Important Author's Note: This chapter and majority of the story takes place in the early 2000s, so minutes have limits, movies are on VHS, mix tapes are still a thing, and people take taxis, because rideshare (unless it's with your friend's mom) doesn't exist, so keep this in mind. I love TJM, and at the same time they were supposed to be in 2000s, but had high tech, not in my fic!
TW: "Teen drinking is very bad. Yo, I got a fake ID Though" - J-Kown
TW 2: Sexual Harassment: unwelcome advances.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Hey Arnold. Doi! I've adopted and love them! I'm so excited for you to see them blossom into flower children/adults.
Helga New Year
The faint ringing in her ears caused the blonde to shift and turn in her bed. She mumbled and waved her arm before it landed to the side of her mattress as she drifted back to sleep. Helga opened one eye and looked at the door where the sound of knocking had come from.
"Helga, Honey," Miriam peeked her head in her daughter's room.
"What, Miriam?" Helga tried to make out the blurred figure which was her mother.
"Your little friend, Phoebe is on the phone," She smiled at her daughter.
Helga groaned and reached to pick up her pink cordless phone, "I got it Miriam."
"Oh okay," Miriam backed out the room still holding her own phone in her hands.
"Hang up, mom," Helga said.
"Oh, yeah. Okay..." she hung up.
Helga exhaled once she heard the phone click, "Phoebe, it better be important for you to call me so early in the morning."
"Salutation, Helga," Phoebe said.
"Hakuna Matata to you too, Pheebs." She rubbed the bridge of her nose.
Phoebe laughed, "It's one in the afternoon, Helga."
"Criminy, it can't be." She looked over to her clock to see it was indeed the time her friend said. Helga looked at her cell phone and saw the text notifications from Arnold. "The football head is going to kill me." She leaned back on the bed.
"I'm sure he'll forgive you when you kiss him tonight."
"Pheebs, I already told you and my adorable dork of a boyfriend that i'm not going."
"But, Helga," She pleaded, "it's tradition to kiss at midnight-"
"Don't care." Helga cut her off and turned to lay on her side. "Pheebs, the last time I went to one of Miss. Rhonda Lloyd's parties I kissed Brainy, Stinky, and even Sid while playing spin the bottle." She laid on her back again, "I kissed everyone, but the dork." She huffed "My dork!"
"I know but-"
"I'm surprised you want to go." She set up on her bed "Did you forget you had to kiss Harold. Harold?!"
"I know but-"
"But, what Pheebs?"
"This time you pick who you want to kiss." Phoebe listened closely for her bestfriend's reply.
"Well, I don't need a stupid party to kiss Arnoldo.
"True."
"I hear another but coming" Helga leaned closer to the receiver.
"It's a German and English tradition, that dates back to 1863, that whoever you kiss at Midnight is who you'll spend the rest of the year with," Phoebe said.
Helga rolled her eyes. "Well, I already know I'm spending the next year with Arnold." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't need any stupid kiss at Rhonda Freaking Wellington Lloyd's party to tell me that." She sucked her teeth. "it's not like you need an excuse to kiss Tall Hair Boy. You two have been together since the sixth grade," She added
"It's not an excuse it's honoring the tradition"
"Tomato tomahto."
Phoebe sighed. She knew Helga was stubborn and if her friend really didn't want to go it was nothing she could say to change her mind. At the same time Helga let it be known that she would do almost anything for her. Phoebe broke the silence and offered an Olive Branch.
"If you change your mind, I plan to be there at 11:00."
"Well, if I go I'll be there at 11:11."
"Why 11:11?" Phoebe questioned
"Just in time for me to wish that I wasn't there." Helga laughed "Get it because you make a wish at 11.11?"
"Oh, Helga," Phoebe giggled
"I'll talk to you later, Pheebs. I'm going back to sleep."
"Goodbye, Helga"
Helga woke up a second time more tired than the first, feeling her way out her bedroom into the bathroom to freshen up. She opened one eye, moved her long locks out her face and stared at the layers of skin under her red eyes in the mirror. "I look like death" she regretted staying up until seven in the morning watching army sitcoms and morning cartoons
Hearing the faint ringing coming from her bedroom the blonde ran to her phone.
"Hello?"
"Helga, where have you been?"
"Arnold, don't you have limited minutes?" she questioned
"Yeah," He said with a hint of confusion.
"Then why are you wasting them all in one day texting me."
"It's never a waste to text you," he said.
"Whatever, you say, Hair Boy." She blushed.
"Besides you weren't answering my calls, so I thought I would text you"
"Stalker much" She teased
He laughed, "Are you coming to Rhonda's party tonight?"
"What's with you and Phoebe?" She laid across the bed taking a lock of her hair between her fingers.
"I haven't seen you since the christmas party and I miss you."
"Arnold, you're such a sap, such a maroon, such a football headed freak." She twirled her hair around her finger. "It's only been nine days, you dope."
"Well, I'm your sap, your maroon, and your footballed head freak." He let out a soft sigh. "And nine days are eight too many."
"Oh you can go a day without me?" She bit her lip.
"No, but it sounded better than nine days too many."
"Leave the poetry to me, Bucko" She twirled her hair tighter around her Finger.
"Helga?"
"Yes, my love," She said in a daze. She shook her head "What's up, Football Head?"
He laughed softly. "Please come tonight." She could hear his body shift as he adjusted himself.
"I just don't know why you and Phoebe would want to go. It's going to be a whole bunch of kids from school that we don't talk to. She bit her lip. "Plus, Harold, Stinky, Sid and everyone else from P.S.118 that we barely talk to."
"That's not true."
"What's not true?" she asked
"We still talk to the gang." he said faintly.
"You still talk to the gang, Arnold."
"It's going to be a New Year, Helga." He cleared his throat "Maybe that could be your New Year's resolution."
She laid on her stomach. "You're saying my resolution is to bring in the new year with a bunch of old losers?"
"Helga?"
"What did I say?"
"You know you don't have to keep this wall up." he sighed softly. "If you show people who you are they'll believe you."
"Someone has been reading Maya Angelou, I see?"
"I'm dating this great poet, so I figure I should know a bit of poetry myself." she could hear his body shift "You are amazing, caring, sweet, loyal, and the bravest person I know, Helga." he exhaled. "Phoebe and I know it and everyone else should too."
Helga put her face into her bed trying to conceal her scream. She couldn't believe that Arnold had called her a great poet. Arnold, the boy that sparked most of her young poetry. She felt her whole body tingle with every word he used to describe her, and she would be damned, if she let him know it. She set up and straightened her body. "That's cool or whatever." She said slightly out of breath.
He sighed. "Helga, I really want to kiss you at midnight, so please come."
She felt her stomach in one single motion drop and shiver. She swooned and cursed herself for it. She thought this boy better stop before there is nothing left of her but a puddle.
"Have you've been talking to Phoebe about that stupid tration?" She rolled her eyes.
"What's wrong with tradition."
"Everything when you're a Pataki."
" Helga, I want to create new traditions with you." He said warmly.
She laid on her back and held her chest. She bit her lips and felt her body vibrate.
"Well, don't say I never did you any favors, Arnoldo" She cursed the shakiness in her voice.
"I am forever indebted to you, my lady"
"Doi!" she looked at the clock "Criminy, it's seven o'clock."
"Yeah, that's what happens when you stay up watching sitcoms and morning cartoons."
"You don't know my life" She bit her lip
"Oh, I don't?' He questioned
"Yeah, it was an army sitcom. Doi!"
"Oh, excuse me," He laugheed
"No," she said
"No?" He questioned
"Yup."
"So, is it yes or no." he said
"Whatever." She smiled "Well, I guess I'll let you go." She imagined him placing his hand on the back of his neck.
"So, tonight?" he said
She rolled her eyes "I already said, yes, so stop pleading your case."
"Okay, okay," he said
They set in silence for a while as she watched her hair wrapped around her finger. She could hear the sound of the cars going by and couldn't help but think in a few hours it would be a new year, and another school year. She closed her eyes at the thought and listened closely to Arnold's breathing. She wouldn't admit it to him, but she found comfort in his silence.
"Arnold?"
"Yes, Helga."
"I better go before I fall asleep again."
"Okay." He said softly
Helga hung up with her beloved and took a shower. She was now sitting in her pink towel on her bed and smelled the scent of her lavender shampoo. Memories of her childhood nanny Inga would come to mind whenever she smelled the scent. Inga was focused on improving Helga's life with nutritious breakfast, needle point, and calming smells when she was nine. Inga didn't go about it in a gentle way or eased Helga into this new way of living. Since Helga wasn't the type of girl you could force anything on, Inga had to go. The nanny's efforts felt more like an invasion than an invitation to Helga, and when she wasn't invading her space she was telling the girl to mind her father. Helga saw this as yet another adult who didn't listen to her, and wanted to change her. After Helga framed the woman for stealing her father's price belt and got her fired which she felt terrible about, there were two things she kept from the woman: the habit of needle point and the love of lavender shampoo. She would never admit it, but the woman was right these things did calm her. And ever since her short time with her nanny she has used lavender shampoo.
Helga smiled at the thought of Arnold sneaking whiffs of her hair whenever he would sit close. The boy stole as many sniffs of her hair as she stole of his. She smiled and thought she really needed to find out what scent was his shampoo. She combed through her locks debating if she had anything to wear tonight and more importantly if she even cared. She sat her comb on the side of her thigh and let her mind wander. The buzz of the latest pink razor flip phone caught her attention. There was another text message from Arnold and she thought it must have taken him forever to send it.
Helga flipped open her phone and looked at the buttons and shook her head at the thought of tapping the button until the correct letter popped up. It was almost 2002, and only people like Rhonda Lloyd had flashy smartphones from Japan. She rolled her eyes and looked at Arnold's text message. "Don't chicken out," it read.
"Hey, who is he calling chicken." She bit her lip and positioned her fingers to text back. After studying the buttons she decided it wasn't worth the hassle. She would save her insults for In person instead. How fitting of her to give him a kick in the ass before a kiss on the lips. She thought.
Helga was so excited by this thought that she walked out the room and into her parents' room since it was closer than Olga's. Maybe Miriam would have something that looked less like a mom. She rolled her eyes at calling Miriam a mom, even if it was only in her head.
Once inside her parents' room, she looked in her closet and pushed through what seemed like hundreds of purple and green dresses until she stumbled on a black dress way in the back. Helga held it up to get a better look. Observing the shape and style of the dress it had to be from the forties. The dress probably belonged to her grandma. The woman who never came around since she couldn't stand Bob or his children that resembled him. This was one of the many reasons Helga decided to keep her unibrow to spite her Grandmother unlike Olag who got rid of hers to try to please the woman. Helga's motto was if the woman wanted nothing to do with her then she wanted nothing more than the same A motto she followed with everyone til this day.
Helga wouldn't waste any more time on the woman who didn't think of her, so she shook her head, sucked her teeth, and looked through her mother's shoes. She held up a pair of silver flats that were from the seventies. The teen enveloped the dress and shoes close to her body and walked to her mother's dresser. She opened the dresser to look for a pair of stockings which she hated, but needed to complete the dress. "Ugh, I sound like Rhonda" she thought. Finally a pair of sheer nude stockings with gold sparkle appeared to her. The blonde pulled on them out which caused a few clothes to lift from the drawer. Helga heard a thump and looked down to see a small silver flask laying on the floor. She picked it up and felt how light it was which let her know there was nothing in it. Helga was interrupted by the sound of Miriam's blender. The girl gathered the flask, dress, shoes, and stockings and grabbed a round purse hanging on the coat rack on the way out the room.
Helga entered her room and laid the items on the bed. She looked at the dress, shoes, stockings, purse, and the flask. The blonde took a deep breath and went to her drawer to take out her undergarments. She put them on her body and sat on her bed. She grabbed the stockings and tried to put them on gently. She never wore stockings, but she has seen Olga do it numerous times. After getting the stocking on with little success shown by the rip down her leg. she palms her forehead and laid back flustered until she remembered the trick Olga taught her. The blonde sat up and grabbed some clear nail polish that Olga gave her for Christmas. She ran the nail brush down the run in her stocking to seal the rip. She stood up and looked in the full length mirror on the back of her door and shrugged. Helga finished getting dressed and placed the flask in her purse. The blonde tugged at her long locks tossing her head back to see the clock that just struck nine.
She huffed on her bed and blew a strand of hair out her face. She felt a buzz on her bed and opened her phone to see another notification from Arnold. "chicken" it read.
Helga tossed her phone on the bed realizing her boyfriend must have gotten tired of pressing buttons to get a full sentence, or ran out of minutes.
She shook her head. "Oh, yeah. I'll show him chicken." Her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten anything all day, so she stood up and went down stairs. She figured she had time to make something before tackling her hair. The empty cabinets and the empty fridge said otherwise. "For Pete Sake, is there nothing edible in this house?" She slammed the cabinet.
Miriam woke up adjusting her glasses. "Huh. what?" She looked over to her daughter's scowl "Oh Helga, honey. Did you say something, Dear?"
"Miriam, I thought you were going shopping today?'
"Oh, yeah honey. What time is it?" She stood up, pointed her finger and walked to the left of the kitchen then to the right. "I'll grab my keys and get something now."
Helga looked at the petite woman and shook her head."Criminy Miriam" She sucked her teeth.
Her mom stopped and looked at her "Honey, are you wearing your grandmother's old dress and my old shoes?" She placed her hand over her heart.
"I guess so." Helga crossed her arms.
"Aww you look just like me when I was younger." She touched her daughter's wild locks. ""Oh, I know what would go perfect with this outfit." She motioned for Helga to follow her back up the stairs and back in her mom's room.
Helga huffs on the bed "Why are we here, Miriam?"
"Oh here it is." Miriam held a silver ribbon in one hand, a wooden brush and a black hair tie in the other. She stood behind her daughter and gently grabbed a handful of her hair then gently ran the brush through her locks. The woman swooped the brush back as she shaped her daughter's hair into a high ponytail. Helga felt a sense of comfort in this moment and she hated and loved it all at the same time. Miriam wrapped the black hair tie around the handful of hair to hold the ponytail. She fluffed the end of the ponytail and brushed the sides of Helga's hair to smooth it. She then placed the ribbon around her daughter's head and tied a huge bow on top. Helga looked in the mirror on her mother's dresser and smiled at her reflection. Miriam went to the closet and took out a picture frame to show Helga. It was a picture of Miriam in the same dress, shoes, and hairstyle.
"I was eighteen going on nineteen here" She smiled wide at her daughter "the seventies were just getting started." She smiled at her younger self in the picture frame. "This was right before I met your father."
Helga did not want to take a trip down memory lane with her mother, so she stood up. "Thanks, mom," she walked out without waiting for Miriam's reply.
Helga didn't give up on her search for food, so she went back down stairs and into the pantry to find and only liquor bottles, so she grabbed the gin, since there was no alcoholic eggnog or brandy. She thought there probably wouldn't be much of a difference since alcohol is alcohol, right. She poured some into the flask and put it back in her purse. Helga let the thought of when her mom started drinking cross her mind. She promised herself she wouldn't become Miriam and she wouldn't drink tonight, but kept the flask in the purse just in case.
On the way out the pantry she grabbed one of Miriam's bananas for her smoothies on the kitchen counter. Helga peeled the banana and decided by time she made it to Rhonda's house it should be 11:11 or at least close enough. She hoped Phoebe would be there since she had no idea what time her boyfriend would get there, and really didn't want to be at the party by herself.
As she walked out her front door she saw the number nine bus coming up the street. She turned the lock in the inside of the house and closed the door. She just made the bus and stepped on the to look in her purse. She moved her hand around her bag only finding the flask "Crimny, I left my wallet at home." she said to herself and gave the driver a smile which he met with a raised brow. "Come on don't we go way back, Murray with how we saved the neighborhood and all." She leaned against the handrail. He sighed starting the bus causing her to stumble and grab onto the rail. When he didn't say anything and kept his eyes on the road she took it as his way of saying have a seat, so she did.
Helga grabbed her banana, unpeeled it, and stared out the window. She watched the people in their black and silver dresses and suits go from their cars to the local bars. She nibbled on the sweet fruit and closed her eyes feeling the motion of the bus. She finished her last bit of the banana and sat up. The thought of Arnold brought a smile to her face as she wondered if he had left the house yet, or had any minutes left on his phone. She looked in her purse again to discover she had forgotten her phone. She palmed her face "Nice going Helga, now you're up sh-"
"End of the line," The driver said before he stepped off the bus.
She tossed her banana peel in her purse and got off too. She walked out the bus lot and up the street until she reached the large hill that went up to Rhonda's house. Helga took a deep breath thankful she wore flats instead of heels tonight as prepared herself for this long hike.
"Helga?" She turned to the brown hair girl in the taxi cab
"Sheena?"
The brown-haired girl smiled, "Are you going to Rhonda's?"
"Yeah, I was on my way there now." Helga looked back at the hill.
"Well, Nadine and I are heading there, and it wouldn't cost extra if you join us." She smiled, "Do you want a ride?"
Helga hopped in the taxi as fast as she could. She climbed over Nadine to sit in the middle of the two girls. After an elbow to both of their sides Nadine closed the door and they were on their way. "Thanks." Helga said softly
"It's fine. Rhonda is paying for my ride anyway," Nadine said with a strug.
The ride was silent as Sheena would occasionally turn and watch Nadine stare out the window in thought. Helga shifted as much as she could in the cramped space thinking she should have opted for one of the window seats instead. They finally came to a stop and the driver put out his hand for payment. Nadine gave him way more than the ride cost.
When the three exited the cab Nadine turned to Helga. "It's Rhonda's money, so why not tip him." She crossed her arms over her chest "I mean she would for the sake of her reputation." Nadine huffed. "Money is all that matters to her anyway." Helga sensed Nadine was upset, but wasn't a close enough friend to ask, so she stood with both of her feet facing each other instead.
"I'm sure that's not true, Nadine." Sheena broke the silence and Helga exhaled.
"Whatever," Nadine said. She looked at Sheena's sweet expression and exhaled. "Maybe you're right." She smiled " Well, we better get in before Rhonda has a fit." Nadine rolled her eyes and led the way. Helga watched Sheena stare at the side of Nadine's face and would turn away whenever Nadine would look at the corner of her eye.
The three girls entered the house and Helga looked over to Nadine. She observed her friend's long wavy blonde fro that swayed over her shoulder. She smiled at the black blazer, white button up with black oversize pants, and red converse. She nodded "Not half bad, at all." She thought with a raised brow. She turned to look at Sheena who was wearing a form fitting black dress . Helga followed Sheena's eyes that led her back to Nadine. She watched the girl look Nadine up and down. Helga giggled at the sight and thought Sheena must have been thinking the same thing she did when Helga first looked Nadine over.
Rhonda glided across the floor to the trio in her silver evening gown. The three eyed her dress and hair that was pinned in a high bun with loose curls on both sides.
"Good evening Sheena, Helga." She stood to the side and smirk "Hey Nadine"
"Hey Rhonda" Nadine arched a brow.
Sheena cleared her throat. "Oh, I see Eugene over there" She pointed in the direction of the karaoke machine. "Thanks for the ride Nainde. I'll see you later." Sheena waved to the girl who was paying her no mind at the moment.
"Nadine, that's what you decided to wear?" Rhonda said with a smile
"What? You told me to dress up." She smirk
"Darling, you're wearing parachute pants and red chucks." She stepped closer.
"What, you don't like it, Princess?" Nadine stepped closer to her.
Helga thought there was a difference in the way Nadine called Rhonda princess and the faint pink on Rhonda cheeks said the same.
"I do" Rhonda rubbed her hand down Nadine's blouse. "It just doesn't match my outfit." She kept her hand in the middle of her blouse.
Nadine bit her lip "We don't have to match Rhonda." She touched Rhonda's hand. "We're not a couple. Remember?"
"Right." Rhonda moved her hand and placed it on her hip as she looked in Nadine's eyes "But, you are my guest."
Nadine leaned close to her "So is everyone else." She crossed her arms loosely over her chest. "including Harold."
"Nadine" Rhonda whined and crossed her arms over her chest. "He is just a friend"
"What does that make me?"
"You're my-" Rhonda and Nadine both looked at the blonde standing nearby.
Helga placed her hand on the back of her neck and cleared her throat. "Why don't you look at the time." She pointed in the opposite direction of them and excused herself.
Helga walked into the living room filled with teenagers drinking champagne and eating shrimp cocktails. She looked around for tall hair she figured it would be easier to spot than Phoebe in this crowd. After no luck she looked at the clock and realized it was only 10:15. She sat on the couch next to a group of teens laughing and drinking beer. Helga didn't recognize them and figured they must be from Hillwood High 17 or maybe 19. She looked at her fingers and hoped Phoebe or Arnold could find her in the crowd.
"So, what's your resolution?" One of the drunk teens leaned next to her.
"What?" Helga raised her brow.
"I said what's your resolution?" He got closer, "You have pretty eyes."
Helga leaned as physically close to the couch and grinded her teeth. "Back off" She hissed.
"Come on. Don't be like that." He smirked. "You got a boyfriend?" He took a sip of his beer "Because if I were boyfriend I wouldn't leave you by yourself."
"Oh brother." She rolled her eyes "Do girls really like it when you treat them like defenseless babies?" She got up in his face "Lucky for you I'm not your girlfriend, because you would be defenseless, Bucko."
"What does that even mean?" He looked to his friends and they all laughed.
"It means get out my face"
The guy lean back putting his hand up in mock defence and they all laughed
Helga balled her fist and grinded her teeth "I'm not joking"
"What you going to do to me, little girl" He teased
"Little girl!" She lifted her fist "I'll show you what this little girl can do."
"Hey!" Harold stomped over. The boys put their hands up higher to show they didn't want any trouble.
Helga lowered her fist and shook her head."Figures, you take a woman for a joke, but as soon as man," She looked at Harold, "Or something like it, comes over."
"Hey-" Harold said offended
"You show him respect, but not me." She crossed her arms over her chest, "cowards."
"Look you don't know her, but if you did you would scram, because she can take all of you." He slammed his fist on the coffee table.
Helga stuck out her tongue.
The boys looked at each other confused.
"Get out of here!" Harold and Helga screamed.
The boys jumped up knocking over each other to leave.
"Harold, I didn't need your help, Pink Boy."
"Hey, don't call me that." He took a sip of his beer, "You probably would have killed them, if I didn't step in."
"True"
"Plus, Arnold and Gerald would have killed me if I didn't say anything."
"Right again." She rolled her eyes.
"Can I sit down?" He asked
"Free country." She rolled her eyes "Well, sort of"
"Huh?"
"Never mind" She waved her hand. Helga thought of Arnold's words earlier of showing people who she was. She decided to make small talk. "What's up with you, Berman?"
"I don't know." He sipped his beer "Being a Sophomore at eighteen seems lame."
"I'm sure no one else cares" She shrugged
"I care!" He said with base in his voice
"What are you going to do about it?" She asked
"Idk. I'm thinking of getting my GED, but I'll miss hanging out with all my friends."Harold looked in front of him, his eyes glossed over."I'll be back, Pataki."
Helga followed Harold's eyes that were fixed on Rhonda who was standing in the kitchen "Later, Pink Boy." She smirked
"Madam Fortress Mommy" He mumbled.
Helga laid back taking up the space on the couch so no one would dare sit next to her. She watched Harold and Rhonda a bit and looked to Nadine next to them who rolled her eyes. Helga set up and looked at the clock again before she palmed her face. "How has it been only fifteen minutes." She whispered. She felt herself start to get tense and went to the bathroom to put some water on her face.
In the bathroom she looked in the mirror and felt herself start to get hot. She paced around the large bathroom and wondered what she could do to keep busy until Phoebe and Arnold showed up. She sat on the cool tile floor. She leaned her head against the bottom of the sink and closed her eyes. "Hurry up Hair Boy." She said slowly hitting her head against the sink.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she stood up and adjusted her clothes. The blonde remembered the only thing she had was a banana peel and a small flask. She took the banana peel out and threw it in the trash and grabbed the flask. Helga held it in her hand observing it. The knock on the door got louder.
"Crimny, I'm sure there's another bathroom in this joint. Find it!" She looked at the door and the knocking stopped. She looked back at the flask moving it in her hand. She thought it was a small flask; it shouldn't do any damage if she indulged. She stuck her tongue out and made a face at how bitter the gin was. She leaned back on the sink with her eyes closed and leaned to the music on the other side of the door as she rocked back and forth. Helga listened to the music and took another sip, listened to music, and sipped some more, she repeated this until the flask was empty. The blonde coughed and felt her throat and chest burn.
Helga stood up and turned on the sink filling her hands with water and splashed some in her mouth, gargolled, and spit it out. She looked at the mirror again and pushed out her lips while she smoothed her ponytail with her hands. "I look good." She nodded and giggled. Helga opened the door of the restroom and walked back to the living room.
She felt relaxed from the warmth in her body as she sat on the couch. She looked over her shoulder to see Rhonda and Nadine. She couldn't hear them, but noticed Rhonda placed a gentle hand on Nadine's shoulder, almost pleading with her fingers. Helga looked at Rhonda who smiled at Nadine. The shorter girl leaned in to kiss Rhonda on the cheek which turned a rose tint. Rhonda looked down and moved a stray hair behind her ear. Helga shocked her head and thought the gin must have kicked in.
Helga closed her eyes and laid back on the couch until she felt it move, "Hey don't you see my legs?" she looked up to see Rhonda was the one who sat beside her. "What do I owe the pleasure of seeing Rhonda Llyode two times in one day?" Helga sat up and tried her best to listen to the princess. She closed her eyes and leaned in as if it would help her hear better, but no luck.
"Champagne Pataki?" Rhonda held two glasses of champagne.
"Champagne?" Helga questioned.
"Of course." She smirked "What did you think I was going to serve, sparkling cider?" Rhonda arched a brow.
Helga took the glass and toasted with the princess. She sipped the drink slowly.
"You served your guess beer too?"
"Of course not." She looked at the drunken teens "They brought that in themselves. I didn't want to have people patted down and their belongings searched."
Helga looked at her purse and nodded.
Rhonda was saying something Helga couldn't make out. "Are you listening to me?" Rhonda snapped.
"I'm trying." Helga shrugged.
"You're impossible, Pataki." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What's wrong, princess?" Helga leaned forward and slumped over her knees.
"It's just Nadine."
"What about her?" Helga questioned "You two seemed to be pretty cozy earlier." And before Rhonda could answer, Helga heard a loud crash from Harold knocking over a vase with Stinky's body after he tackled him. She looked at Stinky on the ground with Harold on top of him. "Pink boy, don't break him." Helga waved her glass still slumped over.
"Don't call me, Pink Boy!" Harold whined.
She leaned back on the couch without a single spill of her champagne. "Princess?"
"Yes, Helga" Rhonda looked over at her guest and sighed
"Why the long face?" She took another sip.
"I can't believe Lila had the nerve not to show up?" she huffed.
"I guess Little Miss Perfect isn't perfect after all." Helga teased
"More like Little Miss Rude, if you ask me." She shook her head. "Last time she's invited to one of Rhonda Wellington Lloyd's parties."
"Pitty." Helga smirk
"Don't get added to the not cool list, Pataki." Rhonda sipped her champagne.
"Been there. Done that." Helga took another sip. "You were saying?" She rolled her eyes.
Rhonda huffed "And to make matters worse Patty didn't come either." She swirled her drink against the glass.
"Why is that worse?"
"Because if two people don't show up, what's next three, four, five?"
"Mm mm" Helga took another sip of the golden liquid.
"Plus, I was hoping she would keep Harold busy while I-" Rhonda's words became more and more distant
Helga closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the warm buzzing. She giggled. "Miss Rude."
When she opened her eyes Rhonda was gone. Helga looked around and didn't see the ravenette "Who's rude now?" Helga questioned and took another sip.
"Helga" She looked over her shoulder to find her best friend in her soft blue pleated dress.
"Phoebe" Helga said slowly tapping her friend's hand that was placed on the couch next to her as she kneeled beside her.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I almost didn't make it." Phoebe said softly
"It's okay Pho-be." She laughed "You remember when Ronnie called you that?"
"Helga, are you okay." She said with a worried expression.
"Yes, Pheebs." She sat up "You know that jerk never called me."
"Who?" Phoebe questioned
"Ronnie Matthews," She whispered and laughed. "I thought we would bonded over him being, well, a jerk."
Phoebe sat next to her friend and looked over her shoulder to her boyfriend who was talking to Sid, and Stinky who was icing his shoulder. Helga looked over to Phoebe who watched Gerald and all the girls who were now crowding him. The boy had developed quite nicely his hair was still tall and healthy, his figure was also tall and healthy, and his voice was husky.
"Phoebe you have nothing to worry about." Helga said
"What do you mean, Helga?" She gave a small smile.
"Those girls are sparkling lights, but you." She pointed at her friend with her almost empty glass, "You are the sun."
"Always a poet.' Phoebe smiled.
"And you know it." Helga leaned her head back against the couch.
"May I cut in?" Helga looked up to Gerald smiling at Phoebe.
"Go ahead, Pheebs." She waved them off with her free hand.
"Hey, my lady" Helga smiled at the voice behind her.
"What took you so long, Football Head?" she huffed.
He sat next to her and smiled, "I'm sorry, my dad wanted to talk to me about the last time he wore this suit." He gestured to his gold slacks and matching jacket
"Arnold, What are you wearing?" She looked him up and down.
"You like it?" He handed the butler his coat. Once the coat was off Helga could see Arnold's long sleeve white shirt. He held out his arms, "Nice, huh?"
She tapped her finger against her lips, "I don't know." She tilted her head to get a better look.
He laughed, "It's my dad's old 70s outfit."
"This is my mom's old dress and shoes." she lifted a leg to waved her shoe at him.
He placed her legs in his lap, "look at us becoming our parents."
Helga stiffened and sat up against the couch, her legs still in his lap. "I wouldn't say that." She nudged him with her shoulder. "Don't you know the colors for New Years are black and silver?"
"No, it's actually white and gold." He smiled.
"Black and silver." She rolled her eyes.
"White and gold" He loosely crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're actually both right." Phoebe and Gerald walked up and sat on the couch next to the couple. "Both colors are New year's colors," Phoebe said.
"I hate a tie." Helga shook her head.
"That's why you let me win the spelling Bee." The three looked at Arnold in surprise. "Hey, I'm not that dense." He smiled " I know things."
"How did you know?" Helga arched a brow.
"Well you could out spell me in your sleep." He smiled "Plus, you weren't upset to lose." He wiggled a brow, "And you hate losing"
"You can say that," Gerald said.
"Definitely", Phoebe added.
"Hey, that's enough from the peanut gallery. " Helga waved her fist at the couple. "Or you have to answer to old Betsy." Phoebe laughed and Gerald shook his head. 'If you know so much about the traditional colors, pheebs." She gestured at the couple "then why aren't you and Tall Hair Boy wearing them?"She arched a brow.
"I'm wearing black." Gerald touched his blazer over his red hooded.. "Besides Babe and I wanted to make our own traditions." He Purred and Phoebe giggled. "Isn't that right Babe?"
"Yes." Phoebe turned to hide her blush.
Gerald cleared his throat "Well, I'm going to go get some popcorn," He said and looked at Arnold.
"Oh, I'll go with you," Phoebe said after Gerald nudged her.
Helga sipped her champagne and raised a brow. "What was that about?" she questioned.
"What?" He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
Helga pointed her champagne glass, in the direction her friend went. "That, hair boy."
"Oh, I just wanted to talk to you in private."
Helga looked at the teens standing around "It's not that private"
Arnold laughed nervously "Well, private enough." He rubbed her legs "Since we don't know any of these people." he smiled.
"Sounds serious." She took the final sip of her drink.
"I just wanted to ask you about Christmas." He looked at his fingers "I haven't seen you since the Christmas Party" He looked at her.
"Nothing much to tell, football head." She shocked the empty glass in front of him "You know I never had champagne." She looked at the empty cup.
"Really?" He said
'Have you?" She questioned
"Yeah, once, when my Grandma thought that her and Grandpa were getting married for the first time."
"That woman is a spirited one" Helga smiled.
Arnold matched the smile on her face, "You want another cup?" He asked and Helga nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back. Don't move," he said.
"Arnold, where will I go?" She questioned.
He moved her legs off his lap, "I don't know." He shook his head and went to get her a cup. "Here you go." He handed her the cup before he sat down next to her and placed her legs back on his lap. " I still want to know how your Christmas went. I know your family can take a lot out of you."
She took a sip from her cup and sat up. "Olga played the piano while my folks swooned all over her like always." She took another sip of her drink. "That's about it. So, how was your Christmas, football head?"
"Well, my parents, the boarders, and grandparents exchanged our secret Santa gifts."
"That's nice" She leaned back on the cough and closed her eyes.
"Helga, are you okay?" He leaned closer to examine her flushed face.
"I'm just dandy, my love." She giggled and took another sip.
"Okay." He started to wiggle his thumbs. "My parents really wanted you to come over."
"Not this again," She slurred.
"They really like you and they are very grateful for what you did for them and me in San Lorenzo." He sighed, "Plus, they said they can't thank you enough for all the tapes that you've given them of me when I was nine."
"No problem, I thought it would help them fill in some gaps of your childhood that they missed" She leaned to the side with her eyes closed.
"Helga, I really wanted you to come over." He bit his lip.
"Arnold." She leaned her head on the back of the couch. "I like your parents, I do"
"Then why wouldn't you come over?" He took a deep breath "You used to come over all the time until last year."
"When I was a kid it felt natural." She exhaled. "Now it feels awkward."
"awkward, how?" He examined her face for answers.
"Well, seeing you with your perfect parents." She inhaled "Just makes me sad about my far from perfect ones, okay?" She said in one breath. They sat in silence for what seemed like forever to the couple. "I'll try next time, okay?" She looked at him with pleading eyes and took another sip.
"Okay" He said softly and watched her sink into the couch "Helga?"
"Yes, my love?" She leaned on the arm rest with her cup close to her chest.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Arnold."
"How many glasses did you have?" he questioned
"Just the one and now this one." She held up the half empty glass
"I've never seen champagne have this affect on anyone."
"Everyone's different." she struggled.
Before Arnold could say anything else everyone gathered around Rhonda's balcony to watch the ball drop.
"Come on Helga, let's watch the ball." He helped her up gently and walked her to the window.
Everyone started to count down 10, 9, 8 he looked at Helga who stopped counting and wasn't looking too good "5, 4, 3" They heard their classmates continue to count down. Happy New year! Everyone shouted as white and gold balloons fell with black and silver confetti. Arnold looked over to his girlfriend who was holding her stomach.
"Helga, are you sure you're okay?" He held her arm and looked into her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine Arnold. I just have to go to the bathroom." Helga waved her hand and ran to the bathroom.
Arnold watched her run down the hall and placed his hand behind his neck. After a few minutes Gerald and Phoebe came up to where Arnold stood. He hadn't moved and just stared in the direction that Helga went.
"You okay, man?" Gerald said.
"Huh?" Arnold turned to his friends' wild grin. "Yeah, i'm just waiting on Helga."
"Oh where is she?" Phoebe questioned.
"She just went to the bathroom" Arnold said looking back in the direction Helga went.
"Do you want us to wait with you?" Gerald questioned.
"Or should I check on her?" Phoebe added.
"No, it's getting late." He looked over his shoulder to smile at his friends "You two go ahead. I'll let you know when Helga and I make it home."
"Okay man, if you say so." Gerald extended his arm and Arnold did the same until their fists met and they wiggled their thumbs. Phoebe covered her mouth and giggled. "Later, man." Gerald waved. He stepped next to Phoebe and placed his hand on her lower back to gently push her towards the door.
Arnold took a deep breath and put his hands in his pockets still staring in the direction that his girlfriend went.
He checked his watch on three different occasions and made small talk with his classmates as they exited. He saw that it had been thirty minutes and began to pace back and forth.
"Arnold?" He turned to the ravenette.
"Hey, Rhonda" He gave a faint smile.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah." He gestured his thumb in the direction that his girlfriend went. "I'm going to go check on Helga."
"Okay," Rhonda said nonchalantly.
Arnold walked fast to the bathroom door. He stopped in front of it and took a breath before knocking.
"Helga." He said, knocking softly. He knocked a little harder when she didn't reply. "Helga, are you okay?" He said with a bit of panic.
The blonde lifted her head from the toilet seat as she tried to focus on the sound. "Knocking? Is that Knocking?" She questioned as her eyes adjusted. "Criminy, I must have fallen asleep."
"Helga" She looked at the door and heard the worry in his voice and felt terrible. "Helga, you okay?" He said a bit out of breath.
"Yeah" She choked out. "My throat is dry." she said in a whisper. "I'll be out in a minute, Arnold." She stood up feeling very weak and leaned against the sink. "I am never drinking again," She said into the mirror. Helga turned on the faucet and splashed some water on her face and into her mouth. She turned off the faucet, swished the water in her mouth then spit. She walked to the door and opened it and was met by Arnold's embrace.
"I'm so glad you're okay." He hugged her tight "I was worried."
"I'm okay, just thirsty." She touched her throat.
"Okay, let's get you some water." They walked to the coolers in the living room. "Here," Arnold grabbed a water and handed it to Helga.
She lifted the bottle and drank it down fast. She sighed and wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her dress. "Thanks Foot- Arnold."
"Better?"
"Yeah." She smiled faintly, "do you have any gum," She questioned
He looked in one of his pockets and pulled out the pack that his dad gave him. She took a piece, and put it in her mouth.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked
"Yeah, I'm tired." She reached for his hand and he took it without hesitation.
Rhonda held a taxi for the two to get down the hill like she did for all her guests before them. They walked towards the taxi holding hands while Arnold held Helga's purse in his other hand.
"Criminy, I almost forgot that." She pointed to her purse.
"I know." He smirked, opening her door and helped her in and helped put her seat belt on. Arnold sat next to his girlfriend and held her hand while he placed her purse on the other side of him. They waved to Rhonda as the taxi rode down the hill. Once they made it down the hill and out the cab, Arnold looked at his watch.
"We have two choices Helga, we can either have one of our parents pick us up-"
She cut him off with the wave of her hand. "Bob and Miriam are probably still out"
"I can call my parents."
"No."
"Okay." He takes off his coat and puts it over her shoulders.
"Arnold, no. Now you'll be cold."
"It's okay. I would rather be cold than have you get sick."
"I really am turning into Miriam, forgetting my coat." She gave a faint smile.
"We all make mistakes, Helga."
"More than you know." She dug her toe into the sidewalk.
"Did you say something, Helga?"
"Yeah, I said what was option number two?"
"Oh" He grabbed her hand and led her towards the bus stop. "Well, the next bus isn't until an hour, so we could take the subway."
"Oh No." She stopped and pulled him towards her.
"Helga, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong! What's wrong, paste for brains, is the last time we took the subway it broke down."
"I'm sure it'll be better this time" He smiled.
"Pfft, you know what's even worse?" She huffed, "you stood there like a dope and watched me cry."
He bit his lip "Helga, I'm sorry" He put his free hand behind his neck. "I guess intense emotions make me nervous."
"I say." she rolled her eyes, "I can't count how many times my emotions scared you, football head."
"Well, I'm better now." He steps closer to her. "If the train breaks down and you start to cry." He rubbed his fingers down her cheek. "I will comfort you. I will hold you." He kissed her on the cheek and it turned a soft pink "I promise." He smiled and led the way as she followed. They made it to the stairs that led to the subway and Helga stopped.
"What's wrong?" Arnold questioned
"Rats, Arnold."
"Rats?" He raised a brow
"Yes rats." She shook her head. "I hate rats. I swear I can hear them down there."
He moved close to her "I won't let them get you. I swear" He looked into her blue eyes and Helga stared back into his green eyes. Arnold gave her hand a gentle squeeze and nodded his head. She nodded back and they walked down the stairs.
They made it to the platform and walked toward the machine to buy their tickets. Arnold handed Helga her purse and she looked in it. She was reminded by the flask that she had forgotten her money. Arnold looked at the shocked look on his girlfriend's face and waved at her then back to the machine. He punched in the letters and numbers of their destination. Placed his bank card in the slot and waited for his ticket to come out. Helga smiled when she saw two tickets come out of the machine. They walked through the gate and down the stairs to wait for their train. Helga held Arnold's hand as she laid on his shoulder. She still felt exhausted and couldn't keep her eyes open. The train finally arrived and they entered once the doors opened. Arnold led his girlfriend to the first open seat which wasn't hard to find since the train was pretty empty.
Arnold sat down and Helga sat next to him. She places her purse next to her while Arnold adjusts his coat on her shoulders with his free hand. He smiled at the sight of her wearing his coat and her sleepy face.
"What are you thinking about?" She said half dazed.
"Just about what you said earlier." He looked at her sleepy face and continued, "About the last time we were on the subway together and it broke down."
"What about it?" She said softly. He watched her try to keep her eyes open.
"I have always been a really scared kid." He leaned back in his seat.
Helga snuggled against Arnold's shoulder and laughed.
"Hey, I'm being vulnerable here." He helped her put her feet on the nearby bench.
"I'm not laughing at you. It's just you're, so brave, my love." She snuggled more into his shoulder.
He giggled "You weren't saying that earlier when I brought up the subway." He laid his head on top of hers. "Sure, I can go down a sewer and face the king."
She snuggled more into his neck.
"I could talk to Pigeon man and monkey man. and-"
"You're such a freak." She laughed
He looked down at her sleepy face and kissed her eyelids "Helga, you're right your-"
"That you're a freak?" She joked.
He laughed. "No. That your feelings scared me."
"Of course I'm right." She said half sleep.
He smiled and shook his head. "The first time you told me that you loved me I was so scared."
"Chicken." She turned over and the back of her head laid on his shoulder.
He laughed. "Sure, I gave you an out and you took it." He bit his lip "I was so glad you took it."
'Why?" She said in a whisper.
He put his hands around her waist "I was afraid to deal with my own feelings." He let out a long sigh. "I laid in my bed that whole night thinking about what you said. It didn't matter that I gave you an out or that you took it." He shook his head "Being afraid doesn't make the words or the feelings go away."
"I was scared too." She said softly.
"You were also very brave." He smiled. "When the subway broke down and you were crying and Gerald was shaking. I didn't know what to do." He shook his head "I usually like to help people, so I can get in front of it. So, I can lead the way, but when I'm behind it, I'm so scared, it's like losing my parents all over again. I didn't know that then, but I do now." He swallowed softly, "Therapy has helped with that."
The train stopped once again and a few people came on. Arnold watched them take their seats and when the train moved again he leaned more into his seat.
"Are we there yet?" She said faintly.
"Just two more stops," He said.
"Okay." She said above a whisper.
Arnold sighed, "I don't know what's happening with you, Helga. But I'm worried it's too late to get in front of it, and i'm too scared to be behind it." He straightened up and looked straight out the window. "I'm willing to face my fears this time, because you mean so much to me, Helga."
He smiled when he heard the soft snores from his girlfriend. The train came to their stop and he gently woke her up. He stood up and reached out his hand for hers, she grabbed it and her purse. They walked off the train, up the stairs, and exited the tunnel. The couple walked hand and hand down the street until they reached Helga stoop. Arnold squeezed his girlfriend's hand and looked at her.
"You think your parents are home?"
"I don't know." She looked at the drive way and didn't see their cars. "Yeah, they're gone."
"Well, I'll walk you in and wait a while until they get here."
"Whatever floats your boat." She turned to the door and remembered she had forgotten her keys. "Criminy."
"What's wrong?" He questioned his girlfriend's back
She turned to face him "I forgot my keys."
"Do you have a spare?"
She leaned her head back letting out a groan, "Bob never made one."
"It's okay." He placed his hand behind his neck "We just have to pull our resources together and together we can find another way."
"Thanks Side Up", She crossed her hands over her chest. "But, we don't have any resources, Football Head." She plotted down and whined.
Arnold paced up and down the sidewalk and stopped when he saw the same window when he was nine and Bob had yelled at him, his friends, and Grandma when they protested in front of it to save the tree. "Helga, your window's kind of open." He pointed to the window, "You think if I can get the window all the way open that you will be able to squeeze through it?"
"Sure, I can, but that window has been stuck for days."
"I got it." Arnold placed his hands under the open crack of the window and kneaded with his knees to push all his body weight up against the window that caused it to open.
Helga's mouth opened as she looked in wonder. "Arnold?" She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Can you get through here?" He said out of breath.
She stared at his chest slightly peeking from his shirt "Yeah, sure" She turned away and tried to hide her blush.
She handed him her purse and he helped her up. Helga crawled through the window landing on the floor.
"Are you okay?" Arnold peaked in to see Helga getting off the floor.
"Just peachy." She went to the front door to open it for Arnold.
He smiled and walked in,"So, what should we do until your parents get home?"
"Arnold, you don't have to stay."
"I don't mind" He reached for her hand.
"Fine." She took his hand in hers.
They walked hand and hand up to her room. Arnold placed her purse on the top of her dresser. Helga let go of Arnold's hand to take his coat off her shoulder and place it on top of her dresser next to her purse. She kicked off her shoes and crawled into her bed. She laid against her pillow and Arnold watched her. He walked over to the side of her bed and sat in a chair nearby. He lifted the cover from under her and Helga adjusted herself. After a few tugs Arnold was able to get the cover from under her and tuck her in. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before he adjusted back in his chair and watched her drifted off to sleep.
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Update: Since Chapter two is a week early I should have Chapter 3 posted between Jan 29th- Feb 26th. However, your reviews, follows, and favorites can encourage the update to arrive on Jan 29th. :^)
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