Quick Author's Note: To everyone who read and reviewed--thank you so much! The whole story is written; it's just a matter of finding the time to paste it all up, and I have no idea how long that will take, so hang in there. I really appreciated your encouraging comments (not that you have to say nice things all the time, although positive reinforcement is much more fun than constructive criticism. ) and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.
Oh, and since I probably violated all kinds of copyright laws by forgetting to do this last time, heeeeere's my disclaimer:
No, I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters, episodes alluded to, or the title to an animation company. Yet. (I can dream, can't I?) Heck, I don't even own this computer. Don't sue me because I'm broke and unemployed and allergic to lawyers, etc. etc. You know the drill. I'd rather not have to repeat any of this later, so it applies to the whole story, okay? Anyway, here's part 2.
"Stop rolling your eyes, Gerald. I'm serious...I ran into her--literally."
Arnold sat at the Johanssens' dining table, taking occasional sips of the coffee Gerald had offered him. He didn't really like coffee that much without sugar and cream and all that jazz, but it distracted him from overanalyzing matters that were probably meaningless. Gerald, his best friend since pre-school, sat across from him with a slightly exasperated look on his face. It really wasn't such a big deal--then again, Arnold tended to dwell on things like this longer than most people. So, he listened.
"...Exactly like when we were little. There I am--walking along, minding my own business. Then I turn the corner--and....."
".....WHAM! Just like that! You'd think it was any normal old day back in fourth grade... It's like that saying, Pheebs.... Deja Vu all over again."
Phoebe put a hand on her friend's arm. "Goodness, Helga...how very unusual!......You aren't hurt, are you?" she asked, concernedly.
"Nah, I'm fine. But I must have landed on my head, or something, because I didn't even recognize him at first!" Helga fidgeted in her chair, not entirely sure why the whole episode upset her. "I mean--I thought he looked a little familiar, maybe.....but it never even crossed my mind that of all people, this strangely polite guy I run into in the middle of downtown just happens to be....."
".....Arnold, my man--who cares?...So you saw Helga G. Pataki, the sadistic bully of P.S.118 and perpetual terror of our childhood. So what?"
"That's just it, Gerald...She didn't seem like such a bully this time--even after she realized who I was. ...Okay, she did run off with some bizarre comment about flossing her teeth...but other than that, she actually seemed kind of happy to see me--even....."
".....nice as ever." Helga sighed dejectedly, and buried her face in her hands. "Flossing! Of all the loony gibberish to come up with--and for no reason! It's disgusting, Phoebe. These stupid memories: the things I did, and said, and...wrote--everything I've tried so long to forget--flooding back to me as if it never ended. Why now? Why not later tonight, when I could have avoided him and his rotten football-head completely?"
Phoebe listened closely, watching the steam rise in ghostly wisps from her cup of green tea. Helga was usually a very rational, sensible person...but--well, considering the past, it was easy to understand why even such a minor thing like this would disturb her to the point of rambling. Now that the rambling had stopped, she knew it was probably time to offer a little candid advice.
"...Honestly, I don't think he's changed a bit, " added the blonde girl.
"But you have, Helga," said Phoebe encouragingly. "Both of you are mature, intelligent adults now, and there's no reason why the relationship between the two of you can't be completely different...if you truly want it to be."
She took a sip of her tea, and continued. "Besides, why wouldn't you see him again? You'll both be at this reunion. You share mutual friends. It's likely you would have run into each other eventually--so why not think of this as a second chance? Perhaps if you're willing to give yourself the opportunity this time around...you can get to know each other a little better and actually forge a good friendship."
"Yeah, maybe you're right," said Arnold with a laugh. "Sorry I even brought it up."
"I'm always right. Don't let it bug you, Arnold. You're a nice guy, but you can't help everybody--and she never asked for your advice." He paused, thinking back. "Well, I'll admit she wasn't nearly as bad by the time we got to high school.....but still--some people are just like that, and they don't ever change. That's life."
"Oh well. I bet I won't even see her once tonight."
Gerald lowered his eyes as he suddenly found the wood grain of the table top quite interesting. "Er.....I'm not so sure about that."
"What do you mean?"
Gerald squirmed. "I talked to Phoebe earlier--we still keep in touch, y'know--and we agreed to meet at the front entrance.....just because we thought going in as a group might be a little less uncomfortable than by ourselves."
"And?"
"That means, a certain someone will probably be with her."
Arnold raised an eyebrow. "What's your point?"
"Well, you know how girls are.....they'll be all dressed up and trying to look real good so they can impress everybody with how attractive they are and how successful they're becoming. That stuff."
"Everybody does that. So?"
"Arnold--I know you. Every time you see a pretty face, you go all...eech--mushy. And if Helga is the first one you see.....well, I don't know about her attitude, but the rest of her ain't that ugly."
Arnold scoffed and leaned back in his chair, trying not to laugh at his best friend's apprehension. "Come on, Gerald! I'm not as hopeless as you seem to think!" He smiled again in that lopsided way of his.
"What's the worst that could happen?"
