Hello! Thanks again for tuning in. I hope you enjoy the new chapter of This Unexpected Life.

This chapter is still being told during the flashback that was mentioned in the prologue. Hopefully it'll answer some of your questions.

Enjoy! :)

All of the characters belong to the amazing creator, Craig Bartlett.

Chapter 2: The Betrayal

This has to be what true happiness feels like.

My mind began to stir as I came out of a deep sleep. I was certain I had fallen asleep with the biggest smile on my face. Tonight couldn't have been more perfect. This was something I thought would only happen in my wildest dreams.

I had made love with Arnold.

I brought my arms out from under the duvet to stretch them above my head. I slowly opened my eyes and was greeted with the familiar night sky through Arnold's skylight. The moon looked so beautiful. I turned my head to the right so I could sneak a peek at another beautiful sight.

I could feel my smile fade when I noticed the bed was empty. I sat up making sure to keep the blanket against my chest. I looked all around the room in hopes to find my beloved football-head. He was nowhere in sight.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as a cold breeze came through the bedroom. I glanced up once again and noticed that one of the windows to the skylight was cracked open. It had to be Arnold.

What is he doing up on the roof so late at night?

I peaked under the duvet and noticed I was still naked. I obviously couldn't go up to the roof like this. I glanced over to the couch across the room and saw a pair of Arnold's gym shorts and a plaid shirt. As weird as I originally felt taking them to put them on, I was internally swooning. This was always another fantasy of mine.

The shorts had to be tightened around my waist to keep from falling off, and the plaid shirt, once buttoned up, fell just above my knees. I lightly caressed my arms and inhaled deeply. His scent, the scent I'd often describe as one I'd want to bathe in, was deeply embedded into these clothes. I was in heaven.

After I finished dressing, I walked back over to the bed and ascended up the ladder toward the open panel.

In my mind, I had already told myself what to expect. I would poke my head out, see my beloved Arnold leaning against the enclosure of the roof, staring out into the night sky. He would probably be daydreaming so he won't expect to see me there. And if I were to be honest with myself, one could only hope he was shirtless.

I giggled to myself at the naughty thought that crossed my mind. Helga Pataki was not one who giggled at the thought of a shirtless guy. But it was easy to lose your senses when you're in love.

As I placed my foot on that final step and pushed the panel completely open, my heart seized. Never in a million years did I expect to see what was in front of me right then. I was torn between wanting to turn around, grab my things and never look back, and wanting to force my way through the skylight and pound the football head senseless. In the end, all I could do was sit there and stare as my heart ached with every forced beat it took.

I couldn't take my eyes away. There he was, with her, in what could only be seen in my eyes as a passionate kiss between two long-time lovers reunited. It made me physically sick.

After what felt like an eternity of watching them (which in reality had only been about 3 seconds), I couldn't stand it any longer. I turned back around to jump down to Arnold's bed. The panel must have slipped out of it's hold because it slammed shut behind me. I knew I wouldn't have the mental stamina to put my clothes back on first. I had to get out now.

My mind was in such a haze that I forgot to even grab my clothes before walking out of Arnold's room. I could hear Arnold's muffled voice calling my name from the roof, but I refused to turn and look at him. I couldn't.

I knew it was early in the morning, but with as much urgency as I felt to leave that boarding house, I didn't think twice about my heavy footsteps running down the halls. I slipped my shoes on, which were left at the door, grabbed my school bag and ran down the steps of the stoop.

"Helga! Wait! Please let me explain!" I could hear Arnold's voice more clearly this time. I couldn't tell if it was still coming from the roof or if he had managed to follow me through the front door, but I still couldn't bring myself to turn around and find out. Keeping my head low, I ran down Vine street as fast as my legs could take me. I couldn't bear to see his face. The face of the one I thought would never hurt me, but now I could only look at as the face of betrayal.

Arnold's POV

I can't remember a time ever feeling happier than I do right now.

As I lay on my side gazing at a sleeping Helga, I couldn't wipe this genuine smile off of my face, even if I wanted to. Her mouth was slightly parted as she slept, and a lock of her hair was dangling in front of her face. Every time she exhaled, the lock of hair flew up and lightly fell back onto her face.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. It was too cute for words. I very carefully pinched the lock of hair between my thumb and index finger and placed it gently behind her ear.

For the 7 years we were apart, I had always dreamed of waking up next to her like this. To admire her sleeping face after a night of passion. I used to fantasize what our first time would be like, and the reality of it was even more magical than I could ever imagine.

I slowly placed the back of my hand against her cheek. Her pale, soft skin was cold against my warm hand. In an attempt to keep her warm, I pulled the shared blanket over her bare shoulder. I then ran my hand almost teasingly along her now covered arm. I sighed in content. I could spend the rest of my life this way.

Much to my surprise, I could hear some light shuffling coming from above me. It almost sounded like there was someone on the roof. Who could possibly be up there? And at this hour?

Trying my best not to wake Helga, I slipped carefully out from under the duvet and made my way up toward the skylight. I wasn't sure what I'd find up there, but my first thought was to protect Helga. And I would.

I poked my head through the panel of my skylight, being careful not to make too much noise incase there was someone up here. When there wasn't a person in sight, I pulled myself all the way through and made sure to keep the panel cracked slightly to avoid it slamming shut and waking up Helga.

After taking a few glances to my left and right, I noticed a blur of red catch my eye. My eyes widened in shock.

"Lila? Is that you?" I called out to the shadowed figure.

"Arnold? You really are here!" Before I could comprehend what had just happened, I was trapped within an embrace. The overly sweet scent of perfume hit my nostrils and I grabbed at her shoulders to pull her away.

"Lila? What are you doing here?" I was thouroughly confused at this point. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was dreaming.

"I heard that you returned from San Lorenzo, and I just had to see for myself." Lila exclaimed in her usual perky voice. She definitely hadn't changed much since I saw her last. Her hair was slightly longer, but still pulled tight in those two braids with the ribbons at the ends. She still wore the same green plaid dress, only since she had developed over the years, it fit her a lot more snug. Especially against her newly formed chest.

"That doesn't explain why you're on my roof in the middle of the night." I said slightly annoyed. I looked Lila up and down, examining all of the minor changes that have occured during my absence. It made me really think back and wonder what I ever saw in her to have such strong romantic feelings for her, and for so long at that.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you, Arnold. I'm ever so sorry for trespassing." She pouted. "I just had to see you."

I rolled my eyes. "I would've seen you at school. C'mon, do you want me to walk you down the fire escape?" I would normally be a gentleman and offer to walk her home, especially this late at night. But not only was I not properly dressed to do so, but there was no way I was leaving Helga here alone.

"Wait! Can't we talk for a bit? It's just been oh-too long since we've seen each other. I feel like there is...unfinished business between us." Her eyes fell into a half-lidded gaze as she took a step toward me.

I attempted to talk a step back, but found myself somehow pushed against the enclosure of the roof. I was trapped. If this were 8 years ago, my 9 year-old self would probably be jumping for joy right now. But things have changed. I've moved on. I was certain Lila had too considering she insisted she never felt anything for me. Why do I suddenly feel like she's making a move on me?

"Lila, can't we talk about this another day? It's 2am, and we really should be-" I was cut off mid-sentence by an unexpected and forecful attack on my lips. Lila had managed to wrap her arms around my neck and pull me into a deep enough kiss that it was hard to pull away in one motion. I placed my hands on her arms to pull her away, but she had me pinned against the wall with all of her strength. I didn't want to risk hurting her by pushing her away, but the smell of her overly fruity perfume was starting to become nauseating. I shut my eyes tightly in hopes of blocking out the sensation. I instantly felt sick. I had no romantic feelings towards Lila anymore, and I want to make that obviously clear. But, I also didn't want to hurt her feelings in the process. I was torn.

The slamming of the window panel caused my eyes to fly open. I pushed Lila away to look towards the source of the noise and noticed a flash of blonde running away from the window. Oh, no!

"HELGA!" I grabbed Lila by the arms to move her out of my way so I could catch up with Helga. I looked down into my bedroom and noticed Helga bolting through the bedroom door.

I felt so guilty that my heart was practically in my throat. I was having trouble breathing from the pseudo blockage. I turned back around to peak over the front of the boarding house in hopes of catching Helga in time, but was stopped by a pair of tiny hands on my chest.

"Leave her be, Arnold. I'm certain she needs some time to process this." Lila spoke with a false sugar-coated tone in her voice. If my grandfather didn't raise me to be a gentlman, I'm sure I would've gone off on Lila. Instead I gently moved her aside once again and peeked over to catch a glance at the front door. I made it just in time to find Helga charging down the sidewalk.

"Helga! Wait! Please let me explain" I yelled from the rooftop, in hopes that she would stop running. With no success, I sighed deeply watching her sillouette fade into the night. I cannot believe how quickly everything turned to ruin. A perfect night turned into a night of disaster.

"Arnold, I'm ever so certain she just needs some time alone." I felt Lila's frail arms wrap around my hips. I shivered at her touch, and not in a good way. I could feel my blood boil in anger as I grabbed Lila's hands and pulled her off of me. I turned to face her while gripping on to her wrists.

"Lila, it's time for you to leave." I could hear the tension seething from my voice, and I'm sure she could hear it too, because her eyes widened in shock.

"But, Arnold-"

"Please..." I turned away from her in hopes to hide the pain behind my pleading voice. "Just go." I made my way back toward the skylight and down the ladder onto my bed. I had never felt so guilty and depressed in my entire life. I didn't even care if Lila was still on the roof or not.

How could everything go so wrong so fast? I possibly lost the best thing in my life all because of a misunderstanding. All I kept thinking was how I could've done something different. I should've tried harder to push her away. I shouldn't have even given her the chance to kiss me. I should've been more confident when asking her to leave. Maybe none of this would've ever happened.

I looked to the ground and noticed a bright pink ribbon sprawled onto the floor. A pink ribbon that could only belong to Helga. I leaned down to pick it up and held it in both of my hands. As I sat down on the bed, I brought the ribbon up to my nose and inhaled deeply. The faint scent of vanilla filled my nostrils, and I could feel the tears stream down my cheeks.

I can't believe I might lose her.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. As always, feel free to review! All constructive criticism is welcome! Please keep in mind I am by no means a professional writer. I simply write for fun.