Title: Behind Closed Doors
Pairing: ArnoldxHelga
Genre: Romance/Drama
Complete Summary:
Helga has turned to theatre as an outlet for her intense emotions, as advised by Dr. Bliss. No longer the bully, she surrounds herself with only her closest friends, burying herself into the world of the characters she portrays.
Arnoly, who moved to Palawan back in sixth grade.when his parents had been discovered there, comes back to find that though most of his friends have grown and matured as he had, one of them piqued his interests in ways he never imagined it could.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold. I do however, own the plot.
Author's Note: This is my first attempt at a Hey Arnold! fic so please be tolerant Reviews and constructive critisms are appreciated, flames are not.
Behind Closed Doors
Chapter I - Incoming Trauma
You eased the pain when I faked the wound. You calmed me down when I faked the mood. You were instantly there when I faked the call. But why didn't you catch me? …I didn't fake the fall.
- SMS forward
Helga looked up from the script, rubbing her tired eyes. Glancing at the clock, she swore softly at seeing that it was a quarter past one. Placing her homework in her binder along with her script, she shut off her desk lamp and collapsed on her bed, her eyelids heavy. Glancing up at their 6th grade class picture, she switched off her bedside lamp, falling immediately into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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Phoebe entered the café, noticing Helga sitting on their usual corner table. The Chameleon was one of the more well-known and exclusive hangouts in Hillwood where poets and thespians come to gather and share their works. It was owned by a friend of Helga's back in New York, who had given Helga special privileges there. It was where she and Helga usually met after school, since they hardly saw each other during the day.
"Hey Pheebs," the seventeen year old greeted her, her mouth set on a faint smile. Phoebe was once more struck by the change in her. Though Helga had begun acting soon after Arnold left for the Philippines, she didn't change her look all that much, usually with a pink article of clothing, her hair always pulled back in a strict ponytail. It was usually more or less conservative, except for maybe a random accessory.
Now, it was different. It seems that Helga had lost whatever apprehension she felt for what others thought of her. That day, in fact, Helga was donned a white tube beneath a black knitted top. Her slacks were black with random slashes on it, held together by thin red ribbons. Her blonde hair, which she had grown out up to nearly halfway down her back, was pulled into a french twist with ribbons entwined with it. She wore no makeup, as always, except for a layer of lip gloss on her naturally pouty lips.
Her features, which was leaning towards Bob Pataki's angular ones, had softened into a more Miriam-like delicateness, though there were still some proudness and nobility in the highness of her cheekbones and her Parisian nose. Helga was one of the more attractive girls in East Hillwood High, along with Phoebe, Rhonda, and Lila, but was the one who seemed the least aware of it.
"Hey Helga," Phoebe said. Phoebe now had layered jet black hair, contacts, and still stood four inches shorter than Helga, who was 5'10. She still wore more or less conservative clothes though leaning towards the more fashionista version of it. That day, she was wearing a pale blue peasant skirt and a curve-huggin white top. Thin leather straps were wrapped around her right wrist, her hair pulled back into a casual ponytail, held by a feathery-textured scrunchie. She wore very light makeup, just to compliment her delicate, Asian features.
"Where's Gerald?"
"He'll be a little late. Their training was extended a half an hour more because of their upcoming match on Sunday. How was your rehearsal today?"
"It was alright, I guess," Helga said, shrugging, "They replaced Will though."
"Yeah, I heard of that. Who did they put in instead?"
Helga smiled, "Rob."
"That should make it easier to act then."
"Did someone say my name?" a tall 18 year old with bluish gray eyes and rowdy raven black hair asked, grinning humorously. He turned to Helga, "So how's my co-star doing?"
"She's in dire need of a frap. Can you get me another?"
"Your usual?"
"Yep."
"Pheebs?"
"My usual as well."
"Low cal?"
"Of course."
"Coming up," Rob said, heading back to the bar. The two watched him as he handed their order to the coffee barista, Jade, who was also a good friend of theirs.
"He has a cute ass," Helga said, raising an eyebrow.
"Helga.."
"What? Can't I appreciate my best friend's ass?"
Phoebe rolled her eyes but broke into a huge smile when she spotted her boyfriend, who had his usual scowl whenever the team had to go overtime.
"Don't look so happy to see us," Helga said, smirking. Gerald scowl deepened slightly but softened to a frown, sighing, "Sorry. The coach was possessed today. He made us run until we had jelly legs. Then he made us do the drills over and over and over again."
"Sounds fun," Phoebe said, taking his hand and tugging for him to sit down.
"Oh, yeah. Loads. You should join us one of these days."
"Your orders, ladies," Rob's voice broke in, placing their drinks before them. He nodded and Gerald, "Killer practice?"
"The worst, man."
"Tsk. Should have just stuck with us thespians. Your order?"
"Just a soda. A huge, tall, teeth-chatteringly cold soda."
"Thought so. Be back in a tick."
"How was your meeting, baby?" Gerald asked Phoebe. His girlfriend sighed, "Those slackers who do the layout still haven't finished. We go to press tomorrow!"
"Don't sweat it," Helga said, waving a hand, "They know that jock boy here would have their head if they disappoint you."
"You're going to perform tonight?" Rob asked Helga as soon as he got back.
"Not tonight…"
Nodding, Rob stole one last look at the blonde girl before making his way to another table.
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"Helga, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Phoebe began as the two walked home together. Gerald had gone ahead to get some rest for the big game coming up. It was a rare moment for the two since, lately, Phoebe had been going insane with the school zine and Helga had been busy with her studies and the latest play, an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice where she was playing Elizabeth Bennet opposite Rob's Fitzwilliam Darcy.
"Yeah?"
"Arnold's coming back."
"…What do you mean?"
Phoebe reached into her bag and pulled out an unsealed envelope, "This is his latest letter. He's coming back to Hillwood with his rents. They'll be here tomorrow."
"And this concerns me, how?" Helga asked stiffly, ignoring the warning bells in her head.
"…So this doesn't bother you?"
"Why should it? Arnold is the past. I've learned to move on. You, of all people, Pheebs, should know that."
"I know, but…Well, I'm glad. He wants all of us to be there to meet him."
"Always one for mushy reunions, isn't he. Fine. I'll be there then."
Phoebe smiled, obviously relieved, "I'm glad. I'll see you at the airport then?"
"Yeah, yeah…"
"I'll leave the letter to you so you can see the details."
The two stopped at the apartment building Helga stayed in and Phoebe waved back at Helga who soon disappeared behind the doors of the elevator, heading for her penthouse apartment at the top floor.
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Helga dropped her bag on the floor of her den and flopped down on the leather armchair nearest to her. Opening the letter, her hands shook slightly, traitors to her former words. She stared at his handwriting, not yet taking in what it said but studying it, admiring the grace in which he writes in, the even strokes of his pen. She shook her head, clearing it.
Dear Phoebe,
Please congratulate Helga on her role as Elizabeth Bennet. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite classics and it is intriguing that your school's theatre group has decided to have that as their next project.
I'm also glad to hear that Gerald is doing okay. All he ever talks about in his letters are his games and some rantings about this and that. But that's Gerald for you.
It's nice to know that Rhonda has finally answered Harold. I know they'll be happy together, just like you and Gerald are.
Even though Palawan is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, it still is not enough to distract me. I miss you all terribly, which brings me to the main reason why I've written to you today.
I'm coming back to Hillwood on the second Saturday of January. I'll be alone, though, and will be staying at the old boarding house. I'll be arriving there at around 7 am, your time. I hope everyone can be there.
It would be great to see you guys again. I'll be attending school in East Hillwood High as well so it would be just like before…
Regards,
Arnold
Her heart pounded, the sound of which reaching her ears. Closing her eyes, she lay her head back against the cool leather, trying to gather her thoughts.
She thought she would never see him again. Ever. But here he was, coming back to Hillwood. She didn't know if she should dance in rejoice or scream in horror.
Just when she was nearly over him.
Just when her life had become bearable.
She stood up and carefully placed the letter and the envelope on the table. Walking to the kitchen, she got herself a glass of cold water and swallowed it in one gulp.
She looked at reflection on the shining marble counter top and smiled ruefully.
At least she wasn't living with her so-called family anymore.
-End of Chapter 1-
Final Note:
How bad was it? Again, this is my first attempt at this so be nice ;
This was a generally short chapter but I hope it was sufficient…This was actually semi-inspired by another fic I read here, Dark At Heart (which is EXCELLENT, by the way…so if you haven't read it, you HAVE to…it's really good). I didn't get the entire plot, of course --; (respecting their intellectual property rights and all that jazz), I only used the element that Arnold was reunited was his parents, went off elsewhere, and was coming back after some time.
So…that's pretty much it for now. Find some time to review, if you can.
― umi ―