Dear Readers,

This is a fanfiction based on the proposed "Hey Arnold!" spinoff, "The Patakis". The story is set to take place when the gang is in high school and is canon with my previous fanfiction, "Like No Other". I try to stay as true to the characters, as possible, based on interviews with Craig Bartlett about the project.

Speaking of Craig Bartlett...All characters and aspects of this TV show belong to him - This is my disclaimer.

SubjectToNostalgia

There she goes, again...

Walking down Vine Street, up to that familiar, red brick boarding house...

Her ice blue eyes peer out from under her tattered, old, grungy grey beanie as she sidesteps into the alley alongside it.

She leans against the building next door, looking down at her worn, pink Converse high tops as she crosses her legs and looking back up at the fire escape that she used to be so familiar with...

She had not come around as often as she used to - in fact, it was a rare occurrence if she ever did.

All she wants to do is say 'Hi' to one of the best friends she ever had.

'Today is July 23, 2003...it's been 4 years since you left, eh, Football Head?'

She draws her attention to the window across from where she loitered, analyzing her reflection.

For a girl sixteen years of age, the amount of times she would look in a mirror was below average.

She never cared to look at herself, but she happens to, today.

Ripped blue bootcut jeans, a simple white tank top, a black and pink checkered hoodie, and her signature blonde pigtails hanging just below her ears.

And one mustn't forget her dark, strong unibrow.

She smiles at the nose ring that she got herself for her sixteenth birthday – It was one of her better purchases.

This girl is the same as she's always been but noticeably different, as well.

She wonders how much longer she should stand there...

'Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi", old friend. See you when I see you...If I see you...' She says, internally.

She looks both ways down the sidewalk as she ducks out of the alley, hoping no one from school would see her.

Just as she begins to continue on past the front of the house, the green door opens, and out runs a hoard of animals.

She stops mid-step, turning her eyes to see an elderly woman coming down the steps with a broom.

The woman turns to face the visitor...

"...Eleanor? Is that you? Long time, no see! We're you abroad helping with the war effort?"

The girl smiles and lets out a short chuckle.

"...Heh...I wish. Actually, my name's Helga. Helga G. Pataki. I'm one of Arnold's friends. It's nice to see you again, Gertie."

Gertie's eyes narrow, slightly, as she looks up and to the left whilst holding her chin.

"Helga...Hel-ga...H-Oh! Weren't you the girl Arnold used to go with for awhile?"

Helga blushes a faint shade of softshell pink.

"...Yup...That's me." She smiled, bashfully.

Gertie smiles and makes her way down the stoop towards her.

"Well, goodness...You've grown since the last time I saw you come around. How tall are you, now?"

Helga shrugs. "I dunno...5'7? 5'8? It's debatable..."

Gertie chuckles. "Well, you must be a hit with the lads at school!" She then leans in to whisper. "I heard young men these days have a thing for girls on the taller side..."

Helga's eyes widen in response to this.

"...Well...honestly...that's...not really the case...for me, at least..." Helga replies. A trace of embarrassment could be detected in her voice as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Gertie snorts. "Oh, come now. I'm sure there are young men secretly pining over you..."

Helga blushes red as a beet. 'Ugh...She's messin' with me...' She realizes.

"...Meh..." Helga responds, smiling slightly and rolling her eyes.

"...Oh! Speaking of young lads, I take it you've heard the news..." Gertie excitedly states.

Helga's eyebrow goes up. "...What news?"

Gertie jumps slightly with a sudden burst of energy.

"Well, didn't Arnold tell you in a letter? He's coming back to Hillwood to finish his last two years of high school. He's arriving on August 8th - isn't that just wonderful?"

Helga chokes on her breath.

Yeah...that's news to her, alright...

Continued in the next chapter...