This is a prequel to my much larger project I am working on, Cruel Summer.
This is to fill in the space between the end of Hey Arnold! The Movie and the summer between 11th and 12th grade when the characters will be 17.
The Jungle movie can have happened or not, both stories will make sense either way with or without it, but Helga is not part of it.
Phrases in italics in the story are presented as memories, and are all taken from Hey Arnold! The Movie.
Pairings: Helga & Arnold, slight Gerald and Phoebe, and an unnamed boy on boy moment
Chapter titles are from We'll Meet Again by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, I was inspired by the Johnny Cash version
Wishing I owned Hey Arnold! but I don't and Craig Bartlett/Nickelodeon do
4th grade
I gave her the easy way out. I wasn't ready.
You were caught up in the heat of the moment, right? I didn't know what to do with LOVE, I could barely handle LIKE. You actually hate me, don't you? I gave her the easy way out, and on a silver platter at that.
Of course I hate you, you stupid football head, and don't you ever forget it! Ever! Those were the last words I heard her speak. Her dad had her spend the rest of the summer with her sister.
I took the easy way out. He wasn't ready.
He gave me the easy way out. You were caught up in the heat of the moment, right? There was never a better sound to my ears. You actually hate me, don't you? He didn't hate me. He just wasn't ready.
Of course I hate you, you stupid football head, and don't you ever forget it! Ever! Those were the last words I spoke to him. Bob sent me to spend the summer with Olga after that.
