....I DO NOT OWN HA!....although I expect that you knew that already...
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Crap, I thought he was asleep! Helga thought as Arnold's eyes opened and he looked right at her. She set down the plate she was holding and looked back at him.
Hey football-head, she said smiling nervously.
What are you doing here, do you work here? he asked, happy that he knew someone.
Well, not really... she trailed off, I...I'm doing volunteer work, because of the trouble I got in... she said quietly. She didn't want Arnold thinking she was a bad person, but she knew she couldn't lie to him, the whole gang knew she had gotten in trouble recently.
Wow, I didn't know that, Arnold said smiling.
Wow, he didn't seem dissapointed in her for getting in trouble! Cool. she thought, a smile forming on her face. Yeah, well I don't really want anyone knowing about it, I haven't even told Phoebe. This whole hospital bedside-nurse thing just isn't me, ya know?
Arnold nodded his head smiling. He knew Helga would be embarrassed with this kind of volunteer work. Helping people wasn't exactly her strong point, or was it? Although they were friends, it was still hard to get to know her, she stayed to herself most of the time.
I won't tell anyone, it's not like I'm gonna get up and walk out of here anyway, he chuckled, gesturing toward his legs that were in bad shape.
Thanks, well anyway, here's your lunch, she said, handing him a plate of hospital food. On it there was a limp piece of chicken, some peas and carrots, and a buttered roll.
Sorry the food here sucks, she said, sorry she couldn't give him anything better.
Despite what she thought, Arnold dug in hungerly. He was starving and didn't care what he had to eat as long as it was food.
Helga noticed this, Wow, you must be hungry to eat this crud.
Arnold stopped to wipe his mouth with a napkin and look up at her.
Yeah, I'm starving, he replied, digging back in. He didn't notice the loving smile that had spread across Helga's face as he ate. She quickly wiped it off her face so he wouldn't look up and notice.
Can I get you anything else? she asked.
No, I'm fine. Wait, are you like my bedside nurse or something? he asked, hoping she'd say yes.
Uh, yeah...But if you'd like someone else I can switch with someone! she said quickly, dissapointment spreading across her face.
Arnold noticed this and replied quickly, smiling, No! Of course not, I was just asking. Honestly, I'm glad it's you, at least I'll have someone I know to talk to.
A smile of relief washed over her face.
That was lucky how I got you for a bedside nurse, he replied, spooning peas into his mouth.
Yeah, lucky, she looked up and smiled, thinking of how nice Sue had been to get her here, Anyway, just tell me if you need anything. I'll just sit over there. She pointed towards a chair in the corner of the room.
Hey, pull the chair over here, I'd love to talk to someone, if you don't mind, he asked.
Um, okay, she replied, keeping her happy sigh inside her. She pulled the chair over next to his bed and sat down. For awhile they sat in silence, the only noise coming from Arnold as he finished his meal. When he finished she got up and put his tray on the cart.
he said.
No prob, just doing my job.
They sat in silence for a second once more.
So, has Lila come to see me yet? Arnold asked hopefully.
Helga's lips tightened, and she forced herself to smile. She came for a couple of minutes, but no one was allowed to see you then, so we had to tell her to wait. She left within 10 minutes.
Arnold looked down, his face saddened, he said, not looking up to meet Helga's eyes.
Helga noticed his sadness and quickly added something in, stretching the truth. She said she needed to visit her...a...grandparents...uh...family emergency... Helga looked up at Arnold, wondering if he bought her story.
Oh, well, is she okay? Arnold asked, his eyes filled with sympathy.
Arnold...you're too nice...how could you think of anyone else when your in the hospital...this is why I love you,' Helga thought, but quickly spoke out loud. Yeah, she's fine.
Okay, good.
Suddenly, Helga's walkie-talkie on her belt started to vibrate and she picked it up and walked to the other side of the room.
she asked into it.
Arnold tried to hear what was being said, but couldn't, the voice was too muffled.
Oh, okay... Helga said, her face becoming pale. She put the walkie-talkie back on her belt and turned to Arnold.
Uh, they...need me downstairs real quick, I'll be back, she said quickly as she headed for the door, before she got their, she turned back to him, Do you...need anything right now?
No, I'm fine, take your time Helga, Arnold said smiling.
Uh, okay, she walked out the door and ran down the hall.
What was that all about? Arnold thought as he moved into a more comfortable position.
His door suddenly opened and Gerald, followed by Phoebe, walked in.
Gerald yelled, running over to him, Hey man, you okay?
I'm fine Gerald, good to see you, Arnold replied, waving his good hand in the air.
Phoebe walked over to bend down and hug Arnold slightly.
We were very worried about you Arnold, we're glad your okay, Phoebe smiled sympathetically at him.
Yeah man, God I was scared, Gerald admitted with a sheepish smile.
Don't worry, I'm fine, just some broken bones.
Gerald looked at Arnold's legs and arm that were bandaged or slung up and sighed. You don't exactly look okay.
No, I am...really, Arnold said, trying to reassure Gerald, I just have a few questions to ask you.
About the accident... Gerald said, more of a statement than a question.
Well, yeah.
Okay, shoot, Gerald replied, sitting down backwards on the chair Helga had been sitting in just minutes earlier. Phoebe pulled up another chair that had also been in the far corner of the room.
I basically just wanna know what exactly happened yesterday. I heard some things, you and Phoebe, the emergency personnel...but that's about it.
Well, right when we waved goodbye to you from Lila's stoop, you walked into the street without looking. Although the car was going way to fast down the street, so it wasn't entirely your fault. Anyway, Phoebe ran into to call 9-1-1 while that damn driver kept right on driving down the street.
He just kept going? Arnold asked, amazed that anyone could do such a heartless thing, He didn't even check to see if I was okay?
Welcome to the big city Arnold, Gerald smiled sympathetically.
Arnold grinned, he always was a little sheltered....but still, he could've died...
Anyway, are they taking care of you here? Gerald asked, looking around the room as if there were cameras.
Arnold thought of Helga and stopped himself from speaking her name. Yeah, they're really nice to me here, he said grinning.
They talked for another half hour before Gerald looked at his watch and said he had to leave for work.
My shift starts in 10 minutes, and I promised Phoebe dinner afterward. Sorry man, we'll come back tommorrow.
That's okay Gerald, you have things to do. Thanks for visiting me anyway, you didn't really have too-
Hey, there was no way I was going to miss you in all these casts and bandages! Gerald exclaimed, laughing, Oh man, I forgot the camera!
Thanks Gerald, you're a pal, Arnold replied sarcastically.
They all laughed as Gerald and Phoebe stood up to leave. Gerald patted Arnold on the shoulder and Phoebe kissed him on the cheek.
Hey! None of that now! Gerald laughed, which got them all laughing again. After saying goodbye again, they left. Arnold sighed, it was great to have friends like them. He turned his head to the door again as it swun open. In walked Helga, glancing back down the hall before walking in.
she said out of breath, Had to...check...on something...
Don't worry Helga, I didn't tell them, Arnold replied, noticing the panic on her face. He smiled to reassure her.
Helga stuttered, glad that it was their little secret.
Well, anyway, I got my sketchbook out of the car. Is it okay if I sketch, or do you need anything? Helga asked, sitting down next to his bed again.
No I don't mind, go on, Arnold said, I didn't know you sketched.
Well, a lot of people don't really know a lot about me, Helga murmured.
Arnold stared at her. Again he was feeling how very different she was when he was alone with her. She was so much deeper than she let on. It was a nice change from her fists. Staring at her, he felt something....what was it? A likeness for her...but no....he had Lila, that was just all in his mind....it was just because he hadn't seen Lila for a few days, Helga was the first one he had seen when he fully regained consciousness...that was all....Or was it? His subconscious was telling him otherwise. Pushing these thoughts from his mind (for now), he focused on the drawing Helga was working on. His first thought was how beautiful it was... beautiful and sad at the same time. It showed a picture of a happy girl looking into a full-length mirror. Only her reflection seemed to show the truth, tears were pouring down her face and the sparkle was gone from her eyes. She looked back as if staring into your eyes, all hope lost.
Wow, that's really good, Arnold replied softly.
Helga said, a smile starting to form on her face. She continued to shade in the mirrored reflection of the girl, glancing up at Arnold out of the corner of her eye. She hadn't expected him to say anything, she thought he'd just go back to sleep. It filled her heart with joy to know that he was interested in something she had made...although he was probably just being polite...but still...
Your a really good arist Helga, why don't you take a class at school?
Well, I don't really want to be taught how to draw, you can't teach art...I just do it for fun, it's relaxing.
Arnold nodded, he liked to draw as well and was taking an advanced art class in school. Helga suddenly looked at the clock and stood up.
3:00, time for your meds, Helga said, dropping her sketchbook and reaching into a cabinet on the far wall of the room. She walked back with some pills and water.
Here, take these, she said gently, handing Arnold the pills and cup of water. Now don't worry, the pills are going to make you really drowsy. You might fall asleep right away, it depends on how your system takes it.
He took them and drank down the water. Automatically, his eyes began to droop.
Wow, your right, this stuff is weird... Arnold murmured, drifting off. He lay his head down quickly and soon fell asleep. Helga stared at him, smiling. He used to take care of her all the time in elementary school, now it was her turn. She smiled as she thought of the time he knocked her out with a baseball and she faked her injury after a day. Also the time on April Fools Day when she faked her blindness and he took her to the dance. Great times, she thought, holding in her laughter. She sat back down and picked up her sketchbook. Staring at his smiling, sleeping face, she pulled her pencil along the paper.
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A nice, sappy chapter...ahhhh....I told you it was going to be full of romance and angst.....a few questions are aroused at the end of this chapter (or even before)....what was Gerald going to tell Arnold before he got in the accident?....what kind of fight was Helga in?....Why doesn't Gerald like Lila as well?....Could their be any connection between these questions?....We'll find out soon! Continue reading and continue leaving me notes....thanks! ;^)
