Hi, how's everything going? It took me a little while to update because I went back and revised the last two chapters a little. Now, they should be an easier read because before I saw some bad word selection. Oh, well let's continue on with this chapter. P.S. I'm happy everyone enjoyed the last chapter.
Disclaimer: Hey Arnold! does not belong to me, but to its creator Craig Bartlett.
Thanks to all that reviewed the last chapter.
Amelia Badelia- I ever so glad you thought that chapter was ever so wonderful. :) I hope more reviews will be coming because soon school will be coming to an end, but my whole perspective on writing changed. Now, I'm just having fun because it has become so much easier. So, what I'm trying to say is that I do not base how fast I update on how many reviews I get. Of course I love to get them, but it's not as necessary as it was to me before. I'm happy you like the way the plot is going. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Iselyn- I can't believe you missed it either!(J/K) Before I wrote the story Brainy had never even come into my mind as a character, but as the chapters progressed he began to play a part. Eventually, he just grew into a main character. Plus, I wanted something that would separate my story from Helga/Arnold fics. I just hope I did that. Lila, well let me think about her for a minute. I don't know. I think I was just tired of seeing portrayed as some ditzy, evil girl. To me, I honestly believe she is just irritating, but not mean. Thank you so much for adding me on to your list. :)
J.T. – I loved your review because you interpret my writing so well. I'm overjoyed you like my dedication to my reviewers and my story. My thinking is if you take the time to review my story the least I can do is respond to it. But, honestly I love replying to everyone. For my story, I expect nothing but the best from myself and if I don't achieve that I'll be unhappy until I fix it. I never thought of my writing as truly exposing my individuality, but when I think about it the story really does display some emotions I've gone through in the past and possibly recently. Thank you for going more in depth about your explanation of the two kinds of loves. It was very well written. That is a hard question to answer. I really don't know. I've had a somewhat type of problem that relates to Helga in the story, but I don't think I was as engrossed with the boy as Helga is with Arnold. My inspiration doesn't just come from my experiences. A lot of it comes from problems my friends have had, conflicts between my parents. Then, other times it comes from movie/shows I've seen. Most of time, I am able to make some of the story up with no experience at all. Okay, well I hope I've answered your question and thank you so much for it. It really made me think.
blazing wickedness- I glad you thought it was great. I hope you review again. :)
Estel fuga- Sigh, have you reviewed every one of my chapters? Awww, you're my most faithful reviewer. :) I read your story and I thought it was great. Your grammar has improved so much. First, I'll answer point one. I'm not going to say don't be worried about what Brainy sad, but please don't let it ruin what is happening with Helga. I really don't want to say a lot about that because I'm not sure how it will play out. I'll think of something with it later. Now, on to point two. I know it's a hard thing to do, but you're going to have to forgive Lila. Well, hold on, let me rethink that. No never mind you don't have to forgive her because I agree; she is annoying. Point three: I can't tell you. You'll just have to wait and read. I'm so happy that I've been able to keep your interest in my story for so long. It makes me feel I'm achieving my job as a writer. Don't worry; I'm having too much fun not to finish this story. Thanks for reviewing again.
Cook101- It's a long and intriguing debate that will probably never end. Although I think Lila doesn't lead Arnold on purposely, just accidentally. In this fic Lila was like a rebound girl for Arnold because he couldn't have Helga. Yeah, don't worry I'm the same way when it comes to being open minded, but stubborn. It's one of the aspects of my personality that is hard to explain. I glad you were able to come back and read my most recent chapters. I don't think anyone thought Brainy would come out the way he did. OMG! I love I love Lucy. Lucille Ball is like my idol! I need to go check out that part of this site. I want to see what people have written. That makes me feel that my story is special if you chose to write your longest review on mine. I glad it was able to contribute to your thinking. :)
Chapter 11: Fair Impossibilities
It isn't fair. Why can't he love me? Water persisted to rise in Helga's eyes. She couldn't amend it; her heart could not suppress its pain. The bitter taste of irony verged Helga's tongue. Just ten minutes ago her only love had enthralled her with a grasp that had illustrated his care. Ten minutes ago her heart had leapt with ecstasy. Now, it had diminished into a pit of ongoing despair. How could he leave me for Lila? I hate him. I hate her. I hate everybody.
At those reclusive thoughts, Helga began treading down the lonely hallway. Where am I going? I could leave the school, but then what? No place would calm her mood. No place could compensate Arnold's actions against her.
Brainy could not induce her any more agony than what she experienced now. What do I have to lose? Carrying her weighted body, Helga's legs annexed her to the Algebra classroom. Every step forward was another step she became more apprehensive. Can I really go there? Heaviness dug her to the floor. Confidence did not burst from her as before when she stood up right, now her back lurched into an uncomfortable slouch that presented how frail of a person she truly was.
"There it is," she muttered. Helga's eyes traced the open door to her classroom. Scouting behind her, she suddenly adored the ideal of running away, but that would prove nothing. It would only confirm the doubts that would not cease to exist from her mind.
With a gentle urge, Helga forced her feet forward until she stood in the space of the exposed door. From their work, every student's eyes referred their concentration towards her nervous presence.
With the others, Brainy's vision focused on Helga. Relief began to spread through him, stimulating an unnoticed grin to develop on his face. I…was so…worried. But then he observed the expression fixed on Helga's face, an expression of despair and indignation. Nothing shielded her emotions from the accusations of her pupils. Unfeigned emotions were set for Brainy and everyone else to view.
Eye contact showed impossible for Brainy. At his every attempt to capture her stare, Helga's eyes dodged away. She…hates…me. Anxiety clogged his thoughts. Desperately, he lusted for her to emerge in front of his desk and clasp her fingers into his. Reassurance from her was all he desired, but he knew that would not occur. If he wanted something to happen, he would have to execute it himself.
"Nice of you to join us Helga," Ms. Lockhill's voice intermitted Brainy's thoughts, "Is there any reason as to why you're so late?"
"No reason I'd like to tell you," Helga grumbled as she walked to an empty desk that sat in the front of the classroom.
"Excuse me?" Ms. Lockhill grew agitated from lack of respect presented to her.
"Just some personal stuff," Helga finally confided. Shrouding her features, a scowl evolved and for the first occasion she cast an uneasy glance towards Brainy. Every student's gaze followed Helga's to watch Brainy whose face acquired a deep shade of red.
"Next time you have personal stuff, take care of it before class young lady." Casting her back to the class Ms. Lockhill continued to simplify an equation on the chalkboard.
"Of course, Ms. Lockhill," sarcasm piled into Helga's voice. What could she possibly know? She would never understand me. She probably has never gone through anything like this. The word love probably has no meaning at all to her.
"One more statement like that, Miss Pataki, and I'll send you straight to the principal's office." Ms. Lockhill never revolved once to peer at Helga as she spoke those threatening words; instead she became more engrossed with the problem on the chalkboard.
Remaining silent, Helga produced the impulse to respond with a crude remark to the wrinkled woman, but resisted. Removing her notebook from her backpack Helga began copying Ms. Lockhill's notes. It directed her thoughts aside from thinking of her situation with Brainy. Shaking with anticipation, Helga aspired to hurtle an object at him the way he had thrown her locket. He had no right to do that.
"Hey Helga."
Behind her a male voice greeted her. Originally, Helga wished to throw her fist against the idiot who chose to speak to her with all the turmoil raging inside of her. Withstanding the action, Helga rotated to confront her irritation.
"What do you want?" Evolving into a low growl, Helga's voice slowly spoke each word.
"Uh…do you have an extra pencil?" Sid asked. He began fidgeting uneasily in his seat. His black eyes danced everywhere, but Helga's face. One cold stare from her and he knew his life could come to an abrupt halt. Moving through his coarse black hair, his hands anticipated he might need their protection. Hesitantly, he brought them to his desk and lifted a fractured pencil, "Mine broke."
"So? What do I care?" Helga's voice escalated into agitation.
"Attention up here, Helga," Ms. Lockhill commanded folding her arms; she now pointed all her focus on to the disgruntled blonde.
Gradually, Helga shifted her body to the front. Crimeny! I can't do anything without her yelling at me.
"Thank you," Ms. Lockhill stated in a monotone voice as she turned again to the chalkboard.
What… am…I…going to…do? Bringing his hand to his head, Brainy began to ponder all the ideas that could persuade Helga to forgive him. I'll…never get…her…to talk…to me. Tapping his pen against the artificial wood Brainy sashayed his eyes away from the back of his beloved. Maybe…I…could write…her…a…note. Promptly, he tore a piece of paper from his binder and began scribbling words of apology.
Helga, I'm sorry. What can I do for you to forgive me? I still love you.
Love Yours Until the Day I Die,
Brainy
Satisfaction printed itself on Brainy's face as he crumpled the note into a ball and passed it to Rhonda.
"What is this? A love letter?" Rhonda asked suspiciously as she accepted the paper. Nodding his head, Brainy settled into his chair.
"How exciting! For Helga right?" Again Brainy nodded his head at Rhonda's query. "Maybe I should read it." She began to open the letter.
"No!" Brainy wheezed, outreaching his hands towards her.
"What's going on back there?" Ms. Lockhill's voice interrupted Brainy's struggle.
"Nothing Ms. Lockhill. Brainy was just, um, asking me a question about the notes," Rhonda chimed innocently placing the paper on her lap.
"Next time you have a question Brainy, ask me, instead of disrupting the class."
"Okay…"
When Ms. Lockhill returned to her lesson Rhonda turned slightly to look at Brainy, "I won't read it, but I do want to hear all about this later." Brainy didn't respond, but he took a deep sigh of relief when he watched Rhonda pass the note ahead.
In Helga's eyes an empty look resembled as she stared at the chalkboard. Depressing thoughts possessed her because her angry emotions could no longer defend her soul. Concentration became insufferable. Every time her mind started to switch the subject some thing would remind her of how much worry she should feel. I need someone to talk to. But who could she run to? Who would listen to her now? Even Phoebe's high intelligence would not comprehend the devastating conflict of Helga G. Pataki's heart. If I don't tell someone-
"Helga," a boy named Eugene whispered from the desk beside her.
"What?" Helga inquired, her eyes not moving to the red-haired teenager.
"Here, take it. I don't want to get into trouble." Hurriedly, Eugene shoved the crumpled paper onto Helga's desk. Then, as if nothing had sequenced, he returned his focus to Ms. Lockhill's unsettling voice.
Peering at the disassembled note cautiously, Helga immediately understood who had written it. Moving her hand towards it she desired to read it, but every thought that processed through her head ordered her not to. It could cause me more pain. Instead of listening to the objecting reason her fingers undid the note's simple folding. Unhurried, her eyes grazed over the words. There were so few, yet it caused tremendous impact. What could he do for me? Fury pounded her body as she searched her mind for the answer. But the only answer she could resolve to was that there was no answer at all. He could leave me alone. I already have enough questions to answer without having this one. No feelings emerged for Brainy inside herself. She had never felt anything for him, except a fool's heart who wouldn't believe the truth.
Curiosity flowed through Rhonda as she awaited Helga's reaction to the note. Oh, this could be big. Excitement overpowered her at the thought of telling this story to others. Flipping her ebony hair, she continued to watch intently.
Rounding her thin body to encounter Brainy's direction, Helga ripped the note down the middle. Then, she repeated the action. She did it again until no structure showed in the paper. On the floor, it presented itself into tiny, shredded pieces.
Rhonda glanced at Brainy, as did others. Opening wide, his eyes displayed incredulous emotions and his cheeks blushed red. Noticing overseers, he dropped his head into his hands. Returning her gaze to Helga, Rhonda watched as a smile enfolded on the blonde's expression. Oh, this is so good, Rhonda thought as she removed her notebook to write a letter to Nadine.
"That's it Miss Pataki. I've had enough with your disruption," Ms. Lockhill announced, stepping to her desk.
"But I didn't-," Helga started, rising in her seat.
"I don't want to hear it. Get your things and wait for me in the hallway." Lifting her scattered papers, Ms. Lockhill uncovered her pen.
In the room, every student observed as Helga grabbed her backpack and stomped outside the classroom slamming the door behind her.
Horrible feelings submerged Brainy. Now…she'll…never…forgive me. Rejection proved difficult for Brainy and embarrassment overwhelmed him at being so profoundly disregarded in front of his peers. Mostly, he felt concern for his relationship with Helga. He could not process this abrupt change. Life would not appear the same without her. It's all Arnold's fault.
~*~*
Shutting the door softly behind her, Ms. Lockhill walked to the discouraged girl who stood on the opposite side of the hallway.
"First, you arrive tardy to class and then you disrespect me. This is intolerable Helga," Ms. Lockhill postponed for a response from Helga, but continued when she heard none, "If you can give me one good reason why I shouldn't send you to the office, tell me now."
Again, silence. Helga avoided any contact with her teacher's eyes. Why is this happening to me?
"If that's the way you feel. Here's your pass. Don't return to my class until you're ready to apologize," Ms. Lockhill held out her right hand showing Helga a pink slip.
"Sure, whatever you say," Helga retorted, yanking the paper from her teacher's grasp. Spinning around, she walked speedily away.
An unfair sadness ripped at Ms. Lockhill's heart as she watched Helga trek way. What else could she have done? No other choice presented itself to her. Helga had proven impossible. With each day she slipped farther from public contact. In her teaching career, Ms. Lockhill had seen so many teenagers drift into this view of mind and few were able to rescue themselves from it. Silently, Ms. Lockhill prayed Helga would result in establishing herself as one of the few.
A/N: Okay, Not much happened in this chapter. With every chapter I wrote there was so much drama, so in this one I decided to calm it down. The next one will have Arnold in it, so keep reading. Please don't forget to review; I love to heart what you guys think.