"Never Meant to Be?"
By: King RTS
Rated: PG-13
Drama/Romance
Disclaimer: Just like everyone else here…I own nothing related to Hey Arnold! But I do own the plot of this story and my Pen Name! Not to mention a few other things…namely any new characters that might appear (if any).
Since this is my first story (Here anyway), all I ask is no flames. If you dislike/hate something then just simply say that and leave it at that, ok? No need to keep going on and on about what you don't like/hate. (Especially if it's the same thing)
Oh, even if this was checked a bit, there are still probably a few spelling and grammar mistakes (Mostly grammar, which I suck in anyway). If the error is in the dialogue, then it might not be "completely" wrong. After all, how many of us can speak properly 24/7? Well enough of my rambling…on with the story!
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Chapter 1 "5 ½ Years of Changes"
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It's a cool, cloudy day here in the city…and why not? It's winter after all. Anyway, it's nearing Christmas time here. Everyone was excited for the upcoming break. Everyone that is, except a certain blond, blue-eyed, 15 year old bully known as Helga Pataki. Why? Well, she knows why…
It was, about 5 years and 5 ½ months since the whole "FTi incident" and since then, Helga has never been the same. Not even close. Even though it's hard to believe, she refuses to talk to anyone, even Phoebe. And no one even bothered to ask her why. They liked Helga being quiet. She wasn't as bossy, well verbally anyway. Helga has been avoiding everyone as well. Hiding in the shadows, keeping to her self. And lately, her temper seems to be dangerously short. But, this is the way she wanted things. No one was to know who Helga Pataki really was. No one.
Helga has a reputation at Hillwood High. The meanest, toughest, most ruthless bully ever. Quick temper combined with amazing physical strength, staggering height, endurance, speed, and intellect makes her a formable opponent in some sense. Determination, and taking no bull from anyone is another trait she has. Egging her on (Provoking, Taunting, etc.) will instantly make her lash out at the offender. And every time, Helga would win. Never saying a word. Nor caring about what she does to the victim. All the while, making everyone even more afraid with every victory…especially after she single handedly beat a gang of 5 senior boys last year, when she was only a freshman. No one could believe that fight, much less Helga actually surviving and even winning. Who knows…maybe those Ju-jitsu classes she took when she was younger helped? Maybe she didn't even use it in the fight.
The final day of school, before winter break, was drawing towards a close…tick, tock, tick, tock, and finally the bell rings and hundreds of happy students rush out of the building…everyone that is except Helga. She sat at her desk looking blankly at the smooth wooden top. Sighing, she slowly gets up and leaves the building. Tomorrow was the anniversary of a day she never wanted to live through…ever again.
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In class, minutes before the bell actually rung…
"Say Helga…you want to do something after school?" came the voice of 15-year old Phoebe Heyerdahl. Helga stared blankly at her desktop, ignoring Phoebe's remark. Phoebe sighs to herself.
"I'll take that as a no. Come on Helga…you literally haven't said anything for 5 ½ years! Lighten up all ready!" Helga glared at Phoebe.
"Sorry. I thought you were over him. Helga, we both know he isn't coming back. Please, if that's the problem then just move on. Get on with your life! I've been telling you this for years." Helga seemed hurt by that remark. And showed it by diverting her gaze from Phoebe to look down at the floor, miserably.
"Hmm. Well, are you coming to the dance tonight? Since, it's the last one of the year, you know, with winter break and it changing to the New Year." Helga briefly shook her head no.
Phoebe sighs again. "I don't know what to do with you."
The bell rings, and everyone, but Helga, left. She remained seated, staring blankly at her desk. Finally she lets out a sad sigh and leaves the school, knowing what tomorrow meant. As she stepped out of the school, light snow started falling. Her eyes cast downward, looked up at the falling snow. A lone tear fell from her eyes as she fought hard to hold them back. Another miserable year was drawing to a close. And Helga knew it. Phoebe, her friend of many years, stood not to far away watching. She knew that there was something that Helga was hiding from the world. Something very big and very painful, but Phoebe could only guess what. And no one else could get close enough to help her either…
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Later that night at the school dance,
"Hey baby, ready to shake it loose?" Came the thick voice belonging to that of Gerald, Phoebe's boyfriend of 3 years.
Gerald has grown to a height of 5' 11" and is quite popular with the girls, since he's a sports star. (A/N: Throughout the story you'll see stuff like this, where I won't specifically name a type of something. There, you can use your imagination and read it as what you want it to be.) He's quite muscular, but not so it's absolutely noticeable. Either way, to the girls, he looked good with or without a shirt on. One could only imagine what the girls really thought about him. Gerald also likes wearing jerseys form all different kinds of sports. His favorite is a similar version to his number 33 shirt from youth. His hair? Well, Gerald wears it in several different styles. Tonight he has it in a "formal" style. After all, he wants to impress Phoebe at how well he can manage to look nice for a party or dance in this case.
As for Phoebe, she's grown to 5' 3" and is still quite the braniac. She has loosened up a bit on her studies, thanks to her boyfriend, but still maintains an A average. Wearing a blue sweater, and dark blue shorts is an attire she's grown to like over the years. Her hair is in similar style, only now it comes down to her shoulders.
(A/N: Oh, and I really don't change the character's appearance much. Still, I'll say what changes happened. If I left something out…it's another one of those "use your imagination" things.)
"Of course G!" came her excited remark. Gerald leads her out to the dance floor and starts to slow dance with her, while a mysterious onlooker watches from the darkest corner of the YMAA gym.
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'Oh blissful ways of my misbeguided soul, why hast thou forsaken me with this constant repetition of loneliness and heartbreak? Alas, I remain alone in this constant void known as life. Happiness is but a virtue of dreamers. I dream, but my dreams are worthless, misbeguided, memories of my tortured soul's past. I am alone. And alone is how I shall be forever. Oh how I wish that wasn't going to be…but we were just never meant to be.' The mysterious person thought sadly to itself.
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Gerald and Phoebe continue to dance happily, while the mysterious onlooker watches from the darkness of the decorated YMAA Gym. They did look rather cute together, or that's what everyone thought anyway. Phoebe leaned in closer to Gerald, feeling the warmth of his body, his cologne that she liked, and more importantly…his love.
"Having a good time?" Gerald asks.
"Yeah… and please don't take this the wrong way or anything, but I kinda wish Helga came tonight."
"What? Why?" He looked at her questionably. Phoebe sighs to herself.
"Haven't you noticed her behavior lately?" She asked, still slow dancing
"Err…not entirely." He said half truthfully, "You know how close I was in getting pummeled some 4 ½ years ago. Lucky you saved me. Still, I pretty much avoided her since then"
"Yes, I remember that."
"I'm just wondering what's gotten into that girl."
"I'm not entirely sure myself. I thought I knew but she proved me wrong."
Gerald sighs to himself. "Well, can we enjoy the rest of the night anyway?"
Gerald really didn't like talking about Helga. It's not cause he was terrified, cause he was a little scared of her, but because he never liked her. Even after all these years and all the times Phoebe tried to help them get along; they were sill on each other's nerves. Of course Helga never talked to either Gerald or Phoebe, but they could feel her dislike for Gerald himself. So, they stopped pressing the issue about 3 1/2 years ago.
"Sure…sounds good." Phoebe said happily
Gerald and Phoebe continue to slow dance, enjoying each other's comfort, warmth, and love while in the midst's of other happy couples.
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Meanwhile near the punch table…
"Stupid cheating boyfriends… they always do this to me!" Said a rather ticked girl by the name of Lila. "I..grr…I'm angry!"
"Geez Lila, chill already!" Came the voice of her best friend, since the 6th grade, Rhonda Wellington Lloyd.
"Men are dirt!" Lila shouted into the air.
"Most are yes," Rhonda said from a chair near the table
"You have a point. Not all men are, but Most."
"See? Now, just try to find yourself a new guy. Maybe it'll work out?" Rhonda stated
"Maybe," Lila smiled wickedly to herself
"Are you ok?"
"I'm just ever so fine Rhonda," Lila said as she walked off to some senior guy nearby. (A/N: You'll learn a little more about these two later)
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Outside the gym, about an hour later, the ground was covered in a light dusting of snow. Gerald and Phoebe are seen walking out of the gym, walking past what appeared to be Sid and some girl making out on the wall. It was chilly out, so Phoebe snuggled closer to Gerald as they walked, their feet making a tiny crunch and splash noises as they walked the snowy and slushy sidewalk.
"Well, I must say, I certainly had fun tonight. Thank you Gerald." Came Phoebe's voice
"Hey, you know I'd do anything for you Phoebe dearest."
"Well, I'll see you Monday." And she starts to leave Gerald alone.
"Hey! Can't I at least walk you home or something? Or get a goodbye kiss?"
"Umm, sure, I guess you can walk me home …Wait. No! It can't be…" Said Phoebe in somewhat of a shock. Not only that, but she was sounding nervous. Every time after their dates Phoebe gets really shy around Gerald. And he doesn't know why either. Still, he respects Phoebe's wishes, and listens to whatever she says.
"What? What can't be?" He asked after Phoebe's statement a moment ago
"Look!" She said pointing to someone
"So? Its just Helga. Wait…Helga?! I thought you said she wasn't coming?"
"I thought so as well."
"I wonder why she came? Should we talk to her?"
"You know that won't do any good."
"True. Plus I'm scared of her."
"Why? Cause she's much taller than you?"
"Than me? That girl is taller than just about everyone in the whole school! I'm like 5' 11'' she's like…whoa!" Gerald made a motion with his hands indicating that Helga was much taller than him.
"I doubt that's the only reason."
"Duh. I mean, she can also pummel anyone!" He stated matter-of-factly.
"Don't worry Gerald. As long as I'm around she won't touch you. She listens to me…most of the time." Phoebe said rather confident in her ability to communicate with Helga, who obviously hates everyone.
"Most of the time?" His voice sounded unsure.
"Come on…"
Phoebe grabs Gerald's hand and pulls him towards Helga. Gerald knew that this was a bad idea, but he didn't and couldn't resist Phoebe dragging him along.
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Chapter 2 "Reaching Out and Remembering" is up next! Please Review…tell me if I'm doing anything wrong too. I can't make it better without your help! And I can't go on without your support either! So click the little "Submit A Review" button!
-King RTS-I'm the King of My World!