Adulthood is never easy, especially when you encounter your own special personal candy poison after eight years of forgetting about it.
FieryFrost
...Poison
Part Two
Arnold watched as Helga talked quietly with Gerald for a few minutes before she started to help Phoebe clean up the table. Helga could feel Arnold's gaze but she choose not to acknowledge it... after all it had been eight years and they had ended it that day, and Helga Pataki preferred that it be kept that way. His gaze disturbed her as much as it was familiar to her— she felt the same deep blue gaze that seemed to look straight threw a person by staring at their eyes. He was the exact reason why she favored wearing sun glasses.
She really hated his gaze– especially when it was on her.
)FF(
Fourteen Years Ago...
Helga entered Crinshaw High School her senior year and took the school by storm. She had always been intelligent, and funny (at least to people who liked dry humor), but California had given her confidence and the swagger in her walk, the smiles at the varsity football guys, the more and more feminine clothes that showed up in her wardrobe.
She joined almost every academic club she could and made her way onto the varsity winter track team. The school a buzz with Helga– and Helga, who started to use her California nickname, H.G.– knew it.
Arnold knew it.
Arnold and Helga shared many classes together and generally sat close together because their last names were very close. Arnold found himself spending many days in his Language Arts class simply staring at this new Helga. This new Helga intrigued him just as much as the old one did– maybe even more. Alas, every time Arnold tried to talk to Helga, she found herself "remembering" things that needed to be done immediately.
Helga knew this frustrated Arnold to the ends of the Earth, which was probably why she was tempted to do it more often, sometimes she dropped a few suggestive winks or looks, just for the hell of it. And it was then she learned her first cardinal rule about men– Never ever mess with fire unless you fully intend to use it, roast a marshmallow in it, or put it out... permanently, otherwise it can be very, very dangerous.
It was after school in January when the two blondes enjoyed a walk around the empty hallways of the school before they would run off to their respective clubs, and somehow they got onto the topic off their sophomore year, when they were dating. That's when Helga decided to open her big mouth and said, "Hmm. I think I remember you being a good kisser," Helga paused and threw a wink at Arnold. "But maybe after a year or so in Cali my senses and memory may have dulled, maybe I'm wrong. I guess I'll never remember now Arno–"
Helga never got to finish her sentence because within moments, she found herself being thoroughly kissed by Arnold Linshaw... and to her surprise, or maybe non-surprise, she was returning his kiss with as much vigor that he had. When she finally gathered her senses, Helga pushed Arnold away and started to scream at the taller blonde. "What the hell was that?"
"Most people nowadays call it a kiss." Arnold said before he gave her cryptic smile took a step closer to her, and she took a step backwards. Then he took a step backwards and once more Helga took a step backwards, trying to maintain the safe distance between them. This continued until Helga found herself between a rock and a hard place– or rather a wall and Arnold Linshaw towering over her, smiling.
"Scared H.G.?" Arnold asked as his cryptic smile turned into a smirk. On any other day, Helga would comment about how he said H.G. with such vehemence, almost as if he hated her nickname, but at that point it was not any other day.
"Hardly Linshaw, I mean you can't even scare a fly on good day."
"So why did you back away from me?"
"I just really don't like having guys kiss me out of nowhere with no rhyme or reason– that's just not my style."
Arnold's pink tongue darted out of his mouth to lick his slightly red lips before he started to close the gap between his and Helga's face. "Oh, H.G. you really shouldn't tempt a person if your not going to deliver," He licked his lips once again but this time Helga's eyes followed his tongue.
"I wasn't tempting you, I was only–"
"Just stop talking." Arnold said right before he crashed his lips against hers and it seemed like it was recap of their sophomore year when they shared their first kiss– the deadly craving of Poison Candy awakening in both of them.
Which was probably why they began to go out together again, even though Arnold was still seeing Lila. In the public eye, Arnold and Lila were the it couple, but when it came down to it, Arnold was Helga's and Helga was Arnold's– no matter who she dated.
After school they met in the Language Arts Hallway before they found an empty room and made out until a) they had to go home b) go to their after school clubs and or sport practices or c) were on the verge of being caught. Helga spent numerous nights at his house sleeping his room next to him on his bed, and every once in while he would sleep over her house. How they managed to do this almost every night for five months, neither one knew, but they really care to know because they didn't want or need to be caught. It also helped that if anything, Phoebe and Gerald were their alibis and they had excuses ready for whichever parental unit called.
The end of the year caught the seniors of Crinshaw High School before anyone could have guessed, and before they knew it, it was the night of the prom. Arnold took Lila and Helga went with a football jock. Helga spent most her night by the snack table, as her date gulped down everything in sight and maybe even out of sight, trying to convince him to dance.
Arnold danced with Lila during the prom and had a good time, but spent the night with Helga... and this seemed to proceed them into to college. Once again to the outside world Arnold was with Lila and maybe he was, but their was something that drew him to Helga, something very dangerous and there was something about Arnold that made sure Helga could not escape from him for very long.
It was the story of their lives.
While Lila went to college in New Jersey, Arnold decided to go to college in New York, Manhattan to be precise, along with another blonde who was going to a college in the same city.
The affair between Helga and Arnold continued on for six years, without anyone, with the exception of Phoebe and Gerald, knowing. It wasn't until twenty-four that some else was clued in onto their secret, but unfortunately, neither Arnold nor Helga knew about them.
Lila Sawyer decided on the spur of the moment kind of idea to visit her beau as a surprise and maybe even spend the weekend with him at his apartment. She traveled an hour from New Jersey into New York, and when she got their she saw Arnold Linshaw leaning against the building of his apartment. Just when she was about to reveal herself to him she was shocked to see a tall leggy blonde covered his eyes before whispering something in his ear.
But that wasn't what really shocked.
Oh no, it was Arnold's reaction to the tall leggy blonde that shocked Lila Sawyer. For you see, instead of turning around and giving the blonde a small hug, Arnold turned around and kissed the blonde flush on the lips. A kiss that was heated and passionate, Lila could literally feel the heat waves radiating off of them and burning her. The blonde didn't push Arnold away, oh no, instead she leaned in closer to him. It looked like two young lovers meeting up with each other on beautiful day in the city, to every one, everyone but Lila Sawyer who was the actual girlfriend of Arnold Sawyer.
When the kiss finally ended, and both blondes decided the actually needed to breath, Arnold slung an arm around the blonde's waist, and they headed off to eat at a local diner, neither realizing that Lila was following them, or that Lila was sitting in the booth right behind their's when the got to the diner, or that Lila heard their entire conversation.
"So how's Columbia treating you, Helga?"
"Same old, same old. And how's NYU? I never understood why you decided to go to a school where they have a high student suicide rate..."
"They gave me a damn good scholarship, who am I to complain about the suicides? Plus as you can see I am still sane and intact."
"How wonderful for me."
"You seemed to enjoy that I was all intact last week."
"What can I say, it's hard not to enjoy myself."
"Perv."
"Hey you brought up the topic..."
Lila sat completely still, barely even believing what she heard, there was no way her boyfriend was cheating on her with Helga G. Pataki. Her ears must be making some fateful mistake... right?
For a half an hour Helga and Arnold sat in the diner talking, eating, joking around, and unwittingly letting Lila now the extent of their friendship.
"Arnold I've got something I need to tell you."
"What's wrong?"
"Columbia extended me an offer to take up my studies in France."
"That's wonderful! When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, bright and early."
"HELGA–"
"I know, I know, I should've told you when I they first accepted two months ago."
"Two months ago! Hel–"
"I figured it would be best if I didn't, this way I couldn't back out of this, or back out of telling you I don't think we should see each other any more."
"The sad part is that I saw that one coming and almost agree."
"I'm going to miss you."
Then there was silence.
"Arnold that was your cue to say you are going to miss me too."
"Why should I say it when both you and I already know it's true."
"Your such a sweetheart. So, you forgive me for not telling you, right?"
"Nope, but I figured I might as well enjoy my last day with you, then I can thoroughly be mad and pissy tomorrow morning."
Helga laughed and soon Lila could hear Arnold join her.
"You know what Arnold, I like you."
"I sort of figured that one out a while ago on our prom night."
"You have such a fresh mouth! Can I get in one good sentence without you turning it into meaning something else."
"No."
"Well this time just listen to me now and let finish this sentence alright. You know the real reason why I am leaving is because I think you and Lila really should continue you relationship, without me being a distraction to you."
"But you're a good distraction."
"True, but you know what I mean. C'mon we've doing this for six years, I think it's about time we stop."
"Yea, it's been a fun six years."
"Yup," Helga sighed. "I can't believe I am actually willingly giving you completely to Lila Sawyer."
"Neither can I. "
"Shut up! C'mon let's go somewhere fun on my last day in America, like the movies."
"I like the movies, although I don't pay much attention to the movies while I'm there."
"Perv."
And with that the two blondes paid for their food and headed off to the movies, but Lila did not follow them. No instead she sat quietly in her seat, reeling from what she just heard. She stayed that way for ten minutes before a snooty waitress came up to her table and asked, "Are you going to eat or just sit there 'cause I would really like to make some money today."
)FF(
The adults sat around the table finishing up their meal as some cleared up after others who were finished as the kids ran wildly around the backyard.
"So HG, what are you going to do while you're here?" Rhonda asked breaking the comfortable silence.
Helga plopped down in her chair finished with helping Phoebe. "Relax and get away from the prying eyes pf the public."
"Sounds easy enough."
"It does, doesn't it."
Phoebe took a large bite of her hot dog and swallowed it before she spoke. "I think maybe you should have a look around Hillwood and see how much it changed since you were in highschool."
"I guess I might do that, but that means I need a tour guide... this is beginning to become depressing."
"I volunteer Arnold." Gerald said with a small smile on his face that only his wife, his best friend, and the woman who he once thought was a pain in the ass as a child, saw. "He isn't really working right now cause it's summer break and somehow knows more about the towns change than any of us."
Helga and Arnold made eye contact and they both smirked at each other.
"Why not." Arnold said not breaking eye contact with Helga.
"Okay. So are you free on Tuesday to give me this grande tour of Hillwood, New Jersey?"
"Yup."
"Then it's settled." Helga broke eye contact with Arnold and turned to face Rhonda. "So Rhonda, know any good places where I can find some Manolos?"
Harold groaned. "Helga, people are no longer allowed to say the words M-A-N-O-L-O-S or S-H-O-
I-N-G, around my wife, it only leads to disasters regarding the balance of our credit cards.
Rhonda slapped Harold's arm. "Don't listen to him. I know some good places, but they're in the city. Do you wanna take a shopping trip tomorrow."
"I thought you'd never ask... and Pheebs you definitely need to come... I caught a glimpse of your wardrobe and shoes, leave the kiddies in the hands of Gerald. I sure daddy can't wait for some alone time with his children."
Gerald groaned only to be slapped on his arm by his wife.
"Just for that, I will be going."
Everyone at the table laughed. Helga had successfully switched the gears of the conversation and no one really seemed to remember what they were talking about a moment ago... with the exception of a select few.
No names need to be mentioned, right?
)FF(
Nope, I don't own Hey Arnold! or anything else you recognize. Okay, that was the background of Arnold's and Helga's history together. Now to get into the real story. Thank you Jaded Angel, Justin T. Melanson, Raine 84, lilmelfina64, Raven Princess of Azerath, cc17 and Drucilla Black for the encouraging reviews. Hey it only took me three months to update... I'm sure you're all very glad... hehe...
You know ya wanna press the non-shinny review button, do it, do it, DO IT!
S.L. Cipher (Who will gladly accept all criticisms, advice, reviews, praises, and flames with a large Cheshire Cat like smile just because Cheshire Cat are just too fun)
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