I'm lazy, I know, but I just want to write another one-shot! It's about Winter Dance! I hope you guys like it, even though it doesn't really connect to love between Helga and Arnold that much -inserts sad face-. I might be a one-shoter, not really a series writer. This will be focusing on Helga and Phoebe's friendship, so it doesn't contain much about Helga and Arnold's relationship. Hey! Change of mood is sometimes a good thing! I hope you guys like this!
Hey Arnold will never be mine!
Thanks Pheebs
"I bought the ticket, and I don't want to go to the Dance!" Helga whined while lying on the cold surface of her biology desk, thumping on her notebook. Helga Pataki was on her regular routine, whining about the Winter Dance for practically two weeks and desperately looking for a date, which she did not agree with in the first place.
"Come on Helga! It will be very fun! The Student Council worked their butts out for the dance already! Don't you want to come and just eat the food?" Phoebe was persuading her to go to the Dance; it was a part of the school year. The Winter Dance, the half-day and then the Winter Break! How exciting!
Helga turned her face around to sneak a peek at Arnold's face, hoping that he would change his mind about her when she asked him out for the Dance two weeks ago.
Helga's palms were practically crying sweats. Helga sat in front of her laptop, with Arnold's Yahoo on her desktop, attempting to ask Arnold out for the Winter Dance. Helga already bought the ticket, to be truthful; she was the first one to buy it. She thought that this might be the first time she will have a chance with Arnold! Sheena also advised her that she should ask on Yahoo, because if she asked him public, she might mess up and ended up with him scowling at her. Besides, she didn't want to be reject, public at that point.
Helga was holding her cell phone in her hand, it was labeled Big Bob's Beepers, he sold cell phones now! How convenient, she didn't have to save up money to buy phones at all. Phoebe's number was on the screen and whenever Helga was stuck, she would called Phoebe. Ok, she was ready, Phoebe; check, Arnold; check, napkins in case of slippery hands; check.
Typing fast onto the keyboard, actually, she was smashing those keys; she pressed enter and closed her eyes tightly. She clamped her hands together as two fists and was shaking her phones. When she opened her eyes, no reply. Nothing. BLANK SPACE! Her face turned red, she smashed the green call button on her phone and it dialed to Phoebe's. The other side picked up with a small, "Hello." Helga put it slowly to her ear and scowled.
"Is Phoebe there?" Veins were visible on her skin, the rage in her body started to increase, her fists were holding so tight that they turned red, and she was waiting for the answer from the other line.
"Yes, please hold on a minute." The voice clicked and it sounded like someone put it down on a table. When it came back seconds later, a timid voice spoke up, "Hello?" Phoebe's answer almost drove Helga out of her patience line.
"Phoebe... Can you go upstairs?" Helga was trying to be cool and calm, her voice showed it, but between the lines, the sound of her teeth grinding was audible. Phoebe looked around and pressed the hold button, she hung up and ran upstairs. She got into her pale green room and picked up her phone. "I'm here Helga."
"He is not replying to my question! Do you think he's scared or something? He could have said something! RIGHT?" Helga tried not to yell into the phone, because Bob would crash into her room and yelled at her to be quiet. After many years of trying to escape, Helga was still living in that stinkin' house. Her family got better ever since Miriam stopped drinking her 'smoothie, Olga started her career as a teacher in Alaska; after trying so hard to be an actress, she gave up, and Bob was still grumpy and hot headed, he hadn't change much.
"Well Helga, you have to learn to be patient! Maybe he's busy or something, calm down and wait for a while! Now ask him again and wait. I'll be right here if he says something!" Phoebe advised Helga. She calmed down a little bit, breathing in and out to get some air in her hot head and she starting to type again.
Right before she pressed enter, Arnold's reply was,
Sorry, I asked someone already : P
Helga teared up, the rage was stuck in her throat and tears came out, falling down like waterfalls. She couldn't be anymore angry and cried, she burst into tears. Phoebe heard sniffing and wiping of tears on the Helga's line. "Helga?"
"He rejected me! HE FUCKING REJECTED ME! WITH A FUCKING TONGUE FACE!" Helga yelled and she ran straight into her closet, her secret Shrine of Love. Helga knelt down and cried into the phone, she was practically heart broken. She slammed shut her close, hugged the phone and the extra pillows.
"Helga! Calm down! Please don't cry! It's going to be okay!" Phoebe was calming down Helga at her best, but Helga didn't hear her, the phone was on Helga's hand, but it was nowhere near her ear. Phoebe sweat a little bit and thought of somethings that might help Helga calm down. "Maybe he was just shy." Phoebe shrugged and made a small laugh, but after Helga's cries stopped, Phoebe zipped her mouth. Phoebe heard rustling noise and the sound of Helga's feet crossed.
"Shy? Of course he's shy Phoebe! Why not? Because I'm asking him out for the dance? Helga G Pataki asking him out for the dance?" Helga said sarcastically. "Sure! Let's just say that he is so shy, he just might want to rejects me with a funny capital P and a colon that makes a tongue face and say that 'Sorry, I asked someone already.'! Doi!"
Phoebe stood there flabbergasted, she couldn't say anything more, because one, Helga was talking sarcastic, and she was right, and two, Helga was furious, Phoebe didn't want her to explode and hung up. Helga left out a big sigh and sat down on the cold wooden floor, she rubbed her temples and
"Sorry that I yelled at you Phoebe, I was just freaking out. I cried too! I couldn't be anymore mad and I fucking let it out... I'm so sorry Pheebs, it's late." Helga sniffed. "Well, I'll be going to bed now, bye Pheebs." Helga's voice was muffled and she hung up.
It'd been a long time since Helga cried. She shook her head and got back to reality, thinking about Arnold. What was she thinking? Of course he asked someone out! Lila! Ruth! He liked a lot of girls! She felt like a fool, she wished goodnight to her Arnold figures and rested until morning came.
My love tore me apart
For I am sinned under your rejection
I'm not a piece of art
Nor I am a perfection for your needs...
I love you always
My love, my despair...
Helga woke up the next morning and went to school like usual, but Arnold did not notice her. She didn't even bother to pick on him that day, but she did the next day.
"Pheebs, will you be my date for the dance?" Helga asked Phoebe. "As a best friend that is."
Phoebe smiled and nodded. Phoebe didn't have any date to go, because Gerald was busy on that day with Jamie-O; he promised his brother that he would clean his car. Mr. Simmons was just giving out the exams' scores to the students and the bell rung.
"Ok kids, the Winter Dance will be holding tomorrow's night! Make sure you have those masks and costumes ready! I will see you tomorrow!" Mr. Simmons announced the class; he turned old after all the years teaching the gang, he got approved to go teach them in the Hillwood's Middle School. Helga stood up and gathered her things, including her ticket for the dance. She went over to Phoebe's table, saw that Gerald was over at the table's corner and cuddling with Phoebe. Helga had a small smile on her face, she loved seeing Phoebe together with Gerald, they looked so cute together, such a perfect couple.
"Dear, if I ain't busy, I'll take you off the ground on the dance floor tomorrow's night." Gerald whispered into Phoebe's ear and kissed it; she giggled and had a light blush on her cheeks. Helga secretly wished that it was Arnold and her together like that, being happy and flirty in front of of their peers.
Phoebe turned around to see Helga stood there smile sadly at them, Phoebe smiled back and whispered into Gerald's ear. She kissed him on the lips then cheek and Gerald left the table. "Treat her nicely Pataki! Bye Phoebe!" Phoebe waved at him, Gerald exited the room and yelled a loud "Arnold!" that echoed in the creamy yellow hallway. Helga cringed when she heard his name, her smile was still visible, but it turned sadder.
"Helga..." Phoebe said, Helga slumped down on a chair nearby and sighed. Helga wasn't on her best mood these days, since Arnold had been around lately. Helga tried to avoid him at her best, but somehow, things were revolving around him. She stood up and put on her usual scowl, with a hint of 'I'm cheering up!'
"Come on Pheebs! Let's go to the Slausen's, I want a sundae before we go to your home and choose out the damn dress for the dance!" Helga said, smiling all happy and picked up her bag before she walked out the classroom. Phoebe smiled at her recovery, Helga had the fastest recovering time, she was depressed a minute ago and seconds later, she would be like a little baby that received a lollipop.
Phoebe and Helga walked on the gray sideways; Helga was kicking some rocks that was left out from the construction work, while Phoebe was texting happily to Gerald, and to Rhonda, asking her what was the theme of the dance. They arrived at the Slausen's in minutes; Helga quickly grabbed a chair and sat in front of the counter. "Charles! Make it a double vanilla sundae, with extra chocolate syrup, some peanuts on the sides, remember the the jelly beans and finish it with a cherry on top! It's your turn Pheebs!" Helga ordered enthusiastically. Ice cream sundaes were her best friend, besides Phoebe.
"I'll just have orange smoothie, thank you Charles." Phoebe smiled cutely, making young Charles blushed and walked funnily into the kitchen. Helga stared at Charles and stared back at Phoebe, who turned around and made a big goofy grin. "You're one good boys killer Phoebe." Helga chuckled. Phoebe grown into a beautiful girl within years, her hair started to grow longer, now it reached her waist; she quit on glasses and wore contact more often; though Gerald liked it when she wore glasses, so Phoebe decided to wear contacts less often. Sometimes Phoebe braided her hair, and when she let it out, her hair went a little bit curly, and Helga always played with her hair like that.
"I have a boyfriend who everyone claimed is the coolest person in school." Phoebe smiled. It was true; Gerald was nominated as the coolest person in school! He had his tall hair, style of clothes, he got his driver's license and he had the funniest jokes. He was also the best friend of the kindest guy in school, Arnold.
Charles came back, still blushing, with the sundae and an orange smoothie. "H-Here you go g-girls." He stuttered, his hands were shaking and Helga grabbed the sundae, then she dug in without another word.
"Thank you." Phoebe smiled.
Charles blushed even harder and did the robot walk to the next customer. Helga ate her sundae like she had never have it before, Helga made a big "Oof." And slumped down on the comfy high chair. She then proceeded to rub her tummy.
Phoebe smiled at Helga and heard her phone rang. She received a text from Rhonda. "Helga, it looks like the theme of the dance is a Masquerade Ball! I'll need a mask and a sparkly dress!" Phoebe said excitedly.
Helga growled and sat up straight, she didn't like Masquerade Balls or whatsoever, she thought that masks were annoying and not really helpful to find your partner. Helga nodded and stood up, left the money on the counter. "It's on me this time. Hey Charles! We're going!"
Then they left Slausen's and went to Phoebe's house.
"How about this?" Phoebe picked out a two strings, gray dress. It had the pattern of roses and vines of thorns; it had the touch of a big black bow on the back at the waist. It matched her hair, but it didn't have sparkles.
"How about sparkles?"
Phoebe threw the dress on the bed and went inside her closet again. While Helga sat outside the closet, reading the weekly "Punch!" magazine.
After an hour of choosing out the perfect dress, Phoebe found the not-so-perfect-but-it's-nice-anyway dress. "I wish Rhonda was here to choose out a dress for you."
"We need you to find a dress for her." Helga pointed at Phoebe, who was blushing a little bit because she felt shy asking Rhonda's help. While Rhonda stood there with an unamused face on, she looked at Phoebe and stared at Helga.
"I suppose I could, but won't you need a dress too?" Rhonda pointed at Helga.
"No, I'll be wearing this." Helga answered blankly at Rhonda.
Rhonda scowled at Helga and took Phoebe's hand. "I'll be taking care of her for the night if you don't mind. Phoebe here needs a makeover by the fabulous Rhonda Wellington Lloyd!" She said smugly. "And I'd like you to leave now; we will have a makeover for Phoebe tonight Helga. Goodbye." And she slammed the door shut.
Helga made a "hmpf" and walked home with her head down. Knowing that everyone in class' homes were on the same street, Helga could not avoid Arnold's house; there were no shortcuts. She had to walk pass his house and stopped at the phone booth on the other side of the street. She knew that even if stopping there, she could not bring herself over at his house and talked to him. She would insult him and all. Old habits die hard, she thought. So she would do one thing every night she went for a walk.
She would call Arnold.
Helga rummaged her pocket and found a corner; she started to dial Arnold's number. The boarding house was pretty noisy and loud even at night, and Helga knew when Arnold ran upstairs.
"No Arnold! Why are you going upstairs? Stay here and help us deal with Abner locking the bathroom!" Oskar's voice yelled out to Arnold, each night was one different problem. Arnold ran upstairs and slammed his bedroom door shut. He sighed and walked over the phone by his remote automatic sofa.
"Hello?" Arnold picked up and let out a long sigh. Helga didn't answer back; she swallowed and started to breathe a little heavier. She could do this; she did this every so often! But why couldn't she do it now? Is it because tomorrow's night will be the Winter Dance and she asked him out two weeks ago? It couldn't be. Helga picked up her voice, swallowed again and stared at his skylight, which did not show much of his room.
"I love you Arnold." Waiting for a minute then she hung up the phone. Helga threw her torn, purple beanie down on the ground and sat down, holding her head. She was so not happy with this. Arnold must felt like he'd been stalked by some creepy person who always told him that he/she loved him every night! Hearing the sound of Arnold opening his window, Helga quickly picked up her beanie and ran.
Arnold looked outside his house and saw no one outside, he had this feeling that someone called him from the outside; since he could hear the sound of the cats in the alley, but maybe he was wrong.
"I'll be in school tomorrow Helga! Don't worry, we can talk through phone!"
"I know! But I'm kind of worry about what I did tonight, Pheebs. You know..."
Helga had to call Phoebe, she tried calling her therapist, Dr. Bliss, but apparently, she wasn't home. It was one in the morning of 16th December, Helga was afraid that Arnold might know that she called him.
"What if he knows? What if he knows all along that I call him every night possible?" Helga held her face.
"Don't worry Helga! He won't know! Your voice sounded different through phones right? Especially when you call him."
"Ok, Phoebe, sorry that I hold you on phone so late like this, when you're in Rhonda's home that is." Helga chuckled at the thought, imagine Rhonda being mad at her tomorrow's morning for calling over at her house so late.
"It's ok Helga. I'll see you tomorrow in school, goodnight." Helga smiled. She wished goodnight to Phoebe and hung up, flopped down on her pink bed, Helga looked up her ceiling. Arnold had a skylight on his ceiling, she wanted one too; so she could stare at the stars and passed out with no worries. Helga liked it that way, whenever she closed her eyes, the vision before that was a sky full of stars. Without further thoughts, Helga fell into a deep slumber.
The next morning, everybody went into school with glee. Girls with their dresses ready in packets, their heels in boxes, their makeup boxes were packed with blushes, lipsticks and mascaras, and their masks were hanging inside of their lockers. Boys with their tuxedos hidden in the musical room, their roses for girls also hidden in their locker, and the Christmas presents ready. The hallway was packed when the bell rung, couples were everywhere, singles were getting their courage up to ask the person they like for the dance, even Helga, who was standing by her locker, looking at Arnold from afar.
And the PA system went on with Principal Wartz's good morning greetings.
"Good morning students. Today is the last day of school!" And the students yelled in happiness. "You will all have to come to your regular classes, but you won't have to study at all. It depends on what your teacher wants to do. Today's lunch will be fried chicken, french fries and free coke! Also include your favorite desserts, tapioca pudding. The Winter Dance will be held at 4:30 PM after school. You can come to Ms. Brennan's room for makeover and get ready for the ball, she doesn't mind. That is all students."
The hallway started to clear out right after the PA ended and the bell rung. Helga grabbed her bag and walked slowly toward room 206. On the way, she saw Lila and Arnold talking to each other. She scowled, not wanting to see such a sight in the early hours, Helga went over and decided to give Lila a good morning greetings from her.
"Mornin'." She said quietly. Lila smiled. "Good morning to you too Helga! It is an ever so exciting day! Do you have a date for the Dance?"
Helga tried to hold back her anger. "Yea well, I have Phoebe. Have to go to class now, see you." Helga patted Lila on her head, thinking that Lila would think that this is a better development in their relationship and walked to her classroom with glee on her face. "Can I close the door Mr. Simmons?"
"Sure Helga, it would be very nice if you do." Then Helga closed the door. She did not study with Arnold for first period, the same for Lila. She had Literature, while they had Spanish together. She sat down at her chair, which was next to Phoebe's. Mr. Simmons was turning on Fantastic Mr. Fox and let the students watched it. About half way through the movie, the class heard a scream from across the hallway, in Spanish.
"AAAAAAHHHHH! I HAVE GUM IN MY HAIR!" Lila's voice echoed through the hallway. She figured it out when she was combing her hair, braiding it so it wouldn't be anymore messy. That was when she found the gum.
Helga chuckled evilly and hid it from the rest of the class who were looking outside the door. Phoebe heard her snicker and turned over to Helga. She glared at Helga, with a grimace. Phoebe was okay with Helga being mad and all, but she shouldn't take it too far. Helga couldn't hold it in anymore and laughed out loud. Phoebe glared even harder at Helga.
"What? It was their fault; they shouldn't stand outside the hallway and talked to each other like lovers like that." And she continued to laugh. Phoebe sighed and shook her head, Helga was being herself, having fun embarrassing Lila. Eight hour thirty minutes left until the Dance.
To Be Continued!
Hello again! This will be a two shot! Some parts of this fic is not based on real events, though I did put gum on that bitch's hair! Awesome me! I hope you guys enjoy it. Sorry for any mistake, this is my third fic after all! Merry Christmas to you guys! I'll see you around 4 days later! Or 3! It depends on how lazy I am. Also, mind my grammar, no one fixes this for me... Sorry for any mistakes!