She is something to behold, elegant and bold. She is electricity running through my soul." Georgia, Vance Joy

Chapter One: Tribulations

There are some people who you can't forget and out of those people there are some that refuse to be forgotten. Helga G. Pataki is defiantly a force of nature you can't forget no matter how hard you try.

My first memory of her is vague and fuzzy but it's easily one of my first memories. I met her on my first day of kindergarten, sad, wet, cold, yet out of the miserable scene of a toddler walking in a big city alone on the first day of school what I remember most was a pink too large for her. Looking back, it's odd that something so large and girly would ever be on someone as tomboyish as Helga. Still Helga is nothing if not full of contradictions; abrasive but sensitive, outspoken but guarded, soft and hard. I should have known by the first few hours with her that she'd never be easy to deal with.

She told me she loved me after bullying me insistently throughout my childhood. Then she took it back. Only Helga G. Pataki. After trying to ignore her sudden proclamation and processing it I realized yes I could love her. So in the fifth grade Helga and I became a couple. We were happy till we went on a school field trip to San Lorenzo.

Growing up with overly fanciful stories of my parents was complicated. I wanted more than pictures and second hand stories, I wanted a memory of my own. I wanted to know them. I loved my grandparents but part of me earnestly wanted to know anything firsthand about them. I knew names and faces but even where they went was an outlandish tale told by Grandpa Phil. My heart soared when the trip to San Lorenzo was announced. Helga was by myside the entire time. She helped me track them down to the Green Eyed People. We battled a mercenary treasure hunter, river pirates, got worshiped by the Green Eyed People, and then reunited with my parents. Then we parted ways, when I decided to stay with my parents, to get a chance to really know them; they stayed to save the world. No two fifth graders can make long distance work; not even us. Our goodbye was sad, poignant, and short. We tried to not make it a goodbye but a till later neither of us walk away knowing where we stood. There where promises of letters that were few and far between, hints of visits that never really came.

Over the years Stella and Miles became mom and dad. I wrote Grandma and Grandpa, Gerald, Sid everyone got at least one letter from me but the few I wrote to Helga were the hardest. I would often right a ten page letter only to chicken out when I finally got the chance to mail it. I didn't know who she was, how she'd changed clearly it was at least partially my fault. She wrote back once or twice but she seemed detached and if anyone could convey that in a letter mailed on the other side of the equator it's her.

I moved back to Hillwood the beginning of junior year. I was shocked to see how much everyone had changed and how somethings never would. Ronda was still the queen bee, Nadine was still her bug loving best friend, Phoebe and Gerald were official, and Brainy was in love with Helga. Her fist never connected with his face, she smiled and laughed at his jokes. She had changed too… taller, less aggressive, more of her genuine personality came through, she had two eyebrows, and Helga had blossomed. Once I got over the being a homeschooled jungle freak I saw she loved Brian. I thought it was best if I was her friend, I would let her be. She became my English tutor and occasional running partner. Still I watched her, got hypnotized by her laugh, the way her hair caught in the light, the way she wove words in to art.

In hindsight I should have known that Brainy would watch me watch her. It's an odd concept but he is basically a CIA operative in high school. That boy knows everyone's everything and manages to be everywhere at the same time. He just tends to appear out of thin air. Of course he would know. I was hard core crushing on this guy's girlfriend.

I dated a pretty girl here and there, nothing serious, and nothing real. That's what high school is for right? Making mistakes, and collage is for figuring out who you are. I feel that I was taking hollow steps at that point. Living life as I thought I should.

I should write a letter to Brainy thanking him for giving me that push. He came up to me at our homecoming dance and told me not to hold her back and walked away. Getting ditched by my date earlier in the night I was trying to have a good time at Rhonda's homecoming party. Not even an hour after getting there Phoebe got a call from Helga and left. The rest of the night was filled with rumors; Helga got thrown in jail, there was a car accident, Brainy left after being recruited as a spy. Of course its high school and everything is dramatic and the truth is always a little sadder and definitely always duller. They broke up, no one knew why but it was pretty clear that Helga was blindsided by it. There was a whirlwind of rumors as to why they broke up but those were even more ridiculous than the ones about Helga's phone call. It was clear that Brainy was in love with her, though who wouldn't be.

Room was what she needed and that is what I gave her. She was pensive for a bit but she's stronger than anyone I've ever met. She grew back into herself stronger than before, like she rediscovered herself without him. I got the nerve to ask her out before winter break. I remembered her affinity for winter. We went ice skating, she was as graceful as ever. It was magical, she was magical it even snowed when I kissed her. Then she made fun of me for falling flat on my ass.

That's Helga Pataki for you a pain in the ass and magical at the same time. She's crass and poetic, assertive and caring, the most infuriating and captivating person on the planet. I honestly don't know if I want to pull my hair out or kiss her half the time.

Still she was there when I needed her the most and I did the same for her. We stayed in state for school, me in Hillwood and her just an hour out of city limits. She received a large softball scholarship as well as and academic one that covered everything. I stayed at the boarding house to save some money so I could visit my parents in South America in the summers. We broke up once that second semester of freshman year; it was the stress that we were both under her being pre-med and me with my baseball schedule and Grandma Pookie's failing health. I had just finished finals when things took a turn for the worst. I made it home from a party only to find her passed out on the kitchen floor dressed like Cleopatra. I was calling Helga before I knew it.

"Hey Football Head I didn't think you'd be calling at 2 A.M. and I hope you have a damn good reason for waking me up. I have to drive back at dawn."

"Thank you for answering Helga. I'm glad you're in town can you swing by my Grandma passed out, I'd drive her to the hospital but I just came from a party and I've had too much to drink."

"I'll be there in five."

True to her word Helga was there in less than five minutes, walking out the door when she heard the urgency in my voice. I carried Grandma to Helga's car putting her in the back door already open and Helga running to the driver's side. She's always been a speed demon but that night she really hauled ass. I'm surprised we didn't get pulled over. She pulled up to the doors then parked as I went inside.

"If they ask we're married. The lady at the desk was giving me such a hard time."

"Thanks for everything Helga." I said taking her hand as she sat next to me in the waiting room.

"No problem Football Head. You'd haul your ass out of bed at 2 A.M. for me if I asked. How is she?"

"In surgery. They'll let me know as soon as they have an update."

"Good. What about Phil? Where is he?" She said putting on her shoes.

"He's at the boarding house. I didn't have time to tell him… anyway his new medication knocks him out for hours. I don't want to tell him anything till I know something either way. There's no point in both of us worrying. Did you come all this way without shoes?"

"Well duh, bird for brains I had to do something to shave off time. How do you think I managed to get to the boarding house so quick? I didn't even grab a pair when I ran out the door; I'm glad that I always keep a pair of shoes in the trunk of my car."

"I'm sorry I woke you up. You don't have to stay. You probably have a reason for leaving so early."

"You bet your ass I do, the University has decided to punish me with an 8 A.M. final. I wanted to get there so I could fuel up on caffeine and I also have a cram session, but I'm not leaving you alone like this. Are you hungry? I forgot my wallet but I have a few snacks in my car; granola bars, water that kind of stuff."

"No I'm good. You really are prepared for the ride back aren't you?"

"No I'm prepared because I dated you. You made me pack an emergency kit, disposable camera, flares, that little glass braking hammer thing and remember once every few weeks you would make me pull over check the tire pressure and clean out any food I hadn't eaten." She said laughing at the memory.

"I almost never had to throw anything out. You know I saved you from hunger. You practically ate everything in there every single time." Grateful for the distraction. "Tell you what I'll drive home pick up everything I need, study for a bit here and then drive off when it's time for me to go. It'll save me sometime anyway when I hit morning rush hour."

"That would be great Helga."

20 minutes later Helga came back up to the waiting area in fresh clothes, with her backpack hanging over her shoulder and a cup of coffee in each hand. "I would have been back a bit earlier but coffee is oddly hard to come by here. Take it, it's pretty oily coffee but it's strong and hot."

I took a sip it was oily but just as she said strong and hot and that's just what I needed. Helga sat down next to me, put her coffee down and started digging around in her backpack. "No offense, but you smell like you were out all night drinking. Here I dug around and found some of your clothes in my closet, hopefully the sweats and t-shirt still fit. There's a men's room down and around the corner from the elevators."

"Thanks for everything."

"You can thank me by changing. You reek and here I have some makeup wipes they might help with the smell."

"Thanks Helga."

I found her bent over a text book with a highlighter in one hand and a different book in another. "Hey Football Head. You smell better Arnold. I brought something for you." She said with a meek smile extending the other book towards me handing me a worn copy Of Mice and Men. "We don't know how long were gonna be here and you need something to do while I go over this stuff. I also left voice mails for Suzie and Mr. Hyunh explaining things so things at the Sunset Arms should be fine till you get back."

"Honestly Helga I don't know what I'd do without you.'

"Arnold you would do the same for me."

She stayed with me till Grandma got out of surgery and even swung by with food while I waited for Grandma to wake up. "I picked your phone, charge,r and wallet up from the boarding house. I also dropped off your dirty clothes and let Gerald know to expect your call when you need a ride home. I'll call you at noon for an update, okay Shortman?"

She called me at noon on the nose. She was glad to know that Grandma was okay for the most part and would be kept at the hospital for observation for a few days after her heart surgery. She asked about Grandpa Phil and his dialysis which I would be able to take him to after all; though she had suggested Olga owed her a favor which she would gladly call in for me. We got back together by the end of the summer. I had a chance to repay her the summer of junior year.

"Arnold."

"Hey Helga, what's going on? Are you crying?"

"Can you come over?"

"Yeah I'll be there as soon as I can." I rushed at the pained urgency in her voice.

As soon as I made it to the Pataki house Helga enveloped me in a hug. "Hey are you okay? What's wrong?"

"It's Miriam she fell off the wagon. I don't know what happened I just got a call. Will you drive me to the coroner's office—."

"Yeah. Is anyone else home?"

"No Bob is at the Emporium and Olga is still out of town with her husband. I don't feel right calling them till I know it's her." I stay quiet processing all the information on the drive.

"Do you need me to go in there with you?"

"Would you?" All I do is nod and take her hand as we go inside. "That's her…" is all Helga manages to say as the sheet is pulled back over Miriam. While Helga goes out to the ladies room to wash her face I find out the cause of death knowing Helga she'll want to know."

"Will you call Olga for me? Calling Big Bob is going to be hard enough but I don't think I can take it from Olga, she'll be cutesy and then she'll burst into tears I don't think I have the energy to deal with her right now.

"Yeah I'll do anything." Olga is cutesy of course and then burst into the water works, I can hear her hyperventilating, her words unintelligible. I'm glad I can do this for Helga it would either make her erupt in anger or erupt into tears. Either way it's not something she wants to deal with right now.

I close my phone, "I think Olga said something about booking a flight. I think. She was a blubbering mess to be honest."

"Thanks."

"How'd it go with Big Bob?"

"He's on his way home, one of the guys is dropping him off from the Cellphone Emporium. I don't know if he'll be driving his car and have someone follow or something but he sounded pretty shaken up. I guess Olga will want to pick out the dress we bury her in, her and Bob already have plots picked out, I guess that just leaves the casket and service to plan…." She has a far off look on her face, like she's trying to process something. "Arnold what do we tell people when they ask how she died? I forgot to ask."

"She died choking on her vomit. She was dead before she crashed, the airbag and seatbelt kept her from getting too banged up. She didn't feel anything too bad." I just make up that last part I have no idea how she felt but at least I can try to give her some comfort.

"She died alone Arnold. She was probably alone and confused. I know she wasn't much of a mom but she was my mom. She deserved better than that." One single tear falls down her cheek although her eyes are watery, utterly filled with unshed tears. I wonder how she manages to keep them at bay. She takes a deep breath. "I'll ask Olga and Bob if they want to tell the truth or want to just tell people there was a crash. Knowing Olga she won't want to lie to anyone but she's not going to want that to become public knowledge."

Bob walks in the door soon after and they start calling funeral homes. I clear my afternoon of volunteering at the rec center to take them to look at caskets and to help make the necessary calls. I paid the fee at the coroners when Helga walked off in a daze so that was one less thing for them to worry about. A date was set for the funeral by the time Olga got home.

"We need something pretty, but not showy, something refined but not overly elegant or understated, you know something that looks like she would wear." Olga stated while wondering in the store glancing at everything."

"Here's an idea why not just go to her closet?"

Olga grows quiet. "I don't think I can go in there baby sister…" That's when for the first time since I've known her Helga takes Olga into her arms and envelopes her in a way that is sheer protection. Olga silently cries in the middle of a department store as Helga holds her and for the second time that day Helga sheds just a single tear.

Helga was strong for the rest of the Pataki clan or maybe she was just guarding her emotions out of practice. She was strong as they put her mother in the ground holding Big Bob's hand and drying Olga's tears. She shook hands and gave polite smiles as near strangers invaded their home to pay their respects. It wasn't till after I helped clean up that she asked if she could stay with me. Helga said she couldn't bare the empty presents another night. I held her as she cried to sleep finally shedding the tears that had been so close to the surface all those days.

Authors Notes: I know I promised this at the beginning of the month which you would have gotten if I hadn't sent my beta the incomplete version of this. To make up for my mistake I decided to postpone up loading this chapter till I could upload chapter two. P.S. Sassy Helga comes to town in the next chapter. Enjoy everyone and please make sure to review :D.