Chap3: Reunion

Helga saw the way people looked at her. Like she was some sort of Christmas miracle except it wasn't Christmas. She had came in the class and recognized many faces, although everyone had changed a lot. Rhonda looked nice, with her hair cut at the latest fashion and dressed with great class. Stinky had gotten kind of cute, Harold kind of fat although not much change there. Eugene was taller, Sid had still this dumb look on his face. Lila looked as pretty has before, Nadine had greatly improved her style although her hair was horrible and her make-up lousy. Gerald was officially hot and Phoebe pretty. In fact only one of her classmates hadn't change one bit. Sure he had gotten taller, and older. But he still had the same mysterious expression, like he lived in a completely different world and could read in anyone's soul. Especially hers. Well he looked nice. Maybe even nicer then 6 years ago. Good for him.

She sat next to Harold. He sure looked stunned. Weirdly enough he hadn't made fun of her yet. Then she remembered. Harold would not make fun of her. Nobody would, she would make sure of it. She wasn't going to start acting like the old Helga again. She wasn't a bully anymore., she was pretty now and people liked her. People adored her! All her guy friends in Paris loved her! All her girl friends wanted to be her!

Then why did she feel so insecure meeting those people again? Was it because they all reminded her of the old times? The times where she was an ugly reject that everybody hated. The times where she heard the girls making fun of her appearance behind her back. The times when she heard the boys say they would be glad if she disappeared for ever. The times when she had loved somebody with all her heart ….Yes that was it. No way this was happening again! She wouldn't be mean to them and of course they would like her…wouldn't they? She was pretty now, no one could make fun of her. She would never love again, she couldn't end up heart broken. So everything was fine…wasn't it?

Later did she know the bell rang. Phoebe walked toward her.

So how does it feel? She asked

Weird, answered Helga, you guys changed so much.

The two girls, without taking the time to talk to anyone, walked straight to the bathroom.

Well I would have told you about it, if you had took the time to answer my mails.

Helga sighed.

I said I was sorry Phoebe, I really am!

Phoebe could tell her friend was sincere.

Why didn't you answer then?

Because…

Phoebe saw sadness appear on the face of her friend. A sadness so strong she did not dare to insist. Helga had change a lot. She was now way more sensitive then before. Or at least she showed it more then before.

Come on, said Phoebe, let's go see the others. After all, I'm sure they all want to know how you've been.

No they don't! replied Helga

Of course they do! They're your friends.

They're people I use to know! Big difference! Face it Phoebe they all hated me! I bet they threw a party when I left!

While talking they hag gotten outside and were now walking toward the gang.

Of course not! They would never do that.

At this point they had reached the group.

Do what? Asked Sid

Noting forget it, said Helga smiling, so how you guys been? I missed you all so much!

Phoebe couldn't believe it! Helga, two second ago was dreading to see her friends, and now was acting like she was the happiest person on earth to see them.

We all been great, said Nadine, and we really missed you too.

Right Helga thought, sure.

How are you? asked Gerald nicely, am sure there are lots of things you would like to talk to us about.

He's actually nice to me? Whoa!

I'm fine. Nothing much to tell really.

Sure there is! Said Curly with his usual tact, how you got so rich and stuff! And how you look so pretty now.

Arnold couldn't believe it. He knew Curly didn't exceed when it came to socialize with others, but this was the most stupid thing he could ever say.

I mean before, you use to look like an ape and now you look like a supermodel!

Well forget it! THIS was the stupidest thing. But Helga didn't seem affected by his words.

Well my dad became rich by buying a French beeper company that was suppose to shut down. He made great benefit from it, which permitted him to expand his enterprise all around the world. And I don't look like a super model! My breasts got bigger that's all, get over it!

Everyone started laughing. Arnold was pretty impress by her reaction. The old Helga would had hit Curly in the face.

Well it's true you look really pretty Helga! Said Lila smiling at her in a friendly way.

That's really nice of you to say so Lila. You are as sweet as before! Well anyway you look great too. As always.

Since when had she become so nice? Arnold wondered.

It's great to have you back Helga, he said.

She looked at him. That was pretty nice of him to say so. Maybe he meant it.

It's good to be back Arnold.

She had called him Arnold! Not football head! Not Arnold-o! Not by any other nickname.

The gang started to walk to the cafeteria. Helga ended up talking to Ronda and Sheena, abandoned by Phoebe for Gerald, which she understood. Even though her fried had not yet talked to her about it, Helga could tell she was in love.

So Helga darling, said Rhonda smiling widely, I'm organizing a party tomorrow. I hope I will see you there.

Hum…sure Rhonda! It's really nice of you to invite me!

Rhonda looked shock.

Oh don't be stupid hon, you're my friend! And missed you very much! Of course I want you to be there.

Since when were they friends? Everyone know they always hated each other. But Helga had learned to handle hypocrisy very well.

I missed you too! We should really hang out more often. Anyway I can't wait for the party. What's the occasion? She said smiling nicely to Rhonda

Lila's birthday! I can count on you to be discreet, right?

Helga laughed

Of course you can!

It's going to be so much fun! Said Sheena, I love parties! They must have been really great parties in France Helga! Tell us about them, it might give Rhonda ideas!

This sudden mention of her past made Helga feel uneasy! She missed Paris . She had become herself there! She had learned to deal with her emotions there! She didn't wish to talk about it.

Hum…yes! They were and I promise you guys to tell you all about France later. But I really don't think Rhonda needs any advice! I'm sure she's great at throwing parties!

Helga could tell her attitude had effect on Rhonda. She was smiling in a very pleased way. And she was starting to like her. Helga couldn't believe she had worried. All of those people were just like the one in France. All she had to do was to compliment them, make them feel like they were better then her, and they would soon be fund of her. It was like taking candy from a baby.

Yet Helga had a feeling she didn't need to be like this to everyone. Sheena for example seemed really nice. So did Lila, and Gerad .And Phoebe liked her for who she was.

You didn't forget to tell Arnold about the party right? asked Sheena

Who do you take me for? He was the first guy I talked too. After all he's Lila's boyfriend.

Helga stopped walking. They were still together? Of course! They were perfect for each other! Everybody thought so! And anyway she didn't care. Then why had she felt such a pain in her stomach?

Helga? Asked Nadine looking worried, are you ok?

Helga snapped back and looked at her.

Hum yeah! I am! Why?

Well you did stop walking in the middle of the way, said Rhonda

Helga suddenly felt embarrass. Great first day of school and the others already thought she was weird. She couldn't blame them. She herself didn't well understand why she had stopped in the middle of the road.