Lonely Girls by King Cheetah
These Hey Arnold! characters aren't mine, but if they were,
this is the sort of stuff I'd do with them.
Rated PG-13 cause I felt like it, and some characters
might just end up nude later. We'll see... ^_^
Enjoy.
This is a new story which is in no way connected to
my NIGHT DRIVE or TRIP WIRE HEARTS story arcs.
Thanks for reading!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All things considered, Lila Sawyer had much to be proud of in her life. In her younger days, she was active in church and social activities, as well as the 4H Club and Campfire Lasses. In the city, she continued charity work and was lured into theater arts, though modestly she'd be the first to admit, this was more of a diversion than vocation; anything to get her away from her stepmother. But the single incident in her life that gave her the most pride, was the loving young couple enjoying each other across the cafeteria from her. Tucked back into the stairwell, Arnold and Helga huddled together, having convinced themselves that they were safe from scrutiny. Holding hands and saying it all with stolen kisses and knowing looks, they themselves were Lila proudest achievement. Getting them together had been a complete fluke, but seizing the moment, she guided them together and let the truth of their feelings for each other finish the job. Seeing them together went along ways to dulling her own feelings of loneliness. She watched intently as Helga received each kiss, feeling a quiet thrill each time, that even she couldn't quite explain.
Arnold had a week left until he took off for Texas, and devoted whatever free time he could to Helga, and even put off a few important tasks to steal an extra moment or two. They were so good together, and each complimented the other to an astonishing degree. And while she had every reason to do so, Helga refused to marginalize her new friend Lila. She'd beg and pleaded with her to join them in their after school activities, but Lila would always gently deflect these well intentioned offers with humor and good grace. Helga deserved this last days alone with Arnold and she'd just be the fifth wheel, she would say, though in truth, her reasons were somewhat darker.
While Helga loved and trusted Arnold beyond all reason, Lila didn't and always felt a vague sense of dread when she was around them. Six years of rebuffing Arnold's unwelcome affections had taken their toll, and she'd always had an uncomfortable feeling that in his final days in town Arnold would say (or do) something stupid just before he left, like... oh, let's say declaring his love for HER, and breaking poor Helga's heart. Now, admittedly, this was unlikely, but she couldn't shake the feeling and as such gave Arnold as few opportunities as possible to make the sort of mistake that could hurt all three of them. The double date on Friday was the only exception to this rule, and it's approach was like the thundering steps of the juggernaught. Hopefully, a whirlwind schedule and the presence of Curly would keep Arnold focused on the true home of his heart. Seeing them together, made her just a bit more confident that this would all work out. That, and the odd combination of shame and thrill she felt watching Helga kiss... was she secretly a voyeur?
Her unwelcomed scrutiny was halted as Curly's Power Puff Girls lunch box clattered noisily on the table before her. "Greetings partner! You're looking delightful this morning!" grinned Curly, seeming to show more teeth than most humans possess. Caught off guard, Lila smiled awkwardly and turned her attentions to her inpromtue lunch mate. "Oh, uh... hello Curly. You're looking well. Decided on your favor yet?"
"Oh, well to be honest with you, I hadn't given it a lot of thought. I just thought it would be advantages to have one in holding, if you get my drift. And please, call me Thaddeus." and again the grin.
"Thaddeus is sort of a mouth full. How about Tadd? Or better yet, Taddpole!" she giggled.
"Taddpole, hmmmm? Not bad, I like that. From tadpole to frog, from frog to prince." he mused.
Lila raised an eyebrow, smiling,"Ah, so now you're a prince, are you? So, what are the plans for Friday, your majesty?"
"Don't ask me, I'm just a hired gun. This is you and Helga's deal. Supper and cinema was my understanding." as he took a mighty chomp out of a sandwich of seasoned duck meat.
"Actually, it's Helga's show, I'm just along for the ride too; well, I guess we both are. She only has a few more days left before he takes off, and I'd rather she just spent that time alone with him. But, she's afraid of leaving me out of things, which is really sweet, but I've tried to explain to her repeatedly that I enjoy being alone. I like my solitude."
"Solitude is a sweet little lie enjoyed by the lonely to make their time more bareble' said Curly dispassionately between duck chomps.
Lila was stunned by his words. He had just laid them out on the table without preamble or intent. It was merely an unguided observation of fact. He offered no more words as she considered him, all his energies devoted to his sandwich. Lila rolled the words about in her head for a time, then presented the results of her analysis; the voice of experience.
"So Cur... uh, Tadd... what do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?"
"Well..." he swallowed the last of the duck, "I read and have taken to riding on my bike. I got a new racing ten-speed for my birthday, so I'm out whenever the weather permits." and smiled a crooked little smile.
She couldn't help but notice that no reference to friends or any human contact entered into his answer. Perhaps fate had saddle the pair with yet another kindred spirit.
That afternoon, Lila and Helga enjoyed another one of their marathon chat sessions courtesy of the Municipal Bus Service. Arnold had other business to attend to, freeing up Ms. Pataki to talk to Lila ABOUT Arnold. But the redhead was only half listening, instead consumed by her chat at lunch with Curly. Catching a break in Helga's filibuster, she asked,"Helga... did you ever have any close friends other than Phoebe? Y'know like, girls you would seriously hang around with?" Helga seemed to be truly caught off guard by the question.
"Well.... not really, I guess. I mean, we were all sort of a tribe back in grade school, y'know? We sorta saw some difference between the girls and the boys, but it wasn't like a hard and fast rule. Hell, back then it was no big deal to just goof off with the guys. Now it makes the school paper if one sits with you at lunch." she said, scratching the back of her neck.
"I was kind of thinking that myself. Before puberty, it was just so easy to get along. I mean, yeah, we played at romance and relationships, but it seemed to be just that, play. The girls feigned womanhood and the boys fancied themselves young men. But we could still do anything together and it was just not a big deal..." said Lila with an air of remorse.
"Well, yeah... I guess. It all pretty much changed in Junior High. I couldn't get any of the guys to play baseball or anything like that. It just felt... weird all of a sudden.... y'know? Gerald in perticular REALLY seemed to have a problem with any of the girls joining in on the sports events. Kinda good that Phoebe hated him so much... gave us an excuse not to hang around with the guys..."
"We were suppose to start doing young lady things, preferably with other young ladies." sneered Lila.
"Eh, well me and Phoebe weren't really any good at that. Neither of us got into dressing up much, I mean, what was the point? I only wanted one guy, but I was terrified of him. And you couldn't get Phoebe and Gerald within ten feet of each other without bloodshed. She was really gun shy about boys after Gerald... stupid asshole." frowned Helga.
"But no other friends? Girl friends?" asked Lila.
"*Sigh*... well, after the big break with Rhonda, Nadine hung around with us, y'know, before she hooked up with Sheena and her friends. But no, I guess not. Me and Phebes pretty much just had each other." Lila grunted an affirmation, then sat quietly looking out the window, which began to unnerve Helga.
"Uh... hey red, is something eatin' you? Anything you want to talk about?"
Lila turned to face her friend just as the tears began to escape,"I just realized for the first time today just how lonely I really am..." and collapsed sobbing onto Helga's shoulder. Quick as she could, Helga grabbed Lila and cradled her as she fought back the tears. "Hey, it's okay... go ahead... What brought this on anyhow?" Sniffling, Lila attempted to compose herself. "Oh god, I-I'm sorry... it's just... I've been spending all my time pretending that I'm happy with my life... but I'm NOT! I... just can't keep on acting like I'm okay with this. I can't!" Helga felt a pang of remorse. Here was exactly what she had been feeling all this time, but had been too afraid to admit, even to herself. She hugged Lila a little tighter and rested her cheek on her forehead. Nothing else was said during the long ride, even though they made two full circuits of the bus line... she just held her friend and thought about their shared situation.
To Be Continued
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more teen Hey Arnold! fanfic, check out:
and for Hey Arnold! fanfic that's a little on the spicy side, try:
Thanks for reading!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
These Hey Arnold! characters aren't mine, but if they were,
this is the sort of stuff I'd do with them.
Rated PG-13 cause I felt like it, and some characters
might just end up nude later. We'll see... ^_^
Enjoy.
This is a new story which is in no way connected to
my NIGHT DRIVE or TRIP WIRE HEARTS story arcs.
Thanks for reading!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All things considered, Lila Sawyer had much to be proud of in her life. In her younger days, she was active in church and social activities, as well as the 4H Club and Campfire Lasses. In the city, she continued charity work and was lured into theater arts, though modestly she'd be the first to admit, this was more of a diversion than vocation; anything to get her away from her stepmother. But the single incident in her life that gave her the most pride, was the loving young couple enjoying each other across the cafeteria from her. Tucked back into the stairwell, Arnold and Helga huddled together, having convinced themselves that they were safe from scrutiny. Holding hands and saying it all with stolen kisses and knowing looks, they themselves were Lila proudest achievement. Getting them together had been a complete fluke, but seizing the moment, she guided them together and let the truth of their feelings for each other finish the job. Seeing them together went along ways to dulling her own feelings of loneliness. She watched intently as Helga received each kiss, feeling a quiet thrill each time, that even she couldn't quite explain.
Arnold had a week left until he took off for Texas, and devoted whatever free time he could to Helga, and even put off a few important tasks to steal an extra moment or two. They were so good together, and each complimented the other to an astonishing degree. And while she had every reason to do so, Helga refused to marginalize her new friend Lila. She'd beg and pleaded with her to join them in their after school activities, but Lila would always gently deflect these well intentioned offers with humor and good grace. Helga deserved this last days alone with Arnold and she'd just be the fifth wheel, she would say, though in truth, her reasons were somewhat darker.
While Helga loved and trusted Arnold beyond all reason, Lila didn't and always felt a vague sense of dread when she was around them. Six years of rebuffing Arnold's unwelcome affections had taken their toll, and she'd always had an uncomfortable feeling that in his final days in town Arnold would say (or do) something stupid just before he left, like... oh, let's say declaring his love for HER, and breaking poor Helga's heart. Now, admittedly, this was unlikely, but she couldn't shake the feeling and as such gave Arnold as few opportunities as possible to make the sort of mistake that could hurt all three of them. The double date on Friday was the only exception to this rule, and it's approach was like the thundering steps of the juggernaught. Hopefully, a whirlwind schedule and the presence of Curly would keep Arnold focused on the true home of his heart. Seeing them together, made her just a bit more confident that this would all work out. That, and the odd combination of shame and thrill she felt watching Helga kiss... was she secretly a voyeur?
Her unwelcomed scrutiny was halted as Curly's Power Puff Girls lunch box clattered noisily on the table before her. "Greetings partner! You're looking delightful this morning!" grinned Curly, seeming to show more teeth than most humans possess. Caught off guard, Lila smiled awkwardly and turned her attentions to her inpromtue lunch mate. "Oh, uh... hello Curly. You're looking well. Decided on your favor yet?"
"Oh, well to be honest with you, I hadn't given it a lot of thought. I just thought it would be advantages to have one in holding, if you get my drift. And please, call me Thaddeus." and again the grin.
"Thaddeus is sort of a mouth full. How about Tadd? Or better yet, Taddpole!" she giggled.
"Taddpole, hmmmm? Not bad, I like that. From tadpole to frog, from frog to prince." he mused.
Lila raised an eyebrow, smiling,"Ah, so now you're a prince, are you? So, what are the plans for Friday, your majesty?"
"Don't ask me, I'm just a hired gun. This is you and Helga's deal. Supper and cinema was my understanding." as he took a mighty chomp out of a sandwich of seasoned duck meat.
"Actually, it's Helga's show, I'm just along for the ride too; well, I guess we both are. She only has a few more days left before he takes off, and I'd rather she just spent that time alone with him. But, she's afraid of leaving me out of things, which is really sweet, but I've tried to explain to her repeatedly that I enjoy being alone. I like my solitude."
"Solitude is a sweet little lie enjoyed by the lonely to make their time more bareble' said Curly dispassionately between duck chomps.
Lila was stunned by his words. He had just laid them out on the table without preamble or intent. It was merely an unguided observation of fact. He offered no more words as she considered him, all his energies devoted to his sandwich. Lila rolled the words about in her head for a time, then presented the results of her analysis; the voice of experience.
"So Cur... uh, Tadd... what do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?"
"Well..." he swallowed the last of the duck, "I read and have taken to riding on my bike. I got a new racing ten-speed for my birthday, so I'm out whenever the weather permits." and smiled a crooked little smile.
She couldn't help but notice that no reference to friends or any human contact entered into his answer. Perhaps fate had saddle the pair with yet another kindred spirit.
That afternoon, Lila and Helga enjoyed another one of their marathon chat sessions courtesy of the Municipal Bus Service. Arnold had other business to attend to, freeing up Ms. Pataki to talk to Lila ABOUT Arnold. But the redhead was only half listening, instead consumed by her chat at lunch with Curly. Catching a break in Helga's filibuster, she asked,"Helga... did you ever have any close friends other than Phoebe? Y'know like, girls you would seriously hang around with?" Helga seemed to be truly caught off guard by the question.
"Well.... not really, I guess. I mean, we were all sort of a tribe back in grade school, y'know? We sorta saw some difference between the girls and the boys, but it wasn't like a hard and fast rule. Hell, back then it was no big deal to just goof off with the guys. Now it makes the school paper if one sits with you at lunch." she said, scratching the back of her neck.
"I was kind of thinking that myself. Before puberty, it was just so easy to get along. I mean, yeah, we played at romance and relationships, but it seemed to be just that, play. The girls feigned womanhood and the boys fancied themselves young men. But we could still do anything together and it was just not a big deal..." said Lila with an air of remorse.
"Well, yeah... I guess. It all pretty much changed in Junior High. I couldn't get any of the guys to play baseball or anything like that. It just felt... weird all of a sudden.... y'know? Gerald in perticular REALLY seemed to have a problem with any of the girls joining in on the sports events. Kinda good that Phoebe hated him so much... gave us an excuse not to hang around with the guys..."
"We were suppose to start doing young lady things, preferably with other young ladies." sneered Lila.
"Eh, well me and Phoebe weren't really any good at that. Neither of us got into dressing up much, I mean, what was the point? I only wanted one guy, but I was terrified of him. And you couldn't get Phoebe and Gerald within ten feet of each other without bloodshed. She was really gun shy about boys after Gerald... stupid asshole." frowned Helga.
"But no other friends? Girl friends?" asked Lila.
"*Sigh*... well, after the big break with Rhonda, Nadine hung around with us, y'know, before she hooked up with Sheena and her friends. But no, I guess not. Me and Phebes pretty much just had each other." Lila grunted an affirmation, then sat quietly looking out the window, which began to unnerve Helga.
"Uh... hey red, is something eatin' you? Anything you want to talk about?"
Lila turned to face her friend just as the tears began to escape,"I just realized for the first time today just how lonely I really am..." and collapsed sobbing onto Helga's shoulder. Quick as she could, Helga grabbed Lila and cradled her as she fought back the tears. "Hey, it's okay... go ahead... What brought this on anyhow?" Sniffling, Lila attempted to compose herself. "Oh god, I-I'm sorry... it's just... I've been spending all my time pretending that I'm happy with my life... but I'm NOT! I... just can't keep on acting like I'm okay with this. I can't!" Helga felt a pang of remorse. Here was exactly what she had been feeling all this time, but had been too afraid to admit, even to herself. She hugged Lila a little tighter and rested her cheek on her forehead. Nothing else was said during the long ride, even though they made two full circuits of the bus line... she just held her friend and thought about their shared situation.
To Be Continued
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more teen Hey Arnold! fanfic, check out:
and for Hey Arnold! fanfic that's a little on the spicy side, try:
Thanks for reading!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------