You're considered to be one of the biggest delinquents in school, someone who actively breaks the rules of the school and gets into a lot of fights, because of this you have ended up face-to-face with the school's student council president quite a lot as she tends to scold you for every little thing you do wrong.

You're currently chilling on the school rooftop with a cigarette in your mouth, trying to find some peace and quiet from the rest of the school even though you're actually supposed to be in class.

A few minutes pass by and you're just puffing away on your cigarette in peace when you hear the door to the roof open and when you turn to see who it is you see Helen, the student council president standing in the opening with her arms crossed and when she sees you her eyes narrow. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?" She asks, her tone cold but filled with authority as she stands a few feet away from you. "And you're smoking... What a surprise..." She says in a sarcastic tone.

"Don't give me that attitude," Helen snaps back at you, the annoyance in her voice clear as day. "I came up here to get some peace and quiet from all this stress, not to see you." She glances around at the empty rooftop before turning her attention back to you, her red eyes narrowed. "And put that thing out. Smoking is bad for you."

Her voice carries an almost accusatory tone, as if it's your fault she had to witness you smoking on school grounds. You decide not to push the issue further and stub out what's left of your cigarette onto the concrete ground before crushing it beneath your shoe. Helen doesn't seem satisfied with this gesture though; her eyes remain fixed on you suspiciously as if expecting something more from you.

Helen eyes narrow even further as she watches the pack of cigarettes fly off the edge of the roof. "I hope that's not just an empty promise," she says in a cold voice. Looking around again, she shakes her head and sighs before sitting down on one of the concrete planters scattered across the rooftop. "You know you could have a future beyond this delinquency if you tried."

Her tone is still harsh but there's an underlying note of sympathy in it as well, something that comes across as both unexpected and unsettling for Cole. She crosses her legs and folds her hands in her lap, waiting to see how he'll respond to this seemingly genuine advice from his least favorite authority figure.

"Don't play dumb with me," Helen snaps. "You know exactly what I see in you. You have potential, but you choose to waste it by acting like this." She glances at him before looking away again, her long bangs falling across her face as she avoids eye contact. "Maybe if someone had been there for you when you needed them... Maybe then things would be different," she murmurs under her breath, sounding less sure of herself than usual.

It's clear that Helen isn't just venting now; she actually seems to care about Cole and his well-being, something that he hasn't really seen from her before. This only serves to confuse him further and makes it harder for him to keep up his tough exterior in front of her.

Helen's expression softens slightly at your words, but she doesn't respond immediately. Instead, she watches you carefully as you throw yourself onto the floor and stare up at the sky. "You are not nothing," she says finally, her voice stern but gentle. "You have a choice in this, Cole. You can continue down this path and waste your life, or you can try to turn things around."

She pauses for a moment before adding more softly, "I just wish you'd stop being so stubborn about it."

"You can argue all you want," she says with an uncharacteristically kind smile. "But I think we both know that's not going to change anything." She reaches out and gently places a hand on your shoulder, her touch surprisingly warm despite the coolness of her fingers. "I just wish... I wish you could see what I see in you. The potential for great things." Her expression turns somber as she realizes how futile those words must sound to Cole.

But even as she says them, a part of her hopes against hope that maybe, just maybe, they'll find purchase and begin to change something inside him.

Helen lets out a small laugh at your comment before shaking her head gently. "Your mom must have had some creative methods," she says with a chuckle. "But no, hitting you isn't going to help." She pauses for a moment and then adds more seriously, "Maybe if I could find a way to show you... to make you understand what I mean..." Her voice trails off as she struggles to find the right words.

In that brief moment of vulnerability, it's almost as if she reveals a small part of herself that she usually keeps hidden away, and it leaves Cole feeling surprisingly uneasy and exposed in return.

"Your mom..." Helen pauses, clearly taken aback by your words. "She shouldn't have said that... I mean, yes, maybe some lessons can be learned through tough love, but that doesn't mean you're worthless. You are valuable, Cole. You just need someone to help you see that." Her gaze flickers down briefly before returning to meet yours. "I wish that person could be me."

There is an aching sincerity in her voice as she says these words; a desperate hope that maybe, if she keeps trying, she can make some sort of difference in Cole's life and help him turn things around. Even though he's always been on the opposing end of their interactions, there's something about this moment that makes Helen feel an unfamiliar connection with him... a spark of hope that refuses to be extinguished no matter how much she tries.

Helen studies your face carefully as you blush and look away, taking in every detail of your reaction. Her heart skips a beat as she wonders what might be going through your head at that moment; is it disbelief? Confusion? Perhaps even gratitude or embarrassment? She can't quite tell from the expression on your face. "Cole..." she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I truly believe in you."

Her hand remains lightly resting on your shoulder, as if to offer some sort of support and encouragement even though she knows that words alone will not be enough to make a difference here. There's an almost desperate longing in her eyes now; a desire for connection and understanding that feels almost overwhelming at times.

"I wish you could see what I see," Helen whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling through the rafters above them. "You have so much potential... You could be anything you want to be if only..." She trails off, unsure how best to finish that thought. Her eyes drift back down toward your lips, fascinated by their softness and the way they quiver slightly when you breathe out. An image flashes through her mind of what it would feel like to touch them, to see if they're as warm and inviting as they look...

She blushes deeply at this thought, feeling guilty for even having such things cross her mind. Yet she can't seem to help herself; there's something about Cole that makes her heart race and her body react in ways it never has before. Despite knowing that it would be incredibly inappropriate, she finds herself wondering what might happen if they ever... No, she can't even finish that thought. Not here. Not now.

"I know dreaming is free," she replies with a tired sigh, "but sometimes dreams just stay that way unless you do something about them." Helen looks at him pointedly as she says this, trying to gauge his reaction. "And believe me, I've tried everything I can think of short of... well, of befriending you," she finishes lamely, biting her lower lip and feeling heat rush into her cheeks again.

Her heart aches for Cole in this moment; she wants nothing more than to help him see the light at the end of the tunnel and make something better of his life. But she knows that in order for that to happen, he's going to have to be willing to make some major changes - not just to his behavior but also perhaps to the way he sees himself and the world around him. It's a daunting task under any circumstances, and Helen can only hope that someday soon Cole will find the strength and courage within himself to overcome these challenges and become the person she knows he truly is.

A faint smile plays across Helen's lips as she listens to your words. "Mom?" she repeats with an amused snort. "Hardly." Reaching out, she lightly tousles your hair before leaning back against the concrete planter behind her. "Just... try not to get into too much trouble, okay? You still have a whole year left of high school and I'd hate to see you throw it all away." Her eyes meet yours seriously for a moment, conveying a depth of care and concern that she hasn't shown before.

The tension between them seems to ease slightly at her words; they both shift awkwardly in their seats before glancing away from each other once more. It feels strange to be having this sort of conversation after all the arguments and confrontations they've had in the past, but somehow it also feels... right. Like maybe there's hope for things between them after all, no matter how improbable that might seem at first glance.

You know..." Helen says thoughtfully, her voice trailing off as she stares up at the sky above them. "Maybe I should try something different too... Something less confrontational." She pauses, considering this idea for a moment before continuing. "How about we have a bet? If you can stay out of trouble for an entire month and actually show some progress in improving yourself, then maybe... just maybe, I'll take you up on that offer to help you turn things around." She glances at him from the corner of her eye, unsure how he'll react to this proposal.

"But if you fail," she adds quickly before he can respond, "then I get to give you a good old-fashioned spanking." Her cheeks flush crimson at the words as soon as they leave her mouth; it's obvious that even though she tries not to care about your opinion of her, she still feels self-conscious about making such an offer. She clenches her hands into fists, hoping against hope that he won't take this the wrong way and see it for what it really is: a desperate attempt on her part to connect with you in some way.

The silence stretches between them like taffy, thick and oppressive despite the bright sunlight beating down upon their shoulders. It's clear that both of them are thinking carefully about their next words before committing themselves any further.

"Oh, I'm just trying to help you see the error of your ways," she replies with feigned innocence. "And if that means setting some ground rules and consequences, then so be it." She shrugs nonchalantly, but there's an undercurrent of determination in her voice that belies her casual demeanor. "So, what do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"

There's a part of her that hopes desperately that you'll agree to this bet; it's the first crack she's seen in your tough exterior and she doesn't want to waste the opportunity to make some real progress with you. But at the same time, she knows that there's a very real chance you might refuse simply because of pride or defiance... and if that happens, then they'll be right back where they started: arguing and butting heads over everything under the sun.

"Oh," she says, her tone mock-casual as she crosses one leg over the other and tilts her head to the side thoughtfully. "I don't know... I could always tell Mr. Harris that I saw you smoking again and have him give you a detention or something." She grins cheekily at him, enjoying seeing how unsettled this threat is making him feel. "Or maybe I could spread some rumors about your... questionable behavior," she adds with a wink, letting the implications sink in.

There's a part of her that wants to press this advantage; make you understand just how much power she has over you even if it means being a little mean or underhanded. But another part of her knows that there has to be some sort of line they can't cross, some limit to what she's willing to do in order for this relationship between them not to completely disintegrate. So, as much as she hates admitting it, Helen decides against pushing things too far and instead lets the threat hang in the air a moment longer before saying any more.

"Well," she says with an arched eyebrow, "I could always back up my claims with some incriminating evidence if I really wanted to." She pauses dramatically before adding in a conspiratorial whisper, "Or perhaps we could make a little wager of our own about that... What do you say?" Her eyes glint mischievously as she watches your reaction.

It's clear now more than ever that Helen enjoys having this power over you, even if only in small ways like these. She gets a thrill out of pushing your buttons and seeing what you'll do next; it gives her some much-needed control in a life that can often feel chaotic and out of her hands. But she also knows that there needs to be boundaries, both for her sake and yours, otherwise things could easily spiral out of control.

So now it's up to you: do you take the bait and accept this new wager, or do you walk away before things get any more complicated than they already are?

She leans forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees as she considers your question. "How about this," she begins with a sly grin. "If you can stay out of trouble and manage to keep your grades up for the next two weeks, I won't say anything more about your... indiscretions." Her voice is quiet but firm; it carries an undercurrent of threat that is impossible for you not to notice. "But if you fail," she adds with a malicious gleam in her eye, "I get to do whatever I want for an entire weekend - no arguments or excuses allowed."

"Well," she says with an amused chuckle as you take her up on your challenge, "at least you're being honest." There's a spark in her eyes now that wasn't there before; it's almost as if she enjoys this game of cat and mouse they've found themselves playing. The wind picks up around them, sending strands of her hair whipping across her face, but she doesn't seem to notice or mind. "Just remember," she says pointedly, making sure you don't miss the warning in her tone, "you signed up for this."

With a final wink, she stands and brushes off her skirt before turning to leave. You watch as she walks away, your heart racing with anticipation - and maybe just a little fear of what might happen if you don't manage to win this bet.

She turns back to you with a look of surprise on her face before quickly recovering her composure. "I suppose we could," she says nonchalantly. "It's not like I have anything better to do, after all." There's an amused twinkle in her eye that hints at the truth behind her words; it seems as if she might actually enjoy these little meetings with you despite all the conflict they usually entail.

As she studies your face once more, something flickers in her expression - a fleeting moment of... something. Empathy? Curiosity? It's gone almost as soon as it appears, leaving you wondering what could have caused it and whether or not it means anything at all.

As you lie there, lost in thought with your gaze fixed on the sky above, you can't help but feel an odd mix of anticipation and trepidation. The wager with Helen has added a new layer of complexity to your life, and while it might not be exactly what you expected, it feels... invigorating somehow. Like finally having someone acknowledge your existence in some way, no matter how small or fleeting that recognition may be.

The wind continues to rustle through the rafters above you, carrying with it the faint scent of autumn leaves and distant fireplaces. As the light begins to fade from the sky, leaving behind only a canvas of deep blues and purples, you can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring - both for your school life and for your relationship with Helen. And though it terrifies you just as much as it excites you, you know that one way or another, things are about to change...

As you make your way down from the roof and back towards the busy streets below, it occurs to you that maybe, just maybe, this bet with Helen isn't about winning or losing at all. Perhaps it's a chance for both of you to see each other in a different light - not as enemies but as fellow travelers on this journey through life. It might not be easy, and there will undoubtedly be more arguments and confrontations along the way, but perhaps if you keep your heart open and your mind receptive... maybe then something truly wonderful could happen.

As you make your way through the school hallways, you can't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within you. Today is the first day of your wager with Helen, and while part of you is terrified of failing, another part is excited by the challenge it presents. You keep glancing at your watch anxiously, counting down the minutes until your next class with her - wondering what she'll say or do when you see each other again.

Finally, the bell rings signalling the end of your first class and you hurry to join her, taking a deep breath as you step into her line of sight. Her expression is one of cool detachment, but there's something else there too - an almost hungry curiosity that makes your heart race even faster. This moment seems to stretch out forever, with every passing second filling you with anticipation and dread in equal measure.

Finally, she breaks the silence. "Well, Cole," she says slowly, tilting her head to the side as she studies you carefully, "I see you made it through your first class without incident." Her voice is soft but steady; there's a hint of triumph lacing every word. "I must admit, I didn't think you had it in you." Her eyes meet yours directly now, searching for some sign of what this experience has been like for you so far...

Her eyes narrow slightly at your playful comment about escaping to the roof again, but she refrains from saying anything further on the matter for now. Instead, she arches an eyebrow and tilts her head curiously. "And how is that girl of mine doing today?" she asks coyly, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know... Cole? I'm sure you remember her."

There's a note of amusement in her voice as she teases you about your relationship with this mysterious 'Cole'. It seems that despite their rocky history and current tense situation, she still enjoys playing these games with you from time to time. But there's also an underlying current of curiosity; she genuinely wants to know how it feels for you to be in her position - the one everyone else looks up to and aspires to be like.

"Oh?" She tilts her head to the side, regarding you with an interested expression. "And how do you think I'd react if you were to fail that bet?" The teasing tone is gone now; replaced by a genuine curiosity about what could happen between them if things changed. There's an undercurrent of hope in her voice as well - the hope that maybe, just maybe, she and Cole can find some common ground despite their past differences.

As she studies your face, trying to read your reaction, she wonders how much of this is real and how much is just part of the game they've been playing. For a moment, she wishes she could step out of character and speak honestly with you... but then again, perhaps it wouldn't matter anyway. Perhaps even if their interactions remained superficial and playful on the surface, there was still something deeper waiting to be found beneath.

Her eyes sparkle with amusement at your challenge as she leans in closer, lowering her voice so that only you can hear. "Oh, I think it would be rather interesting to find out," she whispers conspiratorially before straightening up again and stepping back with a mischievous grin.

The bell rings once more, signalling the end of class; students begin to file out of the room as they make their way towards lunch or their next destination. As you stand there beside Helen, your heart races in anticipation of what might happen should she decide to test the limits of your discipline... and hers.

You can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she considers your challenge. "Let's see..." She leans forward slightly, lowering her voice even more so that no one around you can overhear. "How about if I catch you using your phone during class? That should be easy enough for me to prove, right?" Her gaze meets yours unflinchingly as she awaits your reaction.

As the next few classes pass by in a blur of lectures and assignments, you can't help but find yourself glancing at her whenever their paths cross. There's an undeniable thrill that comes with the prospect of pushing things further between you... but there's also a part of you that wonders if maybe this is taking things too far. Is it really worth risking your grades just for a little bit of excitement and attention from her?

Finally, lunchtime arrives, and with it comes the opportunity for both of you to see how well (or badly) things have gone over the past few hours. You take a seat at an empty table near the back of the cafeteria, your eyes fixed on the door as you wait for her arrival...

The anticipation builds within you like a pressure cooker about to explode; with every passing second, it becomes harder and harder to resist the urge to check your phone or do something else that might give you away. But if you want this game to continue, you know you need to keep your cool... at least for now.