Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or it's characters.
Chapter 22,
Dear Diary,
Well, today is dad's birthday, and I guess I was a little annoyed at the fact that Miriam was putting all of this effort into baking a cake and making decorations for Bob, when neither of them ever bothered to remember my birthday. When I checked the mail I saw an invitation to Arnold's- oops, I mean the 'Great Arnoldini's' magic show at 2 o'clock.
Can we just take a moment to recognize how beautifully fitting it is for Arnold to perform magical tricks when he already casts spells upon my heart? Aaaaahhhhh...
Anyways, I thought it was a nice distraction from this whole birthday situation. Even then, I was still steaming; I even snapped at Phoebe for not saving a seat for me- telling her that she did everything wrong, as if that could ever be true. I kinda think she expected me to be off today, because it was Bob's birthday; and instead of getting mad, or upset, she merely apologized.
Now I will admit, Arnold started the show, and it was clear that he was a subpar magician; the rabbit popping out of the hat early and junk flying out of his sleeves and whatnot. Then he turned around and expected us to be impressed by 'transforming' water into steam with a hot plate, and wiggling a pencil in our face. He was wrong.
He moved on to this disappearing box, and everyone chanted to for Arnold to make me disappear. I got in the box to shut them up, and I heard Gerald say he wished they could make me disappear or real, and Arnold's laughter hurt. I thought that if they wanted me to disappear so badly, I might as well leave, I slipped out the back of the box and left the yard.
A part of me considered the possibility that everyone would be so incredibly sad when they realized I had disappeared for real, and search for me everywhere, and holding Arnold responsible for sending me away. I ran off, and I kept looking back at the magic show and I was stupid enough to run into a pole.
I'm not quite sure if it was a dream, a hallucination, or a coma, but I had this whole fantasy while I was on the ground. There was this parade going on in the middle of town, and I tried to ask others what was happening, but I was some sort of ghost, and I phased through folks. The parade was some sort of anti-Helga parade, because everyone was so ecstatic to live life without me. It was upsetting.
I went on a mission to find someone who would miss me. I decided to check Big Bob and Miriam first. I went home and was shocked to discover they transformed my room into some date room and how happy they were because I wasn't around anymore. Miriam was more creative, Bob gave up beepers to play the harp and they were so incredibly loving towards one another.
I couldn't believe it, though I don't know why I was surprised. I have always thought my family would be happier without me, but I still hoped that they would miss me, just a little.
I stepped up my game, and I ran over to Phoebe's house. We're best friends, surely she would miss me. I was wrong. Phoebe was spending time with this pretty chick named Gloria. Gloria gave Phoebe cookies she handmade, and asked about Phoebe's 'old best friend', and Phoebe couldn't even remember my name.
I left and saw some of the boys playing on a four-square and the game involved an old maid-esq. technic, being me! Does that make sense? Nobody wants to be 'the Helga', but everyone wants to be 'the Gloria'. It was so depressing, not being missed, and then I saw Arnold on television.
He was doing a tv interview for being the person responsible for my disappearance. He was proud of his magical career, didn't Miss me in the slightest, and had Ruth sitting by his side as his fiancée. I couldn't stand watching them kiss, but that's around when I woke up in the real world, once more.
After such a vivid experience, I decided that I needed to apologize to Arnold if nothing else, and I returned to the magic show. Oh, wait, I ran and got a present for my dad and a bouquet of flowers first- then I returned to the show.
Arnold was on his 48th attempt on returning me, and I have mixed feelings about that. Feeling bad for making him do that so many times, and a little happy that he tried so many times to get me back. I'm not exactly sure how much of that was for the crowd instead of me, but I jumped out of the box and gave Phoebe the flowers. She deserved it after how rotten I was to her before.
I tried to apologize to the crowd but then they all ran to drink free yahoo-sodas. So I tried to apologize to Arnold and he was upset that I ruined his last trick, but he 'was listening'... though I could tell, even though he was listening, he really wasn't in the mood for anything I had to say. So I just spat out some insult, took down one of his flyers and went home to celebrate dad's birthday.
Well, I can't really say that I'm surprised at Arnold for being short with me, so I won't hold that against him. In fact, I even went out and did a little magic trick of my own. I managed to find him a book about the Erik Weisz, and lowered the book onto Football Head's pillow. I'm sure he'll come to believe his grandparents were responsible for the gift, and I'm alright with that. There's nothing wrong with wanting to believe in magic, and miracles, and such.
I only wish that I were innocent enough to believe in that stuff. If you ask me, I hope Arnold believes for a long, long time. He's so special, he deserves it; and if I can help keep the illusion strong, then I will... within reason, of course. If he's 30, believing in the tooth fairy, that's unacceptable. But for now his belief is magical, and that's one of the reasons why I love him.
"Alright class, welcome back. Let's see, yesterday we were talking about the structure of fairytales. Does anyoneremember what makes a fairytale a fairytale?" Their teacher, Mr. Simmons, asked and as usual Phoebe was the first one with her hand up.
"They often has three's in them. Cinderella and her step sisters, having three days to complete a task, the three bears, or three billy goats, for example. Threes were often a symbol of harmony, protection, or on the other end of the spectrum, Christianity's 'devil hour'." Phoebe said.
"Very good, anyone else?" Mr. Simmons asked and this time Lila rose her hand.
"Many of them also used sevens. Like breaking a mirror causes 7 years bad luck, 7 deadly sins, and people who possessed magical abilities were said to be the seventh son of the seventh son, or seventh daughter of the seventh daughter. we use 7 for 7 days in a week, but it also symbolizes challenges, and the seven levels of human consciousness." Lila said and Mr. Simmons nodded happily.
"Alright, very good. Anyone else?" He inquired, and the classroom was silent.
Arnold looked down at his phone and thought about poor Helga. Feeling so lonely, and that no one would really miss her. The average school student may not have been crazy about Helga, so perhaps she was right about that. But he did miss her, and so did Phoebe.
"Yes, Arnold?" Mr. Simmons said and Arnold blinked. When did he raise his hand?
"Um. Fairytales normally had some element of magic within it." Arnold said, mentally thanking Helga for this fast response.
"Very, very good, Arnold. Now let's talk about-"
Arnold quickly lowered his hand and let out a steady breath. He really has to be more careful during class... and yet.. Helga's diary almost seemed to beckon him behind his dark phone. At this rate, Arnold will run out of pages before lunch, he was already low as it is.
Arnold sighed.
Was he ever gonna take enough pictures to last him 24 hours without running out? He only photographed up to the Christmas section, because he thought that would be enough. Besides Arnold was nearly at the end of the first diary, and he didn't want to finish this one without being able to start the new one- which meant he needed to be at Helga's house for that. It's ok, soon Arnold will be back at his beloved's and he'll get 2 more glorious hours doing nothing but spending time in the mind of Helga G. Pataki.
-
Miriam was blending up a smoothie in the kitchen when she heard a knock at her front door. She was utterly confused and she went over and looked through the peephole. She blinked when she saw Stella. Miriam still couldn't believe that Stella kept her word about coming back, and part of her was happy.
"Why hello Stella." Miriam said when she opened the door and Stella smiled back.
"Hey Miriam, what are you doing?" Stella asked brightly.
"I'm just making smoothies, you want one?" Miriam asked and Stella's face fell.
"No." Stella said firmly and Miriam blinked.
"Oh right, you don't approve of drinking." Miriam said.
"Have you drink any of it yet?" Stella asked and Miriam shrugged.
"Not yet, but I was going to." Miriam said, crossing her arms over her chest, and Stella nodded.
"Are you sure?" Stella asked.
"Well, doy, why make something that your not gonna have? Miriam asked and Stella sighed.
"And there's nothing I can do to convince you not to drink your little smoothies?" Stella asked calmly.
"Not really." Miriam retorted and Stella sighed.
"Very well. I'll see you tomorrow." Stella said, and Miriam was shocked when Stella turned and started to leave.
"Wait. You're going?" Miriam asked.
"I have no reason to stay." Stella said, glancing back at Miriam who hesitated.
"But... I though we were gonna get our nails done today." Miriam said and Stella put her hands on her hips.
"I'm more then willing to spend time with you, but not while you're drunk." Stella said and Miriam scoffed.
"Oh yeah? Well, who wants to be friends with a selfish bitch anyways?" Miriam asked angrily.
"Apparently, I do." Stella said and Miriam huffed.
"O-oh yeah? Well you're just-"
"I'll see you tomorrow." Stella said and Miriam's heart sank.
"I... I'll see you tomorrow." Miriam said quietly, and she shut the door behind her. Miriam didn't intend to scare Stella away, she just got angry sometimes. She went into the kitchen and she saw her mug that read #1 mom. She picked it up and glared at it.
It was a present 'from' B, for Mother's Day, but Miriam had always known that it was really a gift from Olga; because B forgot to get a present for her. It was a lie... it was always a lie... Miriam hauled back and threw that lie against the front door. Then she picked up the blender and poured the smoothie into her mouth; guzzling it as quickly as she could.
-
Arnold twitched in his seat. He simply couldn't focus on the lesson. The only thing he wanted to do was read Helga's diary. Everything else seemed subpar at best. He sighed and picked his phone back up and slid to his pictures.
Dear Diary,
Ok, sooooo... there's a chance that Harold will kill Arnold tomorrow. See, hairboy was spacing out, as usual, during our baseball game. We wanted to get some playtime in before the snow of December arrived. Arnold came up to bat and Harold teased the boy. This always happens, but I just wanted blimpo to quit making fun of Arnold and getting on with the game.
Harold crosses a line when he asked Arnold if his 'looney grandma' taught him how to pitch. That's when Arnold hit the right into Harold's face. I swear Harold got a mild concussion from it, but he quickly remembered everyone after I slapped him around a bit. Harold was absolutely livid, marching straight over to Arnold to beat him up, but I stopped him.
I couldn't help myself. I jumped between the two of them and ordered Harold not to touch Arnold. Harold asked me why he couldn't hurt Arnold and that's when I realized the situation I threw myself into. I have no idea what Arnold thought about me rushing to his aid, but quiet honestly, I don't think he really noticed. I think, in that moment, Arnold was so scared of Harold, that he didn't care who saved him.
Now I know that Arnold was very smart and resourceful, but only when he had the time to think up something. But that's when I realized that was something I could help Arnold with. I bought Arnold some time to think up a way to save himself, by telling Harold he should wait a day to scare Arnold, dangle him a while, really laying in the guilt trip and all. I even volunteered myself to keep an eye on Arnold and ensure that he shows up.
Personally I kinda hope Arnold breaks out some of those dangerous karate moves on Harold. Just seeing Arnold in his gi would make Harold fun for the hills; intimation without throwing a single punch.
I might have taken my role a little far, I'll admit. I just loved having an excuse to be close to Arnold and the boarding house that doesn't involve jumping rope wherever I please because it's a free country.
Besides, this definitely isn't the first time Harold's tried to wail on him, and it probably won't be the last. Arnold could try to back out, and Harold might forget, but Arnold still needs to know when to stand up for himself. He's always standing from for others and yet he is so prepared to let people walk all over him. You know, someone once told me that if you don't love yourself, then you can't love someone else. Well, if that's true, doesn't that also mean you have got to know how to protect yourself, before you can protect someone else.
Honestly I don't know what he'll do, I just hope I reminded him about the fight enough to show him how serious this can be. But wait, what ur he forgets the fight when he wakes up? Oooh, I can't let that happen. I gotta go make some calls.
Dear Diary,
So Arnold showed up to the fight with a boom box instead of his Karate uniform. The boom box was unexpected, but it definitely meant Arnold had something up his sleeve, which was what I was hoping for.
Heh heh, I don't know where he got this idea, but he told Harold that he was crazy, and you should never hit a crazy person. Oh wait, maybe he got the idea from his grandmother. No idiot would mess with her. Though if Harold has any brains, he would realize that every insane person thinks that they are completely normal, so no crazy person would call themselves crazy... but it was a brilliant idea of Arnold's, regardless of that fact.
He started dancing around and acting so ridiculous. He jumped on Harold and messed with his face, even ran through Harold's legs. But do you think he stopped there? No. He turned to me next and grabbed the collar of my dress. He didn't see me swoon, because he was too busy getting thrown by car hoods and hitting himself in the head with trash can lids. He bounced around, playing and cutting loose in a way I've never seen him do before.
Secretly, it was kinda nice to see him unfiltered like that. Acting as impulsively as a wild child on a sugar-high. He looked like he had a lot of fun.
By the end of his performance, Harold believed that he was crazy and wanted to be Arnold's friend, genuinely. I can not describe how proud I was of my love fo outsmarting the situation. Of course I couldn't stay proud. If I didn't make a big deal about there not being a fight, people might have been suspicious. I couldn't afford that because I defended Arnold yesterday. Harold just ordered Joey and Iggy to fight instead and they left. I swear boys are so stupid.
Well, at least Harold and Arnold seem to have found some common ground. Maybe Harold will lay off Arnold a bit now. Ooo, it starting to get chilly. I bet it will snow soon. About time too, Christmas isn't too far away, and snow just puts you right in the Christmas spirit; now doesn't it?