A/N:: Nftnat- Oopsies...*pout* sorry...But, hey, Great Minds Think Alike? Well, I am sorry; please don't be afraid. *giggle*
Cindy Moon- Sorry....MY SELF ESTEEM got kicked in the dirt. *sigh* But, maybe in the future..I will put them up again when everyone forgets I even had them. Maybe even think of a better title...catchier one *wink*
Chapter Three: Surviving
"You know, things have really been going well with Brainy and Lila," said Helga.
"Yes...for the last three weeks, it's like they've been inseparable," smiled Pheobe. "Until Arnold comes along..."
"Yeah, that kinda ruins their moments. Look at how they're sitting so close to each other. Whispering things into each other's ears...gently kissing each other on the cheek. They're so carefree just because Arnold is out practicing basketball."
"Isn't it romantic?"
"Very..." She sighed and looked at the door. Arnold barged in with his jersey (number 8!!) and a basketball under his arm. "Uh-oh..." mumbled Helga.
Pheobe gasped. "Helga! You have to do something!"
"I can't – I mean, it's probably going to be too -," her voice trailed off as she watched Arnold confront Lila.
"Lila...I can't believe it. You and Brainy?" He said with pain in his voice.
Lila got up from her seat. "Arnold, I can explain..."
"Explain? What's there to explain?" He threw the basketball down to the ground. Everyone turned their heads around to watch. "I don't need explaining to see how you've betrayed me!"
"I didn't betray you! I just wanted to see who I liked more..."
"Who you liked more? WHO YOU LIKED MORE?" Tears were dwelling in Arnold's eyes. "How could you? After 5 months...you still can't decide if you like me?"
Lila looked down. "Sorry, Arnold," she said timidly.
"Sorry's not going to fix anything!"
"But Helga said it would be okay...because I love the both of you...and I wanted to see -,"
"So Helga said it would be okay?" Arnold glanced at Helga, sneering.
"Arnold," said Helga, getting out of her seat. "Please..."
Arnold turned away and stormed out of the cafeteria. Helga raced out and chased him. She caught up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Arnold, come on...I only told her that because you don't know how much she talked about him..."
Arnold turned away.
"You even said so yourself...she wasn't REALLY your type. I thought, this way she could realize who she really cared about more. She was having doubts..." said Helga timidly.
Arnold looked up at her. "Really?"
Helga nodded.
Arnold gave a little smirk and started chuckling a bit. "What so funny? I don't see why you're so happy..."
"The fact that Lila and I weren't perfect for each other. Everyone was wrong! And now I finally have an excuse to dump her!"
"Um...okay...are you feeling alright, Arnold?"
Arnold caught his breath. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just – well – thanks, Helga."
"Thanks? For what?"
"For making me realize that Lila wasn't perfect after all."
"No one's perfect..." sighed Helga.
***
"Lila, I'm sorry, but we're going to have to break up," declared Arnold.
"No, Arnold! You can't possibly say that!" she whined.
"Yes I can. I realized that we're not good together. We're like..jelly and relish."
"Jelly and relish can work! I can make it work!"
"No, you can't. I'm sorry, but we have to move on. Besides, it seems that you and Brainy are getting along swimmingly."
"But – but..."
"Ah, we've had our moments. I'm sorry we have to end it this way," said Arnold softly, kissing her cheek. "Tomorrow I'll give you all of your things back."
"And I guess you can have your varsity jacket back," she sobbed as she took it out from her backpack and put it in his hands.
"Thanks...Hey, um...don't feel bad, Lila. It had to've ended sooner or later, right?"
Lila nodded and steadied her breath. "Y-y-yeah..."
"Don't worry...you'll have a better time with Brainy anyway." Arnold said as he walked away. The farther he walked away from her, the more he began feeling bad. He felt like scum. He shouldn't have broken up with her...she was nearly perfect. But he remembered what Helga said. No one was perfect. No one but Lila, he thought.
***
"Hey Helga, want another ride?" asked Arnold, walking with her out to the parking lot.
"Sure." She took a good look at him. There was something different... "Wow, I didn't see you wear that jacket in a long time!" She grinned.
Arnold looked down. "Oh, yeah. Lila gave it back."
"Poor thing. Must be crushed."
"I am," he sighed.
"Not you. I meant Lila," she chuckled as they got into his car.
"Oh...yeah...she's crushed too," he said dryly.
Helga looked down. "I'm sorry," she said.
"Why?"
"I guess it's partly my fault that you broke up with Lila. I'm the one who told her to go for Brainy."
Arnold let out a strained breath. "Don't worry about it. It had to happen sooner or later. This was just a bit sooner," he gulped. "She was only perfect and beautiful and smart and..."
"Hey, she can't be THAT good," interjected Helga. "Like I said before, no one's perfect! I can even help you think of some flaws."
"She has no flaws, okay? You'll have a hard time trying to think of some..."
"Her hair," said Helga.
"What about her hair?"
"It's ugly. I mean, she's ALWAYS had her hair in pigtails. How plain can you get? With green ribbons? Always ribbons! She never gives up. It's like she's obsessed with ribbons!"
Arnold gave a slight chuckle. "That's not funny."
"You're right...what's funny is the way she talks!" stated Helga. She cleared her throat. " 'Oh, I'm ever so sorry, Mister, I'll never do it again...you're ever so welcome...I thank you ever so much! You're ever so nice!'" Helga laughed.
Arnold couldn't help it but laugh along with her.
Helga looked at Arnold and smiled. "See, now that's the Arnold I know and love," she said.
Arnold turned his head and smiled back at Helga. "I guess I was a little carried away..."
Helga's eyes widened. "Arnold! TREE!" She screamed pointing frantically at the tree in front of Arnold's way. Quickly, Arnold turned the wheel. There was a loud screech. BAM!
A/N: Never fear...the next chapter will be up! Sooner or later...whichever comes first. Please review!! Thanks! (Also, I'm sorry if some parts don't make sense or something)