Chapter 1: The Beginning of Forever
A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first Hey Arnold! fanfic and I'm very excited about it. I had the idea for writing this story for a while but thanks to one of my good buddies, I plucked up the nerve to type this chapter up and post it on here. So enough talking and with further ado, I hope everyone enjoys this story. Constructive criticism is appreciated :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! We owe that to the creative mind of Craig Bartlett.
My chest begins to heave much in the same rhythm as that of my heart. With my hair and dress a disheveled mess, I glare into the eyes of my beloved, a part of me wanting to smack the little runt's face.
"What's with you football head! I pester and harass you, you get mad. I do what you say and show 'the nice Helga I know is there', you get mad. What do you want from me?" I yell exhausted and mad at the whole situation. The only reason I bothered coming to this stupid dance was because Phoebe wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted I attend. And fighting with Arnold is not what I signed up for. I mean who does he think he is? I may love Arnold with an immense passion but I'm still Helga G. Pataki and I take no crap from anyone. Suddenly Arnold's voice startled me from my thoughts.
"That's just it Helga! It's you! It's always been you!"
I look at him with a confused look, trying to decipher what his words exactly meant. The beat of the music continued to blare around me, filling the auditorium and the ears of those dancing along with their dates. How I wish Arnold and I could be like those people, dancing the night away. But instead I find myself having to shout just to get my voice through the raging music.
"Okay Arnold-o you're not making any sense. So why don't you spill it out before I wring that shrimp neck of yours". Looking intently at the distressed boy in front of me, I try to block the music that's echoing within me and keep my ears solely plucked to his voice. "Urrg! You're so...so...frustrating! You confuse me to hell!" With my mouth agape, I watch him grasp a wad of his hair in between each hand and turn away from me. He's completely lost it, I thought. To hear Arnold yell a profanity, even a small one at that, is unusual coming from him to say the least. But I can't deny his words fisted through me and into my heart. He doesn't love me. Heck he doesn't even like me. I guess I'll never get to hear those three words I've always longed to hear escape those rosy lips of his.
"Well if I confuse you so much bucko, why don't we just stop hanging around each other". I tried to make my words sound as stern as possible though my cracked voice couldn't fool anybody. Inside, I was breaking down. And I don't think time would be able to heal my wounds.
"I can't do that", sighed Arnold defeatedly. "Why not!" I yelled demandingly. And in a swift moment, Arnold turned sharply to face me, grabbing a hold of both my arms as he locked eyes with mine. "Because...I think I lov-..." But before he could finish, a fiery ray of light burst through the windows of the crowded auditorium and on to the dance floor, turning our school dance into chaos as everyone screamed and ran for the nearest exit. The scrambling kids broke Arnold and I apart, pushing us towards different paths.
"Arnold!" I yelled, reaching out to grab his hand. "Arnold! Come back.."-
I wake up to find the light of the rising sun nestled in my face, causing me to quickly shield my eyes with the sheets while my alarm continued to sound off. Slamming the alarm clock, I sit up and stretch my arms and legs. Sitting there, remnants of the dream I had moments ago began coming back to me. I know it was a dream yet it all felt so real. As if I was actually at the school dance. As if I was actually arguing with Arnold. I REALLY have to lay off the pork rinds as a late night snack. You'd think I'd learn after that sleepwalking incident I swore Phoebe and I would never ever talk about. Shaking those thoughts from my head, I get up and head towards my bedroom door. Just as I turned the door knob, the person on the other side beat me to it, pushing me off my feet and on to the floor. I look up and see none other than Ol-ga with her cheerful expression that makes me become irritable at the spot. It was just too early to deal with her cheerful persona.
"Morning baby sister! Did you sleep well?" I grab hold of the door knob and bring myself up. "Yea yea I slept like a baby. Now out of my way, I have to get ready for school". As I push her aside, she stops me in my tracks, "Oh Helga, you're first day of seventh grade! I remember my first day, I wore this new sequenced skirt that mommy bought for me with some reall-"
"As much as I would love to hear another one of your great stories, I have to get ready for MY first day" and with that I head for the bathroom and shut the door, ending this pointless conversation.
'Criminy, I can't even walk to the bathroom without having Olga corner me with another one of her great childhood stories'. Though the years have passed and my prepubescent years have gone, my relationship with my sister has not changed. She's still the perfect daughter Bob and Miriam have on a pedestal and I continue to be forced into the role of her shadow every time they 'accidentally' call me Olga. After she was offered to join the country's award-winning orchestra, I was thrilled to finally have her off my back. But when she comes to visit and recount her amazing stories traveling around Europe with her group, I can't help but gag at the attention my parents shower her in. 'It's all in the Pataki genes' Big Bob claims proudly. What a bunch of crock.
I took a quick shower and ran back into my room.
After putting on my pink dress and a white shirt, I start to blow dry my hair and put it up in the pigtails I've worn since I can remember. But my outfit was not complete. Grabbing my pink bow from the dresser, I place it carefully on top of my head, finally feeling content. I look intently at my bow, reminiscing on the symbolism this piece of cloth represented. It was the first thing he noticed about me. Although being soaked and covered in mud, Arnold saw past that and noticed the person behind it. He saw me. He noticed me when no one else did, not even the people who saw me walking alone in the streets. He showed me kindness and affection when he offered me his crackers that day at Urban Tots. It was these moments that made me fall in love with Arnold. 'Oh my beloved, how I'll forever be grateful for the time I've spent with you, no matter how miniscule it was. How I hope that one day you would realize that my way of being is just a facade to hide my true feelings for you. That my love for you is as bright and everlasting as the sun'.
I should write that down, I thought.
"Helga, breakfast is ready. Hurry up before you're late for school". Rolling my eyes, I yell half exasperatedly, "Coming Miriam!"
She's right for once. I will be late if I don't move my keester.
Picking up my book bag, I race down the stairs and into the kitchen. Of course Olga prepared another one of her gourmet breakfast Bob and Miriam love. Instead of staying and hearing mom and dad flaunt about how great Olga is, I opted for a donut and was out the door.
It didn't take long for me to meet up with Phoebe at the bus stop. That's one of the perks of living a few blocks away from your best friend. My confidant.
"Ohayo gozaimasu Helga", said a happy Phoebe. "No Japanese this morning Pheebes, my day already started off crummy". We board the bus and find a seat next to the window. Slouching in my seat, Phoebe continues to pry into the conversation.
"What happened? Did you have another argumentative encounter with your sister?" Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms and scoff at the question. "Practically everyday Pheebes. I'm telling ya, her being home for a couple of months is going to drive me nuts". A comforting smile formed in Phoebe's face. "I'm sure it won't. Maybe this time will serve to let you become better acquainted with Olga". I huff at the thought and turn to look at the window. Noting my distaste for the conversation, Phoebe moves the conversation in another direction. "Are you excited for the new school year". With a smirk, I place the top of my hand over my forehead while my other hand is clutched near my heart. "Why yes! My summer without tests and quizzes was completely unbearable". A fit of giggles erupts from the both of us once I finished the little scene I made, when suddenly locks of golden blonde hair caught my attention. It didn't take me long to realize whose hair it belonged to as I watched Arnold and Gerald get on the bus and pay their fare. Phoebe quickly took notice of my sudden state and saw Arnold sit just a few seats away from us on the bus. "Well I know someone you surely missed during our summer break". I look over at Phoebe, an all-knowing look sketched on her face that causes me to look away from her. She could read me as easily as any book she's ever read. With a slight shake of my head, I smile and dart my eyes back to the face of my beloved, no longer caring how my morning started now that I knew how my day will be going.