DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold-not mine, never will be.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you'd never met your best friend? Have you ever thought about what your lives would have been like if you'd never crossed paths? I never really had… not until that Wednesday morning, that is. It seemed like it was going to be a pretty normal day. Nothing out of the ordinary happened until I got to the bus stop. I almost missed my bus, but then again, that happened a lot, so I didn't think much of it. I walked up the steps of the bus and looked around for Phoebe, whom I always sat with. I saw her in our normal seat, staring blankly out the window. I don't think she realized I was on the bus yet. She sighed and looked up towards me. I smiled weakly and she looked down. I frowned, still standing next to the bus driver.
"Look, chick, hurry up and find a seat," the woman said, irritably.
"Hey, I know you," I heard from my left. I recognized the voice and dread slowly seeped into me.
"I wish you didn't," I said as politely as I could. He patted the seat next to him. I sighed, and looked one more time at Phoebe. She looked sad, but also like I wasn't invited over there. I defeatedly sat down next to none other than Vega's moronic grandson.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. I rolled my eyes.
"You don't even know me, how can you know there's something wrong with me? I mean, for all YOU know I could act like this all the time." I folded my arms, leaning in my seat.
"Well, I'm not as stupid as YOU think I am. I mean, it doesn't take a genius to see your sad."
"And you're proof of that, aren't you?"
"What?"
"Never mind…" I looked away. I saw Gerald move to sit next to Phoebe in 'our' seat and couldn't help but be interested in what they could be discussing. It was about me, no doubt, but I still wanted to know what tall hair boy would say about me.
"So… you never answered me." The grandson pressed.
"Nothing's wrong, bucko!" I said, slamming the palm of my hand against the leather-like material of the bus seat. "Why do you insist there is something wrong?"
"I don't know, I just feel that there is. Come on, just tell me. I mean, I don't even know anyone here, who am I going to tell?" he looked hopefully at me.
"Look, I'm having problems with my best friend, that's all, no big deal," I glared ahead of me, making sure not to make eye-contact with him.
"Oh. Well, if you're THIS upset about it, it doesn't seem like 'no big deal'."
"What are you doing here, anyway? Come to do paperwork again?" I changed the subject.
"Yeah, actually. Mom let me skip school to do it, too. Great, huh?"
"Um, sure, spending the day with Vega, intentionally… sounds awesome!" I said, sarcastically.
"You know, she's not that bad if you give her a chance."
"Probably. I don't give teachers a chance, though."
"You're pretty ignorant for a junior, you know," he pointed out. "See, I always figured that when I got to high school that people would be smarter, more mature, more respectful,"
"Well, reality rears it's ugly head, ey kid?"
"I guess so. I guess this problem with people hating teachers comes from have one in my family. I always hated teachers too, until I found out grandma was one. Now, I feel like every time someone has something mean to say about a teacher, it's like they're insulting ME personally."
"You're actually pretty smart, for a freshman, that is."
"Thanks." he smiled. "I don't think we were ever formally introduced, my name is Eddie."
I nodded, "At least I can refer to you as something other than 'the grandson'." he laughed slightly, eyeing me in a way that made me uncomfortable. I looked at him and frowned, diverting my attention away from him.
The bus came to a stop and the doors opened. Eddie and I stood up and walked off the bus. We stood there until I saw Phoebe coming down the steps. She glanced at me then walked passed us. I felt hurt, but I suppose I deserved it. Gerald came off the bus and walked towards us, accompanied shortly by the football head.
"I talked to Phoebe," Gerald started as he approached Eddie and I.
"I know, I saw you. What did you say to her?"
"I said that you wanted to talk to her. I said that you felt bad for what you said to her."
"And what did she say?"
"She, um… " he looked down and nervously scratched the back of his head, "Look, Helga, I think it would be a good idea if you two didn't talk for a while."
"What? First you try to get us back on friendly terms, even going ask far as to tell me to drop my friendship with Patty, then you dismiss the whole thing?" I placed my hands on my hips, "Does she resent me THAT much?"
"I don't think I should say anything. Just know that she's willing to set things straight, but she wants you to be honest with her."
"What are you talking about, I'm ALWAYS honest with her." I frowned. I couldn't believe that she would say such a thing.
"I gotta be getting to my locker, I'll talk to you about it later, ok Helga?" Gerald looked troubled, so I didn't press it any further.
"O-ok." I looked down and hung my head a little. I felt someone touch my shoulder. At first I thought Eddie was the one trying to comfort me and I almost gagged at the thought of him touching me, but then I realized it was Arnold.
"It's gonna be fine," he smiled reassuringly. I didn't like him seeing me at a point of weakness.
"Of course it is," I shook his hand from my shoulder, "Why wouldn't it be?!"
He rolled his eyes, leaning in to my ear, "If you wanna talk, you know where to find me," he whispered. I shuddered, but regained my composure. With that, he walked off to meet up with his best friend.
"What was THAT about?" Eddie asked, innocently, frowning with confusion. I sighed, I didn't want to explain my problems to the freshman-retard. I walked passed him, heading for the doors to the school. He followed me closely, much to my dismay.
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"Oh, hello sweet heart, what are you doing here?" Vega asked Eddie as he and I reached the I.S.S. room. I walked to the back of the classroom and tossed my backpack onto the floor next to my desk. Patty hadn't arrived yet, so I had time to think about what I was going to tell her. She did, after all, request that I tell her what was wrong with me last night.
"Momma said I could stay with you today, grandma!" Eddie said, pathetically happy. I had to give him credit, though, I'd never seen such a reasonably smart person pull off a retard act like that and make it believable.
"Well, ok," Vega said, frowning, "Let's see… what can I have you do…" she thoughtfully looked around the room. I sat down in my desk, somewhat lost in thought. "Pataki, do me a favor," she started, shaking my from my train of thought.
"…and that is…?" I raised an eyebrow and folded my arms.
"Take my grandson here down to the bookroom and help him carry some copy paper up here. I think I'll help the drama teacher copy some scripts to the play he's working on."
"Does he really need my help? It's only paper."
"Just do it!" she scolded, "I can always have a talk with principal Wartz about your bad attitude in my class."
"What, is this blackmail?" I leaned in my desk.
"Eh, you could say that…" she said, glaring at me.
"Fine," I said, lightly. I got up from my desk and walked to the front of the room, "You ready to go, Special Edd?"
"Pataki…" Vega said warningly.
"Ok, ok, let's just go, Eddie." I motioned with my hand to the door. He and I walked through the doorway, narrowly missing Patty as she walked though at the same time.
"Where are YOU going?" she asked, stopping as she walked through the door.
"Eh, I'll tell ya when I get back."
"Along with other things," she winked. I knew what she meant. I still wanted to think about what was REALLY wrong with me before I told her. What would she say to Gerald telling me not to hang out with her? She'd be hurt, I knew… I couldn't hurt Patty… but, wait a minute, I COULD hurt Phoebe? No, no… why was I giving Patty 'special treatment'? Was Gerald right, WOULD I replace Phoebe?
"You're sure, quiet," Eddie commented after what seemed like forever, "I mean, you haven't insulted me yet."
"I'm not in the mood," I said, flatly.
"Is this about that girl this morning? I know a thing or two about best friends, you know… I got into a fight with mine a while back. She and I talked it out, though… so I'm sure everything between you two will end up just fine." he smiled.
"Thanks, I appreciate it, kid."
"Could you call me, Eddie? I mean, it IS my name."
"Ok, Eddie." he smiled widely. He seemed so adorable, in a naive kind of way… he reminded me so much of how Arnold used to be… when we were younger and still so innocent… hmm, well, Arnold was never stupid enough to pretend he was retarded, though, heh.
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"God, Vega wasn't kidding about needing help," I said as Eddie and I struggled to carry the packages of copy paper back up to the I.S.S. room.
"Heh, you wimping out already?" he said, trying to keep from dropping everything he was holding.
"Watch it, Special Edd," I said, becoming red in the face. It really WAS hard to carry everything.
"This isn't so bad, it's like exercise." he tried to be optimistic.
"I HATE exercise." I said, flatly.
"Has anyone ever told you you're an awful pessimist?" he asked.
"All the time."
"Why can't you be happy once in a while?"
"Why would I wanna do that?"
"Because you can't go around being angry all the time. They'll send you to a shrink or something."
"Heh, been there, done that." I smiled, remembering Dr. Bliss.
"Huh?" He stopped, "Don't tell me you're a nut-case."
"You know, just because you see a shrink doesn't mean your crazy."
"I thought that's exactly what it means."
"Well, you're wrong."
"Am I now? It seems to me like-"
"WHY ARE BEING SO DAMN CONFRONTATIONAL!?" I said, nearly dropping the paper. "I'm NOT crazy."
"I didn't say you were." Things went silent for a while. "So, are you and that guy dating or something?" he asked, nervously.
"What guy?" I asked, not thinking.
"That blonde guy. You know, from this morning?"
"Oh." I frowned. I, myself, didn't know how to answer that. Were we? Hmm… "Um, I guess you could say that," I said, still confused.
"I see. So, are you ever going to take me up on that offer to go out sometime?" he asked, hopefully.
"You don't wanna go out with me."
"Why would you say that?"
"Just because. Look, I don't feel like getting into this again with you, would you mind dropping the subject for my sake?"
"No, I wanna know. Helga, I really like you. To tell you the truth, I don't know what you see in that guy. Ok, so he's good looking… but, well… is it just me or is his head shaped like a football?" he asked.
I could help it, I had to laugh at that, "It sure is," I frowned, "I see a lot in him," I defended, "He's a wonderful guy, he's nicest person I know… he's just a great person… I mean, hell, I should know, I grew up with the guy."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"So, what, are you guys gonna grow up and get married too?" he asked, distastefully.
I shrugged, "Whatever happens, happens… but, I'm not looking to get married or anything. Honestly, I never thought I'd get married in the first place."
"Why?"
"I never thought about it really. I mean, while other girls were playing dress-up and dreaming of marriage, I was out with the boys playing baseball and watching wrestling."
"Whoa… you know how hard it is to find a girl like that? Come on, go out with me! I've never met anyone like you!" he pleaded in a joking way. "Seriously, I really wish you'd go out at least on ONE date with me."
"Eh, I don't think so."
"At least think about it."
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Special Edd and I walked back into the I.S.S. room, tired and cranky from our little trip. I walked back to my seat and threw myself down into my chair.
"You ok?" Patty asked with concern.
"Eh, I've been better." I said, sitting up and relaxing. I suddenly remembered that I needed to talk to her and I became worried. What was I going to say to her? Should I tell her about Gerald and I's conversation?
"So, Helga, tell me now… what was wrong with you last night?"
"I um… well, I told you about the Phoebe thing, right?" I started, shakily.
"Yeah. It's bugging you that much?"
"Um, yeah. See, I saw her this morning and she seems really upset about it. I feel bad, Patty, and I don't know what to do. The thing is," I paused, "Gerald told me that I should stop talking to you. Normally I wouldn't think anything of it, but it DOES seem like that's the only way to fix things…" I shut my eyes, knowing that it would hurt her. I didn't wanna see her expression.
"So, are you going to listen to him, then?" she asked, her voice low.
"No," I said, looking at her, "No, of course not! Look Patty, I know it's in mine and Phoebe's best interest for me to listen to him… but I care too much about-" I was having trouble being that honest… I didn't feel like Helga saying it… "I care too much about our friendship." I finished, looking away. I WAS becoming soft.
"Oh, Helga… that's so sweet." she said in a laugh.
"Are you mocking me?" I asked, lowly.
"No, no… I've just never heard you say something like that."
"Yeah, well… don't get used to it." I said, returning to my normal, threatening, tone of voice.
"I wouldn't dream of it," she said with a wink. Gah… I knew she'd see right through that.
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I got home that day, quietly. I didn't announce my entrance. I didn't make so much as a sound, as I walked into the house. I wasn't really in the mood, I just wanted to go upstairs. I wanted to sleep it off. I walked by the kitchen and looked in on my mother. God, passed out as always, I commented to myself. I walked to the answering machine and listened to the messages.
"Message one, 9:25 AM: Hey, Bob, we need you to come by the store, we got a new buyer coming in today." I rolled my eyes.
"I take it Bob isn't here, then." I said aloud. I deleted the message. "Two messages… Hmm… lets see what the other one has to say, no doubt another beeper crap one… " I raised an eyebrow, realizing I was talking to no one. I pressed the play button.
"Message two, 4:12 PM: Hey, Helga… um, i-it's Phoebe. Look, I realize that maybe you didn't really mean what you said the other day, but I've been thinking… maybe we SHOULD not talk for a while. It's obvious you and Patty are closer, and while I would normally be happy you're opening up to someone, I feel kind of, well, hurt, that you're shutting me out in the process. Gerald talked to me today, he tried to tell me you were sorry, but I… I feel that maybe if we had our space for a while we could discover if we really DO need each other. I realize this seems to be coming out of nowhere, but the truth is, we seem to be growing further apart. I'm sorry for sounding so selfish, but it's about time you listen to me for a change." I was speechless.
"Wh-what?!" I stepped back from the machine. I couldn't believe little Phoebe actually said that. What was going on? Does she not wanna be my friend, now? Just because of that little comment I made? I couldn't understand it. I was terribly sad. But, first and foremost I was angry! "You're damn right this is coming out of nowhere!" I shouted, throwing my backpack down to the floor. If only Patty and I hadn't become friends… if only I hadn't been put into that class… I'd still have my best friend!
I hung my head. I felt so heavy all of a sudden. Suddenly I remembered something. With a defeated sigh I walked back to my front door. I knew there was one thing that I could do to feel better.
I left to walk to Arnold's house… after all, he said if I wanted to talk he'd be there… well… I wanted to talk…
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Man, it's been a while since I updated… but not too long. I just started going back to school and it's hard to keep up with my work AND my story. Oh well, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Review, por favor! Hehe, I wanna know what you guys think of it!
Like my espanol? Lol, it's the only thing I remember from taking two years of Spanish… damn, I wish I paid more attention in class…
