The last chapter! I read it over a few days ago, but for some reason, seemed a bit rushed. So I added some more stuff in, hopefully this is a good ending. It's my first time completing a chaptered story. I'm planning a sequel for this, when they're much older, just to let you know. ^_^ I'm so thankful to everyone that read and loved my story. (Now it's over, Maxine. ^_~)
Disclaimer's on the first chapter, if you're looking for someone to sue. You should know this by now...
By starlight, I'll kiss you
And promise to be your one and only
I'll make you feel happy
And leave you to be lost in mine
And where will we go?
What will we do?
Soon, said I, will know
- By Starlight
I have to talk to her. In one way or another.
Maybe Helga was able to withstand six years without telling me, but I can't go on not letting her know how I feel. I can't deny anything anymore, can't change the way I feel about her. It's as if something, a feeling, built up inside of me has suddenly bursted out.
Something I never knew about, or felt. It's like I'm noticing it for the first time, understanding everything. Everything's so clear now.
A few months ago, before the dream, before the confession, before everything...if someone told me I'd actually fall for Helga Pataki, I would've laughed and thought they've lost it. Now, I can't imagine a time when I didn't feel this way.
I close my eyes, avoiding watching those white Saturday clouds. I could see her face in each passing one. I wonder if the same thing would happen if I took those inkblot tests the psychiatrists give you.
But I can't help but see her face in the darkness, not as a bully, but a vulnerable person, shut off entirely from the world. It's all so clear now.
Closing my eyes, I let sleep take over. Maybe tomorrow.
I stand in the hallway, waiting to see when she'll arrive. Gerald stands with me, shaking his head. He simply can't understand.
"You really like Helga?"
"For the last time, Gerald, yes."
"I'm sorry..it's just....weird, I guess. Are you sure she likes you back?"
".....I'm sure of it."
"Okay, whatever you say, Arnold."
A thought of him and Phoebe crosses my mind.
"Gerald, did you tell Phoebe?" He looks down at the floor.
"Tell her...what?"
"That you like her." It's hard to tell, but I know he's blushing.
"Well...I...uh....you see.......I'm afraid."
"Afraid? But she likes you, Gerald!"
"It's just that...it's....kind of hard. I mean...."
"I know what you mean....but she has to know someday."
But I pause as Helga and Phoebe walk in. As they pass us, I make my move once again.
"Hey, Helga?" She turns around, a lost look in her eyes.
"What, Arnoldo?"
"....uh....I..." Why can't I speak?
"What?! I don't have all DAY, you know."
"......can I...talk to you...after school?"
Helga stares at me for a few seconds. I can almost see a hope building inside.
I wonder how I could see anything just by looking in her eyes. It's as though they're deep enough to show anyone her true self, if only they would take the time to look.
"About what?."
"....just...something."
"What, you can't tell me now? I'm BUSY after school today."
"It's...a long talk."
"Then talk to me tomorrow or something."
I look down to the floor. Do you think she knows the reason, but doesn't want to face it?
Phoebe looks away, probably knowing what I was going to talk to Helga about. And Gerald is silent.
As they walk away, Gerald shakes his head again.
"Man....are you SURE Helga Pataki likes you?"
This time, I didn't answer him.
Lying on my bed that night, I watch the rain fall onto the glass that made up the ceiling. I used to hate it when it rained, but now, the rain makes me think.
"Hey short man." says Grandpa, walking inside with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
"Hey Grandpa."
"I brought you some cookies and milk, if you don't mind. Oatmeal raisin."
"No thanks...I'm not really hungry." Grandpa blinks.
"Well, what's the matter?"
"Nothing....I'm just confused, that's all." I can see this twinkle in his eye, like he knows what I'm talking about.
"Ah. The same thing happened to me. I didn't know WHAT to do! So, I asked my father."
"What did he say?"
"....never eat raspberries. Good advice, though it didn't help me there! Oh, I was confused! Gertie had just--"
I look at him in surprise. Gertie? I remember that story!
"Grandpa....you mean....Grandma is..."
"The girl that tortured me throughout the whole time I was in school? Yes, Arnold! Didn't I tell you that?"
"No, I think you forgot."
"So maybe you'll grow up and marry that little girl with the pink bow and the one eyebrow. Of course, she just might get rid of the one eyebrow by then. Girls don't like that stuff by the time--oops...need to go."
He ran out. It's just strange how his story was the same as mine.
It was late, and the rain hadn't stopped, but I decided to go for a walk anyway. I put on my coat, grab the green umbrella I've had for a long time now, and walk downstairs.
Grandma's dressed as an Egyptian.
"Grandma, I'm going for a walk. I'll be right back."
"Okay, Kimba. Greet the Pharaoh on your way out, if you please."
"Sure, Grandma." Sometimes, I just wish I wasn't the only sane one.
Walking outside with my same green umbrella, I notice Helga sitting on the park bench, soaking wet in the distance. I run towards her. Why was she out here in the rain? What happened? My heart was beating fast, faster than I've ever felt. Suddenly, it all doesn't matter that it's raining, just that something must be wrong.
"Helga! Why....why are you out here in the rain?" Her hair was let out again, sticking to her shoulders.
She's beautiful.
"What's it to you, Arnoldo?" she says, a melancholic tone in her voice.
"Please, Helga, tell me."
But she just looks at me, angry and hurt
"Why are you PRETENDING to care? No one cares about me." She tries to run from me again, but I grab her wrist.
"I'm not pretending. And you're wrong, Helga.....I care about you." I realize that I dropped the umbrella somewhere, and I'm soaking wet in the rain. But it didn't matter...
"Yeah, Arnold....you care about EVERYONE." She crosses her arms and....she's crying?
"But I care about you more than everyone else. Look, Helga...I...I..." I can't say it. Why can't I say it?
Whatever you have to say will come from your heart. Things from the heart never fail.
"You WHAT, Football Head?"
"I...love you, Helga. I really do. It took me so long to understand, but..." She looks at me, not saying anything. More tears fall from her sapphire eyes.
"...what....what...did you say?" I hug her, forgetting that we were both standing in the rain.
"I love you, Helga."
"You...love me, Arnold? But...why..."
"I just do. I know you're not this mean. You're just hurt, that's all." I smile, looking in her eyes. "I'll make sure they never hurt you again."
She smiles, still crying. "I did mean it."
"I know you did."
"But why are you out here?" Helga turns away from me.
"Big Bob kicked me out. He found out that I was trying to get rid of Olga again."
I clench my fists. I've always hated her dad. "But still, he can't put you out in the rain!"
"I'm nothing to him...to them...to anyone." I hold her again.
"But you're not nothing to me."
She looks at me. "So, where do we go from here?"
"I'm not sure." I look away. I still feel like it'll fail.
"....I understand."
I smile. "We'll...put it on hold, right?"
"Sure. Keep it under wraps again...but at least we both know." She looks happier than I've ever seen her in my life.
"Wait for me, Helga."
"I will, if you'll wait for me."
Remembering the pink bow, I pull it out. It's a bit damp.
"My bow! You found it on the roof, didn't you?"
"What were you doing on my roof?"
"Watching you. It's a free country, Football Head." But the name sounded more loving than ever. I tie it in her hair.
"Now I know why you love this bow so much."
Picking up the umbrella, I turn to her.
"So, should I walk you to my house?" She smiles again.
"Whatever floats your boat, Arnoldo."
We walk under the umbrella, soaking wet but not caring. She holds my hand tightly, as though she doesn't want to let go of the thought either. It's like a dream, something I would've never thought would be real. For the first time, I feel complete.
"I like your bow, Helga."
"Why do you like it, Arnold?"
"Because it's pink...like your dress."
I look into her eyes...blue eyes....
Eyes of lapis lazuli.
Hey blue, where'd you run to now?
Miss you since they found you out
I've been waiting such a long time
For your smile, for you
I lay with you this velvet morning
Stay with me for a while
Where we run to is up to you
Just stay with me for a while.
- Blue
Owari (End).
~~~
pokey - Hopefully I'll get around to studying it...I love mythology. I don't know that much, only a little bit. It's fun putting mythology in a Hey Arnold fic...to me, that is. :D
Queen Angel - I really thought it was. ^_^ This story was untitled for a while, until I listened to a song called "Lapis", and I remember looking for an example of a lapis lazuli stone a while back. Deep blue...and I still imagine Helga's eyes to be that same color. ^_^
P-chan - I try NOT to write them so short, but for some reason, it still comes out that way. ^^;
Cherry - Why do you have a hard time reading them? ^_^;; That's strange for me...I could sit for hours reading Hey Arnold fanfiction......when I should be doing something else....
Houkanno Yuuhou - Hi!! ^__^ I never knew you were on that name. What should I call you now? ^^; Mellon Collie, and Siamese Dream are my two favorite albums. I'm planning to put "Galapogos" in the next story to this. ^_^ I used to be a HUGE fan of Sailormoon. I still am, but not as...obsessive about it. And who knows, maybe I am. ^_~
And since you suggested it, I'll try sending it there. ^_^ Thank you.
jacki - I guess if they ask a question or a comment that you want to...comment on...it's a good idea. ^^; It's sort of bad for me...I end up rambling or talking too much in a response.
Disclaimer's on the first chapter, if you're looking for someone to sue. You should know this by now...
By starlight, I'll kiss you
And promise to be your one and only
I'll make you feel happy
And leave you to be lost in mine
And where will we go?
What will we do?
Soon, said I, will know
- By Starlight
I have to talk to her. In one way or another.
Maybe Helga was able to withstand six years without telling me, but I can't go on not letting her know how I feel. I can't deny anything anymore, can't change the way I feel about her. It's as if something, a feeling, built up inside of me has suddenly bursted out.
Something I never knew about, or felt. It's like I'm noticing it for the first time, understanding everything. Everything's so clear now.
A few months ago, before the dream, before the confession, before everything...if someone told me I'd actually fall for Helga Pataki, I would've laughed and thought they've lost it. Now, I can't imagine a time when I didn't feel this way.
I close my eyes, avoiding watching those white Saturday clouds. I could see her face in each passing one. I wonder if the same thing would happen if I took those inkblot tests the psychiatrists give you.
But I can't help but see her face in the darkness, not as a bully, but a vulnerable person, shut off entirely from the world. It's all so clear now.
Closing my eyes, I let sleep take over. Maybe tomorrow.
I stand in the hallway, waiting to see when she'll arrive. Gerald stands with me, shaking his head. He simply can't understand.
"You really like Helga?"
"For the last time, Gerald, yes."
"I'm sorry..it's just....weird, I guess. Are you sure she likes you back?"
".....I'm sure of it."
"Okay, whatever you say, Arnold."
A thought of him and Phoebe crosses my mind.
"Gerald, did you tell Phoebe?" He looks down at the floor.
"Tell her...what?"
"That you like her." It's hard to tell, but I know he's blushing.
"Well...I...uh....you see.......I'm afraid."
"Afraid? But she likes you, Gerald!"
"It's just that...it's....kind of hard. I mean...."
"I know what you mean....but she has to know someday."
But I pause as Helga and Phoebe walk in. As they pass us, I make my move once again.
"Hey, Helga?" She turns around, a lost look in her eyes.
"What, Arnoldo?"
"....uh....I..." Why can't I speak?
"What?! I don't have all DAY, you know."
"......can I...talk to you...after school?"
Helga stares at me for a few seconds. I can almost see a hope building inside.
I wonder how I could see anything just by looking in her eyes. It's as though they're deep enough to show anyone her true self, if only they would take the time to look.
"About what?."
"....just...something."
"What, you can't tell me now? I'm BUSY after school today."
"It's...a long talk."
"Then talk to me tomorrow or something."
I look down to the floor. Do you think she knows the reason, but doesn't want to face it?
Phoebe looks away, probably knowing what I was going to talk to Helga about. And Gerald is silent.
As they walk away, Gerald shakes his head again.
"Man....are you SURE Helga Pataki likes you?"
This time, I didn't answer him.
Lying on my bed that night, I watch the rain fall onto the glass that made up the ceiling. I used to hate it when it rained, but now, the rain makes me think.
"Hey short man." says Grandpa, walking inside with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
"Hey Grandpa."
"I brought you some cookies and milk, if you don't mind. Oatmeal raisin."
"No thanks...I'm not really hungry." Grandpa blinks.
"Well, what's the matter?"
"Nothing....I'm just confused, that's all." I can see this twinkle in his eye, like he knows what I'm talking about.
"Ah. The same thing happened to me. I didn't know WHAT to do! So, I asked my father."
"What did he say?"
"....never eat raspberries. Good advice, though it didn't help me there! Oh, I was confused! Gertie had just--"
I look at him in surprise. Gertie? I remember that story!
"Grandpa....you mean....Grandma is..."
"The girl that tortured me throughout the whole time I was in school? Yes, Arnold! Didn't I tell you that?"
"No, I think you forgot."
"So maybe you'll grow up and marry that little girl with the pink bow and the one eyebrow. Of course, she just might get rid of the one eyebrow by then. Girls don't like that stuff by the time--oops...need to go."
He ran out. It's just strange how his story was the same as mine.
It was late, and the rain hadn't stopped, but I decided to go for a walk anyway. I put on my coat, grab the green umbrella I've had for a long time now, and walk downstairs.
Grandma's dressed as an Egyptian.
"Grandma, I'm going for a walk. I'll be right back."
"Okay, Kimba. Greet the Pharaoh on your way out, if you please."
"Sure, Grandma." Sometimes, I just wish I wasn't the only sane one.
Walking outside with my same green umbrella, I notice Helga sitting on the park bench, soaking wet in the distance. I run towards her. Why was she out here in the rain? What happened? My heart was beating fast, faster than I've ever felt. Suddenly, it all doesn't matter that it's raining, just that something must be wrong.
"Helga! Why....why are you out here in the rain?" Her hair was let out again, sticking to her shoulders.
She's beautiful.
"What's it to you, Arnoldo?" she says, a melancholic tone in her voice.
"Please, Helga, tell me."
But she just looks at me, angry and hurt
"Why are you PRETENDING to care? No one cares about me." She tries to run from me again, but I grab her wrist.
"I'm not pretending. And you're wrong, Helga.....I care about you." I realize that I dropped the umbrella somewhere, and I'm soaking wet in the rain. But it didn't matter...
"Yeah, Arnold....you care about EVERYONE." She crosses her arms and....she's crying?
"But I care about you more than everyone else. Look, Helga...I...I..." I can't say it. Why can't I say it?
Whatever you have to say will come from your heart. Things from the heart never fail.
"You WHAT, Football Head?"
"I...love you, Helga. I really do. It took me so long to understand, but..." She looks at me, not saying anything. More tears fall from her sapphire eyes.
"...what....what...did you say?" I hug her, forgetting that we were both standing in the rain.
"I love you, Helga."
"You...love me, Arnold? But...why..."
"I just do. I know you're not this mean. You're just hurt, that's all." I smile, looking in her eyes. "I'll make sure they never hurt you again."
She smiles, still crying. "I did mean it."
"I know you did."
"But why are you out here?" Helga turns away from me.
"Big Bob kicked me out. He found out that I was trying to get rid of Olga again."
I clench my fists. I've always hated her dad. "But still, he can't put you out in the rain!"
"I'm nothing to him...to them...to anyone." I hold her again.
"But you're not nothing to me."
She looks at me. "So, where do we go from here?"
"I'm not sure." I look away. I still feel like it'll fail.
"....I understand."
I smile. "We'll...put it on hold, right?"
"Sure. Keep it under wraps again...but at least we both know." She looks happier than I've ever seen her in my life.
"Wait for me, Helga."
"I will, if you'll wait for me."
Remembering the pink bow, I pull it out. It's a bit damp.
"My bow! You found it on the roof, didn't you?"
"What were you doing on my roof?"
"Watching you. It's a free country, Football Head." But the name sounded more loving than ever. I tie it in her hair.
"Now I know why you love this bow so much."
Picking up the umbrella, I turn to her.
"So, should I walk you to my house?" She smiles again.
"Whatever floats your boat, Arnoldo."
We walk under the umbrella, soaking wet but not caring. She holds my hand tightly, as though she doesn't want to let go of the thought either. It's like a dream, something I would've never thought would be real. For the first time, I feel complete.
"I like your bow, Helga."
"Why do you like it, Arnold?"
"Because it's pink...like your dress."
I look into her eyes...blue eyes....
Eyes of lapis lazuli.
Hey blue, where'd you run to now?
Miss you since they found you out
I've been waiting such a long time
For your smile, for you
I lay with you this velvet morning
Stay with me for a while
Where we run to is up to you
Just stay with me for a while.
- Blue
Owari (End).
~~~
pokey - Hopefully I'll get around to studying it...I love mythology. I don't know that much, only a little bit. It's fun putting mythology in a Hey Arnold fic...to me, that is. :D
Queen Angel - I really thought it was. ^_^ This story was untitled for a while, until I listened to a song called "Lapis", and I remember looking for an example of a lapis lazuli stone a while back. Deep blue...and I still imagine Helga's eyes to be that same color. ^_^
P-chan - I try NOT to write them so short, but for some reason, it still comes out that way. ^^;
Cherry - Why do you have a hard time reading them? ^_^;; That's strange for me...I could sit for hours reading Hey Arnold fanfiction......when I should be doing something else....
Houkanno Yuuhou - Hi!! ^__^ I never knew you were on that name. What should I call you now? ^^; Mellon Collie, and Siamese Dream are my two favorite albums. I'm planning to put "Galapogos" in the next story to this. ^_^ I used to be a HUGE fan of Sailormoon. I still am, but not as...obsessive about it. And who knows, maybe I am. ^_~
And since you suggested it, I'll try sending it there. ^_^ Thank you.
jacki - I guess if they ask a question or a comment that you want to...comment on...it's a good idea. ^^; It's sort of bad for me...I end up rambling or talking too much in a response.