Epilogue
Lurking in the Shadows
Summer of 2003 (so they just got out of sixth grade)
I watched from the shadows in the alley as Helga turned the corner and ran, yet again, into Arnold. I listened to her shocked and flustered tone, which quickly reverted back to her harsh, annoyed one to keep up her bully image.
"A-arnold?! I mean...watch where you're going, football-head!"
"Sorry, Helga," Arnold said, apologizing yet again, probably out of habit by this point.
I knew that at any second, Helga would tiptoe around the corner, to the very alley I was in, and pull out the locket with the picture of her football-headed lovegod. Sure enough, I saw her sneak in, looking around to make sure she had not been noticed. She took the locket out of her dress and stared down at it, professing her love to Arnold.
You'd think she would know by now that I would always be there. I would always be lurking in the shadows, listening to every word she said about him. I knew the whole bully act was just that - an act. She had a very dysfunctional life, and she didn't want anyone to feel sorry for her - so she acted tough, but inside, she was just as soft-hearted and breakable as anyone.
But anyway, back to that sunny summer afternoon. I decided I had heard enough, so I came out of the shadows, wheezing as usual. She didn't say anything, she didn't even turn around, and I knew what was coming. The last thing I remember was Helga's arm coming straight back towards my face, and wondering how many pairs of glasses I had gone through in the past two weeks.
(In case you're a little slow...well, really slow, that was from Brainy's point of view.)