Hello, Hello, and how is everyone doing? Me you ask? Oh, just dandy, couldn't be better. Now, again I have taken too long to post this chapter. But what can I say? I'm a busy girl. But I really want to finish this chapter now, I feel bad leaving the story like this. There's like two chapters until it's done. I could be wrong though. My creative mind could decide to change that. I hope I don't sound cocky…I'm just excited to be writing again. Stick with me now, I'm ready to conclude this story.
Disclaimer- I don't own Hey Arnold.
Even though I know it's been a long time since all you have reviewed my story, I still feel I should reply because I want to thank you for reviewing. I'm grateful to all my readers.
Babycakeswanigan- Yes, you're right I felt it was sweet when I wrote the last chapter to see the two love birds come together. Let's hope they stay that way. Thanks for reviewing.
DamonAngel- And you rock for reviewing. Thank you so much.
maya jade- No problem, it's what I love to do. Pairing two people who are so obviously in love with eachother is a fav of mine. Helga and Arnold are meant for eachother, but even with that said that doesn't mean I won't change things. But thank you for being so loyal to the story. I really do appreciate it.
Number6- Oh, don't thank me. I should thank you for even sticking with my story. The last chapter was a long wait, but this chapter an even longer wait. And Helga is a difficult character; she possesses many emotional needs that need to be fulfilled. If she can't find that fulfillment she will make it hard on herself. Brainy isn't out yet…you never know, he might get some revenge. Or not. Anyway long story short…thanks for reviewing.
J.T.- It has been a long, long time. But once again I'm back with more creative talent than ever…or at least I hope so. Thank you so much for all the praise you've given my story. It has helped tremendously. You know when I went back and looked over my story everything seemed so much like a soap opera; which is okay, but that's just way to much drama for me. So, I thought this story could use a ray of sunshine for once and that is exactly what I believe I gave it. Oh boy, I'm getting carried way again, but it's worth it. Now, this story has direction and I attend to keep that direction going. As always, thank you for your reviews…I look so forward to reading them.
Meadowlark1985- Well, it's good that I only have two chapters left then, huh? Maybe I can stir up some trouble for the couple or maybe I could do just what you ask and let the two be happy. I don't know…you'll just have to read. Thanks for the review.
X Shin X- Yes, everything is going well. I hope the same for you. Everything is on the upside for Helga and Arnold too. I hope to have you review again. Thank you.
Ladybug06- Oh no, don't cry. Helga does enough crying for both of us. Thanks for the review.
Chapter 21: Lovely Confrontations
Love Me. Put me in your heart, not him. He could never treat you with the devotion you deserve. I love you, Helga. The young man watched discreetly from around the corner as Arnold and Helga embraced each other. All his plans had backfired. Nothing had worked; not jealousy; not guilt; not even pure devotion. For a split second the young man felt used. For years, he believed his emotions and love had been taken for granted. Immediately, that feeling passed. Unfortunately for him, he was just another victim of fate's odd game called love.Brainy caste his head down. He was wrong. Everything he had once thought seemed wrong to him now. All he was was a little boy; a little boy who desperately needed love. He wasn't anywhere close to becoming a man. If he were a man now, he would be so much stronger in a situation such as this. He wouldn't want to crawl into a fetal position and cry. He would want to confront the world if he were a man. He would push all his heart's pain to the side and put his focus into something more important. But…this is…important. Brainy wheezed heavily. He was correct. This was important because your heart's love is important. If your heart isn't happy, how can you be happy? Brainy could fight back. He could walk over to Helga and Arnold right now and fight back. But that would not work. For one: it wasn't Brainy's personality to do that and two: well, there was no two. Brainy just understood it wasn't his personality to fight back. And why should he? The only thing that would come out of it would be creating himself as a bigger fool then previously understood.
Even Lila didn't seem that appetizing to return to. Deep inside, she did not carry Brainy's heart. There seemed no way she could have for Helga had already stolen it. Only the forgiving possibility of time could restore it to him. Time seemed to far away of a possibility to cope with. Brainy liked Lila; she was gorgeous. Everything about her worked and Brainy had believed it worked for him. Until now. Lila did not like him. All during lunch Brainy watched Lila as her eyes continually drifted to Arnold. Lila desired Arnold. As far as Brainy could see she would not get him. Just like Brainy, Lila had lost too. Where is Lila? Lila had left Brainy in a hurry after watching Arnold run through the cafeteria's exit. Just as a fool would do, Brainy chased after her. Why couldn't I have just stayed in the cafeteria? If he had, he would not be dealing with these horrible circumstances right now. But wait, Brainy stopped his thoughts, the truth would have come out sooner or later. Lila would have eventually dumped him and Helga would have never come back to him. No matter if had remained seated or followed Lila the conclusion would have wound up the same. Brainy was always going to end up lonely. Things just happened that way. There was no way around it. But the question still remained: Where was Lila? Had she seen the whole incident just as Brainy? Surely, she couldn't have missed Helga and Arnold standing in the middle of the hallway, holding each other no less.
Wheezing, Brainy turned away from Helga and Arnold. He turned away from his heart with no hopes of retrieving it. Helga…doesn't…even care. How ironic it was. Brainy had found Helga in her most lost state and now he yielded her in a most joyous state. But maybe…maybe he had aided Helga in her development in becoming the pleasant person she was now. Oh, who was Brainy kidding? Helga had never appeared so in love when she dated Brainy. It was all Arnold. Arnold was the only reason for her happiness. Brainy meant nothing. He meant nothing to Lila or Helga.
Unhurried, Brainy began to take steps toward the cafeteria. He didn't care where Lila was. She had abandoned him, just as Helga had. So, Brainy simply did not care. His pace began to quicken as he came closer to the cafeteria's entrance.
In the girl's bathroom, nestled in a corner, sat Lila clutching her knees as she sobbed. It isn't fair. Helga doesn't deserve him. I do. I deserve Arnold. Why me?
Lila was a selfish one. If it wasn't her way, then there obviously was no other way. She seemed unable to allow Arnold the privilege of being with the girl who made him happy. This was because Lila was in denial. She appeared as the only girl who could make any man happy. By the second, Helga was proving Lila wrong. This game was one Lila could not win with charm or good looks. To Lila, that did not seem fair. Her whole life she had excelled with her charm and good looks. People admired her. Men and boys admired her. But now…now she could not comprehend what was happening to her. She guessed this to be a completely new game, which it was. A huge downfall came with this game; it had no rules because it was the game of life. Without rules, the game had no direction. Without direction how could Lila win? Maybe she could use force. Force or guilt; both had their advantages. Yes, she would do that. A flicker of hope flew into her cat-like eyes. Lila raced to the mirror and practiced her most pathetic expression. First, she would attempt guilt on Arnold. She knew it was Arnold's weakness to watch anyone distressed, especially a girl. He'll sympathize for me. Suddenly, the what ifs began to flood her mind. What if pity doesn't work? With little hesitation, Lila construed another plan. Force. She would use force if pity failed her. But pity will be enough, Lila concluded.
"He won't leave me," Lila stated in a domineering tone; all sweetness fleeing her voice. Confidently, Lila moved towards the bathroom's exit. Her objective waited a hallway over. Instead of Lila going to it, her objective came to her. Walking down the hallway was Helga and Arnold holding hands tightly. Neither said a word; instead, they enjoyed the peaceful silence between them. The day had been overwhelming enough; words would only further in complicating it.
Eyeing this as a good opportunity to put her plan into action, Lila stumble into the middle of the hallway, her hands over her face, masking fake tears. Muffled words of hysteria flowed from her chapped lips, separated by gasping sobs. Lila was a very good actress.
Caught by surprise, Helga and Arnold's walk came to a halt. Helga's right eyebrow lifted in annoyance. She could see right through Lila's scheme, but Arnold appeared much more gullible. Slowly, he loosened his grip from Helga's and walked cautiously to the shaking redhead. Allowing him to go, Helga folded her arms and penetrated Arnold and Lila with a loathing look.
"Lila?" Arnold asked, resting his hand gently on her quivering back.
With a burst of unexpected motion, Lila jerked his hand off of her and backed away.
"Oh, Arnold, how could you?" Lila cried, "Don't you care one ever so thing about me?"
Arnold stood calmly, but an apologetic visage filled his eyes. He supposed he had treated her wrong. That was not his character at all.
Waiting behind him, Helga felt as if she were about to explode. That little hussy. I oughta show her a piece of my mind. Instinctively, her right hand began to curl into the formation of a fist, ready to strike. But she willed all her anger back. If Arnold truly loved Helga, he would come back to her. If he did not return, Helga decided she would just have to bring him back herself. For that possibility, she kept her fist curled. From her thoughts, Helga's attention quickly traveled to the scene unfolding in front of her. Now, Arnold took small steps toward Lila who stood straight up with her hands pierced to her sides. Anger proved evident through the stiffness of her limbs.
"Please, Lila, calm down," Arnold voiced soothingly, pushing his outstretched arms toward her.
Automatically, Lila countered him, an incredulous expression forming on her delicate face. Me? He wants me to calm down. I have every reason to be ever so frantic.
"I will not be ever so calm," Lila stated provokingly, "I have every reason to be the way I am. How could you choose that thing over me?" Lila pointed her arm in Helga's direction. Lila's chest heaved uncontrollably. No longer was she acting, now true emotions were raging through her body. Honestly, she was hurt and she wanted everyone around to realize that.
"Because I love her," Arnold answered, leaving no question in his voice. He gazed back at Helga and smiled reassuringly. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Joy…Helga longed to leap for it and pull it back to her where it could remain forever. Not only did Arnold love her; he wanted to confide to the whole world his feelings. The tension in her body released itself through one deep sigh. He loves me, oh wonderful fate, he loves me and he always will. Lila's cry of frustration brought Helga back to reality. That thing? Nobody calls Helga G. Pataki a thing and gets away with it. Again her right fist curled. Ol' Betsy will teach her a thing or two.
"Hey little miss perfect, does this look like a thing to you, too?" Helga questioned coolly, raising her fist, as she stepped towards Lila. Lila's eyes opened wide.
"You wouldn't dare…"Lila began.
"Helga," Arnold warned. He did not want anyone to become hurt. Trouble was not what he desired, but he knew when Helga acted like so it would be impossible to stop her.
"Oh, I wouldn't, well, let's just see," Helga said, ignoring Arnold. Without any awkward pauses, Helga hurled her fist into Lila's face, colliding with Lila's perfectly shaped nose. Lila dropped to the linoleum, stunned.
Backing away, Helga watched as Lila sat on the floor feeling if her nose was still in tact. To Helga's dismay, it was. Lila wanted to squeal when she eyed the blood dripping from her face to the floor. Instead, she groaned. Everything felt so numb she could feel little pain.
Standing speechless, Arnold was unsure whether to congratulate Helga or help Lila. After a few moments he walked to Helga, the one he loved.
"What is going on here?" an incredulous voice asked, interrupting the silence. A teacher, coming from her classroom, eyed the three students suspiciously. Not Helga, Arnold, or Lila knew who the teacher was. She was an elderly woman, with a sagging chest, protruding hips, and large amounts of silver hair clouding her wrinkled head. The woman lowered her spectacles to achieve a closer view of the three.
"She hit me," Lila wailed, regaining her voice. By the second the pain was becoming more evident.
"She started it," Helga argued.
"It wasn't Helga's fault," Arnold agreed defensively.
"Well, we'll just see what the principle has to say about this. Everybody up, let's go to the office," the teacher ordered.
Rolling her eyes, Helga abided and followed behind Arnold who followed Lila.
In the office, after visiting the principal, the three teenagers sat in three wooden chairs lined next to each other. Arnold sat in the middle chair, keeping Helga and Lila separated to be sure no more violence occurred. Since the teacher had not been present to see who committed the crime of punching Lila no one could be given a harsher punishment than the other. All had received a week's detention and were told to go home for the remainder of day. Now, the three sat in the office waiting for their parents to pick them up.
"I hate you, Helga," Lila announced, breaking the silence, "I ever so hate you."
"Right back at you," Helga retorted, not bothering to turn to the other girl's direction. Her stare remained straight in front of her.
Arnold glanced at Helga; an admiring expression transfixed his face. This was the girl he loved. All the qualities everyone else thought awful, Arnold loved and would always love. Those were the qualities that created the girl he loved. At the moment Helga seemed so close, yet so far. He was unable to reach out and hold her. It was all too public. Yet he loved her nonetheless. To make up for not being able to hold her he simply grabbed her stiff hand and squeezed it.
Arnold's action caught Helga unexpected. It warmed her body to feel his comforting touch. She gazed into his eyes for a moment, expressing her dear devotion to him, and then quickly turned her head to the position of watching straight ahead. As she stared ahead, she squeezed his hand back.
Lila glanced sideways to view the two lovers. Disgust appeared on her face. This was just too much to deal with. With the aid of the nurse, Lila's nose had stopped bleeding and now just pounded with pain. It had already begun to swell. Not wanting to be near Helga or Arnold she walked to a vacant chair on the opposite side of the room. When there she began tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for her father to arrive.
"Hey football head," Helga started. Unsure of what to say she began to stutter, "I-um…I…"
"Don't worry, Helga. I understand," Arnold interrupted her as he smiled knowingly to her.
"Good," Helga breathed, "but seriously all that stuff back there…it really happened, right? I mean I didn't imagine you saying that, well, you know about me." Everything felt like a dream to Helga. Things never went right for Helga, so it appeared possible that things had not gone right for her today.
"Of course, it all happened. No, you didn't imagine anything. I really do love you," he replied calmly. He was with the one he loved. Nothing was an imagination. He was happy, happily overwhelmed with love for the stubborn, blonde haired girl beside him.
"Good," Helga exhaled deeply. What else was there to say? Nothing. She had received what she wanted. So, nothing was left to say. Right now, she didn't even care what her parents would tell her when they arrived to pick her up. With Arnold, she knew everything would be okay. And in pure, peaceful, bliss she smiled.
A/N: Did you like? The story is basically over. All I have is one concluding chapter and that's it. What's going to happen to Brainy? You'll see in the next chapter. Please review and I am so sorry for the delay of this chapter. I can't wait to hear from you all.