Chapter 4
November 3rd, 2001
Dear Diary,
Today may have been the saddest day of my existence, Arnold is leaving. It's really bittersweet to be honest, he will get to be with his parents and he did come and say bye to me. It was about 2pm and I heard the doorbell rang. I went to answer it and there was Arnold standing in the doorway. He looked really antsy, he was scratching the back of his neck and looked like he had something important to say. "Helga, I'm going to go live with my parents. They sent me a letter of their location and my grandparents are taking me to the airport now"
I just stood there in shock. Complete shock, Arnold must have known because he continued talking. "I wanted to say bye to you, I feel like we've always been really close in some weird way and I just didn't want to disappear completely on you. You and Gerald are the only two friends I'm saying goodbye to" I still didn't know what to say, but I knew whatever I said couldn't be mean. I couldn't leave an everlasting rude impression on my love, so I spoke "Arnold, I'm really really happy for you, that you found your parents." I may have started tearing up a little, I hope he didn't notice. "And also I'm glad you decided to say bye to me, that means a lot". Arnold hugged me, he leapt on me with open arms and I didn't push him away. Instead I just absorbed the hug, I even hugged him back. It felt like ages went by hugging on my stoop, but still it wasn't long enough. After the hug broke apart, he looked at me almost sad too and he said "Helga I really like you when you're nice, I know that's who you are deep down and I think it's beautiful. Promise me, while you're away you'll be nicer to our friends?" He said he likes me and I'm beautiful! I answered him that I would try to be nicer and said thanks again. "Well, I'll see you someday later on in the future, Helga. I'm really gonna miss Brooklyn and the gang. and you" and with that he went in for a second hug. I didn't want to let go because I know when I let go he'll be gone forever. Then, he kissed my cheek and left. Yep, you heard me, he kissed my cheek. If he wasn't gone, I would be soooooo happy. He's gone forever though and I will forever be missing him. I love you Arnold and I always will love you.
Love always,
Me.
Reading this now, knowing Arnold is coming back, it's not sad anymore. It's actually really happy, I still can't believe he kissed me. It wasn't for a play or a show or me being crazy or because I was in disguise. He wanted to kiss me and hug me. Butterflies were starting to form in my stomach, fluttering all over. I should probably put something nicer on just in case the football head does come by. I decided to go with a skirt, some leggings underneath, boots and a gray sweater. I straightened my hair and put on some make-up, more than usual. Usually, I would just wear mascara, but today I used eyeliner, blush and eye shadow. I looked in the mirrior and noticed I looked pretty good. Then the doorbell rang. My heart stopped, this was too coincidental. I was worried it was him, even though I spent the past hour getting ready for this moment. I reached for my bedroom door handle, shaking. I heard Olga downstairs opening the door, so I stayed in my room, pressed against the wall so I could listen.
"Hi Olga, is Helga home yet?" the voice sounded really familiar, but deep.
"Why of course Gerald, I'll call her down, unless you wanted to come in?" Damnnnnnnn it. I should have know that was Gerald's voice.
"No that's okay, I'll wait out here." I heard Gerald say because I was already heading down the stairs.
"Hi Gerald. What's up?"
"Wow, Helga. You look great, what's the occassion?" I had to think fast.
"My family and I, We go out to eat on Friday's" Phew, that worked.
"Oh that sounds nice. Where do you normally go?"
"Um various places. So did you come over for an interview or what?"
"Sorry, Helga. I came over to tell you something, that Arnold is coming home in the next few days"
What? A few days? I thought it was today? Gerald didn't know that I knew so I had to pretend that I was excited.
"Really? Aw, Gerald that's great! Thanks for letting me know" I hugged him, not out of excitement, but because I could feel myself starting to cry. I didn't want him to see me like that.
"Helga, what's wrong?" Damn, I got caught.
"I'm just crying tears of joy, I gotta go Gerald. Thank you again".
I shut the door, still fighting tears. Why was I crying anyways? He was still coming home, I just had to wait longer. I must be such a big spoiled brat, crying because I have to wait. I've already waited so long, what's another few more days anyways? I should be grateful that he's coming back in the first place. So I stopped being so emotional and decided to go for a walk to get some fresh air.
I ended up at Tina park, it was pretty quiet besides a few kids who were playing in the leaves. I headed for my favorite bench, the one that has so much history. I've carved Helga loves Arnold in the bark on the tree behind it way too many times to count. I never had the guts to leave it though, I'd always find myself scratching it out afterwards. Whenever I need time to reflect on something, I come to this particular bench. It seems to help me collect my thoughts for some unexplained reason, that's why I love this bench. It also had a nice view of the pond, which always looked so serene and beautiful, season after season, year after year. I couldn't remember how long I was sitting there, but it sill wasn't time to leave.