Author's note: Thanks for the reviews! When I wrote the first chapter I had no idea where I want to take this story. I only wrote it, because I couldn't sleep that night. Now I have a more-or less complete story in head. Without your support, I'm not sure this story would have ever made it to Chapter 2. But I'm so glad it did. :)

End of an era

"Please, don't let her see me. Please, don't let her see me..." - Arnold bagged as he entered the classroom. Of course he knew, she will see him. Then, the usual smartass comment, and the usual laughing of the class, and the usual humiliation. But for his biggest surprise, she wasn't in the class. In any other class, it wouldn't be strange - Helga was the master of ditching class. But not on math - on math, she sit next to Arnold - and she wouldn't miss a chance like this to torment him.

It wasn't always like this. There was a time when he and Helga was a lot closer to each other. A year after the FTI incident - when he learned how Helga really feels about him - they started dating. As much we can call a 11 year old couple going out watching some movies and smooching in secret of course. He loved Helga, he was able to see the real girl under her disguise, but still, he felt more and more uncomfortable in that relationship. She still behave the old way - and although he knew the whole thing is just an act, the other's didn't. And he only had a little boy's crush on Helga, but the girl was seriously in love with him - the adult way. And it was a little too much for him to handle. He wasn't ready yet for such a serious relationship. Maybe a few years later.

So he decided it's for the best to break up with Helga for a while.

It was the worst decision of his life. Her love turned into hate. Serious, powerful hate.

It wasn't so bad back in 5th grade - Helga was a strange, outsider bully. But in High School, she practically run the place. And if the Big Boss herself didn't like you, well... you had some serious problems to face.

There were three groups in the class. The populars - led by Rhonda, the smart ones - led by Phoebe and the geeks - well, not exactly led but... organized by Eugene. And - "accidentally" - all three leaders were friends of Helga. (For example Rhonda took the place from Lila when she she and Helga became friends.) So, it was really hard for Arnold to find his place. He was part of all three groups and still, he wasn't. If we don't count some of his close friends he was an outsider.

The way Helga seized the power over the class, maybe over the whole school was unbelievable. After they broke up, she started to make some new friends - always the right ones, to extend her influence.

It was ironic - partly, the reason of them breaking up was Helga's lack of people skills. Her unpopularity. So she fought those problems, only to get the necessary power, to make Arnold's life miserable.

Still she never went out with anybody. There was no boy, who had the courage or the will to ask her out. She wasn't really considered as a girl. She was just... Helga. A force of nature.

"Hey man." - Gerald said as Arnold sit down next to him.

"Hey Gerald." - Arnold said. - "Where's Helga?"

"What's wrong with you? You come in here, and Queen Bitch is the first thing on you're mind?" - Gerald asked. Of course Helga wasn't in the class, now Gerald dared to call her that. But of course he was nothing but nice to her. But still, he was still his best friend - even if it made his life among the populars pretty hard - Arnold had to give him the credit for that,

"I was just thinking. I didn't saw her on the bus either. Do you think she's sick?" - he asked hopefully. - "Tell me she's sick Gerald!"

"I'm afraid not buddy." - Gerald said, as he looked out on the window. - "Hid dad's SUV just parked down."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"No... way..." - Helga said to his dad.

"You look wonderful." - Bob said.

"I look like a cheerleader." - Helga said. In her dictionary it meant pseudo-prostitute. She wore a skirt first time in years. It was pretty short - well not horribly, since Bob choose it - but it showed much from her great legs. And the pink top she wore looked pretty cool with her new short-hair style. - "I'm not going in there. These guys supposed to respect me."

"If you can't have both, you prefer if they fear you, than love you? Helga, that's a rule for middle aged, ugly men!" - Bob said. - "I can't believe you're happy without any boys in you're life."

"I had a boy in my life..." - Helga murmured.

"Yeah. You were eleven. Very serious experience really..." - Bob said - "Listen Helga... boys are different... in that age they're slightly interested in girls. They can show more attention to video games. But believe me, at six and seventeen..."

"Bob, you won, I'll go in. I don't want to be here when you get to the "Bees and flowers" part." - she said, as she turned around to go in.

"And one more thing Ol... Helga." - Bob said - "This weekend Miriam and Olga will go visit grandma, and I have a feeling I'll have to "work" all Saturday night. So if you thinking about throwing a party..." - Bob said. Helga raised her eyebrow.

"What's wrong with you?" - she asked - "Seriously? Are you going to die? Another middle life crisis? What?"

"Have fun Missy." - Bob said, as he turned on the engines, and started the car. Helga watched him driving away, then turned around and entered the school. She saw her reflection at the glass-door.

"Great. Hey boys and girls, here comes Barbie's little sister Slutty..." - she murmured, as she looked down at her hands - "Crimney, how a girl supposed to punch someone with these nails? Jeesh..."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"...So, that's how the African Poisonous Bees, settled down in the oldest tree of Hillwood. On dark, gloomy nights, you can still hear their buzzing, as they're looking for enemies, in the name of the Hive... "

"Gerald, this is you're most retarded Urban Legend yet." - Arnold said.

"Even I think it was dumb." - Harold said, as she looked at the door - "Who's the new girl? She's kind of ho... oh my."

"Is that really... her?" - Gerald asked.

"Okay, guys, I'm officially freaking out here." - Arnold said in disbelief. Helga looked so beautiful, so nice so... well, normal.

Rhonda stood up and walked up to her, so did Phoebe.

"Helga, you look... different." - Phoebe said.

"Nice work four-eyes." - Rhonda said - "What happened to you bitch? You look like a real person."

"Th... thanks Rhonda." - Helga said. She was too confused to say anything.

"What? "Thanks Rhonda?" C'mon Helga! Where's the witty comeback?! Stop acting shy please, you creeping me out..."

"You look fabulous Helga." - Lila said.

"Ehm... thanks."

"Helga babe, that's one awsome hair you have there!" - Sid's shouted to her. Babe? Sid actually dared to call her babe? Brainy was lying unconsciously on the floor. Helga walking in looking like this - it was too much for him.

"You should dress like this more often." - Lila said - "I never knew you're so... well pretty. I guess you could even join the cheerleaders..."

"THAT'S IT!" - Helga said. Cheerleaders was the magic word right now. - "Maybe I look a little different, but I'm still me! So back off dorks!" - she screamed at them.

"Yesss, my bitch is back!" - Rhonda murmured in delight.

"So, I'm hot now. Then what?" - she asked. Calling herself hot would sound high and mighty from anyone else. But the way she said it - like something really not that important - was different. She looked over her classmates. They were all looking at the floor in shame.

"Why am I doing this?" - she asked herself - "They were so amazed... even Arnold. This is all I ever wanted..." - despite all the things she said, she really wanted to be "just a cute girl". Even if these people looked up to her, she wasn't one of them. And she longed to be one of them more than anything else.

"By the way, there's a party at my place on Saturday. All you losers are invited. It's gonna be fun. You better be there, or you answer to Old Betsy." - she said and sit down. Well, she tried to be nice at least. But she must still work on that. She peaked at Arnold, who looked back on her questioning. She took a deep breath.

"I said all of you losers. That includes, you pretty much Football Head." - she said.

"Well... thanks... I guess." - Arnold said. They looked at each other for a moment. They did this sometimes - they just couldn't stop glaring at each other.

"Stop looking at me like that! This doesn't mean anything has changed between us." - Helga said angrily.

"I know, I just..." - he just could not take his eyes off her.

"Crimney! Get a freaking Penthouse, pervert." - Helga said. Rhonda giggled a little in cheer behind them. She just loved it when Helga was on fire. - "Or get a copy of Rhonda's yearbook photo. It's pretty much the same category." - she said. Everybody laughed who sat close enough to hear it. The teacher just entered, so Rhonda had no time to respond, so she was just sitting there smiling.

Helga took another peek at Arnold, and laughed happily on the inside. After all, her huge, primitive, father may get the right idea. She just couldn't wait for Saturday night. Things seemed to work out finally.

But of course, she was wrong about that. Things never work out that simple.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, here it is, the first appearance The Man himself. :) I know there wasn't much Bob here, but don't worry, he's still the main character.

Next: Temptations - Where they're gonna PARTY!

So what do you think? Please review! Tell me, even if it sucks! :)