Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.
A Broken Heart
Chapter 12: A Most Unusual Situation
Friday
A few days have passed and it was now Friday, the day to turn in the book reports. Helga got out of bed, did her best to bathe and dress herself despite the kind of living conditions she has been reduced to, and was soon out the door before either of her parents woke up, since even her dad had been up all night trying to get customers who didn't want anything to due with his bunch of obsolete beepers.
Now to face another day of boring school, mental trouble caused by her classmates and even more heartbreak at the hands of her beloved Arnold, who is still not hers and never will.
"Arnold..."Helga thought in a mopey way, feeling more sad, the more she thought about him.
CRASH!
"WHOA!..."
"OOF!..."
"WATCH IT!..."Two voiced shout, unwittingly in union.
Helga got up, dusted herself up and saw that she has once again walked into Drake Sanchez, who once again, seems to be in the mood to give her lip.
"Excuse you, bucko!...'Helga shouted at him.
"Me? You're the one who walked into me!...'Drake shouted at her, getting fed up with her attitude problem.
Helga sent him an annoyed look and just "hmpted" in response.
"Whatever..."Helga scoffed as she walked passed him.
She just wanted to get to the bus and get to school and just get this whole day over with and then go home, but it seems Drake has other ideas, he walked up to her, blocked her path and glared at her with his green eyes.
"Hold up, Pataki! I haven't heard a single apology...'Drake said and Helga rolled her eyes.
"That's because you aren't getting one, Einstein, now move...I don't want to be late for school..."Helga said as she roughly pushed past him, which only made the boy look even angrier.
"What's with you?..."Drake shouted as he got in front of her once again and Helga has already lost her patience.
"What's with me is that I'm this close to knocking your teeth out unless you move NOW!...' Helga shouted as she raised her fist.
"Try and hit me and I'll block it...I mean it Pataki, you do NOT want to see me when I am mad!..."Drake said to the girl.
'And I assume that this is your happy side?...'Helga said sarcastically to the boy, who looked more and more peeved.
"Let's just say you haven't seen me at my worst...and you don't want to..."Drake said with his arms crossed.
Normally, Helga would have been all for brawling right now, she would have been more that willing to give this jerk a black eye, a long with a bunch of other stuff due to his attitude problem but she was just so tired...she didn't get much sleep last night, due to once again getting recurring Arnold-mares throughout the night and she...she's just tired and she just wants to get this over with and then go home.
"Look Sanchez, I don't have time to deal with this...let's just get to school and do this stupid report and be done with it..."Helga said.
'I am not moving until I get an apology..."Drake said.
"My gosh, you're stubborn...fine, if it will make you leave me alone...sorry...there, are we done?...'Helga asked in an annoyed voice but Drake didn't look satisfied.
"You didn't mean it..."Drake said stubbornly and Helga sighed.
"Fine, I'm sorry, I mean it...there, are we done?..."Helga said in the same tone and Drake thought she was mocking him.
"I don't have time to deal with you Sanchez, I'm going to school..."Helga said as she walked passed him and made it to the bus stop.
Before Drake could do or say anything to her, the school bus arrived and Helga got on it. Drake, despite being peeved at her, realized that he didn't want to risk getting a tardy just because of a fight and went aboard as well.
He saw that Helga was sitting in her usual seat, looking out of the window with disinterest. Drake was still mad, but just rolled his eyes and took his own seat, deciding that he would deal with her at another time.
"Pataki...such a pain...'Drake thought in annoyance.
He is just really glad that today is the day that they have to turn in their reports and after that, he wouldn't have to deal with her anymore.
At the Boarding House
Arnold had just woken up, had breakfast with his family and now his parents were driving him to school, just as they have done everyday since school started, when they weren't walking with him that is...
And Arnold still enjoyed every moment of it.
'Don't forget to pick up Gerald, mom and dad...He should be waiting for us by now...'Arnold said to his parents.
"Alright son..."Miles said to his son.
"You know today is Friday son...and we are going to have a whole weekend to ourselves..."Stella said to her son, with a smile on her face.
"That's right, so how about we have an adventure this afternoon? We ca go to the zoo or the aquarium..."Miles suggested.
"Or we can get some ice cream and see a movie later today..."Stella suggested.
"That sounds like fun, mom and dad...how about today we see the movie and ice cream and tomorrow we can go to the zoo or someplace else..."Arnold suggested.
"Wonderful...oh, and you can invite your friends too..." Stella said.
"Sure thing, I'll tell Gerald as soon as we pick him up...'Arnold said to his parents.
"And what about that nice little gal friend of yours...Helga, is it?...'Miles asked his son.
"Yes, we haven't really seen her since the ice cream shop...how is she?...'Stella asked.
Arnold blinked, before he answered.
"Well, she hasn't been feeling too good these last few days, since she missed practice a lot but she's fine now since she came this week...'Arnold answered.
"You should ask her to tag along, I am sure she would have a lot of fun...'Stella said.
"Sure mom and dad...I was already thinking about doing that...'Arnold said, while his parents smiled.
"Wonderful...'Stella said.
Soon the Shortmans made it to the Johanssen residence, picked up Gerald and they were soon on their way to school.
"Hey Gerald..."Arnold greeted his best friend.
'Hey man...'Gerald said as the two best friends soon did their secret handshake.
Arnold soon told him about his plans for after school and Gerald looked pleased.
"Cool, hey...you mind if I ask Phoebe to tag along..."Gerald asked and Arnold sent him an interested look.
"Phoebe?..."Arnold asked with interest.
"Yeah, I mean...she is a friend and I am sure she would like to come...'Gerald said with a shrug, obviously trying to downplay it.
"He is so obvious..."Arnold thought before he nodded.
"Sure, she can come...'Arnold said.
It probably would be better, it would just be a day with him, Gerald, Helga, Phoebe and his parents.
That sounds like a good day to him.
Later that day
A few hours have passed and Helga has once again managed to avoid Arnold all day, and Phoebe had stuck with her as well, trying to convince her that things would be okay and she doesn't need to keep hiding.
They are currently inside Helga's office A.K.A the janitors closet.
"I know you are right Phoebe...my brain knows it...but the rest of me...it's like it's stuck on a loop..."Helga sighed sadly.
Phoebe placed her hands on hers out of comfort, feeling so sorry for her.
"I know you are sad now Helga, but I promise that sooner or later, this will be behind you..." Phoebe said in sympathy.
"Yeah, when?...'Helga scoffed, trying to control her inner turmoil.
"I know that Arnold is your first love...but he's not the only boy in the world... I am sure that you will find someone else..."Phoebe said.
"Yeah, who?..."Helga asked sarcastically.
WHEEZE...WHEEZE...WHEEZE...
The two girls heard a wheezing sound and Helga rolled her eyes. They saw Brainy stick his head out of a garbage can, surprising Phoebe and annoying Helga.
"Ugh...Hi..." Brainy wheezed out, with that creepy smile on his face.
Phoebe looked disturbed while Helga merely opened the door, slammed the slid on him and rolled the can out of the closet and into the hall, with Brainy still inside it.
"He is still doing that?...'Phoebe asked in a disturbed tone.
"Every once in a while...he's been less frequent lately but it seems annoying...'Helga muttered.
Phoebe tried to change the subject and get back to the matter at hand here.
"Look Phoebe...I just don't think it will happen...there is no one else in the world that's like Arnold...'Helga sighed in sadness and Phoebe looked mad now.
"I know Arnold was and is special to you Helga, but there are other boys out there...nice boys...if you give it a chance..I think you can find one you could like too...'Phoebe said and Helga shook her head.
"Not likely..." Helga grumbled before she glanced at her watch.
"Free period is almost over...English is going to start soon..."Helga said, still sounding depressed.
The two girls got out of the closet, and were about to go to English class, only for Helga to freeze in place.
"Oh man...'Helga thought as she saw Arnold by his locker, which was very close to the English class and Helga froze. She also saw him talking to Lila again, and the two laughed at something and Helga wanted to disappear right now.
Phoebe saw the look on her face.
"Helga, you have got to stop this evasiveness now...you have talked to him before...'Phoebe whispered to Helga, who shook off her expression.
"I know...But I'm just not in the mood...I think I'm going to go get a drink at the water fountain..."Helga high tailed it and Phoebe looked exasperated.
"Helga...'Phoebe was going to go after her to catch up, except.
CRASH
"OW!
"OFF!...
"YOU AGAIN..."An annoyed, male voice shouted.
Phoebe then saw that Helga once again has bumped into Drake Sanchez and he looked pretty annoyed.
"You bumped into me again, Pataki...'Drake said as he got up and dusted himself off.
"Yeah...sure...sorry...whatever...bye...'Helga said quickly as he walked passed him, almost super fast.
It took Drake almost a second to register what she just said before she left.
"Huh?...'Drake asked out loud, only to see Pataki disappear into the next hall.
"Helga...'Phoebe called.
"Hey you...Phoebe, is it?...'Drake asked.
"Yes...'Phoebe said to the new boy.
"You're friends with Pataki, right?...'Drake asked.
"Yes and her first name is Helga...'Phoebe answered.
"Right...right...so, any idea what is up with her lately? This morning she bumped into me and we fought and now she bumps into be and runs away...exactly, what is us?..."Drake asked.
Phoebe felt bad that Helga's behavior lately was more obvious to the others than she feared.
"Helga is fine...she's just been having an...off day is all...'Phoebe said vaguely.
"What do you mean?...'Drake asked.
"Well, I don't believe it's any of your business, Drake...now if you will excuse me...I have to go get her..."Phoebe said as she went to get her best friend.
Drake watched this and rubbed the back of his head in confusion.
"Okay..weird...'Drake thought.
The dark haired boy then remembered that he had to get to class before the bell rang. So he went there and made it with two minutes left to spare. He then watched that Arnold kid, the one with the football shaped head walk in, along with his friend with the big stack of hair and about 2 minutes after them, came Pataki and her friend, who just went to their desks.
Drake couldn't help but notice that she looked...well, he is not sure how to describe it...the closest to it would be
"Weird...'Drake thought.
Later
Classes were over for the day and Arnold and Lila, Drake and Helga, Rhonda and Curly and the others had managed to turn in their reports and give their presentations and Drake was just relieved that off day or not, Helga still managed to give a good performance that didn't hinder their grade.
BRRIIINNNNGGGG!
"Alright students, have a nice weekend and be sure to study for that quiz on Monday about the structures of a biography..."Mr. Simmons said to his class who grumbled.
Helga was quick to grab her backpack, meet up with Phoebe by the fountain and the two girls were about to leave together...only for...
"Helga! Phoebe!...'A boys voice called.
'Hey, wait up..."Another boy's voice called.
And only one of them made Helga freeze up.
"No...'Helga thought in a panic while Phoebe sighed and turned around and slowly encouraged Helga to do the same.
"Yes...Arnold and Gerald..."Phoebe answered first.
"Hey..."Helga said in a soft voice, wanting to get out of here.
"Hey there, where have you two been, we missed you during recess and didn't see you at lunch time..."Arnold said out of curiosity.
"Oh...around..."Helga said vaguely and Phoebe knew what this is doing to her friend.
"Anyway boys...we are sort of on our way and...
"Actually, Arnold's parents are taking us to the movies and for ice cream and we wanted to know if you want to come with us Phoebe..'Gerald said quickly to the cute Asian girl.
"You too, Helga..."Arnold said.
Helga really hoped she didn't make a squeaking noise. This is the last thing she needs right now, spending time with Arnold, risk falling in even more in love with him and then deal with even more heart break.
She can't stand this.
"Thanks...but no thanks...I am pretty busy today...I...promised to help my folks at home...so I can't..."Helga said to the boys.
Gerald looked like he didn't really care while Arnold cast his eyes down, almost like he was disappointed and it made Helga even worse.
"Oh, are you sure?..."Arnold asked, hoping she would change her mind.
Helga ended up looking into his green eyes, the ones that were pools that she would love to bathe in and felt her heart twist...feeling so many emotions right now.
She wanted to be with him, to spend time with him but she didn't want to feel the pain and disappointment in knowing that no matter what she does, he is never going to see her an anything...
Anything but a friend that is.
"I'm sure...bye..."Helga said as she walked away from the scene.
"Poor Helga..."Phoebe thought, feeling so much sympathy for her right now.
Phoebe would have gone after her, but Gerald got to her.
"Oh well, so I guess it's just going to be the three of us, this afternoon, huh, Phoebe?...'Gerald asked.
Phoebe however, looked in the directions where her best friend left and sighed.
"Actually Gerald...I am afraid that I will be too busy too..." Phoebe said as she then walked away while Gerald looked stunned and left before he could ask her.
"Aw, man..."Gerald said in frustration.
He's really been wanting to hang out with Phoebe. He barely could see her during the summer since she said she was busy with something and since school start, she's also been busy and Gerald didn't like this.
"Oh well...come on Gerald, my folks are probably waiting for us in the parking lot...'Arnold said, feeling disappointed.
Gerald nodded and the two boys resigned to the fact that it would just be the two of them and Arnold's parents this afternoon.
"Helga...Helga..."Phoebe called and then went to the front doors and saw that she wasn't there.
"Oh my, she must have already left for home...'Phoebe sighed, feeling so...so useless right now.
Her friend is in pain and nothing she is doing is helping her. She knows that a first heartbreak is tough on any person, especially a young girl but it was worse for Helga, who has been in love with only one boy practically her entire life.
A boy who according to her, will never love her back.
"I wish that there was more that I could do..."Phoebe thought as she decided to head to the beeper store and see if she could catch up with her and make sure that she is okay.
Unknown to Phoebe, her friend wasn't exactly heading home right now.
She hasn't even left the school yet, to be more precise.
Meanwhile
In Helga's Office/ The Janitor's Closet
The young, blonde girl couldn't explain why but she found herself once again in the janitor's closet, sunk to the ground and found tears falling out of her eyes, though she couldn't explain it.
She has spoken to Arnold when school started and she didn't immediately burst into tears...so why...why is she hear now...crying like a miserable, pitiful, loveless school girl?
Maybe because she is one...
'Why am I such a basket case?!..."Helga mumbled as she was just glad that everyone was leaving the school and nobody could see her like this.
Crying...
The sight of Arnold, still extending his offer of friendship to her, and his desire to spend time with her, but with no promises of love or future was just torturous to her and the worse part is that she can't get angry at him for it since it's not his fault.
It's not his fault that she is such a basket case.
It's not his fault that he doesn't like-like her, she did that herself by being such a wreck of a girl.
It's not his fault that she is such an ugly, mean, crude, rude, crusty, violent, unlikable and ultimately lonely girl that no boy could ever possibly want...much less the perfect boy Arnold.
It wasn't his fault that she is so miserable...
It was hers...hers and hers alone and she is dealing with the coincidences right now.
"Arnold..."Helga whispered as more and more tears fell from her eyes, as she continued to deal with her still breaking heart.
Helga was so caught up with her crying fit that she didn't notice until it was too late that the door of the janitor's closet suddenly open, startling her with the sudden bright light and the sound of a stunned, surprised voice.
"PATAKI!...'The male voice exclaimed.
Helga was stunned at being caught and when her vision came too, she was shocked and dismayed to see who was the one who has just caught her.
'SANCHEZ?!...'Helga exclaimed at the mere sight of him.
"Pataki..."Drake said again, unable to believe his eyes.
Drake didn't know how he ended up here, but he soon found himself in a most unusual situation.
Dealing with a crying girl...and its none other than Helga G. Pataki.
-To be continued-
Next time on A Broken Heart
Heart to Heart (Sort Of)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Invader Johnny: Yeah, it's a complicated situation, alright...
CoolGirl-Pataki: You're welcome :)
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)