Author's Note: I appreciate you all who continue on this journey with Shortaki and I :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold, Doi!
Happy Birthday, Silly
Gerald stood in front Arnold's stoop waiting for his best friend. Arnold walked out the front door letting an array of animals out before him. He closed the door after the butterfly flew out and ran down the stairs. Once he stepped off the final step he met his best friend with their signature hand shake.
"Thanks for waiting for me Gerald," Arnold said
"No problem, man" Gerald laughed.
"What's so funny?" Arnold asked
"Why did we have to meet 15 minutes before our usual time?" Gerald raised a brow. "Does this have anything to do with Helga G. Pataki's Birthday?"
"Well, her birthday is coming up." Arnold smiled widely. "I want to do something really special for her."
"Have you asked her out?" Gerald asked.
"Ask her out?" Arnold raised a brow. "Do you ask your girlfriend out for her birthday?"
"I know you're new to this whole dating thing, brother." Gerald chuckled, "but your girl is 14 going on 15."
"Okay. So?" Arnold asked, genuinely curious.
"So, what if her parents have something planned for her?"
"Gerald, Big Bob Pataki and Miriam Pataki have plans for Helga G. Pataki?" Arnold said slowly in disbelief.
"Okay, you got a point" he thought some more, "But, what if her friends have something planned?"
"Her friend." Arnold corrected knowing Helga didn't like many people besides Phoebe. "Has Phoebe said anything?" He added.
"Okay. Fair enough." He waved his hand for Arnold to start walking their unusual route to meet their girlfriends before school. "Maybe you don't have anything to worry about." He smirked, "So what do you have planned for her Birthday?"
Arnold's eyes widened with excitement as he told his friends all the details of his plan. He had been planning his surprise since Valentine's Day and was so happy to finally see it through. Gerald listened happily to his friend as they took their time strolling down the block and around the corner. He nodded at the right moments and added the occasional Mmm Mm Mmm. Arnold spoke with so much pride. He finally figured out a way to get around Helga's no gift policy.
"Okay, so you're not going to ask her out. But are you going to at least tell her your plans?"
"Not yet. I really want to surprise her, Gerald." Arnold said cheerfully
"How are you going to keep it a secret?" Gerald said knowing his friend wasn't the best at keeping them.
"What do you mean?" Arnold said, a little offended.
"You're not that good at keeping secrets, Arnold."
"I didn't tell Principal Wartz about Sid, Harold, and Stinky mooning him." Arnold retorted
"Yeah, that was solid." He nodded, "stupid but solid," he added.
"Your point?" Arnold shook his head.
"How are you going to keep a secret from Helga G. Pataki?" He smiled, "isn't she your weakness or something?" He teased
Arnold turned a bright red,"I'll be fine as long as I remember that it's not forever just for now"
"Good luck, man"
"Thanks, Gerald"
They continued to walk in silence and Gerald saw Arnold starting to fidget with his backpack straps. Gerlad's face read as if he didn't believe his friend could keep this secret for a whole week. He nodded to himself and began to speak...
"Arnold, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course, Gerald."
"Can you smell my pits and make sure I don't stink?" He gently grabbed Arnold's neck putting his face to his pits.
"Stop Gerald" Arnold said out of breath from laughing, "You stink."
"No, I don't. I smell like chestnuts roasting on an open fire."
"You know what, you do." Arnold tried to catch his breath once Gerald let him go "How?"
"Jamie O sent me some shea butter from The Little Shop of Shea by his college."
"Next time, have him get me some."
"I already got you covered, bro." Gerald pulled out a little jar and gave it to Arnold.
"Thanks." He happily put it in his backpack.
"No Problem." I had to do something. He teased
"What do you mean?"
"You're already sweating. How are you going to make it the whole week?"
"I got this, Gerald. Trust me."
"Okay man. Well, I heard Shea Butter helps with sweat, so I guess you'll put it to the test." He laughed.
"Whatever, Gerald" Arnold bumped his friend's shoulder with his own who bumped him back. They laughed while they continued to walk down the street.
Meanwhile in front of Phoebe's house, Helga was waiting for her best friend.
"Thanks for waiting for me, Helga"
"No sweat Pheebs"
"Are you excited for your birthday?" Phoebe asked
Helga shrugged, "Miriam will probably be passed out on the couch. Bob won't remember, but at least I'll get some good hot dogs the next day, so that's exciting." Helga shrugged.
Phoebe thought carefully about her next words. "Do you want to sleep over or go to the pier ?" she asked knowing besides wrestling these were two things Helga liked to do often.
"I don't know. I'll let you know" Helga shrugged again
"Has Arnold asked you out yet?" Phoebe asked nervously.
"You know the football head is always late with these things." She cleared her throat, "maybe he forgot." she added in almost a whisper.
"Oh, no Helga." She smiled softly, "I'm sure that's not the case."
"You mean you hope that's not the case" Helga gave a weak smile.
"Yeah," Phoebe said softly.
Helga sighed, "I don't really want to talk about it." She looked ahead, chewing her lip, "can we change the subject?"
"Changing" Phoebe said sweetly.
The two talked about spring break since Helga's birthday starts it off. They walked down the street and around the corner to meet their boyfriends. Helga listened intently to her friend, occasionally drifting into the thought of her beloved. She allowed herself the small hope that he had something up his sleeve for her. The two finally ran into their boyfriends without Helga actually crashing into Arnold this time. She hasn't crashed into him since she was eleven, but still surprised them both everytime she didn't.
"Hey Helga" Arnold beamed.
"Hey Arnold" she looked away to hide her blush. She liked this boy all her life and the sight of him still turned her insides into jelly.
"May I?" He said reaching for her hand.
"Doi!" She placed her hand in his.
The pair walked hand and hand, behind their best friends who were holding hands as well.
Helga swallowed the knot in her throat. Just ask him Helga old girl, she repeated these words in her head a thousand times. She felt her hands begin to sweat and tried to calm herself before she slipped right out of Arnold's grip.
"Are you okay?" Arnold questioned, observing his girlfriend's bright red face.
"Huh" she said, taken aback.
"Are you okay?" He smiled, "do you need to sit down?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine, Bucko." She tried to sound convincing.
The two reached the front of the school and walked hand and hand inside the building. Phoebe and Gerald waved goodbye to their friends as they proceeded to walk to their class. Helga looked at her watch. She started to chew her bottom lip knowing she only had a minute to ask Arnold her question. She had to ask him now, or wait four hours until lunch time.
"Here we are," Arnold smiled brightly.
Helga looked up to see they were standing in front of their first class. She must have been so lost in her thoughts she even noticed at first. She looked over to her boyfriend, who was grinning from ear to ear. Helga took a deep breath and pulled Arnold into the nearby hallway between the lockers and made sure no one was in sight.
"Criminy!"
"Bow, are you —"
"Hush, football head, I need to get this out." She smiled looking at his gentle face waiting for her to continue, "so Arnold, my birthday is coming up." She brushed a hair behind her ear and he nodded. "Do you have anything to tell me?" She asked sweetly.
"No." He said plainly.
Helga forced a smile trying to not show her disappointment "No reason." She said simply.
He rubbed his thumb over her hand and led her back to the entryway of their class. Helga took a deep breath as they walked into their class.
The entire time Helga sat behind her beloved she wrote in her pink book with her trusty purple pen. She looked up on occasion to stare at his oblong head. She cursed herself for believing he would learn his lesson from Valentine's day and actually planned something for her birthday. She went back and forth between doubt and reassuring herself that it was almost a week until her birthday, so maybe he would surprise her.
She was comfortable with the thought at first, but as the day passed she started to think maybe she should take Phoebe up on her offer of going to the pier for her birthday. She didn't want another disappointing birthday this year. It wasn't a milestone birthday like turning 16, 18, or 21, so it wasn't a special birthday she told herself. She tried to downplay the day, so she wouldn't be disappointed when it turned out like the other birthdays. Why should having a boyfriend make this birthday any different she thought as the bell rang dismissing her for lunch. It was finally lunch time and she thought that maybe after eating something she'll have a solid decision.
Helga sat at her usual table next to Phoebe. She looked up from her pudding cup to catch a glimpse of Rhonda hanging with the two new members of the Elites. She looked to her left to see Nadine sitting at a table with Brainy, Sheena, Eugene, and Curly. She made a note to look more into what was going on without seeming like she cared too much. She listened to her friend talk about spring break between bites of her food. Phoebe was a little stressed about her family going on a vacation which meant she would miss her not so tall hair boyfriend. Helga would nod at the right times and wonder if she and Arnold would spend spring break together. She sighed at the thought of him going somewhere with his family which left her with hers.
The end of the day arrived and helga waited for her boyfriend outside the school. She asked if they could hang out at his house for a while, but he said he had an assignment. She insisted on helping him with it, but he said he couldn't focus if he had company. She figured the day had been weird enough, so she accepted his answer. He grabbed her hand and started to say something, but she couldn't hear him over the debate inside her head. She couldn't help but wonder if her beloved had a surprise for her or would leave her hanging. She sighed watching the cherry blossoms as they passed the nearby park. Helga thought how pretty they are and how they would leave as quickly as they came. The pair stopped in front of her house and she looked at Arnold as she always did waiting for his question. He blushed in front of her like he always did before asking for a goodbye kiss. Her blush would match his as they met each other's lips softly.
They said their goodbyes and Helga went into her room, wrote in her pink book, ate whatever Miriam made that night, took her shower, and did her homework before bed.
The next day started like the day before where Helga waited for Phoebe who this time said she could come in and have breakfast. Helga replied maybe tomorrow as they walked to meet their boyfriends on their walk to school. Arnold asked for her hand and she gave it without hesitation as they walked to the school and the entryway of their class.
Helga asked Arnold again if he had anything to tell her about her birthday and once again he said no, and asked why. She swallowed her disappointment once again as they walked into class. The day went the same as she wrote in her pink book, looked at the back of his head, debated with herself if he would leave her hanging or not. The rest of the day was a blur until she met Phoebe for lunch. She once again noticed Rhonda with the two new members of the Elites at one table. Then notice Nadine with Brainy, Eugene, Curly, and Sheena at another table.
She waited for her beloved again outside of school and again he said she couldn't come over. They walked home hand and hand as she watched more cherry blossoms fall. They stood in front of her house to have their blushful goodbye kiss. Helga went in her home, wrote in her pink book, ate whatever Miriam made that night, took a shower, did her homework, and went to bed.
The next few days blurred together as she met Phoebe thirty minutes earlier for breakfast. The girls met with their boyfriends and held hands on the way to the school. The two couples separated and Helga and Arnold stood in the entryway of their class. Helga would ask again with a smile if Arnold had anything planned and he would say no each time. She started to lose the debate inside herself and came to the conclusion, Arnold was definitely leaving her hanging this year.
Before meeting Phoebe for lunch she decided to catch Rhonda by her locker.
At Rhonda's locker...
"Hey Ro,"
"Nae, Nae!" Rhonda almost jumped out of her skin when she saw the girl.
She looked around and pulled Nadine into a hallway near the lockers where no one was around. Rhonda brushed her fingers against Nadine's face and sighed. Nadine let out a gentle laugh.
"So, you missed me?" She asked.
"More than trips to Paris." Rhonda smirked.
Nadine playfully rolled her eyes "You have a funny way of showing it, Lloyde." She said half serious, half joking.
"I'm Lloyde to you now?" Rhonda gasped.
"Yeah, Princess." Nadine winked
"Nae Nae, Don't be like that." She pouted "I call you every night," she reassured her.
"Yeah, but I never see you anymore." Nadine tried to hide her pout.
"It's only been over a month." Rhonda smiled a little please she could make her pout.
"Oh, yeah?" She arched a brow. "Let me not hang with you for a little over a month and see if I'll ever hear the end of it." She arched a brow.
"I promise I am almost done with training the new Elites."
"You said that last week."
"I promise, I'll make it up to you." Rhonda bit her lip and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear."
"You better." Nadine smirked, "I'm getting tired of sneaking glances."
Rhonda blushed "Me too."
"I want to be able to look at you directly." She stepped closer as if it was possible to be any closer.
"Me too" Rhonda turned a bright red
"Well," Nadine bit her lip " I better go."
Rhonda looked as if her heart stopped. "Do you have to?"
"I don't want to, but-"
"But?"
"We wouldn't want your new friends to catch you hanging with some like me." She teased.
"Who cares?" Rhonda protested.
"You do." Nadine said simply.
"That's not true." Rhonda sighed
"What's going on?" Nadine placed her hands on the locker above Rhonda's head. She leaned in looking into her eyes "You know you can tell me."
"I know." She cleared her throat "And I will. I promise."
"Alright." Nadine pushed off the lockers "I'll catch you later." she looked back one last time before walking away.
"Soon." Rhonda said to Nadine's fleeing figure. She leaned on the lockers and sighed before she walked out the hallway back to her locker.
"There you are." Helga said when she reached the ravenette.
"Oh, you were looking for me?" Rhonda smirked.
"Don't flatter yourself, snobby beauty."
"Oh, you admit I'm beautiful?"Rhonda teased.
"Whatever, Lloyd." Helga rolled her eyes.
"So, this nickname is going to stick." she tilted her head.
"Well, Nadine calls you Princess now for some reason." Helga shrugged "It feels like it suits you two better anyway."
Rhonda cleared her throat. "So, you came here to make the nickname official, Pataki?"
"No, you asked me to take pictures for Valentine's and since I have the picture of me and Arnold." She exhaled, "I figured you could have this one of me by myself." Helga reached in her jean jacket pocket and pulled out the polaroid.
Rhonda gasped, "Oh my gosh! You are adorable!" She beamed at the photo.
"Alright." Helga groaned with a blush "That's enough" Helga crossed her arms.
"That's so nice of you to remember." She looked at the picture and back at Helga " I mean a month and some weeks later, but nice." Rhonda teased
"I can take it back." Helga leaned on the locker.
"In your dreams, Pataki." Rhonda weaved the photo. "I'm going to hang this in my locker."
"Arnold doesn't even have a photo of me in his locker." Helga said, a little sad.
"I'll have to talk to Romeo about how to treat his Juliet."
"No, you don't," Helga said unconvincing.
"Sure, Pataki" Rhonda laughed.
Helga sighed, changing the subject. "I haven't heard from you in a while."
"Awe, you missed me."
"No." Helga huffed
"Care about me?"
"Eww gross."
"Nosy then?" Rhonda raised a brow.
"I guess that's the less of the evils." Helga shrugged.
"I've been busy with Ruby Q. Mcdougal and Spring C. Anderson"
"Are they as annoying as their sisters Ruth and Summer." Helga asked.
"Yes." Rhonda said plainly. "And I have to bond with them to figure out who is going to take my place as lead when I graduate."
"So?"
"Ruth wants me to pick Ruby since she is the lead now and she feels her sister should be too at some point. And Summer wants me to pick Spring since she secretly, but not so secretly thinks she should be the lead now, so her sister should be next."
"Aren't the Bimbo twins here for another year?"
"Yes, I take over for Ruth with their approval next year in the eleven grade, but it's custom that the ten grader i.e me as of now trains the ninth grader i.e Spring and Ruby. So, when Ruth and Summer graduate I'll take Ruth's place. one of their sister's will take summer's place. And when I graduate, the sister in summer's place will take my place and the other sister will be second in command. Makes sense?"
Helga blinked slowly at Rhonda. "I am very confused"
"Yeah, it makes no logical sense, just Elite sense." Rhonda sighed.
"Criminy, I don't know which one of those Barbies I hate more." Helga said.
"Same." Rhonda sighed. "Pataki isn't your birthday coming up?"
"Yes." Helga raised a brow.
"You never let me throw you a birthday party." She beamed.
"Oh, no." Helga weaved her hand.
"Does Arnold have something planned for you?" Rhonda questioned.
"No," Helga said, more irritated than expected.
"Come on, you said you missed me."
"Umm, I didn't"
"I'll order those mini pastrami sandwiches you like so much."
"I'm listening." Helga beamed
"It'll be fun, I promise. Rhonda beamed more, "plus, I kind of owe you for never inviting you to my sleepovers." She sighed
"I didn't want to be invited anyway." Helga protested
"But, you always showed up." Rhonda teased
"Yeah, to ruin your good time."
"You actually made it a good time, Helga." Rhonda playfully bumped Helga's shoulder with her own.
"Whatever." Helga rolled her eyes. "Will the Elites be there?"
"No, I'll make up some excuse so they don't know about me."
"Fine." Helga slumps her shoulders. "I guess you can throw me a stupid sleepover."
"Oh, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She hugged Helga and jumped up and down. "I'll call my party planner to tell her all the details."
"Shouldn't the planner tell you all the details."
"See you tomorrow Pataki, I'll send you the deets." Rhonda walked away ignoring Helga's comment as she weaved goodbye cheerfully.
Helga shook her head and hurried to meet Phoebe at their lunch table. She was thankful for her friend, especially on days like these when she was running a little behind. Phoebe had already got her a burger, tapioca pudding, and a yahoo soda.
Arnold and Gerald were at the other side of the courtyard sitting at their table. Gerald picked up his burger and looked over to Arnold's flush face with sweat at the corner of his forehead.
"What's eating you man?"
"I don't know how long I can take it, Gerald."
"Take what?" Gerald raised a brow.
"Helga has asked me everyday do I have something to tell her about her birthday and I say no,, but I'm going to crack." Arnold started to hyperventilate.
"Man. Breathe." Gerald looked with worried eyes.
"I'm breathing. I'm breathing." Arnold repeated between shallow breaths.
"Don't just say it, do it."
Arnold, slow down to take a deep breath in before letting it out. "I haven't even let her come over to my house in a week. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep the secret if we were in the same space for so long." He rubbed the back of his neck, "I miss her Gerald."
"Mmm Mm Mmm, you are one sick puppy." Gerald teased.
"Not helping." Arnold said sternly.
"Alright. Calm down, Arnold. Tomorrow is her birthday, right?"
"Right." Arnold nodded.
"Okay, you held out this long, so one more day and you are in the clear."
"Yeah, you're right." Arnold started to calm down and picked up his sandwich to eat.
After school Helga met with Arnold to walk her home. This time she didn't ask could she come over or what he had planned. She didn't even look at the cherry blossoms. She simply stepped on the ones that have fallen under her feet. She barely listened to her beloved as they reached her stoop. Helga gave Arnold a goodbye kiss without even waiting for his shy ask. She gave a quick peck instead of a soft slow one. She waved goodbye as she walked up the stairs and into the house. She didn't write in her pink book with her trusty purple pen. She took a quick shower, ate her dinner in her room, and waited for her birthday to start and end.
"Happy Birthday, Honey!" Helga opened one eye to her mom standing in her doorway. She set up and rubbed her eyes. She looked at her mother again who's eyes seemed clear and focused. "Happy Birthday, Honey." Miriam said again.
Hegla noticed her mother didn't have a slur this morning. She looked at the clock that read was six o'clock. Miriam usually started drinking around 4:00 am so what gives, Helga thought.
"Why are you up so early, Miriam?" Helga said, rubbing her eyes.
"I have a surprise for you, come down stairs." The older blonde said cheerfully.
"Criminy!" Helga mumbled while turning over with her cover laying back down.
"Come on, Honey." Miriam shook her daughter gently.
"Fine." Helga tossed the cover to the ground and put on her house slippers. She followed her mother down the stairs yawning the entire time.
They made their way to the kitchen where her dad was at the table with his cup of coffee. Helga found it strange that Bob hadn't left for work yet. She set across from him and huffed.
"Happy Birthday, Helga."
"It's Helga, Dad."
"That's what I said."
"Wait, that is what you said." Helga said, confused.
Miriam sat a plate of banana chocolate chip pancakes with a candle in the middle. A side of bacon and a bowl of blueberry cinnamon oatmeal. A glass of milk and fresh squeezed orange juice in front of the birthday girl. Helga looked at the spread then back at her mother with clear eyes, over to her father who actually knew her name, and thought this could only mean one thing...
"Baby Sister!" The older blonde hugged Helga from behind.
"Olga" Helga said more to herself than anyone else.
"Happy Birthday, Silly." She held Helga tighter.
"I can't breathe." The younger blonde said.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She spun Helga around to face her. "I'm just so happy to see you." The older blonde said in high pitch squeak as tears streamed down her face.
"Thanks." Helga said sarcastically with an eye roll.
"Make a wish." Olga said, reaching over her sister to light the candle on the stack of pancakes.
"Olga, most people make a wish at the end of the night on their birthday cake."
Olga pinched her sister's cheeks "There's nothing wrong with starting your day with a little magic." She tapped the tip of her nose with her finger.
"I wish you weren't." Helga said under her breath and blew out the candle.
"Yay." Everyone said and Helga rolled her eyes again.
"I'm so excited to spend the day with you baby sister." Olga said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Helga started to choke on her pancake and began to cough "What?" She choked out.
"Are you okay, Honey?" Miram said, adjusting her glasses.
"Criminy girl." Bob yelled.
"I know the hynic maneuver, baby sister." Olga stood up.
Helga threw her hand in the air. "I'm fine." She coughed some more.
"Are you sure? I would be divested if anything happened to you." She squeaked and cried some more.
"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine." She cleared her throat, "What is this about you spending the day with me?"
"I'm staying for spring break, so we can catch up, silly." She pinched her sister's cheek again.
"Lucky me." Helga said, stabbing her pancakes aggressively with her fork. "Well oldest sister." She said mockingly. "I can't tonight I already have plans for a sleepover."
"Oh, I am a great host for a sleepover." Olga jumped up and down clapping her hands.
"Are you a seal." Helga mumbled.
"You never let me throw you one when you were little " She squeaked with excitement.
"Olga?" Helga called, but her sister kept talking.
"Is it a coed sleepover, because we could invite your little friend, Arnold." She beamed
Helga started to choke again "No, it's not coed."
"Oh, we should invite Lila." Olga spun around
"Lila and I don't even talk." Helga took another big bite of her food.
"Why not?" Olga said disappointed.
"It doesn't matter." Helga rolled her eyes.
"Well, I'm sure she would still come."
"Olga, the sleepover isn't going to be here." Helga snapped.
"Oh." Olga tilted her head.
"Yeah, it's going to be at Rhonda's"
"Oh, I can host over there." Olga offered as a final result.
"No, you weren't invited."
"Oh, baby sister can't you get out of it?" Olga pouted
"No, Rhonda already put in the final touches." She crossed her arms " I would never hear the end of it, if I canceled."
"Oh okay." Olga said with a sigh. "What time does it start?" her face turned hopeful again.
"It starts at nine." Helga said simply.
"Goody, that gives us the whole morning and afternoon for some mother daughter time."
"Huh" Miriam popped up from the end of the table where she was dozing off.
"That's okay." Helga insisted
"Don't be silly we have to buy you some new pajamas."
"The Pjs I have are just fine."
"Nonsense. Those are your regular around the house Pajamas."
"So?" Helga rolled her eyes.
"You need birthday sleepover pajamas, silly." Olga beamed.
Helga knew it was no use in fighting it. She knew no matter how much she protested she would still be dragged out the house and to the mall. And a thousand stores after that until Olga found what she considered the perfect birthday sleepover pajamas. Helga continued to eat the rest of her food as she mentally prepared herself for the day.
"How is school, honey?" Miriam asked her oldest daughter.
"Oh Mommy, Daddy it's simply wonderful. I never thought I would love school as much as I did as an undergrad, but studying for my PHD has been so rewarding."
"My professor and mentor said that I remind her of a young version of herself. Oh Mommy, Daddy we spend our meetings at the cutest coffee shops. And when we aren't discussing literature we spend time at the art museums."
"Exciting," Helga said sarcastically. Secretly loving the idea of discussing literature over coffee, and strolling through art museums in another country. She held in her sigh to hide her excitement.
"Oh, it is Helga." Olga beamed, "and I met the most interesting boy who is a double major in art, history, and art history."
"That's three majors." Helga said.
"Oh, it is. He is a triple major," Olga laughed.
"He says he wants to marry me, but doesn't want to get in the way of my studies, so we plan to wed after graduation."
"Is he even your boyfriend?" Helga asked with a raised brow.
"Love doesn't need titles, silly." Olga poured Helga another glass of orange juice.
"So, I take that as a no." Helga took a sip of her orange juice.
Olga continues beaming about the boy who would marry her, but not date her. She went on and on about how much she loved her life as her parents listened adoringly. Once everyone was done with breakfast, Helga went upstairs to breathe before getting ready. She had to repeat to herself, it's just a few hours with her mom and sister, so it shouldn't be that bad, right? She put her head in her hands and groaned. She didn't want to do this, but had no way of getting out of it. She leaned her head back and decided she might as well get this day over with.
Helga walked to the bathroom with her towel in hand to find the clothes Olga picked out for her hanging on the back of a door. She shook her head and proceeded to take her shower. Once she was done she groaned the whole time putting on the pink dress and pink flats She went downstairs where Olga insisted to braid her hair and put a pink flower accessory in it.
Olga and Miriam got dressed after and came into the living room both wearing pink dresses, shoes, and flower accessories. Helga wanted to crawl in a ball and die after seeing the sight.
"Why are y'all dressed like that?" She said inside the palm of her hands.
"Your sister thought it would be cute if we matched." Miriam said.
"Let's just get this over with." Helga walked toward the door.
"Don't forget your coat, Silly." Olga grabbed a new pink teddy coat.
"This is mine?" Helga looked confused, not sure how to feel about it.
"Yes, I bought it for you." Olga said with pride.
"Thanks" Helga smiled softly.
"You're welcome, baby sister."
The three blondes walked up to Olga's yellow Volkswagen Beetle with sunflower petals around the headlights. They stopped at the car and Miriam and Olga beamed at Helga.
"What's going on?" Helga said, confused.
"I have another surprise for you." Olga clapped her hands happily. She opened up the car door and said surprise! Helga looked around and didn't see anything. A figure lifter up after a few minutes.
"Surprise, Helga. Happy Birthday." Said the redhead with a matching pink flower accessory, teddy coat, and pink dress.
"Lila?" Helga questioned with lower eyes.
"I'm ever so happy to see you." Lila said
"Lila called me earlier to say she missed me. I told her I was in town and I had this stuff for her." Olga pointed at the outfit. "So, I thought you wouldn't mind if she joined us for our shopping trip today." Olga beamed.
"When did she have time to get dressed?"
"When you were taking your shower and getting ready in your room." Olga smiled.
"Oh, that's why you waited to get dressed last?"
"Yes." Olga beamed.
Helga knew she really didn't have a choice, because Olga never listened to her. And whenever Olga said she understood Helga's feelings she would do the opposite.
Helga didn't really have any ill feelings towards Lila besides the fact that Arnold liked her. Well, she thought she tried to steal Olga by becoming her little Sis, but that was all in the past. Only thing that was bothering her now is that Lila and her didn't have much in common. Helga figured she knew how to ignore her mother and sister, so she could ignore Lila too.
"Fine whatever. Let's just go." Helga finally said.
Olga played Rhonnie Mathews, I saw your face and wow! Girl, you have the key to my locket, Me you and cheese while her and Miriam sang along. Helga was about to scream until they finally arrived at the mall. They got out of the car and started to browse. Helga noticed Lila wasn't singing any of the songs in the car.
"Not a Mathews' fan?" She asked the red head.
"No, I prefer country music like Tay Winds." Lila beamed. "She is so sweet and all her songs are a story from the heart."
"I see." Helga raised a brow.
The girls continue to walk through the mall and Helga pointed out a few stores she was interested in. But every store she suggested was shut down by her big sister. Olga wouldn't let Helga go into Hot Topic, Spencer's, or Victoria's secret. Helga only said Victoria secret as a joke, but Olga still gave a speech that she wasn't old was the point of turning a year older, if she wouldn't be treated older. She protested that she wasn't a baby, but it didn't matter to Olga and Miraim always agreed. Lila tried to evening things out by saying she wanted to go to the stores too, even though she didn't. It still didn't matter to Olga who said they were both too young for those stores. Helga groaned in frustration as she saw other teens walk into the stores.
The two teens and two women went into Princess Pajamas instead. Lila, Olga and Miriam picked out Pajamas with ribbons, butterflies, long trains behind silk nightgowns, and more. Helga protested at first and then tried them on as the three awed with bright eyes. Lila would add that Helga looked ever so nice with each outfit change. Helga could have swore she saw the girl blush, but she shrugged it off. She hated the store and she hated pajamas, so she protested to leave. They went into Pink's Girly Girls and Curls, where they had Helga try on fluffy footed pjs and she hated that too. She had been trying on PJs so long she didn't realize it was lunch time. She was relieved to get a break from all her suffering.
The group of four went to the restaurant downstairs. Olga and Miriam were talking to the host while Lila sat at the booth in the waiting area. Helga heard her cell phone ring in her pocket and excused herself to the bathroom to take the call.
"Hey, Football Head," She said with a blush.
"Happy birthday, Bow."
"Yeah, whatever." She tried to hide her blush even though he couldn't see it.
"You sound wide awake." He said surprised.
"Yeah, I'm out with Miriam, Olga and Lila." She said mockingly after each name.
"Oh Olga is in town?"
"Yeah, apparently for the whole week."
"Wait, did you say Lila?"
"I am as surprised as you are." She teased
"Are you having fun at least?" He asked.
"I guess it hasn't been half bad." She sighed "And Lila has kind of had my back today."
"That's good." She could hear his smile
"Yeah." She cleared her throat, "I wouldn't say we're friends or anything."
"Okay." He laughed softly.
It was silent on the phone for a while. "Why are you calling me so late?"
"I would have called earlier, but I thought you were asleep."
"I would have been if Miriam didn't wake me up." She exhaled, "Olga made me breakfast."
"Well, that's nice," Arnold said.
"I guess."
"I have to spend the whole morning, afternoon, and some of the night with her. Thank God I have plans tonight or would be stuck with her all night too."
"You have plans tonight?"
"Yeah, what's it to you, hair boy?"
"Oh, I just-"
"You just what?" She glared at the phone as if he could see her. "Don't tell me you have something planned because I asked you all week." She hissed.
"I know"
"Unless you just came up with something and if that's the case you have terrible timing."
"No, I have had this planned."
"What?!" She yelled so loud into the receiver that the people outside of the restroom could hear her.
"I wanted to surprise you, Bow-"
"Don't, Bow me! Criminy Arnoldo." She palmed her face.
"I'm sorry." He pleaded.
It was silent as Helga chewed her lip trying to calm herself down. She finally spoke, "I can't even get out of it. I know Rhonda already put on the final touches." She sighed " Besides, I wouldn't hear the end of it." She repeated what she said to her sister earlier, but this time she meant it.
"No, don't worry about it. I'll just switch it over to tomorrow." Arnold tried to reassure her and himself.
"Are you sure?" She nibbled her lip.
"Yeah, don't you worry."
"I guess I'm kind of relieved you didn't actually forget about me." She admitted.
"I could never forget about you, Helga" She could hear his smile on the other end.
"Okay, Hair boy. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, my lady."
She hung up shaking her head at the phone.
"Helga" Olga stuck her head in the bathroom, "Oh, there you are. Are you finished?"
"Yeah, just washing my hands. I'll be there." Helga put up her phone and went to wash her hands.
"Okay, mommy, Lila, and I are at table nine, little sister."
"Okay. I'll be right there, oldest sister." Helga said with mock cheer.
Helga ate her burger fries with slow chews while cursing her boyfriend's name in her head. How dare he make her worry for an entire month if he was going to do something for her birthday. And when she got the nerve to ask him if had something planned day after day for a week he lied to her face. She felt a mixture of pride and annoyance as she didn't know her loveable dork face had it in him to keep a secret this long, especially from her.
Miriam and Olga talked about their plans for Olga's stay while Helga mostly tuned out and nodded after every few words. Lila sat quietly when Olga wasn't asking her about school or home, she didn't seem to want to talk about either subject.
"Baby sister, have you started your menstruating yet?" Olga whispered.
"Olga?!" Helga whispered back harshly.
"What? We are all ladies here." Olga smiled.
"Oh my God. No, not yet Olga." Helga said quickly.
"Awe, you're just like me, baby sister. I didn't start menstruating until I was sixteen."
"I'm nothing like you." Helga said, a little harsher then she attended.
Olga cleared her throat and continued eating her salad.
Helga felt bad looking at her sister's sad expression. She whispers to Lila to have the waiters sing Happy Birthday. She knew how much Olga loved that cheesy stuff. Lila nodded happily and excused herself to the restroom, but really snuck off to the waiter's section. When Lila returned right on cue the waiter came singing the birthday song and Helga played it up for her sister who loved every minute as she took pictures.
The group of four went to three more pajama stores in the mall before they went to two more malls. Olga had bought at least four big bags of PJs that Helga hated. Olga said they all must come back to go clothes and shoe shopping this week. Helga rolled her eyes at the thought.
Back at the Pataki house, Olga made dinner too fancy for the Patakis in Helga's opinion. A rosemary roasted chicken, swish chard, mashed brown butter sweet potatoes, and homemade sweet rolls. Only thing Helga liked about Olga being home is when she would cook without making her peel potatoes.
After dinner, Olga played the piano while Bob, Miriam, and Lila cheered and asked her to play another and another. Helga would try to sneak out to call Phoebe, Arnold, and even Rhonda, but Olga would stop her every time. So Helga grinded her teeth and put on a painful smile as she watched her family praise Olga and ignore her.
Helga didn't really know how to talk to Lila so she didn't try. Lila would look over to Helga and look away with a blush. Helga would catch from time to time and think Lila didn't know how to talk to her either.
When Bob and Miriam went to bed, Olga insisted that her and Helga watch a black and white romance film. She wouldn't admit it but she had a soft spot for them, because of how much Olga watched them growing up. When she was younger and couldn't sleep she would go down stairs where Olga was watching a film. Olga would share her popcorn and hold her baby sister until she fell asleep.
Olga offered to take Lila home if Helga wanted since the romance films were their thing. Helga said it was okay and that Lila could stay. The older blonde ate her popcorn while smeared mascara ran down her face as she watched the film. Helga rolled her eyes at the clock and couldn't believe she had two more hours until her sleepover.
Old habits die hard as Helga felt her eyes get heavy. She kept shaking herself a wake because she had her sleepover to get to and she didn't want to ironically sleep through it. But, it was no use as she felt herself drifting from reality to dream. The sounds of the actors started to blend in with the words in her head as she drifted more to sleep.
Author's Note: As always I would love to hear your thoughts :)
Please follow and favorite the story and I to receive chapter alerts.
I'll be back as soon as I can with chapter seven.
Love you all :)