"Yes it's me, I sat behind you in Algebra class."
"Oh sorry, I honestly didn't recognize you. If I knew I would have spoken. So how are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"I'm good. Are you sure you're fine? You look a little upset?"
"No, no I'm fine."
"Well let me at least help you with your things."
Helga sighs and shakes her head. "Look Arnold... not that it wasn't nice running into you but I really need to get out of here. I'll be fine alright."
"Shouldn't you finish your lunch?"
Helga looks back in the direction of the cafeteria. "As much as I love food... no thanks, I lost my appetite. I'd rather eat with alley rats than Rhonda and her sidekick. Nadine still seems cool though."
"They're not that bad, and you know Lila is a very sweet girl."
Helga chuckles. "Oh right I heard you guys are dating, so I'm not surprised you think so, but I disagree she's far from sweet. In fact she was quite mean."
"Hey, you've only been here how long and you're already judging Lila."
"I'm just calling it like I see it, sorry. I'm not dense so I can clearly see the girl for who she is. She use to be a sweet girl, but now I hate to say this, but she was acting like a straight up b-i-t-c-h."
"Typical Helga Pataki you haven't changed you're still the same mean bully picking on people who can't or won't fight back. Lila is not perfect, but she is a sweet girl something you've never been and from the looks of it you still aren't. Lila is my girlfriend okay and she's the most beautiful person I know after my mother and I love her with all of my heart something you will never experience because no one would love a heartless person like you."
Helga's face is beet red but not from embarrassment but from burning with anger and sadness. "You're calling me a heartless the person that helped you reunite with your parents!… Or did you forget that? Look I have a right to like or dislike whoever I want based on my personal experience with them. If you think she's the sweetest girl in the world that's wonderful, I'm not stopping you from doing so, but you have no right to try to make feel like shit because of how I react to being insulted. You don't even know that Lila just insulted me for no reason after how many years of not seeing me…but it probably wouldn't matter to you since I'm just a mean heartless bully right? She could insult me right in front of your face and you would probably make some lame excuse for her, but you know what that's your problem not mine."
Helga pauses and laughs to keep from crying. "Oh and aren't you the hypocrite, you get upset at me for judging Lila, but look at you with that "typical Helga Pataki" garbage you just pulled out of your ass. How arrogant of you to think that you know me. And as far as no one ever loving me…maybe you're right…my own 'father' has been telling me that since the day I was born so maybe you have a point."
Helga felt tears falling down her eyes so she quickly picks up her things and walks away.
Helga went home and straight up to her room to change into her workout clothes, some leggings and a white tank top with black sneakers. She left out with some headphones to go for jog. After an hour long jog she stops and sits down at a park bench. She ends up stretching out on the bench listening to her music for several minutes finally calming herself down when suddenly that was interrupted.
"Helga…"
She looks up to see Arnold. "Great there goes my peace and quiet." She takes out her ear plugs and scowls at him.
"Helga I just came to well…apologize for what I said. I shouldn't have... I was completely out of line for those comments. What I said isn't true at all and I hope you don't really believe that about yourself. I was wrong regardless of what I said or your father said. You have a big heart, I could never forget all the things you did for me, especially regarding my parents. I didn't mean any of that-"
"Yes you did, I saw it in your eyes."
"No Helga I didn't I was just upset because of what you said about Lila, but still there was no excuse for what I said. I'm sorry Helga I really am."
Helga looks around the park thinking for a few minutes and then looks back at Arnold who does genuinely look absolutely miserable which a part of her enjoyed and also hated to see. She hated the effect Arnold still had on her. "You're right about that you are sorry. Helga looks at him and sighs. "Okay...look Arnold I'll apologize for how insulting your girlfriend made you feel. That's the best apology you're getting out of me."
Arnold thought for a second and sighed to himself. "Helga I was hoping that now that we're in back in school together that we could be friends."
Helga looks at her phone to see that she has a new text message from Phoebe. "Look Arnold I have to go I just got a text from my friend and I'd rather be talking to her right now. Plus I have to finish my jogging. If I see you school I'll at least acknowledge your presence."
"Helga I-"
Helga puts back on her headphones and jogs away not letting Arnold finish what he was going to say.
As she was jogging home she runs directly into a random person, rather hardly, but manages not to fall.
"Shit...w-what the hell…" Helga states out of breath.
"Hey watch where...I mean uh sorry." The strange guy looks up and stares at Helga.
"It's okay." she states.
"Well...good I wouldn't want put anyone anyone in the hospital. I'm stronger than I look." He says with a slight smile.
"Yeah well so am I." Helga says with a smirk.
"I can see that." He lets out a short laugh.
The dark haired guy stares at her kind of shyly.
"So um...I'm Jesse... Helga nods at him and he smiles. "Do you have a name or should I just call you spitfire blonde?"
Helga laughs.
"Sorry I like to give nicknames..."
"That's funny...I use to do the same...um my name is Helga."
"Helga? Helga...huh...that's different. It suits you."
"I guess it does." Helga states looking down at her feet.
"Well Helga I must say that I would like the chance to know you, is that possible?" Helga stares at him nervously. "I mean look... I don't usually talk to girls I don't know like this, but you seem interesting. Sorry if it sounds like I'm feeding you lines, but I'm not. You don't have give me your number or anything, I just want the chance to see again."
"Well...um...I don't know what to tell you..."
He shrugs a little and never breaks his eyes contact."Anything you want."
Helga stares at him he had almost the same color eyes as her, but something about them felt familiar...safe. "It was nice meeting you Jesse...if it's meant to be you're find me."
He smiles and nods slightly as she turns and jogs away. He watches her for a few seconds and then heads in the opposite direction with a smile.
Helga stops by the Heyerdahl's house to talk to Phoebe. Phoebe has all honor classes which are all located in a different part of the building so they don't see each other in school.
"Hey Pheebs, I got your text."
"Hello Helga, how was your first day?"
Helga sighs. "I met up with Rhonda and Lila. Lila starts ragging on me about my 'pathetic secret crush' on Arnold and I sort of blew up on her. Then I literally ran into Arnold in the hallway and he insulted me so I blew up on him."
"Wait Arnold insulted you that's shocking."
"Yeah he got upset because I called Lila a bitch.
"Well you were right she is that, and what she did was so rude, but Arnold's has to find that out on his own I guess.
"Phoebe he said that I was a heartless person who no one would ever love."
Phoebe gasps. "That's awful Helga I'm sorry. Phoebe hugged her and then cupped her face. "You know that isn't true right? For one thing I love you and many other people do too. Helga felt tears coming down her face.
"Yeah I know but it still hurts, Bob always told me the same thing."
Phoebe starts to get angrier as she sees Helga cry which is a rarity. "Helga I'm going to call Arnold and demand that he apologize to you."
"He already did….I guess he followed me to the park after school and apologized."
Phoebe appeared to calm down somewhat and thinks for a few seconds."OH…I'm sure Arnold didn't mean that, we're known him for years he's not a bad guy…maybe its Lila's influence.
"I don't know I'm tired of thinking about it…Helga whipped her tears away and took a deep breath. Anyway when was on my way here I ran smack into this guy...Jesse was his name."
"Jesse huh...do you like him?"
"Phoebe I don't even know the guy he's a complete stranger."
"Well Helga you usually don't bring up random guys you run into, in fact you never talk about guys other than 'ice cream' so that's why I asked."
Helga looks at her blankly. "You know you don't have to use our old code name for him anymore."
"Oh sorry...stopping... well what does Jesse look like, is he cute?"
Helga rolls her eyes and smirks. "I don't know kind of..."
"Kind of...hmm...from Helga Pataki that most mean he was really handsome."
"Whatever Pheebs, let's drop the Jesse topic. I don't know why I brought it up."
"I know why but anyway, make sure you go the gym tomorrow for club day."
"For what?"
"So you can join a club or sport Helga."
"Why would I want to subject myself to that much torture?"
"Because it'll be fun and I think now you're more into meeting new people."
"I'm more patient that's all, I still hate about 90% of humanity… and anyway I don't know it depends on the club."
"Come on don't let what happened with Lila or Arnold turn you into a cold you could try a sport, you'd love that."
"Yeah…I wish they had something where I could hit people! Knock a bitch out sport…that's what I'm talking about."
Phoebe giggles a little. "That's not what I had in mind Helga… but go to the gym tomorrow during your free period, they'll have all the clubs and sports there and someone will be there to explain everything."
Phoebe gets quiet and looks to be deep in thought. "I'm going to call Gerald and tell him what Arnold said and if I see him at I will give him a piece of my mind because he has no right-."
"Phoebe its okay, I'm pretty sure she already feels like shit."
"As he should, I'm still telling Gerald."
"Speaking of Gerald, why has he been so decent towards me?" Helga asks.
"Why shouldn't he?"
"Because we never really got along back when we were in school, every time I see him in the halls he nods or waves at me….it's weird."
"Well time changes things Helga, Gerald has no reason to be negative towards you now….honestly I have a feeling that he's always secretly admired you."
"So you didn't tell him to be nice to me or anything."
"No of course not, but even if I did he would still do whatever he wants anyway. Gerald and you are alike, once you have your minds made up there's no changing you until you're ready."
Helga laughs and shakes her head. "Thanks for the psychoanalysis Dr. Freud."
"Just make sure you join something tomorrow."
"I'll think about it...I should get going. Thanks for the talk Pheebs."
"Anytime Helga."
As Helga is walking home she receives a phone call.
"Hey, Helgs!"
"Who's Helgs and who is this?" Helga asks in a confused tone.
"It's Steven from school remember I got your number from your friend Phoebe... Sam's here with me…and Helgs is our nickname for you. We saw what happened with the skanks of hillside and we wanted to take you out to a party or something."
"I hate parties…well, really I hate people."
"That's okay because we do too…besides they're all cool people, no pretentious assholes will be there...well hopefully anyway. All weirdos like me, Sam and you."
Helga laughs. "Okay, I'll go."
"Cool…she's coming Sam….alright will be over to pick you up. What's your address?"
Helga gives Steven her address and goes to get changed for the party.
The party was in an abandon looking building, but when they got inside it was filled with artistic graffiti and posters of legendary artists and musicians. Almost everyone there had some kind of punk hairstyle, tons of piercings and alternative styling. Helga and her friends were the most conventional looking people there, but it was alright because no one seems to mind or even notice.
Suddenly Helga heard a familiar voice talking in the background, of course the guy sounded more mature but she knew that maniac laugh from anywhere. She turns around to see Thaddeus Curly Gammelthorpe laughing and talking to a small group of people. Curly had gotten a lot taller and was kind of on the skinny/lanky side. He wore prescription shades and he had longish bangs and the rest of his hair fell down messily to his chin.
"Curly?"
He looks around after hearing his name.
"Curly! Hey, it's me, Helga…Helga Pataki."
Curly grins and excuses himself from the group to run over and hugs Helga nearly knocking her down.
"Wow, Helga longtime no see! What brings you here?"
"I'm here with Sam and Steven from school, they invited me."
"Oh cool… they're two of the best people you can know at our school outside of a few people from our old gang. Well anyway, I come here all the time; this is like my hangout after school. I never get invited to the 'beautiful people' parties that Rhonda Lloyd and other people give."
"Yeah I have a feeling I won't be invited to many of those either."
"I agree…I saw your little spat with Lila….I'm glad you're still the type of girl that doesn't let people walk all over you, that was awesome!"
"What I thought everyone loved Lila?"
"Many do, but they only like or love her because she's pretty and acts real sweet oh and because she's dating Arnold who's a popular basketball player. I never trusted the girl to be honest even when we were younger; no one is that nice.
"Well, Arnold and I got into an argument after that thing with Lila."
"So…you guys always fight, that was always like a thing with you two."
"Yeah but this was different he said some hurtful things but he apologized so I guess I have to forgive…well at my own pace."
"Good uh work it out Arnold's a good guy, I can't picture him saying anything to intentionally tear someone down…even you, no offense."
"None taken, he got angry because I called his girl a bitch."
"Hah no lies told there. I considered him to be a friend and I trust him everything, but ever since sophomore year he's had his head so far up her-"
"CURLY GET YOUR CRAZY ASS OVER HERE WE GOTTA FINISH OUR PLAN TO FREE THE ANIMALS MAN!" Curly gives the random guy a thumps up hand gesture and then turns back to Helga. "Well that was my cue, oh I don't really do that anymore he's just kidding, but I'll definitely see around, don't be a stranger here."
"Alright Curly thanks, it was nice talking with you, I'm sure we'll run into each other at school or here."
Curly gives her another big friendly hug and quickly runs over to his friend.
Helga dances and jokes around with Sam and Steven for a while then suddenly they bring her attention to a guy checking Helga out.
"Look Sam someone is scooping Helgs out big time, you better jump on that before I do."
"I don't even know him."
"So what he's cute, I've seen him around he looks like he's in a band or something."
Sam and Steven quickly walk away to give the guy a chance to approach her, leaving Helga feeling a little nervous but she gotten better had hiding her feelings.
After a few minutes he approaches rather anxiously. He was kind of cute in a scruffy sort of way, he had long hair and wore a newspaper cap, baggy fitting t-shirt and army green cargo pants with combat boots.
"Hi…uh…are you new here?"
"Yep, I've never been here before."
He held out his hand, I'm Rob, but everyone calls me Parker….what's your name?"
"Helga."
"Helga…cool name."
"Thanks" Helga finally shook his hand.
Parker starts talking her ear off about his theories about aliens, 9/11 and George Bush, the back of a dollar bill etc..
Then suddenly he starts fidgeting threw his pants pockets. "I got to get some more papers, so you cool Helga?"
"What do you mean am I cool?"
He smiles and laughs. "Never mind….uh…I'll see you around…I hope you come back and we can get chance to hang."
He walks away slowly and slumps over on a nearby couch.
Steven walks back over to Helga.
"So who is he and do we like him?"
"He said his name is Parker or something."
"And do we like him?"
"I don't know him; he looks like a stoner or something."
"Well at least tell him to hook me up."
Helga gives him a stern look.
"Simmer down I'm just kidding. But a little weed never hurt anyone..."
Helga smiles at him and then starts to walk around. There are a lot of friendly people here, most of them give her a head nod or a small smile. Suddenly she sees a another familiar face, but this one is newer. It was that guy Jesse that she literally ran into on the street. Helga stares at him from afar, he has dark brown ear length hair, blue mysterious eyes, kind of pale skin, he was tall kind of lean build, but athletic looking and wore somewhat loose fitted gray t-shirt and faded jeans He was dressed kind of plain looking compared to everyone else here, but Helga had to admit he was very handsome. He was standing up against a wall facing the opposite direction as if he was in deep thought or something. Helga continues to stare at him as that Parker guy runs over to him seeming to offer him a joint, but he turns it down. Then suddenly he turns in Helga directions and his eyes wondered for a few seconds and then meet Helga's. He looks at her with confusion mixed with surprised and then corner of his mouth curls slowly into a small smile.
Suddenly before she could react to Jesse, Sam rushes over to them angrily.
"You guys ready to go!"
"EW what happened to you?" Steven states looking her up and down.
"Some drunk skank tried to pull my hair for no reason, talking about I was looking at her boyfriend, she threw a drink on me, I tried to hit her but some assholes crowded around her before I could."
"Oh no, she did not!" Steven yells angrily.
"Come on guys lets just go, my clothes are all sticky."
They were all walking out when suddenly the same girl charges at Sam, but Helga pushes her back. She then picks up a drink off a table and throws it on Helga and then throws the glass, but luckily Helga ducked and it didn't hit anyone. Helga stood frozen for a split-second then tackled the girl and punched her in the face twice. Steven pulled her off the girl and picked her up carrying her out of the building and sprinted to his car. The trio quickly climbed into Stevens's car and drove off.
Sam looks at Helga and then busts into laughter. "Alright Helgs, that was so cool, you murdered that chick's face."
"Yeah she's like Mike Tyson, but prettier." Steven jokes.
Helga leans back in her seat and stares at her knuckles which surprisingly weren't bleeding or anything. She felt guilty for hitting that girl, but also a felt like her anger had been released. Even though Helga didn't know the first thing about that Jesse guy she was found herself feeling terrible that she might have scared him off by behaving that way. Oh well it's not like any of these high school guys would really truly be interested in me for my personality...there's always college.
Helga shrugs those thoughts off. "Hey, guys...can we go back to that place again, another time."
Steven and Sam look at each other and then at Helga. "Hell yeah!"
