Chapter 1:
The bright lights and fancy music swirled through the air. Helga made her way through the crowd trying to find a certain someone. When she spotted the messy brown hair she was looking for she walked over to him and slipped her arm through his, "Chad you didn't have to do this for me."
"I know but you're my girl. I want to make sure you have the very best birthday ever."
Helga smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, "But still all these people…. I never suspected that I had so many friends."
"You're very popular after all you are the prettiest girl in all of California."
Helga blushed slightly and smiled, " You sir are very charming."
"And you madam are wanted by my sister-in-law." He said pointing to a young woman about Helga's age.
She released his arm, "I'll be back." She said kissing his cheek.
"Take your time."
She walked over to her, 'Hey Elena. What's up?"
Elena smiled, " Nothing Chad just needed a distraction so he could go get your present. I volunteered."
"Elena you weren't supposed to tell me."
" I can tell you that you still don't know what the present is…Oh I can't wait to see your reaction…"
"My reaction? Oh what is it? Elena please tell me…I promise I'll still act surprised."
"No I can't. Chad would positively go insane if I told you."
Before she could speak, Chad interrupted them, "Sorry El but do you mind if I borrow her for just one second?" he said slipping his arm around Helga's waist.
"Sure take her I was tired of her anyway." She joked.
Helga stuck out her tongue as Chad led her away. He led her outside away from the crowd and she sat down on a nearby bench. Chad sat beside her and immediately took her hand. She smiled as he just stared at her, "What?"
"Here open this."
He handed her a big box. She opened it and pulled out a medium size box. She then opened the medium size box and pulled out a small box she opened that one. Inside a small slip of paper was folded neatly. She unfolded it and read the words out loud: "You are pure in heart and mind someone better I could never find. I love you more than life can see. And in my heart you will always be."
Helga smiled through her tears, "Thanks."
"There is more to it."
She lifted the smallest box up and stared at the ring inside. It glistened slightly under the moonlight, "Oh my god. It's beautiful. You didn't have to do this for me."
"Well I thought maybe you would like to have a ring to symbolize our engagement."
"Are you…"
He smiled and nodded. He took the ring from her and slid it on her finger, "Helga G. Pataki will you marry me?"
She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Without really thinking she blurted out, "Yes!! I will yes."
He pulled her into a hug as she cried on his shoulder. She looked up and stared at the ring that rested on her finger. This was the moment she had been dreaming of since she was young. Except Arnold would be the one who would propose and not this man. She wondered what her old friends would say if they knew that she and Chad were getting married. They wouldn't be too happy. " I just won't invite them to the wedding." She decided mentally. Besides what chance would there be that they would come out to California anyway?
