CHAPTER 3:

I could feel my heart beating so fast, to the point that my chest started to hurt, it felt like the air was being vacuumed out of my lungs. Everything was getting blurry and I can see Helga just staring at me, an extremely desperate look in her baby blues meeting my green ones. She reached out to me but before she could-

"HEY ARNOLD HEY ARNOLD HEY ARNOLD!"

I woke up abruptly looking around frantically. What was that, was that a nightmare?

I rubbed my eyes, that was so weird! I don't think I've ever had a dream like that!

I sighed, oh well. It's time for another day.

Another day without her.

I groaned, this was gonna be a long one.

I grumpily slumped into my school clothes and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. I forgot to take a shower but to be honest, I don't really care anymore. I looked over to see the boarders arguing as per usual, with Grandpa trying to calm things down and Grandma, along with my parents bringing in food.

I looked at my plate; scrambled eggs with some toast. That would usually seem appetizing to me, but not anymore. My mother frowned at the blatant disgust on my face, "Arnold, sweetie," she said, "you have to eat. The doctor said that you've lost 20 pounds in the past week! I don't want you to get anorexic honey, please, for me." I frowned at her words, what a way to guilt trip me. I sighed and took a bite, it tasted really good. But the taste was the least of my concerns. I put on a fake smile to get my mom's attention off of me. It worked. I then silently threw the food in the trash but left the toast for Abner.

Mom checked on me again after a few minutes, "I'm glad you ate something honey, I'm getting worried with your eating habits. You haven't been eating at all!" She pulled a chair out and sat closer to me, "If you want to see a specialist then we can, I just don't want you to go into any serious condition, I love you!" She leaned over to kiss my forehead and patted my head. I'm grateful for my mom, but i'm not sure if it's gotten that bad. "I love you too mom, I think I'll go for a walk to get some fresh air, I'll be back soon!" I started walking out the dining room quickly passing the rest of the boarders in the living room grabbing my jacket and walking down the stoop.

I just stood there for a minute taking in the neighborhood trying to remember it as it's always been.

"Y'know football head, walking requires your feet to move, all you're doing is standing!"

I gasped, who's talking to me? Why did it sound so familiar?!

Looking to my left and right confirming that I was, in fact, alone on the street. Who did I hear talking to me? Also why did they sound like Helga… Helga, here I go thinking about her again. I turned left and started walking down Vine St. and walking to somewhere.

"Ugh, I wonder if Mr. Green is ever gonna fix the crack in these sidewalks, might as well break my mother's back with every step with these many!"

Wait, I don't remember Helga saying that.

"Doi, cause I'm saying it now, you moron!"

My eyes widened. This can't be happening, I'm too young to be losing my mind!

"You're not losing it Arnold, I really am talking to you. How? I don't really know, but I'm not dead, that's for sure!"

No no no no no no no! Not happening, this isn't happening, I'm not crazy, I'm not hearing voices! Music, music should help drown out these thoughts!

"God, Arnold, I thought you would be happy talking to your girlfriend again, sheesh! Am I really that bad company?"

I found a music store where they offer samples of music to listen too, rushing to put on any song, didn't matter if it was heavy metal or some type of jazz, this could distract me.

"Ya always did like jazz, football head. What 11 year old listens to jazz anyway? What are you, 80?"

I grabbed my hair aggressively, GO AWAY! YOU AREN'T REAL!

"Calm down. I won't be able to call you hair boy anymore if you don't have hair!"

D-did she just giggle?! DID THE HELG-I MEAN VOICE IN MY HEAD JUST GIGGLE?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!

"How many times do I have to say this, Football head? There's nothing wrong with you! I'm really here!"

I began to whimper, "B-but, I saw you die! I SAW IT! I SAW IT ALL!" I angrily whispered, trying to ignore the tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Well I don't know what to say besides the fact that I'm. not. Dead."

I looked around and noticed that people were giving me funny looks, maybe I should talk to myself less.

"Good idea, football head. You deserve a medal."

I groaned, please shut up!

"Why dontcha try making me, hairboy?"

I growled and continued walking, trying my absolute best to keep my composure, 'YOU. AREN'T. REAL.' I repeated to myself in my head, but this 'voice' was quite stubborn.

"Oh, so you still think that way huh Arnoldo? Alright then, go to my locker at school. My locker combination is 36-6-20. I've never told you that before, so when it opens, you'll have no choice but to believe me!"

I rolled my eyes and walked to PS.118 to try out what the voice in my head said. I made it to her locker that was decorated with candles, flowers, and notes from the student body. I hated seeing those. I put in the combo and, wait, what?! The locker opened! This must be a coincidence, I've seen her do it a thousand times, this doesn't mean anything!

"Told ya, football head!"

I growled as I slammed the locker closed and walked down to Mr. Simmons class, during the summer he went through intense therapy so he could teach again. It was a weird thing that i've been in the same class since 4th grade but there's some comfort knowing that they're the same kids i've known since preschool.

"Unfortunately."

Unfortunately? Must be from the lack of sleep I've been getting. I spotted Gerald, Phoebe and Brainy in one corner of the class and walked towards them.

"Hey guys, what are you talking about?"

"Ohayo Arnold, Gerald and Brainy were talking about old cop shows in the 70's" Phoebe looked normal at first glance but you can her her smile doesn't reach her eyes anymore

"They're" wheeze "too" wheeze "flashy" Brainy still had asthma but he was more outgoing now, he's been in our group since the start of the year since him, Phoebe, and Helga started hanging out more, if anyone was as distraught as me and Phoebe, it was him.

"And I'm telling Brainy that, THAT'S the point of cop shows, real cops are boring so they gotta add some spice in there to keep their audience" Gerald looked peeved so I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down Gerald."

He took a deep breath "Sorry my man, I get a little passionate when it comes to my shows" Phoebe giggled a little, i'm glad she still has him to fall back on, along with Brainy.

"I still don't understand what she sees in tall hair boy but oh well, the heart wants what it wants."

There goes that voice again. Ugh!

"Don't you "ugh" me bucko, it's not my fault you won't believe that's it's really me!"

Cause it's not you, it can't be!

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I immediately relaxed my face.

"Hey bubba, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm okay Gerald, thanks."

My friends still gave me a worried look and I just went to my seat before the bell rang.

"Look over there, Pink boy looks like he hasn't been sleeping too good, oh and Rhondaloid is still putting on makeup, and little miss perfect is still peppy as always, and curly is just still a twisted little freak, god! Such losers, all of them!"

For a quick second I could have sworn that Helga's smirk flashed before my eyes, this was going to be such a long day, and it's just barely 8:15.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Again, thanks to celestial_lore!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!