Bleeding Hearts

Part Six: Abracadabra

It was the hardest thing that Helga had ever had to do. It practically ripped her heart out to walk that lonely walk to Madame Blanch's shop. Still, Helga knew it was the right thing to do and--despite her insistence to the contrary--she really did have a conscience.

Madame Blanch heard Helga storm into her shop and put down the magazine that she'd been reading. "Well hello there doll."

"Madame Blanch it worked, it actually worked!" Helga shouted, grabbing the surprised gypsy by the collar.

"Whoa, slow down there, what worked?"

"The potion, the spell, whatever it was it worked!" Helga cried, "And now he's told me everything! But…it's not…"

"The way you thought it would be?" Madame Blanch finished.

Helga nodded.

"Well there, ya see." the gypsy crossed her arms. "Love's magical enough without the help of charms and bracelets and spells…adding those things just complicates it all."

"Then why didn't you just TELL ME?!" Helga snapped, "Why did you let me cast that spell on him and nearly ruin the small relationship we already had?!?"

"Because some lessons in life you just have to learn for yourself honey." she replied.

Helga glared at the gypsy for a moment, "Well now that that's over with will you just remove the darn spell so I can leave and get back to my normal, miserable life?!"

"And what's so miserable about it?" Madame Blanch asked.

"Doi! The boy I love finally admits he loves, which took a love spell to do, and he isn't ready to feel the way I do!" Helga yelled.

"Girls naturally mature faster ya know."

Crossing her arms Helga faced the wall, "Arnold's ahead of the other guys, he likes likes Lila but he just barely likes me. Well…deep down he's crazy about me…but who knows when the heck he's gonna be ready to show that?!"

"Patience." Madame Blanch cautioned, "Love's not for the faint of heart."

Helga sighed and nodded, she knew the gypsy had a point.

Smiling Madame Blanch turned to her shelves and started searching for the antidote which would make the spell's effects wear off instantly.

"Hey Madame Blanch," Helga spoke up.

"Yes honey?" Madame Blanch found what she was looking for and turned to the blonde.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"The talk." Helga shrugged.

Madame Blanch smiled, "You're welcome sweetie." She really was a cute kid, probably didn't have much of a home life. "Now you just sprinkle these dew droplets and rose pollen on your true love's face as he slumbers and when he awakes, the spell is broken."

"Thanks," Helga grabbed the small vile, "I guess it's better to wait and have everything perfect, even if that does mean putting up with him rejecting me for the golden girl for a few more years."

"Lots of luck to ya dear," Madame Blanch patted Helga's shoulder and sent her on her way, "Oh wait!"

Helga stopped halfway out the door and turned around, one hand digging into her pocket, "Let me guess, pay you ten bucks?"

"Nah," the gypsy waved her hand, "this one's on the house. Just wanted to let you know, this boy you're interested in. The spell wouldn't have worked on him at all if he didn't feel something for you to begin with. So there's still a chance that he might decide to tell ya he loves you anyway. Without the spell."

Like I'd ever get THAT lucky, Helga thought, "Alright, thanks again. Oh and-"

"My lips are sealed." the shopkeeper assured her.

******

Now Helga's only problem was getting to Arnold while he was asleep so she could use the antidote. Actually, she knew exactly what to do. Something she'd done maybe once or twice before. She'd simply sneak into Arnold's room that night and sprinkle the stuff over his face. Then she'd run like heck before he could wake up and catch her!

That night she was on the roof of the boarding house looking into Arnold's room via his skylight. He looked so peaceful slumbering there, dreaming away while that spell tugged at his heart.

Taking a moment to swoon over him Helga peered down lovingly at her love, noting his every detail and the way the moonlight reflected off his lightly tanned skin. "Oh Arnold, bane of my existence, love of my life. If only our souls were fated to join at this early point in life. But alas my darling, it is not to be. Now that I know, I must set you free." Helga made a mental note to add that to her book of poetry as soon as she got home.

Quietly sneaking down the steps built into Arnold's wall Helga stood over her love and opened the vile.

Arnold didn't even flinch as Helga sprinkled the concoction on his face. Little droplets hit his cheeks, falling from her fingertips.

"Sweet dreams, my love." Helga whispered, a tear running down her cheek and falling upon Arnold just before she turned to leave.

Arnold stirred and opened his eyes just as the latch to the skylight closed and Helga crawled down the fire escape. Unaware of what had just taken place Arnold wiped his face and sat up.

"Must be hot in here." he wondered aloud. "I'm covered in sweat."

Shrugging he slipped back under his sheets and drifted back to his dreams, dreams of Helga. Only this time the tugging at his heart seemed to loosen with each breath. By morning Arnold felt like his old self again.

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*This is NOT the end of the story. There's one more chapter to come. Please review, thanks! ^_^*