Love me when I'm gone

chapter 1

Arnold stood in the doorway of P.S. 118 gym staring at his 20 something friends. Harold Burman stood talking with Gerald and his wife Phoebe. , while Harold's fiancée Rhonda walked about greeting people. " Oh hey Arnold." she said sweetly kissing his cheek.

" Hey Rhonda. How are things with you?"

" Great. Harold and I are getting married next month."

" I know I heard. Where's my invite?"

" About that…..see Harold wants you to be his best man."

" Me? Why Me? Why not Stinky or Sid."

"They're in the wedding but Harold's wants you to be the best man."

" I guess."

" Arnold you are so sweet." she kissed his cheek again then went off to tell her fiancée the wonderful news. Arnold smiled to himself as he choose a table to sit at. He scanned the gym looking at all the unusual couples: Stinky and Sheena, Harold and Rhonda, Gerald and Phoebe, Curly and Lila, Eugene and Nadine. They all looked so incredibly happy. A twinge of jealously wrapped itself around Arnold's heart. He had had his share of girlfriends in the past but all had turned into nothing but heartache. " When's my turn for love?" he asked himself banging his fist against the table.

Meanwhile a few blocks from the school a beautiful young woman strolled casually down the street occasionally adjusting the sleeves of her blouse making sure they covered her bruises on her arms. She marched up the steps of P.S. 118 and stopped at the double red doors. " What am I so afraid of? I've walked through these doors a million times. Get yourself together Helga G. Pataki." she thought.

With the confidence she certainly didn't feel, Helga pushed the doors open and steeped inside. The halls were empty and all was quiet except for the clicking of Helga's heels on the floor. Sighing heavily she opened the gym doors. She pushed her way passed people until she found her friends. All the former 4th graders stopped and stared at her. She smiled her best fake smile as she went about greeting everyone.

" Wow Helga sure has changed." Arnold whispered to Gerald.

Gerald nodded, " didn't you see her on the cover of People magazine last month?"

" That was Helga?"

" Yeah."

Helga turned to Arnold.

" Hey Arnold."

" Hey Helga. So how have you been?"

" Oh great. Just Wonderful."

" So what are you doing now?"

" I'm out in L.A. starting off my acting career. And you?"

" I live in Chicago. I'm a freelance photographer."

" Sounds like you're doing really good."

" Yeah you too. So Helga do you to sit at my table with me?"

" um….sure."

He led her to the table and she sat down. "I want to give you something." she said digging through her purse. She pulled out her wallet and it fell open revealing a picture of Helga with a handsome man.

" Whose that?"

" That's my boyfriend Chad. We've been together since I've been in L.A."

" You look really happy with him."

" I am. He's really sweet."

Arnold smiled, " At least she's happy." he thought staring at the brown haired blue eyed man in the picture. When he looked up Chad was standing over Helga whispering in her ear. Arnold then looked at Helga. Her face was twisted into a fearful expression.

" Um Arnold it was really good to see you again. I have to go. Here take this." She said throwing a business card on the table. Chad grabbed her wrist and yanked her up. He dragged her out the door. " Helga!" Arnold yelled rushing after them. He stood on the sidewalk watching Chad drag Helga off into the distance.

So what did you think??? Puh Pleaze read and review. Chapter 2 is coming really soon. I don't own Hey Arnold or People Magazine so there.

.