Chapter Two:

Unshed Tears

The first day of the gangs Senior year stated with a bang. Every piece of gossip was pushed to the side and Helgas return was moved center stage. Arnold couldn't help but keep a close eye on her during those first few minutes of introduction and reunion. Why was it that she only seemed to relax after he'd let go of her hand. Why did she seem so nervous?

"Hey man!" came another familiar voice from behind him.

"Hey Gerald." Arnold replied in a distracted tone. "What's up?"

"I see Miss Houdini finally reappeared hu? Where's she been? Did you ask her yet."

Arnold nodded, finally turning to face Gerald. "She won't say much, just that she was staying with her Aunt. I think there's something she's not telling us…"

"Aw you worry to man. Look at her, she's fine!" Arnold threw another glance Helga's way in time to see her send Brainy to the ground. She did seem normal… maybe the hesitation was all in his mind. He shook it off and ran over to follow his friends inside.

The rest of the day seemed to pass without much event. Arnold was a bit… distracted, but other words everything was normal. Wherever Helga had been she hadn't fallen behind in her studies, she actually seemed to be a little ahead. The final bell rang and they all filed out of the school as though nothing had changed. It was like Helga had just left yesterday and they'd all picked up where they left off.

The whole gang was just making their way across the black top to go out for a spur of the moment 'welcome back' meal when Harold and Sid's hyperactive roughhousing knocked Ronda into the nearby jungle jim. "Oh you rotten boys!" she screeched holding her index finger, which had been ripped open on a sharp metal corner. Her eyes grew wide with horror as, upon inspecting her skirt, she discovered it had been slightly splashed with blood. Growling at the crimes against fashion she sprung to her feet, ready to strangle both Harold and Sid. "Do either of you know how hard it is to get blood out of clothing?! It's almost impossible!"

She was just about to lunge after the now thoroughly frightened boys when Helga's arm came in front of her, blocking her way. "Chill out Drama queen, just use a little meat tenderizer and your precious skirt will be as good as new." Before Ronda could recover from her mild shock that Helga actually had a good fashion tip Helga placed a little bottle of powder in her hand. Make a paste with water and let it set for five minutes."

Ronda, now considerable calmer studied the bottle. "You're sure it'll work?"

"Positive. It's worked on much bigger stains than that. ….Now if we can continue without killing each other," Helga said turning and walking forwards, continuing her conversation with Phoebe. Ronda stared at the bottle for a moment before shrugging and putting it in her purse.

Arnold continued walked with the rest of the group, his eyes transfixed on the back of Helga's head. Okay, he wasn't imagining what he'd just heard. There was a waver, a slight alteration in pitch in Helga's voice. It was really getting on his nerves that he couldn't figure out what was bothering her.

"ARNOLD!" Arnold jumped a few feet in the air in shock.

"You don't need to shout Gerald, I'm right here!" He snapped waiting for his pulse to return to normal. "I tried man, but you were totally zoned! IS something bugging you man?"

Arnold's gaze ran over the group towards Helga and Phoebe. "Maybe…"

"What do you mean maybe?" Gerald questioned his oddly distracted friend.

Arnold shook his head, trying to clear out the cobwebs. "Nothing… You were saying?" Despite his best attempts, and her really did try, Arnold was distracted. He just had to find out what was going on with Helga. He mad in inward resolution right then to find out at dinner that night.

~~~

Later that night, at around 7:00, precisely, the group was still at their favorite restaurant chatting away, it looked as if they'd be there all night. Normally this would've caused the waitresses a lot of agitation, fearing the loss of tips, but as long as Harold kept ordering thing.. Hehehe

"I'll be right back guys," Helga announced pushing her way out of the half circle booth crammed with people. There was a chorus of. "Okay's" "Whatever's" "Be back soons" and other such things as she made her was towards the rest room at the opposite corner and down a short hall. Arnold, who had been sharing a large Nacho platter with several of his friends glanced up as she left. Her long blond hair was flung over her shoulder revealing the modest scoop neck in the back of her shirt. There was something there on her back. It looked like… tiger stripes? Had Helga gotten a tattoo while she was away? Arnold sat there in silent debate for a minute or two before deciding that now was a good a time as any.

"Excuse me Gerald," He said politely shifting his way out of the booth as well. Gerald might have normally said something to Arnold but, as fate would have it, he was a bit preoccupied with talking to Phoebe at that particular moment. Arnold steadily made his way through the crowded room and down the narrow hall where Helga had gone just a few moments ago. His intent was to question her on her way back the table, but that's not exactly what happened. In the span of about five seconds a waitress dropped a large tray of plates, his head snapped around at the noise, and her collided with someone else who was wondering around the hall.

"Ah!" They both exclaimed as they fell to the ground with a thud. Arnold Shook his head trying to get a clear view of the girl who, even before they landed, was trying to scrabble off him. "Watch where you're going football head!"

"Helga?" he asked sitting up again. "We have to stop meeting like this hu?" He asked with a grin. Helga only nodding before turning her back to him, using a hand railing to get her balance back. Arnold stood up just behind her and opened his mouth to say something when he noticed her back. It wasn't some strange form of tattoo it was covered with small scars. Almost like… she had been whipped? Gasping in horror he grasped her shoulders firmly as he further examined her back. "Helga…what happened?"

Silence. Then a shaky voice came forward. "Just let me go Arnold…please?" Arnold complied, reluctantly, and Helga just walked away. She wanted to run, but that wasn't necessary. Her slow, determined walk had just as much effect on the person who was watching her go. She barely managed to hold back her tears as she passed through the two swinging doors of the restaurant. The pain of unshed tears was building in her chest as the blocks crept past. How was it possible to love and fear someone at the same time? She shook her head, unsure if she'd ever be able to trust , or live normally again…

Authors Note: What happened to Helga? Why dose it leave such a deep emotional scar? Keep reading to find out! ^_^