Disclaimer: Not a thing…
A/N: I'm going to erase Reality and Dreams and set up another story called What If… It's going to have different situations during different points in the HA gang's life starring different characters always answering the same question…What If?
Haunting Melody By: Starry NightsThe place was unbelievably large. The lawn was well cut and flowers were visible from every angle. Sunlight beamed through the lightly covered windows and reflected the cheery atmosphere of the large ballroom. She walked in jeans and a pink baby tee. She hardly looked like she belong in the celebration but familiar faces waved and it wasn't long before she was whisked away by several other girls into the far right room.
"It's about time you got here." Rhonda said when she noticed the newest arrival.
Lila managed to smile, "I wouldn't miss this."
Phoebe moved as Helga stood up, "I know that."
She stood in front of her now. Her blond hair cascading in curls past her back and she was…smiling. Lila had to admit Helga looked stunning. Phoebe had done wonders with her. Just four days ago she still had that hideous eyebrow, her hair was always kept in that ridiculous bow and her wardrobe wasn't exactly becoming either but who was she to talk. Helga was getting married today and Lila wasn't. Anger flooded her veins. She was tempted to ruin this whole wedding, tempted to run and kiss her husband-to-be.
But she didn't.
She wanted to but she didn't.
Instead she turned around to face the petite Phoebe. "Where do I change?"
"Go through that door and make a left. Go into the first door you see."
"Thanks."
*~*
The pale blue dress hung limply from its hanger. Lila looked at it menacingly before turning to the mirror. She looked at herself in only her bra and panties in the mirror. He often told her he loved her body. She loved the way his hands felt on her body. He could make any woman feel like a million bucks. His eyes alone were hypnotizing. Sighing she slipped into the dress and faced the mirror again.
{Shake out of it Lila! The man is getting married for crying out loud. It's been 7 years. Get over it!}
* * *
The ceremony itself was fantastic. Not a single mistake was made and he looked absolutely handsome in his tuxedo. She knew he was uncomfortable but he was disguising it really well. Helga probably had to beat him into that tie. She looked up from her drink to see that he was watching her. She smiled and he began to walk over.
"Hi."
"Hello."
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Immensely. It's nice seeing everyone again."
He nodded. "I agree." He watched his wife sip on some champagne.
"You look handsome."
He faced her; his green eyes widened before he answered her as a blush spread across his cheeks, "I do not."
She shrugged, "I'm happy for you, Arnold."
"Thank you. I feel lucky."
"Helga is a very lucky girl."
He smiled and turned back to his wife. She laughed out loud then met his gaze. Smiling, she drifted toward him.
"Lila." She sat down in the occupying seat. "I know I haven't been the nicest person in the world but thanks for being one of my bridesmaids."
"Like I said. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
With that she excused herself and retreated to one of the balconies and gazed at the clear, starless sky. This whole thing was her fault. She knew Helga liked Arnold.
She knew that she loved him.
She was also the one that broke his heart.
Not once but twice.
She practically pushed them together.
Lila sighed and walked out into the night with her blue heels in her hands as the cool grass easing the pain of her feet. Occasionally a cool breeze would blow rustling the trees but in the distant she heard some music. It was a sad melody to match the mood of her heart perhaps that's why she was attracted to it. She continued to walk until she was some ways away from the house and onto someone else's yard only it wasn't a house. It was a 2-story building being renovated and as the haunting melody continued she walked on…
Through the door,
Up the stairs,
And into the room.
"Hello."
wheeze
"Is someone in here?"
"Yes, but I ask you to return to where you have strayed from."
"Strayed from? I'm not a cat or a dog. I do not stray from anywhere."
"Forgive my choice of words, Lila."
"How do you know my name?"
"That question is highly overrated."
"How so?"
"I have seen many movies with that question. If I know your name, I must know of you or I know you."
She took another step, "I suspect the latter."
"Because…"
"When you are silent, you wheeze slightly and I can never misplace that sound no matter how old I get."
"Excellent deduction." Brainy complimented as he stepped out of the shadows. He too was in a tuxedo.
"Hello Brainy."
"Please. Call me Demetrius."
"Why?"
"That's my name."
Lila was dumbfounded now, "I always assumed…"
Brainy chuckled, "I never, said my name was Brainy…" he was leading her outside now. "Now, tell me why are you following my poignant melody. Shouldn't you be at the wedding?"
"Shouldn't you?"
He smirked, "And watch my heart being tramped on, I'd rather not."
"I see."
"What about you?"
"I really don't feeling like talking about it."
"So am I right by saying your heart is with another also?"
Lila turned to face him, "I said I don't want to talk about it."
He walked around her and yelled over his shoulder, "then go from where you came…I have no time for this."
"Wait!"
He continued walking but slowed his pace, "what?"
"You don't honestly except me to return to the party."
He laughed, "I don't care where you go right now."
Lila frowned and exhaled loudly. She really had no desire to talk about her personal life to Brainy or rather Demetrius but she found herself wanting to spend more time with him. She hasn't heard him speak since graduation day at high school and even then all he said was "good luck" Lila sighed, she knew she was going to end up telling him all about her sorrowful life and hopefully she would get him to talk some about his life too.
"Fine, I give in. let's walk."
*~*
They had only walked a few blocks before stopping at Slaussen's, the ice cream shop they ate at before they all left the small Brooklyn town…and into the real world.
"I suspect you still have feelings for Arnold."
Lila twirled the spoon of her frozen yogurt, "Yes."
"Then why torture yourself and come to his wedding? You could have denied Helga's request and stayed home."
"I don't know what I was thinking. I really don't owe her much but she's changed so much since high school. I wanted to do this."
"Hmm, forgive me if I do not understand."
"I wanted closure. If I saw him get married then I knew that him and me could never be but that plan backfire because now…seeing him with her tears my heart into two."
He handed her a tissue but she brushed it off, "Enough of me. When I first saw you and I asked you why weren't you at the wedding you said to me…"And watch my heart being tramped on, I'd rather not." Those were you exact words."
Brainy shifted his eyes and looked at the Formica tabletop, "Helga has been in love with Arnold since she first saw him. I followed her around for years until I realized that she would never love me like she loves him. She will never love anyone as much as she loves him."
"Same for Arnold."
"Maybe you're right but Arnold was and is capable of loving anyone he comes in contact with. Helga keeps that part of herself inside."
Lila took this all in and came to a realization she didn't want to hear or acknowledge, "You're right but he loves her in a different way."
Brainy smiled weakly, "You finally understand."
"Yeah, but it wasn't easy."
He stood up, dropped five dollars on the table and held out his hands. "Let's take another walk."
The streetlights flickered on as the duo made their way around the familiar sights of Brooklyn. Finally when the sun disappeared the couple found that they were in front of P.S.118. They looked at each other and back the school.
"I never thought I'd come back here."
Lila turned to her companion, "Why not?"
"I wasn't exactly the most welcome person anywhere."
"That's because you never said anything."
"I guess you're right but no one ever tried."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's over and done with."
"Do you think I've changed?"
Brainy widened his eyes at the sudden change of conversation, "We all change."
"Yeah, I was just remembering the person I was when I was in P.S. 118."
"No one would stay like they did when they were nine."
"Hmm. I guess. I did some pretty mean things."
"We all do."
"To Arnold, I mean. He'd take me out for dinner and I'd complain about everything. I broke his heart in 11th grade because I wanted to go with Greg Thompson. Then when he dumped me, I ran back to him cause I knew he'd take me back. Then…"
"If he forgave you then you should forgive yourself."
She shrugged and wiped away a few stray tears, "You know what they say…you're your own worst enemy."
He held out his arms and she walked into them gratefully and began to cry. All the pent up emotions were let loose as she clung to Brainy for dear life. Finally, her tears subsided and she looked at him.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
"No, I mean I know you have your own demons to deal with and I'm dumping mine on your shoulder."
"No, I learned how to deal with mine. I always knew she would never be mine."
"Oh."
"C'mon. I'll walk you to your hotel."
*~*
"Come inside. Fix yourself up a bit."
"No, no. I should get back to my room."
"Are you sure?"
He smiled and wiped away a tear that was running down Lila's face, "If you want me to I'll stay…"
She smiled, "You make it sound like I'm forcing you to stay with me."
He laughed, "You're a very persuasive person. I'll stay with you just let me get out of these clothes."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
There was an awkward silence as Lila walked Brainy to the elevator. Briefly she wondered what job did Helga and Arnold have so that they were able to pay for the wedding, the reception and the hotel rooms for everyone but that thought was banished when they reached the elevator.
"What exactly do Helga and Arnold do?"
He laughed, "It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Another silence.
"I want to thank you again."
"You never thanked me a first time."
She laughed, "Well, thank you."
"Despite what everyone says, I still think a little part of our younger selves remain as we grow older."
"Really, what's that?"
"Well, you're still beautiful and smart."
She blushed, "and you always appeared when least expected."
He watched her for a moment and traced the lining of her lips with his fingers. She took his hands and squeezed it softly as she stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips. He ran his hands through her red hair and broke the kiss. The elevator sounded and he stepped in.
"I won't take long." He said to her as the elevator door closed.
"I hope you don't," she whispered to herself.
A/N: My first installment! The couple will vary so it will not always be Helga and Arnold. Just tell me what couple you guys want next and I'll create the situation. Please review! I'm ~*Starry Nights*~