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 90: Hard Conversations
The Next Day
It was Friday morning and Drake Sanchez was a bit drowsy when he woke up. However, after he recalled the events that happened last night, he was now fully awake with a cheering smile on his face...mostly because he thought of a certain special someone in his life.
"Helga..."Drake thought happily as got up and did his morning routine, feeling that he was feeling on top of the world.
He had a dopey grin on his face for most of the morning. He doubted it was going to go away after that amazing date with Helga last night where he did everything to show her just how much she means to him.
After having breakfast with this mother, he left his apartment to go meet his amazing girlfriend at the bus stop in order to walk to school together, hopefully while holding hands on the way.
"I can't wait to see her..."He thought as he walked, thinking about Helga and not about some jerk who'd better mind his own business if he knows what's good for him.
With Helga
The young blonde girl was still at Phoebe's house, having breakfast with her family. Her friend was enjoying her breakfast and Helga did the same. As the blonde girl ate some of Mrs. Heyerdahl flapjacks, her mind was thinking about a certain young man in her life.
Helga remembered her date with Drake last night and how much she enjoyed it.
"I've got to admit, it was pretty fun until..."Helga shook her head as her mind went back to yesterday.
To her date with Drake...and what happened with Arnold just before that.
"I can't still believe Arnold of all people was spying on us!..."She thought in disbelief.
After all these years, she didn't think it was possible for Arnold to behave so un-Arnold like. It was bad enough he did something he'd admonish someone for but spying of all things!
Him and his new "friend", whoever it is.
"Criminy!..."She thought to herself in frustration.
She knew that she has to tell Drake about what happened at some point. She knew that he has a right to know. Besides, she was tired of secrets. She wanted to have an open and honest relationship with Drake, so she knew that if there was someone trying to ruin things for them, she had to talk to him about it.
But how?
How do you walk up to your boyfriend and say: "Hey Drake, you know Arnold, that guy whose ticked you off for months...well, I forgot to tell you...I had a secret crush on him until last year when he ripped my heart out and crushed it but now it turns out that he and someone else have been spying on us? Funny, huh?...".
"Yeah, that would go well..."She thought sarcastically as she kept eating her flapjacks.
She knew that she can't tell Drake about THAT part of her life...not yet anyway but she has to tell him about the spying...and she has to say sorry for not believing him about Arnold.
Drake had mentioned about getting a bad feeling from Arnold for a while, but she played it off as him still being sore about the newspaper incident. She could just kick herself right now. No, beat herself senseless after finding out about Arnold's spying, the photos and everything.
She just couldn't believe the boy would go to such lengths. It was out of character for him, but now Helga did not know what to make of the boy or his sanity right now and she still had trouble believing it.
How could she not have seen it? Seriously HOW?! Was she really that blind and clueless?
Seriously, was she?!
The blonde girl groaned, feeling a headache form at all of this.
"Criminy! This is going to be a nightmare!..."She muttered under her breath and Phoebe heard her.
"What's wrong, Helga?..."Her friend asked and Helga sighed.
"I'll tell you later..."Helga muttered before she went back to eating.
As much as she was upset with Arnold, she was more upset with herself right now, frustrated that things things are turning out like this.
Meanwhile
At Sunset Arms
Things have been quiet and somber in the Boarding House these last few days. Especially for a certain Football headed boy, who just yesterday, had come home looking especially gloomy and unwilling to talk to anybody.
The boarders had all seen the change in Arnold and were concern. It wasn't right to see the usually bright and optimistic boy act so sullen and gloomy.
He was so "Un-Arnold like".
It worried everyone in the boarding house to see Arnold acting like this. They tried talking to him but he said that it was nothing. It was very unlike his usually positive self. Sure, he has been a little down lately but not at this extent.
His parents and grandparents were both concern. Miles and Stella were upset, while Phil and Gertie had a strong feeling that it had something to do with a certain blonde girl with a unibrow and bow, and her hot headed boyfriend.
That young fella was the reason for Arnold's sour mood. It was clear as day. They didn't know the details but Phil and Gertie had a better idea then their son and daughter-in-law did. After all, they'd seen both of those kids grow up, butt heads, make up then butt heads all over again but this time was different.
It was obvious that it was different and it was affecting Arnold in a bad way. Things were bigger then a homework assignment or a baseball game, it was girl trouble.
Big girl trouble!
"Arnold...you all right, short-man?..."Phil asked.
"Of course I am, Grandpa..."His grandson said as he barely touched his breakfast at all and barely seemed to notice everyone around him.
Even Abner was concern that his friend was down in the dumps. He just poked and at his food with his fork, not saying anything. His parents at least tried to talk to him and get him to open up.
"So, Arnold. Any plans for today?...'Miles tried to ask.
"No..."Arnold said with no emotion.
Miles and Stella looked to each other not sure what to say.
What could they say?
Arnold said nothing as he got up and grabbed his backpack.
"I'm going to school..."Arnold said in a glum tone as he made it out the door.
"Want us to give you a ride, son?...'Miles offered.
Normally, Arnold never turns out going for a drive with his parents, but this time, he shook his head.
"No thanks...I'll walk...'Arnold said as he made his way out the door.
Miles and Stella looked at the door for a moment and tears were beginning to form in their eyes. They had no idea what to do here. They had been awake for less than a year and they were already failing as parents.
"My poor baby!..."Stella said in concern.
"I feel so helpless..." Miles said, putting his arm on his wife's shoulder.
Their son is suffering and they just wanted to make him feel better. Phil and Gertie looked to each other too, feeling horrible.
It was as clear as day their grandson had been having issues with his feelings for a certain lady friend of his. A certain lady friend who is apparently tired of waiting and moved on to this Sanchez fella. Phil and Gertie had heard about the boy from multiple sources, the most being their grandson and his parents, whom they knew were being biased due to being on Arnold's side and wanting him and Helga to be together and for believing that Drake Sanchez wasn't good enough for the girl that saved their lives.
Drake Sanchez? New arrival, wasn't Arnold's biggest fan and lately, the one who young Helga has taken a fancy to.
He has also been rumored to have gotten into quite some trouble in his old home town and has quite a temper on him. At least, that is what they have heard but temper or not, from what they heard from Mr. Green and Harvey the mail man, the Sanchez kid seemed to be a nice boy who really seemed to care for Helga and despised Big Bob Pataki.
That was a big plus, since anyone who had the guts to stand up to that big gorilla was okay in Phil's book, especially since that great big loudmouth clearly didn't know how to treat his poor daughter, who clearly deserved better
Phil and Gertie had tried to talk to him but it didn't help matters with his grandson, who clearly is hurt. They just hoped their grandson could get through this
A broken heart wasn't something easy to get over.
No, not easy at all.
Elsewhere
Helga and Phoebe were currently walking to PS 118 and Helga had just informed Phoebe of the unpleasant discovery that she made recently. One that Helga was still having trouble believing. Phoebe, on the other hand, looked appalled more than anything.
"I still cannot believe that Arnold did that..."Phoebe said in shock and disapproval.
"I know! I knew that Football Head didn't like Drake but he has gone too far..."Helga said in anger..."Don't you dare say anything about the irony, Pheebs..." Helga warned
"I won't..."Phoebe said.
She knew better then to say something to push Helga farther over into the edge then she already was.
Who knows what she'd do if pushed any further?
That is actually what worried the smart girl, as she knew that while her friend has done a good job in minding her temper lately, but that didn't mean that it was all gone.
Far from it.
"What is it that you intend to do, Helga?..."Phoebe asked, worried.
"First, I am going to talk to Drake and explain what happened and then, we are going to figure out what we are going to do to this creep who made the mistake of trying to mess with Helga G. Pataki..."The blonde girl said in anger...As soon as I figure out who the creep is to get involved with MY life. I'm going to personally introduce him to Old Betsy here..."She said as she raised her first, briefly imaging using it to punch whoever dared to cross her and Drake.
Phoebe nodded.
She was mad too.
Still, she just had to ask.
"What about Arnold?..."Phoebe asked.
That made Helga stop in place, unsure what to do.
Sure, she is angry at Arnold.
Very angry but like she told him yesterday, she just wanted to be left alone.
Helga sighed.
"I don't know yet. I just wish he'd leave me alone..."Helga said.
She recalled their last conversation. Where she FINALLY admitted her feelings to the dense boy and demanded that he never speak to her again.
So far, she hasn't spoken to him since then and she hopes it stays that way.
Arnold had better know better then to get in her way
"I want to be left alone and go on with my life. Is that too much to ask?!..."She asked
"No, no it's not..."Phoebe said before sent her friend a concern look.
She has been through so much recently this last year alone: Losing her house, being forced to live in the beeper store, nearly getting killed in the jungle by some river pirates and worst of all, getting her heart broken by her first love.
Now, when she finally meets a guy who likes her and whom she likes and when things seem to be looking up, things come crashing down.
Sure, Helga has done some bad things over the years, but she was already suffering as it is. She was living in a STORE for Pete's sake! In a broom closet and needing to sleep over at her friends once or twice a week just to get away from her unreasonable parents!
She has been through enough! Unfortunately, it seems that some people can't let things be.
It worried Phoebe tremendously.
Helga might have done some bad things, but she doesn't deserve this.
"Are you sure that you don't wish to stay another night, Helga?..."She asked, still concerned.
Helga sighed.
"Believe me Pheebs, I would if I could but as much as I rather be at your house, I gotta get back to Bob and Miriam sometime before they do something really stupid and make a bigger mess..."Helga said.
She knew that they could. As bad as things are now, her mom and dad can easily make things worse. How? She is not sure but she knew it would.
Bob and Miriam were expert at making things worse
Her best friend saw this and felt worse for her now.
"Poor Helga..."Phoebe thought in sympathy.
Soon, the two girls arrived to a certain bus stop and just then, a certain dark haired, Hispanic boy was already there, with a rose in his hand. A certain Hispanic boy who made Helga smile upon seeing him.
"Hey beautiful..."Drake said affectionately.
"Drake..."Helga said happily as he approached her and handed her the flower.
"It's pretty..."She said as she took the rose.
"Not as pretty as you..."He said sweetly.
"Corny..."Helga said with an amused smile..."But cute..."She thought.
Drake planted a quick kiss on her cheek, happy to see her again.
Then again, he is always happy to see his favorite girl. He noticed her appearance and smiled.
"I see you are still wearing your hair down..."Drake said.
Helga blushed and looked down.
"Uh, yeah. I...decided to go with my hair down again today..."Helga said sheepishly.
"Just like yesterday, you look amazing..."Drake said.
Helga blushed and smiled.
"Thanks Drake..."She said.
Her previous anger was soon replaced with much better emotions, thanks to his being here and being so happy.
Phoebe smiled at this, happy to see her friend cheered up
"I shall give you both some privacy..."Phoebe said as she walked ahead of them, giving the happy couple as much privacy as could be given on a public sidewalk.
It was the least she could do for her best friend. Helga smiled in appreciation before turning back to Drake, who smiled at her again.
"Shall we?..."He said in a coy voice.
Helga smiled slightly.
"Sure..."She said.
They walked to school together, hand in hand, while Phoebe decided to give them some privacy and a chance to talk.
Her best friend deserved that much
Helga tried to enjoy this and noticed that Phoebe was giving them some alone time, which she appreciated.
Meanwhile, her boyfriend was just happy to be here with his lovely girlfriend by his side again.
"Man, today's off to a great start. I'm here with Helga and there's no Football headed weasel in sight..."He thought as they continued to walk and talk.
Drake had a dopey grin on his face for a long while. He doubted it was going to go away after that amazing date with Helga last night where he did everything to show her just how much she means to him.
"Helga..."Drake thought happily.
Despite knowing her for a short while, he knew that girl was the greatest person he'd ever met in his life.
"Hey Drake..."Helga started.
"Yeah, Babe?..."Drake asked.
Helga tried to speak up before she hesitated as she looked at her boyfriend, who is smiling innocently at her.
"Uh...never mind. So, how did you sleep last night?..."Helga said, chickening out.
"Great...mostly because I was dreaming about you..."Drake said with a lovesick look.
'"Real corny, Sanchez..."Helga said with a forced grin as she was hiding her real thoughts.
She knew that she had to tell him but now is not the time, they had to get to class or risk getting detention.
"Later...I'll tell him later..."She thought as she kept walking and holding his hand.
They can talk about this later.
Later
Soon enough, they arrived to school and went to their lockers, while Phoebe went to go find Gerald. Drake still had his hand in hers, happy to be here with his favorite girl and not afraid to show it.
He is kind and attentive to her, he showers her with smiles, compliments and public affections like a real, loving boyfriend would.
As they walked in, their friends and fellow school mates noticed the happy couple and greeted them.
"Hey Helga, Hey Drake..."
"Hi Helga..."Nadine said.
"I see your hair is still down. It looks just as pretty as yesterday..."Sheena said.
It was still weird for Helga that people were just being nice to her without wanting something in return but it wasn't unwelcome either.
"Thanks..."She said, looking down sheepishly.
She really wasn't used to compliments, it was weird but not unpleasant. Most of the time she heard compliments were when people needed something from her or something for her to do for them.
"My girl looks good every day..."Drake said.
Helga smiled at that, and chuckled.
"Corny..."She laughed in a flattered sort of way.
After everything she went through today, she needed this. To be away from the drama and to enjoy her hard work with her make over.
The only problem was the nagging feeling that Arnold could be spying on them. The term nagging was an understatement. She felt the need to check if Arnold was watching them. Every now and then, the girl would look over her shoulder when she knew Drake wasn't looking. Any vantage point was potentially everywhere to her.
She didn't see him.
So far, so good. Still...
"He just better remember my warning if he has any brains at all in that wide head of his..."Helga thought to herself.
If he did he should know she didn't bluff...not about the important stuff, anyway.
Drake, oblivious to what happened yesterday and her current troubles, kept talking about yesterday and how great it was.
"Those cookies you made were the best, babe..."Drake said as he open his locker.
"I am glad that you liked them..."Helga said, happy that he enjoyed it.
She had been worried they wouldn't turn out good. She really owed Phoebe one for helping her make them but now is not the time to talk about cookies or fun dates. No, now is the time to talk to her nice boyfriend and explain the problem she has been facing and the sooner, the better.
Too bad she was having trouble figuring our what to say to him.
"Say something, Helga. You gotta talk to him about what happened..."Her inner voice told her to do.
Helga was about to, but the bell rang, signaling that they had to get to class and pronto.
"There's the bell...'Drake said as he got her books to carry them.
"Yeah..."Helga said.
Part of her felt relieved but the other part was yelling at her for chickening out. She just needed to get on with it.
She knew that...but...
"After class...I'll talk to him after class..."Helga thought as she got her things and went to class with her boyfriend.
She will tell him later.
As soon as she had enough time to figure out exactly WHAT she is going to say.
Later
Classes had passed by very slowly.
And the blonde girl still had no clue what to say to her sweet boyfriend about their problem. All through out class, Helga had wanted to talk to Drake about Arnold but something always interrupted her.
She didn't complain TOO much since she still had no clue what she was going to tell him.
It wasn't easy.
It's not like she could just walk up to him and say "Hey Drake, remember how I've been telling you for months that Arnold isn't going to be a problem. Well, looks like I was wrong, not only has he been spying and taking pictures but there's SOME other guy spying on us too..."
Yeah, that would end well.
It would end about as well as dropping a lit match in an oil drum!
"Oh, Criminy!..."She thought to herself.
She barely kept it together herself and she knew that Drake was going to flip when she told him, which is why she needed a way to do it delicately and quickly before something worse happens.
"I need to get this over with..." She muttered silently to herself.
Drake is a pretty reasonable guy and cared about her a lot and vice-verse. Maybe's she's overreacting.
Maybe it won't be as bad as she thinks...Maybe he won't explode and try or do anything stupid?
After a moment, she groaned internally.
"Oh, who am I kidding?! Drake is going to lose it when I tell him and I don't blame him!..."Helga thought, dreading this.
She knew she would, if she was in his shoes. If her boyfriend told her that a former crush of his had been sneaking around and invading their privacy, she'd be pretty peeved. Heck, she'd probably punch someone for it.
But she didn't want Drake to do that. He was better then that. He is better than her...or how she used to be.
"This is not going to be fun..."She mused to herself.
The only plus side is that ARNOLD hasn't walked up and talk to her all day. Maybe something she said yesterday finally sunk in.
Instinctively, Helga looked forward to see the boy. She did not see his face as his looking forward. It was weird but a part of her felt a pang of concern and maybe some guilt as she watched him from behind and not the one that came from her broken heart.
"Arnold..."Helga thought before she shook her head.
It's better this way. He'd see that one day. Arnold was better off with her out of his life and she was better off with him out of her life too. They were just not good for each other.
She knew that from personal experience.
Class continued, as neither blonde student dared to look at each other and speak out loud during the whole period. It's better that way.
At least, that's what she told herself anyway.
After class
Classes ended and people were getting ready to leave.
Including Helga and Drake.
"I'll meet you outside, I just need to get something from my locker..."Drake said.
"Okay..."Helga said as she walked out.
Drake smiled at her before gong to his locker.
He always felt bliss around his favorite girl.
Today had been great so far. He and Helga had been together all date, make a date to go to Slauncens again and best of all, no football headed jerks tried to bug either of them.
"Maybe he's finally learned to mind his own business..."Drake thought.
Good, that means that maybe he doesn't need to knock his football-headed block off. Still, he was kind of confused as to why he suddenly went from being a huge pest, to not talking to anyone all day.
"What's up with him?..."He thought, curious about this change.
Did he just stop caring about this?
Drake thought about Arnold's current actions in his head before he shook his head. Maybe he was just being pessimistic or something.
"Whatever, so long as he keeps his distance from us..."Drake thought as he was about to leave and go meet with Helga.
However, he noticed something at the bottom of his locker and he raised a brow.
It was a small, cardboard box.
He frowned hard.
"Is this another one of HIS tricks?..."Drake thought as he picked it up and open it.
He still wondered how Arnold even GOT into here...how the heck did he know the combination?
Either way, Drake felt angry and violated.
Especially when he open said box and saw what was inside. It was a picture of him and Helga during their date last night...as well as another note.
"Don't you read fairy tales Sanchez, the Dragon NEVER gets the girl..."Was written in black ink.
Drake clenched the note tightly in his hands
"That little rat..."Drake whispered in anger. He felt his fists shaking and his temper rising.
"Will that little weasel ever learn?!..."Drake thought in anger.
He felt the urge to go outside, catch up with him and deck him for this.
"No! Don't lose your cool. Remember your mental exercises!..."He thought as he tried to keep his impulses in control.
Especially the impulse of finding that little fink and making him pay.
"Calm Down, calm down. Don't let him get to you. He's not worth it...he's not worth it..."He thought before let out a breath, calming down
He needed to calm down. He can't give in and act out. Drake didn't want to scare Helga or give that loser the satisfaction of getting under his skin.
No, he's better than that.
He wasn't that bad kid anymore.
Outside
Helga stood outside the school, waiting for Drake, trying to figure out the words
"Where is he?..."She thought.
On the outside, she was cool and collected. On the inside, she was nervous.
No, that's an understatement. She is FREAKING OUT BIG TIME!
And can you blame her?!
How was she supposed to tell Drake about what happened with Arnold? Maybe she could just push it off or just not tell him at all. No, that was a horrible idea. It was only going to make things worse and Drake would be upset if she kept something this big from him.
She just had to tell him.
This was like a bandaid, she had to rip it off and get it over with.
She had to get it over with. The sooner, the better
The longer she pushed it off, the worse it would get
"Just do it already!..."She thought to herself, convinced that things couldn't get much worse.
Uh-oh!
"I just jinxed myself, didn't I?..."The blonde thought pessimistically.
She was proven right when the following happened. Drake soon marched out of the school, but he looked mad for some reason.
"What's wrong?...'Helga asked.
"Nothing..."Drake muttered.
Helga frowned at that. A few minutes ago, he had been his normally cheerful, goofball self. Now he looks like he had just finished beating up someone to a pulp.
Helga was pretty concerned and wanted to make sure that she wasn't jumping to conclusions. She tried getting Drake to talk to her.
"Drake, come on. What's wrong?..." Helga said, cutting him off.
She didn't understand. It has only been five minutes. What could have happened?
Drake still had that sour look on his face as he crossed his arms.
"Let's just say that I had to deal with some trash..."Drake muttered, still looking mad.
Helga knew that there had to be more to that. Drake didn't just get mad for no reason. Something must have happened but what?
What happened to set him off? If it was Arnold, she was going to go through with her cop threat.
He, of all people, should know that she didn't make bluffs. Or at least, not for serious matters.
Not for this.
Especially since it looks like her sweet boyfriend looks so ticked right now.
"Darn it!..."Helga thought as she realized that he's in a bad mood and might not handle this very well.
She had to do something. She had to calm him down before she tells him... but how?
Soon, the answer came when her stomach growled. Drake lost his sour expression and soon chuckled.
"Sounds like someone is hungry?..."Helga said.
Helga laughed sheepishly.
"Yeah, I guess..."She said.
Drake sent her a sheepish grin before speaking up again.
"Come on, let's go to Slaucen's...my treat..."Drake said.
Helga smiled.
Even when he is ticked off, Drake put her needs before his own.
"He really is something else..."She thought.
Still, she should know better by now. Drake cares about her. That is certain.
Anyway, the young couple walked off together...unaware that someone HAD been looking at them from the shadows. Someone who was NOT happy right now.
Not happy at all.
To be continued-
Next time on A Broken Heart
Hard Conversations Part II
A/N(1): Special thanks to 61394, Jay The Average Fanboy and NeoMark for their help. You guys are the best ;)
A/N(2): I would like to dedicate this chapter to my loved ones :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
JohnathanDoe12329: Thank you :)
Invader Johnny: You got that right.
The J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbuh i: How's this?
Kryten: I would like to point out that for all of Drake's flaws and past actions, he IS trying to be a better person and is genuinely trying to turn his life around. Helga is aware of that fact.
Rosali Leon Huamani: Espero que esto funcione.
Anonymous Latino: Thank you :)
Esmeralda: I guess we just have to wait and see how things turn out.
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)