A/N:
I've had apprehension about posting for quite sometime, but I've just decided to let go, and post this here story. Please, please, please review. Any comments would be appreciated! (Be nice though, although I'm going to school for theater, I do not have thick skin.) I'm simply writing this during my study hall period from my iPod touch, it's choppy and sometimes it may have a few (or a ton) of run-on sentences. I suck with grammar. But hopefully it will get better with time. But, if one person says they like it, I will definitely be continuing.
Summary: A tale of the gang's summer before their senior year in high school, surprises around each turn, and trouble at each crossroad. Can they survive the hectic summer to complete their final year of high school? Only time will tell. :] T for language. (Cause' we all know that Helga is the girl to speak her mind.)
Dizclaymirrr: IDUNOWNHEYARNOLD!HEIZCRAIGBARTLETT'SKAYTHXBAI.
Also: Working title of this story is all thanks to Panic! At The Disco, who gave me this stupid idea. With out further adieu (and stalling) I give you:
Middle of Summer
Chapter One: Seasons Change; People Don't
Helga G. Pataki sighed softly as she held her head in her hands. It was the first day of summer; the last day of junior year; the beginning of something new; but Helga looked over the all too same and dull scene. Par tradition Miss Rhonda Wellington Lloyd was holding her end of the year bash. Everyone was invited, and everyone went, and like each year since the gang's freshmen year, Helga had found her way outside to the terrace to overlook the city. Leaning on the railing looking almost bored, she scanned the skyline of Hillwood,
'So here it is. The end of junior year, and what do you have to show for it Pataki?'
Helga repeated the same line to herself at the end of every year as she stood alone on the balcony watching the cars and people roam the streets. Her eyes on the over pass that carried people home and away from the city. It was still early in the evening, the traditional bash started two hours after the completion of the school year, and almost every kid stayed well into the early morning hours of the following day. Helga's mind raced with thoughts of the year that had just wrapped up only hours before. Nothing special had happened really,
'Nothing ever does.' she mused as she shrugged her shoulders and straightened her posture taking her head out of her hands, now crossing them and leaning on the railing. A slight zephyr blew through the buildings of Hillwood to reach the blonde standing by her lonesome on the balcony of the Lloyd estate. Music and laughter wafted out through the curtains which were now bellowing in the breeze. It seemed that on the other side of the sheer red barriers, there was a whole different world. One that Helga was unsure of joining in so soon into the affair, but she still cast a look over her shoulder and through the red veil. Helga spied her best friend Phoebe hand in hand with Gerald; she couldn't help but smile lightly and recall just how the two began going out.
--
"I'm tellin' yah Pheebs, I'm going to blow this Popsicle stand in only two years."
Helga said as she stretched her arms above her head, before moving her tray down the lunch line to pick up some peculiar looking green mush from the ala' cart line. It was the second week of junior year, but Helga was anxious to leave Hillwood and see the world.
"But Helga, you must remember our deal…" Phoebe started timidly
"Yeah, yeah, college then the world."
Helga waved her hands dismissively to the small Asian girl, saying it laced with boredom. Phoebe smiled broadly, happy that her friend would make something of her life instead of backpacking through Europe and not attending College. Or well, going to college… then traveling the world. After winning the City-wide poetry contest Helga was guaranteed a scholarship to any University in the state. But Helga at the time wanted nothing to do with a higher education, she only wanted out.
After Helga had filled her tray with odds and ends of the ala' carte line and Phoebe had a simple Mandarin orange salad and Vitamin Water on her tray they picked up their trays and sauntered over to the check out line, making small talk until they reached the cashier.
"Afternoon there, Millie."
"Helga, watching that girlish figure of yours?"
Millie the lunch lady smiled down at the two girls jokingly. She knew that Helga, seemed to keep her figure no matter what junk she ate, and Phoebe who was still petite for her age, watched what she ate constantly (not in an obsessive way, but in a healthy way) even though it didn't matter. Phoebe was destined to stay tiny for the rest of her life so it seemed.
"Course Millie."
Helga said with a smile. She held out the normal ten dollar bill to pay for both her and Phoebe's lunch. Such was custom since freshmen year, since Big Bob had just started shelling out cash to Helga to gain some trust back after many years of torment during her childhood. Sure Helga would hold it against him for the pain he caused her during her childhood- but the extra cash in her pocket was great, especially since her gig at the book store barely covered her love of paperback novels and Sunday afternoon showings at the theater.
"Have a nice day girls."
Mille replied to the pair as she returned the change to Helga's out stretched hand.
"You too Millie!" Phoebe squeaked out with a grin.
The duo made their way across the crowed lunchroom, past the tables of the football jocks which included Stinky, Harold and Sid. The boys playfully whistled at Lila and Nadine walking in front of Helga and Phoebe, the four of them scurried to the table in the corner grabbing seats before everyone else arrived. Since the girls had been friends and welcomed everyone into their group, their table was quite popular. Even more now since the juniors we're the last of the upperclassmen in the lunchroom since seniors had off campus lunch privileges.
The table located next to the table of the girls was a table with a few other boys from the old gang. Only a few were sitting down once the four girls reached the table. They included Arnold, Gerald, Peapod Kid, Iggy, and even Chocolate Boy- who had gotten over his obsessive behavior towards chocolate (but could not lose the nick name ) were lost in an intense conversation. Phoebe and Helga sat down their trays and began to pick at their food while a small argument erupted at the table beside them. Helga craned her neck to see over Sheena's head to the table where her beloved Arnold sat. She saw all the heads of the table bent low speaking in hushed tones, but some snippets could be overheard:
"No, man… look, just…"
"Arnold! You don't get it!..."
"Think it through Gerald…"
"We never going to see you…"
"BASKETBALL."
"You gonna' eat that pudding?"
"CB, seriously, man."
"I'm going to do it…"
"Think about this, man!"
"Go for it."
"Ball and chain, dude… Ball. And. Chain."
"It's now or never Johansen."
With that last remark, Gerald Johansen, slid back his chair toppling it over and quickly made his way to the girls table. All eyes on his swift moves, the cafeteria seemed to go silent as they watched him walk what was only a few feet, but to him seemed like miles. All Arnold could do was stare on, with a grin playing across his face, he tugged on his hat, almost tipping it to Gerald in admiration; Iggy shook his head while sighing and muttering something about never hanging out to shoot hoops again; Peapod Kid gave him the thumbs up, grinning like mad; while CB was happily eating a cup of chocolate pudding, oblivious to the events that were about to transpire. Phoebe held her fork with a few pieces of lettuce on it just a few inches away from her mouth as Gerald walked over to the small girl a devilish grin upon his lips.
"Hi, Ger-"
Was all she could get out before he swooped her up from her chair and planted a kiss on her. Dropping her fork and swinging her arms around his neck holding on to Gerald for dear life, not wanting to break from his embrace. Helga stood up clapping and whistling after the initial shock had warn off, Arnold was the next one up adding into the cheering that soon erupted around them. After what seemed ages, the two pulled apart. The jubilant crowed settled down and still looked on to see exactly what Johansen had up his sleeve. Gerald set Phoebe down and held her arm lightly while fixing her glasses with his free hand, which had become askew in his sudden action. After placing her glasses on the bridge of her nose he set his hand on her shoulder softly. And leaned in to her, speaking softly with what only could be described as passion,
"Phoebe Hyrdahl, will you go out with me?"
Gerald said his eyes sparkling with anticipation, and a tinge of worry as to what her answer might be. He moved his hands down her arms and held both of her hands while waiting for a reply.
"Why… I thought you'd never ask."
A furious blushing Phoebe replied happily. Pulling him closer and snaking her arms around the boy's torso into a hug, he picked her up off the ground, once again the cafeteria erupted into cheers.
"Bout time you two!" Helga laughed out,
"No kidding."
Said Arnold from her side, who had mysteriously appeared there, they both beamed to each other. As Arnold tipped his hat to Gerald, who couldn't stop smiling as he held his girl. Helga lightly punched Arnold in the arm. And in turn, Arnold rubbed it in mock pain, but punched her back just as lightly.
"Going to be nicer to me Helga, now that their together?"
"Don't bet your life on it Football head."
"Wouldn't want it any other way, Pataki."
--
A lot had changed over the years of high school for Helga, and as most boys in the grade could only make the comment of her change of appearance, as a "uni-browed bully" turned "stone cold fox." Since the middle of sophomore year Helga had stopped wearing her hair up, in pigtails, or even in a hair clip as she did for a few weeks before settling on straightening her hair each morning after climbing out of the shower, her golden locks now hung softly just above her waist. She had Rhonda help her out while trying to pick a new style and of course Rhonda knew best- picking a cut that would frame her face, which (thanks to Phoebe and the other girls) had two perfectly plucked eyebrows. She had also changed her style. It evolved over the years of high school, her once pink wardrobe, replaced with concert tee shirts, dark long sleeve shirts, and vintage dresses. Even skinny jeans and the occasional skirt and fishnet stocking pairing, Helga was not one to be fashion forward… but still couldn't help stealing a glance at the fashion magazines that littered Rhonda's floor. To some she was viewed as a punk, as a bully just like her younger years. But to most of the freshmen boys she was just a 'chick' to ogle at as she strutted from the band hallway to her advanced English class, passing the boys locker rooms between fourth and fifth period. Sure Helga still blew a few spitballs from time to time if she spotted a social injustice, shoved younger kids into lockers if she was going to be late to class, and said nicknames with the sting of venom on her lips, but really only meant them as a term of endearment, she tried to get her act together, but old habits die hard. But Helga had changed, her views softened on the world, the once hard-hitting blonde haired menace was now a hard-hitting aspiring journalist.
She laughed as she continued looking into the party. Everyone had changed everyone besides…
"A-Arnold."
She looked up suddenly to see Arnold leaning easily on the railing looking at Helga with his smile and bright eyes. His blonde hair ruffled more in the wind, than her own; it made him look almost older than everyone else. Arnold was still the loveable goof, always doing the right thing, trying to make everyone happy, he was just… Arnold. It was odd how he seemed to keep his child-like spirit all these years, but it showed in his eyes.
Sometimes during band Helga noticed him engrossed in his Blackberry from behind his keyboard. Often after band she would meet him in the hallway to put away her trombone only to notice he was irritated, he would then snap out of it, say good bye and jet off to his next class. Although Helga couldn't help noticing a trend early in the year; whenever Arnold was fiddling with his phone- he was soon absent from their shared classes. And at one point during December, he left for vacation a week and a half early, and even then didn't return until well into the first month of the New Year. She tried to figure out where he went, even Gerald, or his grand parents never knew where he went. But they never questioned it, which was odd to Helga… they knew something she didn't. She could tell. She decided to not dive into the mystery of where he went, she told her self that it would only be a step backwards. Before the start of her high school career Helga had thrown away every poetry book, every last piece of gum that made up her shrine. No more stalking she had decided. He still wore the flannel shirt un-tucked with jeans, and his ever present faded blue hat. Same old Arnold; to Helga, he was timeless.
"Hey Helga."
"And what do you want Football head?"
She cringed; she had tried so hard the past year to be nicer to him, all of it gone in a blink of an eye. He laughed, he was used to it.
"Why are you out here Pataki?"
"Could say the same to you, Shortman."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at her, trying to decode her thoughts.
"You're out here… every year. Why is that Helga?"
"Fresh air, you know… does a body wonders and all that jazz."
Helga shrugged her shoulders and stood up leaning her back on the railing next to Arnold.
"I like the view." She said after a long pause.
"Mmm."
Arnold took a minute and overlooked the city now glowing as the street lights began to flicker on as dusk enclosed Hillwood.
"It is a great one."
He smiled easily again, melting Helga's heart.
"Hey Foo...Arnold…" Helga began,
"Since Pheebs and Tall Hai… Gerald, are leaving for that camp thing together on Sunday…"
'This is it Helga, just say it… get it out already!'
"Want to catch a movie Sunday Afternoon, after they leave?"
Helga stopped looking at Arnold and shifted her attention back to the skyline; rambling on,
"If you want too. I mean you don't have too, I just thought since your best friend and my best friend are leaving for two weeks, that we could hang out… you know, just, hang out and stuff. Catch a flick, play some catch maybe, hang out at the Boardwalk for a day... or just something, I just thought we could make a day of it, take the two out to breakfast as a goodbye then we could do our own thing… like, well… you know, things..." She rolled her eyes as if to signify the un-importance of what she was saying while she talked and finished lamely.
'Things? Oh God, kill me now.' Helga thought, trying to play it off as cool.
After glancing back to Arnold who looked perplexed, she was getting ready to say that he should just forget it, Arnold opened his mouth to answer,
"AAAAHHHHHH!"
A sudden shriek of terror filled the air, and as soon as it ended a dull thud echoed throughout the Lloyd estate.