Chapter 1 - Girl Back in Town

It had been 4 years since Helga had walked the streets of Hillwood. That fateful summer day that drove Miriam over the edge had changed the girl's world a lot. Coming back to her old town for her senior year isn't exactly what Helga wanted. As she walked and saw many of the places she use to visit with her friends, she soon began to wonder who still lived there besides Phoebe and Gerald.

As she walked she turned the corner to see Slausen's, the old ice cream shop really was still there! She walked in thinking she would get a shake and wait for Phoebe so they could continue the walk. To her surprise there stood a very familiar face, the one she had hoped to see. When she walked in he turned to see, with his oblong shaped head, green eyes and blond hair

They locked eyes and smiled but only for a second when the door opened again, walking in with her gentle stride Lila…. Lila Sawyer.

Hi Arnold! Lila said ever so sweetly…

Hey Lila. Answered Arnold.

Are you ready to order?

Yes I am.

As the pair ordered Helga stood back, looking at the menu yet glancing toward Arnold who couldn't help but look over his shoulder. He was sure it was her, she looked so familiar yet so different! It had to be her… but what would she be doing back here, she's left all those years ago and never said goodbye. Lila noticed his distracted demeanor,

Are you alright Arnold? Lila asked while taking a hold of her vanilla ice cream.

H-Huh… uh yea I'm fine. Arnold told her while running his hand threw his blond locks.

You look quite distracted…. Do you know that girl? Lila asked shyly.

Huh.. Who? Oh her he said looking over his shoulder again.. She looks familiar but I don't think I know her.

As the pair walked to take a seat Helga walked to the counter for her chocolate shake. A moment later Lila stood to go to the ladies room… as she walked away Helga looked over at Arnold again more than a little pived that he would be with her! While she contemplated walking over to him, the door opened again…. there was Phoebe.

Phebes! Helga said I she opened her arms to her old friend.

Helga! Phoebe said happily yet like her quite self.

When Arnold heard the name he started to choke on his shake….. He knew it was her! She's back! After all these years she was back!

Helga and Phoebe turned to look at the commotion, Phoebe walked and spoke so gently to Arnold.

Are you ok?

I'm ok… yea.. Hi Phoebe.. He smiled towards her. Helga walked up to them..

Hey there Football Head. She smirked, Feeling ok there?

Hi Helga. He looked up at here even after all these years and his growth spurt she was still a head taller than him.

How have you been? Long time no see, what are you doing here?

I've decided to grace P.S. 219 with my presence this senior year. She answered with her old hint of annoyance.

Oh really! Arnold said as Lila returned from the ladies room, stopping short to see the interaction within the group.

Hello there Phoebe, how are you doing? asked Lila smiling sweetly.

I'm good thank you answered Phoebe, while taking Helga's elbow….

Well Helga and I will be leaving now, have a nice day. As the girls walked away Arnold couldn't help but look at Helga as her hips swayed from side to side.

Once outside Phoebe and Helga walked side by side towards the baseball park.

I'm sooo happy you're back, Helga. Phoebe said with a little giggle in her voice.

Me too, Phebes. Said Helga.

Had you said Hello to Arnold back there, before I came in? She asked curiously yet nervous.

Nah, He was with Li-LAH…. Helga scowled.

Oh… I see.

Are they together?

What…. oh umm I… ahhh…. yes. Phoebe finally answered.

Of course. Said Helga hiding a little ping of hurt. why does it even matter she asked herself? why does it hurt? it's been 4 years you'd think I'd have moved on by now…. ahh Helga sighed and looked over at Phoebe.

Who else is still in this old dump of a town? Helga asked a little sad after leaving Slausen's.

Oh… Well everyone actually. Said Phoebe with her usual happy smile. She's grown in the past few years but she was still little next to Helga.

When they arrived at the baseball park they took a seat on a bench overlooking the playing field. As the two girls sat down the boys playing couldn't help but look over. They recognized Phoebe, but weren't to sure of the blond next to her.

Hey Phoebe! Gerald shouted with a wave of his glove.

Hi Gerald she called back with a little wave. Soon all the boys walked over to the girls to see who the bombshell blond was. As they got closer they started talking to the girls.

Hello little lady. Said Stinky

Hi, smirked and winked Sid

Gerald smiled and nodded his head, He said nothing but had recognized her plus Phoebe couldn't keep a secret from her boyfriend! She had spilled the beans about Helga coming back just a few days ago but swore him to secrecy.

Harold just said hi, but being he was last he is the one Helga responded to.

Hey, Fat Boy. Helga smirked and waved at the 4

As soon as they heard her voice their mouths opened wide. Holy crap! They shouted in unison, all they seemed to be able to do was stare and look at one another.

Helga Pataki! What are you doing here? Harold finally broke the silence… everybody thought you were dead! Where have you been?

Hahah not just yet. Helga answered while sipping her shake that had gotten a little warm after their walk. As she walked to throw it away she the boys couldn't help but watch her walk away. Wow how things had changed. Never before would they be looking at Pataki that way. But she looked hot!

I moved away the summer after 7th grade, Mariam decided she wanted to start "fresh" but now we're back just in time for the new school year.

Well damn! Said Harold.

Welcome back! Said Sid and Stinky.

Thanks boys. Helga was in a better mood then after leaving Slausen's.

Well we'll leave you to your little game, Helga waved her hand dismissively and turned to Phoebe to walk away from the park.

After leaving Bob Mariam had never actually filed for divorce, so when the "Beeper King" had his car accident and passed the house had become Mariams. Helga and Phoebe walked back toward her old home. She was still trying to get use to her old room with it's polka dot heart wall paper. As the girls walked into her old house she heard the blender going in the kitchen so she just went straight to her room with Phoebe.

How have you liked your first day back in Hillwood asked Phoebe.

It's alright, I guess….. She answered while her brows furrowed together.

Seeing Arnold again wasn't exactly what you had hoped for was it….. Phoebe said shyly…

You always notice more than you let on don't you.. Helga smiled a Phoebe. I don't think he knew it was me phebes…. I don't think he recognized me..

Well you have changed quite a bit! Phoebe said timidly while eyeing Helga.

Hahaha…. yea I guess I have Helga said as she pushed her chest out. All Helga wanted to do at this point was ask her everything about Arnold…. She wanted to know everything she had missed, but just didn't know where to start….

Phoebe knew her look and just started talking about him. His on the baseball team. He has been with Lila for 2 years now. He was the first one to ask about you when school started and you weren't there…

Helga quickly turned to look at Phoebe.. With eyes full of wonder and fear. He asked about me! Why? It's not like he really cared… He has always liked Li-LAH….

Why did he ask about me? Helga finally broke her silence..

He said it was weird without you there..

He… he said that!?

Yes. He looked quite sad when he realized you weren't coming back.

Well I'm back now!

What's that suppose to mean?

Well… I don't really know…

Did you ever stop loving him?

Helga let her head hang…

I see.. Well as you saw today he is… taken…

Yea I saw… But do you think he ever thinks of me?

I-I'm not sure… no one has spoken of you since that year..

Oh, Helga said while sounding a little hurt.

Her time away had soften her, being so much more aware of her feeling and actually showing them is not something Helga was use to. It's definitely going to be interesting next week once school starts once again. In the meantime it's time to bond with her old friend.