OH, MAN! I just HAD to add that last line! I was doing FINE until I read the last line, and then, bam…tears…lol…okay, well. The last chapter was short, but necessary. We're getting closer to the end…In this one, Arnold is STILL at Helga's. We're going to see what effect this has on her FAMILY. Hmm…should be interesting…I would know; I haven't even started WRITING it yet…hehe…
Chapter 7
I was surprised that "the light" hadn't appeared yet, or taken me back. I'd assumed I'd seen all I needed to see here. But apparently there was something else she wanted me to see.
I doubted it would be anything good.
Boy, did I hit home on that one.
I'd fallen asleep watching Helga cry herself to sleep…Don't ask me how I was capable of falling asleep in this world, it was all confusing enough as it was. I didn't need to complicate things by asking myself stupid questions like that.
Anyway, when I awoke, I discovered Helga had already awaken as well. She had already gotten dressed, and was writing in some sort of journal. It was a little black book. There was something very creepy about that, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I just sat and watched her for a while, sitting in the corner of her room. She was lying on her bed, on her stomach, furiously writing away in her journal/diary thing.
There was a slight smile after she was finished, a satisfied look of accomplishment. This was the first time I'd ever seen her smile--really smile--in this world. I couldn't help but smile, too.
That is, until the booming sound of Big Bob took it away. And then, she was left to her all too familiar misery.
"OLGA! GET DOWN HERE, YOU NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL!"
There was a look of dismay on her face at the thought of school, or her father--I really couldn't tell which she was upset about. Probably both.
"What do you care? All you care about is Olga and your beeper empire," she mumbled to herself. "Besides, it's not like I haven't skipped before. You never did notice."
Reluctantly, she grabbed her bag, put her black book in it, and headed downstairs, where she was met by her father.
I've met Helga's dad before. And I guess I could understand why she resented him so much, because quite frankly, I didn't like him so much, either.
"What, Bob?" Helga grumbled, not in the mood.
"Look, your sister is going to be home for the week, so I want you home right after school. No ifs, ands or buts, little missy. And NO SKIPPING! If there's ANYTHING that disappoints me more than having you for a daughter, it's having a daughter that SKIPS. We Patakis aren't quitters!"
I was shocked. Absolutely shocked. This was the worst I've ever heard from Helga's dad--ever. Maybe he was worse in this world. Then again, what if this was how he treated her back in my world?
As much as I hated to believe or think that, it was still in the corner of my mind. My head was full of "what ifs".
I could see Helga grit her teeth. "Sure, Bob. Whatever you say. No skipping for me. Wouldn't want to disappoint you," she added sarcastically. Apparently, Bob had missed the sarcasm in her tone because he didn't seem too bothered by it.
Just then, I saw her mother in the kitchen. She was reaching into the cupboard, trying to get something from the top shelf. Helga saw this and rolled her eyes, then turned her attention away and reached for the doorknob.
"Well, if that's all you wanted to tell me, I'll be going to school now," she said spitefully. I didn't blame her.
She was acting more like the Helga I knew when she was home. At least, when she was around her father.
I followed Helga as she left her house. As soon as she stepped out, I saw her break into a run--in the opposite direction of the school.
And then, I felt the light surround and embrace me.
Chapter 7
I was surprised that "the light" hadn't appeared yet, or taken me back. I'd assumed I'd seen all I needed to see here. But apparently there was something else she wanted me to see.
I doubted it would be anything good.
Boy, did I hit home on that one.
I'd fallen asleep watching Helga cry herself to sleep…Don't ask me how I was capable of falling asleep in this world, it was all confusing enough as it was. I didn't need to complicate things by asking myself stupid questions like that.
Anyway, when I awoke, I discovered Helga had already awaken as well. She had already gotten dressed, and was writing in some sort of journal. It was a little black book. There was something very creepy about that, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I just sat and watched her for a while, sitting in the corner of her room. She was lying on her bed, on her stomach, furiously writing away in her journal/diary thing.
There was a slight smile after she was finished, a satisfied look of accomplishment. This was the first time I'd ever seen her smile--really smile--in this world. I couldn't help but smile, too.
That is, until the booming sound of Big Bob took it away. And then, she was left to her all too familiar misery.
"OLGA! GET DOWN HERE, YOU NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL!"
There was a look of dismay on her face at the thought of school, or her father--I really couldn't tell which she was upset about. Probably both.
"What do you care? All you care about is Olga and your beeper empire," she mumbled to herself. "Besides, it's not like I haven't skipped before. You never did notice."
Reluctantly, she grabbed her bag, put her black book in it, and headed downstairs, where she was met by her father.
I've met Helga's dad before. And I guess I could understand why she resented him so much, because quite frankly, I didn't like him so much, either.
"What, Bob?" Helga grumbled, not in the mood.
"Look, your sister is going to be home for the week, so I want you home right after school. No ifs, ands or buts, little missy. And NO SKIPPING! If there's ANYTHING that disappoints me more than having you for a daughter, it's having a daughter that SKIPS. We Patakis aren't quitters!"
I was shocked. Absolutely shocked. This was the worst I've ever heard from Helga's dad--ever. Maybe he was worse in this world. Then again, what if this was how he treated her back in my world?
As much as I hated to believe or think that, it was still in the corner of my mind. My head was full of "what ifs".
I could see Helga grit her teeth. "Sure, Bob. Whatever you say. No skipping for me. Wouldn't want to disappoint you," she added sarcastically. Apparently, Bob had missed the sarcasm in her tone because he didn't seem too bothered by it.
Just then, I saw her mother in the kitchen. She was reaching into the cupboard, trying to get something from the top shelf. Helga saw this and rolled her eyes, then turned her attention away and reached for the doorknob.
"Well, if that's all you wanted to tell me, I'll be going to school now," she said spitefully. I didn't blame her.
She was acting more like the Helga I knew when she was home. At least, when she was around her father.
I followed Helga as she left her house. As soon as she stepped out, I saw her break into a run--in the opposite direction of the school.
And then, I felt the light surround and embrace me.