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 75: Misunderstandings and More Tension

Previously.

"He's gone too far this time. It's bad enough that he is influencing Helga but making her keep secrets from me?!...'Arnold said.

"Jealousy and possessiveness are diseases, Arnold. They can spread from one person and keep spreading until someone else gets hurt in the process..."Voz said.

Voz continued to speak to him, giving him more and more instructions as he got off the stoop and started walking away, going home.

And Arnold's distrust and anger continued to grow, along with his sadness as he realized that Helga has kept more from him than he previously believed.


Saturday

Arnold was feeling restless.

He had been waiting to received some information from Voz. After he learned that Helga had moved, he sent a text to Voz and asked him if he knew where Helga is living right now.

He seemed to know, since he said that he would send him her address...saying something along the lines that he has to see it for himself.

Arnold was confused but he found himself waiting for that information until the next morning. Arnold had woken up at precisely 7:00am in the morning, waking up earlier than usual on a Saturday, due to wanting to be prepare for Voz's call or message or whatever.

He checked his cell phone and saw no texts or missed calls yet. He was getting frustrated.

"I hope he calls soon or sends something..."Arnold thought as he walked into the kitchen, seeing that his parents are already there, awake.

Ever since they came home, they'd been early risers. Who could blame them? After all, they sleeping for ten years...

They were already seated, while his grandmother was busy cooking some eggs and bacon, or in her words "English casserole" or whatever she is calling it this morning as she began to sing a strange song.

"Good morning, sweetie..."Stella greeted.

"Morning, son.."Miles said while his mother kept singing her song.

"Asante sana squash banana, Wewe nugu mimi hapana~..."Grandma sang as she as she came in with breakfast.

Seeing him, she smiled and greeted her beloved grandson.

"Up a little early today, aren't we Kimba...?" She asked with a knowing look.

Arnold didn't notice as he took some bacon and eggs for himself.

"Well, I am..going to go see Helga later, today..."Arnold said, before noticing his parents sent a look.

"Are... are you sure, son?..."Miles said.

"What?...'Arnold questioned.

"Uh...nothing son..."Miles said, before sending a look to his wife.

"We should have a talk with him soon..."Stella whispered when Arnold wasn't looking.

They knew that their son had strong feelings for Helga, and they had hoped that sooner or later, they would become an item.

Stella and Miles really did like Helga and saw her as the daughter they never had. And after seeing how their son look at her, they were hoping she would be eventually.

After all, not only did she save their lives but she was a very nice, smart, sweet and strong girl. She is exactly what their son needed. They just knew that they would make the cutest couple.

However, the fact that Helga is dating someone else made that seem unlikely.

At least, for now.

They could still remember the last time they spoke with her and saw her boyfriend with their own eyes. They didn't speak to him but it was obvious that he is the one who Helga is currently involved with.


FLASHBACK

A green packard drove down the street and inside the car were Miles and Stella Shortman.

They were driving together after a long day of cataloguing artifacts in the anthropology department at Hillwood University to pick up their son from school.

Yeah, they had to start working sooner or later. Even if Miles parent's were more than willing to support them until they got back on their feet and as much as they wanted to spend time with Arnold, they couldn't just keep waiting from 8:30 to 3:30 and not do anything in between that time.

So, they managed to get that job and fortunately, they still had time to go pick up their son.

Miles and Stella Shortman were loving being back in Hillwood. They truly did.

With so much having changed and so much remaining the same, they wanted to experience it all.

The best part was getting to know their son. It broke their heart that they missed out on so much of of his life, but they knew that it could have been much worse and it almost was.

In many ways, they should consider themselves lucky that the sleeping sickness had only put them in a coma, instead of killing them during all those years. The children of the Green Eye people did a good job in taking them and their own parents during that time until their son and his friends came to give them the cure.

Their son, their precious little Arnold.

He really had grown up to be such a fine young man and they wanted to know everything about him.

They wanted to know about his likes, his dislikes, his hobbies and his friends.

Since they had been cured, they spent as much time learning these things, including his dear little friends such as Gerald.

He was the only friend that they had already been familiar with, since he and Arnold had been playmates since they were babies. He had shot up like a weed from that little baby crawling around with Arnold in the sandbox where they'd first met.

They learned that he was a very nice, smart and level headed boy and a very good friend for their little Arnold.

The rest of Arnold's friends were colorful and interesting. These boys Sid, Stinky and Harold were pretty rowdy but were very nice. A girl named Rhonda seemed very nice, though she seemed to come from a very indulgent atmosphere, while her friend Nadine seemed to have a deep fascination with insects. Another friend was a nice boy named Eugene who was even clumsier than Miles and had needed Stella to check his ankle the last time he had come over to play with Arnold. Curly had been rather...odd, but they were used to strong personalities thanks to Gertie, so they didn't mind.

They were all good kids and good friends to their son, though something Miles had noticed that Arnold would always get a certain smile on his face when he talked about a certain girl.

Helga G. Pataki, the girl who helped save their lives and who their son clearly has come to adore.

Miles had vague memories of a Bob Pataki from his time in high school, he had been a senior and head of the school's wrestling team when Miles had been a freshman and member of his class's science club.

He wondered if they were related. If they were, he must be very proud of the amazing daughter that he raised.

Helga really was a special girl and he knew that his son believed that too.

Who knows? Maybe one day, Miles would be calling Helga his daughter-in-law.

She certainly had his approval and he knew that she had Stella's too. He could see them as a couple and maybe a bride and groom someday, getting married and having kids together.

"Wouldn't that be something..." Miles thought with a grin on his face as they drove in his fathers car.

"Stop that, Miles..." Stella said from her place in the passenger seat while she was keeping her attention on the phone in her hands as she was typing an email to a colleague of hers in Tibet.

Technology was really amazing today. Everyone had a little computer in their pocket and even his dad was showing him how it worked.

"Stop thinking about what?..." Miles asked innocently while Stella shot him a look.

"I know that look...and you were muttering something about Arnold and his nice little friend Helga...let them be...they're young. If it happens, it happens...'Stella said, being more level headed.

Miles nodded, tapping his fingers. He knew that his wife is right, that he shouldn't be getting ahead of himself but he has always been a hopeless romantic and a dreamer.

He had fallen in love with Stella since the first moment he saw her and he knew right then that he wanted to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. He knew his son is young but they learned the hard way that he won't stay that way forever. Miles just wanted to make sure that his son will one day have what he himself has with Stella.

He just wanted to know that his son found true love, with someone who would take good care of him.

Maybe he is a little premature, but he really does think that Helga could be the one. After all, not many girls would brave the jungles to stand by a boy and then go above and beyond to help him find his missing parents.

She truly is special.

"Well, maybe we could speed things along a little..."Miles said in a coy tone.

Stella looked up from her phone,

"How so?..." She asked.

"Maybe we could invite Helga to pizza with us and Arnold... than I'll go to the bathroom while you have an important phone call..."Miles suggested with a sly look on his face.

Stella hummed.

"That's strange, because I distinctly remember a similar thing happening to us a few months after we came back when Arnold was a baby..."Stella said.

"Oh right..." Miles had forgotten how, about three months after they had come back, his parents had taken them out for pizza, and how they both magically disappeared halfway into the meal, taking Arnold with them to give them some privacy.

At least until his mother showed up with a violin and played Bella Notte from Lady and the Tramp.

"Well...it worked for us, didn't it..." Miles said Stella rolled her eyes

"We were married, with a baby and sleep deprived..."Stella pointed out.

"So?..." Miles asked.

Stella sighed.

Truth be told she did have a soft spot for Helga. She was one of the bravest young women she'd ever met and she and Miles owe her their lives.

It wouldn't be so bad if Arnold got with a girl like her one day. However, she knew that her husband is a sap for romance and...well, Stella might be a little sappy about it too.

But there is nothing wrong with a parent wanting to help their son find love, right?

"Alright, I guess it couldn't hurt...we'll ask but I'm not playing Bella Notte..."She said playfully.

Miles smiled playfully back at her.

"That's a shame, you're amazing on the violin..." Miles said lovingly.

Then again, he was a million percent biased about his wife's ability with...well, anything really.

They pulled in front of PS 118. They were waiting for their son, only to notice Helga.

She seemed to be waiting for someone.

Stella gave him a look but Miles shrugged

"I swear I didn't plan anything..."He said, meaning it.

Stella looked at him for a minute before she believed him. Getting out of the car, Miles followed after putting the car in park.

Helga was tapping her foot looking at the door of the school.

"Where is he?..."She muttered impatiently.

"Hey Helga..." Miles said.

Helga turned to Miles and Stella. She was surprised to say the least.

"Oh, uh...Hi Miles..."Helga said, since he had insisted on her using his first name the last time they spoke.

"What's up?..." She said, trying to be polite as she could be with her former loves parents.

"Not much..." Miles said.

"Anyway, my wife and I were wondering if you'd like to join us and Arnold for pizza later today..."Miles offered.

Miles watched in confusion as Helga's polite grin turned into a frown

Was it something he said?

"Wow, I didn't think Olga would sink this low and I honestly expected better from the two of you..."Helga said, looking truly upset about something.

No, not upset.

Mad.

But why?

Now it was Miles turn to frown.

"Expected better about what? And who's Olga?..."He thought.

"Helga, we don't know what your talking about..." Stella said "We really would just like to spend time with you..."She said.

Helga looked Stella in the eye. Stella had seen that look in the eyes of battle hardened soldiers. It was almost alien coming from a eleven year old girl.

After a tense moment the look faded away and Helga then looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry for accusing you...My older sister Olga had used one of my classmates to do her dirty business and I thought...look, I'm sorry..."Helga apologized, while Miles and Stella looked even more confused.

What kind of dirty business did Helga's sister do that involved her sister?

Now they were getting worried.

"Helga dear, do you need help? Should we call the police?..." Stella asked concerned for her.

Helga shook her head and waved her hands to show them that her answer is no.

"No! Nothing like that. It's just some stupid family drama..."Helga said.

"Family drama?...'They both thought, confused.

What is going on here?

Helga had a calmer look on her face as she spoke to them now.

"Look, thanks for the offer but I have plans with my boyfriend today..."She said.

Stella understood while Miles it seemed didn't.

"Well, why not bring him along? The more the merrier..." He said and Stella resisted the urge to slap her forehead.

Her husband may be a romantic, but he is still pretty darn clueless to the obvious.

"Maybe another time...bye..." Helga said, before walking off.

Miles and Stella watched her go to a Latino boy in a blue plaid shirt. He looked at them for a second before Helga kissed him on the cheek and then the two walked off together.

"Hey mom...hey dad..." Arnold said, walking up to them.

This brought a sad grin to their faces.

They missed so much of their sons life all because of a sickness. They didn't regret going to help the Green eye's but they missed out on so much...

"Hey Arnold, how do you feel about pizza for dinner?..."Stella asked and Arnold grinned

"Sure, that sounds good. Do you think Gerald could come?...'Arnold asked and Miles nodded.

"Sure, the more the merrier..." Miles said

"We wanted to invite your friend Helga but she said that she has plans with her boyfriend..."Miles said.

Arnold's gaze hardened for a second into a look that Miles knew pretty well.

Jealousy.

He had experienced it a few times before he got married, like this one time they had been attending a Helpers for Humanity conference and some pretty boy doctor tried to hit on Stella.

If his son felt for Helga what he suspected that he felt for her, Miles could only feel sorry for him.

Miles put a hand on Arnold's shoulder, thinking that it is the right thing to do.

"You know, if there's something you want to talk to us about...you can..."Miles said and Stella sent a sympathetic look.

Arnold shook his head, before sending his father a smile.

"I'm fine dad, really..."Arnold said before getting into the car.

Stella and Miles wondered just how true that was.

End Of Flashback


That was how it went and they felt sorry for their son. They had tried to ask how he felt but he keeps insisting that he and Helga are JUST friends and that he only wants what is best for her.

Denial is not just a river in Egypt, it seems. Especially when Arnold is concern.

As they began to eat, his father spilled some coffee on his shirt.

"Oh man, my shirt..."Miles complained, while Stella sighed.

"Come on, let's see if we can get it out, before the stain sets in...'Stella said as she took her husband to go fix him up.

Leaving Arnold alone with his kooky but lovable grandmother.

"So, you off to see that sweet little girl today, Kimba?...'Grandma asked.

"Yeah..."Arnold said, while Gertie noticed the expression on his face.

'Any particular reason?..."Gertie asked and Arnold flinched.

"I...I just want to see how she is doing, that's all..."Arnold said, being vague.

Gertie noticed and sighed.

"Oh, Kimba..."Gertie whispered.

Despite how she might act, Gertrude "Gertie" Shortman wasn't crazy. Well, maybe she was a little, but what's life without some spontaneity?

She was at least sane enough to notice that lately, her grandson has been acting different and she knew the reason why.

She'd seen that Arnold had a crush on a certain angry blonde one who, until last summer at least, was head over heels in love with him, though she doubted that he noticed. Arnold took a lot from his grandpa Phil, and that includes being clueless when it comes to girls.

She doubted that he even realized or was even willing to admit that he was becoming smitten with the young girl who, for a long time, held a torch for him, though it was obvious that he was upset about what has been happening with her lately.

Her husband Phil told her about this new fella she was seeing, Drake Something or other, and how he was a 'bad boy' . Though she is not sure how bad, since Phil told her but he might might be exaggerated since the source( Arnold) wasn't very reliable while he was in the clutches of the Green eyed monster.

"My poor boy... She thought. "Why do so many girls go for the bad boy? I learned the hard way it doesn't always last..."She thought.

The worse part is that her grandson still doesn't seem to be aware, or willing to accept what his true feelings ARE.

With that, she gave her grandson a tussle in his hair.

"Jealous or concerned?..." The grandmother's words got Arnold's attention.

"Grandma, what are you talking about?..."Arnold asked, wondering what brought this about.

"Just giving some advice. Being young has its disadvantages. Especially when the heart is concerned, but you'll learn..." Grandma said. She gave a pause for Arnold to process her words before resuming.

"The heart wants what the heart wants Arnold..." She said Arnold looked at her confused.

"I don't know what your talking about..."Arnold said, before he could ask, his grandmother went back to her singing.

"Asante sana squash banana, Wewe nugu mimi hapana~..." She sang again as she walked past Arnold, who looked confused.

Unknown to her grandson, once she walked out of the kitchen, she frowned.

"Poor Arnold..."She thought, feeling sad for him.

She threw in her two cents but in the end, parents can't make these kinds of choices for their kids. Not even grandparents.

Arnold walked out, just in time for Miles and Stella to walk back in.

"What were you and Arnold talking about, mom?" Stella asked while Gertie got out ingredients for breakfast after, all she had a boarding house full of boarders to feed.

"Poor boy's been bitten by the worst kind of bug possible..."Gertie said, once she was sure that he was out of ear shot.

Stella gasped in horror.

"A harvester ant?!..."Stella exclaimed but Gertie shook her head.

"This is what happens when you're gone for years... I mean jealousy..."Gertie clarified.

Stella realized this while Miles seemed to nod. He was well aware of that already.

"I tried to give him some advice from when I was his age..." Gertie talked casually. The two looked at each other as they were aware of how she did her talks.

"Well, I hope you got through to Arnold..." Stella commented.

"Maybe I did...maybe I didn't. It's up to Arnold to decide..." Grandma Gertie had finished mixing up the ingredients for preparation.

"I see...I'll talk to him later..."Miles said to his mother.

He has missed so much of his son's life due to unfortunate circumstances but he is grateful to be back. He can't ignore the fact that his son is growing up and is feeling things that he doesn't understand yet.

Or doesn't want to understand.

"Are you sure, son?..."Gertie asked in her rare moment of lucidity.

"Yeah... I know what it's like, remember?..."Miles said.

Gertie nodded seems like someone remembered her old advice from when he was Arnold's age.

"Just remember, you're still new to this, so take it slow..."Gertie warned before she continued making breakfast.


After breakfast, Arnold walked out of the kitchen and then notice that a letter with a "V" on it had been slipped under the front door.

He knew that it was Voz and inside the letter, was Helga's new address.

"This is it..."Arnold thought as he gripped the paper in his hand.

He needed answers and there is only one way to get them.

He has to go to Helga and ask her directly.

As Arnold read the address, his eyes widen in shock.

"W-What? This can't be right..."Arnold muttered in disbelief as he re-read the address again, just to see if he has somehow misread it.

No, it was clear and Arnold couldn't believe it.

He grabbed his jacket and made a mad dash out the door, not even noticing the animals run out as he started running down the street.

He has to see this for himself.


Later

Running as fast as he could, Arnold managed to arrive to the address that Voz had given him. If the information was correct, then where Helga currently lived in wasn't too far away but he hoped that the information was wrong.

He just had to see this for himself and he needed to hurry and talk to her before she either left and went straight to Drake!

After a few minutes of non stop running at top speed, he made his way to downtown, Arnold stopped by an old, rundown looking building that was his destination.

It was the crippling but surprisingly still in business Beeper Store that belongs to Helga's father.

Big Bobs Beepers, which has clearly seen better days.

"Helga can't really be living here, could she?...'Arnold muttered.

Arnold wasn't exactly sure it was legal to live in a store!

He looked around and saw things that only made him more sure of his hunch. He saw a mail box with the Pataki name and only one car parked here...a car that belonged to Helga's father, he recognized it from the time his grandpa had a golf match with Mr. Pataki.

He then heard something that confirmed his theory. It was the was very familiar sound of Big Bob Pataki screaming.

" I'M TELLING YOU, YOUNG LADY! YOU NEED TO DROP THAT MEXICAN PUNK AND FIND A BETTER BOYFRIEND! ANYONE IS BETTER THAN HIM, EXPECT THAT ORPHAN PUNK, ALFRED!..."Bob yelled, not knowing or caring if the outside world could hear him.

"HE IS NOT AN ORPHAN AND DRAKE IS NOT MEXICAN! HE'S PUERTO RICAN! GET IT RIGHT!..."The sound of Helga's yell was also heard, which confirmed Arnold's theory.

"DON'T USE THAT TONE WITH ME! YOU'RE HANGING WITH CROOKS AND ORPHANS! WHY CAN'T YOU BE MORE LIKE YOUR SISTER!?..."Bob yelled.

Arnold heard this and he shook his head, not liking what he was hearing.

"Well Mr. Pataki sounds as "charming" as ever. I can't believe that he is still that bias against orphans from last year...Wait, whose Alfred?..."Arnold thought out loud.

"BECAUSE I ACTUALLY HAVE A MIND OF MY OWN! AH!..."Was screamed, before the sound of something breaking and even more rants from Mr. Pataki.

That's when he saw her coming out of Beepers. Or rather, stormed out, muttering something under her breath and since she was looking back at the store in disgust, she didn't see where she was going.

"CRIMINY! STUPID BOB! STUPID MIRIAM! AH!..."She yelled as she walked into him almost knocking him over.

Helga was now on the ground and then started yelling at whoever knocked her down, worsening her already foul mood.

"Watch where your going you-" Helga stopped when she saw Arnold and for once, she was rendered speechless, with the exception of this.

"A-Arnold?!..."Helga exclaimed in shock, mortified to see that he is here.

"Helga?..."Arnold said, realizing that it is true.

She is living at the Beeper Store...and she didn't tell him.

Helga quickly got up and seems to be trying to save some face here.

"I...I mean, Football Head, why are you here?..."Helga said, trying to play if cool.

And failing.

Arnold blinked for a moment, still surprised to see she is indeed living in her father's store.

"So it's true...you're actually living here..."Arnold said, sounding sad for her.

Helga stiffened before sounding agitated.

"Who told you?!..."Helga demanded, looking totally mad and humiliated. Arnold winced and stepped back a bit, due to how upset she sounds.

He wondered if he should tell her about the direction he got from Voz, but Voz specified not to tell ANYONE yet. That includes Helga.

"I...I went to your old house yesterday...The man who lives there now said that you moved a while back..."Arnold said, using a half truth.

"Helga groaned and uttered a familiar phrase.

"Criminy..."She said covering her face in shame.

Arnold felt sorry for her but at the same time, he was upset with her too.

"Why didn't you tell m-anyone?..." He saved himself.

"What?..."Helga said, moving her hands enough to show her eyes.

Arnold looked at Helga sadly as he took a step closer to her.

"Why didn't you tell anyone about you moving out of your house?..."Arnold asked again.

"The real question being why didn't you tell me..."Arnold thought to himself.

Helga just crossed her arms, looked mad, mostly to cover up the humiliation she feels right now.

"Like it's anyone's business about where I sleep!..." Helga said snapped.

"Helga..."Arnold said and Helga ended up looking to see the concern in the football heads boys eyes.

Helga sighed.

"Oh Arnold...stupid, noble, emotionally blind Arnold..."Helga thought in a mixture of annoyance and acceptance.

"Look Arnold it's not personal...I didn't even tell Phoebe at first and she has to work hard to work to get things out of me..."Helga said.

It was true. It took from Kindergarten till first grade for Phoebe to learn about her past crush on Arnold though Phoebe wasn't trying that hard to find out.

When you are best friends with the smartest girl at PS 118, she is bound to figure you out sooner or later,

"Does Drake know?..." Arnold asked and Helga was oblivious to the jealous anger in his voice.

Helga nodded and Arnold almost looked insulted for some reason, but why?

"You told Drake? But not m-... the rest of our friends?..."Arnold asked, sounding hurt and Helga groaned.

"Did... Drake tell you not to tell anyone?..."Arnold asked.

"What? No! Why the heck would you think that?!..." Helga snapped.

Arnold stepped back and Helga took a breath to calm down.

"Look... Bob's idea to move in was so embarrassing and stupid that I've been hiding before I met Drake. It was even before we found your parents..." She answered. "I just don't want anyone to know..."She confessed.

"That my dad is a total idiot who both thinks your name is Alfred or Arthur and he'd rather ruin his own family's lives than to swallow his pride and switch to cell phones..."Helga grumbled.

Wait...I'm Alfred ?..."Arnold asked out loud.

"Believe me, it's not a term of endearment..." Helga said and Arnold raised a brow.

Before he could ponder on that, a new question came to him and he just had to know.

"Wait... how are you making money?..." He asked.

"We're not..." She admitted.

"My mom applied for welfare, but if things keep up like this...I don't know how much longer we'll be staying in this dump..."She said, looking even more ashamed right now.

"As for Drake, he found out on his own and I made him promise to keep it between us..."Helga said.

Arnold realize that his previous theory had been wrong. Drake didn't make Helga keep this from him but she chose to.

Why did that make him feel worse about it?

Arnold then realized that Helga has basically been homeless for well over a year now and things seem to be getting worse for her.

Arnold forgot his jealousy towards Drake and felt sympathy.

"Oh man... Helga. Why didn't you come to me, at least? I could have helped!..."Arnold said.

"I could have-

"Because you can't fix everything!..." She snapped at him again. "You keep trying to help or fix but you can't help everyone or everything, Football head!..."She yelled at him.

Arnold stepped back more, his hands in the air in defense.

"I-I'm sorry!..."He didn't know what else to say at this point.

Helga, seeing how startled he is, calmed down.

"I'm sorry too..." She muttered. "I just really hate living in this stupid place..."She said as she sank to the ground, hugging her knees.

Arnold hated seeing her like this. He sat down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I wish I could help..."Arnold said.

"Me too..."Helga said.

Unknown to the two, Drake was around the corner and overheard them.


Earlier with Drake

Drake was having a good day, bundled up in a jacket.

He had woke up from an awesome dream, where he had won the World Cup and earned his face in the athlete's hall of fame, while the whole world, especially his girlfriend Helga cheered him on, her telling him that she is proud of him. After that awesome dream, his mom made his favorite breakfast, before he went to get ready for his day with Helga.

His mom did tell him to wear a jacket since she said that it might snow this week, which Drake hoped would happen.

After all, where there was snow, there was sledding, snowball fights and hot chocolate.

He briefly was imagining himself and his best girl, sitting in his living room with cups of hot chocolate after a day in the snow. It brought a smile to his face.

To his disappointment, no snow yet but he was sure that in time, there will be. He still was on his way to his girlfriends to go on yet another wonderful date.

They were going to meet up at their usual bus stop, but she hasn't shown up yet.

"Weird...she's never late...'Drake muttered as he decided to go in the direction of the beeper store.

He really hoped that her dad wasn't keeping her in there against her will. He had no right, especially due to being such a lousy dad that didn't treat Helga as she deserved.

He made it to the street of the beeper store, but he then saw something that he didn't like seeing.

He saw his girlfriend at the end of it...talking to Arnold of all people.

"What is HE doing here?..."Drake thought in anger.

They didn't seem to notice him yet, and he only heard these parts.

"As for Drake, he found out on his own and I made him promise to keep it between us..."Helga said.

"I found out what on my own?..." Drake said quietly before seeing his best girl with his worst enemy conversing.

Wait, his girlfriend and his worst enemy were taking, just a street away from Helga's so called home?

Does that mean Arnold knew where Helga lived?

Why does that bother him?

Did he always know and Helga just never tell him? No, she'd tell him if that was so...right?

For some reason, Arnold started sounding upset over something and took another step closer to his girlfriend. He was TOO close, as far as he was concern

"Oh man... Helga. Why didn't you come to me, at least? I could have helped!.."Arnold said.

"Help? Help with what?..."Drake thought.

Was Big Bob giving Helga more trouble than he thought? Why didn't she tell him?

"I could have-

Before Arnold could finish, Helga cut him off, looking truly upset. It worried Drake to say the least.

"Because you can't fix everything!..." She snapped at him again. "You keep trying to help or fix but you can't help everyone or everything, Football head!"..."She yelled at him.

"I-I'm sorry!..."He said as he held hands in the air in defense.

Helga, seeing how startled he is, calmed down.

"I'm sorry too..." She muttered. "I just really hate living in this stupid place..."She said as she sank to the ground, hugging her knees.

Drake saw this as he began walking, wanting to go check on her. However, he saw and heard something that made him feel pretty upset too.

Arnold sat down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

It made Drake frown. His enemy was touching his girlfriend...and it and it infuriated him beyond belief...and that weasel knew it.

"I wish I could help..."Arnold said.

"Me too..."Helga said.

Drake heard that and for reasons that he cannot explain, he didn't like this.

"She wishes he could help? But... what about me? I could help her out..."Drake thought, feeling strange right now.

He didn't quite understand what they were talking about completely. He just assumed Helga meant only Arnold's help, not just help in general.

"Dios Mio, what's going on with those two?..."Drake thought.

He didn't like this.

"Look, you can't tell anyone about this. This isn't something you can help with..." Helga sighed.

"But Helga..."Arnold started, while the blonde girl sent him a glare.

"Just let me handle it. I don't need your help!..."She snapped.

Arnold wanted to protest to that fact, but a stern stare from Helga cut off any attempted response.

Drake decided to make his presence know, acting like he hadn't been listening in on them.

"Hey Helga..." Drake called out, getting his girlfriends attention.

"Drake..."Helga said as she got up.

"Just promise me not to mention this to anyone Arnold...please?..."Helga said.

She hardly ever used that word but right now, she is desperate.

Arnold was upset but he nodded, which made Helga smiled.

Drake heard this.

"Promises?..."Drake thought, not liking the sound of this but it can't be that bad if she was saying it with him in ear shot, right?

"Thanks...Later Football Head...I've got a boyfriend to see..." Helga walked over to her boyfriend.

Arnold glared for a moment at Drake. Drake returned the glare before he hugged Helga. He was just glad that she didn't look worse for wear and that she was away from the blonde rat in the hat.

Drake and Arnold traded one more glare at each other before they walked off.

Drake didn't think he could really understand hate but looking at Arnold, hearing his voice or just thinking about Arnold made him feel it.

There have been times where he just wanted to give in to the anger and deck him, forgetting the consequences but if he did that, he'd be breaking every promise he made to his mom and old friends...and also, it would just prove that the little freak had been right about him.

He doesn't want to let that happen.

Drake looked to Helga, still curious over what that whole thing was about.

"So...what did Shortman want?..."Drake asked, trying to not sound like he had been overhearing something he shouldn't.

Helga sighed, looking embarrassed.

"He found out that I am living at the beeper store..."Helga said.

"Oh...'Drake said, though he realized something.

"So that means, she hasn't told him...wait, how did he find out?..."Drake thought.

As Drake pondered the situation, Helga continued.

"Yeah, he found out and asked me what happened and why I kept it a secret..."Helga said.

Drake frowned

"You...have no obligation to tell anyone if you don't want to..."Drake said, secretly relieved for some reason.

After all, Helga never told him, he found out on his own.

Which seems to be the case with Shortman...or someone else told him...if so, who?

"How did that little creep find out? Has he been following her around? Is he really THAT obsessed with her?!...'Drake thought, before shaking that thought away.

Maybe that was just paranoia talking. He shouldn't go jumping to conclusions like that...that has caused him a lot of troubles in the past.

"Calm down Drake...you have been down this road before...don't freak...try to think..."He thought, in a rare moment of clarity.

He tried to think of other possibilities.

Maybe it was Helga's sister? The one he hasn't met yet. It was plausible. She DID try using Lila as her voice piece to manipulate his girlfriend, just as Helga told him...or ranted at him during her habitual "I hate my sister" outbursts.

Lila had apologized and said it was nothing personal, she was just doing a favor for her "Big Sis", which Drake didn't care enough to ask about. Normally, he'd be peeved at something like what she did, but Helga, despite not liking her, said that Lila isn't the problem and her sister is, since she made Lila do that sort of thing.

Drake hasn't met Olga Pataki yet, but he already knew that he didn't like her.

Anyway, if she told Lila, she probably told Arnold too. Although Helga told him that Olga was a moron who couldn't remember Arnold's name and called him Arthur

Seriously, what with Helga's family and remembering other people's names? Drake learned his classmates names in a couple days.

"I know and I told him that but the little shrimp -

Helga stopped talking and shook her head Drake looked at her concerned...and his anger is being directed at Arnold once more.

Since in a way, it really doesn't matter to him HOW he found out or WHO told him. He just didn't want Arnold to get in the way of his relationship again!

"What about Shortman?..." Drake asked, thinking of putting his face on a dartboard.

It wasn't as satisfying as punching him but it would do .

Helga sighed.

"You know, it's the first time in weeks that he hasn't been acting like he got a personality transplant and he acted like his standard do-goody self.."She said and Drake raised a brow at that.

Drake briefly wondered if Arnold's crush on his girlfriend was a recent thing. If Helga is this unaware, it probably was.

She did mention that ever since last Summer, when she helped cure his parents, he started acting different around her.

It's likely that is when Arnold's little crush began.

Heck, Drake knew that if a girl had saved his mom's life from a sleeping sickness, she'd be one of the most amazing people in his eyes...and that made him more annoyed

"So, he has know her since they were little and just NOW wants her, when he knows that she has me...this is so typical.."Drake thought in annoyance.

Helga seeing the look on his face, kissed him on the cheek

He smiled.

"What was that one for?..."Drake said, not minding at all.

Why would he? He likes it when his girl bestows a kiss on him.

"I just felt like it..." Helga answered.

Drake smiled.

"Too bad for Shortman, I'm not letting her go..."Drake thought.

He did remember the boy saying that he wish that he could help her...with her family situation, he realizes that now.

"You know, if you need help with your dad...all you have to do is ask me..."Drake said.

Helga blinked, wondering how their conversation got there but she remembered that her dad had been yelling and she wouldn't be too surprised if Drake had heard some of it, even a few blocks away.

"Hey don't you worry so much..." Helga said "I'm Helga G. Pataki and I can handle worse than Big Bob..."She said with a confident smile.

'What about Arnold Shortman?...' Drake thought before he nodded, holding Helga hand tighter.

"I'm always gonna worry about you, Helga..."Drake said.

He adores her. He cares about her endlessly, especially since he found out about her lousy home life. He wished he could do more for her, but there is so much a kid his age can do. Thankfully, his precious Helga is tough and she knew that no matter what, she's got him now.

Helga held his hand tighter

"And I'm glad for it..."She said.

Helga ran ahead, pulling Drake with her

"Now come on, you big lug! Enough mushy junk, there's a couple of burgers with our names on them..."Helga said, since they had made plans to get some burgers as part of their date today.

Drake grinned and his stomach rumbled. Despite the threat, he chose to spend time in the present, right now his date.

"Sounds like a plan..."He said.

"Shortman can wait. Right now, it's burger time...."Drake thought, while Helga laughed.

He really loved the sound of her laugh.

"Well, of course it is! Now come on, I'm hungry!" Helga told him.

Drake laughed.

"Of course, how silly of me to forget..."Drake said before he left with his girlfriend, putting his worries behind him for now.


Later

Drake had just left Helga at their bus stop, since that is as far as walking her home as they can do, without her stupid dad bothering them.

Today had been a good day, despite the unwelcome intrusion from Arnold at the beginning.

He and Helga had gotten those burgers at a karaoke style diner, and they listen to some classic tunes, that Drake enjoyed singing off-key too, much to Helga's annoyance and mild amusement.

After that, they took a walk by the lake and even fed the ducks and spent the rest of the afternoon, just enjoying the scenic sights of Hillwood.

Though there was only one sight that Drake truly enjoyed and she had blonde hair, blue eyes and cute dimples and a special smile that she honored him with.

Has he mentioned that he has the BEST girlfriend ever?

Helga is so cute, funny, spunky and lovable! He really did wonder why it took him three weeks to realize he had a thing for her, and even longer to work the nerve to ask her out?

Maybe it's a little early to think this, but he thinks he found his soul mate in her.

Helga has seen his past and did not reject him. If anything, she was the most supportive for moving on.

"Not gonna lie, Shortman aside, things with Helga are great!. Heck, I can't imagine my life without her anymore..."He thought in a smitten way as he made his way to his apartment.

Drake stepped onto the welcome mat, when he heard something crumpled under his foot.

"Huh? What the?...'Drake said as he notice what was on the bottom of his shoe.

Curiously, Drake looked down and saw a note.

His eyes narrowed when he saw what was on it.

Picking up a note, reading what was written in messy black handwriting. Once he did, he felt a burning hot rage fill his chest as he saw the words written on the piece of paper.

"She'll see who you REALLY are, Mad Dragon..."

Drake ran away from the door, looking to see if he could spot that rat.

He saw no one, but he could still feel threatened and when he feels threat...he gets mad.

Drake crumpled up the paper

"This isn't over...Shortman...'Drake hissed as he gripped the crumbled paper in his fist.

He went straight to thinking Arnold was responsible. Sure, it has no name and he doesn't really know Arnold's handwriting but it HAS to be him. He is making threats again and is trying to get in his way and trying to ruin things with Helga...AGAIN!

Drake kicked a nearby trashcan in anger, not knowing or caring that it wasn't the right moved. It didn't tip and Drake hurt his foot, but the pain only aggravated his rage.

Feeding it.

As he rubbed his foot, his anger about being threatened still didn't fade.

"Shortman..."He hissed out, almost like it was a curse word, before he left back for his apartment.

His good mood from his date, now replaced with anger and apprehension over the potential threat he is facing here.

From down the block, someone spied from around the corner, where Drake couldn't see him.

"I know you haven't changed...Mad Dragon. You just be you, and I'll show everyone who you really are deep down inside..."This person said in a low tone, a smirk forming on their face.

To be continued-

Next time on A Broken Heart

Misunderstandings and More Tension Part 2


A/N: Special thanks to BeConfuzzled Writer, 61394 and NeoMark for their help. You guys are the best ;)


REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:

Kryten: Drake is showing sings of being insecure, but to be honest, if you know that someone is trying to spy on you and you think is after their girlfriend, they'd be upset too.

Invader Johnny: Yeah, but even someone as wise as Arnold, is still young and is affected by his own emotional turmoil.

Madi Anivar: You got that right. Then again, when a person is jealous, it makes them easily influenced to things they hear around.

DanteVirgil09: We shall see...we shall see.

Rose Tiger: Too late...

61394: Eh, Olga might be "bright", but I always thought that like her father, unless it benefits her in some way, she doesn't bother to remember some things like that.

The J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbuh i: You can say that again.

Kimagure Bijin: Well, Arnold knows now and he is definitely not happy.


:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)