Title - Moments Turned To Hours
Author - Mystic Rains
Rating - PG – 13 for the teeny sad part in a teenier chapter
Summery - Arnold's in an orphanage, only a shell of what he really use to be. The kids there are even making bets on if he'll be the next suicide. But when there's the person from his past who ends up in the same situation as him, will they be able to hang on together?
Disclaimer - Hey Arnold? If it was mine I'd have a deadline, and thank god I don't
Author's Note Sorry you guys, but I couldn't keep up a pace like that all the time. I'm hoping to do at least one chapter a week though, so this story won't go unforgotten. I know my grammar is horrible, and I'm afraid it might be the same in this chapter – though I'm hoping I did better. If anyone feels like beta-ing me, I would adore it, but no one has to. I probably will be going back, checking and fixing the little things in the previous chapters, so lets hope it all goes well.
PS - All the previous chapters and all the future chapters shall be Beta'ed by my dear Beta-er Blond Cecila. I've always hated seeing chapters dedicated to people as it makes everything seem longer, but she really does deserve it. So please, I hope you don't mind me thanking her at every chapter, as well as all the reviewers of this story. Due to her, these chapters will be a smoother read.
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Look at me, my depth perception must be off again
You got much closer than I thought you did
I am in your reach
You held me in your hands
Would you find it in your heart
To make this go away
And let me rest in pieces
(let me rest in pieces)
Would you find it in your heart
To make it go away
And let me rest in pieces
(let me rest in pieces)
Rest In Pieces– Saliva
Arnold smile lightly at her blank face, and slipped past Helga's frozen figure. Her mouth was still agape when he had climbed on top of one of the cots, and made himself a makeshift chair.
"You're not that surprised are you Helga? Your dad called me Orphan Boy enough. Now it's true." He asked, more curious than hurt at the memory.
She turned around slowly, shutting the door lightly behind her. She gazed deep at him, drinking in his same cornflower hair, his usual baseball hat, and even his similar outfit, old but surely the same since she last seen him. She carried herself to the edge of the bed, and sat down by him.
"Arno-Football Head, where the hell have you been?" She asked briskly, anger rising into her voice.
"Right here Helga." He sighed, tucking his legs up and wrapping his arms around himselg. "I've been here since the day after the funeral..."
Flashback
Heavy rain poured upon the church ceiling, as the lighting flashed and thunder rolled overhead. The beautiful stained glass windows were illumined by the bursts of light, and spilled its soft colours upon the ivory coffins, coming out in waves due to the drenching rain.
"We've come here today to mourn the deaths of Geraldine and Philip. Two people who, despite their age, still had a long life ahead of them. They've touched many people within this community and will be leaving a hole which no one will be able to fill…"
Sobbing was clearly heard through out the church, echoing off its' depressing walls. The neighbors and the residents were further in the back, crying silently to themselves. Ernie's handkerchief completely was soaked the whole way through, and he had to use his shirt as a temporary one. The neighborhood kids filled the first rows, all solemn and silent. Phoebe was crying openly upon Helga's shoulder, as she had her arms wrapped around her in quiet comfort, gazing between the coffins at the front and Arnold.
He was gathered at the very front, sitting at the first pew with Gerald right next to him. They both look somber, but anyone could tell Arnold was breaking from the inside. His eyes were glossy with tears, but his cheeks were dry. The residents had their arms on his shoulder and were constantly trying to reassure him.
"It's come the time to put them back into the earth." The priest whispered to the crowd. All the residents of the boarding house, and some of the neighborhood adults and friends, such as Dino Spumoni, Mr Simmons, Mickey Kaline, and Mr. Green, lifted the coffins above its holist, and out to the back of the church upon their heavy shoulders. There rain continued to downpour as people all threw up their umbrellas to prevent them from growing completely soaked.
The group circled around the two pre-dug holes, as the priest held his hands up. The carriers slowly placed the coffins upon the string holsters, before lowering them down to the ground. The minister slowly nodded at Arnold. He picked up a handful of the earth and threw it upon both of their graves, whispering softly.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…"
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"Arnold, what are you still doing here?" Helga asked solemnly, holding an umbrella above her as the rain continued to pour down. Arnold was hunched over, his fine suit soaked through the bone, and his pants legs covered in mud as he leaned over his grandfather's grave. He didn't turn around as he replied, the heavy rain mixing with his tears and pouring upon the ground.
"Helga, they loved me. They loved me like I was their son, more than their grandson. They took care of me when my parents couldn't. Because they're dead. And now my grandparents are dead too! " Arnold screamed furiously, his shoulder shaking in passionate tears, facing Helga for the first time. His deep green eyes caught her light blue ones, and he turned his head to the sky. "Everyone I love is dead, and now I'm left here to be unloved…"
"Arnold…" Helga whispered softly, reaching her hand out as if she could reach him. She pulled out her locket sadly from under her shirt, and looked at his smiling face, comparing it to the Arnold she saw now. Before she could realize what she was doing, she had walked over to him and slowly grasped his hand. She slipped her umbrella to him, as well as the locket.
"You're not unloved Arnold," She whispered sadly to him, as she held his hand closed around the gifts. She left him there, with her umbrella and the locket, as she turned around and walked away in the rain.
End Flashback
"I left that day. When I got home, there were the agency people with my stuff. They went through my room and had all my bags already packed. I couldn't even think enough to be angry. I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone…" Arnold sighed. "Was anyone mad?" He asked painfully, afraid of how Helga would respond to.
"We were- I mean they, everyone was crying like babies." Helga yelled, throwing her hands up in the air and stomping around the room in frustration. Arnold winced lightly. "It was turmoil! No one knew where you went. We had huge neighborhood search; Stinky found one of your shirts and bought some bloodhounds just to go searching for ya! And Tall Hair boy, he couldn't do anything. He seemed so lost too. We were all in shambles seeing the empty desk everyday. We thought..you gave up on life...ran away..or worse…"
She sighed, rubbing her temples. Arnold gazed upon her, his green eyes dull and painful, as he gathered to his feet.
"I better be showing you around the place." Arnold muttered, exhaling and taking in a deep breath. "We have quite a bit of ground to cover before "bonding time" begins." He swung the door open, and like a gentlemen, held it open for her. "After you, lady Helga.."
Helga cocked a side of her eyebrow, and gave him a good glare before stomping out of the room.
"Don't get any ideas bucko…" Helga hissed at him, making her way to the stairwell. Arnold just looked at her figure, and smiled lightly, as a faint sparkle reached his eyes.
"I wouldn't dream of it."