Disclaimer's on the first chapter, if you're looking for someone to sue. ^^;
I'll hear your song
If you want me to
I'll sing along
And it's a chance I'll have to take
And it's a chance I'll have to break
- Luna
I guess that Helga's doing much better. She's on the bus with Phoebe, talking somewhat excitedly. I walk with Gerald to sit down two seats across from them. He's telling me something about how unfair he was blamed instead of Timberly, but I suppose I'm 'spaced out' again. My thoughts turn to Helga, and the dream from last night.
"Arnold? ARNOLD?" I snap out from my reverie. Gerald looks at me, a bit weirded out.
"Uh...what were you saying?" I need to stop thinking. I've been doing it too much for the past two days. More than usual.
"Man, you've been like this since yesterday, and you tell me you're okay. Come on, tell me, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Gerald." A thought of the kiss in my dream enters my mind, and I don't notice the smile on my face, until...
"OH. Don't tell me...it has to do with LILA?" My eyes open wide. I felt some...twinge of pain in my chest. What was that?
"No, it's not Lila."
"Come ON. You've been quiet, spacing out, you even had that SMILE on your face. Does she like you like you?"
"No, Gerald. I...got over Lila."
"Yeah, right." I didn't notice the bus stopped. Walking out behind Gerald, I looked to the back to see Helga. She caught sight of me. Her eyes were filled with...pain?
Oh no.
"What are you STARING AT, ARNOLDO?" She pushed me out of the way, with a sad-looking Phoebe behind her.
Sometimes, I can't help but be angry at Gerald.
Lunch time. I stood in the line, trying not to look at Helga, who was on my right. But I couldn't help it.
"Why are you staring at me again?! Do you have a PROBLEM, Football Head?"
"No, Helga. I just want to know why you're back to your old self again."
"Maybe I got over it, Arnoldo. And is there a problem with being ME?" I turn my head away.
"I liked the side of you on the rooftop. I wish you'd continue being that Helga instead of the old one. You can't keep your wall up forever." I suddenly wonder if I said the wrong thing.
"...Arnold?" I blink. Is she...will she...here?
"Yes, Helga?" I try to say calmly.
"...are you going to take the last of the tapioca or not?" Oh. I guess I was wrong...
"You can have it, Helga." I wonder if she heard me sigh.
"No, you can have it." Without warning, she took the bowl and gently placed it on my tray. I watch her walk to the table with Phoebe, and then it hit me.
I think she took my advice. Or else she wouldn't have done something so civil just now.
We sat in class, taking our math test. I was the first to be done, but I hadn't turned it in yet (I wrote "Helga" all over the sides of the paper--I'm definately going crazy--and trying to erase it). Then, I feel something hit the back of my head and land to the side of the floor. I sigh for a second, thinking it was one of Helga's spitballs. But I look next to me.
It wasn't a spitball. It was a note.
Picking it up, I recognize the curly handwriting. I remember the little pink book and how similar the handwriting was to Helga's. Not surprising, I realize it was hers.
Hey Arnold,
I need to talk to you after school. And don't get any ideas that I 'love' you, bucko, because I don't. Anyway, meet me in the hallway near the water fountain.
Helga G. Pataki
I blink. What could she want to talk about?
I wait near the water fountain after school, hoping it wasn't some kind of trick. Surprisingly, it wasn't, as Helga walks over to me.
"Why did you ask to meet me here, Helga?"
She opens her mouth a bit, then closes it, faltering. "I...thought about what you said...and..."
"And?"
"I think that....that...."
It must be hard for her to reveal herself...I need to get her used to it more.
"....that....that....you're a stupid Football Hea--"
"Helga, just tell me!"
"That's what I wanted to say!" I can tell how much she wants me to know...
"No, it wasn't. Look, I know how hard it is for you to tell me what you feel, but you don't need to be scared."
"I'm not SCARED."
"If you're not, Helga, then TELL ME. You told me on the roof, and now you can't do it? I know it wasn't a lie, I know you meant it."
She looks at me, and runs out the school. I'm not sure what to do anymore.
I suppose I was too...straightforward?
I walk through the halls when suddenly, I'm shoved into a garbage can. There's no need to ask who. Helga stands over me, laughing in a way that sounded so full of pain and anger. I knew I shouldn't have said anything to her. This has been going on all day.
"Hey, Arnold, are you okay?" asks Gerald, helping me out.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Man, Helga Pataki is just in it for you today. Were you trying to help her or something?"
"A little, yeah."
"WHY?"
"She has a problem showing who she is...I thought I'd--"
"You are one BOLD kid, you know that? I'd think helping Helga would be a death wish."
"Not really, just risky, I guess."
"But still...why would you help HER, of all people? Isn't she the one that just TRIES to make your life miserable?"
"I don't know. I guess...I kind of know her differently."
"You know, Arnold, trying to get Helga to leave you alone is gonna be harder than how we saved the neighborhood."
"I know, Gerald, but I'm willing to do it." We walk back to class.
"You're a bold kid, Arnold."
I feel something hit the back of my head. Another spitball. Then another. Another. I try not to lose my patience or anything, but it's slowly wearing out...
It's my fault Helga's much worse today. The thought goes through my head as I do my work. I tried to change Helga, tried to bring down that wall she keeps building up to hide herself from everyone and everything. But I'm afraid I can't help. I think she has to be the one to change.
Another. Then another. Yet another.
And for some reason, I can't be mad at her. She has that...persistence. Another word Gerald would wonder how I learned.
Maybe I'm just more mature than everyone else. Makes me wish I was normal. Then again, I'll never be normal.
I don't think Helga's normal either. Something we both have in common, I guess.
As class ends, and the last spitball is thrown at me, I brush them out my hair. She used to irritate me, and she was probably the only one who I'd lose my anger to. But now, I don't really blame her.
~~~~~~
Thank you to all that read my story and thought it was good. ^_^ I appreciate it.
Lisa - That's what I'd like to know. ^_^;
Helga243 - That's a relief. ^^; I was hoping that my characters wouldn't be seriously out of character. Seems to always happen to me. Thank you so much. ^^
Dijina - Really? Lapis lazuli is a deep blue stone. But that's a strange coincidence. ^_^;;;; Whoever named the stone must have known that. I was afraid the title wouldn't fit the story, but it seems it does!
brianaluvsfootballhead - You mean in the end? I was watching TOO closely....looking for hints of love from Arnold. I thought that smile was a BIG one. Anyway, thanks. ^_^
Silvara, jess, & sNOw - XD It'll be continued. I'm done with the whole story (a FIRST for me and chapters), so I'll post them day by day.
Miss Pataki - I had a little Arnold voice in my head. ^^; I kept thinking "What would he say?" and went by that. I hope that did well. And it will. ^^
UnluckyBlueGoddess - ^_^ Thank you so much.
anon - I think Helga was the hardest for me to capture. She's so complex. ^^; Originally, the story was supposed to be in her POV, but I thought we need an insight into Arnold's head this far in the story. ^_^ I knew he was very mature for his age, I just didn't want him TOO mature.
Meagan - I do that a lot. ^^; I thought I was probably the ONLY ONE that saw him smile. Guess not. I'm HOPING they make the second movie...it'll be wrong if they don't. And thank you. ^^;
Lynderia - ^_^ Thank you.
Emokid - It left me the same way, though I think it was purposely done. IF they show the second movie, we'll find out. ^_^ Thanks.
I'll hear your song
If you want me to
I'll sing along
And it's a chance I'll have to take
And it's a chance I'll have to break
- Luna
I guess that Helga's doing much better. She's on the bus with Phoebe, talking somewhat excitedly. I walk with Gerald to sit down two seats across from them. He's telling me something about how unfair he was blamed instead of Timberly, but I suppose I'm 'spaced out' again. My thoughts turn to Helga, and the dream from last night.
"Arnold? ARNOLD?" I snap out from my reverie. Gerald looks at me, a bit weirded out.
"Uh...what were you saying?" I need to stop thinking. I've been doing it too much for the past two days. More than usual.
"Man, you've been like this since yesterday, and you tell me you're okay. Come on, tell me, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Gerald." A thought of the kiss in my dream enters my mind, and I don't notice the smile on my face, until...
"OH. Don't tell me...it has to do with LILA?" My eyes open wide. I felt some...twinge of pain in my chest. What was that?
"No, it's not Lila."
"Come ON. You've been quiet, spacing out, you even had that SMILE on your face. Does she like you like you?"
"No, Gerald. I...got over Lila."
"Yeah, right." I didn't notice the bus stopped. Walking out behind Gerald, I looked to the back to see Helga. She caught sight of me. Her eyes were filled with...pain?
Oh no.
"What are you STARING AT, ARNOLDO?" She pushed me out of the way, with a sad-looking Phoebe behind her.
Sometimes, I can't help but be angry at Gerald.
Lunch time. I stood in the line, trying not to look at Helga, who was on my right. But I couldn't help it.
"Why are you staring at me again?! Do you have a PROBLEM, Football Head?"
"No, Helga. I just want to know why you're back to your old self again."
"Maybe I got over it, Arnoldo. And is there a problem with being ME?" I turn my head away.
"I liked the side of you on the rooftop. I wish you'd continue being that Helga instead of the old one. You can't keep your wall up forever." I suddenly wonder if I said the wrong thing.
"...Arnold?" I blink. Is she...will she...here?
"Yes, Helga?" I try to say calmly.
"...are you going to take the last of the tapioca or not?" Oh. I guess I was wrong...
"You can have it, Helga." I wonder if she heard me sigh.
"No, you can have it." Without warning, she took the bowl and gently placed it on my tray. I watch her walk to the table with Phoebe, and then it hit me.
I think she took my advice. Or else she wouldn't have done something so civil just now.
We sat in class, taking our math test. I was the first to be done, but I hadn't turned it in yet (I wrote "Helga" all over the sides of the paper--I'm definately going crazy--and trying to erase it). Then, I feel something hit the back of my head and land to the side of the floor. I sigh for a second, thinking it was one of Helga's spitballs. But I look next to me.
It wasn't a spitball. It was a note.
Picking it up, I recognize the curly handwriting. I remember the little pink book and how similar the handwriting was to Helga's. Not surprising, I realize it was hers.
Hey Arnold,
I need to talk to you after school. And don't get any ideas that I 'love' you, bucko, because I don't. Anyway, meet me in the hallway near the water fountain.
Helga G. Pataki
I blink. What could she want to talk about?
I wait near the water fountain after school, hoping it wasn't some kind of trick. Surprisingly, it wasn't, as Helga walks over to me.
"Why did you ask to meet me here, Helga?"
She opens her mouth a bit, then closes it, faltering. "I...thought about what you said...and..."
"And?"
"I think that....that...."
It must be hard for her to reveal herself...I need to get her used to it more.
"....that....that....you're a stupid Football Hea--"
"Helga, just tell me!"
"That's what I wanted to say!" I can tell how much she wants me to know...
"No, it wasn't. Look, I know how hard it is for you to tell me what you feel, but you don't need to be scared."
"I'm not SCARED."
"If you're not, Helga, then TELL ME. You told me on the roof, and now you can't do it? I know it wasn't a lie, I know you meant it."
She looks at me, and runs out the school. I'm not sure what to do anymore.
I suppose I was too...straightforward?
I walk through the halls when suddenly, I'm shoved into a garbage can. There's no need to ask who. Helga stands over me, laughing in a way that sounded so full of pain and anger. I knew I shouldn't have said anything to her. This has been going on all day.
"Hey, Arnold, are you okay?" asks Gerald, helping me out.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Man, Helga Pataki is just in it for you today. Were you trying to help her or something?"
"A little, yeah."
"WHY?"
"She has a problem showing who she is...I thought I'd--"
"You are one BOLD kid, you know that? I'd think helping Helga would be a death wish."
"Not really, just risky, I guess."
"But still...why would you help HER, of all people? Isn't she the one that just TRIES to make your life miserable?"
"I don't know. I guess...I kind of know her differently."
"You know, Arnold, trying to get Helga to leave you alone is gonna be harder than how we saved the neighborhood."
"I know, Gerald, but I'm willing to do it." We walk back to class.
"You're a bold kid, Arnold."
I feel something hit the back of my head. Another spitball. Then another. Another. I try not to lose my patience or anything, but it's slowly wearing out...
It's my fault Helga's much worse today. The thought goes through my head as I do my work. I tried to change Helga, tried to bring down that wall she keeps building up to hide herself from everyone and everything. But I'm afraid I can't help. I think she has to be the one to change.
Another. Then another. Yet another.
And for some reason, I can't be mad at her. She has that...persistence. Another word Gerald would wonder how I learned.
Maybe I'm just more mature than everyone else. Makes me wish I was normal. Then again, I'll never be normal.
I don't think Helga's normal either. Something we both have in common, I guess.
As class ends, and the last spitball is thrown at me, I brush them out my hair. She used to irritate me, and she was probably the only one who I'd lose my anger to. But now, I don't really blame her.
~~~~~~
Thank you to all that read my story and thought it was good. ^_^ I appreciate it.
Lisa - That's what I'd like to know. ^_^;
Helga243 - That's a relief. ^^; I was hoping that my characters wouldn't be seriously out of character. Seems to always happen to me. Thank you so much. ^^
Dijina - Really? Lapis lazuli is a deep blue stone. But that's a strange coincidence. ^_^;;;; Whoever named the stone must have known that. I was afraid the title wouldn't fit the story, but it seems it does!
brianaluvsfootballhead - You mean in the end? I was watching TOO closely....looking for hints of love from Arnold. I thought that smile was a BIG one. Anyway, thanks. ^_^
Silvara, jess, & sNOw - XD It'll be continued. I'm done with the whole story (a FIRST for me and chapters), so I'll post them day by day.
Miss Pataki - I had a little Arnold voice in my head. ^^; I kept thinking "What would he say?" and went by that. I hope that did well. And it will. ^^
UnluckyBlueGoddess - ^_^ Thank you so much.
anon - I think Helga was the hardest for me to capture. She's so complex. ^^; Originally, the story was supposed to be in her POV, but I thought we need an insight into Arnold's head this far in the story. ^_^ I knew he was very mature for his age, I just didn't want him TOO mature.
Meagan - I do that a lot. ^^; I thought I was probably the ONLY ONE that saw him smile. Guess not. I'm HOPING they make the second movie...it'll be wrong if they don't. And thank you. ^^;
Lynderia - ^_^ Thank you.
Emokid - It left me the same way, though I think it was purposely done. IF they show the second movie, we'll find out. ^_^ Thanks.