A/N: Here we go! Last chapter for a bit until I can write up more and after I update my other story. Enjoy!

Gerald woke up around 8 the next morning with a groan. The couch was never a comfortable place, but after Arnold got back he had crashed. He went to his room, the door was open and the room was empty. He figured that Helga probably left early that morning. Gerald tilted his head and frowned, moving to Arnold's door, listening.

He went wide-eyed, what the hell? The door wasn't closed all the way so he pushed it open another inch and then quickly looked away. That was an image he didn't need to see. Why was she even…Gerald didn't know why it bugged him so much.

He took a quick shower, dressed, grabbed his pack and headed out. Might as well get an early start.


Two Years Ago

"I don't know Gerald. They're really old…and we're having trouble with the bills." Arnold and Gerald were sitting outside Hillwood High talking about Arnold's latest plight. The bell rang and they got up to go inside. Curly was passing by- having been lingering- and slipped a piece of paper in Arnold's hand.

The note read 'After school by the bleachers'. As soon as the bell rang Arnold made his way to the bleachers, curious about the note. It had bothered him all day- wondering what it could be. What could Thad actually have to talk to him about?

"Glad you came." Thad pushed his glasses up and flashed Arnold that weird smile of his. "I've got a proposition for you- that'll fix all your money problems."

Arnold looked skeptical. "Oh yeah? What'd you have for me?"

"Let's just say, before I go any further, it isn't exactly legal, but your cut from one job will pay that building's rent for the next four or five months easy."

"The hell, Curly? What're you doing? Pushing drugs?" When Curly didn't answer Arnold went wide-eyed. "Dude, I can't push drugs!" Arnold hissed.

"Just one job." Curly pressed a white envelope in to it. "Think of this as a down payment"


Present Day

Helga bit her lip lightly as she started walking over to Gerald. They had started to become better friends...but it seemed like after that weekend he was avoiding her and she was pretty sure she knew why. Gerald, of course, had made a few friends already and he was sitting with them outside for lunch.

One of the guys whispered to him and Gerald looked in Helga's direction, but then just as quickly looked away. Helga took a breath as she approached. "Um, Gerald…can I talk to you?"

Gerald looked over at her, looking her up and down a moment. "We don't have a thing to talk about blondie."

"Please Gerald, just 5 minutes."

Gerald sighed and gave his boys an annoyed look before waving them off. When they left he turned back to her. "The clock's ticking."

Helga ran a hand through her hair and took another breath. "Listen…about this weekend. I-"

"You what?"

"I'm sorry." Her voice was quiet and she was looking down.

"What's there to be sorry about? You didn't do anything."

"I shouldn't have…you know…"

Gerald rolled his eyes. "You can do whatever you want Helga."

"He…he just...and I.."

"Just leave me alone. You don't have to explain yourself."

Helga sighed and looked up at him again. "I'm sorry." She repeated and then started walking away.

Gerald watched her walk away and ran a hand over his face. He didn't know why he was so ticked about Helga letting Arnold do her. Maybe it was because she let him do it even after he was such a jerk to her, even after he had just shot her dealer and boy toy through the back of the head for their boss.


Helga stared at her phone, a small frown on her lips. She didn't like that Gerald was upset with her. Part of her wanted to make it right and the other part wanted him to go to hell. She was staring at a text from Arnold. He wanted to see her again, but Helga wasn't so sure she wanted to.

The memory of that night was fuzzy but she knew that she had been high as a kite…he had woken her up and brought her to his room…Helga shook her head and tossed the phone on to the bed. Maybe it was time to just get out, sober up. Graduation was just around the corner. Maybe she just needed to get her act together.

Helga opened up her night stand. Olga was out of the town for the day for some business meeting and it was nice to be free of her for a bit. Helga took a joint out of the nightstand and a lighter and lit up. She needed to calm her nerves. Her phone rang again and Helga looked down, Gerald?

She took another hit and then crushed out the join in an ashtray that sat near her lamp. Then she answered her phone. "Hi Gerald."

"Helga…listen. I'm sorry for earlier. I'm just kinda on edge I guess."

"Sure. Whatever."

"Think maybe you'd want to meet up tonight?"

Helga almost said yes. "I've got plans. Maybe another time." Then she hung up before he could reply.