Author's Notes...

Note: This might get long; if I start to put you to sleep, then, for heaven's sake, go read some stories! End note.

Well, there's another one. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this fanfiction thing (meaning, I actually enjoy doing it now.)

Another "cliffhanger" ending? I've had a couple people ask me if it is, and if there's a sequel on the way. I'm happy to say that, no, there is no sequel planned. There really shouldn't be one, I think. Helga's not dead; I tried to make that clear when I had Phoebe ask her mother if she'd talked to Helga. And the fact that she's worried that Helga might hate her.

Phoebe is one of the most level-headed characters I've ever seen in a cartoon; as such, I thought it would be interesting to play with her character a little, give her some conflicts, and see what would happen. I decided not to go with the "Phoebe and Gerald" thing from the very beginning. Why? I don't know, I just don't see them together. Maybe they had crushes on each other in fourth grade, but so what? How often does something like that carry over to high school?

The "Phoebe and Arnold" idea was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It was the perfect opportunity to set up a Helga/Phoebe conflict. After all, they don't really fight about much, as Phoebe usually just sits idly by and lets Helga have her way about everything.

If Phoebe was going to break out and be a central figure, I needed to cause strain between her and the person who holds her back. And the idea that she and Arnold could be exes really pushed that forward.

Why Phoebe and Arnold? I don't know, I guess I've always thought they had a lot in common. I've always thought it was strange that no one else writes about the possibility of those two kids hooking up.

Olga is another story altogether. I may have used a rather cliche conflict (her being forced to be her parents' puppet), but I like to think that I went about it in a somewhat original way. And if I haven't, and if I inadvertently stole somebody's idea, feel free to flame me.

I decided to write Olga as a weak person. She does everything well, and she's the focal point of her parents' lives. While this would normally be considered a good thing, I thought that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't happy with the idea. Throwing in the idea of a husband, unaccepted by her parents and their "idea" of what her life should be like, was a good way to reveal her innate weaknesses. She appeals to everyone, and by doing so, she loses her individuality. She's a lot like boy-bands: they're manufactured specifically to appeal to the masses, but in doing so they lose anything resembling a unique sound.

Let's see, who haven't I covered? Oh right, the cover-boy and girl themselves. I'll start with Arnold:

What's there to say that hasn't already been said? He's a great guy, really nice, listens to other people's problems and gives good advice. He always thinks of others first. Sound a little inhuman? Well, in any case, he's not a perfect person. People made comments like "Arnold's been acting like a jerk; why shouldn't he want to take Helga to the dance?", things along those lines. Well, let me explain:

She was a rotten sod to him all throughout grade school. Now, I'm sorry, but I personally would find it very hard to have feelings for someone who treated me like that for so long. Regardless of whether she "changed" or not, that hurt would remain. And that hurt was the source of his reservations.

And finally, Helga. Complex, so I'll simplify: She's still a jerk. True, she loves Arnold with all her heart, and she wants to be with him more than anything. But she wants to be happy more than she desires happiness for anyone else, even him. She would rather Phoebe be miserable and lonely than have to suffer the same fate herself. In this, she is probably the most human out of the bunch. I've always felt that about Helga, as a matter of fact.

In the end, she realizes she was wrong. Phoebe deserved better than the way she'd treated her. But it was too late to make amends, as Phoebe had already been pushed beyond the breaking point.

Ultimately, I'm more satisfied with this story than my previous one (two, technically, though I consider them one.) Let me know what you think, at lambogod@hotmail.com. I'll be happy to answer any questions, and I'd love a good critique or two. And by good, I mean well-done, not favorable. If you didn't like something, hit me with it. If you liked something, let me know.

Thanks a lot for reading, and keep writing!

Branden