In a small town in a seemingly New York State lived many humble people in Hillwood City…
"PIPE DOWN, WILL YA? NOBODY HAS TIME FOR THIS CHRISTMAS TYPE STUFF, CRIMENY!"
Well, that's Helga…
"Helga, can you just let her do the story? I thought it was starting off very nice."
Thank you Arnold!
"She's just a rookie… Amateur."
"Helga, be nice… Guys, this is her first Hey Arnold Fanficiton!"
"I think they'll know that by the way she is writing this story.."
Alright.. I'm going to get on with the story…
Disclaimer: I don't own any Hey Arnold! characters, settings, or anything else.
Imagine being alone in a house full of people. Well, not really full of people. More like a drunken mother and a father who couldn't give two craps about you. And the only person who really cared about you was your older sibling who annoys the living crap out of you! And she's not even home. She moved to Alaska! So yeah, this is what you would call the Pataki household. Everything is hectic without anybody really doing anything. And my parents like to leave every year for a six month period and leave me by myself. It's been like that since I was ten. Sometimes they don't even bother to tell me when they're leaving. I mean, crimeny! Am I not important enough- haaa. Yeah, I'm not even going to finish that question. Speaking of the trip, it looks like it's about that time for them to leave.
"MIRIAM! Get your stuff and let's go! Give Olga her cash and get out of here!"
"It's Helga dad!" I screamed from my room and rolled my eyes.
"Alright B! Hold on!" I heard my mother yell. You could hear them shuffling their feet as if they were going to get arrested any minute now. Running up and down the steps, it just sickens me. They're leaving in the middle of the summer, and now what am I supposed to do? Phoebe is in Japan doing her thing… And I definitely don't want to spend any time with Lila.. Ugh.. My parents barely give me enough cash when they leave. When I was twelve, they left me with ten bucks and my sister Olga had to come take care of me. And boy, was that a trip! Endless torture of "Oh, my baby sister! I love you soooo much!" I was wishing that God would kill me that year, but unfortunately, I made it through.
"Knock! Knock!" my mother opened my room door and smiled.
"What is it Miriam? I ain't got all day."
"Here you go, Helga. I think it's about five hundred. If you run out, call your sister. She'll be happy to come down and help you out." She said handing me the wad of cash. I snatched it out of her hand and huffed.
"Crimeny, Miriam! I don't want that bimbo anywhere near me this year! Isn't she enough during the holidays?"
"Be nice, Helga. Your sister is a good person…"
"Yeah.. She sure is.." I mumbled.
"Alright, dear. I'll see you in a few months. I can't keep your father waiting…"
"Whatever.." I hid under my blankets and sighed. I heard her drowsy footsteps leaving my room.. WITHOUT CLOSING MY DOOR! I slang my covers across my bed and stomped my way down to my door. "How many times do I have to remind you people to shut my door when-" My jaw dropped. They were already gone.. I walked downstairs to see nothing but empty rooms. No furniture… No nothing. The only thing in the house was me and the empty flower vase, an empty refrigerator, a stove, and the crap in my room. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" I walked to the counter which had a piece of paper on it.
Helga,
We're selling the furniture and moving out. Can't afford to take you, sorry we couldn't tell you upfront. We'll keep in touch.. Still paying for your cellphone, sweetie.
Big Bob & Mom
"Yeah, some parents you are!" I screamed and fell to my knees. "I can't believe you guys left without really telling me.. This is just perfect!" I lied there on the floor for several minutes sobbing.. crying my eyes out till I felt like I had barely any water left in my body. Until I heard a knock on the door at which I sloppily got up from the floor and dragged myself to the front of my house. "Go away!" I cried. The person knocked again. "Can't you hear me? Go away!" They knocked once more. I angrily opened the door, "Crimeny! Didn't you hear me the first time? Go aw…" I stopped yelling and looked at the person who was in front of me. It was an oblong-headed boy who looked me dead in the eye. "Arnold?" I said with tears still running down my face. He stared at me in confusion.
"Are you okay, Helga?" he asked stepping into my house. I immediately wiped my tears off my face and put on a show.
"What's it to ya, Football head? I'm fine!" I poked him in his chest and he stepped back.
"Well, obviously you're upset about something.." he said half-lidded, but still concerned. "And… If you don't mind me asking, but what happened to your furniture?"
"Crimeny! Haven't you ever heard of refurnishing? Geez, Football head!"
"Well, where are your parents? And why are you still in your pajamas?" he asked. Causing more tears to fall from my face, but I was unaware of it. And not to mention how embarrassed I was to realize I was still in my pink footie pajamas and my hair was a mess! My face automatically turned red from anger and embarrassment.
"Well, I just woke up, Football head! And I could ask you the same thing about yours!" I yelled in his face. "Now, get OUT!" Arnold didn't budge. He crossed his arms and looked at me half-lidded.
"I know something is wrong, Helga… You don't have to hide it." He said annoyed.
"IT? Hide it? What is there to hide? There is nothing in this house! Nothing but me, myself, and my crap upstairs in my bedroom! My parents left me, okay? You got me! They left me some note in the kitchen saying they couldn't afford to take care of me, and tried to play it off as them taking another six month vacation! I'm such a dud!" I broke down and fell to the floor. Arnold sat on the floor and pulled me close to him. In my moment of weakness, I gave in and hugged him. He didn't say a word. He just hugged me and rubbed my back softly. Again, I realized that I was in my footie pajamas right in front of Arnold. I immediately shot up out of his arms and wiped my tears off my face. He got startled and got up off the floor. "Uhh.." I began, red in the face. "Can you wait here for a moment, Arnold? I kind of want to look a little presentable…" I sniffled. He nodded and waited. I ran upstairs to my room and got ready in twenty minutes. When I walked back downstairs, he was still there, looking up at me as I walked down in my raggedy old blue jeans and gray beanie with my pink t-shirt. "While I was upstairs, I realized that you came here… So, why was it that you came here, Football head?"
"I didn't know if you remembered or not, but the gang planned to see the Hillwood Black Sox play at the stadium. I have your ticket. You don't have to go if you don't want to, but we're in the VIP section."
"The whole gang in the VIP? Wow! I had no idea... Who bought the tickets?" Well, I bought yours and mine…"
"Arnold, that's a very nice gesture, but wouldn't you like to take Lila or something?"
"Lila doesn't like baseball… Which is pretty sad, but I know you do… So what do you say?" he smiled. "Get out of this place?"
"Yeah, alright bucko. Hold on to your pants. Let me get my money.."
"No, you don't have to do that. I got all the expenses taken care of."
"Oh, alright." We walked out of my house and Arnold escorted me in to his grandpa's old car. Then we started driving down to the stadium. "Is everybody already there?"
"Yeah, Gerald, Harold and Patty, Stinky and Sid, and Nadine and Sheena.. Oh, and surprisingly, Curly convinced Rhonda to go too!"
"Princess is willing to go with her twerp of a frog prince? I still can't believe that Rhonda is still part of the clique even though she acts like a total snob at school."
"Well, no offense, Helga.. But we could have said the same thing about you being the bully that you are.. Besides, what's the point of leaving somebody behind? Everybody changes, right?"
"You got a point there, Arnold." I sighed. The rest of the ride was silent, just Arnold driving to the game and me looking out the passenger window thinking about what I'm going to do. But still, for now, I'm going to try and forget about what happened and try and enjoy my time with the gang. When we arrived to the ballpark, Football head and I entered through the gate and walked up to our VIP section where everybody else was.
"Hey Arnold!" everyone rushed up to greet Arnold.
"Heeey guys!" Arnold greeted back.
"Isn't this cool? VIP section of the game! Once in a lifetime chance!" Harold said excitedly.
"Yes, it's very cool." Arnold replied.
"And man, you would not believe the condiments they have here! Everything is unlimited!" Gerald added. With all of this excitement, and Arnold being the center of attention.. I decided to go sit down, but as I was stepping away, a hand grabbed my arm. I looked at Arnold who was looking at me with that said, please wait. I nodded.
"Alright, guys.. I think we should all sit down and talk there, how is that?" Arnold suggested. Everybody nodded and walked back to their seats. Arnold sighed and laughed. He looked at me and smiled. "Sorry about that Helga."
"Nobody said hi to me…"
"Everybody is too caught up in this whole baseball thing…"
"Yeah, but they had time to say hi to you!"
"Well, I'm here, aren't I? Let me escort you to our seats, my lady!" Arnold tried cheering me up and linked my arm with his as we headed to our seats. As he sat me down, he smiled at me and sat down next to me.
"Don't get any ideas hairboy."
"What? I'm trying to lighten up the mood. Have a good time, Helga!"
"Yeah, yeah…" I rolled my eyes sarcastically.
"Hey Arnold!" Gerald called out to his best friend. "I need to talk to you for a moment." Arnold looked at me and motioned that he'll be right back. I rolled my eyes and shooed him with my hands. They went to the drink bar and began to talk.
"What's up, Gerald?"
"What's up? Don't what's up me! What are you doing here with Pataki?"
"What do you mean? She's part of our gang too. Don't you remember? Since preschool?"
"Yeah, but she's also been a bully."
"Get over it, Gerald. She's been with us through the thick and thin. I don't care how much she's taunted us over the years.. Harold was a bully at one point too, and Rhonda is a bit on the snobby side too. What makes Helga any different from them?"
"I don't know, Arnold. Maybe it's the fact that she's made it clear that she hates both of us and that she used to give us swirlies in the teacher's lounge bathroom all the way up until seventh grade!"
"And what grade are we in now?" Arnold asked half-lidded. Gerald folded his arms.
"Eleventh.. But Arnold, don't you see-"
"Look, I bought her ticket.. You're just going to have to deal with it."
"Well, man.. I'm not the only one who is upset about that… The whole crew is a little upset."
"Well, they're just going to have to deal with it too." Arnold said grabbing two foam cups full of mountain dew and walking away from Gerald.
"I'm just letting you know, man!" Gerald said. Arnold mentally shook his head and sighed walking towards me handing me a cup and sitting down next to me.
"Thanks, Arnold." I thanked him and took a sip looking out at the field.
"Not a problem, Helga. Anything you need, you just let me know, okay?" he assured. He looked me in the eyes and it nearly made me melt. I suddenly felt that awful lovesick grin spread across my face. "Helga?" He waved a hand in front of my face. I immediately slapped my face and brought myself back into reality. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Arnoldo.. I'm not some charity case." I made up an excuse to really say thanks.. But I'm sure he caught on because he just smiled and nodded. It's been a long time since I've gotten that way about Arnold… I mean, I've gotten over my sick obsession with him. Now that I think about it, I threw away all of my journals and my shrines dedicated to him, especially after that incident with my pink journal being exposed in fourth grade. But my obsession ended freshman year after him and Lila started dating. After that, I couldn't handle being the one who couldn't have his heart… I don't want to get back to my sick obsession again.
"Hey Helga, can I ask you a question?" Arnold asked.
"You just did… But I guess that one doesn't count, huh?" I joked. He chuckled a little bit.
"Well, I want to know, like… if you liked somebody, but you kind of gave up on it a while ago… I mean, like, do those feelings ever go away? Or should they?" That's the most convenient question he's asked which was totally related to my thoughts.
"I don't know. I mean, if you really loved someone, then I suppose those feelings shouldn't have gone away. But if you gave up, perhaps maybe it wasn't meant to be.." I told him. He silently nodded. "Why, do you have somebody on your mind?" I asked with a little jealousy. Arnold laughed nervously.
"Well, kind of… I don't know. I just wanted to know from a girl's point of view 'cause when I asked Gerald, he automatically assumed that I wanted to get back with Lila, and that's definitely not the case."
"Wait, you guys broke up? You and Lila still have quite the close relationship then…"
"Well, I guess you can say that she's really flirty. But you know, that got her in trouble with our relationship… I didn't like how she flirted with pretty much everybody. And the sickest thing is that I witnessed her flirting with Wolfgang and that really just got me all fired up. So I broke up with her."
"Little miss Lila, a cheater? Wow, I would have never guessed. And fired up? I would really like to see you angry."
"It really takes a lot to get me mad."
"She must have really done it a great deal."
"Yeah, with everybody… I mean, I don't like to talk bad about her, but it's the honest truth.."
"That's okay, Football head. You deserve somebody who knows how to maintain a relationship. Somebody who you have a real connection with, you know?" I said. He nodded and smiled at me.
"Thanks Helga. That really helped a lot." I smiled back in return. Soon the game started and it was pretty awesome. The whole gang looked like they were having a lot of fun. Arnold stuck with me the whole time with the exception of Gerald coming over every half an hour to talk to him about the other team's sucky players. But the Hillwood Black Sox won! So everybody was happy. By the time the game was over, it was around six in the evening. Everybody decided to go out and eat at the most greasiest, most disgusting place with the best food ever… Fatalli's Pizza. The pizza had beer crust and had the best tomato sauce any man could have ever tasted. The pizza was so good, that it would make Harold gain twenty more pounds on his already tubby stomach.
"I will never forget this day, guys. It was absolutely the best!" Sid said grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza.
"Yeah, man! A bunch of teenagers being able to attend a baseball game in the VIP section, having a blast! Just like old times at P.S.118 at Gerald Field! Helga the pitcher, Brainy on first, Stinky as short stop, Nadine as third baseman.. Y'all remember them days?" Everybody nodded and started chatting amongst themselves. Arnold smiled at me and nudged me, because Gerald remembered my position.
"I reckon Helga was the best pitcher there was, fellers. Ya think we could play another round of baseball together just for old time's sake down there at that field before summer is up and over with?" Stinky suggested.
"Yeah, guys. It will be great. Just like old times!"
"Let's just hope some little dweebs won't kick us off the field." I commented.
"I highly doubt some little kids are going to take away our field. I mean, Arnold and I are the founders of that field! It belongs to us!"
"Don't count your blessings guys. The field is just a playground now. They placed a playground down there a couple years ago." Rhonda said looking at her nailed while sipping water from her glass. Everybody moaned.
"Are you kidding me?" Harold whined shoving a whole pizza slice in his mouth.
"We'll figure out something. Maybe we can go to the park and play on the field there. It'll be fun. I'll get a permit for it and everything. What do you guys say?"
"Arnold, you are just so awesome." Nadine complimented. Everybody at the gang's table began clapping and cheering. Earning stares from other customers from the restaurant.
"Guys, calm down. It's not that serious." Arnold said getting red in the face.
"But we got to get Phoebe down here. She's down in Japan." I said. Gerald sighed.
"Pataki is right, guys. My girl needs to be here participating! She'll be back in late July. So maybe we can do this game before school starts up. Plus, it wouldn't be the same without Brainy and Eugene and Lila. We got to invite those guys too."
"Right, so we'll round up the people, and I guess we'll try to set up a date that is convenient for all of us." Arnold said. Everybody agreed. A couple hours passed and it came to be around nine. Everybody got tired and went home. Arnold drove me up to my front door of my house. But then locked the doors when we got there.
"What are you doing?" I asked in a sort of panicky voice.
"Woah, Helga. I'm not gonna do anything.. I was just wondering, since you're parents aren't.. you know.. maybe you would want to stay over at my house for a while? Until you figure something out?"
"No thanks… I think I'll be fine on my own for just one night."
"Helga, I'm serious. I don't feel safe with you there by yourself."
"Crimeny, Football head! I'll be fine! I've been at home alone plenty of times, plenty of nights! I'll be fine…"
"Whatever you say, Helga. Just know I'm a phone call away. Any time you need me, Helga… Please don't hesitate to call." He begged. I laughed.
"I had a good time with you. Thanks for the VIP experience, Football head."
"No problem, Helga. I'd do it a million times if I could. I had a great time with you too." He smiled. I smirked back as I unlocked the door and opened it.
"See ya later."
"Bye Helga." He waved and watched me as I opened my front door and didn't drive off until I closed my door and turned on the lights. As I heard the automobile drive off, I leaned against my front door and slid down with a lovesick sigh.
"Oh, Arnold! My beloved! Why I even thought that I was over you is beyond me! It must have been destiny that during my darkest hour that you'd be knocking on my door as my savior! Alas, Arnold, my love… Maybe this could be my chance to show you how I truly feel?" I gasped. "No, I can't do this again! No!" I ran up to my room and looked at myself in the mirror. "Helga, old girl. What are you thinking? You can't do this to yourself again! It'll only get worse as it goes on! He'll probably want to get close and then friend-zone me. I can't let myself get too close to him. He already knows too much! What do I do?" I whined falling back on my bed. My beanie fell off of my head exposing my pink bow.. "Ugh!"
I drove home feeling worried as I passed each block. Every moment I'm away from Helga, I die a little inside. Seeing her this afternoon the way she was… it killed me! And to think that she's home alone? That's even worse! I got to do something.. I arrived at the boarding house. The animals escaped as I opened the door and entered.
"Kimba! Nice to see you back to the forest! Get your sword and we shall defeat these evil monkeys stealing our bananas!" My grandma was up on the table with a spatula swinging it back and forth. My grandpa got up from the living room couch and greeted me.
"Pookie, get down from the table! Hey there, Shortman! How was the game?"
"Pretty good, Grandpa. I had a really good time with my friends."
"That's good, Arnold! Glad you did! Say, you look like something is bothering you. What's the matter?"
"My friend.. Her parents left her at home alone and said that they couldn't afford to take care of her anymore. They abandoned her! And I offered to take her back here to stay until she figured out what to do, but she refused… But now I just can't stop worrying about her."
"Shortman, if there's one thing I know about girls is that they never want to listen to a darn thing you say. They always think they know what's best for themselves and end up making stupid mistakes that could have been prevented. I'll tell you this, if you really care for your friend, you would go back to her house and talk her into coming here where it's safe. I don't want her at that place by herself either. Especially since it's probably that girl with the one eyebrow!"
"You're right, Grandpa.. But she probably wouldn't listen anyways… Wait a minute, how did you..?"
"Get out of here, Shortman! Get her to come over here at least for the night. Let me know if she's being rebellious. Stay over there with her if you have to!" My grandpa said and shoved me out of the front door and locked it behind me. I immediately went to the car and drove back to her house. When I arrived, I knocked on the door.
"What the?" I asked myself as I heard the door knocking downstairs. "I looked out of my window from my room to see Arnold. I opened my window and poked my head out. "Football head, what are you doing back here?" I whispered loud enough for him to hear and not the neighbors. He took a few steps back and looked up.
"Helga! Let me in! I want to talk to you about something."
"If it's about having a sleepover at your house, I already gave you an answer to that!"
"Look, let me in!"
"Fine, fine.. Hold on a second." I said closing my window and running downstairs to let Arnold in. "What is it? I'm trying to go to sleep!"
"Helga, you aren't even in your footie pajamas yet." Arnold laughed. I blushed with embarrassment.
"Look, if you came here to embarrass me, you can just leave, alright?"
"No," he said stepping inside and pushing the front door to close. "I know you didn't want to come over my house, but I don't want you alone tonight. So, I'm going to stay with you. No exceptions."
"Arnold! No!"
"Look, I know it sounds a little forceful, but I'm just trying to protect you."
"Nothing is going to happen!"
"Okay, you can go to bed in your room and I'll sleep down here. At least so I can make sure no strangers come through the front door."
"CRIMENY! Leave me alone!" I shouted. Arnold put a finger to my mouth to shush me causing me to fall silent at his touch.
"You think you have any extra blankets?"
"No… I think they took the guest blankets too. But, Arnold.. If you're really going to stay, then stay in my room with me.. So I guess.. I don't feel so lonely." I offered. He smiled and nodded. After I put on my pajamas (a pink tank top and pink comfy shorts), Arnold slept on the floor next to my bed with my pillow and with one of my extra bed sheets that I found in my closet. Once he turned off the lights, he laid on the carpet in my room and took off his red plaid shirt.
"Good night, Helga." He said. I smiled as I snuggled underneath my covers at his voice.
"Night, Football head."
Alright! First chapter of the first Hey Arnold Fanfic! So excited! Haha! :D Please review! It would make my day!
I'm just testing this out and seeing if I should start writing stuff for this type of cartoon. I love Hey Arnold! sooo much! Like, I'm completely obsessed with seeing if the Jungle Movie will come back and stuff. I'm even following Hey Arnold characters on Twitter! xD haha. Ohh well.
I hope you guys liked it! Gonna make more chapters for this story!
Until then, hasta luegos! :D