Title: Ten Things I Hate About You - Part two
Author: Akane "Bunny" Tendo
E-mail: Akane_Bunny_Tendo@yahoo.com
Rating: R
AN - WARNING!!! WARNING!!! **This fic is meant for the adult audience, it is not intended for viewers younger than 13 years of age. ** WARNING!!! WARNING!!! Also, the characters, as you'll see in the later portion of this section, are more sensitive, emotionally. And please remember that just because Helga does not end up with Arnold in the BEGINNING does not necessarily mean that will be the outcome of this story. That's it, enjoy!! ;)
*indicates further explanation below
~*Ten Things I Hate About You*~
There was an eerie silence flowing through the air as she left the restroom and the painful self-hatred admissions of her best friend. "Best friend?" She asked herself. "What kind of friend lets their dearest companion go astray in pain and mourning without at least beckoning her to her side? Certainly not me…" she said as she continued her way down the halls of the library, her limbs numb from the encounter. "All this time… why didn't I notice how much pain she was in?"
Memories of the past came back to haunt her… Images of a distraught Helga one minute… and a wall built up the minute her dear friend noticed her. Images of them growing further and further apart each day… Five days a week together, down to four, down to three, and further till all there was was a brief brush of connection until she hardly ever saw her friend again.
"But maybe she was busy…" her mind deposited for her. "Busy doing what, Phoebe?" Her alternate asked. "Busy… busy with school. Busy with…" she stumbled searching for some kind of excuse as to why she couldn't be there. "You can't say it, can you?" It's coldness seethed into her like icicles puncturing a warm surface. "Can you actually sit there and tell me that you didn't notice or that you didn't want to notice?"
Didn't want to notice… It echoed through her like a ghostly chant. "Yes… so busy with school." She thought. "I was always so busy. And she… I guess there were times where… I would brush her off to the side, thinking it was just another problem she was having with the family. The usual quarrel here and there. Of course… not as bad as before, but… There was still that feeling… But I always thought she was happy with Derek before their fallout. But this… I never expected." She concluded staring off into space. "But that doesn't mean there's still not time… to fix what has been broken."
With that thought, Phoebe redirected her path back towards her weeping friend.
After what seemed like an eternity of tears, past emotions, tormenting pain swimming inside her, Helga finally decided… "No more pain. No more pain." She called out to the air somewhat expecting it to soothe her and beg her to continue. Gripping her hand tightly against her side, she felt a sense of withdrawal from the warm liquid seeping out, sending trickles of it down to the ground. Opening her palm, she carefully examined the piece of metal. "No more pain." She said once again as she guided the object up towards her awaiting flesh.
As her hand gradually came further down, glimpses of the past started to register into her mind… From all those who had caused her pain, to those who had stuck with her, to those who simply gave up. As the sharp object came in contact with her flesh, a tiny spasm sent a wave of pain through her body before allowing her to go on. "No more…" she said preparing to dive it within her.
Before she could make that final step however, a sound paralyzed her from further movement. A sound… no, rather a rush of breath. Turning her head ever so slowly, blue eyes came in contact with glazed blue eyes. Frightened, she pulled away, gripping her palm back to rest beside her on the damp floor.
"Hel…" started the person before her. She couldn't allow the words to escape her mouth. Her own mind could not even register the image in front of her with complete accuracy. Breakdown… a simple and pure breakdown. Taking a breath, she allowed the image to slowly flow through her mind. That was when the tears finally brimmed her eyelashes and thus escaped a strangled and week scream. It was low, but enough for the image to hear it. "Helga…" she said as her voice finally made connection with her thoughts.
"Just go away, Phoebes." Said the solemn girl before her. "Please… leave…" She said, turning so that her friend couldn't see the pain in her features. That or so she couldn't see the terrified look her friend's eyes were emanating.
"No, not anymore… I… I can't… not anymore, Helga." She said in a hushed tone. "I won't leave your side again. I've done it enough and now…" She continued, bowing her head in agony. "Please, let me help. You don't have to do this. At least…"
"No! You wouldn't understand." She screamed, startling her friend… causing whatever form of life to fly off the windowsill of the restroom. "You don't understand! Everyone leaves… everyone… everyone!" She cried out as she sat against the corner of the room, hugging her body… cradling it as it shivered restlessly. "Hurt… hurt… why must they always…"
"Please…" She said as she slowly approached her on the ground.
"Stay away!" She screamed, cringing further into the wall. "You don't understand… how could you understand?!" She screamed. "You've always had everything! Everything! Someone to love… your family… they were always with you. Gerald… everyone. You've never been hurt…"
"Helga…"
"Shut up!" She screamed!
"Please… don't do this. Please, Helga!"
"No…" she continued, shaking more and more with each breath. "Can't… I can't…" With that… she broke down into sobs, holding onto herself so tightly, her nails dug into her flesh. Her head resting between her knees, all that could be heard between the sobs were muffled words tossed here and there.
Seeing as she wasn't going to do anything drastic at this moment, Phoebe chose it as her opening to come closer to the broken girl. Kneeling beside her, she gently engulfed the shaking body into her own. "Everything will be okay, Helga… You'll see. Just… believe. Please, believe."
After what seemed like an endless roller coaster of fear and sorrow, Phoebe was finally able to calm down the brooding figure. "Helga…" she whispered to her friend. After a soft hum she continued, "I want you to do something for me." Silence… "Please… promise me you'll talk to my friend. She's… she's very kind… and gentle. She'll help you with all your worries… and troubles… More than I can or ever have. Please promise me this." After her calming words, she felt a gentle nod before the fragile object within her gently fell into a sleepy haze.
She had been searching through her desk for a file for the past ten minutes now. "Where are those documents?!" She screamed within her mind. "I could have sworn I had them right here!" After taking several breaths of air, she finally pressed the button to the machine resting beside her. "Dianne!" She screamed into the object. A muffled "yes doctor" was heard before it clicked over. "Have you seen the file on the Cunningham case lately?" she asked in a demanding tone.
"Y… yes, mam." Came a nervous voice on the other end. "You left it in the hallway. I didn't think it would be proper to have the file laying around… so…" An audible gulp was heard at this point. "…I placed it on your vodka lounge so you could take a look at it… later." She finished with a strangled breath of air.
"Oh…" came the startled reply. "Well, then… just make sure to let me know that the next time you correct… you move office material again!" She said before hastily removing her finger from the button again.
"Y… yes, mam." Finished Dianne.
Minutes passed as she went on examining her office. "I am the epitome of perfection," she mused roaming her eyes over the expensive furniture and her well-equipped vodka lounge, library, and foldout television screen built luxuriously into the oak wall. "My parents were right… all that work and a few chance acquaintances sure paid off."
A near deafening sound erupting near her made her jump in fright, clinging to her leather chair, and all thoughts of paradise quickly drifting away. Clicking on the button to the machine for the umpteenth time of the day she called out "what is it Dianne?! And didn't I tell you to get someone to fix this d$#n machine?!" she yelled into the speaker.
After a very large sweatdrop, the voice was able to answer. "S… sorry, mam. A new patient called to make an appointment. I think the person making the appointment for her is one of your interns." * She said calmly yet with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
An exasperated sigh came over the other side before the doctor spoke. "Dianne! You know very well we don't accept second party calls in my office. The patient has to be fully capable of coming on his or her own free will. This is not a…"
"Yes, I know doctor," cut in Dianne. "…but she said it was an emergency and her friend is fully willing to come here on her own accord. She's only willing to come though if Hyerdahl comes along with her."
Another sigh was accompanied again by the clicking of the line. "Fine… fine. Just as long as she's fully willing to come, but make sure the girl has whatever means to pay for our services." She finished coldly.
Dianne could only shake her head in dismay as she said her regularly "yes, doctor" and carried on with her duties.
A week had passed since that dreadful day. It was that time… the time for broken pieces to be placed back together. A time for all wrongs to be set back to their rightful places on the board of life. A time to say to yourself…
"I don't think this is right!" she shouted out towards her friend.
"Helga… I told you everything would be fine. She soothed. "Just trust me. I know this doctor. She's a very nice person. Reminds me a lot of yourself at times. Don't worry." She said as she guided her friend towards the entrance of the building.
"But, Phoebes…" she stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the building before her. "Wow… to say this doctor's rich is an understatement! Looks more like a hotel." She breathed out as her eyes roamed through the leather couch, marble floor, and drinking lounge.
"May I help you?" Called out a soft voice from across the room. Looking further she noticed a tall figure with ebony hair cascading off her shoulders, clad in office apparel. She appeared to have an authoritative look to her, yet behind the eyes… you could still see the timid child within were you to know her well. "Ahh… Phoebe Hyerdahl! It's a pleasure to see you again."
"Again?" Asked a startled Helga turning towards her friend in a questioning manner and back towards the secretary before them.
"Oh, yes. Sorry for my lack of manners," she answered. "My name is Dianne and Phoebe has been helping us out around here from time to time. She's actually an intern here at our office." She continued as she began searching through files for the necessary paperwork.
"Well… it appears there's a lot I've missed out on my dear friend here throughout the years." Said Helga as she looked up behind her.
Phoebe allowed her head to hang down in guilt. "Helga… I…"
Placing her foot into her mouth, she quickly added… "I… sorry, I didn't mean it," before hastily grabbing her friend's hand.
"Please…" Dianne motioned towards Phoebe and Helga. "Have a seat… continue filling out these papers while I call you in to the doctor.
"Yes, Dianne," answered Phoebe before receiving the paperwork and ushering Helga towards the waiting area.
Ten minutes later, after shakily writing the required information onto the paperwork, Helga placed the pen down and handed the bundle over to Phoebe. "We're ready Dianne," she called out.
"I'll have the doctor see you right away," she answered.
Outside the waiting area, Phoebe and Helga heard the click of the machine and Dianne's sweet voice as it called into the receiver. "Doctor Düsterheit, your patient is ready to see you now."
"Düsterheit?" thought Helga with a smirk. "What kind of…" but before she could finish her statement, a shrill scream was heard on the other end.
"Send her in and make sure you put the paperwork in the file where I can find it this time!" erupted a voice from the other end.
"Y… yes mam," answered Dianne with a pain-stricken face.
"And you said this lady was nice?!" shrieked Helga to her friend.
Phoebe could only look on baffled. "W… well, she's always nice around me," she answered.
Little did Helga know that the only reason this… doctor was so keen to her friend was for her family's… financial background.
"No time to wait around now girls. The doctor doesn't like to wait around much." Said Dianne as she stood and motioned them towards the office.
As Helga entered the office by way of Phoebe, her breath caught in her throat. If the outside was grand, the inside of this lady's office was luxurious! Rare paintings hung from every wall of the room. Scanning the area she thought with a gleam in her eye, "not bad."
"Hello Phoebe…" she started before looking down towards her paperwork. "…and Helga is it?"
"Yes, Dr. Dusterhight…" she said attempting to pronounce the doctor's name but failing miserably.
Looking up from under her gold-rim glasses, the doctor said with a wry grin "please… you can call me Dr. D if you prefer."
"Ahh… yes, doctor." Answered Helga looking warily at her friend.
"Please, do have a seat." She said motioning the two towards the oak-rimmed leather couches in front of her. "Tell me now," she said looking up at Phoebe. "What seems to be the problem why you had to come here with a patient?" She asked looking across from Phoebe to Helga.
"Well, you see…" began Phoebe as Helga interrupted her.
"Look… I just have this problem that needs fixing, okay? Now would you kindly just do your pep talk so we can hurry on out of here?" Thus ended with Helga's natural fire making its entrance towards the doctor's shocked face.
"Well now… I think I'll like this girl." Said Dr. D. as she looked on in amazement. "Hyerdol," she called towards the startled girl. Seeing as she got her attention she continued, "I think we can carry on just fine from here. If however I am in need of you're assistance, I'll be sure to contact you."
"But, Dr…"
"Nothing further. Please… if you will" she said as she motioned to the door.
"Yes, Dr." she answered before giving her friend a chagrined look and making a quick departure. "I'll see you later," she mouthed before leaving.
"This is not going to be good," thought Helga as she looked up into the coldest eyes she had ever seen. "Not good at all."
End of part two
Stay tuned for the next chapter of this continuing story
* I'm not sure if psychologists actually have interns, but… oh… play along. If you'd like to correct me… be my guest.
** This part is short… I'll try to get the next one longer and hopefully not as… dark? And please… no flames… Though if you'd like to come by and stand off on your opinions, be my guest. I'm not one to shut people out… to a point.
*** As for the characters' in all this… yes, they have changed dramatically… more shall be explained later on. They're in a sense… chaotic? But it will all be organized later on… (if you know me, you'll know why) :P
**** This section will definitely be edited and revised at a later date. But as for now…