Helga looked at the image projected on the mirror. None of her pupils from P.S. 118 would have recognized what has become of her. She was always one of the skinnier girls at school, thanks to her interest in various sports; however her current appearance was a cause of concern for the few friends she had. After Arnold left Hillwood to live with his parents in San Lorenzo, Helga was decimated. There was a gaping hole in her heart where her beloved Arnold occupied. She became withdrawn from her classmates, and from her passion for writing. Even her best friend Phoebe saw less and less of the temperamental blond.
Despite her best efforts, Phoebe couldn't help Helga with her unresolved issues with her football-headed muse. By the time everybody entered high school, Helga had transformed. Helga was infamous for her bossy and bullying nature, but after Arnold's heartbreaking move, Helga lost the will and motivation to do anything, even bullying her classmates. Her withdrawn nature was a relief to those she picked on, but Phoebe was really concerned for the well-being of her best friend.
"Helga, please talk to me. I hate to be frank, but it seems that after Ice Cream left, you've closed up. You used to be so opinionated, and compassionate, but now you don't even talk to me anymore. Is there anything you want to talk about Helga?"
"There's nothing to talk about Phebs. The love of my life has left my life forever. I shouldn't be surprised though. I always ridiculed him and treated him like dirt. Anyways, he would never go for a dumpy emotional mess like me."
"Quit talking such nonsense Helga. I believe Arnold cared a lot for you. Also, it's not your fault that Arnold is in San Lorenzo. Remember, the whole reason why we went there was to find his parents, and you shouldn't be surprised that he wants to live with the parents he hardly got the chance to know."
Those words just flowed over Helga, and she just kept silent throughout the rest of the bus ride. Arnold never really left her thoughts, and her heart ached each time she remembered her muse. The poetry writing had ceased as Helga didn't have the motivation to continue on writing, or participating in any of the activities she once enjoyed. After years of this, Helga got fed up and turned to booze to dull the pain. When she turned seventeen, she got her own fake ID, and began her booze fueled binges. Her shitty home life only exacerbated her newfound addiction as Bob and Miriam were inattentive to their youngest daughter. It didn't help that Miriamnever kept her liquor cabinet locked, and she was too dense to figure something was up. Their troubled relationship with their daughter also didn't help Helga with her insecurities and personal turmoil.
Authors Note: I'm not satisfied with this story. I am actually writing this up on the fly without knowing anything about the rest of the plot. I might do some brainstorming tonight, and figure out in which direction I want to take this story. I may even tweek this chapter a bit. Since this is my first fan fiction, constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Hell, I don't mind if you even tell me my story completely sucks. I'm also kind of drunk right now and have run out of ideas for this story so I think it would be best to come back later once I have a general plot figured out in my head. I figured I would release the beginning of the first chapter to see if anybody would even be interested in this story. I might not even finish this because I just not satisfied with the story so far. I thought writing would be so much easier lol.