Hello, again! Thanks so much for all your terrific compliments. I originally planned on sending this part on Thursday but since you all can't wait I decided to send it right now. Hope it's still good. Chapter 5 will be done on Thursday afternoon.
Disclaimer: Hey Arnold! and Touched By An Angel is not mine. (Hmm, is it just me or do I keep including shows in my stories :))
Chapter Four
A Supposed Relaxing Day
It was another busy Monday afternoon. Everybody was going off somewhere and is in a hurry. It seemed like everybody except to a young woman on the sidewalk café, who was writing on a thick notebook.
The slumber party broke up about 2 o'clock in the morning and it was nearly 12 o'clock in the afternoon when everybody was awake. After that they all parted ways and made promises to do this again next time. And stressing that next time it wouldn't be so melodramatic. No goodbyes were said since they would see each other on Rhonda's party on Friday night.
A motorcycle overtook a car but Helga didn't notice the frustrated beep of the car in retaliation. She was so absorbed in her writing.
It wasn't a poem like she did when she was young. No, it was long and written in paragraphs. It was a story. Sometimes she would erase a word or two then gaze at the street in front of her then come back to her notebook.
It was when she was continuously writing when Arnold found her. "How did the slumber party go?"
She was surprised at his sudden arrival but she quickly recovered and simply replied, "We bonded."
He smiled and tried to imagine what did they do to 'bond' together. "Can I sit down?"
Helga shrugged and resumed writing. While Arnold sat in front of her she finished her writing and then closed the notebook. As she placed it on her bag she noticed that he was carrying something. She couldn't see what it was because it was on his lap. Shrugging mentally, she turned to face him.
"We didn't get to catch-up with each other last time we got together so when I saw you here I thought today was the perfect opportunity."
She wanted to leave him here now but looking at his earnest face she found she couldn't. In answer to his words, she shrugged. "Go ahead."
"Well, what do you do?" he asked.
"I'm a personal secretary for the CEO of Macrosystems. We handle computer stuff, mostly hardware."
He nodded. "As for me, I'm an archeologist. I go to various places finding human..."
She scoffed. "I know what an archeologist does, Arnoldo. You don't need to tell me." She was getting edgy. Before she always pushed him away so no one would know she liked him. Now she just wanted to be simply far from him.
He was shocked at the sudden change of attitude but quickly recovered. "How about your family?"
Helga calmed down a bit. "They live in California. My parents, my sister and her family live in San Diego. I live in D.C."
He was about to open his mouth when Helga butted in, "Look Arnold, if we're going to be this way. It would take us a long time not to mention my vacation. I'll make it easier for the both of us and I'll summarize. If you want to tell your piece then say it after me."
He nodded.
"Good. I live in an apartment and I don't have any pets. As for the question you so shyly asked two days ago, I am not married. I have a good quiet life and I like it."
She didn't mention her romantic interests and he didn't even asked her about it.
"Oh."
She raised an eyebrow. "Well..."
"Oh, right! Well, the reason I became an archeologist was to see the world. I was always intrigued by my grandpa's stories, even though it was stretched rather thinly, about my parents. You know the Amazon forest, the ocean floor, or deep in some exotic jungle."
Helga noted that the profession he chose was like his mother but she didn't let him know that she knew. She looked at his face to see how does he still handle his loss. And what happened to his grandparents? Where they somewhere in a beach relaxing?
She then noticed his deep green eyes. It wasn't intended but she found herself drowning in them like so many years ago. She suddenly felt lighter. All previous thoughts were banished.
"Helga?"
She blinked and saw his worried face. "Yes?"
"You looked like you were in a trance. Are you okay?"
She cursed to herself. Is something as simple as looking at his eyes make her resolution crumble to dust? She glared at him, "I'm fine Arnold."
"I know that look," he teased, unfazed.
She looked at him, a bit taken back. "W-what?"
"That's the look I usually get when I'm daydreaming. You know, when we were young."
Helga felt somewhat relieved. "I am not daydreaming. I...I was just inspired."
As soon as the words came out she mentally kicked herself. 'Why don't you just tell him everything since you just told him your secret hobby!' she yelled at herself. She hoped he didn't catch her words.
But alas! "Inspired to do what?" Curious eyes peered at her. If she had looked in his eyes again she would notice amusement.
She glanced at the scenery around her and said nothing. Then she fiddled with her small bag. She heard Arnold place something on the table but still didn't look.
"Uh, Helga, could you do me a favor?" His voice became a bit timid.
Curious, she faced him and saw a book facing her. She recognized the features and the title. Open-mouthed she looked at Arnold's face.
He was shyly smiling, "Could you sign it for me?"
The book was a thick novel about the life of an outcast mage set in an alternate reality and the author was Gerry Pataki.
She didn't really want to publish her books but her boss saw her manuscript and secretly published it. She was enraged when the book came out but was somehow relieved that not a word was said about the author. The publishers took a real liking to the novel and insisted she do some more. She didn't become an instant sensation like other authors. There were a few readers who would look beyond on what look like a romance novel that had a title that sounded so trashy.
She was shocked but was able to utter, "How did you know?"
"Well, Iggy found about these books on my shelf yesterday. I've forgotten about it until he found them. I introduced him to your first book and later on he borrowed it. Afterward, when I finished cleaning my room I remembered what Phoebe said when you came to the reunion: Helga Geraldine Pataki." He paused. "How did you start writing? Truthfully I was surprised at first that you were able to write such good stuff. I never knew you were a writer before."
She took the book and unconsciously was tracing over it. "I started in poems but after I left..." she paused as if reliving a memory. "...later on I just found myself writing stories on my poems. Soon it stopped being just a poem and became a story. It was a relief really. All these things on my head just flowed freely when I write stories."
She stopped and became flustered. She rattled on again! It would be pretty soon when he finds out the truth. And she didn't want him to know the truth for his sake and hers.
"What were usually the topics in your poems?"
Her heart stopped. "T-topics?" she squeaked. "Uh you know usual stuff...childhood anxieties, frustrations, you know." She weakly laughed.
"I would like to read it sometime."
Now THAT scared her much more. "You wouldn't like it." A weak laugh again.
He was disappointed but smiled again. "Please sign my book. I just bought it today just so I could have an autographed copy. Who knows it might be a collector's item someday."
He really liked her stories. Wait a minute! "You bought every book?"
He nodded. "All fourteen of them."
"And you liked it?"
Another nod. "I'm your biggest fan. Last night, I've convinced the others to read it too. They really liked it." He seemed proud of her.
She couldn't find the words to say so she just took out her pencil and began thinking on what to write. This wasn't the first book she autographed but the first from one of her childhood friends.
"Stop putting yourself down, Helga, you wrote great stuff. Normally I wouldn't even touch one that looked like a romance novel since romance novels were..."
Even though she was now writing she knew why he stopped. He must be turning into a tomato right now. She took a quick peek and found she was right. She finished writing and gave the book to him as she suggested wickedly, "Steamy?"
It wasn't possible but he turned an even darker shade. "Uh yeah. Your stories have a more content on them and it isn't just plain romance. You have everything-comedy, science fiction, drama..." With each word the blush was lessening, but she still kept that teasing grin.
"So, do you write one book per year?"
He was changing the topic but she indulged him. "No, I'd publish two or three per year. I just started writing ten years ago."
"Oh." Not a word was said as Arnold took his autographed book. He was about to read it but stopped.
Helga noticed that he became a bit uneasy. Something was bothering him but she couldn't find the courage to ask.
"Um, Helga. I consider you as a dear friend and I just wanted to let you know that when you need someone to talk to I'm here."
She was puzzled but replied, "Thanks, Arnold. I'll remember that."
"You can tell me anything, Helga. Anything."
Helga was getting a bit impatient. "Thanks for the offer but what are you driving at?"
"You've changed, Helga."
By the tone of his voice she knew what he meant. Her jaw dropped. He knew! He KNEW! No! NO! NO! "You make it sound like a bad thing" she weakly replied.
"It's not...It is!" He reached out to touch her hand that was on the table but she drew it away. "Helga, the spark that was you a long time ago is gone. Tell me what happened, Helga. Please."
She arched her eyebrows and her voice grew stern. "There are other people who need your help, Arnoldo! I don't want yours!"
He calmly looked at her. "They can wait."
She picked up her small backpack as she stood up. She glared at him as she said; "Let me make this clear so it could get through that thick head of yours. I don't want or need your help." Without any words she walked away and left him.
Arnold sadly looked at her retreating back and sighed. He would face her again but not now. He faced the table again and remembered his book. He turned the cover over and saw her dedication,
To the football headed Arnold,
You were always the best publicly unacknowledged best friend I've ever had. :)
Love,
Helga Geraldine Pataki
She didn't have any real destination in mind but she let her feet take her wherever it lead to. While her feet were walking her mind kept repeating: 'He knew! He knew!' When did she goof up and let Arnold realized the truth?
She glanced up and saw the city park. She decided to go there and think this through. She then went to the most isolated bench and sat down.
The truth. The truth was she couldn't handle it anymore. All her life she'd been the strong one, the bully that no one could befriend. It was all because of her. She wasn't good enough for her parents, and she wasn't good enough for her classmates.
Lila and Ruth flashed in her mind. She wasn't good enough for him.
She unconsciously wrapped her arms around her. When her dad unceremoniously made her family leave the neighborhood and move to San Diego she tried to maintain her bully reputation but she couldn't keep it up. No one even tried to make friends with the ugly, one-eyebrow, lanky girl. Not one attempt. So she dropped it. Why bother putting up a barricade if you're even more hurt in the process?
So she detached herself from her classmates. She made herself forget about everything, even the past, and just focus on her studies. She did great in all her studies but she wasn't a valedictorian material. It was probably because of her achievements that her boss offered her a job.
She vowed to herself never to do anything that would hurt her even more in the process. So she stopped her bully attitude and shut herself from the world. That was why her novels were born, all her thoughts, her frustrations she wrote in her stories. Poems were not good for those kinds of outlets, stories were.
Helga tried to clear her mind. She had to stop it because she was shaking. Shaking?
She looked at her hands, which were indeed shaking but not uncontrollably.
How could he have found out? Everyone was convinced she changed for the better but not Arnold. Why must it be Arnold who'd find out the truth?
And if he knew, then Phoebe also knew but why didn't she say anything to her?
Questions, question and more questions. She buried her face in her hands. She thought she could handle being here again...
Helga felt a presence at the edge of the bench. "Buzz off, Brainy!" she called out from her hands.
"Um, I'm not leaving until you feel a little bit better."
His voice was still as deep as before but he didn't have the deep husky voice Arnold has. She shook her head of that thought.
She felt him sit down to her right although not near her. Exasperatedly, she took a glance at him and saw that he was a little bit skinny and he still wore glasses. She couldn't help but smile because he didn't wheeze anymore. It always annoy to no ends when she hears his wheezing.
She gave him a wry smile. "How do you do it? How do you always appear magically behind my back?"
He smiled that mysterious smile of his and said, "It's a secret."
She snorted. "Criminey, Brainy! Next thing you're going to tell me that you're an angel. Although I don't think angels are supposed to have a crush on their assignment."
He chuckled. "You've been watching that show too much."
"You're telling me."
Silence. Helga looked at her surroundings to calm her still twirling emotions.
"You're afraid of Arnold."
"What?!" She looked at him and saw him looking at the park but serious as ever.
"It's been a long time and you're still afraid of him."
Even though he couldn't see it, she glared at him. Then she buried her face in her hands again and groaned. "What is it with you guys? How do you both know all this? Is there some weird psychic link between the three of us that I should know about?"
He looked at her dead serious. "I know because I love you," he simply stated.
Her jaw dropped. She knew he had a crush on her before but love? And until now?
She dropped her gaze at him and couldn't say another word.
"And Arnold is Arnold," he added.
She was still reeling in shock. He talked as calmly as if it was weather they were talking. She sighed and halfheartedly asked, "What do you want from me?"
"We want you to be like what you were before."
She rolled her eyes, "You want me to be a selfish bully who only does harm to others?"
"Like what you were before," he cryptically repeated.
She grew quiet. Apparently he wasn't about to clear it now.
They became that way for about a few more minutes and then she felt him stand up. Surprisingly, she was beginning to feel comfortable with his presence and was saddened by his leaving. He didn't pressure her or made any attempt to be close to her. Although she knew Brainy liked her so it wasn't any surprise when he blatantly confessed his love. And he was gentle and didn't make her feel suffocated.
"I've got to go, Helga. I have to get back to work."
She stood up and felt herself smile. "It was nice seeing you again, Brainy"
He grinned that same grin he gave her whenever he would show up behind her. "Yes, Helga, it was. See you again soon!"
He turned to leave when she said, "You know what, Brainy? You should have been a psychiatrist. You have a knack at making people feel better." She gave a wry grin. "Even if its only for a little while," she quickly amended.
He approached her again and took something from his wallet. He gave it to her as he said, "In fact, I am." He gave a wave then continued walking.
She read his business card and found out indeed Edward (also known as Brainy) was a psychiatrist.
Helga opened the door to her hotel room. Then suddenly a muffled ring was heard somewhere. She took her keys out of the doorknob with one hand and fumbled to her small backpack with the other. When she found the source she flipped it open and said, "Yes?" Then she closed the door.
"Hello, baby sister!" a cheerful and melodious voice chirped.
She threw her bag on the bad. "Olga?" Olga very rarely call her.
"Yes, listen. Michael and I are going to visit his parents and I really can't take care of Muriel since Erin and Eric are more than a handful. Could you watch her for a couple pf days?"
"But Olga I'm..."
"I know baby sister but I don't know anyone here and I just can't hire a sitter I just knew. I trust you, baby sister. Please."
Helga sighed. "Sure, Olga," she sighed wearily.
"Great! Could you also pick her up on Wednesday morning? Well, be arriving tomorrow night."
"Sure, sure."
"Fabulous, love yah!" She hangs up without letting Helga get a word edgewise.
"Sure," Helga replies to the phone.
It wasn't that she didn't like her 5-month-old niece but Olga just dropped the responsibility on her so suddenly. She sighed. She might as well begin to get ready. A list of baby stuff has to be prepared, just in case.
She looked through the window. And to think last night she just expected today another humdrum day.
*In my opinion, Brainy looks like an Edward so I gave that as his real name.
Like it? Did it become boring? Lacking in something? Tell me, please.
Disclaimer: Hey Arnold! and Touched By An Angel is not mine. (Hmm, is it just me or do I keep including shows in my stories :))
Chapter Four
A Supposed Relaxing Day
It was another busy Monday afternoon. Everybody was going off somewhere and is in a hurry. It seemed like everybody except to a young woman on the sidewalk café, who was writing on a thick notebook.
The slumber party broke up about 2 o'clock in the morning and it was nearly 12 o'clock in the afternoon when everybody was awake. After that they all parted ways and made promises to do this again next time. And stressing that next time it wouldn't be so melodramatic. No goodbyes were said since they would see each other on Rhonda's party on Friday night.
A motorcycle overtook a car but Helga didn't notice the frustrated beep of the car in retaliation. She was so absorbed in her writing.
It wasn't a poem like she did when she was young. No, it was long and written in paragraphs. It was a story. Sometimes she would erase a word or two then gaze at the street in front of her then come back to her notebook.
It was when she was continuously writing when Arnold found her. "How did the slumber party go?"
She was surprised at his sudden arrival but she quickly recovered and simply replied, "We bonded."
He smiled and tried to imagine what did they do to 'bond' together. "Can I sit down?"
Helga shrugged and resumed writing. While Arnold sat in front of her she finished her writing and then closed the notebook. As she placed it on her bag she noticed that he was carrying something. She couldn't see what it was because it was on his lap. Shrugging mentally, she turned to face him.
"We didn't get to catch-up with each other last time we got together so when I saw you here I thought today was the perfect opportunity."
She wanted to leave him here now but looking at his earnest face she found she couldn't. In answer to his words, she shrugged. "Go ahead."
"Well, what do you do?" he asked.
"I'm a personal secretary for the CEO of Macrosystems. We handle computer stuff, mostly hardware."
He nodded. "As for me, I'm an archeologist. I go to various places finding human..."
She scoffed. "I know what an archeologist does, Arnoldo. You don't need to tell me." She was getting edgy. Before she always pushed him away so no one would know she liked him. Now she just wanted to be simply far from him.
He was shocked at the sudden change of attitude but quickly recovered. "How about your family?"
Helga calmed down a bit. "They live in California. My parents, my sister and her family live in San Diego. I live in D.C."
He was about to open his mouth when Helga butted in, "Look Arnold, if we're going to be this way. It would take us a long time not to mention my vacation. I'll make it easier for the both of us and I'll summarize. If you want to tell your piece then say it after me."
He nodded.
"Good. I live in an apartment and I don't have any pets. As for the question you so shyly asked two days ago, I am not married. I have a good quiet life and I like it."
She didn't mention her romantic interests and he didn't even asked her about it.
"Oh."
She raised an eyebrow. "Well..."
"Oh, right! Well, the reason I became an archeologist was to see the world. I was always intrigued by my grandpa's stories, even though it was stretched rather thinly, about my parents. You know the Amazon forest, the ocean floor, or deep in some exotic jungle."
Helga noted that the profession he chose was like his mother but she didn't let him know that she knew. She looked at his face to see how does he still handle his loss. And what happened to his grandparents? Where they somewhere in a beach relaxing?
She then noticed his deep green eyes. It wasn't intended but she found herself drowning in them like so many years ago. She suddenly felt lighter. All previous thoughts were banished.
"Helga?"
She blinked and saw his worried face. "Yes?"
"You looked like you were in a trance. Are you okay?"
She cursed to herself. Is something as simple as looking at his eyes make her resolution crumble to dust? She glared at him, "I'm fine Arnold."
"I know that look," he teased, unfazed.
She looked at him, a bit taken back. "W-what?"
"That's the look I usually get when I'm daydreaming. You know, when we were young."
Helga felt somewhat relieved. "I am not daydreaming. I...I was just inspired."
As soon as the words came out she mentally kicked herself. 'Why don't you just tell him everything since you just told him your secret hobby!' she yelled at herself. She hoped he didn't catch her words.
But alas! "Inspired to do what?" Curious eyes peered at her. If she had looked in his eyes again she would notice amusement.
She glanced at the scenery around her and said nothing. Then she fiddled with her small bag. She heard Arnold place something on the table but still didn't look.
"Uh, Helga, could you do me a favor?" His voice became a bit timid.
Curious, she faced him and saw a book facing her. She recognized the features and the title. Open-mouthed she looked at Arnold's face.
He was shyly smiling, "Could you sign it for me?"
The book was a thick novel about the life of an outcast mage set in an alternate reality and the author was Gerry Pataki.
She didn't really want to publish her books but her boss saw her manuscript and secretly published it. She was enraged when the book came out but was somehow relieved that not a word was said about the author. The publishers took a real liking to the novel and insisted she do some more. She didn't become an instant sensation like other authors. There were a few readers who would look beyond on what look like a romance novel that had a title that sounded so trashy.
She was shocked but was able to utter, "How did you know?"
"Well, Iggy found about these books on my shelf yesterday. I've forgotten about it until he found them. I introduced him to your first book and later on he borrowed it. Afterward, when I finished cleaning my room I remembered what Phoebe said when you came to the reunion: Helga Geraldine Pataki." He paused. "How did you start writing? Truthfully I was surprised at first that you were able to write such good stuff. I never knew you were a writer before."
She took the book and unconsciously was tracing over it. "I started in poems but after I left..." she paused as if reliving a memory. "...later on I just found myself writing stories on my poems. Soon it stopped being just a poem and became a story. It was a relief really. All these things on my head just flowed freely when I write stories."
She stopped and became flustered. She rattled on again! It would be pretty soon when he finds out the truth. And she didn't want him to know the truth for his sake and hers.
"What were usually the topics in your poems?"
Her heart stopped. "T-topics?" she squeaked. "Uh you know usual stuff...childhood anxieties, frustrations, you know." She weakly laughed.
"I would like to read it sometime."
Now THAT scared her much more. "You wouldn't like it." A weak laugh again.
He was disappointed but smiled again. "Please sign my book. I just bought it today just so I could have an autographed copy. Who knows it might be a collector's item someday."
He really liked her stories. Wait a minute! "You bought every book?"
He nodded. "All fourteen of them."
"And you liked it?"
Another nod. "I'm your biggest fan. Last night, I've convinced the others to read it too. They really liked it." He seemed proud of her.
She couldn't find the words to say so she just took out her pencil and began thinking on what to write. This wasn't the first book she autographed but the first from one of her childhood friends.
"Stop putting yourself down, Helga, you wrote great stuff. Normally I wouldn't even touch one that looked like a romance novel since romance novels were..."
Even though she was now writing she knew why he stopped. He must be turning into a tomato right now. She took a quick peek and found she was right. She finished writing and gave the book to him as she suggested wickedly, "Steamy?"
It wasn't possible but he turned an even darker shade. "Uh yeah. Your stories have a more content on them and it isn't just plain romance. You have everything-comedy, science fiction, drama..." With each word the blush was lessening, but she still kept that teasing grin.
"So, do you write one book per year?"
He was changing the topic but she indulged him. "No, I'd publish two or three per year. I just started writing ten years ago."
"Oh." Not a word was said as Arnold took his autographed book. He was about to read it but stopped.
Helga noticed that he became a bit uneasy. Something was bothering him but she couldn't find the courage to ask.
"Um, Helga. I consider you as a dear friend and I just wanted to let you know that when you need someone to talk to I'm here."
She was puzzled but replied, "Thanks, Arnold. I'll remember that."
"You can tell me anything, Helga. Anything."
Helga was getting a bit impatient. "Thanks for the offer but what are you driving at?"
"You've changed, Helga."
By the tone of his voice she knew what he meant. Her jaw dropped. He knew! He KNEW! No! NO! NO! "You make it sound like a bad thing" she weakly replied.
"It's not...It is!" He reached out to touch her hand that was on the table but she drew it away. "Helga, the spark that was you a long time ago is gone. Tell me what happened, Helga. Please."
She arched her eyebrows and her voice grew stern. "There are other people who need your help, Arnoldo! I don't want yours!"
He calmly looked at her. "They can wait."
She picked up her small backpack as she stood up. She glared at him as she said; "Let me make this clear so it could get through that thick head of yours. I don't want or need your help." Without any words she walked away and left him.
Arnold sadly looked at her retreating back and sighed. He would face her again but not now. He faced the table again and remembered his book. He turned the cover over and saw her dedication,
To the football headed Arnold,
You were always the best publicly unacknowledged best friend I've ever had. :)
Love,
Helga Geraldine Pataki
She didn't have any real destination in mind but she let her feet take her wherever it lead to. While her feet were walking her mind kept repeating: 'He knew! He knew!' When did she goof up and let Arnold realized the truth?
She glanced up and saw the city park. She decided to go there and think this through. She then went to the most isolated bench and sat down.
The truth. The truth was she couldn't handle it anymore. All her life she'd been the strong one, the bully that no one could befriend. It was all because of her. She wasn't good enough for her parents, and she wasn't good enough for her classmates.
Lila and Ruth flashed in her mind. She wasn't good enough for him.
She unconsciously wrapped her arms around her. When her dad unceremoniously made her family leave the neighborhood and move to San Diego she tried to maintain her bully reputation but she couldn't keep it up. No one even tried to make friends with the ugly, one-eyebrow, lanky girl. Not one attempt. So she dropped it. Why bother putting up a barricade if you're even more hurt in the process?
So she detached herself from her classmates. She made herself forget about everything, even the past, and just focus on her studies. She did great in all her studies but she wasn't a valedictorian material. It was probably because of her achievements that her boss offered her a job.
She vowed to herself never to do anything that would hurt her even more in the process. So she stopped her bully attitude and shut herself from the world. That was why her novels were born, all her thoughts, her frustrations she wrote in her stories. Poems were not good for those kinds of outlets, stories were.
Helga tried to clear her mind. She had to stop it because she was shaking. Shaking?
She looked at her hands, which were indeed shaking but not uncontrollably.
How could he have found out? Everyone was convinced she changed for the better but not Arnold. Why must it be Arnold who'd find out the truth?
And if he knew, then Phoebe also knew but why didn't she say anything to her?
Questions, question and more questions. She buried her face in her hands. She thought she could handle being here again...
Helga felt a presence at the edge of the bench. "Buzz off, Brainy!" she called out from her hands.
"Um, I'm not leaving until you feel a little bit better."
His voice was still as deep as before but he didn't have the deep husky voice Arnold has. She shook her head of that thought.
She felt him sit down to her right although not near her. Exasperatedly, she took a glance at him and saw that he was a little bit skinny and he still wore glasses. She couldn't help but smile because he didn't wheeze anymore. It always annoy to no ends when she hears his wheezing.
She gave him a wry smile. "How do you do it? How do you always appear magically behind my back?"
He smiled that mysterious smile of his and said, "It's a secret."
She snorted. "Criminey, Brainy! Next thing you're going to tell me that you're an angel. Although I don't think angels are supposed to have a crush on their assignment."
He chuckled. "You've been watching that show too much."
"You're telling me."
Silence. Helga looked at her surroundings to calm her still twirling emotions.
"You're afraid of Arnold."
"What?!" She looked at him and saw him looking at the park but serious as ever.
"It's been a long time and you're still afraid of him."
Even though he couldn't see it, she glared at him. Then she buried her face in her hands again and groaned. "What is it with you guys? How do you both know all this? Is there some weird psychic link between the three of us that I should know about?"
He looked at her dead serious. "I know because I love you," he simply stated.
Her jaw dropped. She knew he had a crush on her before but love? And until now?
She dropped her gaze at him and couldn't say another word.
"And Arnold is Arnold," he added.
She was still reeling in shock. He talked as calmly as if it was weather they were talking. She sighed and halfheartedly asked, "What do you want from me?"
"We want you to be like what you were before."
She rolled her eyes, "You want me to be a selfish bully who only does harm to others?"
"Like what you were before," he cryptically repeated.
She grew quiet. Apparently he wasn't about to clear it now.
They became that way for about a few more minutes and then she felt him stand up. Surprisingly, she was beginning to feel comfortable with his presence and was saddened by his leaving. He didn't pressure her or made any attempt to be close to her. Although she knew Brainy liked her so it wasn't any surprise when he blatantly confessed his love. And he was gentle and didn't make her feel suffocated.
"I've got to go, Helga. I have to get back to work."
She stood up and felt herself smile. "It was nice seeing you again, Brainy"
He grinned that same grin he gave her whenever he would show up behind her. "Yes, Helga, it was. See you again soon!"
He turned to leave when she said, "You know what, Brainy? You should have been a psychiatrist. You have a knack at making people feel better." She gave a wry grin. "Even if its only for a little while," she quickly amended.
He approached her again and took something from his wallet. He gave it to her as he said, "In fact, I am." He gave a wave then continued walking.
She read his business card and found out indeed Edward (also known as Brainy) was a psychiatrist.
Helga opened the door to her hotel room. Then suddenly a muffled ring was heard somewhere. She took her keys out of the doorknob with one hand and fumbled to her small backpack with the other. When she found the source she flipped it open and said, "Yes?" Then she closed the door.
"Hello, baby sister!" a cheerful and melodious voice chirped.
She threw her bag on the bad. "Olga?" Olga very rarely call her.
"Yes, listen. Michael and I are going to visit his parents and I really can't take care of Muriel since Erin and Eric are more than a handful. Could you watch her for a couple pf days?"
"But Olga I'm..."
"I know baby sister but I don't know anyone here and I just can't hire a sitter I just knew. I trust you, baby sister. Please."
Helga sighed. "Sure, Olga," she sighed wearily.
"Great! Could you also pick her up on Wednesday morning? Well, be arriving tomorrow night."
"Sure, sure."
"Fabulous, love yah!" She hangs up without letting Helga get a word edgewise.
"Sure," Helga replies to the phone.
It wasn't that she didn't like her 5-month-old niece but Olga just dropped the responsibility on her so suddenly. She sighed. She might as well begin to get ready. A list of baby stuff has to be prepared, just in case.
She looked through the window. And to think last night she just expected today another humdrum day.
*In my opinion, Brainy looks like an Edward so I gave that as his real name.
Like it? Did it become boring? Lacking in something? Tell me, please.