BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP

BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP…

Helga groaned, slapping at her phone until the bleeping stopped. No snooze button on her alarm or she'd sleep in 3 minute bursts until midday.

9am… she'd had over eight hours, but she was still tired. Studying for exams was really taking it out of her, and she wasn't looking forward to another day of cramming. "Only one more to go" she grumbled to herself, knowing full well that in just over a day, she'd be free for the entire summer break.

But before she contemplated any of that… breakfast.

Over the last semester, since they'd returned from their sad trip to Hillwood, Arnold and Helga had started up a Sunday morning tradition of greasy fried breakfasts at a grimy little diner that was within walking distance from their flat. And right now, Helga wanted nothing more than a bad eggs benedict and bitter filter coffee.

She dressed hurriedly - pulling on shorts and chucking a t-shirt over the tank top she'd slept in – before stomping down the hall to wake Arnold. His last exam had been on Friday, and he'd been celebrating all weekend. He hadn't been home when Helga had finally fallen into bed past midnight the night before, but his door was shut, so he'd obviously stumbled in at some point… he'd probably be more in need of a fried breakfast than she was, if he was hung over.

If Helga had taken a second to look around, she might have realised Arnold had company before she'd flung his bedroom door open crowing "Wakey wakey, hand off..." trailing into silence as she too slowly realised her mistake.

Arnold was already awake... and judging from the unfamiliar, curvy body that was straddled across him, he was very, very busy.

"ohmygodIamsosorry!" Helga rushed, cringing as the head that was attached to that body turned to look at her, brown eyes wide with surprise, but full lips already curling into a smile as she started to laugh.

"WORST TIMING EVER, PATAKI!" Arnold's yell was strained, and Helga cringed again as she fumbled to close the door again, her hands clumsy on the handle.

"SORRY!" She called again as she finally manage to slam the door shut. The girl's laughter was muffled through the wood, as was Arnold's low, rumbling chuckle. For some reason, their giggling pricked at her.

Glad they find it funny. Helga grumbled to herself, her hands shaking as she hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the coffee percolator like it was a lifesaver. I am way too tired to deal with this. Her internal whinging soothed her frayed nerves. It's Sunday morning! No one should be surprised by that on a Sunday morning!

To be fair, she knew it was her own fault, but having a mope made her feel better. She spooned the coffee into the perc and set it on the element, a strange unease settling into her stomach. She chewed a fingernail as she look around, noting (too late) the girls jacket that was flung over the back of one of the kitchen chairs… and the handbag on the counter. They both looked nice, dark colours, leather, the kind of think Helga herself would wear.

Who was this girl? Was she someone Arnold just picked up last night? Or had he known her for a while? Did the guys know about her? Would they keep seeing each other? Would she have to get used to this other woman sharing her space? Was she cool? Would she take over-long showers and use all of the hot water? Was she jealous or protective? Would Helga's relationship with Arnold change?

She continued to chew at her nail as she stared blankly at the foreign handbag, fretting. Should she still go to breakfast, or should she wait for them to finish? What was the protocol here? Neither of them had brought anyone home to this flat… Helga had stayed the night at guys places once or twice, and Arnold had arrived home grinning after a walk of shame a few weeks back… but bringing a fling back to their home seemed weirdly serious.

Or maybe she was just over-thinking things because she was tired and wrung out.

She sighed with relief when the percolator started spluttering, coffee always made everything easier in the morning, and this morning was no exception. By the time she'd finished it, she was much calmer. She'd go to breakfast without Arnold. The guys would still be keen for it…

… It turned out they were excited for more than just breakfast. Helga's run-down of the morning events had them all beaming.

"Yes!" Dan punched the air, a blob of hollandaise flying off his fork as he grinned in triumph. "I knew he could do it!"

"Ugh, you poor thing." Toni was giggling, but at least she was more sympathetic, "Copping an eyeful first thing in the morning…" She pulled a face, before stuffing more egg into her mouth.

Helga shrugged "It wasn't that bad… thank god for strategically placed blankets. I don't think I could have stomached seeing Shorty's balls before I'd had my coffee."

That had Brent almost spitting orange juice across the table. "I haven't had my coffee yet," He spluttered after he finished choking, "but I'd rather not talk about Arnold's nuts over breakfast, or at all, thanks."

Helga relaxed. Everything seemed so much more normal after caffeine and food, and her friends predictable reactions to her news.

"Who is she, anyways?" She raised an eyebrow "I've never seen her before."

Toni opened her mouth to answer, but Dan got in there first. "She's cool. One of Toni's friends. Name's Maya, into sociology and women's studies and stuff." He shrugged "She's a bit of a fem-nazi, but she's chill."

The girls rolled their eyes. "Never trust a man who uses the term fem-nazi." Helga muttered.

"Never trust anyone who uses the term fem-nazi" Toni countered, grinning.

"Truth."

"Aw come on" Dan whined… starting off the bi-weekly feminism debate…

Yup, her friends predictable reactions did make everything seem more normal. Though she still had an inexplicable touch of nerves when she got home, making sure to make lots of noise as she shut the door and dropped her keys on the table. The jacket and the handbag were gone.

"You're safe!" Arnold called from the lounge. "I'm alone!"

"But are you clothed?" She called back as she kicked her shoes off and padded through to the lounge.

"Totally." And he was, thankfully. He fumbled with the controller, pausing his game to look up at her. "How was breakfast?"

"Good, sorry I didn't wait for you, I didn't know how long you would, uh, be… and I, um, didn't want to interrupt you?"

"Again." He grinned.

"Again." She confirmed, nodding. "Sorry about that." She could feel her cheeks burning. Why was she the embarrassed one? She wasn't the one who'd been caught naked and shagging.

He shrugged, still grinning. "No worries. It was pretty funny really." He shuffled over, raising his arm so she could sit down and snuggle into his side.

She hesitated "You showered, right?" He just laughed at her, tugging her up against him. He smelled how he normally smelled… not like a girls perfume or like sex. Just his clean, cottony smell. She leaned into him, sighing. "You know, after tomorrow, we're halfway through our degrees?"

"Crazy, huh? And we've managed to live together for an entire academic year without you killing me."

"We've been through this. I wouldn't kill you, just keep you as my gimp."

"Ok… we've managed to live together for an entire academic year without you keeping me as your gimp…" he yawned "Seriously though. Thanks, Pataki." He squeezed her, looking down to catch her eye. "It could have been a really tough year for me, with Grandpa and everything…" He swallowed. "But you've been awesome. I've really… I really like living with you."

Oh lord. She melted. "Aw Shortman…" she snuggled in closer, "you're my favourite dork. I like living with you too… except when I walk in on you shagging someone. That I could do without."

He chuckled. "Yeah. Fair enough."

"So, will I be seeing the lovely Maya again?"

"Ah. You told the guys?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry. I didn't think it would be an issue."

"It's not. I'm just glad I left my phone off. I can only imagine what Dan's sent me."

She chuckled, then nudged him. "Well? Will she be reoccurring?"

His smile said it all. "I think so, yeah. But tell me if it gets too much?"

"Of course." She ignored the little twinge of sadness that caught in her throat. "You like her, huh?"

He nodded. "She's really cool, Helga, really smart…" He paused. "… She kind of reminds me of you."