An: And here's another chapter. It took longer then I thought it would, but I kind of got stuck in the middle. I like the beginning and the end, but not the middle. You'll see not much happens in this one, but I want Arnold and Helga to get closer progressively! Hehe Thanks to all of you who reviewed and special thanks to XsoprettyX who reviewed twice in a row! As for Helga's who's always dressed in white, I could tell you it's to make her a symbol of purity, grace etc… But actually it's just completely random because I like white! Deceived? Lol Enjoy the new chapter:
Chap10: Odyssee to Helga's home and other school incidents
Arnold was worried about Helga. This was the second time he was actually eager to go to school on Monday to check on her and if he was not more careful, he could get use to the feeling. He actually found it harder and harder not think about Helga lately. No mater how hard he tried, get her out of his mind seemed as impossible as taking a sudden interest in poetry! When he closed his eyes he saw her blue ones staring into his, he saw her heart-warming smile, everything that made her so lovely. He could not stop playing all the times he had spent with her since she had been back, over and over in his head. Helga was a real mystery to him. Her case would probably drive any psychologist completely nuts. One minute she was happy, laughing and joking with him. The next she would completely shut him out and be angry for no apparent reason. Helga's behaviour had always intrigued him when they were younger, but now it seemed to have gotten worst then before. And he was starting to get truly attached to her, meaning he could not let this go again, he had to do something to help Helga gain happiness. After all that was friends was for! Then again, Arnold was not the kind to restrict his helpful behaviour to his close friends, but when they needed his help things really got personal.
"Arnold?"
He snapped out of it and noticed Lila, looking especially lovely today staring at him worriedly.
"Oh! Hi Lila!"
She gave him a light kiss on the lips and smiled at him nicely.
"Are you ok? You seemed a little troubled."
Arnold smiled back at her.
"Don't worry it's nothing. I was just thinking about…"
"Helga?"
Arnold looked at her surprised.
"I thought you would." confessed Lila, "you always worry about everyone and that's what I love about you Arnold."
Arnold sighed (AN: hehe spelled it right this time) but was relieved to find she didn't seem jealous he was thinking about someone else, who he was getting closer too. One of the many things he loved about Lila was her trust in him, something not all girls could guarantee their boyfriends. Arnold thought Lila knew she must have nothing to worry about. She was the only one he wanted. Arnold lightly took her chin to bring her face closer to his and kissed her tenderly.
"Ready to go?" he asked handing her his arm.
She took it and the couple walked together to their first class, Biology.
Arnold was slightly disappointed when he realised Helga wasn't there. By asking Phoebe, he learned that she was apparently sick but would certainly be back in a day or two. The class passed without incidents but right before the end the principal made an announcement over the microphone.
"As you all know this year's homecoming dance will be held on the 28th of May. It will be once again requested of you kids to vote for the king, queen and cutest couple of the evening. The contestants for the title of king are…."
Cutest couple? "That's new!" Arnold thought "Probably one of Rhonda's idea to check if everyone noticed her and Jake are the prefect match!"
"… the ladies competing for the title of homecoming queen are Rhonda Lloyd, Emma Laurence, and Helga Pataki."
"Note to self, tell Helga she has once again proven she really is cheerleader material and prepare for being violently hit."
"….And our three loving couples this year are: Rhonda Lloyd and Jake Deans, Gerald Johanssen and Phoebe Heyerdahl., Lila Sawyer and Arnold….Arnold…well I really need to tell that secretary to work on her handwriting. Anyway Arnold you know who you are! Have a good day everyone."
The students clapped and the bell rang.
"Why is it" said Gerald to his best friend while they got up "that there's always a problem with your last name!"
Arnold shrugged.
"I don't know. But doesn't matter, I'm mean hey who doesn't know my last name anyway?"
They were interrupted by Lila
"Oh Arnold we're one of the three "cutest couples" of the school! Isn't that ever so wonderful?" she asked eagerly
"I guess." answered Arnold blushing slightly.
Phoebe came up to them.
"Lila I have a small favour to ask you. Helga is sick today and I promised her I would bring her homework tonight but I remembered this morning that I have tutoring with a little girl. Can you please bring it to her?"
"I'm ever so sorry Phoebe but tonight I got cheerleading practice." answered Lila apologetically
"It's ok I'll ask somebody else." said the Japanese girl ready to leave.
But Arnold held her back.
"Wait! I'll bring Helga her homework!"
Phoebe hesitated. She wasn't sure if helping Arnold see Helga too much was such a good idea. She hadn't really talked to her friend about it yet, but Phoebe hadn't forget Helga's old feelings for her dear football head, which she noticed were surprisingly strong for a young girl. Phoebe knew these feelings had cost Helga a lot of pain, probably even more then she knew about, and if her friend didn't love Arnold anymore, she certainly was not going to let her fall for him again, especially now that he was in a very serious relationship with someone. Though Phoebe wasn't aware of the times Arnold and Helga had actually really been together again since her homecoming, and just this once probably wouldn't hurt. Though she would be more careful from now on, Phoebe had been so overwhelmed about her new relationship with Gerald that's all she had been talking about with Helga, leaving aside a lot of the things she needed to ask her. She promised herself to make it up as soon as possible.
"Ok I guess. Thank you Arnold, I'm sure Helga will be…pleased to see you."
Arnold smiled happily at her; deep down hopping it was true.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Helga's house was amazing. Actually it was more of a mansion then a house. Huge with white walls, surrounded by a gigantic porch covered with also white columns, it stood in the middle of a beautiful park crossed with a very neat alley that led to the front door. Yet Arnold had not a very clear view of the howl as² he stood behind an imposing black gate. It had actually been very hard for him just get in front of Helga's house. She lived in a secured area reserved for very wealthy and important people such as ambassadors etc. To get in, Arnold had to pass another gate guarded by very strict security officers who needed to be warn in advance of his visit. Phoebe had not warned him of this, and Arnold wouldn't have passed if his old classmate Lorenzo, who lived near the Pataki's residence, hadn't shown up coming home from school and told the guard he was with him.
Though is seemed is troubles were not over yet as no one was answering the bell and opening the gate for him. Arnold thought about going home but coming all this way for nothing annoyed him, plus he wasn't on to easily give up. Fate was against him? Fine! He would just have to climb the damn gate!
10 minutes later, the triumphant Arnold finally managed to reach the front door and ring the door bell. This time someone did answer him, a tall man that must have been in his 50's, dressed up really formally. From behind him, really loud music was emanating
"Yes?" he asked loudly as a heavy sound of music was emanating from inside the house.
"Hello sir" replied Arnold in the same tone "is Helga home? I brought her some homework."
"Oh, please come in."
Arnold followed him in a vast fancy hall. In front of him a marble made staircase led to the second floor. The walls were covered with paintings and golden framed mirrors as well as lots of flourishing green plants. The howl was pretty amazing. "I didn't realise Helga was that rich!"
"Miss Pataki is in the beige living room on the left. Just follow the noise you can't miss it."
"You mean the music?" asked Arnold who had recognized a song from System of a Down.
The man sighed.
"I don't think it can be defined as music."
Arnold smiled at him.
"I'm Arnold." he said handing out his hand "Are you a member of Helga's family?"
The man looked strangely at him.
"On, no sir, I'm just the butler Bernard. Ask me or Helen, the house maid, if you need anything. Good day."
Arnold turned around and headed left, hoping he hadn't insulted Bernard by his mistake. He soon found the living room; bathing in light threw large picture windows, completely decorated in beige tones (explaining it's name), but Arnold didn't pay much attention to it, as looking at Helga was far more entertaining. She was wearing old striped PJ's, a black tank top and unaware of his presence due to the music's volume, was jumping frantically on her couch, using a hair brush as a mike to scream the lyrics of the song. Arnold laughed silently at the scene for a minute then decided to make his presence known.
"HELGA!"
Still jumping, she raised her head, and finally saw him.
"Arnold!" she said looking happy but surprised.
Distracted she missed her jump and fell of the couch. Arnold ran to her and helped her up.
"I'm ok!" said Helga confused.
"You sound like Eugene."
She frowned.
"What?"
"You sound like Eugene!"
"What?"
She turned off the music.
"YOU SOUND LIKE EUGENE!" screamed Arnold
Helga smirked
"Fine football head you don't need to scream it out loud."
Arnold smiled at her.
"So, System of a Down hu? Funny I didn't picture you listening to that."
She shrugged.
"Oh it's nice. But I prefer Slayer!"
Arnold raised an eyebrow.
"What?" asked Helga
"Nothing, northing it's just it's…not really my style."
His friend smirked.
"Figures. I bet yours is more Celine Dion or something."
"Very funny."
She laughed.
"Just messing with ya. What are you doing here anyway? You could have warned me you were coming! I would have dressed more properly for the occasion!" she said pointing at her PJ's.
Arnold smiled at her.
"Trust me Helga, you never looked better. Beside if I had warned you I would have missed your performance on the couch"
Helga punched his arm playfully.
"Fine!" she said "Mock me!"
"I would never dare!" he answered sarcastically "But I guess I should have told you I was coming because without Lorenzo, the security guard would never have let me come in!"
Helga put her hand on her mouth.
"Oh my god Arnold I'm so sorry!" she said laughing
"But wait, that's not the worst part yet! When I arrived at your gate nobody answered the bell so I had to climb over the fence!
"Bernard probably didn't here because of the music!" said Helga still laughing "I wish I could have seen you climb!"
"So sorry you missed it. Anyway all this to bring your poor sick self her homework, and apparently you're not even sick!"
"I just pretended to be just to annoy Bob. He doesn't like it when I miss school and hangs around here too much. Probably why he left the house."
"Of course not!" said Arnold who couldn't get used to the fact that war had been declared between the two Pataki's.
Helga laughed.
"How many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to defend Bob? Our relationship is a lost cause!"
"Not for me it isn't!" Arnold thought
"Anyway thank you for…you know….passing security and climbing a fence all for me."
Arnold laughed
"Anytime."
Helga smiled.
"Except maybe when it rains!" he added.
"Come on!" she said grabbing his arm "for coming all this way you deserve to be fed."
She led him to a big modern kitchen and fetched for some freshly baked brownies.
"Cake?"
"You don't even have to ask!" smiled Arnold.
They sat next to each other on the counter, and Arnold told Helga about the dance announcement.
"Me? Homing queen?" laughed Helga
"I'm not surprised; at this rate you'll probably beat Rhonda!"
"Let's not push it. I can't believe it! If somebody had told me when I was a kid that I would be doing something like this I would have laughed at him…"
She thought for a few seconds.
"Or maybe I would have punched him in the face just for the fun of it, but you know what I mean."
"Yeah, well you changed a lot since childhood Helga! I mean when you first came in the class two weeks ago, nobody recognized you!"
Helga, whom until now had been looking at her feet turned to look at him, which left their faces really close to one another, their nose almost touching.
"Was that a compliment?" she asked in soft silent voice.
Arnold starred into her blue eyes.
"Was it? You tell me."
A small smile painted her lips.
"What did you think when you first saw me that day Arnold?" she whispered
"I thought…that….you"
"Yes?"
"Was very…"
"What?"
The sent of her hair was misting his mind; he could almost feel the touch of her skin without even having any contact with her. Slowly they moved their heads closer, their foreheads against the other, their lips were about to meet when…
"Oh am I interrupting anything?"
They parted.
"Hum… no Olga!" said her younger sister darkly "Do you remember Arnold?"
Olga Pataki flipped her golden hair behind her bare shoulders and flashed her most gorgeous smiled at Arnold.
"Of course!" she said reaching out her hand "I'm so happy to see you again Arnold!"
Arnold smiled, seeming slightly embarrass about what was happening before Olga came in the kitchen.
"It's nice to see you Olga."
"You know you've gotten really cute!" she added, surprised to see that the little kid she remembered had changed into a really charming young man.
"Uh…thanks." Said Arnold blushing
Next to them, Helga frowned.
"Ok Olga!" she said pulling her out of the kitchen by the arm, "you may leave now."
"Bye Arnold!" waved the blond
Helga returned.
"Sorry about her."
"Don't be sorry your sister is nice!"
Helga smirked.
"Right football head I'm sure you didn't mind her flirting with you and all!"
"She wasn't flirting with me! She was just being nice!"
"Sure! And you don't like Celine Dion!"
"Shut up!" said Arnold
Helga was laughing.
"I'm sorry, it's just you're so cute when you're embarrassed! You're should have seen you're face when she came in! Now she probably thinks that we're going out or something! Like that would ever happen!"
Arnold smiled, glad she took what didn't happen between them that way!
"Right!"
"Hey" she said "Come on! I can tell you're dying to help me with my homework!"
oooooooooooooooooooooo
Helga was lying on her bed, staring at the sealing. She had no idea what the time was nor how many hours she had spent in that position, not moving an inch. She was just to lost in her own thoughts to care what was going on. She, Helga, and Arnold had almost kissed! I mean what the hell was that? Why had she almost kissed Arnold? She was over him, he was old news, he was the past, he was….really really really cute. No, no wait that wasn't right. Arnold wasn't cute. She was NOT attracted to him at all! She didn't care about his half crooked smile, his caring eyes, his….oh stop it! She could not fall for him again! Yes, she did care about him. She always had and always would, Helga knew it now. But she couldn't love him again. Her love for him had destroyed her. She couldn't let it happen to her again. She wouldn't fall in love, with Arnold or anybody else. But it's just he made her feel so….right. He made her feel like herself. Like she could just be the old Helga again. Arnold was the only one that made her feel wanted. When she looked at him, she saw something in his eyes that was…different from any other looks she received. When she was younger he looked at her like he could see past her bully façade, and now he looked at her like she was more then a pretty face. That's why she had always lov…hu liked Arnold. Because of the way he looked at her. The way he cared for her.
Suddenly she realise her phone had been ringing, and now someone was leaving a message on her answering machine.
"Helga, I know you're there! Pick up the damn phone!"
Helga, recognizing Phoebe's voice, picked up the receiver.
"Pheebs, did you swear!"
"Well finally! This is like the 10th time I called you! I thought you were dead!"
"I was! But god decided to give me another chance to help my fellow companions."
"I'm laughing hard! Helga I was really worried about you! I thought you might be really sick. I tried to call Arnold to check if he had given you you're homework but hr wasn't answering his phone…."
"He has basketball practice Pheebs! Really chill. I'm fine although I'm touch to see you we're worried! So how was school?"
"Never mind about school! Never mind about me! Let's talk about you! I want to know all that happened to you in France! I mean your friends, the boys, and all this modelling thing! You haven't told me anything! Am you're friend or what?"
On the other line Helga smiled;
"Best friend Pheebs!"
"Then spill!"
"I don't know where to start. There isn't that much to say really. I was well…really popular at school…."
"How did you become so popular? So pretty perfect etc?"
"Hey! You mean I wasn't pretty before?"
"Helga you were a bully that didn't care about her appearance!"
"Fine! Well Olga became a pop star but started modelling for different ads. Once her agent came for dinner and when she saw me she said I had perfect bone structure or something! I thought what the hell? But anyway she said she would make me a model and Bob was thrilled. He paid me plastic surgery…for my ears you know?
"Yeah…"
"And hired this coach to teach me how to stand, walk and pose like a model. She also took me shopping, taught me all I needed to know about good fashion taste, make up, and even boys. Turned out she knew Karl Lagerfeld, you know Chanel's owner?"
"Yeah Rhonda told everyone today you knew him!"
"Well my coach knew him and she introduced us! I posed for a few of his ads and for some other brands but not as impressive as Chanel. That had quite an impact at school. I became really famous and yes I had quite a few boyfriends but none were really serious! Happy?"
"Yes!" she heard Phoebe said in a happy voice "I am Helga! It didn't feel right to know nothing about my best friend. Is there anything else that happened to you over there that I might want to know about?"
Helga opened her mouth but no words came out. She hesitated. Could she…did she want to tell Phoebe? No! She….no! No need to bring that back up.
"Hum…not really Pheebs!" she said in a casual voice.
"All right! Now let's talk about…ARNOLD!" her friend said in a determined voice
"What? What's with you and all these questions?"
"Helgs, best friends tell! And if I may remind you, you were crazy about him!"
"Was not!"
"Was too! Come on it was pretty obvious!"
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Was not!"
"Was…oh come on Helga!"
"Alright, alright! I may…use to have a small…crush…on the football head." She said in a small voice
"Darn right!"
"Pheebs I have a bad influence on you!"
"What ever! So you use to have a crush…"
"Small crush."
"Small crush on Arnold! But do you still have a small crush today Helga?" asked Phoebe
"NO!"
"Are you sure?"
"No…yes!"
"Helga?"
"Alright! If you must know, I'm not sure of anything except this: I can't allow myself to feel anything stronger then friendship toward Arnold! Happy?" said Helga very quickly
"For now!"
00000000000000000000000000
"So I was wondering…if you would like to…maybe go out with me this weekend?"
"Never in a million years!" Helga thought
"Hum…well you see Mathew, I would really love too but…I recently got out of a very serious relationship and…"
"Say no more!" said the blond senior taking her hands in his, "I know how you feel and I would hate to rush you into anything if you feel it's too soon. Just tell me when you're ready to start something new. I want you too know I will be right here when you are Helga!"
"Right Thanks Matthew, that's very…sweet!"
He just smiled goofily at her.
"Ok you can let go of my hands now!" said Helga feeling really awkward
"Oh, right! Sorry! I'll just…" he said pointing behind him
"Yeah, you do that! Bye!"
Helga turned around and left to the bathroom. Fifth one today! Matthew was probably the lamest of them all! Helga couldn't stand those good looking guys who pretended to be caring just to get what they wanted from her! On her way she met Kara, a nice red head, in the hall.
"Hey Kara!" she said "Nice skirt!"
"Really you like it? Thank you Helga coming from you it's really flattering!"
"Oh, it was no big deal!" Helga answered walking on.
"That was the ugliest skirt I ever saw!" she thought
When she finally reached the bathroom, she went straight to the sink to wash her hands. Then she reached for a small box in her bag and put a white pastille in her mouth, just when Rhonda walked in.
"Hey Helga! Feeling better?" asked the pretty brunette dressed in a very suggestive attire."
"Oh, yeah! Thank you Rhonda!" the blond answered distracted
"Hey what's that? Mints? I could really use one I'm meeting Jake in a minute."
"Sorry, no more!" said Helga making a quick exit passed Rhonda.
The brunette furrowed her brows watching her leave.
"Well thank you for sharing you stupid blond!" she muttered in her teeth.
She was getting tired of this Helga Pataki. She was too pretty for her own good. Heck she was even getting more attention then Rhonda herself! And now she wouldn't even share her candy with her who had been so welcoming to the girl!
"I'll teach her!"
Ooooooooooooooooooooo
Arnold was waiting for Helga. They had no school the following two days because of "teacher convention" or something, and he and the gang were planning to hang in the evening and wanted Helga to come along. She finally came by, along with a few girls who were know to have outstanding capacities physically but not mentally. When Helga noticed him she shot him a bright smile. The other girls too but none could compare to Helga's. They all giggled and waved at him.
"Hey Arnold!" they said in union
"Hi girls!" he answered
"Guys I'll see you later, ok?" said Helga
"Sure thing! Bye Helga!"
"Love ya, Helgs!"
"Love you too guys!" she answered nicely
When they wre gone she rolled her eyes.
"Sorry bout them!"
Arnold frowned.
"You're friends?"
"I wouldn't call them friends, I don't really like them or anything…"
Arnold was confused.
"You don't? Then why did you tell them you loved them and stuff?"
Helga shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know. I guess I just want them to like me you know?"
"Hum, no I don't! If you don't like somebody, don't spend time trying to make them like you!"
"Hey that's a funny thing to hear from someone who's always nice to everybody!" said Helga defensively
"I'm not saying you shouldn't be nice to them! I'm just saying you shouldn't push yourself that's all!"
"Fine, what ever! So what do you want anyway?"
"Me and the howl gang are going to hang out at Dino's tomorrow night!" Said Arnold cheerfully "Care to join us?"
Dino's was a restaurant/club that the famous singer Dino Spumoni had opened a few years ago. Arnold had helped him gain success by throwing a big party for Gerald's birthday in it. Since then, Dino's had became the head quarters of all the teens of Hill Wood.
"Whatever floats you boat Arnold-o!" Helga answered
"Of course, you don't have to come if you don't really like us!" added Arnold ironically
His friend rolled her eyes!
"You know I do!"
"No I don't, you'll have to prove it to me someday!" Arnold said jokingly, "Hey here's Brainy! I have to go ask him when we can meet for our project. Talk to you tomorrow Helga!"
"You mean tonight when you'll call me as we all know you can't live without me!" she said grinning
"Sure!" Arnold said waving goodbye
And if you want to know, Helga was right. Arnold did call her that night.
Well? Well! Did you guys like it? Please please please review! Even if it's just to say one little word like: "not bad"….wait that makes two words! Well now it's clear that I suck in math. Hehe So not funny I know! Anyway PLEASE REVIEW!