Unforgotten Departure

Oh, Arnold... why is it that every time I see you my heart skips a beat? Why does my stomach twists in knots whenever you smile? How could you let a sensualist such as myself indulge herself on the very words you speak without a care in the world? Never knowing... Ever blind to my plight- A curse you put upon me... A curse that wracks my soul to it's very core. Do you know how tightly I grip my pillow whenever I think of you? Whenever I dreamof you? Oh, Arnold... though I'am cursed to think of you now and forever, just know... that it will never be the same...

Helga laid down flat on her stomach across her bed. She had her legs raised up with her feet interlocked, slightly swaying them up and down. Her left arm was raised like a perch to rest her head upon the palm of her hand with her elbow buried into her pillow. She held her pen in her right hand tapping it against the written pages of her pink composition notebook.

"Hmmm.." She hummed to herself. She stared at the written lines and placed the end of the pen in her mouth and began chewing it. She dropped her right arm down onto the bed and slid her hand under her pillow, moments later she pulled her hand from under the pillow apprehensively as she held onto something. She glanced over to her hand and turned it to reveal what she held. The object sat in her hand with an all too familiar heart shape- her locket... there within the locket was the very person whose image had burned his form into the confines and depths of her mind. Though she held it in the same fashion she always had before, she did not look at it as she once did so many times before. She no longer gazed at the locket captivated by Arnolds face. She no longer sighed with a mirthful disposition, instead, it was a sigh of longing and loneliness and a look of dismay. Her eyes were dilated like open windows to her soul. She gripped her locket tightly in her right hand and in a disgruntled fit of rage she trashed her notebook with a couple of poundings with her fist and shoved the book off the bed, sending it thudding into the wall on the other end. She spat her pen to the side and buried her face into her pillow.

Arnold, it's been eight years hasn't it? Since you left. It hasn't been the same since then... No one truly understood the power you had over the neighborhood, that you were the tree that held everyone, even myself together. You knew exactly what to say and how to say it. You were always such a good samaritan- that's what I admired about you football head. But, when you left and time moved on, there was a blackhole that couldn't be filled, and it continued to grow and devour until it tore everything to shreds. Our friends at school were consumed by their own faults and insecurities that they ended up lashing out at those they once viewed as friends. You were always there to quell the flames, but not this time football head. This time, this time everything burned and they only added fuel to the fire. Ever since you left... because of that day... Your grandparents... I'm sorry Arnold. I know how much they meant to you... I wanted to comfort you, but I couldn't find the right words. Imagine that... Me, Helga G. Pataki, unable to find the words to express herself and convey her inner thoughts and feelings. What a contradiction huh? When your Grandparents passed away and you left, the tenants at your boarding home parted ways, leaving the boarding home an empty shell of it's former self... Even though the people within those walls were anything but normal, it held something that I yearned for for all these years... Love, Arnold. I can even admit that I was actually jealous, but I was also happy, happy that you lived in a home where you were noticed, wanted and loved, but it's all gone now. The place has been boarded up and mostly forgotten. Arnold, I miss you... I truly, truly, miss you...

Helga stood on the stoop of Arnold's home. It was the beginning of December and it was chilly. She cupped her hands together and blew on them to warm them up. She pulled her wool cap tightly upon her head in an attempt to shelter her ears from the cold bite of the winter winds, her cheeks and nose were a red rose color. She surveyed her surrounding area swiveling her head side to side, after she was satisfied that no one was watching she proceeded down the steps and into the alley on the left side of the boarding home where she grabbed hold of the bone chilling cold iron bars on the fire escape. The shock sent a shiver down her spine that caused her knees to lock momentarily. She pulled herself up and climbed the fire escape to Arnolds window. She placed her hand upon her chest gripping the locket under her coat. The locket made a heart shaped outline in her coat.

"Even though you have been gone for eight years, I still can't believe you're gone. Everyday I climb these stairs, I always expect to see your window lit at this time." She released her tight grip from the locket and her hopeful eyes was consumed with a dispirited gaze.

"Silly me." she whispered to herself in pity. She continued up the fire escape until she stood on the roof of Arnold's home. She peered through the glass sun roof. She opened the window and climbed down the ladder into his room. The room was dark and empty and had collected a bit of dust over the years.

"This room is so empty now." She walked around as if she was just discovering it for the first time.

"This used to be where his bed was..." She touched the wall where his head rest was.

"And this was where his computer was." She slid her hand in the air as if she could still touch his computer table.

"The room used to have so many things- Many things that filled the room and covered its open areas." She thought of all the things Arnold had. "Without any of his things to hide the walls and the floors... the room is just naked, bare... If only I could be like it. To no longer hide the feelings inside, to be able to lay it all out there in the open. Would he had seen me differently?" She walked up to his closet and opened it. Inside was a large black bag. She opened the bag and inside stacked ontop of one another and sticking every which way, like white shards were letters, each one sealed in an envelope. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out an unsealed envelope. She reached into her right breast inside pocket of her coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"I have another letter for you my love..." She kissed the piece of paper and placed it into the envelope and sealed it with a lick. She placed the envelope into the black bag. Helga placed her hand onto the old door and pressed her forehead onto it. The winter cold permeated the old wooden door cooling her forehead to the touch. She sighed quietly.

"I still remember this closet. Not only did it serve as a great hiding spot for me so many years ago, it was also where you and I..." The memories of this particualr moment came to her crystal clear, rushing into her mind like a torrent.

Most of the gang were seated around Arnolds room. Gerald was laying down on his back on the flip out couch tossing a baseball into the air, playing catch with himself. Helga sat on the chest near the closet with her arms crossed and an annoyed look that rested upon her face. Pheobe was seated in the chair in front of the computer wiping off her glasses with a cloth. She looked at Gerald and Gerald caught a glimspe of her glance. They ended up locking eyes for a moment, Gerald shot Pheobe a grin before the eye contact was broken by Pheobe who averted her eyes- her face slightly reddened from embarassment. Arnold sat in his bed taking a sip from his yahoo soda bottle, Curly was seated on the floor with his back against the wall looking at Rhonda through his tinted glasses, Lila was standing next to the flip out couch Gerald was on, Sid was sitting on the other end of Arnolds bed and Rhonda was fiddling with Arnolds remote trying to figure out how to work it, but grew far to irritated to bother with it.

"Ugh." She groaned in dissatisfaction slamming the remote onto the window sill.

"This little 'hang out session' is turning out to be a bust... Doesn't any of you have anything to offer for us to do that's... I don't know... fun?!" Arnold shrugged in response.

Helga snorted and turned to Rhonda. "Oh here we go..." She said snidely.

"Everyone! The queen of all receptions doesn't find this get together in style..." Helga said theatrically.

Rhonda turned her nose up at her. "Hmph! Well it isn't my fault this little soiree isn't working out." Gerald continued tossing the baseball into the air as he asked Arnold a question.

"Hey Arnold, what do you think we could do?" Arnold pondered over a few ideas, but none struck him as interesting or something everyone can do.

" I don't know Gerald..." Arnold shrugged.

Rhonda rolled her eyes.. "Come now Arnold... this is your home is it not? I do think that as a Host it should be your responsibi-" As Rhonda was about to finish her sentence she cut herself short as a spark lit in her eyes. She smiled and closed her eyes before opening them again.

"I have a great idea!" Rhonda said haughtily.

Helga chuckled snidely "Rhonda having an idea? Oh, this should be good." she sneered.

Rhonda ignored Helga's insult and continued. "How about we play a little game called... 'Seven minutes in heaven'?" Arnold had just finished his yahoo soda and sat it on the counter next to his bed.

"Seven minutes in heaven?" he said questioningly.

Pheobe adjusted her glasses inquisitively. "I'll be happy to explain it to those who don't know." She said with a grin, ready to impart the knowledge from her brain she takes such pride in.

"Seven minutes in heaven is mainly a teenagers party game, a group would sit in a circle and place a bottle in the center of them. They would spin the bottle and whoever the bottle is pointing to, are chosen to step into the closet as a pair with the next person chosen and remain there for essentially seven minutes, hence the name." She glanced at Gerald once again and quickly averted her eyes before he could make eye contact.

Lila clasped her hands together. "I think it would be ever so wonderful to try out this game." She said in her usual priggish fashion. Sid nodded his head in response to Lila's words. Helga was thinking of how ridiculous of an idea the game was until a moment of clarity hit her like a ton of bricks. She thought if Arnold and her were chosen, then they can spend seven minutes in the closet...alone!

"Whatever..." Helga choked out, trying her best not to reveal her anxious heart. Arnold was still confused as to what the pairs should do when locked in the closet.

"What do they usually do in there?" he asked.

Pheobe adjusted her glasses. "In what?" she questioned attentively.

"In the closet." Arnold responded. Rhonda interlocked her fingers and stretched her arms up over her head and let out a content sigh of relief. She glanced over to Arnold.

"Anything they want." She goaded. Arnold's eyes widened in bewilderment. He shook his head and the issues of morality quickly flooded his mind.

"But guys.. this-"

Helga got up from the chest. "Oh can it foot ball head! Let's just get this stupid game over with already..." Arnold was silenced and with Helga's last say everyone proceeded to make a circle. Rhonda walked over to Arnolds bed and grabbed the Yahoo soda bottle.

Curly smirked slyly at Rhonda. "So, sweety... looks like you and I are just a bottle spin away from our destiny."

Rhonda recoiled from Curly's words. "Ew!" she retched.

"Okay, since I was the one that came up with the game, I designate myself as the bottle spinner and as bottle spinner I cannot be chosen if the bottle lands on me... by anyone..." Curly made kissy lips at Rhonda and she shuddered from fright and disgust. Curly stood up and took a bow.

"Then I too will not be joining the game- fore the only girl for me is my sweet, sweet Rhonda."

Rhonda gagged at his words. "Shut up you little creep!" Rhonda retorted.

Helga shrugged as she thought to herself. "Heh, whatever, just means one less girl as the competition to my one and only love..." she snickered under her breath. Rhonda placed the bottle in the center of them.

"Alright, let's begin." She spinned the bottle. The bottle slowed and came to a halt. The bottle had landed on Gerald. Pheobe's heart began beating so fast and loud he felt that everyone in the room could hear it. Rhonda smiled.

"Look's like you're the first pick Gerald... let's see who you end up with." Pheobe nonchalantly placed her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers. She closed her eyes listening to the bottle spin slowly coming to a halt. She could hear a gasp from Rhonda...

"Well, this is unexpected." Pheobe slowly opened her eyes and saw that the bottle was pointing to her. She nearly let out a shrill of excitement but she placed her hand over her mouth and quietly took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She looked up at Gerald and she noticed Gerald looking at her with a slight grin on his face and a brow raised. She blushed slightly. Rhonda stood up and opened the closet door.

"Your seven minutes in heaven will begin as soon as the closet door is shut. Gerald got up and walked up to the closet.

"After you." He said cooly. Pheobe blushed even more and walked in, Gerald followed behind and the door was closed behind them. Rhonda looked at Arnolds clock to keep time.

Lila looked at Arnold and smiled. "This is ever so exhilirating, right Arnold?"

Arnold returned the smile. "Yes it is." Helga scowled at Arnold. Arnold could feel her two eyes piercing him like daggers. He glanced over to her and his smile faded into a solemn expression.

"What are you looking at hairboy?!" she harassed. Arnold rolled his eyes and glanced back at Lila who wasn't paying him any attention. Rhonda walked over to the closet door to open it.

"Ding!" she shouted.

"Times up! Your little piece of heaven is now over." She opened the door and Pheobe and Gerald were stepping out together, both seemed quite pleased with one another. Gerald was just finishing something he was muttering while in the closet. "...know what I mean?" Pheobe giggled gleefully. Rhonda placed her hand on the bottle again and proceeded to spin it. Helga smiled when she saw Pheobe's look of content on her face- she began to contemplate.

"I wonder what happened between Pheebs and tall hair boy... whatever it was, she sure seems really happy. I'm sure the same would happen between me and my one true love...Arnold! Oh, Arnold just you and me in the closet... no prying eyes, left in the dark to-" Helga's meditation was broken.

"Arnold." Rhonda said. Helga's eyes darted around the room confused for a moment.

"Arnold, what?!" Helga said meekly. Rhonda glanced at her strangely.

"Arnold has been chosen by the bottle..." Rhonda pointed out.

Helga's arms went numb. "This is too soon!" She thought.

"I thought he would be the last person or something, but he's already been chosen?! Oh no... what if I'm not the one whose chosen?! Be calm Helga ol' girl... All you have to do is wish hard enough!" Helga scowled at Arnold once again.

"I hope I don't end up with you, stupid football head!" she yelled caustically.

Arnold sighed. "Good, because I was thinking the same thing..." He muttered. Helga's inner thoughts came flooding in.

"Please be me! Please be me! Please be me!" She repeated to her self almost like a chant. The bottle lost momentum and began slowing down just as it pointed to Lila. A smile crept across Arnold's face as he mused the possibilty of him and Lila alone in the closet for seven whole minutes. Helga began biting on her thumbnail. The bottle continued to slowly turn. Just as Arnold's hopes were at an all time high, they plummeted. The bottle had come to a halt and it pointed to none other than Helga G. Pataki. Helga fainted. She fell to the ground like lead.

Rhonda looked at Helga quizzically. "Are you alright?" Rhonda asked not particularily concerned about her well being, but more or less a question toward the awkward moment that happened.

Helga quickly rebounded. "I nearly fainted from sickness! Bleh! I have to go in the closet with Football head?!" Helga, quickly responded.

"I have to go in the closet with Helga..?" Arnold asked in a disheartening tone.

Rhonda placed her hand on his shoulder with empathy. "I'm afraid so Arnold, it's basically the rule..."

Lila gave out a sigh of relief. "I'm ever so relieved that it wasn't you and I Arnold... you do know that I only like you, I don't 'like you like you'..." Arnolds heart sanked. Sid took off his hat and lowered his head as if getting ready for a prayer.

"Man, Arnold and Helga alone in the closet for seven whole minutes? Those will be the longest seven minutes he'll ever witness..."

Gerald shook his head. "Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Arnold and Helga all alone? Together?" Gerald looked at Arnold. "Hey Arnold!" He called. Arnold turned toward him.

"I wish you the best of luck man..." Gerald said sympathetically. Arnold sat frozen in place. Helga walked up behind Arnold and grabbed him by his collar.

"C'mon football head! The more time you take out here, the longer this whole disgusting situation will be! So, just come with me and let's get this over with alright? Arnaldo?!" She dragged him into the closet. Rhonda waved like she was giving her final goodbyes to Arnold as if he was going into his final resting place and she closed the door behind them.

"And your seven minutes begins... Now!"