Author's Note: Sorry for the delay everyone- I was off globe trotting. But, I'm back home now and back in business. I'm planning on putting out another part today, too…
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold. I'm really sick of trying to find creative things to put in my disclaimers, too.
Part 9: The Hidden Answers
Just in time for the end of the school day, the gray sky finally fulfilled its promise of rain, although sending just a light sprinkle to the ground. Still, everyone decided to continue with their plans of going to the arcade.
Helga wanted to go to the arcade- but not yet. She also knew that she had promised Arnold a conversation - but she wasn't ready yet. Instead, Helga walked down the road in the opposite direction of her classmates. She'd join them, just a little later. Phoebe saw her leave and seemed to understand, and trusting her best friend to explain to Arnold, she headed down the road.
She couldn't figure out why the old football head was so concerned about her. He had gone out of his way all day long, trying to find out what was bugging her. All over an ordinary bad day, she marveled. "I guess it's just an Arnold thing, trying to know what was bugging me," Helga began, whispering to herself. It had been a habit of hers for as long as she could remember- having to say her feelings out loud or writing them down. Maybe it was because she needed them out in the world, somewhere other than trapped inside her head where there was no comfort or escape to be had. Even if the only person she ever told them to was herself, it always made her feel better, helped her control and hide what she felt. "I don't think I'm anything special, he's just treating me like he would anyone else." Helga mused; turning on a road that she knew would lead her to the arcade. A light breeze whipped around her and she shivered slightly, feeling the first splashes of real raindrops on her forehead. She picked up the pace and finally allowed herself to think what she had been hoping in the back of her mind all along- "Oh, Arnold, what if you do see me as more than a bully who torments you day in and day out? What if you have finally seen through my tough exterior- what if you really do care?" She sighed happily, but continued walking; trying to beat the downpour she knew would be coming soon. Out of habit, she listened for someone breathing behind her. She curled her fist, expecting him to sneak up at any second now, although she wasn't sure Brainy would be able to keep up with her at this pace. But sure enough, he stepped out of an alleyway just in front of her. SMACK! Brainy fell to the ground, as ever, and Helga walked on, wondering how that boy always ended up behind her, beside her, in front of her, breathing … although she would sooner be able to teach a pig to fly than answer that question.
Her thoughts were turning back to Arnold, and the arcade was just in sight. This day was finally looking up, her life, possibly going the direction she had always dreamed it would. It would feel so strange, she decided, if Arnold finally did end up loving her some day. Amazingly wonderful, be wouldn't it be surreal to finally have something you have been dreaming of since you were three years old? She could still see that day so clearly, a small boy perfectly dressed for the rain, blond hair sticking out in clumps all over his head, appearing out of nowhere with that soft smile and little blue umbrella. That umbrella had seemed to shelter her not only from the rain, but from every reality, every thing in her life than might cause her pain. As if right on cue, it finally began to pour, drops falling out of the sky with such intensity they bounced a few inches in the air when they hit the sidewalks. Helga bent her head and walked quickly against the downpour. So the only blond boy holding a bright blue umbrella she saw was in her mind, and not the same one, just six years older, leading his classmates to the arcade only a few feet in front of her.
…From a building a few doors from the arcade, a woman with short, dark hair was holding a cup of tea and taking a break in between patients. Looking out the window, she saw a girl she knew so well- perhaps better than anyone else- walking down the road, all alone. And a boy she had never met but knew so much about was walking towards her. Instantly riveted, Dr. Bliss wondered just what was about to happen…