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 60: Now What?
Gerald Johanssen had just walked off the field with Phoebe.
Today has been a very surprising day, what with Drake's story being in the school paper and then Helga summoning everyone to the soccer field to hear his side of things.
To be honest, Gerald was neutral to the whole thing but hearing Drake's side of the story and Helga's insistence...well, Gerald might be the keeper of the tales, but he liked to think that he was able to tell truth from fiction.
Even he could see that Drake was being sincere and since the guy has never done anything to him personally, he was willing to give him another chance.
"I must say, I am relieved that messy matter has been resolved.."Phoebe said to her boyfriend.
"Yeah, I guess...I got to say babe, I was kind of surprise how much Helga defended him..."Gerald said.
"What's so surprising about that? After all, he is her boyfriend and she likes him very much..."Phoebe said without missing a beat.
"Speaking of boys that she likes..."Gerald thought as he turned to see his best friend, only to blink when he saw that he wasn't there.
"Hey, where's Arnold? I thought he left with us..."Gerald said as he looked around.
"There he is..."Phoebe said as she pointed in the direction of the field.
He saw that his best friend and Helga were at the far end of the field, talking.
"What's he doing there?..."Gerald said, as he soon saw Helga marching away angrily from his best friend and then grabbing Drake by the arm, leaving with him.
"What was that about?..."Gerald asked out loud and Phoebe looked concern.
"Oh dear, I better go talk to her...I'll call you later, Gerald.."Phoebe said as she left to go catch up with her best friend.
"Phoebe..."Gerald called out for her but it was too late.
He grumbled under his breath and crossed his arms.
He and Phoebe were suppose to go see a movie this afternoon but Helga's little gathering had gotten in the way and now this.
He soon saw his best friend coming out of the field and Gerald noticed his expression.
He looked down about something.
"Hey Arnold...are you okay?..."Gerald asked.
Arnold had a strange look on his face..before he frowned.
"I'm fine...let's go..."He mumbled as he soon walked away.
Gerald blinked in confusion and concern.
"Mmm...mmm...mmm...So much for my afternoon..."Gerald mumbled as he went to his best friend, knowing that his movie date was going to be post pone for a while.
With Helga
"That lousy, self righteous, overprotective Football headed busybody! Who does he think he is, anyway?!..."Helga thought in anger.
Her fight with Arnold was still fresh in her mind and it made her even angrier.
She just didn't understand why Arnold hates Drake so much, it's not like Drake did anything bad to him...right?
"Uh...Helga babe...you're kind of crushing my arm a bit..."Drake said in a pained voice and Helga blinked, realizing what she was doing.
"Oh, sorry about that..."Helga said as she loosen her grip.
"It's alright...lucky for you, I don't break easily..."Drake joked, before asking in a more serious tone.
"Seriously, what's up?..."He asked.
"I guess I am still mad that we still have to deal with the rest of the school acting like idiots tomorrow..."Helga admitted.
"Oh yeah...tomorrow is going to be one heck of a day..."He groaned.
"Aw, suck it up...you're not going to deal with it alone and I'm not going to stop until everyone stops acting like you're Atilla the hun..."Helga said.
"After what you did today, I won't be surprise...thanks again..."Drake said as he kissed her on the cheek.
Helga flushed a bit, but sent him a small smile.
"Aw, don't get all mushy on me...I just told them the truth...and we're both lucky that your friends aren't as dumb as the rest of the masses..."Helga said.
"Our friends, you mean...'Drake said.
"I...I guess..."Helga said, having to admit it.
She actually did like the other kids on the team and she was relieved that they had listen to them. Even Molly, who was the first to believe Drake's side of the story.
"I think I'm starting to like that girl..."Helga thought to herself, for once, not hating the bossy team captain.
"What did you and Arnold talk about?..."Drake asked, surprising her.
"Huh?..."Helga questioned.
'You...Arnold...on the field...what did you guys talk about?...If you don't mind my asking, that is..."He added quickly.
Helga groaned.
"The old Football head was just being an idiot is all...I don't really want to talk about it..."Helga said.
Despite his curiosity, Drake decided to leave the matter for now, seeing as she didn't want to talk about it.
"Helga...Drake..."They heard.
They turned around and saw Phoebe running up to them.
"Hey Phoebe..."Helga said.
"Hey..."Drake said, still feeling a little self conscious.
Sure, Phoebe is Helga's best friend and she and Drake got along well. She also had listen and agreed with the others when he explained his story.
"Are you both alright? I saw you both leaving the field in a hurry..."Phoebe said.
Helga sighed. She really didn't want to talk about Arnold...not yet at least.
"We're fine, Pheebs...we just really wanted to leave..."Helga said and Drake nodded.
"Are you both sure?...'Phoebe asked.
"Criminy, Pheebs...the only issue we have is school tomorrow but it's something we can handle..."Helga said.
"Yeah..."Drake said.
"I see...well, i just wanted to make sure..."Phoebe said.
Helga smiled, knowing that her friend was just worried.
"Eh, like I said...we're fine..."Helga said.
"Good..."Phoebe said, before turning to Drake.
"Helga...would it be alright if I speak to Drake alone..if only for a moment...'Phoebe said.
"Alone?..."Helga questioned and her friend nodded.
"Yes, please..."Phoebe said and Drake was surprised.
"I promise that I trust your judgement Helga...I just want to ask him something that is rather personal..."Phoebe said.
Helga was surprised but she trusts Phoebe. She turned to Drake and nodded.
"Uh...okay..."Helga said.
"What is this about?.."Drake question.
"You will see...come now..."Phoebe said.
Drake turned to Helga, who just nodded. Drake then followed Phoebe, all the while, Helga wondered this.
"I wonder what this is about?..."Helga thought as she watched her best friend and her boyfriend go have a private conversation.
Without her, it seems.
With Phoebe and Drake
"Uh...so...Phoebe, what is it that you want to talk about?...'Drake said.
"I just needed to speak with you about an important matter Drake...I am aware of your past misdeeds..."Phoebe said with her arms crossed.
Drake was worried that she still distrusted him, until she said this.
"However, I trust Helga's judgement...if she gave you a chance, I am willing to do so as well..."Phoebe said kindly.
Drake smiled, only to stop when the short girl suddenly sent him a serious look.
"However..."She started.
"However, what?..."Drake asked.
"I just want to make this clear Drake, Helga is my best friend and her happiness matters to me...so you better keep her happy..."Phoebe warned.
Drake blinked, before he smiled, realizing what she was doing.
"Don't worry, I promise..."Drake said and Phoebe smiled.
"That's good..."Phoebe said, smiling.
She was happy to get that off of her chest.
"You know you could have just said this with Helga around..."Drake said.
"Helga doesn't like it when people act protective with her...she wants to be able to handle things herself but I can't help it..."Phoebe said.
Drake smiled.
"Well, it's nice to know that she has a friend like you around..."Drake said, meaning it.
"Thank you but remember, keep her happy..."Phoebe said.
"Okay, Helga's mother..."Drake chuckled a bit, finding it kind of funny how someone so small and meek got protective over someone as tough and rowdy as Helga.
Speaking of which, they had to get back to her before she got worried.
They soon rejoined Helga, who once again had her arm around Drake's.
"So, what was that about?...'She asked.
"Nothing...just explaining some things..."Phoebe said.
"Your friend is one of a kind, here..."Drake chuckled.
Helga was confused, wondering what they are talking about, before she just shrugged.
As long as they were getting along, she suppose nothing bad happened.
"So..now what?..."Drake said and Helga got an idea...
"Come on ya big lug...let's ditch this place..."Helga said.
"You don't have to tell me twice..."Drake said.
"Come on...we can hang at my place..."He said.
"Sure...wanna come, Pheebs?..."Helga offered.
Phoebe blinked, before shaking her head.
"As enjoyable as such an activity would be, I am afraid that I must decline...I did make plans to spend the afternoon with Gerald, if it's alright with you Helga..."Phoebe said in her meek voice.
"Doi, I don't mind...see you around, Phoebe..."Helga said as she soon left with Drake.
Later
At Drake's Apartment
Drake and Helga were at Drake'a apartment, watching a baseball game together.
Drake's mother was happy to see her. She was even more happy when Drake told her what she did for him.
Drake's mother was in the kitchen, fixing some snacks as her son and his girlfriend were watching Micky Kaline at bat.
"Come on, Kaline...throw it out of the park..."Helga yelled to the screen.
"Come on! Come on!..."Drake shouted in anticipation.
Kaline managed to get a home run and the two of them cheered.
Carmen heard this and smiled.
"My boy is happy again...thank goodness...'Carmen thought ,feeling relief.
"Kids...snacks are ready..."Carmen called from the kitchen.
"I'll get them..."She heard Helga's voice from the living.
Soon the young girl came in and Carmen smiled.
"Here they are, Helga...I hope you don't mind chips with my world famous guacamole..."Carmen said as she handed the tray with the bowls.
"No, i do not mind at all.."Helga said, getting hungry for them.
"Uh...Helga...would it be alright if we can speak...'Carmen said suddenly.
"Uh...sure...what's up, Carmen?...'Helga asked.
"My Drake told me about what happened...how you got all of his friends together and explained everything..."Carmen said.
"He did?..."Helga said and the woman nodded.
"Thank you...my Drakie has been through so much these past few years and when he told me about the school paper...I...I am just happy that you stuck by him and helped him out..."Carmen said.
Helga blushed and felt sheepish to say the least.
"I...I just tried to explain things to some idiots...besides, he already learned his lesson, so it's not fair to persecute him...'Helga said, looking down.
Carmen smiled and hugged the young girl. Normally, Helga would protest to this kind of actions, but she was silent.
"Thank you..."She repeated and Helga gave her a small, awkward sort of smile.
Back in the living room
Drake was in the middle of watching a detergent commercial while Helga went to get the snacks.
"Hey Helga, the snacks!..."Drake called.
"Criminy! I'm coming..."Helga said as she came in, carrying the tray and placing it on the coffee table.
"So, what did I miss?..."Helga asked.
"Nothing...the commercials just ended..."He said as he grabbed a handful of chips.
Soon he and his girlfriend began to eat and watch the game...still there was something that was still gnawing at him from the back of his head.
"Hey...Helga..."Drake started.
"What is it?...'She asked.
"Do you...think we will be able to get anyone else to believe us?.."He asked in an insecure tone.
Helga blinked before she sighed.
"Criminy...look Drake, what matters is that today, we managed to convince our friends the truth...the people who matter and I consider that a victory..."Helga said.
"I know...I do too, but..what are we going to do tomorrow? What do we do now?..."Drake asked, still insecure.
Helga saw this and sighed. He really is a good guy and he didn't deserve this. She placed a quick kiss on his cheek, surprising him.
"Look, no matter what happens tomorrow...I'm by your side..."She said.
"You promise?...'He said in a teasing sort of voice.
Helga placed another kiss on his cheek.
"That answer your question..."Helga teased.
"Hmm...not sure...maybe another, just to be clear..."He teased back.
"You really are one of a kind..."Helga said with a playful eye roll.
She didn't disappoint him however, as she placed a quick kiss on his lips, which he returned.
Both of them were still tense about this whole situation, but at the very least, the people who mattered to them were still on their side. And as Helga promised, she would also remain on his side too.
That would have to do for now.
-To be continued-
Next time on A Broken Heart
The Next Day...Again!
A/N(1): Happy Valentines Day, everyone :) 3
A/N(2): I dedicate this chapter to my friends, my family and my love for God :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
Kryten: (I also smacks Arnold).
Invader Johnny: Arnold's greatest weakness is being dense, after all.
DeepVoice'06: I am glad that you have enjoyed this so far.
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)
