Arthur note: I just want to say thanks for good reviews on the first part of my store and my Illustrations, I hope you like the next and last part.Fanfiction.net doesn't allow Hyperlinks in stories so please follow the link Under Homepage on my Profile if you'd like to view the Illustrations for this Fic.
Arnold closed the worn and dog-eared pages of the book he was reading and stared up at the sky light over his bed. The small droplets of rain splatter against the glass as he reflected on his day. Middle School was a lot tougher then her thought it would be. It wasn't that his classes are homework load was too much. Arnold had always been a reasonably smart kid, but the multiple classes, and numerous teachers, was a bit hard to get used to. Fortunately he did share two of his classes with his best friend Gerald, and he had at let one of his friends from the neighborhood in each class. Arnold once thought that as you got older and understood more things would be simpler. His middle school experience proved him wrong. Arnold shook his coming out of his reflection. He tended to get pensive on rainy days, ever since the one rainy night Helga Pataki showed up on his doorstep and then disappeared. Arnold thought about Helga a lot but even more so when it rained.
It has been a year since she left, and Arnold still didn't really know where she was or when she was coming back. The day she left Arnold broached Mr. Simmons about the details of Helga's departure. It seemed Helga asked Him not to discuss the matter with any one but her parents. Remaining true to his word Mr. Simmons only told them she was safe and would return one day. Arnold knew that Phoebe received letters from Helga but she too was sworn to secrecy as to the content of those letters. Arnold considered asking Mr. and Ms. Pataki where Helga was, but even after a year Arnold was still mad at them. He never got over the fact that Her Parents would be so neglectful towards her. Arnold paused his line of thinking to correct him self. The truth was Arnold was mad at him self. For all the years Arnold and Helga knew each other he had no ideal she was so unhappy and he still curses himself for being so blind. Arnold failed to be a proper friend to Helga and now that she was gone, it was too late to make up for his past neglect. He really hated to admit it but he missed Helga something awful. Life in the neighborhood went on without her but there was no doubt her leaving made things a less interesting. Arnold even missed being called "Football head". Helga's leaving hit Phoebe the hardest of them all. Having such a meek, submissive personality. Phoebe tends to let people walk all over he, and after Helga left that happened more often then normal. Arnold and Gerald took to hanging out with her and watching after her in Helga's absence. Phoebe was a very nice and sweet girl and their trio became very close over the past year. Unfortunately for Arnold, after Gerald and Phoebe officially started dating, they tended to leave Arnold out on his own more then he'd like. "Ugh!" Arnold groaned, "I have to get my mind off this stuff, why do I slide into a blue funk every time it rains?" Of course he knew why, he was just afraid to admit it. To admit why he got depressed on rainy days and why his mind was often on that golden haired girl with the cute sneer and eyebrow.
Hoping to get is mind of the depressive track it was on, Arnold turned his attention back to the book he was reading. It was book called "The long Journey back" he found recently in the "Young adult fiction" section of the bookstore. The pages was ragged and dogged from constant re-reading. It looked years old, although Arnold bought the book only one month ago. The story took place in a land full of wizards, monsters and magic and other classic elements of fantasy. It wasn't as action packed as the books Arnold normally went in for but the Author captured him from the very first paragraph of the book. The characters where deep and meaningful and so were the relationships between them, and how they dealt with the unique satiation they found them selves in. The main character was a young woman that labored under a magical curse that made her act mean and talk harshly to ever one around her. The spell made her feelings inversely proportionate to how she really felt. The more she likes a person the more she was rotten to them. Arnold thought it was an intriguing ideal. This leads to the girl's alienation from her family and any one the tried to get close to her. The only way to break this curse is to find one person that can see past her hateful words and manner and love her for the wonder and caring person she truly was. Two things attracted Arnold to this book. The first thing was the mysterious author of the book Gale K. Tapiah. There just wasn't much information on her beside the amazing fact that she was a girl about his age. To be so young and to have such imagination and creativity was incredible to Arnold. He wish he knew someone that cool. And the second thing being, the manner in which the cursed girl treated the young man she loved dearly. Many of the arguments and harsh words, she use reminds him of he things Helga use to do him. "Damn there I am thinking about her again" he mollified him self
Not wanting to slide any deeper into his funk Arnold jumped out of his bed put the book into his pocket and headed to go grab a snack from the kitchen. While only a few steps from the refrigerator Arnold heard a knock at the front door of the Boarding house.
"Get that will you Arnold!" His Grandfather called from his couch in the living room. "It probably the Pizza I order."
"Ok Grand Pa!" Arnold answered the old man. After turning the numerous leaches and dead bolt locks Arnold opened the large door letting the cold air in.
"Hey football head, Miss me?"
Illustration 5
Arnold looked, well gawked would be a better word. Just like that rainy day one year ago Helga G. Pataki stood on his doorstep. Arnold looked into her face still not believing who had just dropped back into his life. Her hair was styled a bit differently. Her pigtails once hung low on her head now flared out from ether side near the top of her hair each tied by a pink ribbons that dangled by her ears. Speaking of ears one of which was pieced at lest 6 times. Arnold's eyes traveled the length of her body. He familiar Pink dress had been replace by what appeared to be white baggy looking cargo pants, a pink midriff baring top, She also wore large black boots and a short sturdy looking coat to protect her from the light rain. After giving Helga's body the natural once over, Arnold though about how different she looked, yet she was still very much the same Helga Pataki, most notably her torso region." I don't remember her having those." Arnold thought.
"Hey Arnold you going to say something or are you going thing to stand there all day gawking at my boobs?" Helga teased Arnold like she always did but in a good-natured way.
"Helga!" Arnold exclaimed throwing his arms around her embracing her. Then Arnold immediately regretting his action. Helga was known for punching people the invaded her space. Arnold then felt Helga's arms tighten around him returning his hug.
"I missed you to Football head." Helga admitted with a small smile and a very red face.
Arnold's mind flooded with question, concerns and emotions. "Where…. When,…Why….? " Was all he was able to say, unable to organize his thoughts.
"You still got the gift of gab, eh football head?" She said with grin.
It was amazing how much Arnold missed being called football head on a regular basis. "Never mind the questions I'm just happy your back Helga" Arnold said with such genuine feeling it made Helga's heart skip a beat. Then adding "and I wasn't looking at your boobs. I was just a little shocked that all" But the flush to his face told the truth.
Helga laughed heartedly saying, "If you think you was shocked how to you think I felt? I woke up one morning and BOOM I'm all curvy," said sticking out her chest a little more. Which in turned almost made Arnolds eye pop their sockets. Of course Helga was exaggerating but she couldn't help it the playful mood she was in. Getting away for that year was great but standing here with Arnold was truly wonderful. "Besides it looks like you got a growth spurt your self. Hell, I can't call you short man any more." Helga said noticing how much taller Arnold was. Taller but still oh so beautiful. She thought. "Well I'll just have to stick with calling you football head." Watching Arnold trying to cover up his fluster and flushing manor Helga was able to relieve one fear about her return to the old neighborhood, her love for Arnold never faltered, only grown stronger while she was apart from him.
Not wanting to make a bigger fool of him self Arnold invited Helga up to his room so that could talk. After taking sits next to each other on his bed, Arnold asked "Helga?" Arnold said as if he was about to bring up a sensitive subject. "Helga the way you left, out of the blue like that. We all was …..I was very worried about you."
Helga sighed and looked at the floor, "Yeah I know that was pretty crummy of me. I shouldn't have left like that. Being the old softly that you are I thought you might worry." she said. "That why I came here right after I settled back in at home. I wanted to apologize to you second after I apologized to my Mom and Dad."
Anger flared up in Arnold chest. "Why apologize to them? They way they didn't even notice you was gone that first night!" Arnold anger and regret was illegitimate.
Helga Merely shook her head and held up her hand signaling Arnold to cool down. Then smiled, "Don't be too hard on Miriam and Big Bob. Their good people they just need work on their parenting skills, and I've come to realize Olga doesn't mean to be so frustratingly perfect. But they are my family and I guess I've gott'a learn to live with them. You know what thay say, you can pick your nose but you can't pick your family." Helga stated with a slight grin. "Want to hear something funny? While I was away, they started family counseling. And now that I'm back I'll be joining them. I guess it'll be good for us. I guess Miriam and Big Bob missed me more then I realized. I just spent the last hour getting the stuffing hugging out of me and getting told how much they missed me." Helga paused tearfully, obvious the display of affection from her parents affected her deeply whether she was willing to admit it or not. "Regardless of how I felt at the time I shouldn't have just left Mom and Dad like that." She finished.
Arnold look at Helga for a moment in awe, the manor in which she talked about her Parents was nether hatful or regretful. Wherever she went and did on her yearlong absence she seemed to be a softer, kinder Helga.
"Of course if you ever tell anyone my family is so crazy we all have to see a shrink I'll pound you into the ground." She said with a menacing but friendly wink, while waving a clinched fist in Arnolds face.
"Now that's the Helga we all remember and fear." Arnold exclaimed laughing.
"You've got that right bucko." She replied in laughing along with him.
"By the way Helga the answer is yes" Arnold stated shyly
"The answer to what is yes?" Helga said not understanding
"Well when I answered the door you asked me if I missed you, and I did, miss you I mean, a lot." Arnold said finally getting the awkward statement out. Then remember what he promised him self he'd give her if he saw her again. Arnold reached into his shirt and pulled out the gold locket Helga left the night she stayed at his house. "Here….This belongs to you,"
"Helga took the Locket nervously knowing that Arnolds must have looked inside by now. "Arnold, about that locket, you see …"
"No need to explain look in side."
Helga nervously open the golden charm to find the old picture of Arnold, had been replaced by a segment of last years class picture. An Image of Helga and Arnold standing together encompassed in the golden heart. Helga clutched the hold heart to her own. "Arnold…. I….I.."
Seeing how Helga struggled with both her words and emotions, Arnold gave her a why out "Now let me just grab my coat and we'll go meet up with the old gang and let every one know your back" he said letting the issue of the locket rest.(for now)
As Arnold turned around to take his coat off the coat rack, Helga spied the book Arnold was reading in his pocket. And eager to change the subject she plucked the worn book out asking, "You actually read this Arnold?"
"Yeah I read it a few times, it's a pretty cool book. Have you've read it?"
"Read it? I wrote it." Helga answered a bit smugly. Arnold really missed the constant air of confidence Helga always had.
"You wrote it?" Arnold asked amazed. "But the Author's name is Gale K. Tapiah"
Helga punched Arnold in the arm softly, "Stupid, that's Helga G. Pataki with the letter all scrambled. I don't feel comfortable putting my name on anything I write, I never did. You see Arnold, winning that scholarship and living in California developing my writing was a great experience, but I missed this place and all the dorks in it more then I thought I would. So while working on an original story assignment, I started writing in characters based on people that I knew and I began to feel less home sick. The more I drew on the people that I grew up with and 'Cared' about the better and better I felt. So I kept it up and before I realized I had a small novel. And for some reason one of the instructors that supervised the writing scholarship program also owned a small publishing company. The lame brain took a shine too my story and some how managed to convinced me to allow him to make a book out of it, and yadda yadda yadda…I'm a author. I just thought it was silly ideal at first…" Helga said kind of embarrassed,
"Silly?" Arnold asked excitedly, his warm hands clasped her shoulders "Helga your writing is awesome. You are amazing!" Suddenly the reason Arnold liked that book so much, made sense to him. It was because Helga wrote it. Arnold wondered if the main character, who was compelled to treat the person she loved horribly was based on Helga her self? Helga had never been very nice to him, and insulted him for no apparent reason. Did that mean, Arnold looked at Helga and just said, "Amazing.."
Arnold's words warmed her to her core. Much like a fairy tail she had gone away to look for herself and a to find meaning in her life. Only to find that that meaning within, deep in her heart, right next to her burning love for Arnold. Helga finally understood that she did have meaning as a person. She no longer had to be afraid to truly be her self. That, no matter what the people that cared for her would continue to do just that, regardless if she acted like a jerk sometimes. Helga no longer had to shy away from the person she wanted to be or her feelings for those around her.
Helga took a deep breath and gathered her courage. Before she could chicken placing one hand on Arnolds shoulder, she lent forward and covered his lips with her own. Helga's heart raced so that she could hear her heart beat in her ears. Nervous energy almost threatened to overwhelm her, but there was nothing more wonderful then her kissing Arnold. Then that feeling was magnified past her wildest dreams when she felt him return the kiss. Feeling scared, excited and more then a little faint Helga pulled her lips from his, trying to get her equilibrium. "Er… I just wanted to get you one of those while you was still wake." She said nervously. Helga knees felt like Jelly but she managed to rise to her feet anyway.
Arnold felt dazed, and woozy. The impacted of Helga's kiss still lingered on his lips. He had always suspected, the dream kiss he got from Helga on that night was much more then a dream. Now as the same warm glowing feeling swept through him and her knew that kiss one year ago really did happen. That kiss was great but being fully awake for it was incomparable. "Wow…. " was all he could say and that was all that was needed to be said.
Helga grinned wickedly at the dreamy dazed look on Arnold's face. There was a certain satiation in the fact that, after all the times he's had that effect on her she could return it in kind. "Come on Football head I hear the Jolly 'olly man and a feel like a ice cream, you're buying of course."
Rising to shaky feet, "Oh I'm buying?" Arnold challenged sharing a similar grin.
"Yeah, That's right hair boy you got a problem with that?" She shot back angrily but taking Arnold hand into her own gently
"Ok fine! But you had better have brought back some presents from you little trip." He protested while giving her hand a loving squeeze.
The two friends walk out of the room hand in hand. Although they argued as they always did they both know they were closer then they ever was. Nether one was no longer afraid to be their selves or to share their true feeling with ether other.
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