Helga's Perspective

Well, so much good that walk to the docks, did...

It's Thursday - two days 'til the party and here I sit on my stoop, listening to Pearl Jam, trying to calm my nerves.

Pearl Jam is a fucking fantastic band.

One of my favorites.

I hear footsteps walking my way...

Oh hey, it's Phoebe. And Lila.

"Hey Phoebes. Lila. What's up?"

"Hi Helga. We were wondering if you wanted to go with us to the mall to shop for outfits for the party on Saturday."

Shopping? Meh...

Not my favorite pastime, but...

...sure, I guess.

I got a couple of hours to kill before I have to go to work at Big Bob's newly renamed 'House of Gadgets' – Beepers pretty much went out, so then he started putting more stock into his inventory of cell phones, but then that industry got too competitive with Cingular and Verizon getting bigger. So now, he sells basically anything that runs on electricity or battery life…

"Hmm...Okay, but I gotta be on the clock at 4."

They both nod.

"Of course, Helga. We're ever so glad to have you join us, no matter how long."

Oh, Lila. You're ever so saccharine. You make me wanna barf rainbows.

Still, you're a great friend.

So now, we're walking to the mall...

"Oh, Helga, I bet you're oh so excited to see Arnold, again..."

...Oh Lila - and you were doing so well...

"...Yeah, I guess I'm just as excited as anyone else."

Phoebe looks at Lila.

…Was that a wink?

I'll just pretend I didn't see that...

"So, Helga, we were thinking about going to H&M. Is there any particular store you'd like to visit?"

H&M, huh? Have I shopped there, before?

Whatever...

"Eh...I don't have a preference."

So, here we are at H&M. The stuff here is actually not too bad…

…Now that I think about it, I may have been here once before, with Olga.

"Oh, Helga! Just look at this dress! You would look just ever so lovely in it!"

I turn to Lila. She's holding this lacy, champagne pink number.

…I couldn't pull that off.

"I mean, yeah, it looks...nice, but…I just don't think I'm the type of girl who should be wearing it..."

Lila looks a bit disappointed, but she smiles at me and turns to hang the dress back on the rack.

Then, Phoebe taps me on the shoulder.

"How about this one?"

I turn to see a white dress with this black-lace floral print going around it.

Hmm, that's also nice. But I dont think it's very...'Me'…

"...Phoebes. Seriously? Why don't you shop for your own dress. I really don't need anything new to wear…"

Phoebe looks at Lila. They both look discouraged.

Was this planned? Is it 'Let's Dress Up Helga Day'? The clothes I already have are perfectly fine - What are they trying to pull?

"Look, I don't exactly know what you're both trying to do, but can you please just let me worry about my own clothes for the party? I appreciate the help and all, but...I don't think I can pull off those dresses. Just trust that I'll figure something out, okay?"

I just said that in the nicest way, possible - being that nice still sucks the energy out of me.

Hope they take it well...

"Sure, Helga. We'll focus our own shopping."

"We're ever so sorry if we made you uncomfortable."

I smile at them.

So, we are in agreement…

"Thanks, Girls."

Then, something catches my eye at the other end of the room...

'$10 and Under Rack'

Hmm...

"Oh, did you find something, Helga?"

I turn to Phoebe.

"...Maybe."

I head over to the rack and work my way through the hangers.

That's when I see a simple, thigh length black dress.

No lace.

No flowers.

Not necessarily meant for a 'pretty' girl.

Just simple.

Like me.

And just my size.

"...Found something!"

Phoebe and Lila walk over and look at the dress with these 'questionable' looks on their faces.

"...W-well, if you really like it, Helga, I suppose it is just...ever so perfect for you."

"I find it quite...befitting of your sense of style. You'll look great in it, I'm sure."

I gush at the dress.

"I'm not even gonna try it on. I can totally make this work! Hmm...should I get a new hat, too? All the ones I got are worn out..."

Shopping is fun when you find something good.

Phoebe and Lila lead me to the accessory section of the store.

I spot a pile of these knitted beanies...You know, the kind that kinda flop off the back of your head?

I look at the different colors and pick out the pink one.

Obviously!

"Okay. I'm ready to buy. Where's the register?"

Phoebe and Lila raise their eyebrows and point just beyond the rack of necklaces to my right and...

...Oh, it's right there...

...Like, eight feet away from where we're standing...

...Did I mention that I don't shop, much?

To Be Continued...