A/N:
Hey guys, since Fanfiction won't let me post this as a separate chapter as to not disturb your reading I'm just going to go ahead and attach to next chapter after this authors note. You are very free to scroll down until you see the plethora of addition signs signaling your decent into Arnold's universe. If you would, however like a few tidbits of information then please, read on.
A lot of people have sent me some random questions and so I thought that I'd answer a few that I'd probably never really get around to answering in the actual storyline.
Q: Why is Rhonda such a bitch?
A: I think that without Helga around Rhonda never really learned any humility, no one told her no or smacked her across the head, without Helga Rhonda was able to buy her way into becoming the "It" girl which gave her a false sense of godhood. In a sense Rhonda doesn't even realize what she's doing is bad because if it's entertaining to her then all of the wrongs are righted.
Q: Why is Lila NOT a bitch?
A: In truth in the first version of the story Lila was but a small part, almost never mentioned, Miriam was supposed to feel bad for Helga and take her in but since I never included Lila in Journey to San Lorenzo I wanted to see how she'd fit in this universe. Craig said himself that Lila is a good girl, and the only reason she ended up turning into this monster was because he and the staff didn't want to make a new rival for Helga. I always remember Lila being a victim of circumstance, and once I read that in the would have been show 'The Pataki's' Helga and Lila would end up being best friends I knew I needed to work in her good personality somehow.
Q: How many parts of the locket does Helga need, and how does it work?
A: Around six or so, she has two already, the locket gives her another part when she reaches milestones in changing this universe, each milestone will give her a larger prize but will be harder to get to.
Q: Does "Without You" have an update schedule?
A: Yes, every other day at the least, though I usually update once a day, the only time this schedule is thrown off base is when I'm consulting with my co-author for my book.
Q: You're writing a book?
A: Yes, you can find the link to the first few chapters in my profiles dooblydoo.
Q: If I sent you an idea for a fanfic would you write it?
A: Maybe, you'll never know until you try.
That's all for now, if you have any more questions or just want to get in touch my PM buttons right there!
"Students, students, I have some very special news. Everyone please put down what you're doing and gather around." Mr. Simmons called out happily. Today was set day and while some were sewing out costumes for the extra's Helga and the main crew were painting the main set piece.
"Helga…I took your advice and I've re-written the script from scratch." Mr. Simmons whispered to her. He reached into his paper bag and handed out the freshly made copies. Everyone started to flip through it anxiously, their faces slowly crossing with smiles.
"I thought that our co-director had some…interesting…ideas, however I'd really like to give this version a try." Mr. Simmons announced. Everyone looked up before slowly nodding to one another. Mr. Simmons blushed a bit out of embarrassment before laughing.
"Well uh…as you can see I kept the language modern and I did add a few things…but overall I think that we were able to stick to the original version of the play fairly well." Mr. Simmons mused. No one seemed to know what to say so Helga merely threw her script onto her seat.
"Well it can't be any worse than that last script." Helga muttered before going back to her post. Everyone smirked to themselves before doing the same. Mr. Simmons laughed under his breath, his feet taking him into the director's room while the children worked peacefully.
"Hey Helga, mind if I paint with you?"
Helga looked up quickly as Arnold sat down beside her, his sleeves rolled up to his forearm as he dipped his paintbrush into the bucket. He slid it onto the castle wall before looking back over at Helga with a gentle smile. She froze and quickly turned to avoid him. He laughed and shook his head.
"Look I may have been too forward earlier…I just thought you know, you were into those types of guys. I was just trying to impress you." Arnold smiled happily over at Helga as she blushed, her hands shaking as she stabbed the castle with her brush.
"…uh-huh." Helga muttered.
"Can I at least get a hint as to what kind of guy you like?" Arnold asked as he crossed his legs, relaxing near her. She bit her lip as his scent reached her senses.
"…Just be yourself Arnold….that's all you ever needed to do…" Helga whispered. Arnold had to lean in to hear her because she was talking so quietly. He blinked for a moment as he processed what she had said. With a gentle laugh he offered out his hand.
"Sorry, have we met before? I mean, you seem to know me pretty well but-"
"Just…save your breath. We've never met." Helga answered bluntly, her heart aching as the words left her lips. Arnold moved his head from her as she closed the book on the matter. With a soft breath he let it go and went back to painting.
"Whatever you say Helga."
"I cannot believe you Harold, I just can't believe you!" Rhonda snipped out angrily as she and the confused boy stood on the side of the stage, whispering amongst themselves. Harold held his head in confusion as he stared down at the spiteful girl.
"I mean, big Patty? Just because you're a tub of lard doesn't mean I can let you be seen kissing another tub of lard." Rhonda mumbled. Harold threw up his hands as he tilted his head.
"Rhonda why do you even care who I go out with? You're in love with Arnold!" Harold yelled out causing the attention of the other students to slowly drift upon them. Rhonda scoffed and crossed her arms bitterly.
"I would hardly call the convenience between me and Arnold love Harold." Rhoda muttered. Harold blinked for a moment as he scowled angrily.
"Then what would you call it?" Harold whispered. Rhonda laughed gently under her breath before shrugging.
"A decoration I suppose?" Rhonda whispered. Helga dropped her paint brush as she heard Rhonda's words, she looked back at the girl in red, shocked as Rhonda and Harold laughed softly at one another. Helga's blue eyes quickly dropped to Arnold who sat nearly as flabbergasted and hurt as she was.
"Arnold…?" Helga whispered in concern.
"…I've got to go…" Arnold lied as he stood up quickly. Helga jumped to her feet quickly and chased after him in concern. Phoebe looked up from her sewing as the two left the room. Her eyes traveled over to Rhonda who was still giggling alongside Harold, their faces unknowing of what had just occurred.
Phoebe got off of her perch as the door slammed closed, the two bodies now gone. She was deathly curious as to why Helga was following after Arnold and slowly followed after the two, her eyes focused on the door that they had left, so focused that she hadn't noticed nearly knocking down one of her crew members.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Phoebe whispered quickly as she knelt down on the ground to help up the person she had stumbled into. She leaned down, pressing her hand into the man's to pull him up. He groaned and laughed quietly as he shook his head.
"…Hey Phoebe."
Phoebe blinked as her breath caught in her throat. Her heart throbbed as her eyes softened, her fingers slowly intertwining with the boys. He blushed at that and smiled as she gulped.
"…Hello Gerald…"
"It's been a while, how are you?" Gerald asked, trying to act casual.
"…fi…fine." Phoebe stuttered out. Gerald nodded happily at that.
"That's really good to hear." Gerald whispered with a smile. Phoebe nearly melted into the floor as she stared up at his glorious grin, it was enough to melt the sun itself…
"…something wrong?" He asked leaning in a bit to get a better look at her face. Phoebe shivered before shaking her head quickly, closing her eyes so that she wouldn't embarrass herself anymore. Gerald laughed nervously and rubbed her head gently.
"Ok, well you know how to get in contact with me if you need me." Gerald said happily before walking towards his own station. Phoebe bit her lip as she took in a long breath, her fingers curled into a fist as she suddenly turned on her toes, yelling out towards the boy.
"Did you know that only one tenth of the human body is solid matter, for instance a dead body weighing 120 pounds was dried in an oven till all moisture was expelled, and its weight was reduced to 12 pounds! Similarly Egyptian mummies, when thoroughly dried, usually weigh about 7 pounds." Phoebe busted out quickly. She took in deep breaths as if she had just ran a marathon as she stared at the speechless Gerald.
Phoebe felt on the verge of tears as he looked at her like she had something mentally wrong with her. Gerald started to laugh as he shook his head quickly.
"Haha that's amazing Phoebe, you just knew that right on the spot? I don't know much about the human body except for my own…but hey, did you know that "Strawberry Fields Forever" was named for a real place? I guess it's like a children's home in Liverpool or something." Gerald said quickly. Phoebe blinked for a moment as she tilted her head.
"Strawberry Fields? What's that?" She whispered. Gerald suddenly clutched his heart and shook his head as he wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulder.
"Oh Phoebe I have so much to show you!"
Phoebe smiled softly at that, looking at his hand before giggling.
"Alright but only if you let me show you some of my favorite Discovery Channel specials."
Gerald smirked and squeezed her arm.
"It would be my pleasure."
"Arnold, ARNOLD!" Helga called out as she ran out into the hallway, her hair flying in her face as she snapped her neck from side to side looking around for the blonde. Helga ran across the tiled floors before seeing him staring angrily at the ceiling.
"…Arnold…what're you doing?" Helga whispered. Arnold scrunched up his nose some and squinted his eyes.
"Trying to set fire to Rhonda's face."
"…I'm pretty sure you need super powers for that…or at least to have her in sight line." Helga whispered sitting down next to him. Arnold sighed heavily and dropped his head down onto her shoulder. She suddenly went tense but tried not to move away.
"I guess I always knew that we weren't going anywhere…that she didn't love me…but…I mean, I didn't know she honestly didn't have any feelings for me you know?" Arnold whispered. Helga bit her lip a bit before shrugging.
"…I don't really but…I'm sorry anyways." Helga whispered in an attempt to comfort him. He sighed and placed his hand down a top her own.
"…there's this party…I was supposed to go with Rhonda but-…" Arnold paused and lifted his head, his nose tickling Helga's chin as he stared up into her eyes.
"Will you come with me?" He asked softly. Helga chewed at the inside of her cheek before letting out a low breath, her hands squeezing onto Arnolds.
"…yea…I'd like that…"