A/N: I don't own the Hey Arnold characters, they belong to Craig Bartlett. Also, my memory is terrible, so forgive me if I mess up some parts of the canon.
Helga Pataki was smiling ear-to-ear as she buckled herself into the backseat of her father's car. It wasn't a fake smile, either—or even a mischievous smile. For the first time in a long time, Helga's smile came from a feeling of pure, authentic joy, thanks to the miracle that happened in San Lorenzo.
After Helga used her locket to save Arnold Shortman's parents, Arnold realized that Helga loved him...and he kissed her. She had been waiting for that kiss for years, and it was a thousand times more wonderful than any kiss she could've imagined. She kept replaying it in her head during the plane trip home, while pretending to watch the view from the window.
In the car, Olga Pataki must've been lost in her own daydreams. Even though she was sitting on the other side of the backseat, she didn't acknowledge the fact that Helga was glowing. Unsurprisingly, their parents were as miserable as always.
"I can't believe I almost died in another country," Bob said. "We should've never let Olga travel internationally."
"I'm a grown adult," Olga reminded him, "and I wanted to spend time with Helga."
"Neither of you should've went to that place," Miriam said. It was clear from her tone that she wanted to use a harsher word than place, but was too drunk to think of one.
Bob stopped at a red light. "That pest could've found his parents on his own."
Helga gasped, and her smile vanished. Pest?
"It was supposed to be a class trip!" she shouted. "Nobody expected to get kidnapped by some freak!"
"Don't start, Helga," Olga said.
Bob already started, Helga thought. She wanted to return to her Arnold loves me euphoria, but in order to do that, she would have to shut her ears off. She wished she could shut Bob off.
She wasn't going to tell him that she and Arnold liked each other, because in addition to thinking he was a pest, Bob also thought Arnold was naive. Helga figured that Bob would start ranting about how dating a kind gentleman is a Bad Thing, Actually. He'd probably want her to date some jerk and become the next Miriam.
Helga drowned out her parents' voices with memories of Arnold's voice. She tried to imagine what he would say now, if he were sitting in Olga's seat. Like Olga, Arnold would probably play peacekeeper...but he would be on Helga's side, not Bob's.
It had been a long drive from the airport, but they finally arrived back home. Olga was staying over while searching for a job; she had recently graduated college with a degree in elementary education.
"It's a shame that teachers don't get paid well," Olga said as she stepped out of the car. Apparently the topic had changed to something about money, and ever since Bob decided to liquidate his business, sell their house and start living in the store, that topic had become a sore spot for the entire family.
"Why do you want to work with dumb kids, anyway?" Helga asked her sister. She followed Bob and Miriam through the front door, while Olga trailed.
"I love helping kids learn!" Olga exclaimed. "I love making an impact on society."
"Too bad your sister doesn't." Bob went into the "kitchen" and hung his keys on the latch.
"I need a drink," Miriam said.
Helga sighed. Olga was still annoyingly perfect, Bob still thought Helga was a loser (despite everything that happened in San Lorenzo), and Miriam was still an alcoholic. Why am I still upset? Helga wondered.
Arnold had a perfect family now. Why couldn't Helga get one?