Seven Months Later
Helga glanced at Ryan, who was doing a handstand against a light pole as she stretched. She had to admit, they really looked the part. Helga wasn't even really sure how long she and Ryan had been traveling now. All she really knew was that they'd left Hillwood and were not bumming around with their performance troop for quite a while now. The seasons had changed and a variety of beat up Volkswagon vans had gone from here to there. They were surrounded by young talent, most of them runaways like she and Ryan were. They'd been just about everywhere with a large city in the United States, and some places in between. They'd performed at a county fair in the middle of The-Middle-Of-Nowhere Kansas. Ryan, with her theatric gymnastics, had earned a lot more tips than Helga. And it wasn't that Helga had eaten it at the fair, but still, the people seemed astounded by the fact that people could move like Ryan could. Didn't they have television? Or internet?
It was a fun, fast paced, and even monetarily beneficial lifestyle for the girls. They'd made enough money for each of them to acquire a new computer, iPhones(which doubled as MP3 players), and more than enough clothes, nail polish, and makeup to last them for a few years. Still, Helga longed to return to Hillwood. It would be her birthday soon, and shortly after that it would be Ryan's.
"I kind of want to go home." Helga admitted to Ryan under her breath.
Ryan glanced up at her friend, her brow cocked in concern and confusion. "What brought this up?"
Helga shrugged, but she knew exactly what brought it up. She missed Arnold. Things were finally going good with them. She had everything she'd wanted since she was a three-year-old when they fell asleep in each other's arms that night. Still, Ryan had constantly reminded Helga that some time apart was better than being torn apart forever.
Ryan smiled weakly and came out of her handstand. "I kind of want to go back home too."
Helga frowned before a smile toyed with her lips, "Ya know, Hillwood is kind of a big city."
Ryan grinned, fully aware of what was on Helga's mind.
A passerby asked them if they were doing performances and that was all that it took Helga and Ryan to turn on a song on their surprisingly loud speaker that they'd gotten on loan from Blitz, a street DJ in their little band of traveling…well…gypsies for lack of a better word. They'd talk to Mama Lynn. With any luck, she'd agree that Hillwood was a wonderful place to go to. Until then, they had tricks and choreography to do.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Arnold heaved a sigh and shook his head as he stared up through his roof. His grandfather had recommended he go out with some other girls, but he'd never felt the same…thing he had with Helga. She was perfect for him and she'd never be replaced.
His phone rang and his mind was scrambled out of his thoughts and back into reality. After some contemplation he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Arnold! How are you, darling?" Rhonda exclaimed on the other end of the line.
Arnold rolled his eyes. He and Rhonda were on decent terms since she'd cooled down about him not introducing her to Ryan. Still, she wasn't his best friend. "I'm fine, Rhonda. Did you need something?"
"Yes, I have news about Ryan and Helga." Arnold short upright in his bed at her words, "Helga's grandmother is holding a big party to draw attention to the fact that her granddaughter and Ryan Jane are still missing."
Arnold released a sigh and shook his head, unentertained by this news. Millie held parties to draw attention to her missing granddaughter at least once a month. He never attended, of course. Millie wouldn't invite him, or any of the other original gang. She refused to acknowledge them. Not that he could blame her. She hated them. Except for Rhonda. But she'd never really met Rhonda. Or knew that they were friends. "That's not really news, Rhonda."
'No, Arnold. I've been invited and I'm permitted to bring a guest. I know that it's not the best gesture, but I thought you might want to show your support."
Arnold smiled. It would be nice to show his support for Helga's return. "That's really thoughtful of you, Rhonda. Thank you."
"You'll need a tux. Just send me a text with your measurements and I'll get it taken care of."
"Sounds great. When is it?"
"Twelve days." she answered.
"Great. I'll see you at school." He hung up the phone and was unsure of how he felt. He was grateful to Rhonda, but at the same time he was nervous to meet Millie again.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A knocking on Arnold's door dragged his attention away from the task of tying his bowtie. Why didn't Rhonda get him a tux with a regular tie? Even a cravat would have been better than a bowtie. He wasn't trying to come out of the closet and he wasn't Matt Smith. Even if he was, he wouldn't believe bowties to be cool. And he was having issues tying it, despite having watched four tutorials and read six. "Come in!" He called, trying to hide the irritation in his voice.
"Hey Shortman." Arnold's grandpa said enthusiastically as he entered Arnold's room. He snickered when he noted that his grandson was struggling. "You want some help there, Arnold?"
Normally, Arnold would refuse, but he'd been struggling long enough to give in, sulking slightly as his grandfather expertly tied the bowtie, chuckling lightly. "So are you excited, Shortman?"
"Not exactly." Arnold answered once Phil released him, straightening the tie in the mirror.
"Well I'm sure this woman you're avoiding is an old bat. Pay her no mind."
Arnold frowned and glanced at his grandfather. "If Helga comes back I want to be gon good terms with her family, despite how much I dislike her."
"Eh, I guess you have a point Arnold. What did you say the old bat's name was?"
Arnold groaned quietly, "Millie."
Phil shrugged, "I don't know any Millies….I wonder if they're all old bats."
"Grandpa." Arnold warned.
Phil waved his hands in surrender. "I know I know, you wanna be on good terms with the old bat. I just wanted to wish you luck. Is the rich girl picking you up?"
"No, I have to head over to Rhonda's house in a few minutes."
"Well good luck, Arnold. And try to have fun."
Arnold smiled weakly, "I will, Grandpa."
"Oh! And if you can bring me some lobster!"
Arnold quirked a brow at his grandfather, "Grandpa, there isn't going to be any lobster."
Phil shrugged, "Well if you get some then bring it to me."
"I will." Arnold chuckled. Despite its oddities, the talk with his grandpa did make him feel better.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"We shouldn't have come here." Helga said to Ryan in a hushed tone.
"It's not like we knew that we were going to endure some publicity." Ryan whispered back, just as annoyed by their appearances on the news…and on billboards. Helga didn't understand why an invite-only event would be placed on a billboard.
"We're just lucky no one has no-" Helga stopped mid-sentence and had to clamp her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming. Ryan scrutinized her friend oddly before turning to see what had Helga in such a state. Her mouth fell open, but she wasn't in as much of a panic as Helga was. Arnold was heading their way! His head arched over his phone, which they were grateful for. He hadn't seen them, at least. Still, Helga was freaking out. Ryan slapped Helga across the face, accustom to the ritual when Helga needed to calm down.
"He hasn't seen us yet. We go over with everyone and blend in, he won't even see us." Ryan insisted, hastily shoving Helga into the other half a dozen people in their group. Ryan shortly told Helga to bend over and stretch her legs and, too shocked to argue, Helga obeyed. Ryan moved a few paces and sat down on her crossed legs before leaning forward, hiding her face. Helga and Ryan both froze as he passed, but they nearly died when Ester asked if he would be interested in seeing a performance. He said no, thank god. Helga didn't breathe again until he was gone. She wanted to run after him and cry into his arms, but it wasn't time for that.
Heaving a relieved sigh, Ryan sat up. She was about to speak of her releif to Helga when he phone rang. She checked the number and eagerly answered it, "Hey loser, what's the stats?"
"It's done. For both parties."
That was all Ryan had to hear. Grinning like a jester she hung up the phone and turned to Helga. "I think we should crash a party."
Fully aware of what Ryan was implying, Helga shot her a befuddled look, "YOu're kidding me, right?"
Ryan shook her head, grinning, "Nope. We need to celebrate."
It took a moment, but when Helga understood she burst out laughing, "I say we take everyone."
Ryan shrugged, "Of course we do."
*crawls back under rock to hide from rampaging* Yes, I have returned to this story for the time being. Don't forget to review and stuff….bye.