~* Hi all you reading persons out there. Here's part two for your enjoyment. -Risma*~
The Pink Ribbon Returns
~*Part Two: Trouble Always Comes in Threes*~
At lunch –
Helga was sitting with Phoebe a couple of tables away from Arnold. Arnold and Gerald were in deep conversation.
Gerald: After all that's happened, you didn't tell me how the date went. So?
Arnold: It was….memorable.
Gerald: Did she tell you her name?
Arnold: Yes….and no.
Gerald: Huh?
Arnold: Well, she gave me a name but….
Gerald: She lied to you again. What kind of person would do that?
Arnold : A person…
He looked over Gerald's shoulder to where Helga was looking at him. She stopped starring and glared.
Arnold: …with deep secrets Gerald.
Gerald: Well, it just had to happen to you huh? You're only nine, you don't need these problems. And now Rhonda is probably going to get Helga to bash you into pulp.
Arnold: I…don't…know…
Helga was enjoying the view from the other table. That was, until a red shirt got in the way. Helga didn't even look up, she knew who it was.
Helga: Ok. So what do I do?
Rhonda: Well it's quite simple. Phoebe if you don't mind.
Phoebe was about to say something until Helga stopped her.
Helga: Go on Pheebs. Leave us alone for a bit.
She walked to Gerald's table looking for comfort from him.
Helga: Well what are you waiting for? Tell me.
Rhonda: This'll prove you hate his guts. You have to convince Lila that Arnold is perfect for her by Friday.
Helga: (What?! Let that goody-two-shoes have him? Not in this life sister!) That wont upset him. That'll make him happy.
Rhonda: We all know how much he like-likes her, but if you like him at all, you'd keep her far away from him as possible. So it come to this. Will you accept? Or shall I tell the whole school otherwise?
Helga briefly looked across the room from Arnold to Lila.
Helga: (Not much of a choice.) Of course I accept. He'll be asking her out to dinner before you know it. This'll be easy.
Rhonda: Oh and Helga. You can't tell anyone about this.
Helga: I ….can't.
Rhonda: Nope. Or else it'd be too easy wouldn't it. Shake?
Helga reluctantly shook Rhonda's hand slowly.
Rhonda: And Helga I'll have Nadine and Sid watching you too, just in case.
Rhonda walked out of the room while Helga rested her head on the table.
Helga: (Lila with my Arnold! Has the world gone mad?! I can't do this! But I also can't let Arnold know. Oh why me? I can only get out of this stupid Fashion Queen trap if I do this. Grrrrrr I hate that Rhonda!!)
Only then did she sense someone standing behind her. She sat up startled and turned around.
Helga: Arno… I mean, what do you want?
Arnold: Helga…do you….I mean did Rhonda…. uh….
Helga: Oh just leave me alone will ya?
Arnold stares in amazement as Helga put her head on the table again.
Arnold: (She didn't yell at me! Or call me foot-ball head! Maybe she's changed) Uh…ok Helga….if that's what you want?
Helga: YES!! SO GET LOST FOOT-BALL HEAD!!
Arnold: (Oh well. All good things must come to an end.)
He backed off slowly as she faced the other direction holding back tears.
After school –
Helga was standing across the street from Lila's house, thinking of how she was going to do this. Finally she walked over and knocked on the door. It was opened by Lila's dad who stood there in his tracksuit.
Helga: Is Lila home?
Lila's Dad: Oh I remember you. You're Helen right?
Helga: It's Helga actually.
Lila's Dad: Sorry. Come in. She's upstairs in her room.
Helga: Thanks.
She walked to Lila's unpainted door and knocked.
Lila's voice: Come in!
Helga opened the door and slowly walked in. She always felt terrible coming into Lila's shabby old room.
Lila: Helga!Oh what an ever so special surprise! What brings you here?
Helga: We need to talk.
Lila patted the bed next to her motioning Helga to sit down, she did.
Helga: It's about Arnold. I….don't …(Come on say it!) like him any more.
Lila: But I thought you "like Arnold, like Arnold?"
Helga: WELL I DON'T! OK?
Lila: Why did you honestly tell me different then?
Helga: Because I wanted the leading role.
Lila: I don't quite so surely understand?
Helga stood up and paced the room while flinging her arms in the air.
Helga: Look! I wanted my father to see that I'm great at something (as well as a kiss from Arnold) so I needed to prove it. (There that excuse sounded good.)
Lila: Oh.
Helga: So you see, Arnold is all…(Don't you DARE cry Helga Pataki!) yours.
Lila: But all the ever so sweet things you said about him. How you loved him since you were three! That was all a lie?
Helga: (Say it like you mean it!) You betcha! Plus I, and the rest of the school, know how much he likes you. (Though I don't see why?) What have you got to lose?!
Lila: Arnold and I have already had this oh so ever important conversation though. So…. I…… I…don't…know….
Helga: Criminy! (Why me?) Just do it will ya!!!
Lila: Why do you want me and Arnold together Helga? Is there something you're ever so slightly not telling me?
Helga's lip started to tremble at those words and Lila saw this.
Lila: Why are you doing this? I know you oh so really don't want this to happen?
Helga: (I can't tell her the real reason.) You're right. I don't want you any where near him!!
Lila: So why….?
Helga sat back down on the bed.
Helga: Because I want him to be happy. (Well I do!) And the only way he'll be happy is with you. So if you do this for me, it'd be appreciated.
Helga looked out the window just as Nadine stuck her nose up to the window sill.
Lila: Oh Helga……I'll do it.
Nadine heard enough and ran to report to Rhonda. Helga catches a glimpse of her.
Helga: You will? (I hope Nadine didn't hear the whole conversation.)
Lila: Yes. For your ever so silly sake only though.
Helga: Thanks Lila.
She turned to leave then stopped and faced Lila
Helga: Don't tell anyone right?
Lila: You have my oh so secret word.
Helga: Good. Otherwise…
She twisted her hand in a wringing way. And walked out of Lila's room.
Tuesday morning on the bus –
Helga was sitting next to Phoebe as usual. She just stared out the window watching the buildings fly by, and Phoebe was getting worried.
Phoebe: Uh…Helga? You feeling alright?
She still stared out the window.
Helga: Huh….yeah I'm fine.
Phoebe: You sure?
Helga sighed at her friend's worry.
Helga: Yeah….
Phoebe: I wish Helga, you would confide with me about your secrets.
Phoebe leaned closer to Helga and whispered in her ear.
Phoebe: I know you "like Arnold, like Arnold."
~*End of Part Two*~
