For Her
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A sequel to "My Muse", written by Miss Matched
Dedicated to Starry Nights, for being so encouraging.
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All standard disclaimers apply. Characters from "Hey Arnold" are copyright Craig Barlett and to whomever else they're copyrighted to. Original characters are original, and the author would like sole use of them, unless contacted for permission. All poetry/music in this fanfiction are also original, and once again, may only be used with permission. Thus ends this huge disclaimer.
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AN: Ha! I bet you didn't believe that I was actually gonna post so quickly! Well, I'm trying very, very hard to make this good. Did you know I started this story on January first? I just figured that out today. So, my big aim; have this finished by the end of the year. Think I can do it? :-D
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Chapter Seventeen: Lost
~*~
Point of View: Phoebe
Time: Future
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It felt like sifting through the wreckage of a home after a fire. Only the fire was fury, and the home, our lives. I smiled slightly, I'd never been the poet, that was Helga's domain. Helga... Would she be affected by this? And Arnold, would he be all right? I looked at my side with a smile, this was the correct timeline. Scenes flying by so quickly that I could barely keep up. All of high school, Eighth grade...
"STOP!" Gerald yelled frantically. "Right here!" Quickly, I pressed a button, and we were frozen in between the two timelines. "The first day of school. See, me and Arnold did the thumb wiggle!" He laughed, looking to the side.
"What grade?" I asked, curious. I looked over his shoulder.
"Seventh." He confirmed. Looking on the other side of me, I could see the identical scene.
I was confused, "So, why are you so sure that this is it?"
He sighed, "Because according to this timeline, I get into a fight with Arnold a few days later. Evidently we make up pretty fast after that, and then a few months later our friendship is gone."
"That definitely never happened before." I mused, "Well, I suppose we'll be getting off here, then?"
"No." Gerald said, surprising me. He usually agreed with me every time. "We should probably go ahead a few months, where the changes are more obvious, and take note of everything different. Then, we can pinpoint the person who caused all the changes, who will also be the person who stole the time machine..."
I smiled, "And then, we can go back to the exact moment where the timelines diverged, and stop it from happening! Gerald, you're a genius!"
He blushed, "Naw, I'll let you keep that title."
I pushed a few buttons, and we traveled a few months ahead of where we had been before.
"Look," Gerald blushed, "Well, at least SOME things are right with this time..." I saw myself talking to Gerald outside of my old seventh grade homeroom. "So, we go in here... But stay in the shadows..." I pressed another button, and we were able to walk through the seemingly thick wall of time...
Suddenly, we were back in the hallway of our old Junior High School. It was eerie, really, and yet, interesting. We were viewing ourselves in a different situation then we had ever been in before; we would see how we would react to stimuli that we had never felt before. It would have been intriguing, had we not been in so urgent a situation. Ahead of us was, well, ourselves. I listened intently to the conversation.
The younger me was staring down at her feet, uncomfortable by the confrontation. A young Gerald asked her to look up at him.
"Gomen nasi..." She answered back meekly, head still down, but eyes gazing over the top of her glasses.
Gerald squirmed, and responded gently, "Phoebe, please, stop with the Japanese."
"Gom..." She began again, then caught her self, "I mean, I'm sorry. I didn't even know I was doing it." I shook my head. To this day I would still speak in Japanese when in difficult situations. I wondered what had happened between my younger self and Gerald?
Young Gerald went against his own advice, and looked down at his clasped hands. "I shoulda said this a long time ago, and I've regretted it... I like you Phoebe" He was blushing, as was she.
The older Gerald next to me elbowed my rib. "This is still cute, isn't it?" he whispered, "I mean, for not being real." I motioned for him to be quiet. Meanwhile, the younger him was still speaking.
"I know you're going out with Nick, and I wish you two the best of luck... but I just had to let you know. I'm sorry."
I felt my jaw drop about an inch. Nick? Did I even know a Nick?! I looked back up at Gerald, who had his arm reassuringly around my waist. He wasn't mad at me. Good.
"Gerald..." the younger me trailed off, "I'm... confused... I've always liked you but..." Tears were forming in her eyes. The young Gerald nodded.
"But there's Nick." He finished for her sadly, reaching for her hand. He shook it firmly. "It's fine, Phoebe. I'll wait for you." his voice was almost a whisper, but shone with sincerity. He turned away, unsure of what to do. "Bye..." And with that, he walked away.
I watched myself intently as she looked at Gerald's retreating form. Suddenly, her head snapped up.
"I think she senses us!" Gerald whispered frantically, grabbing my arm. That one motion, however, gave us away. She was walking closer to us.
"Who are you?" She asked, afraid. There was nothing else we could do, but step out of the shadows. She looked up at my face, and then down at my right arm. My eyes grew wide as I realized that a scar on my arm was showing.
"Fifth grade." She whispered to me, pointing out the scar on her own arm. "Riding on the handle bars of Gerald's bike. He wasn't used to it, I guess, was he?" I was shocked. She didn't seem frightened anymore. She looked up at Gerald, stuttering slightly. "I take it I make a time machine when I grow up?"
Gerald looked back at me with a half smile. I could see nothing but pure admiration and love on his face. "Yes," he answered, "You and that punk you were just talking to."
"I... I've gotta go." she motioned to her homeroom. "But you know better then anyone else that I'd love to help. Whatever you're here for."
I laughed, "Thank you. I know we'll probably need your help."
She turned around, and walked back to her classroom, as if nothing were wrong.
Gerald turned to me, "She took that pretty well..."
I shook my head. "I have a feeling that she's seen us before." Gerald looked at me confusedly, but said nothing. I looked back down at the time machine remote.
"Gerald... We've just created another timeline..."
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WoOOOOOOO! This is so FUN! I'm loving every moment of writing this now!!!
Oh, a little something extra for y'all. I was trying to write the very beginning of this chapter, and instead, this poem came out. I hope you like it too.
Just a wish,
Just a dream.
I guess nothing's as it seems.
All I wanted was to be by your side.
On a hope
on a prayer.
Knowing you're always there,
I breathe in as I watch you slide
away.
And all I wanted was
to stay where I was
and all I needed was
in the palm of your hand.
And all I cared for
was your every word.
Now, when will I see you...
again...
Until next chapter,
Miss Matched