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 51: Helga's Apprehension
Previously
"Hey Pheebs..."Helga said in a semi depressed tone and her friend noticed.
"Helga...what is going on? and where is Drake?..."Phoebe asked, wondering how things got this way.
Just this morning, Helga and Drake were together and she was actually happy, as they were going to talk about the state of their relationship.
Just how could things go wrong so fast?!
Helga heard this and sighed, as she realized that she would have to talk to someone about the situation with Drake at some point...
"It's a long story...I'll tell you later..."Helga said as she knew that she didn't want to Phoebe to get a tardy for trying to help her.
RING!
The bell was rung and Helga sighed, as she knew that they had to get to their next class and getting detention would just make this already sucky day even worse, if it was even possible.
The two girls soon left the safety of the girls bathroom and Helga sighed, still unsure of what she is to do in regards to Drake...
Who still isn't back yet...
Oh boy...
Earlier
"Helga!..."Arnold called for Helga as she ignored him and disappeared among the crowds of children that were filling in the halls, much to his frustration.
"Darn it, not again..."Arnold said, upset.
He really needs to talk to her. He knows that she is likely still shaken over what has happened this morning and he needs to speak to her, in order to make sure that she is alright.
"Arnold, what's the rush?..."Gerald asked his best friend.
"I need to find Helga and talk to her..."Arnold said to his best friend.
"Again? About what?..."Gerald asked and Arnold paused for a bit.
He knew that the situation with Drake is something big and given Helga's current mood, she'd probably wouldn't like someone finding out about it so soon, at least until he has had a chance to talk to her about it.
"It's complicated...I just really need to talk to her...can you help me find her?..."Arnold asked and Gerald rolled his eyes before sighing.
It seems that lately, all Arnold wanted to do is talk to, spending time with and even talk about Helga, and the more Helga wasn't around, the more he acted as the latter.
Gerald had a theory as to why, and whenever he thought about it, he just shook his head in exasperation. Just like right now...
"Mmmm...mmm...mmmm... you are one bold kid, Arnold..."Gerald said and Arnold raised a brow at that.
"What are you talking about?..."Arnold asked in an oblivious way.
"Clueless..."Gerald thought, before sighing.
"Never mind..."Gerald said and soon the warning bell was heard.
"Looks like your talk with Helga will have to wait until recess..."Gerald said and Arnold sighed as he realized he had no choice.
Arnold nodded and soon the two boys went to their next class, both deep in their own thoughts.
"I really hope that she is okay...I know this is a big shock but I'll show Helga that I am here for her..."Arnold thought as he made his way back to class.
"He really is a bold kid..bold and crazy..." Gerald thought in regards to his best friends abnormal fixation with his former bully as they made it back to class.
Later
In the janitor's closet
Several classes have passed and it was recess time and Phoebe and Helga managed to sneak away and were now inside the janitor's closet, otherwise known as Helga's "office".
Once inside, Helga wasted no time in telling Phoebe about what happened this morning with Drake and Arnold. Once she was done, Phoebe had a stunned look on her face.
"Are you serious? Did Drake actually do all of that?..."Phoebe asked and Helga nodded.
"It's true...Arnold showed me the pictures and Drake confirmed him when I went to his place to talk about it..."Helga said, looking miserable.
Phoebe looked even more stunned..and then confused.
"Wait...how did Arnold find out about Drake's past?..."Phoebe asked, confused.
"I don't know...how does the Football Head do anything seemingly impossible?!..."Helga said in exasperation, before covering her face with her hands.
"I still can't believe this..."She muttered in depression.
"Helga? I know that this is shocking but...you said Drake regrets what he did and he seemed sincere...didn't he?..."Phoebe asked.
"Yeah but I am just so mad...I actually liked Drake but now I find out he has been keeping a huge part of his life a secret from me, right when I was thinking about getting serious with him..."Helga said in anger.
However, to her surprise, her best friend then sent her a look...one that she didn't like.
"Why are you looking at me like that?..."Helga asked, while Phoebe sent her a disapproving look.
"Helga...with all due respect...I don't think you have been completely honest with Drake about your own past either..."Phoebe said and Helga's eyes widened.
After a long time, the blonde girl let out a sigh and looked even more guilty than possible.
She knew what Phoebe was referring to and she knew at the back of her mind why she never told Drake about her own past misdeeds...because she was ashamed...
She felt ashamed whenever she thought about what she let her obsession with Arnold make her do and she wanted to put it all behind her, to never to about it or think about it again if she could help it...
Just like how Drake wanted to put the Mad Dragons behind him, now that she thought about it.
"Okay...that's a good point...but I'm just so confused..."Helga said as she sat in the middle of the closet floor.
"Helga...while I am not pleased with what you told me about Drake...is it really fair to persecute him over something that he has already been punished for by what you have told me?..."Phoebe asked and Helga looked away.
"No...it's not fair...I know that it's not fair...heck, he actually turned himself in and worked hard to make up for his misdeeds while all I have done is mope around in my room..."Helga said as she looked down, feeling all sorts of emotions right now.
Confusion, doubt, shame, anger and regret.
She has done a lot of things that she has come to regret and she deeply wants to never return to that place ever again...that's why she worked so hard to try and get over Arnold and she just wanted to forget about that part of her life..
Just like how Drake said he wanted to do with his own dark path...now that she thought about it...
It seems that he is more similar to her than she ever thought...
Realization dawned on Helga's face and she just groaned in dismay once it dawned on her.
"Oh, I've been a total hypocrite, haven't I?..."Helga muttered.
"Maybe a little bit...but you were just confused..."Phoebe said not-so helpfully.
Helga groaned as she covered her face.
"What am I going to do?..."Helga asked her best friend.
"Helga...I can't tell you to date Drake if you don't wish to, but I do think you need to talk to him about this in a calm, rational manner...since despite it all, he obviously cares about you..."Phoebe said.
Helga thought about it and sighed.
"Okay...I'll talk to him first thing after school...and I'll consider giving him another chance..."Helga said.
"Really?...Are you sure?..."Phoebe asked.
"Yeah...if I am able to feel regret about my own past...then Drake can too... I should at the very least hear him out.."Helga said as she got up.
Phoebe smiled, happy that her best friend no longer looked as miserable as she was earlier this day.
The two girls soon left the janitors closet to enjoy what little recess time they have left. Both of them are unaware of what the future has in store for them now.
-To be continued-
Next time on A Broken Heart
Second Chances
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Invader Johnny:Uh-huh...
Deepvoice06: Well, Helga no doubt will be even more uncomfortable around him for a while...
61394, Absolute Empress: Thank you :)
The J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbuh i: Eh...maybe but that's not what this fic is about...
TXToonGuy1037: You did make a good point, and Phoebe even brought it up here...
Madi Anivar: You can say that again...
Kimagure Bijin: Well, Helga has decided on talking to him, so that's a start..
abrilpendleton8: How's this?
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)