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CHAPTER 4: THE DEVIL ON YOUR SHOULDER
5 YEARS EARLIER
SPRING BREAK
It was simply the most beautiful sunset on the sea, ever seen by man. It was so romantic, it almost made Helga laugh.
"I can't believe I'm with you, watching sunset." – Arnold said. They met twelve hours ago on the beach. Helga was flirting with some body builder when she saw Arnold running toward the water with his surf. Not like he had the slightest chance to stay on the board – he was a city kid after all. She left the guy alone instantly and run after Arnold. They haven't seen each other in almost a year. Since then, everything happened so fast.
"It's cool, huh Arnoldo?" – she said and they kissed. Not like they wanted to, but it was a sunset that made people kiss each other. Arnold forgot about Lila almost completely. They came here together but Lila got a phone call from his father. He had a small accident, but she didn't wanted to ruin Arnold's vacation with that, so he left him alone at the beach. Big mistake.
"I missed you so much." – he said.
"I missed you too."
"You know living without you is just so..."
"Boring?"
"I wanted to say "normal" actually, but whatever you say." – he said, as he kissed her in the neck and pushed her back. There wasn't anybody near and far that part of the beach. After all these years, after the naughty e- mails at last they fulfilled their desire for each other at the moonlight.
Helga woke up the next day in Arnold's arms.
"'Morning Helga."
"'Hey hair-boy." – she said smiling – "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for a crazy blond woman. Haven't you seen her?"
"She just escaped with some shorty with a huge football head attached to his head. I just can't understand why would such a beautiful woman touch such a freak."
"At least I have two eyebrows." – he said.
"Hey, don't joke about it. It's pretty hard and painful to keep them apart!"
"I liked you with one eyebrow. It gave you some character."
"I will give you some character!" – she said as she rolled over and kissed him. – "Not to break the romantic mood, but we must brush our teeth, before we're kissing again."
"Yeah." – he said laughing. – Girl, I did miss you. I wish we could stay like this forever" – Helga suddenly went serious.
"And what about the red-head?" –she asked.
"I'll break up with her. Jesus, I should have done it years ago... I'm just not sure she will be able to take it."
"Hey, she dumped you before."
"I was nine."
"So? I made your statue from used bubble gum when I was nine. Girls maturing faster than boys."
"I wouldn't call that mature." – he said as she went around the beach and tried to find his clothes. It was a pretty hard task. Once he found his trousers he got his cell phone from the pocket. He didn't wanted to put on the trousers yet, because it was filled with sand. As he turned the phone on, he dialed Helga.
"I bet you call all your friend to tell about this night, but trust me, they won't believe you."
"Actually I'm calling Lila. Hey, don't look at me like this, I'm breaking up with her."
"On phone after we did it? You're such a gentleman Arnold." – she said, but there was no time for Arnold to reply, because Lila just got up the phone. She was crying. As usual.
"Oh my god Arnold! Where were you! I called you all night."
"Oh... I'm sorry babe, but my battery went out, and I forgot to... What happened?"
"It so horrible Arnold... Daddy's dead. Please come home quick! I don't know what to do! I need you Arnold! I... I... " - but what she said after that was not understandable from her crying.
"It's going to be fine. I'm going directly to the airport. Just wait for me, okay?"
"O.. okay." – she answered. So, Arnold put the phone away and looked at Helga. She looked like an angel at the morning sun, but she were seductive like the devil as she lied naked in the sand. A little voice just shouted in his head: "Don't go! She's everything you ever wanted! Stay here and make love to her! Leave that cry-baby alone, and go a little wild for god's shake!"
"I have to go Helga." – he said. Helga's eyes just widened. – "Lila's fathers died. I can't leave her alone now." – Helga stood up in a flash of the eye.
"I see! You don't have a problem with leaving me alone, do you?!"
"It's different."
"I know that. She's different."
"Listen, I will break up with her as soon as..."
"No you wont. You're learning at the same collage, and you're practically roommates. I'm not Lila Arnold. I don't believe the crap you make yourself believe. You're her prisoner, her hostage and you know that. She's using that you trying to be the good guy all the time. Hey I did that too, when I pretended to have amnesia and stuff, but I was nine! But you're adults, and she's still using that trick, and what's worst, you still fall for that! Get out of my sight."
"I will call you." – he said as walked from her, toward his car, leaving Helga standing by the sea, and he meant it. He and Helga met five other times till the end of collage, and had some amazing nights together. But Arnold never had the guts to dump Lila. He was too nice for that and he was afraid from an affair with Helga. Such a relationship could end up in two places: in heaven or in burning hell. He didn't notice his relationship with Lila is a more quiet kind of living hell already.
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PRESENT DAY
Big Bob Pataki was very happy for Helga's sudden homecoming. Helga just turned out well finally. Olga was huge disappointment, for marring the jerk director, whit his art movies a documentaries nobody watched. Olga was his assistant and the stars of most of his films, so they were barely made a living. But Helga – her sweet Helga, the hero, the celebrity who's serving her country. And he's boyfriend who were in the Times' "Most successful men on the world" list. He just couldn't be more proud.
Bob never understood her second daughter. Since her first words, she was a mystery for him. She was so different from her sister Olga, who was like an opened book. When she was sad, she cried. When she was happy she smiled. When she loved someone she showed it. When she hated someone... well, that actually never happened. But Helga was different. She was a lot more complicated person, even at the age of six. Bob knew somewhere deep down, that's because she's smarter than her sister in many ways. Smarter than the whole family. Of course Olga got better grades and won more prises with her intellect, but Helga was a lot better in solving problems. Maybe Olga knew a lot of things, but it was because she studied a lot. But Helga never did that. She was creative. But it was her curse too. Bob wasn't able to handle her brilliant daughter and she was disappointed for his own failure, so she turned to Olga again who was the living proof of his skills as a father. So soon Helga became a stranger to him.
A stranger he loved (as much as he was capable of love) and who lived in his house, but he never actually knew her. Witch was a shame, because she was a lot like Big Bob himself and that was the main reason, they never got along with each other. They both born to rule other people, but in Helga, there was something else. The fire in her eyes became stronger and stronger with each year. Till Big Bob was always cold and calculating, Helga was way too passionate. When she hit puberty, she became out of control. Not like she put hundreds of piercings to her face, or had huge tattoos all ever her body. She never used drugs or dated criminals. She only got into fights. The most famous was of course, when she punched a girl named Lila Sawyer on her face, because it happened in front of everybody, and people talked a lot about it in the neighborhood. But he knew it from the school council, that she attacked a dorky kid named Brainy several times. But, the kid seemed to have no problems about it, because she got the knuckles from Helga since kindergarten. But one night, when the police took Helga home because she got into a fight with a local gang he really frightened. The university doors will close before Helga, if she's having a criminal record, and it was her second case with the police. The first one was because she went too far with his boyfriend, that football headed goody two- shoes on a public place. Bob never knew the details, but never wanted to.
"So Helga honey, why don't you just let the police to get that guy? Why do you have to risk your life." – Miriam asked.
"That's my job Miriam." – she said – "And it's not like I'm alone. My friends are out there looking for him right now."
"I'm so proud of you. You defend your man like a Pataki." – Bob said. Olga was sitting quietly at the table. She looked at her sister in despair. They didn't know of course that Arnold was involved in he case too. – "You must really love each other."
"Sure. Josh is awsome." – Helga said.
"It's not so hard to find a guy with bags of money. Who can't do that." – Olga said.
"Well, you obviously can't missy." – Bob said to Olga. It felt good for Helga to be the good girl now. Olga had a chance to feel the same way she did in all her life.
"Hey, leave her alone." – Helga said.
"You're right honey." – Miriam said. – "Don't fight each other when Helga's at home." – she said. Helga seen the anger growing in her sister, and – although she didn't wanted to – she felt sorry for her. It must have been a lot worst for her. These last years... She got addicted to his parents admire, and now it was gone. It was even worst that Helga's childhood. She did know what she lost. Suddenly she felt sick of Bob and Miriam.
"Well, I heard that football headed orphan gets married next month." – Bob said. – "I can't believe you used to date that jerk." – he said.
"Yeah. You did something from a real emotion. That't unbelievable." – Olga said. Helga just put down her glass.
"You have a problem Olga?"
"Yes I have." – she said. And she stood up.
"Olga!" – Miriam yelled at her.
"All right sis, let's take this outside." – said Helga. As they walked toward the door. They left without a word.
"Just what's wrong with you Helga! I can barely recognize you lately!" – she said when they closed the door, so their parents can't hear them.
"Listen Olga. I know it's hard that I'm their favorite suddenly, but it will be over soon. You know I will do something stupid as usual, and you'll be back on track!"
"Oh, god! You really think that's my problem? I really don't care about them a bit."
"Then what?"
"It's you Helga. It just hurts me, you let Bob win in the end."
"Huh?"
"I... I always envied you for your... courage to oppose him. You dared to do the exact opposite of what he wanted you to do. So, I tried really hard, and managed to be a little like you. I didn't let him to choose my occupation or my husband. That's why that control freak is angry with me."
"And...?" – Helga raised her eyebrow. – "Why aren't you happy?"
"I am happy Helga. I would never undo anything, even if I could. But you..." – she sighted – "You remember your poems... you're stories... what happened to those."
"That's kids stuff."
"And those are Big Bob's words Helga in you're mouth Helga. You're an artist, whatever you say. I bet you're still writing, but you don't dare to publish it. And Joshua? C'mon Helga, we both know how hot he is, but for god's shake! He's like Kevin Jefferson – only in a better package." – Kevin was the son of Bob's business partner. Bob always wanted Helga to date him, but she always refused it.
"It's not the same thing..."
"Yes it is. Helga, they don't like me now, because I didn't miss the Arnold of my life. You missed yours, and now you're their favorite. Did it worth it?" – she asked. Her words just stroked Helga. Every word of it was true. She was everything Bob imagined his daughter would be. She became the woman she promised she won't. And what made it worst – she knew that. She knew that all along and didn't do anything to prevent it. All the stress he contained in the last few months, since she knew about Arnold's marriage, is came out now.
She busted out in tears ,and Helga hugged her – not like her pal, like she used to, but like an older caring sister she can turn to with her problems. Like it always meant to be.
"It's over. She's marring Lila! She's marring Lila, and no one will ever read my work!" – she cried. It was the first time she cried in years.
"It's not over honey." – Olga said. – "You tough that one to me. It's never too late. Not until you standing on the ground." – she was right of course. She stopped crying and stepped back.
"Thank you Olga I.."- she didn't know what to say, until she recognized what she has to do- "I have have to go!"
"I know." – she said smiling – Good luck. What shall I say to mum and dad."
"Say that, the major pain in the ass they missed so much is back." – she sad as she run away. She escaped to the dark cold night from the family house. Just like she did it in all her life.
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Arnold was very happy to see all his friends again. Although, it was kind of weird. Sid the caring father, Stinky the workaholic, Gerald the DJ with a Peter Pan complex, Curly the well known psychiatrist. Nothing came out the way they predicted at school. There were others Arnold didn't know anything about, but who showed up today – Gerald invited Wolfgang the school's Football coach, Brainy who 's teaching physics at PS 118 and Chocolate boy, who became a somewhat famous cartoonist. But the one who went trough the most interesting changes were Harold. Harold, who started as a stupid fat kid. Now, he was the local butcher, just like he always wanted to be, but on his face there was all the wiseness of the simple man. He was obviously happy with his life, with himself. The fat on his body turned into muscles, but no one ever imagined, he would use those muscles to hurt anyone. There was an almost Buddha-like look on his face. He wasn't married yet, but could have no problem with finding a girl when he wanted. Arnold talked with him almost all night long, and while they talked, Arnold drunk a little too much. He still couldn't bear to drink very well."I just loved your article about homeless people Arnold. It was very touching, but still it was real." – Harold said – "Since then, I always give some food to the local resort."
"That's nice from you."
"So, You'll get married Arnold, huh? That's... big!"
"Yeah... well, me an Lila went out for a pretty long time. It was the expectable next step."
"I mean... There was no other girls in your life... How do you know she's the one?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that. There was Helga of course, and in collage... Well I can tell you, there was an other girl I've been seeing." – he said. He didn't know, why is he telling this to Harold, but something told him, he can. He wanted to confess. Gerald knew about his weird relationship with Helga, but that was different. He would never judge Arnold, and he wanted to be judged. He knew he was guilty."
"Come on, don't look so shamed! It's a wonder you and Lila stayed together trough collage. As far as I know, collage is only about sex with different chicks." – he said smiling as he drank from his beer. "How was she?"
"Well... She was amazing. I were crazy for her. But there was Lila, and..."
"You fell in love with another person, but you stayed with Lila?"
"Well, It was not so hard... I mean, it was always like that."
"Wasn't that girl Helga, by any chance?" – she asked.
"Hey... How do you know that?"
"You started to go out with Lila, to make her jelous... Than, there was prom night... And now, you both living in New York, and you wrote articles about her. The only missing part was collage, but now I get that too." – Arnold was shocked to hear all that, but he noticed that, he missed something. Something really important Harold said, that has nothing to do with him and Helga. No that's not right – everything was about him and Helga. But still...
"Hey. It's not like I'm cheating on Lila... I mean, not anymore. It's just nice to see Helga sometimes."
"Of course it is. But I really think you shall not marry Lila if you love someone else."
"You don't understand this. I love Lila. I always did. And with Helga, we have no future. You remember how is it, if we're a couple. We were together, then apart, then together, then apart..."
"Hey, I don't know if you noticed that, but you both grown up since then."
"Even if it could work... She's with Joshua now, and I don't stand a chance against him. And I'm marry Lila. I'm the only one who left for her." - he said.
"I really think you still try to live up your ten year old standards. The good doer of the neighborhood: Arnold. The innocent, optimistic Arnold. But you don't seem to be so optimistic now, and you definitely not innocent anymore. So I think you need to stop pretend you are and start behave like an adult."
"You don't know me Harold." – he said. It was pretty bad, to hear the same simple advices from Harold, that he gave him when they were kids. The roles just changed. – "I don't love Helga."
"I hope you can convince yourself about that."
After a few words Gerald told Arnold, it's time to return to the boardinghouse. So, they both left. They didn't get any closer. Everyone seemed to have an alibi, and as far as Gerald known, none of them had a black van. Maybe they're looking for Helga's stalker at the totally wrong place.
"What are you thinking about dude?" – Gerald asked as they walked on the street.
"Something about Harold said. About prom night. Do you remember prom night? I don't. I think I got drunk."
"No you didn't. It was simply a boring night." – Arnold couldn't believe that. A boring party with Helga on board. That's just not right.
"I don't know Gerald..." – he said, but then he noticed Helga is waiting for him in front of the boardinghouse.
"Hey boys." – she said – "Arnold, can I talk to you in private?" – she asked. Gerald got it, so he went inside.
"What is it Helga?" – Arnold asked.
"Listen... I just had a huge walk around the neighborhood, and I've been thinking a lot. I'll probably regret that I'm saying this... Why aren't we together?"
"What's wrong with everybody tonight?" – Arnold asked.
"Come on! We both know Lila can't make you happy. Even if it's risky, I think we could have one last try..."
"My god Helga! Do you hear the things your saying? I'm getting married next month!"
"Yes, I know. But it happened before. People leaving their fiancé at the altar, because they realize they don't want to spend the rest of their life with that person! The only one, who finds it so extreme is you. C'mon hair-boy. Would it hurt so much to listen to the devil on your shoulder this once?"
"You are the devil on my shoulder Helga. And I listened to you way too often."
"And it felt good, didn't it?"
"Yes. But Helga, you have to understand: I don't love you! I find you attractive, and you impress me with your personality, but I'm not in love with you."
"You're a bad liar." – Helga said, but she stepped back.
"I love Lila. And we're getting married. And I think when it's over, you shall go back to Joshua, and we shall not see each other for a while." – Helga just slapped Arnold on the face.
"Stop it! Stop being a goody two shoes! It's driving me crazy! Act like a real person! Please!"
"I'm just doing that Helga. Can't you see?" – he said. Helga promised she won't cry again. Not twice in a day. She was pretty sure about Arnold is lying, to scare her away, but it hurt her anyway.
Arnold just turned around. – "I need a little fresh air." – He said as he walked away. Helga sat down on the stairs, she needed to think a lot. Then he suddenly heard Arnold's scream for help. She stood up and started to run toward the sound, but when she got to the corner she only seen the black van getting out from her sight. Arnold was gone. She left alone in the dark.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arnold didn't know where he is. The place was cold and wet – his head was in a lot of pain. Someone probably hit him hard from the back. He noticed, he's not able to move, he's probably trussed up. Then he heard the sound of the door. As it opened a long, thin man entered the room. He had a flashlight in his hands, and as he walked closer, he put that to his chin, so Arnold could see his face. It was a pretty creepy sight with the light coming from below. The grey skinned man had a thin glasses, military-style hair and a kind of insane smile. It was his old classmate, Brainy.
"Welcome to our first slumber party Football Head. It's time to play ball." – he said. As Arnold thought about, he never even knew Brainy's voice. He was a silent type. – "Unfortunately, I'm not a really football person myself." – he said, as he raised a long, shiny object – "But I'm so into golf. I just love it, when my golf club smashes the ball. It just makes me feel... liberated. I never tried it with a football, but I image it like some strange, but nice feeling" – he said, as he leaned very close to Arnold's face. "So, whenever you lie to me, I will try it on your head. Do you understand?" – Arnold nodded as Brainy smiled widely – "All right boy. Let's chat."
So, we know who's behind all this. Or – do we? And what's up with Prom Night? Stay tuned! PLEASE REVIEW! I'M DYING FOR REVIEWS! Lisiegurl, swimchick1614 – You're pretty close as you can see. Especially you Lisiegurl, but I don't think Lila is over the edge to do something like that. At least not yet ( But don't worry, at Helga's Shadow, there will be answers (and some new questions) :)
