Damn it's been a while

by NeeNee16

It's been 7 years since the two have past sights, hang out, and tormented each other. Now enrolled into college, Helga has accepted that she will never see him again and has indugled in her friendship with Phoebe and now Gerald. Or has she? When Arnold makes a surpise appearance at their college, Helga finds herself at a loss of words. Rated M for Language and lemons.

1. Damn it's been a while

Helga Dreaming

"Why Are you doing this?!" Arnold abrasively grabs both of my narrow arms and lunges his nose into my own, scowling. "I know your not this lazy, cold or uncaring!" Arnold viciously lets me go, instantly throwing his pointed finger in my face. "You may act like that, but deep down I know you're smart and you have feelings!" He again takes firm grip onto my shaken arms and replaces his nose smudging into mine. " And if we have to be married to each other, I want you to start showing it-"

I nervously turn my reddened face away from his, embarrassed. "-I . . . I don't know what you're talking about-"

"-Yes! You do Helga! Why can't you just admit it? You're not this mean-"

"-Ye . . .Yes I am-"

"-NO! You're not! You're not!" Arnold throws my arms down and stares angrily at me. I shudder. Arnold has never behaved so cruel to me. Or acted out in this fearful manner. I guess he has the reason to be fed up with me. I put on such a front. He's absolutely right . . . about everything. But my pride is so swollen up into my head . . . my heart that I'm so scared to show him the truth: My real affection, passion, and love for him. As long as I've been holding this in . . . anyone would think I would have broken by now. Even after walking down the aisle . . . E-Even after bearing and nurturing our first child. I irresistibly take hold of my left arm, looking away from the love of my life. Ready to confess.

"Okay okay . . .", deep breath, "you're right. I can't hide it anymore. You've seen through my tough, blustery exterior and into my mushy, good-hearted center. It's true . . . I-I'm not this bad. I guess I'm just afraid to show my real feelings." I tilt my head up to look at my husband. Hands still tightly clinched I can tell he's saddened. Hurt. His eyes are full with worry, ears sagging down, and brows up in alert. But I know he's listening. He knows I'm about to break. "But you knew it all along . . . didn't you?" He somewhat relaxes, loosening the grip in his hands. I continue to open up. "I may be rough around the edges Arnold . . . but deep down I'm a good person." I manage a slight smile, " . . . and . . . I don't hate you. In fact," I smash my right foot into the floor, brushing it around nervously and fighting not to look into his eyes, " . . . I sorta like you." I instantly feel a rush of butterflies. "We -Well actually I sorta more than like you," I finally stop fighting the urge and look into Arnold beautiful understanding eyes and take in his cute appearance. Here it goes, " . . .I . . .I I. . . I really really like you. A-And . . . heck I like you so much . . . you might actually say . . . I lov-v-v-v-ve-"

End of Helga Dreaming

!WHACK!

"It's about time you woke up. I thought you'd never get up for class."

Ughhhhh Phoebe.

"C'mon girl, Gerald's already here and you're not even close to being ready!"

Ugh, just when my dream was turning good! She always does this!

I sleepily crack my eyes open, ignoring the goo crusted into my lashes and scratch my head. What the hell is going on?

"Helga, I can't keep babying you everyday for class girl. Sure we're freshmen in college and it's hard to manage our now own responsibilities, but you gotta get yourself up or you're going to mess around and flunk out. I can't have that." I look on the other side of my over-stuffed, still unpacked dorm room and see my best friend, Phoebe, prancing around stuffing her ridiculous large backpack with notebooks, textbooks, and pencils. Phoebe hasn't changed much in the face or height, but she sure does have a body now. I mean you know she doesn't have a big booty, but them boobs are pretty bouncy. Her hair is down to the middle of the back, never wears it down because apparently Gerald doesn't like the way other guys stare. Whatever. Insecure if you ask me. But Phoebe still top of honor roll and doing well in college. And now here she is muttering about my off the wall laziness and senior syndrome that's still kicked in from 12th grade. "And Helga . . .," she comes to my bed side, towering over me with this smirk. "I can't be here alone." She wacks my small ass and messes up my rolled up hair. I jump up and watch in astonishment as she laughs and flings her backpack over her shoulders.

!Knock! !Knock! !Knock!

"Bitch."

"Whatever you say girl. That's Gerald. I'm out for class. See you there missy." Phoebe opens the door and makes her exit. I hear Gerald in the background telling her good morning. That mushy shit. Blah. Makes me sick . . . makes me jealous.

I block the image out of my head to look at the time on my night stand. 9:45A.M..

Yepp. Late Again.

Sometimes I question why I signed up for a 10 o'clock class . . . that's across campus and takes a bus ride to get there. I stay up every night until the wee hours of the morning, fucking around with Phoebe and manage to always be late for this class. I can only remember being on time . . . hmmm . . . once.

Sad.

I roll my eyes and jump off my mounted bed to stretch my lanky body parts. Yawning I grab my shower caddy, towel, and flip flops to start making my way down to the floor bathroom.

Since I'm up so late, there shouldn't be a bitch in here. Great day for singing.

After my steamy shower, I brush my teeth, throw on a pinch of foundation and go back into my dorm room to take down my hair. Check the clock. 9:59 A.M..

Shake my head. Oh well . . . not like the professor doesn't notice this isn't an everyday thing anyway.

I grab the closet articles of clothing next to me, my backpack, and phone.

Wait.

Check the phone. No messages.

Ughhh, he never texts back!

Fed up I leave my dorm and make my way to my first class of the day. English 101 with professora Rose Smith.

Great.

By the time I make it to English class, the clock reads 10:33. I quietly open the wooden door and and tip toe inside. Hardly full. I guess the orientation leaders were right about class: The only time you see it full is on the first day. I take a seat in the very back row, careful not to become a distraction. But too late, everyone's eyes are on me. I make a evil glare to the staring eyes, but to my surprise they roll their eyes. A couple even flip the bird in my direction.

Morons.

I take my seat in the back and take a quick glance around the room. Sid. Cameron. Sarah. Phoebe. Gerald.

"Ok class, that's all I'm going to cover today. I'm not feeling so well, so I may even cancel class for Wednesday. But even if I do, there should still be some studying going on before then." Everyone starts collecting their items and making their leave. I stay back waiting for Gerald and Phoebe.

"Hey Helga, What's up?" Gerald gives me a solid pound and unwraps his muscular bronze arm from around Phoebe.

"Yo." Gerald still has the same baby face, but he has grown a lot in size. Especially from what Phoebe tells me. Broad and bold shoulders, muscular figure, shorter hair. Pretty masculine. Us three have become really good friends since we've gotten to campus. Which was technically, 3 months ago. Although Phoebe and Gerald have always liked each other and are slowly becoming official boyfriend and girlfriend, they're nice enough to make me not feel like the third wheel. Even though I am . . . the third wheel. The stunts quite annoying I must say, but I've gotten so use to it that it doesn't even bother me anymore.

Gerald shifts his weight and rubs his hands together. "What'd you think of Rhonda's party last night? Epic right?" I make the most absurd face and pucker my lips.

"That bitch can suck a dick for all I give a fuck. So what? She threw a party? It wasn't all that plus I still hate the broad. I'll fight her again any day." Phoebe and Gerald shake their heads.

"Why do dislike this girl so much? I mean . . . she a lil on the hoe side . . ." Gerald suggests.

"And loud . . ." Phoebe adds.

"And loud . . ."

"And Obnoxious . . ."

"And Obnoxious . . ."

"And spoiled . . ."

"And spoiled . . ."

Pause.

"Is that it?" Gerald asks amused. We all look at each other.

"Nahh." We all answer.

"Okay whatever . . . besides the fact that Rhonda is live and all that other mess . . . I mean she just tryna break the ice. Can't hate her for that."

Da Fuck! This bitch stole and fucked my first love, Arnold in 6th grade. I knew what that bitch was up to the minute she said he was cool. Bitch you just wanted to ride his dick. And ride his dick is what she did.

"I don't give a damn. I still don't like the heifer." With that, we all walk to our spot in the Student Center and grab lunch. The Student Center (A.K.A. The Sea) is where all the bullshit goes down. I mean I've seen and even been in some fights in this bitch. Usually it's the bitches in here who be starting shit, but lately the guys been on edge too. It's getting colder outside and bitches is thirsty for some dudes to cuddle up with and fuck. Apparently the same bitches is hookin up the different dudes, but the different dudes these bitches happen to be hookin up with are friends and these friends are telling their other friends about these bitches shits happenin with and when the friends tried to tell their same friends about these bitches . . . they gathered their thoughts and put together names and realized . . . oh shit we messing around with the same bitches.

My face . . . right.

Actually Rhonda's ass is one of the bitches that be interrogating and starting shit all the time. I fought her ass after I heard she fucked Arnold. I about broke down when I heard that rumor. I mean . . . I was hurt. And I made sure I let her dusty ass feel the pain I felt, but rather than feelings . . . I used my fist and hammered that whores face in. But here she is up in college . . . ain't learned a thing. All I know is . . . she better think twice about stepping to me again. Better think twice.

The Student Center, besides the drama, is also an awesome place just to hang out. I. Live. In. Here. There isn't a day that goes by where Helga G. Pataki is not in The Sea. Usually I pop a squat in the middle of The Sea. That way if anything around me goes down, I can turn in any direction to face and watch it. Easy access.

!Wink!

Gerald and Phebes like to stand clear of the audience, so when we come in for lunch, we sit in the corner.

"So what are you eating today Babe?" Gerald asks Phoebe. I roll my eyes at them and make my way to a pizza joint.

"Um . . . I'll have a small pepperoni pizza, hand-tossed, with a sprite." The cashier takes my meal card, swipes and goes to get my food. There are several options to eat in this place, but the thing about all of it is . . . you get sick of eating the same stuff! Half the time I miss the food back home and my mother's dinner. Hell . . . I even miss Olga's dinner. The cashier brings my food and drink to me and I go to sit with Gerald and Phebes.

"I know it must be really hard for him. Although it has been some time since I have last seen him." Phoebe ponders as she eats her Subway.

"Yeah . . . y'know he was supposed to come this semester, but I told him to hang back. I thought maybe coming to school right after losing his grandparents would be too hard." Gerald agrees leaning back in his chair.

I drop my pizza on the table with my drink and sit down trying to ease into the conversation.

"What you two talkin about?"

"I don't know what I would do if I were in that position. Has he changed much . . . well since the last time I saw him?" Phoebe asks Gerald. He ponders.

"Well you know how he is . . . Mr. I have to save the day. Besides appearance . . . my boys got some swag to him." Gerald snickers while Phoebe puts her hand over her mouth and giggles.

"Oh stop it, Gerald." Phoebe flings her napkin at Gerald.

"What you two talkin about?" I ask again, this time a little more demanding, biting into my pizza rather roughly.

"I was thinking about going back home and seeing the guy, cheer him up a bit. I know it's depressing in that boarding house without the spunk of his grandma and grandpa-"

Boarding house

Grandma and Grandpa

"Well if you go, tell him I said-" I slam my pizza box on the table and get in both of Gerald and Phoebes face.

"What. Are. You. Two. TALKING ABOUT!" They both pause and look at each other.

"Sorry Helga, did you ask before?" Phoebe asks intimidated. Squinting my eyes, I look at her like I could kill her. "I'll take that as a yes-"

"Helga, chill. We just talkin about Arnold."

Arnold.

"You know . . . football head, blue cap, shirt for a skirt. Arnold."

Arnold. Wow . . . even after all these years, his name still gives me butterflies.

"Okay whatever Helga; you look like I just shocked you-"

"Shut up Gerald! Why are you discussing him for? He's out somewhere else doing other stuff and living his own life not worried about you, me, or you-"

"His grandparents just died Helga. You don't remember that?"

Of course I remember that. How I wanted so badly to run over to that football headed kids home and shower him with all my love and affection. Just to let him know that everything would be alright. But I was such a coward.

"Yeah I remember, but that was months ago. My point is, he's moved on and so have we."

I haven't moved on at all. I'm still in love with him.

"Helga, sometimes you can show the least amount of care. We know you hated him so much and made his childhood miserable, but this is the death of his grandparents we are talking about! What if your parents died right before you went to college? Huh? HUH?" Phoebe is now in my face with concerned eyes that are filling up with tears. Gerald gets up and pats her, helping her back into her seat. "I'm sorry Helga, but you have no right to be this cruel over Arnold. Leave this table." I open my mouth in shock. Did Phoebe just dismiss me? "Now."

"Yeah Helga, it's time for you to go. I agree with Phoebe." With that, I stand up; grab my backpack and walk-off angry. But deep down . . . my feelings are hurt. I just don't want to admit it. I do feel for Arnold. I do.

Throughout my last day of my last two classes, my mind is going looney. Looney about Arnold:

Yeah, yeah ok! I'm still in love with the guy! HELL, I even dream about him- My dream this morning was about him. So many times I have had that same dream, over and over and over again. But I never make it past the I love you. Something always seems to happen.

Flash back of Helga's dream earlier

. I-I'm not this bad. I guess I'm just afraid to show my real feelings." I tilt my head up to look at my husband. Hands still tightly clinched I can tell he's saddened. Hurt. His eyes are full with worry, ears sagging down, and brows up in alert. But I know he's listening. He knows I'm about to break. "But you knew it all along . . . didn't you?" He somewhat relaxes, loosening the grip in his hands. I continue to open up. "I may be rough around the edges Arnold . . . but deep down I'm a good person." I manage a slight smile, " . . . and . . . I don't hate you. In fact," I smash my right foot into the floor, brushing it around nervously and fighting not to look into his eyes, " . . . I sorta like you." I instantly feel a rush of butterflies. "We -Well actually I sorta more than like you," I finally stop fighting the urge and look into Arnold beautiful understanding eyes and take in his cute appearance. Here it goes, " . . .I . . .I I. . . I really really like you. A-And . . . heck I like you so much . . . you might actually say . . . I lov-v-v-v-ve-"

!WHACK!

End flashback of Helga's dream

Exactly.

I walk out outside into the windy chilled air and look up into the sky. Cloudy. Looks like rain. I toss my hood over my blonde wavy hair and keep thinking.

I really miss Arnold. We didn't go to school together after Phoebe and I left P.S. 118 for sixth grade and entered a private school. There I really hated not being able to see my football head. Sure Phebes kept my company, but there was no one like Arnold. So caring, dreamy, flawless. I know I was . . . sort of mean to him and hated how he was in love with that bitch Lila and yuck Ruth . . . but that didn't change my feelings for him. I acted out for him. So he could notice me. So he could never forget me.

A drop of water falls on my nose and I quickly wipe it off.

I hope he hasn't forgotten about me. I remember that locket I had gotten made of him.

More drops of water land on my nose and I keep wiping them away.

Arnold, my soul, you are always in my heart. Love, Helga G. Pataki. – I know it's not . . .

Raining. And it was coming down! I run under the closet building to me and walk in for shelter. So much for getting to my room. I look around. Housing Office.

Great now I'm stuck in this bitch until the damn water outside lets up.

I take a seat in the waiting room of the office and pull out my headphones.

Music sure could pass the time by.

I plug in my phones and start to turn on my Pandora when I see a woman and two dudes and girl run inside the housing office dripping wet.

"Oh you all, I'm so sorry I didn't get you all back in time. I wasn't planning on getting wet myself." The lady wrings her hair out and looks her now ruined suit up and down.

"It's perfectly fine. A little rain doesn't hurt. That's what a washer and dryer is for." The crowd laughs. I look up as the three newbies take their hoods off.

O.M.G..

"Well thanks for the tour anyway. It was oh so much fun. It was ever so nice of you to do this and I really appreciate it." The woman smiles at the girl I know is not Lila.

What am I saying! OF COURSE it's Lila. No one else talks like the whore. Oh so very much. Ever so sweet. BLAH! What a suck up. I still don't like her because of how whipped she made Arnold . . . Arnold.

"Hey Helga, is that you?" A voice so familiar asks, lifting my hood a tad bit more to expose the rest of my face. "Damn . . . it's been a while."

A/N: REVIEWSS

-Neen