Disclaimer: I own Nothing
They say your life flashes before your eyes when you're about to die. She didn't know about that but she knew there was nothing greater than looking into the eyes of her beloved, his large hands encased in hers, when she felt herself fading away. His eyes were watery and filled with concern. His eyes were sparkling and full of life. In them she could find her way home.
Her mouth tasted of metal and the hard tiled floor was sticky. He watched as she tried to move, her rigid body pained. He was afraid. For the first time in his life he couldn't find a bright side. The girl he had known his whole life was shot. The girl who hated him jumped in front of a gun for him. Helga Pataki was lying on the hallway floor in their high school bleeding out, while he applied pressure to the wound.
"Hey," she whispered barely audible.
He looked into her eyes and smiled convincingly. He was scared but she didn't have to know it. The least he could do was make her comfortable.
What was taking the ambulance so long? He saw her eyes closing and tried to keep her distracted.
"Helga, remember when we were kids and you were always saving me? You always seemed to be there when I needed you. How did you do that?"
She smirked a little despite struggling to breathe.
"Bad timing, I guess. But look on the bright side. I won't be around to annoy you anymore." She wheezed a little and squirmed, fighting something neither wanted to discuss.
His face turned bleak, his features solemn. "Don't talk like that. I always want you around." He squeezed her hand in comfort and fear.
She snorted and then winced. Arnold held her hand tighter and brought himself closer after feeling how cold she was. "Right. You must be some kind of masochist to want your childhood bully around."
How did she do that? How did she act like she didn't save his life? Like what she did was no big deal. Why was she always saving him? He didn't understand what he did to deserve that level of devotion.
She whispered, her own eyes filling with tears. "It's because you saved me first."
He hadn't noticed he mumbled the last part of his musings aloud. He could see the toll talking was taking on her strength.
"Helga, please don't speak. We can talk about this later, okay?"
Her body began shaking but he needed to know this. She may not have tomorrow. "A-Arnold, you saved my life a long time ago. And have been saving it everyday. If I never get to tell you-"
"Shh, Helga it's alright. You need to preserve your strength."
She shook her head, suddenly feeling numb. "No I need to say this. I lied before, when we were kids. I love you. I have always loved you. This wasn't your fault." And with that the 17-year-old lost her battle with consciousness and slipped away.
"Helga?" His eyes widened as her hand went lax in his. "Oh please no. Please don't do this. Helga!" His own tears couldn't be controlled now. He rocked gently beside her, holding her stroking her cheek and refusing to let go of her hand.