Chapter Seven: Broken Promises

Three days later, Helga was still bummed out about what happened. She practically poured out her feelings to Arnold – all he did was shove it back to her.

The newest issue of Venus was printed and fresh in the newstands. Her boss gave her the day off. So she spent it by going to the newstand next to Starbucks. She took the issue of Venus and flipped through the pages.

Arnold was walking by and saw Helga. He stopped a few feet away from her…what should he do?

"Oh Arnold, my love," Helga sighed. "Why must you torment my soul? Oh wretched love…how canst thou leave me so helpless even after so many years?"

Arnold put his hand out towards her. I love you Helga, Arnold thought. Just say it you damn fool. Say it to her!

She turned around and saw him just staring at her.

"Arnold…did you hear what I said?"

Arnold just stayed there…motionless. "I – uh…"

"Tell Lila I'm not going to your wedding after all," said Helga harshly, pushing the magazine to his chest, walking away.

Arnold opened the magazine and just happened to flip to Helga's article. He began to read. She broke her own rule. She fell too deeply. At least, he did.

***

The wedding was inching closer. Arnold was getting a weird feeling in his stomach everyday. He was either very nervous…or having second thoughts.

All Lila could talk about was Marcus Logo this, the wedding this, the wedding that. It frustrated him. Marcus planned everything fuckin detail out, why does she still have to keep talking about it and be so perky?

Arnold sat in the family room watching TV. He was waiting for his newest commercial to air. The one that would earn him millions of more dollars.

"Now, we'll be back after these commercials."

His commercial began..and then the screen went blank. "What?!" Arnold shouted, getting out of his seat. "Where's the remote?"

"Oh, I'm ever so sorry, Arnold. But I have to get your undivided attention." Lila said from behind him, twirling around the remote in her hand.

Arnold groaned to himself. "Okay…what is it?"

"Where are we going for the honeymoon?"

"You mean Marcus didn't plan that out?"

"He thought that part of the wedding is ever so special so he was ever so nice to let us choose."

"Oh joy."

"So, Arnold, where are we going?"

"If I hit big on this new commercial, we'll go to Paris."

"Aw, I don't want to go all the way to Paris."

"You don't?"

"No, I prefer going to um…"

"Hawaii?"

"No."

"California?"

"No…"

"Florida?!"

"No. Maybe Alaska."

"Alaska…" Arnold repeated in disbelief.

"Yup. I would like ever so much for us to go!"

"Sure…I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks ever so much! Here's the remote." She tossed the remote to Arnold and walked away.

"Yeah…"

To think, just ten years ago, Arnold pictured himself marrying Helga. Living in a nice house…with a few smart kids. And a dog maybe. Near the ocean and everyday they would walk together on the sand and watch the waves hit the shore.

***

"Arnold, let's say that someday we get married," said Helga.

They were on a date in a really fancy itallian resteraunt.

"I like what I'm hearing so far," said Arnold, leaning in closer towards the candlelight.

"Well…I'm just wondering what you would want it to be like…"

"Oh, I don't know…anything you would like." He grinned. "How would you like it?"

"Just a small, simple wedding. With family and friends."

"I like that idea."

"Yeah. It's really a good idea!" said Helga. "And plus I can already imagine my wedding gown."

"What's your perfect wedding gown?"

Helga looked up and pondered a second. "My perfect wedding gown would have speghetti straps, and white satin. The train would be long…and rounded at the end. It won't be really poofy. But it'll just be flowy. And I can imagine the top of the dress having a bit of a floral sequence. That you won't be able to see from far away…I don't want it to be too obvious. Or else it'll look bad. But for a hemming, sort of, there'll be a silver lining on the edge."

"Sounds beautiful," awed Arnold. He could picture how elegant she would look.

"Then the bridesmaids would wear pink." She smiled. "Arnold…would you want to marry me?"

"Definitely. I can't imagine marrying anyone else but you." He took her hand in his and kissed it.

"How would you propose to me?"

"Maybe in a place like this…I would hide the ring in my pocket…" He reached into his pocket. "Then maybe suddenly take it out. And surprise you."

"You have a ring for me?!" Helga asked astonishingly.

"Sorry…but I don't. But someday, Helga, I will."

"Do you like the beach, Arnold?"

"Sure – why not?"

"Would you like to live there someday?"

Arnold thought for a second. "Definitely. With a couple of kids…"

"A boy and a girl. I don't want two girls…"

"A house…"

"not too big." Helga said. "And I just want to have a husband who'll treat my kids better than Big Bob has treated me when I was little." She smiled.

"Same here. I mean, I actually want my kids to have a family. And live with a caring mother and father. Instead of just a grandpa and grandma."

Helga nodded.

Arnold put his arm around Helga and kissed her cheek. "I promise you…I'll love you forever. And get married…"

Helga blushed and kissed him softly.

***

More promises broken. Together forever. Phooey. A bunch of crap. That was Arnold's new philosophy. It was almost Arnold's wedding day. He needed to get out of the stuffy house and Lila's sight. She was blabbing too much about things he didn't want to think about. The only place he could think of going to was the bookstore. Fox Book Super Store (a/n I got it from You've Got Mail).

"Where's the poetry section?" He asked a man wearing a pin saying "Hi, my name is Jerry!" with a happy face engraved on it.

"Upstairs, to the right."

"Thanks…" Arnold walked up the stairs. He couldn't believe how big the bookstore was. Helga would've loved it. Wait…no…maybe that's Phoebe.

"P…" mumbled Arnold, looking through the shelves of poetry books. "P-a."

He found two books by Helga. He took out the special one that was titled "For The Memories Of A Broken Heart"

Arnold walked to an empty chair and sat down to read. The dedication said: To the guy I loved before…

Table Of Contents For The Memories Of A Broken Heart Only Words Heaven All We Need Bye Love is… My Only Wish Chapters in My Life Once Upon A Time The Boy with The Cornflower Hair

Arnold opened to "Bye" and read the poem to himself.

A week has gone by since you said Bye.
All I can do is stare at a picture of you.
There's nothing I can do but sigh…
Thinking if our love was really true.

A month later we still haven't talked…
The only image I have is the day you walked.
I try to call to say "I'm sorry"
For what I could've possibly done.

The days we've walked under the sun…
Everything we've done together…
I thought we would be together forever.

You left me alone in the rain.
I really thought you went insane.
How could you have honestly ignored me?
I guess you could somehow…though I still can't.

Arnold cleared his throat. This whole book was practically dedicated to him. And how he broke her precious heart. He turned the page and read one more  poem. "Love Is…"

Love is something we cannot see
But is a feeling deep inside of you and me.
Whether it be for a person or object…
When you love it, it's something you'll never forget.
Keeping it in your heart, day after day,
Hoping the feeling will never go away.
You can feel it when it's near you…
Sometimes the love is fake and untrue.
If it is, it can tear up your heart.
Getting hurt by the love can make you fall apart.
True love for a person is hard to find…
While finding that person, you can be blind.
Finding true love is a gift.
It can make your heart feel light and let it drift.
The perfect love for someone starts with trust,
Sometimes the love can turn into disgust.
Love is but a feeling…
Love can be cruel, sweet and sometimes confusing.
Something we all long for,
Something we all adore.
Love is here…
You just have to wait your chance to feel it.

Arnold choked. He turned their love into disgust. What used to be something wonderfully great made her sick…how he wished he could turn back time. He lost the girl he…yes…loved. He had to tell her – before he got married. The last time he would be alone. Before being locked up in chains with miss goody two shoes.

The next day in the office, he couldn't keep still. Every five minutes, he would get up and pace around the room. No one really wanted to disturb him. Besides, the majority of them were all too busy working on their new project for Yahoo! soda.

"Helga, I …Ugh…really can't do this." Arnold growled. This was harder than when he asked Helga out…harder than when he had to propose to Lila. How do you tell the person you've hurted that you're still in love with them?

But the real question was: Does Arnold love Helga enough to ditch Lila?!

No. Yes. No. Ugh. It's so hard to decide!

Arnold drew in a deep breath. If Helga said that she loved him too, he would ditch everything. If she didn't, then…well…he wouldn't.

Arnold walked out of his room and took the boquet of daisies in the vase on the table in the hall. He marched to Connie's desk and told her to hold all his calls and buy new flowers for the vase.

"Where are you going, Sir?"

"On a date with Destiny," Arnold winked. He waved and went into the elevator down to the lobby. It was around lunch time, so he knew that Helga would be down here…somewhere.

He waited by the elevator, and soon enough, Helga walked out from the third elevator and was flabbergasted to see Arnold standing there with a boquet of flowers.

"Arnold…what are you…?" Helga uttered from her lips.

"Helga," said Arnold, giving her the boquet. "I have something to tell you."

Together they walked to the Deli's and sat in a private little table in the corner. "I love the flowers, Arnold," said Helga. She didn't have the heart to stay mad at him…just a little frustrated. "What are they for?"

"Helga…I can't hold this in any longer. But I…love you."

Helga's mouth opened slightly. "You love me?"

"Yes, I do…after all those days without seeing you, and not being able to talk to you. I feel awful. And I went to the bookstore, Helga. I read your poems…and realized that I love you. Just like how I loved you before."

"But Arnold…you're getting married," said Helga softly. She didn't want to – but she had to stop him. Though she heard him say the words she's only dreamed of him saying ever since she first layed eyes on him at the High School Reunion.

"I'm willing to give that all up, Helga. I can't picture me being with anyone else but you. That house near the sea side…do you remember?"

Helga nodded.

"And that necklace I gave you…for our love. You still have it don't you?"

Helga nodded again.

"And I still have that box full of things you gave me." Arnold was on a roll. "We were in love – and undoubtly we still are. It was fate that brought us together after the reunion. You were the one who taught me about fate."

Helga gulped and stared at him blankly. She didn't know whether to scream, kiss him or just walk away.

"Even in your poem…you said that you can feel love when it's near you. Whenever I'm near you, I can feel something. Can't you?"

Helga nervously gave a little nod.

"You were right – I was blind…I was stupid…please say that you love me too," pleaded Arnold, running out of breath.

Helga drew in a deep breath. She shook her head. Arnold's heart broke. "But…why?" He asked, his eyes watering.

"I can't, Arnold. You and I have our own lives now. We can't go back to the way it was. You have so much going for you…and you're getting married! I can't make you drop it for me: the girl you were once in love with…I'm sorry." She left the boquet of flowers and walked out with a tear rolling down her cheek.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She thought to herself. How she wanted to be with Arnold…it amazed her how much he remembered the things they talked about. But she had to stay strong. Right? What if something happened again? What if he broke her heart again? Then she just realized. She had broken his.

It needed a lot of thought to decide on what she was really aiming for. True love or Unhappily Ever After, but being proud of not being hurt? Stupid decisions.

Arnold just sat in the chair, staring at nothing. He was so sure that Helga would agree and they would love each other freely. Now he knew what it was like to have a heart broken by the person you've loved for…ever. 

***

In a snap, it was the wedding day. Arnold went the whole week thinking about Helga. So did Helga…she couldn't stop thinking about what to do.

Guests were flooding into the chapel. Arnold was in the dressing room, getting his suit ready. His best man, Gerald assisting his tie and his hair.

"You seem kind of tense, Man," stated Gerald.

Arnold shook his arms. "I'm all right."

"Still can't stop thinking about Helga?"

"No. I try…but it's just – am I doing the right thing by marrying Lila?"

"It's too late now."

"I know, but still – am I?"

"Well…you could've gotten much better."

Arnold sighed.

"Don't worry – after a few years, you won't even notice the way she uses 'ever' in every single sentence."

Arnold chuckled.

"Good, now you're loosening up a bit."

***

Helga walked around her bedroom thinking about if she should go to the wedding. She told Arnold to tell Lila no. But would it hurt to just drop in? But she couldn't….it hurted too much to see Arnold. On the other hand, she loved weddings and had nothing to do.

She opened her jewelry box and the first thing that caught her eye was that necklace Arnold gave her over 10 years ago. It was still beautiful. It was when she got that necklace, she knew that she was in love. In love…with Arnold. In love – Arnold. Arnold…In love with.

"Oh my God…" mumbled Helga. "I am really in love with Arnold."

She had to go tell him. It wouldn't be right if she didn't. Who cares if he broke her heart? Who cares that she broke his just recently? It's an eye for an eye, in her thoughts. The point is: She was willing to forget all the bad things in the past and make room for the new, better things.

She knew she was in love with him ever since…that kiss. It was real. Why else did he spend all his lunches with her for the past month? Her heart was all his. Quickly, she got dressed. How long does it take to get to the chapel?

***

Arnold was in position. He was standing in the front, with everyone's eyes just looking at him. Grandpa was almost falling asleep and Grandma was wearing her old victorian wedding gown. Arnold's throat was dry and he was getting stuffy. Suddenly the wedding march began playing.

The bridesmaids and best man walked down the aisle, and the flower girl.

Next in line was Lila. She walked towards Arnold in a dress that made everyone grin (of laughter, not of happiness). He straightened up his posture and rolled his neck. Now the only thing he had to look forward to was being married to Lila and probably never be able to see Helga again.

Lila stood next to Arnold. The minister said the usual things…(I do not care about the exact words…)

"Do you, Lila, take Arnold to be your lawfully wedded husband? Through sickness and in health? For richer for poorer…till death do you part?" He asked.

"I do!" Lila squealed.

He turned to Arnold. This was it…it was approaching. Bum Bum Bum! "Do you, Arnold, take Lila to be your lawfully wedded wife? Through sickness and in health? For richer for poorer…till death do you part?"

It seemed so final. It was like the end of everything. His whole life…

"I…"

Suddenly the doors in the back of the chapel opened. Everyone looked back. It was Helga. She just happened to stumble in gracefully (oximoron!). Arnold stared at her lovingly, for she was wearing the heart pendant he had given her…to show true love…to show the meaning of "forever".

"Sorry," she said. Everyone turned back to the front of the chapel.

"Ahem!" The minister said. Arnold turned back to him and looked at Lila. "I…I…" Her eyes looked eager.

"Wait! No…" Shouted Helga. Everyone turned their heads again and gasped. She blushed fiercely and ran up to Arnold. "Arnold…I have to tell you something."

"Young lady, the time to speak has passed – if you insist on interrupting…"

"Shove it," said Helga. She looked back at Arnold. "You were right, Arnold. I was foolish. I didn't know what I had. You're all that I want…all that I've ever wanted in my life. That poem was for you. How I wanted you to read it. And understand…that I love you."

Everyone gasped again.

"Excuse me!" Lila said sharply, pulling them apart. "This is my wedding, Helga. And I don't believe that Arnold would turn back just for you. I'm sorry. But you have to go." Lila pointed to the door.

Helga took one more look at Arnold, who just looked down. She flinger her hair in Lila's face. "Fine then. I should have never come…"

"Now, Arnold. Do you take Lila to be your wife?"

Arnold looked up and glanced at Helga, whom was walking out of the door.

"I can't." He said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Helga turned around and her eyes widened.

"Excuse me?" Lila said in disbelief.

"I've always pictured myself marrying Helga," said Arnold, walking down the little steps to the white carpet. "I love everything about her. I never stopped loving her. I just realized that…there's no one else I would rather live the rest of my life with than Helga." He was right in front of her. Helga put her hand down from the door. "I'm sorry for making you all come for something that wasn't going to happen," he said. "Because I'm not about to lose my true love again." Arnold smiled at Helga.

Helga could have sworn she would cry. "Do you really mean that, Arnold?"

"I do…" He wrapped his arms around her and leaned his lips into hers.

Everyone awed. No one on Arnold's side was really disappointed. They knew he had always loved Helga. On the other side…well…they weren't very happy.

Gerald put his hands together and everyone gradually clapped too.

"Then what ever am I going to do?!" Lila whined, throwing her boquet down to her feet.

Arnie stood up and walked over to Lila. Lila's heart skipped a beat…she remembered the last time she saw Arnie – it was like she was in love.

"I'll marry you, Lila," said Arnie. "We'll live our life happily, with no worries." He grinned.

Lila smiled back and agreed. They were married that day instead.

Arnold and Helga were married a year later…and lived happily ever after.

A/n::: Those poems were written by me…BE NICE AND DON'T COPY THEM…OR ELSE…Thanks! And I hope you liked the ending!!!!!