A/N: I would first like to apologize again for being so late. I've rewritten this so many times I lost count. The biggest thing is whether or not to make Rhonda friends with Helga. I wasn't sure what I was going to do so I hesitated to send the chapter out. Thanks to Dunge0nDrag0n who so kindly let me continue this story and Craig Bartlett for creating the series…thank you again. I do not own Hey Arnold because if I did it would still be on air, and there definitely would have been a second movie. I also wish thy would re-release the seasons on amazon. Dare to dream, right.
'I'm doing this for them'
Chapter 3
Helga's POV
We sat in uncomfortable silence for god knows how long. I heard him take a deep breath and lean back against the couch.
"So…" He began when the sound of "We are young by 3OH!3" filled the air. Groaning I stood up and walked to my backpack.
Looking at the caller ID it read 'Princess.'
"Great." I said sarcastically before answering the phone.
"What's up?" I asked placing a hand on my hip.
"Oh… My… God you will never guess what happened!" Rhonda screeched into the phone.
I sighed dramatically. "Did Harold get in another fight and you need bail money?"
"That's not why I'm calling." She snapped as I turned to face Arnold.
"Spit it out." I yelled walking back towards the couch and picked up my book.
"Scotty Malone is trying so desperately to be your guy that he said something about trying t-"
"Crimety Princess, how many times do I have to say this…I will now, nor ever date a jock. I don't care who it is, it's just not happening." I told her as a matter of factly.
"But Patak-"
I threw my book back on the couch, waving my free hand in the air.
"No! I refuse to lower my standards because of some guy. Especially one that is dumb as a post."
"Helga.."
Placing my hand back on my hip, I leaned against a plush purple chair next to the couch. "Besides I like the way things are right now."
"You can't expect him to wait forever..."
"Who said I wanted him in the first place?"
"Think about it Pataki you could go from the girl that was 'untouchable' to the girl that no one wants."
"Like I care." I snorted.
"I think you do. You might not realize it now but you will eventually." She responded
"I don't see how that's any of your business…"
"Look, I'm trying to help you here."
"Why do you care?" I asked
She sighed. "Because Helga, I consider you one of my closest friends and as such I want to look out for you."
I mumbled an uncomfortable "Oh…um…ok...you too"
There was silence on the line before she practically yelled in the phone.
"Wait I have an idea! Remember after English last Wednesday I heard that Iggy wanted to do an article about you?"
I sat in the chair, glanced at Arnold then shifted my body to rest my legs on one of the arms.
"He asked me about it…"
She interjected. "Yeah and we both laughed about it."
Raising an eyebrow, I leaned my head against the opposite side of the chair. "No Rhonda. You laughed about it."
"Well…Maybe you should do it." She suggested.
I pulled the phone away, looked at my cell then out it back up to my ear "Seriously?"
"Yeah, think about it. If it's true that you are a 'wanted woman' and Malone moves on, your status won't change."
I contemplated it for a moment."Go on..."
"It could explain your personality, your dreams, goals, yada,yada,yada…you know as a back up."
"Princess, it could crash and burn. Not to mention ruining the reputation I have right now" I mentioned, biting my nail.
"Maybe so but you'll never know unless you take the chance."
I slightly turned and glanced at Arnold who looked right back. "Look, I gotta go…I'm at Pheebs and feel rude ignoring her."
Rhonda laughed. "That's bullshit… There are other people over there aren't there?"
"Bye"
She mumbled some sarcastic comment before hanging up. I set my phone on silent and put it back in my bag. Arnold had his book open and he looked as if he was concentrating, analyzing every word. I started feeling guilty for the way I treated him. I sat back in the chair, putting my feet up on the table.
"Look… if you're still working on English, I guess I can help you. Sorry for being so bitchy towards you, just a lot on my mind." I said meekly. He blinked a few times as if amazed that I had apologized.
"No, you're right I should just ask the teacher for help. She does make up the tests so it'd be easier to just ask her." He answered, closing the book and putting it beside him.
"So…what do you want to talk about?" He added.
"To hell if I know." I responded sarcastically.
"Why don't we talk as much as we use to?" He asked bluntly.
I leaned my head against the chair. "Because football head, we grew up. Things change."
"No… One day you just stopped talking to me. It wasn't a gradual process. I just wanna know why."
I sighed. "This is not about you and me. This is about our friends." I pointed in the other room. "We both know that they are meant for each other so I think we should focus on them."
" Fine. But what exactly do you want me to do? Twiddle my thumbs as we sit in silence to make our friends happy?"
"What's this? Sarcasm from Mr. Goody two shoes?"
He glared at me. "I'm not like that anymore…"
I laughed. "Yeah you are football head… I'm fine with making small talk but that's about it." I picked up my bio book off the floor and pretended to read.
'What's wrong with me? I'm totally stressing over nothing, right? It's not worth it.'
I looked towards the couch to see Arnold staring at me.
"You ok?" he asked.
I felt my face heat up "Yeah hair boy I'm fine. Why?" I replied turning towards the kitchen.
"No reason." Arnold said
"I just hope this works. She deserves to be happy... Hell they both do."
Looking back to the book I began visualizing the two cuddling and going to the movies. Walking hand in hand everywhere they went .I felt a pang in my chest. The realization that I was alone... Well not alone… just without any sort of romantic relationship. Not that I ever cared before but this weird jealous feeling slowly became more evident the longer I was lost in thought.
"I'll be right back." I said aloud and ran to the closest bathroom, holding both hands on either side of the sink. When I looked into the mirror I regretted it. My hair was every which way, my cheeks were flushed and my makeup was smudged.
"I'm a hot mess." I told my reflection before grabbing the closest hairbrush and fixed my hair. Then I splashed cold water on my face before applying makeup and exiting the bathroom. After taking a deep breath I stopped near the kitchen and listened to Pheebs giggling. I smiled and walked back to the living room.
When I looked into the football headed teenagers green orbs a cold chill went down my spine. Flashbacks of all of the stalking, bullying, writing endless amounts of poetry, and being completely obsessed for years over an unrequited infatuation came all at once and made me dizzy. It was the days before the pain set in and my life was altered.
Scanning the room, my eyes fell on my backpack. I walked swiftly towards my bag and picked it up, glancing at Arnold before entering the kitchen.
Phoebe's hair was down; legs crossed and batted her eyes at Gerald who had a smug grin on his face. I cleared my throat and they both looked at me.
"Um Pheebs I'm gonna get going."
She stood and took two steps towards me. "Is everything ok?"
I smirked "Yeah, Olga just wants me home early...something about dinner."
Phoebe gave me an 'I know that's bullshit…thankyou' look but said nothing.
"Anyways, you two kids have fun." I added with a wink.
I made my way to the front hall when Arnold appeared.
"You're leaving?" He inquired.
I shrugged. "Yeah, it's getting late and I have stuff to do, people to see, places to go... You know"
"Whatever you say." He replied.
When I opened the door I heard him ask…
"Can I catch a ride with you?"
I shrugged. " Um, I guess so."
I heard him holler something in the other room as I made my way towards the car.
Clearing off the passenger's side seat I thought aloud " I have so much crap."
Then I started the car, placed my cell phone in the charger and turned the radio on. When I heard the passenger's door slam, I peeled out of the driveway. Glancing out of the corner of my eyes I saw Arnold smile and thank me for the ride. I nodded in reply when my phone rang again.
I sighed for the umpeth time when I answered. " What is it now?"
"Did you and Phoebe want to hangout at the mall in 20?"
"Why are you stalking me princess?" I pulled up to the boarding house and parked the car.
Arnold thanked me again. I pulled the phone away from my ear and quietly said you're welcome. He looked as if he was about to say something but second guessed it when I shifted in my seat.
Rhonda began rambling about nothing as I continued to venture for the place I called home.
"Maybe some other time…I have to go now."
Click.
I parked my car behind Olga's red beetle and grabbed my purse. Sitting in the driver's seat I stared my house, there is never a dull moment in the Pataki house and I am bracing myself for what may occur.
All I know is….I really shouldn't have gone inside.
A/N: I'm sorry again for not responding sooner. Thanks to Dunge0nDrag0n who so kindly let me continue this story and Craig Bartlett for creating the series…thank you again. So Helga and Rhonda friends do you love it or hate it? Please review. I love hearing feedback from viewers and if you have any suggestions feel free to PM me
