

“What’s up?” he asked, noticing her expression.

Helen looked up at him, still slightly stunned. “I just got offered a role to play Aaliyah in a biopic.”

Javon’s brows shot up. “Aaliyah? Yo, that’s crazy. That’s legendary.”

“I know,” she sighed. “It’s a lot to take in.”

Javon sat next to her, resting a hand on her thigh. “Are you thinking about doing it?”

Helen bit her lip. “I want to. But it’s a huge responsibility. I mean, I’d be portraying her. I need to do her justice.”

Javon nodded in understanding. “You wouldn’t have been offered this if they didn’t think you could handle it. You’ve already proven yourself, Helen. If this is something you want, don’t let doubt stop you.”

Helen stared at him for a moment, his words sinking in. He was right.

A slow smile spread across her lips. “I guess I gotta meet with them and see what’s up.”

Javon smirked. “That’s my girl.”

Ethan suddenly jumped onto Helen’s lap, making her laugh as Jennie climbed up next to Javon. In that moment, Helen realized—no matter what she chose, she had everything she needed.

And maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something even greater.

---

Remembering Gus

November had crept up faster than Helen expected. The cold air outside felt heavier today, like the weight of the memories pressing on her chest. It had been years since Gustav—Lil Peep—passed away, but every November, the pain resurfaced like it had just happened.

She sat in her dimly lit studio, her fingers tracing over an old Polaroid of them together. Peep had been her light in some of her darkest moments. They weren’t just lovers; they were best friends, soulmates in a world that often felt too heavy.

Kylie, Malachi, and Javon were in the living room with Ethan and Jennie, giving Helen space to gather her thoughts. They all knew what today meant to her.

Her phone buzzed—it was Jules.

Jules: Thinking of you today. Hope you're okay. If you need anything, I’m here.

Helen smiled softly before texting back: Thank you, Jules. I miss him a lot.

After a deep breath, she stood up, grabbed her coat, and walked into the living room.

“I’m heading out for a bit,” she told them.

Javon gave her a knowing look. “You sure you wanna go alone?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just need a moment.”

She drove in silence to the cemetery, the weight of the day pressing against her. When she arrived, she placed a bouquet of black and white roses on his grave.

“Hey, Gus,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I miss you. I wish you were still here.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t fight them. She let them fall, just like she always did on this day.

After a few moments, she pulled out her phone and played Star Shopping—one of his songs that always hit different. As the melody played softly, she closed her eyes, letting the music carry her back to the moments they shared—the laughter, the late-night studio sessions, the whispered promises of forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8QQR-wQA0I

A gust of wind passed through, and for a brief second, it felt like he was there with her.

“I’ll keep making you proud,” she promised before pressing a kiss to her fingers and touching the gravestone.

She stayed for a little longer before finally heading back. She wasn’t alone in her grief—she had people who loved her, people who understood. And somehow, she knew Peep was watching over her, too.

---

Pouring Her Heart into Music

After returning home from visiting Peep’s grave, Helen locked herself in her studio. The emotions were too raw, too overwhelming to keep bottled up. Writing had always been her escape, her way of keeping the memories alive.

She sat at the piano, fingers hesitating over the keys before pressing down, letting the melody flow. Soft, melancholic chords filled the room, and just like that, Somewhere Only We Know was born.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ

Her voice cracked as she sang the lyrics, memories of Gus flashing in her mind—the late-night car rides, the whispered secrets, the unspoken understanding between them. This song was for him, a place where they could meet again, even if just through music.

But one song wasn’t enough.

The next night, she stayed up until the early hours of the morning, writing I Wait for You, a song about how they met. It was like reliving their first conversation, the instant connection, the way he made her feel seen in a world that often felt too big and lonely.

Days passed, and the music kept pouring out of her.

7 Weeks and 3 Days—a song about how her friends had warned her not to fall for him. They told her he was trouble, that she would only end up hurt. But she didn’t listen. She couldn’t. Because love didn’t come with a warning label, and even if it did, she still would’ve chosen him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVxO6fKtrw4

And then came the hardest song to write.

Decode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvnkAtWcKYg

This one hurt the most because it was about her own feelings before she ever realized she was in love with him. The confusion, the fear of ruining their friendship, the way she tried to suppress what she felt because she was scared of what it meant.

When she finally finished writing, she sat back, staring at the lyrics in front of her.

She had poured everything into these songs.

Now, the world would know how much he meant to her.

---

A Tribute in Music

The next day, Helen released the songs. It wasn’t just about the music—it was a tribute, a love letter, a way to immortalize what she and Gus had shared.

She gathered her friends in her living room, dimming the lights as they all settled onto the couches. Ethan sat on her lap, his tiny fingers playing with the hem of her sweater, while Jennie curled up beside her. Javon sat nearby, his expression unreadable, while Malachi, Kylie, and Tracy were beside them, waiting for the video to start.

As the screen lit up, the first notes of Somewhere Only We Know played, and the video began.

The footage was raw—real. Clips of her and Gus laughing in dimly lit rooms, sitting on rooftops, sharing secrets in the back of cars. There were old concert clips, the way they used to perform side by side, their energy electric. Tracy appeared in some moments too, the three of them inseparable at one point.

Then came the most intimate clips.

A grainy video of Gus playing with Helen’s hair as they sat on a couch, his face soft with admiration. A clip of them on stage, him whispering something into her ear before she laughed and nudged him. Another of them in a recording booth, him watching her with that familiar smile, as if she was the only person in the room.

Her friends were silent, completely engrossed in the visuals.

Then the final clip played—her and Gus at one of their last shows together, standing under the bright stage lights, arms slung around each other as they sang into the same mic. The camera zoomed in on their faces, and in that moment, it was obvious—he had loved her, and she had loved him.

The song faded out.

Silence filled the room.

Helen wiped away a stray tear, inhaling shakily.

“Damn…” Malachi muttered, shaking his head. “That was—”

“Beautiful,” Kylie finished, her voice thick with emotion.

Tracy was staring at the screen, his lips pressed together as he exhaled sharply. “He would’ve loved this,” he finally said.

Helen swallowed, nodding. “I hope so.”

Javon reached over, squeezing her hand gently. She turned to look at him, surprised by the warmth in his eyes. “You did right by him.”

She managed a small smile, squeezing his hand back.

Because in that moment, she knew—Gus would always be with her. Through the music, through the memories, through the love that would never fade.

---

Aaliyah’s Story

Months later, after wrapping up filming for her role as Aaliyah, Helen finally returned home. The experience had been intense—transforming into the late singer, studying her mannerisms, perfecting her voice, and reliving both her rise and tragic end. The premiere had been an emotional night, but now, it was time to share the film with the people closest to her.

Helen and her friends gathered in her living room, the lights dimmed, popcorn and drinks scattered across the table. Ethan and Jennie were already dozing off in their blankets, while Javon, Malachi, and Kylie sat eagerly, waiting for the movie to start.

“You nervous?” Javon asked, nudging her as she settled onto the couch beside him.

Helen exhaled, rubbing her hands together. “A little. It’s different watching it with you guys.”

“You killed that role, though,” Malachi reassured her. “You had everybody crying at the premiere.”

Helen laughed lightly. “That’s the goal, I guess.”

As the movie began, the opening scene played out—Aaliyah’s childhood, her first moments singing in front of a crowd. Helen watched herself on screen, reliving the months of preparation that went into the role. The dedication. The pressure. The love she put into making sure Aaliyah’s story was honored.

By the time the tragic ending unfolded, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Kylie sniffled, reaching for tissues, while even Javon wiped at his eyes discreetly.

“You really made me cry,” he muttered. “Damn.”

Helen smiled sadly. “That’s how it felt filming it too.”

As the credits rolled, they all sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the weight of the film.

“You did her justice,” Kylie finally spoke, her voice thick with emotion. “Aaliyah would be proud.”

Helen swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “I hope so.”

As the night continued, they talked about the film, their favorite moments, and how real everything had felt. Helen knew this role would stay with her forever—just like Aaliyah’s music had stayed with the world.

---

Thank you for reading 💘💘💘