Chapter 15:Fun

"Arnold. Hey Football Head!"

"Huh?" Arnold looked over his left shoulder with a confused look on his face.

Helga just rolled her eyes and sigh." You had your head stuck in the clouds. You've been doing that a lot more often over the past two weeks."

Arnold just sighed and looked down at his tray of food. Today's lunch was not as luxurious as most of their meals were. They were served some sort of mystery meat today that the lunch ladies called meatloaf. It was accompanied with green beans and cups of slices peaches. Arnold had eaten the peach slices but left the rest for Helga, who was currently grabbing his tray.

"Sorry Helga." Arnold said as he laid his tired head down on his propped up hands." I didn't get much sleep last night."

"You excited to see your dad again?" Helga asked as she dove her fork into her meatloaf.

Arnold had to admit, it was going to be exciting to see Miles back the boarding house. It was now November the 3rd and after not seeing his dad for over a month, Arnold was ready to see him back home and safe. But that wasn't the reason he wasn't getting much sleep at night.

"I mean, don't get me wrong Helga, I'm ready to see him. But, that's not the reason I couldn't get much sleep." Arnold said with a small sigh." I was just really stressed last night."

Helga had a mouth full of meatloaf, but she looked over and Arnold and said." Well, probably because your still so worried about what happened with my locker. I mean criminy football head, it's over. No one has even mentioned anything about it this week."

Arnold just continued to stare off into the cafeteria ahead of him. It had now been over two weeks since the fight with Gerald went down. Two weeks and four days be exact. It had also been two of the most awkward weeks of his life. He and Gerald didn't talk at all. They never texted, they never called, they didn't even look at each other in public. It was like they hadn't even met before. And the regret was starting to build up inside of Arnold.

Also, the little bit of time Arnold had gotten to spend looking for clues, he hadn't found any. The only clue he had discovered was the can of spray paint he had found in Gerald's backpack. And if Gerald really was telling the truth and he didn't do it, then why would someone put it in his backpack to put the blame on him? It wasn't like Gerald had anyone mad at him or wanted to get back at him for something.

"I know Helga." Arnold said calmly as he continued to stare out in the cafeteria." But things are just different. Me and Gerald aren't even friends anymore it seems like. It's just really weird."

Helga swallowed her huge bite of meatloaf and took a sip of water." Well, you shouldn't worry about it football head. Just give him some time, he'll apologize."

Arnold continued to stare off into space." I don't know Helga. He really hasn't even attempted to talk to me over the past couple of weeks. I mean, we've had our fair share of fights in the past, but none near as bad as this."

Helga just sighed and looked down at her plate." Hair boy, you two have always been friends, like since day one. Heck, I remember in preschool you two were closer than all the other kids were. If he really didn't spray paint my locker like you said, then he'll come around eventually."

"I guess so." Arnold said with a sigh.

Helga slowly took another sip of water." Pheebs has been calling me off the hook the past few days. I just haven't been accepting any of her calls."

"Why not?" Arnold asked her with a puzzled look on her face." If she's trying to call, then maybe you should answer and see what she has to say."

Helga just sighed and looked down at her tray of food. Things had been the same way for Phoebe and Helga. They never talked barely and anymore, and although Helga wasn't about to let it show, it really was starting to bother her pretty bad now.

"I mean, I don't know if wanna forgive her, not after what happened at party. And everything that happened with my locker. I mean, criminy, she didn't even stand up for me then."

"Well, I mean to be fair Helga, we did rush out of there before anyone could say anything." Arnold said as he looked at her attentively.

Helga just rolled her eyes and a huge bite of meatloaf." Well, she still could've run out and said something to us I mean sheesh! I'm not accepting her apology over the phone either. If she wants to apologize to me, she needs to grow a pair and come talk to me face to face!"

Arnold just smirked at Helga. He could tell she really did wanna forgive Phoebe, but yet she was still trying to act tough and keep her rough reputation alive.

"Well, all I'm saying is, give her a chance." Arnold said as he gave her a comforting smile.

Helga looked into those emerald eyes that he has, and her heart instantly melted." Oh, alright, I'll think about it." Helga said as she put a fake scowl on her face.

Arnold just widened his grin at her as Helga took her last giant bite of meatloaf.

…

Later That Day

Miriam Pataki was putting the finishing touches on her make-up. Nothing too fancy just a hint of mascara and a touch of black eyeliner. She was dressed in plain blue jeans paired up with a simple blue sweater.

She had her hair combed out straight as it fell just below her shoulders. Her hair was longer than it used to be, but it still had not lost any of its blonde color over the years.

Miriam looked up at herself through the tiny mirror and smiled at herself. This was the first time in years she had actually gotten at least half way dressed up for anything. She was getting ready to go to her first AA meeting. She had finally called Brian a couple of days ago and he had set her first meeting date up at 6 P.M. on November the 4th.

It had been a tough two weeks and four days for Miriam. After her meeting with Suzie, she actually felt a calm wave a relief fly over her for a few days. She actually didn't pick up her fresh bottle of vodka for a record of 4 days. Then, Friday came along. Bob had an unexpected delivery of new and extremely cheap cell phones that he had cut a deal on the week prior. With Helga at school and no one else to help him get the merchandise out, Bob had to get Miriam to help him.

See the Beeper emporium had been selling cheap cell phones for a few months now. It was also their best selling product. However, the cost of shipping in cell phones didn't agree with the available funds Bob had to order more stock. So, about once or twice every three months, Bob would get in some more of the cheap cell phones. They were small, dimly lit, and the batteries wouldn't last long at all, however, the public liked to buy cheap products.

As soon as the new shipments of cell phones would arrive to the store, Bob would want the merchandise out on the shelves as soon as possible. Helga had developed herself into a pretty good worker over the years, mainly because she didn't want to feel the wrath of Bob whenever she didn't get everything done in time.

However, Helga wasn't there to help Miriam this Friday. Bob had forgotten about the shipment coming in, so he had forgot to tell Helga to stay home from school. So, Miriam had to help Bob get the shelves stocked and ready for sale. Miriam did her best, but she still wasn't getting them out as fast as Bob would've liked it.

He never hit her, but he did yell in her face several time. He even told her once that "he couldn't believe he had a wife that was as useless as she was" one time. And then, it hit Miriam. She believed every word horrible word he said that day. So, she started to drink again. For the next few days, she spent her time passed out drunk on the couch. After the bottle ran out however, she told herself she wouldn't buy anymore. She knew it was time to make things right and be a better wife and mother.

Miriam looked at herself in the mirror one last time and let a huge sigh.' B's right. I am a terrible wife. I am lazy. I never do anything but get drunk and sleep on that dang couch. BUT. That all changes today. Brian said be there at 6 P.M. sharp, so I'm gonna be there at 6 P.M. sharp!' And with that, Miriam gave herself a confident smile before she turned out the light and walked out of the bathroom.

…

Helga was sitting at the front counter with her face resting on her right palm as she looked down at her phone in her right hand. It was now 5:23 P.M. and she was trying to text Arnold as much as possible before the football game started.

Helga couldn't help but grin as she looked at her phone. Arnold's contact name in her phone was "Football head ;)" and they had been texting non stop for the past two weeks.

Helga's grin grew as she looked at what Arnold had just sent her. It read:" I seriously don't know why we had to take this tiny bus to the football game. Smallwood is like over an hour away and they seriously couldn't save us a bigger bus. I'm over here being squished by Harold because he's taking up the whole seat!"

Helga's fingers instantly started flying on her tiny phone screen." Awe, you poor baby. You'll be fine! Just tell Harold to move his fatass over so you can have some breathing room. He's a big baby underneath all that blubber!"

She laughed out loud when she sent the text, but instantly caught herself. She made sure no one had heard her in the empty store when she felt her phone buzz again. This time, Arnold's message read." Nah, I think I'll pass lol. I don't want anymore of my friends mad at me because of something I said or did."

Helga felt her grin turn into a small frown as she stared down at her phone. She was frozen in place. She didn't know what to say. For the past two weeks now, she had been having a rough time accepting what happened at her locker. Sure, she acted like she fine but what else had she been doing her whole life? She was always going to put on that mask and never show that she cared or her feeling were hurt. Not in public at least.

She was mad at Gerald no doubt. After she heard about the fight that Arnold and Gerald got into, she was full blown prepared to go and give him a piece of her mind. However, Arnold calmed her down and talked her out of it the next day at lunch. He also told her that he didn't think Gerald was guy who spray painted the locker.

Ever since then, Helga had kinda been trapped in a hole. She wanted to find out who spray painted her locker. But at the same time, she also just wanted to let al of this go and move on. She was tired of thinking about it and she just wanted to move on from it.

About the time Helga was starting to text her response, Miriam walked in the room. Helga looked at her mom in shock as she carefully placed her phone in the right pocket of her jeans.

Helga didn't know how to react to seeing her mother, Miriam Pataki, actually dressed up. She had on nice clothes, her hair actually wasn't all over the place, and she was actually walking in a straight line.

"Hey sweetie." Miriam said as she walked over to Helga and hugged her tightly. Helga, who was still in shock from this sudden change in her mother, almost forgot to hug her mother back.

After a few seconds Miriam broke the hug and just stared at Helga for a moment. Helga just looked at her mother with a confused look on her face." Sheesh take a picture mom, it'll last longer." Helga said as a grin popped up on her face.

"Oh, sorry dear." Miriam said letting a small chuckle fall from her lips." I was just observing how beautiful my daughter is."

Helga suddenly felt a confused smile form on her face. Miriam never payed attention to her like that." Well, gee, thanks mom." Helga said with a small grin." But enough of all that! This is getting way too mushy for me!"

Miriam just let out out a small giggle as she patted her daughter on her right shoulder." Well, its true honey. You're just a beautiful as your sister and I just thought you should know."

As if on cue, Helga rolled her eyes as soon as the sentence ended. Thankfully however, Miriam didn't even seem to notice.' Should've known Olga was gonna get brought up into this somehow!' Criminy, if only Miriam would've been sober enough to notice her changes last time she was over here. She would be so disappointed!'

Helga let out a sigh as she turned away from Miriam in her seat." So, where you headed mom?" She asked trying to change the conversation.

Miriam just silently walked over to the door to grab her pair of worn down white pair of tennis shoes. The same ones Helga had worn to Sammy's party.

"Oh, just an outing with some of my girlfriends." Miriam lied quietly as she slipped her right foot into a shoe. Despite it being her own daughter. Some part of her still felt ashamed of going to get help for all of this because she couldn't fix it on her own. She wanted Helga to think she was fixing herself on her own. She wanted Helga to think she was stronger than she seemed." Just figured that I would go out and have a little fun you know."

Helga just nodded at her mother as she looked attentively at her. However, on the inside Helga was actually freaking out at this sudden change.' So, Miriam gets all dressed up like this out of no where for a girls night out. Not to mention that she's actually sober right now! I mean, I'm happy I guess, but something feels off about her story. Oh, what the hell, let her go have her fun tonight. I mean, criminy it's not like she goes out anymore anyway!'

"Sounds fun mom." Helga said as a small grin formed on her lips again." Just don't get mugged or anything like that."

"I'll try not to." Miriam said as a small giggle escaped her lips once again." Bye honey." And with that Miriam left Helga sitting alone in the silence of the empty beeper store once again.

Helga sat back on her stool, still a little taken back by her mother's new sudden energy. Helga had not seen her this way in years. Many years to be exact. Helga couldn't help but feel happy for her mother.' Maybe she's finally gonna get away from that booze.' Helga then shook the thought out of her head, remembering that she was the same way just two weeks ago.

Sighing a deep sigh, Helga suddenly remembered that she was texting Arnold. She quickly pulled her phone out of her pocket. She had a missed called from Phoebe and new text from Arnold. She ignored Phoebe's missed called and quickly read what Arnold had sent her.

It read:" Well, anyway, I gotta go. That game starts soon, and coach wants to talk with the team before the game. I'll text you when I can!"

Helga sighed in disappointment as she texted him back." Okay, have a great time. And you better text me after the game or I'm gonna be pissed!"

Satisfied with her final text to Arnold, she smiled as she put her phone back in her pocket. She then resumed her normal stance of being hunched over the front counter with her head resting on her propped up hands.

The secret relationship thing she had going on with Arnold had been keeping her happy. This was the happiest she had been a long time, but it had its limitations. They couldn't just flirt with each other in public. Arnold could hold his own and just act like they were 'friends,' but Helga was not as good as he was at it.

Ever since the fight with Gerald, Arnold had moved to the front of the classroom to sit directly behind her. This made it hard for her to concentrate. She was constantly looking over her shoulder and saying things to him. This resulted in the teachers calling her name to get her attention several times in class.

Also, their secret relationship was not even a thing outside of school. With Helga working maximum hours at the beeper store, and Bob always breathing down her neck, they never had time to do anything outside of school. This was the part that bothered Helga. She wanted to see Arnold outside of school. So, they could kiss, cuddle, watch movies together, heck maybe they could even bake a cake together. But NO, there couldn't be any of that. I mean, sure they kissed every now and then before school when they would hide in an alley way and have a secret little make out session, but Helga wanted more.

Plus they really didn't talk to each other like most couples did. They didn't call each 'babe' or 'baby.' Heck, they really didn't even say they 'loved' each other yet. Helga knew that she had told Arnold that she still loved him while she was drunk, but she was still waiting for the right time to tell him while she was sober.

Helga let out another deep sigh as she looked across the store. It was freezing and silent in the store. She could hear the wind howl outside. It was a crisp and cold day today.

Without much else to do, she silently brought out her phone again with a small pair of pink ear buds. She quickly turned to her favorite heavy metal station and clicked play.

…

The Hillwood Bobcats football season had not went as planned. They were now in their 9th week of the football season, and with only two games left they were sitting at the bottom of their school division with a measly 2-6 record, leaving them way out of playoff contention.

Well, it was 2-6 after the game they had just lost tonight. The team had travelled to play the Smallwood Hornets at their own homefield turf tonight. They just barely lost to the now 5-3 Hornets who were hanging on the any playoff hopes they could find.

Arnold had of course sat on the bench the whole game, letting Sammy play the whole game. However, the offense wasn't the main reason for the team struggles throughout the season. The Hillwood offense had put up 28 points on the scoreboard, but the Hornets had put up 35 points. It had been a disappointing season to say the least.

Arnold walked through Hillwood High by himself. He had quickly talked coach Johnson into unlocking the school because he had " forgotten to get his homework from his locker" before the game. He was still wet and freezing from the game he had just endured, and he was so ready to get home and take a hot shower. But he needed to get in the school and finally look for some clues. The past two weeks had left him with nothing to show for so far.

Arnold slowly approached the locker and looked up at it with a sigh. He barely had time to look at it when he heard footsteps clamoring down the hallway headed his way. He looked up to see a tired and still sweaty looking Sammy.

"Hey man." Sammy said as he approached Arnold in almost a jog." What's up?" Arnold said now facing him. The past two weeks had been peaceful between Arnold and Sammy. Sammy had still been acting all nice and carefree towards Arnold. At first, it had kind of caught Arnold off guard, however, after a while they started to become better friends. Sammy would often give Arnold helpful tips at football practice and they had started to talk like they were good friends. Something about it still made Arnold uneasy, but he was willing to accept the change.

"Just came to look for some new clues." Arnold said as he looked back over his left shoulder at the locker. Sammy sighed and looked at the locker as well." Well, I came to get some things out of my locker, but since we're here and we have a few minutes, let's give it a look around."

Arnold then looked at Sammy with a confused look on his face." You sure man? I mean, if you don't wanna help then that's okay."

"No no no!" Sammy suddenly said." I just think I should help you. I'm still trying to gain your trust after what happened back at my party you know?" Sammy said as he smiled as Arnold.

Arnold just scratched the back of his neck with his left hand for a second. He still didn't fully know if Sammy could be trusted. But after the past two weeks he was slowly starting to see that Sammy could be trusted.

"Oh, what the hell, alright, let's start looking around." Sammy beamed a smile at Arnold as they turned their attention back to the locker.

Suddenly, down the hall a noise came from the boy's bathroom. Arnold and Sammy both looked down the dark hallway to see someone had knocked over a trash can." Hey!" Arnold suddenly called out and the stranger looked over at them and quickly bolted off into the darkness. Leaving the trash canned spilled over onto its side.

"Hey come back here!" Arnold yelled as he quickly bolted down the hallway after the stranger.

…

Meanwhile

Helga quickly turned out the light to her bathroom and walked out into the freezing beeper emporium. After the hot shower, the cold wind in the store had hit her like freight train, causing her to shiver.

She was dressed in the same exact blue tank top and white shorts she had worn home from Arnold's boarding house. While it was an amazingly comfortable pair of clothes, it was also a very cold pair of clothes.

She frowned as she felt herself getting colder and colder as she walked through the store, trying to make her way to the staircase.' Damnit Bob. Ever heard of a heater?!' She angrily thought to herself as she suddenly bumped into someone. She had been so lost in her own angry thoughts that she had not even noticed someone standing in front of her.

At first, she was terrified it was Bob and he was going to give her heck for running into him. However, this was not the case at all. The person she had ran into was a very tall and skinny person. They had on a black hoodie and loose fitting jeans. They had their hoodie on over their head so as the person turned around, it was hard for her to tell who it was. The stranger had tufts of dark hair sticking out from their hoodie on their head and they also had on a pair of glasses.

"I'm so sorry my dear." The stranger said in an awfully familiar but deep voice. Helga watched as the stranger shot a remarkably familiar grin her way. That's when she realized who it was.

"Curly?!" Helga asked in disbelief as she looked at him.

Curly just beamed a smile as he slowly took his hoodie off of his head." Ah yes Helga. It is nice to see you." He said in a deep and raspy voice. He quickly grabbed her hand to quickly kiss it, but she suddenly jerked it away, shooting a mean glare his way.

Curly still looked the same as he had all those years ago in P.S. 118. The only differences now was that he was a lot taller now, his hair was all grown out, and he sported a small dark goatee on his face.

"Ah you still haven't lost any of that fire in you." Curly said through a grin as he eyed her up and down." You know I still like the feisty ones."

"You're a creep." Helga said still glaring at him with her arms crossed around her chest." Now why in the heck are you here?!"

Curly just sat back as he also folded his arms across his chest." And why should I tell you?"

"Because if you don't, ole Betsy's gonna have to come out of retirement." She said confidently as she continued to give him a mean glare.

Curly just laughed and raised both of his hands up in the air." Fine, I give in the almighty Pataki! I'm here to do business."

Helga eyed him up and down for a moment, raising an eyebrow." With Bob?"

"Why yes." Curly said now placing his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie." Your dad is quite the businessman if I must say so myself."

Helga just rolled her eyes." Yeah whatever."

Suddenly a loud voice rang from the backroom of the store." OLGA! QUIT DISTRACTING MY NEW BUSINESS PARTNER AND GET YOUR KEISTER IN YOUR BED NOW!"

Helga quickly sent a middle finger in the direction of the voice, however, she made sure that Bob couldn't see it.

"Well, I better get going." Curly said in a low voice as he slowly started walking backwards." See you later, Helga dear." And with that he quickly walked rounded a shelf and was out of sight.

Helga just stood in silence for a few moments." What in the heck is Curly doing here?! Didn't he drop out?! Why is he making business deals with BOB?! Something smells really fishy around here…'

Helga silently waited as she heard the door to the backroom shut. She silently sighed to herself and started walking there herself.' Might as well see what those two are up to…'

…

Meanwhile

A small wooden chair sat in an empty room. A coil of rope was laying on the ground beside the chair. A single light glowed above it, giving a greenish tint to the chair and the white floor beneath it. Every few minutes the light would blink like it was about to go out when suddenly, it would gain strength again and stay on.

The room was silent, and the cold win could be heard howling through the building. Someone walked over to the chair slowly. Their footsteps could be heard echoing through the empty building.

The person smiled to themselves as they quickly pulled the large coil of rope from the ground. The person looked from the rope and to the chair. An evil smile quickly came across their lips.

A menacing laugh rang through the building; however, no one could hear it." This is going to be fun." The person said in an extremely low voice that echoed throughout the building.

...

Author Note: Happy Shortaki week everyone! Just wanted to do a quick shout out for all those authors out there putting in all the time and effort on their stories. You all are doing a wonderful job!

Also, thank again for the continued support. As always, it is greatly appreciated! Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Things are really starting to heat up! I'm having an amazing time cranking these chapter out for you guys! Really hope you all enjoyed and I'll see ya next time football heads!