You Make It Feel Like Christmas: Chapter 1
Disclaimer: What can I say? I don't own Hey Arnold!
Our 8th Grade Christmas....
~Arnold~
I couldn't help but watch them. They were kissing under the mistletoe and for some reason that bothered me. Maybe I just didn't feel comfortable with her hanging out with that guy. But then why did it matter whether or not I felt comfortable? Why did I feel like I should be protecting her?
I turned away, trying to keep those weird questions from popping up in my mind. They had been troubling me a lot lately and I had no idea why. Form what I had heard he was a pretty descent guy even though he was a few years older. His looks were definitely nothing to be ashamed of and he had a certain charm that most people could not help but adore. But there was something about him I didn't like. She acted different around him. I guess it was just weird to see her flirting with some guy. She's not exactly the flirty type of girl.
I decided to go wonder down some other aisle; it was better to just get away from them. I tried to focus on what my actual purpose was at the market: trying to buy groceries. I was turning the corner to go the dairy section when- SMACK! I was sent sprawling to the ground along with another person. I quickly stood up.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that- Helga?" She sat there on the ground gazing at me with the most unreadable look in her eyes. I helped her up. I think she must have been a little startled and dazed from the collision because it took her quite some time for her to react.
"Don't touch me!" She snatched her hand away that I had still been holding from helping her up. I studied her for a brief moment, gazing into those fiery blue eyes.
There had always been something about her that puzzled me. So many things about her had changed. She was taller and looked down at me ever more than before. Her harsh treatment of the others had been lessening that is except her treatment of me. It seemed like nothing would ever change between us. She was destined to forever despise me and torture me despite the fact that I had never hurt her. Her looks were not bad well they had never been bad from the beginning. She still wore her pigtails on a daily basis, but for special occasions I've seen her wear her hair in different styles and it did remind me of this other girl I used to know.... Anyway, she still had an awkwardness to her, but I guess that is typical for any 13 year old myself included.
Some people wonder why her boyfriend decided to go out with her. For a while it was great puzzle to me too. The boy, Andrew was his name, was a 10th grader with a solid reputation for being able to charm any girl. Almost every girl I knew was willing to go out with him including ones with much more attractive qualities than Helga. But what did Andrew really see in Helga? I had a deep feeling that it was her spunk and vivacity that really drew him towards her.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer."
I immediately snapped out of my thoughts. I remembered where I was and that Helga was standing before me.
"Sorry, Helga, I was just thinking." She stared at me for a brief second before replying.
"You think too much." I simply shrugged. We stood there in an awkward silence that lasted for a while.
"I guess I better get going. I've got some groceries I need to pick up before Christmas." She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but for some reason couldn't. She closed it only to open it again. I wondered if she was aware how much she reminded me of a fish.
"Yeah, see ya football head."
"Can you please not call me that?" Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not sure why I said that. I knew it was the wrong thing to say. From before I could remember she had always called me that name and the only reaction I had ever had if any was a slightly annoyed glance. The name had never really bothered me before and well it did not even bother me now. Realizing my mistake I slipped past her almost afraid of the outburst I was sure would come.
"I can call you anything I like, FOOTBALLHEAD!!" she snapped, following me through the store. I shuddered. But for some reason I pursued the subject. Trust me, I knew it was not the right thing to do. I should have just ignored her, but instead I looked over my shoulder to call back to her.
"I would just appreciate it if you called me by my actual name. You do call everyone else by theirs." I was ready to slap myself. I was well aware that I was just making her madder. She had always been the type that angered easily. I continued to walk among the aisles of the store as if I was running away from her.
"Well, I'm going to call you Footballhead because whether you like it or not according to me it is your real name! And if you are going to have a problem with that you'd better be prepared to meet Old Betsey." It seemed like it had been a long time since I had heard her use her right fist's name. It seemed kinda childish at the moment. I stopped and Helga soon stood next to me.
"Fine, Helga, I give up. Call me whatever you like," I said glumly. I was about to turn away when I noticed something. We had been meandering around the store during our argument and I looked up only to discover that I had led her right under the mistletoe she had been kissing her boyfriend under earlier. She must have seen the peculiar look on my face because she glanced up and I knew she saw the mistletoe. I stood there, very flustered debating in my mind of what I should do.
~Helga~
Had he led me there on purpose? The mistletoe was dangling above us. I was ready to reach up and rip apart the small plant and at the same time I was ready to kiss it because of the good fortune it had brought me....
Good fortune?! Criminey! I sounded like a two-timer. I had a steady boyfriend yet I was just dying to be kissed by some other guy. Well this isn't just any other guy...this is Arnold. I was more than willing to strange that little voice inside of me. I guess I was to busy trying to find a way to shut that stupid voice up that I did not notice my beloved was leaning closer to me and had placed his hands on my shoulders.
Before I knew what was happening he was kissing me softly. He had to go on his tip-toes to reach my lips. Grrrr...I wish I did not have such long legs or at least that Arnold did not have such short ones. Anyway, I felt like I was going to faint. Okay, it may not have been the most romantic of settings, but under the mistletoe at the market was better than no Christmas kiss at all!
After a few seconds he pulled away with a sheepish grin on his face. I wanted to say something nice, I really did. I wanted to return the kiss, but I let my dumb instincts get in the way. I jumped back away from him in disgust.
"Don't ever touch me, ever again!" I wanted to cover my mouth with my hand. I had screamed the words awfully loud, which caused some customer to turn and stare at us. Arnold looked startled too and I could see the pain his green eyes. Look what you did to him! You hurt him! Shut up, shut up, shut up!!
"Look, I've gotta go." I spun around on my heels to make my quick getaway. I almost made it out of the store.
"Helga, wait! You said you would stay until my shift was over." I gave a sideways glance to find Andrew at the register rapidly checking out customers' groceries.
"Er...yeah, I forgot." I pulled up a stool next to him. I wanted to look over my shoulder to see what Arnold was doing, but I knew better than to look back. That would be too obvious.
"There 9 o'clock. I'm done for the day. That wasn't too long of a wait, was it? You're not dead yet so let's get outta here," said Andrew. I jumped off the stool and he led the way out of the store. At no time whatsoever did I turn to look for any sight of Arnold.
As soon as we stepped outside we were met with the bitter cold air and the sharp December wind. I shivered. Andrew put his arm around me and pulled me closer. A thought immediately popped into my brain. Had he seen Arnold kissing me? He had been on the other side of the store working...so there was no way he could have noticed...right???
"So who was that guy you were lip-locking with?" Criminey! How could he have seen us?
"Just some guy from school...no big deal." My response was rushed and I could tell I was giving myself away.
"Oh, because it looked like something else." His voiced sounded strange, almost bitter, angry even and all from some dumb meaningless kiss? You know it wasn't some meaningless kiss. Be quiet!!!
He had looked at other girls while we had been going out before and I had never let it get me. I knew better then to get too attached and become overprotective. No you don't you hypocrite! You can't deny how overprotective you've always been of Arnold! Keeping other girls from falling for him, trying to shield him from the harshness of the real world, more than ready to risk life and limb for him... CRIMINEY!! Why couldn't that stupid voice just be silent for once!
"Look it was nothing...really," I bitterly replied. We had reached the doorstep of my house. He turned to face me, he slipped his arms around my wait and kissed me.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to over react-"
"Don't worry about it," I hastily replied. "I think I'll be able to survive an overreaction...just don't make it a habit." He grinned at me. More kissing. It was then that I felt this strange coldness on my neck. I guess Andrew must have felt it too because we both turned to look up. It was snowing. The small white flakes were making their way to the ground at a gradually faster pace.
"Look's like we are going to have a white Christmas." I could only nod. I loved watching the snow fall...every distinct snowflake seemed like a tiny gift from the sky. But it seemed to be a much a greater gift this night for it was Christmas' Eve. We stood there for some time with an eerie silence lingering the frigid, night air. I could see from the streetlight that the snow was coming down heavier now.
"You better go...I think a blizzard might be coming." He nodded.
"Yeah, Merry Christmas, Helga. I'll call you some time tomorrow."
"Sure, whatever...oh and Merry Christmas to you too, Andrew," I added quickly before darting inside. It was getting awfully cold standing outside and I did not have a scarf on.
I shook the snow off my hair and proceed in taking off my snow boots and winter coat. It was not like I did not appreciate Andrew...I just did not love him. I sighed. I was too young for that kind of relationship anyway, and it was much easier to pretend your head over heals for some show-off guy then admit-
"Oh, Helga, where have you been?" asked my mother.
"Out, Miriam," I stated simply.
"Your sister's home!" boomed Bob.
"Oh, Helga, I've been here waiting for you to return all day!" Before I could do anything to stop her my sister pranced up towards me and snatched me up in a crushing embrace. I felt the air being pushed out of my lungs and it made me want to march straight back outside. I'd take standing in the freezing air with the snow falling down on my neck over seeing my sister any day.
I know...a little out of season, but please review and tell me what you think.
Disclaimer: What can I say? I don't own Hey Arnold!
Our 8th Grade Christmas....
~Arnold~
I couldn't help but watch them. They were kissing under the mistletoe and for some reason that bothered me. Maybe I just didn't feel comfortable with her hanging out with that guy. But then why did it matter whether or not I felt comfortable? Why did I feel like I should be protecting her?
I turned away, trying to keep those weird questions from popping up in my mind. They had been troubling me a lot lately and I had no idea why. Form what I had heard he was a pretty descent guy even though he was a few years older. His looks were definitely nothing to be ashamed of and he had a certain charm that most people could not help but adore. But there was something about him I didn't like. She acted different around him. I guess it was just weird to see her flirting with some guy. She's not exactly the flirty type of girl.
I decided to go wonder down some other aisle; it was better to just get away from them. I tried to focus on what my actual purpose was at the market: trying to buy groceries. I was turning the corner to go the dairy section when- SMACK! I was sent sprawling to the ground along with another person. I quickly stood up.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that- Helga?" She sat there on the ground gazing at me with the most unreadable look in her eyes. I helped her up. I think she must have been a little startled and dazed from the collision because it took her quite some time for her to react.
"Don't touch me!" She snatched her hand away that I had still been holding from helping her up. I studied her for a brief moment, gazing into those fiery blue eyes.
There had always been something about her that puzzled me. So many things about her had changed. She was taller and looked down at me ever more than before. Her harsh treatment of the others had been lessening that is except her treatment of me. It seemed like nothing would ever change between us. She was destined to forever despise me and torture me despite the fact that I had never hurt her. Her looks were not bad well they had never been bad from the beginning. She still wore her pigtails on a daily basis, but for special occasions I've seen her wear her hair in different styles and it did remind me of this other girl I used to know.... Anyway, she still had an awkwardness to her, but I guess that is typical for any 13 year old myself included.
Some people wonder why her boyfriend decided to go out with her. For a while it was great puzzle to me too. The boy, Andrew was his name, was a 10th grader with a solid reputation for being able to charm any girl. Almost every girl I knew was willing to go out with him including ones with much more attractive qualities than Helga. But what did Andrew really see in Helga? I had a deep feeling that it was her spunk and vivacity that really drew him towards her.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer."
I immediately snapped out of my thoughts. I remembered where I was and that Helga was standing before me.
"Sorry, Helga, I was just thinking." She stared at me for a brief second before replying.
"You think too much." I simply shrugged. We stood there in an awkward silence that lasted for a while.
"I guess I better get going. I've got some groceries I need to pick up before Christmas." She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but for some reason couldn't. She closed it only to open it again. I wondered if she was aware how much she reminded me of a fish.
"Yeah, see ya football head."
"Can you please not call me that?" Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not sure why I said that. I knew it was the wrong thing to say. From before I could remember she had always called me that name and the only reaction I had ever had if any was a slightly annoyed glance. The name had never really bothered me before and well it did not even bother me now. Realizing my mistake I slipped past her almost afraid of the outburst I was sure would come.
"I can call you anything I like, FOOTBALLHEAD!!" she snapped, following me through the store. I shuddered. But for some reason I pursued the subject. Trust me, I knew it was not the right thing to do. I should have just ignored her, but instead I looked over my shoulder to call back to her.
"I would just appreciate it if you called me by my actual name. You do call everyone else by theirs." I was ready to slap myself. I was well aware that I was just making her madder. She had always been the type that angered easily. I continued to walk among the aisles of the store as if I was running away from her.
"Well, I'm going to call you Footballhead because whether you like it or not according to me it is your real name! And if you are going to have a problem with that you'd better be prepared to meet Old Betsey." It seemed like it had been a long time since I had heard her use her right fist's name. It seemed kinda childish at the moment. I stopped and Helga soon stood next to me.
"Fine, Helga, I give up. Call me whatever you like," I said glumly. I was about to turn away when I noticed something. We had been meandering around the store during our argument and I looked up only to discover that I had led her right under the mistletoe she had been kissing her boyfriend under earlier. She must have seen the peculiar look on my face because she glanced up and I knew she saw the mistletoe. I stood there, very flustered debating in my mind of what I should do.
~Helga~
Had he led me there on purpose? The mistletoe was dangling above us. I was ready to reach up and rip apart the small plant and at the same time I was ready to kiss it because of the good fortune it had brought me....
Good fortune?! Criminey! I sounded like a two-timer. I had a steady boyfriend yet I was just dying to be kissed by some other guy. Well this isn't just any other guy...this is Arnold. I was more than willing to strange that little voice inside of me. I guess I was to busy trying to find a way to shut that stupid voice up that I did not notice my beloved was leaning closer to me and had placed his hands on my shoulders.
Before I knew what was happening he was kissing me softly. He had to go on his tip-toes to reach my lips. Grrrr...I wish I did not have such long legs or at least that Arnold did not have such short ones. Anyway, I felt like I was going to faint. Okay, it may not have been the most romantic of settings, but under the mistletoe at the market was better than no Christmas kiss at all!
After a few seconds he pulled away with a sheepish grin on his face. I wanted to say something nice, I really did. I wanted to return the kiss, but I let my dumb instincts get in the way. I jumped back away from him in disgust.
"Don't ever touch me, ever again!" I wanted to cover my mouth with my hand. I had screamed the words awfully loud, which caused some customer to turn and stare at us. Arnold looked startled too and I could see the pain his green eyes. Look what you did to him! You hurt him! Shut up, shut up, shut up!!
"Look, I've gotta go." I spun around on my heels to make my quick getaway. I almost made it out of the store.
"Helga, wait! You said you would stay until my shift was over." I gave a sideways glance to find Andrew at the register rapidly checking out customers' groceries.
"Er...yeah, I forgot." I pulled up a stool next to him. I wanted to look over my shoulder to see what Arnold was doing, but I knew better than to look back. That would be too obvious.
"There 9 o'clock. I'm done for the day. That wasn't too long of a wait, was it? You're not dead yet so let's get outta here," said Andrew. I jumped off the stool and he led the way out of the store. At no time whatsoever did I turn to look for any sight of Arnold.
As soon as we stepped outside we were met with the bitter cold air and the sharp December wind. I shivered. Andrew put his arm around me and pulled me closer. A thought immediately popped into my brain. Had he seen Arnold kissing me? He had been on the other side of the store working...so there was no way he could have noticed...right???
"So who was that guy you were lip-locking with?" Criminey! How could he have seen us?
"Just some guy from school...no big deal." My response was rushed and I could tell I was giving myself away.
"Oh, because it looked like something else." His voiced sounded strange, almost bitter, angry even and all from some dumb meaningless kiss? You know it wasn't some meaningless kiss. Be quiet!!!
He had looked at other girls while we had been going out before and I had never let it get me. I knew better then to get too attached and become overprotective. No you don't you hypocrite! You can't deny how overprotective you've always been of Arnold! Keeping other girls from falling for him, trying to shield him from the harshness of the real world, more than ready to risk life and limb for him... CRIMINEY!! Why couldn't that stupid voice just be silent for once!
"Look it was nothing...really," I bitterly replied. We had reached the doorstep of my house. He turned to face me, he slipped his arms around my wait and kissed me.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to over react-"
"Don't worry about it," I hastily replied. "I think I'll be able to survive an overreaction...just don't make it a habit." He grinned at me. More kissing. It was then that I felt this strange coldness on my neck. I guess Andrew must have felt it too because we both turned to look up. It was snowing. The small white flakes were making their way to the ground at a gradually faster pace.
"Look's like we are going to have a white Christmas." I could only nod. I loved watching the snow fall...every distinct snowflake seemed like a tiny gift from the sky. But it seemed to be a much a greater gift this night for it was Christmas' Eve. We stood there for some time with an eerie silence lingering the frigid, night air. I could see from the streetlight that the snow was coming down heavier now.
"You better go...I think a blizzard might be coming." He nodded.
"Yeah, Merry Christmas, Helga. I'll call you some time tomorrow."
"Sure, whatever...oh and Merry Christmas to you too, Andrew," I added quickly before darting inside. It was getting awfully cold standing outside and I did not have a scarf on.
I shook the snow off my hair and proceed in taking off my snow boots and winter coat. It was not like I did not appreciate Andrew...I just did not love him. I sighed. I was too young for that kind of relationship anyway, and it was much easier to pretend your head over heals for some show-off guy then admit-
"Oh, Helga, where have you been?" asked my mother.
"Out, Miriam," I stated simply.
"Your sister's home!" boomed Bob.
"Oh, Helga, I've been here waiting for you to return all day!" Before I could do anything to stop her my sister pranced up towards me and snatched me up in a crushing embrace. I felt the air being pushed out of my lungs and it made me want to march straight back outside. I'd take standing in the freezing air with the snow falling down on my neck over seeing my sister any day.
I know...a little out of season, but please review and tell me what you think.