This story could possibly be coming to an end soon. I just don't know. I guess it just depends on what happens in the next chapter. I hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!. It belongs to other people.
Thanks to those who have reviewed.
PopStarOE- I've had plenty of teachers like that, but now I would like to forget them. I like Rhonda and Eugene too. I thought they would help the story be more interesting because I saw that I haven't used many other characters from the show. I wasn't sure about Eugene's character, but thanks for the reassurance. Thanks for the review.
Estel fuga- I just saw that your story was updated and I will definitely read the new chapter. That the great challenge in life, but it separates the believers from the achievers (sounds corny, but its true). It is all about if you're knocked down do you possess the strength to start over. That's true about Arnold. I think he will eventually understand as will Helga, but I won't promise anything yet. I still see so many twists there could be in this story. Brainy, probably is selfish. But if he is I don't think he does it on purpose. He just doesn't understand why Helga wants to ruin something he believed was so perfect. Do you mean when are Helga and Arnold going to really talk to each other or Helga and Brainy? With either couple I really don't know, but it will probably be soon. Thank you so much in having that type of faith in my writing. I promise I will not let you down. I am an author who loves the unexpected, but who knows? :) I'm so glad you think of my story as amazing; I try to achieve the best. I'm glad you like my interpretation of life. I don't know if it's my life, but I do have some experiences that are fun to talk about. You have a nice day too.
Yardbird9- I read your story about Brainy and it definitely gave me a new look on the guy. When you think about it he is such an interesting character because there are so many ways he can be taken. In this story, I just felt he was someone who was a deeply emotional individual who has some insecurities of his own that need to be taken care of. Sometimes I worry about the wording of my story and if it becomes too complicated to understand. Thank you for giving me that compliment. I'm happy you think the story is good on detail because that is a main priority in my writing. I think that when the reader is able to see a mental picture of a scene than they are better able to understand the story. I'm happy to see you like my story and please don't be alarmed with some of the things Brainy says. It will all come together in the end.
J.T.- You have no idea how much that means to me to read how my story has caught your attention so much. Before I wrote this fic I had no idea how well my writing would be received since it is my first story. You gave me so many compliments I really don't know what to say, but that won't stop me. I never thought of myself as some fantastic writer because in all reality it takes me a lot of thinking to come up with half of the stuff I talk about. When I hear from reviewers like you it just makes me want to become better and work harder. A goal I had before I started writing this story was to make it unique from other fics posted and I'm so happy you think it has achieved that. Like I've said before, life is all about what you can get from your experiences, but sometimes your experiences can't always help you. Sometimes, you just have to create your own emotions and learn from them. I have no idea if that made any sense at all, but it did when I wrote it. That type of writing is rare to find, but when you can I believe you should treasure and never forget it. I guess I just relate to human nature; like I just understand some of the emotions that fill a person. Again, when I first wrote this story I never thought of it as a circumstance to deal with. I just wrote as if Arnold had been born to love Helga. I am so glad you took that time to check out my story.
Tinánia Legolinde- Yay! I'm so glad you reviewed. I was beginning to get worried. :) You don't have to cry because I forgive you. I'm so happy you like the chapters. I've been waiting to see what you think. Yeah I don't know how that whole Brainy getting revenge on Arnold id going to play out. I haven't decided yet. Did you see Oprah? I think they had Orlando Bloom on. Seventeen more days for me. I'm so excited although I have no idea what I am going to do all summer. Again, you are forgiven and I will definitely let you know the name of my next story. I'm not sure what it will be about though. Much love and thanks for FINALLY coming to review again. :)
Chapter 11: Hope Reincarnated
Sprinting down the hallway, Arnold desperately prayed that Helga still abided against the cold metal of the lockers. With each swift stride he amounted closer to his first encounter of freedom. A freedom he had never affronted in his meager fifteen years of life. This new freedom proffered so true, so exact, so powerful. Never had Arnold felt such great control for himself. It seemed as if the many years of torture towards his love life had never occurred.
This time when his eyes sighted Helga, Arnold would not confront the fear of not comprehending what to say. All the words were already scripted inside his head from the instant he had left Lila. This opportunity would not befall him. Now that he had Lila's permission Arnold apprehended that everything would progress perfectly. No longer did he feel forebode at how Helga could react to his profession of love. He already knew the answer. During that brief moment in the hallway where they had embraced each other, she had spoken all he needed to hear when she did not pull away. If Lila had not intermitted them Arnold sensed that Helga would have affirmed her love for him. Never had he expected that. After Arnold had advanced towards Helga he believed he would receive her fist in his mouth, but instead her body softened at his warm touch. The truth is so… Arnold couldn't think of any word that would come close to the emotions he experienced flowing through his body now.
Exasperation satiated Arnold's lungs as he ceased his body's movements abruptly. Where's Helga? Switching from left to right, his head violently searched for her. He knew the basis of his plan proved too easy. Helga had already left.
As to good fortune to Arnold, the hallway remained desolate as he stood in the middle exasperated. Allowing his arms to drop to his sides, he turned his eyes to the watch on his wrist. First period is halfway over. I guess I should still go.
Once more, Arnold cast his eyes behind him to check, if by coincidence, Helga stood there. To his hapless dismay, fate had not chosen to place her near him.
So close…Arnold's thoughts began to trail as he treaded forward to his English class. Sometime later, he would descry another place to inform her of his infatuation.
This is so frustrating! Why can't that old hag ever leave me alone?! Unhurried, Helga trekked to the principal's office. No way had she deserved this inhumane punishment. Why am I the only one who got in trouble? I wasn't the only one talking.
"Look at me. I'm Ms. Lockhill and my favorite thing to do is ruin the lives of my students," Helga mocked, placing her right hand on her hip in a very teacher-like manner and then she squinted her eyes tightly as if she could not see anything around her. What a crock!
A major piece of Helga appeared pleased to have her focus appointed somewhere else instead of Arnold and Brainy. Stress had begun to relieve itself from her weary body allowing her to savor brevity of peace. Moving her footsteps quicker, Helga now desired to encounter the principal. Excitement filled her at the opportunity of escaping her confounding emotions on someone else who could have no opinion that mattered to her. She hurried to a jog of leisure until she arrived at the door to the office. Her eyes wandered to the plaque nailed to the side of it where the principal's name showed: Mr. Jonesbury.
For a moment, Helga's hand gripped the doorknob suddenly comprehending as to why she permitted her body to bring her here. I hate getting into trouble. If Bob finds out about this, he'll have me in for sure. Reluctantly, she turned the doorknob and peered inside the small room. From above, dim lights illuminated the grey walls creating a discreet atmosphere and all around bookcases filled with overwhelming amounts of books threatened boredom to Helga. Behind a massive desk sat a round man who seemed so preoccupied in his work he did not notice an intruder enter the space. Too impatient to wait Helga interrupted him.
"Excuse me?" Helga bellowed. She straightened her back attempting to appear intimidating, "How long do I have to wait before I can get some service in here?"
"Hmm…Oh Hello," the principal responded in a stern voice as he tended his eyes upwards. Gradually, he set aside his stack of paperwork from his view, "Can I help you?"
"Ms. Lockhill sent me here," Helga said, dispensing to him her pink slip. As she waited for his response Helga slumped into an overstuffed chair that sat opposite of the principal's desk.
"Helga Pataki is your name I see," he noted still eyeing the slip.
"You got it," Helga replied not bothering to bring her attention to him. Instead, she mindlessly picked at a scab located on her arm.
"And you're in here for behavior problems."
"Gee, you're two for two. It must be your lucky day."
Ignoring her disrespect, Mr. Jonesbury scooted his chair closer to his desk. "What did you do?"
"Nothing, Ms. Lockhill just has it in for me because I was late to her class," Helga answered, moving her gaze towards him.
"I surely doubt that young lady," he said depositing the pink paper on to the tedious, mahogany wood of his desk.
"I like to be called by my name," Helga retorted, now locking her penetrating stare to his eyes.
"Maybe if you acted more respectful towards your elders I would call you by your name."
"Can I leave?" Helga looked towards the door which now appeared to be drifting farther away from her liberation.
"Not yet, we haven't discussed your punishment." Lurching forward into chair menacingly, he laid his elbows on to his desk's solid surface.
"Okay, look, I didn't do anything wrong. I don't deserve to be punished," Helga's voice propagated to a louder tone as she rose from her seat and placed two hands on his desk.
"Watch that tone," Mr. Jonesbury snapped at her, authority resounding in his voice. Then, he pulled away and rested a finger on his second chin thoughtfully, "I think two days of detention and a trip to the counselor would serve you well."
"That is not fair. It is against all of my rights and some other mumbo jumbo like that. I won't- Did you say counselor?" Lowering to her seat, Helga became quiet.
"I believe I did."
"But why? Is it because you think I'm some psychotic mental case who can't take care of her own problems?"
"Not at all. I am not trying to judge you, but it is obvious to me and, I'm sure to others around you, that you seem to be experiencing some, er, anger and emotional conflicts. I think the counselor would be able to help you." Ascending from his leather chair, he stepped around his desk and towards Helga where he fixed his hand upon her shoulder, "I'm sorry if this came as a surprise to you."
"Can I go?" Helga asked impatiently, coveting to remove herself from the principal's touch.
"Yes, but I want you to go straight to the counselor," Mr. Jonesbury said moving back to his desk for the retrieval of a pass. Lengthening his arm, he accorded her with a blue piece of paper, "Show this to them and tell them I sent you."
With the paper less than secured in her hand, Helga paced to the door, now closer than before, and opened it.
"Oh and Helga," he watched as she rotated back to him, a scowl present on her face, "You will start serving your detentions tomorrow. And if I find out you did not go I will not hesitate to suspend you." Not responding, Helga walked away from the room shutting the door gently behind her.
Long after Arnold had departed, Lila still lingered in the hallway. Against the impersonal metal of the lockers she sat curled with her legs at her side and her hands pressed to the floor. For the first time in her life she felt depressed. Of course there had been instances when she had experienced sadness. Such as when she watched all the ill stories on the news of a person in a dismal state, or when she saw an animal in distress, or when she witnessed her father losing his last job, or even when the neighborhood ice cream man, The Jolly Olly Man, ran out of her favorite ice cream flavor, pistachio. But none of those times compared to this. This showed as an empty, lonely, unsatisfying depression, a depression that she could not solve with her own wisdom, but one where she had to seek the advice of another for a solution. But who? She had no one who she knew well enough that could relate to her smiting emotions.
Lila had lusted for Arnold to love her, to care for her, to treat her with the embracing respect she had always deserved, but now she understood his heart belonged to someone else. It seems ever so funny. I remember when I used to not even like him. Look at me now. Bringing her hand to her face, she wiped away a lone tear that had crawled from her eye. Then, she lowered her hand to her cheek where Arnold had bestowed to her a kiss. If only he had done that on my lips. He wouldn't have left me then. Grasping on to her bended knees, Lila wished all her worried thoughts away, but it didn't happen so easily. A broken heart would belong to her until over time it decided to heal itself. I really did like him like him.
"The bell will ring ever so soon. Maybe I should wash my face." With difficulty, Lila stood and began her journey to the girl's restroom, but as she entered she overheard a female voice.
"Oh why me? Why does everything bad have to happen to me? Everything in my life is wrong. I've left the only guy who ever loved me for another who doesn't even like me. How can fate be so harsh?" the voice cried, "And now people think I'm crazy."
Helga! The alarming thought waded into Lila's mind. I can't ever so see her now. She must hate me. Lila back trekked from the bathroom, but halted. I wonder who she was talking about. Again she took laggard steps into the bathroom to confront the girl who presented herself as the reason for Lila's crushed love.
"Why? Why m-."
"Uh, Helga," Lila spoke in a hushed voice.
Startled, Helga stared towards the curious brunette who took another step toward her. Scrolling her bewildered eyes down, Helga stiffened closer to the wall where she had become accustomed to. Why does she have to be here?
"Helga?"
"What?! What do you want?" Helga's voice weakened as she spoke the last sentence. With each word that sprouted from her unsteady tongue, the shield around her depleted.
"I was just ever so curious as to who you were talking about?" Lila confided cautiously, taking another step closer to Helga's unpredictable frame.
"What do you care little miss perfect?"
Wincing slightly at Helga's old grade school name for her, Lila continued, "I was just ever so wondering."
"Well it's none of your beeswax." Walking into a stall, Helga hurriedly yanked at the toilet paper to wipe her eyes.
Lila comprehended she would not accomplish anything by asking questions. Helga proved too stubborn. Deciding to be audacious, Lila inquired, "Was it Arnold?"
Immediately, Helga refrained from clearing her nose. Her eyes pounced on Lila and then resided to the floor. Why that little-. How does she-? What does she know?
"Arnold who?"
"I think you ever so know who I am referring to."
"Oh, that Arnold. No, it wasn't him," Helga stated. Steadily, she attempted to distance herself from Lila.
"Then who?" Lila asked. Not wanting to emerge intimidating, she walked to the sink and peered carelessly at her reflection in the mirror.
"Sheesh, what is this? Twenty questions?" Helga interrogated, firmly planting herself against the wall.
"Oh, I'm ever so sorry. It just hurts me to see you denying you're oh so obvious love for Arnold." Annoyingly, Lila coiled a strand of hair around her slender finger as she asked the question innocently.
"My what?!" Helga yipped dumfounded. She could not apprehend this conversation any longer. It seemed so sudden. All of her physical body reacted to the statement. Her ears rung violently at the truth of Lila's words, inside her chest, the heart in which she had achieved in breaking so many times, beat rapidly. Above her diaphragm, Helga's lungs heaved drastically in their fight for precious air.
"Your love for Arnold." Lila pronounced her words calmly. On the outside, she acted as if she did not care, but inside she trembled with defeat. Speaking with Helga confirmed all the unsure suspicions Lila had expected.
"How could you possibly know about my love for Ar-," Helga stopped herself suddenly, but she attested too late. She had just conferred Lila with all the ammunition she needed. I'm so stupid. She used one of my old tricks against me. How could I fall for that? Tenderly, Helga slammed her hand against her forehead.
"That's what I thought." Tears brimmed Lila's eyes, but she forced them to remain at her eyelashes. She would not permit her defeat to proffer. Smile Lila. On her delicate face a defiled grin unfolded.
"Lila, if you tell him any aspect of this conversation I'll pound you so hard you'll never be able to smile again," Helga threatened through clenched teeth as she raised her left fist.
Glancing from the mirror to Helga's upturned hand, Lila seized her smile abruptly from her expression and resumed, "Don't worry Helga. You can ever so trust me."
"Good," Helga replied turning towards the bathroom's exit.
"But Helga, I think you need to know something ever so important about Arnold." Casting her back to the mirror, Lila accosted Helga and stared solemnly. Helga turned to meet her gaze, interested in the subject.
"I already know. He likes you, not me. Trust me, I've already found that out." Confidence subduing, Helga shifted her head down and crossed her legs at the ankle.
"Well no, that wasn't what I was going to ever so say," Lila said moving a step closer to Helga.
"It wasn't?" Helga peered up into the brunette's austere eyes.
"No, it wasn't."
"Then what Lila?"
"Arnold and I broke up this morning." Once again, water swelled Lila's eyes.
"Really?" Helga queried energized, but then retained who she talked to, "Gee, that's too bad. But why?" Rubbing her hands, apprehension overwhelmed Helga at Lila's answer. This is could be my chance. But then thoughts of uncertainty choked her mind. Reminiscence of all the days she had teased Arnold relentlessly, all the times he had returned the teasing in more modest actions and finally how he had ran away from her and into Lila's arms. Who am I kidding? It would never work out.
"Because he told me he loved you." Lila granted Helga with another sufficient smile, "Maybe you'll have better luck with him than I did." Gradually, she walked from the bathroom and at last allowed the water to stream down her inflamed cheeks.
A/N: Could this story be coming to an end? I don't know. I'm sorry I left you with a cliff hanger, but it just seems right. Plus, I don't think I have used a cliffy yet. Well please review. Thank you so much for reading.