Part II

Hillwood High School

It's been years, but Mr. Sawyer had driven his daughter to the high school instead of taking the bus. Driving Lila to the high school would be the most astute thing to do for the senior year. He informed her about she can go home anytime, but the teen assisted she would be okay.

Entering the high school, it only took a split second to get a couple of glances from students. Even the couple of security guards who assist students entering the school gave the girl some sort of sympathy acknowledgment. The glances weren't for her attire of Unif Str8 Jeans and tan flat sandals. Nor her nice knitted green long sleeve sweater. Being nearly ninety degrees, it seemed silly to wear a sweater, but Lila insisted. The long sleeve was perfect - to hide certain scars.

Lila loved attention and awareness as much as the next teenage girl. But this type of attention wasn't something she ever perceived to have. Throughout her day, it was just apologies left and right.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

"It wasn't you. It was them. And only them."

"I'm terribly, terribly sorry" even from the peapod kid an old classmate from PS. 118 who she hasn't seen in years.

When someone tried to talk to Lila, she only reacts with one word. All of her teachers attempted to talk after class, but the student told them she just needed to go to class. The thought of everyone knowing the situation. She figures the entire world knows who she is by now. No teacher couldn't say anything to the girl. Nobody couldn't do or say anything to cheer her up.

Lila was broken and alone.

12:28 pm

Helga has belatedly returned to school. Like Lila, Helga has been getting stares throughout her day. Although, unlike Lila, no one dared to say anything to the blonde teen. Literally, every student froze when Helga walked into the hallway to her classes.

When it was her lunch period, entering the cafeteria was a big no for obvious reasons. The library seemed like a better idea at first. Helga wanted actual peace, and the best was to spend her lunch period in the girl bathroom inside of a stall. She officially planned to have lunch in the girl's bathroom for senior year or somewhere else that's more private. Helga has been receiving text messages from her best friend Phoebe but replied with only one-word text. Similar to Lila's responses to her peers.

Helga's meal was a simple homemade bologna sandwich she made earlier in the morning since her mother was too hungover to make her daughter's school lunch. The school menu was too greasy for Helga's taste, as she still wanted to maintain her ballet shape. A bologna sandwich wasn't enough at all. She preferred a nice grilled chicken sandwich and a pleasant side of scrambled cauliflower rice. But, the teen would have to make do.

Helga's simple but peaceful meal was interrupted when the bathroom door opened. It was a bathroom, so of course, people would come and go. Based on the footsteps, it was at least two girls.

"You saw her?"

"I haven't. I wouldn't want to,"

"She has some great nerve going back."

"And her father still sells beepers? Does he not know what year this is? How her family could afford to live in our town is beyond me."

"That video was - yuck. Didn't know Arnold had a cute little ass for a weird-shaped head."

"She needs to leave town"

"I hope she does. I was partners with Lila was in my biology class last semester. She's so nice and sweet. Then she gets cheated on?"

"I heard Helga used to be a big bully to everyone back then. For no reason. She clearly got issues at home and it's very clear she still does."

"Pathetic disgusting slut."

The hatred into Helga's mind after hearing the gossips, well, it wasn't like she experienced a new feeling. Helga didn't recognize voices, so she didn't know who was talking. It didn't matter. Everyone thinks the same thing about Helga. A pathetic, disgusting slut. Helga agreed with the leaving town part. But where would she go?

After the unknown girls left the bathroom, Helga was back again in peace. But it wasn't peace. Rage and sadness fuel Helga's blood, along feeling her face with tears.

3:38 pm

"You sure about this?"

"Gerald, it's not like I'm not asking her to marry me. Just be my girlfriend. I love her."

"Arnold, you're bold."

"I think she will accept it, Gerald. Everything's been great. I never felt this way about anyone. Me and Lila are closer than ever,"

"I learned years ago that I have to really know someone other than just looks."

"You mean like Ruth?"

"Ruth, she never knew I even existed. I always had a better chance with Lila."

"What about, you know. 'ol girl?"

"Helga?" Arnold asked, which Gerald nodded for the confirmation.

"She just - didn't want to I guess. She has just been avoiding me after our trip to the jungle."

"She was the sole reason my parents woke up. After we came back home, I wanted to make...well, something to work. She didn't want to. I never understood."

"We only make small talk now. I still consider her my friend."

"I guess Helga wasn't supposed to be in my life. In that way. I finally accepted it."

"Sounds like you're better off with Lila, then."

Arnold swung his head enough to get the memory away before his eyes and before returning to the actual world. While walking home, alone, from school, a certain alley caught his eye. His eyes were glued to a particular section of a brick wall. Looking at the old mark of that infamous "Arnold Loves Lila". The chalk outline itself has naturally vanished, but the thought was always there. Who wrote that? He never knew nor why, but it was the reason Lila did like Arnold in fourth grade. He never physically saw the chalk outline, but Lila showed him the location a few weeks after they became a couple freshman year.

"You are, oh so sincerely promised that you didn't write that?"

"Lila, I never wrote it. I swore to you. But, does it matter now?"

"No. It doesn't matter"

"It doesn't. Because whoever wrote it, it was true and it still is. I love you, Lila."

"Arnold, I - love you"

"I will never lie to you. I promised".

Arnold closed his eyes to wave away the new flashback. He kept staring at the wall, but it's just bricks. There's nothing there. Not to deal with the emotions, he continued his walk home, but was interrupted after turning the corner and getting slammed into someone on the ground. Arnold was going to apologize until he realized who it was. His green eyes connected to her blue eyes.

"Helga…"

"Get the fuck away from me…"

"Helga, please. Can we, please talk?"

"Fuck you!" Helga walked away from him, fast. It only took a second to stop Arnold from going after her. Helga stopped in her tracks to turn around at her ex-lover.

"FUCK..."

"...YOU!"

She roared at the top of her lungs and continued to run away. Arnold just stood there, didn't know what to feel after being told that statement. Twice.

It's nobody's fault. But his own.

A/N: Thank you all for the recent comments!

"Veganmama." Love that name. This next bowl hit is for ya

I'm on reddit. I'm active on the HeyArnold boards, sometimes. "AddressUnknown420." Chat and message me there if you want. If...you're that deep into it lol. Don't be weird. Because trust me, I'm weirder :p

As usual, stay safe, stay lit (if you're into it), and stay tuned! Watch an 80's horror movie too.

AU-05/18/2021