Somewhere in Between

By: Broken Shadow Dragon

Chapter 1

Arnold and Gerald entered the Noise Café chatting. "Hey there's Helga. I wonder how her summer went."

"No Arnold, don't go talk to her. She's Frankie G's girl and you know that. I heard Frankie punched a guy just because he looked at Helga."

"Don't worry Gerald. Helga and I have been friends forever. Frankie will understand."

"You're a bold kid, Arnold. A bold kid. I'll get us a booth and a bag of ice."

"What's the ice for?"

"The black eye Frankie is going to give you."

"Tee-Hee."

"You're wasting time. Go talk to Helga before Frankie gets back."

Arnold strolled over to the booth. Helga was bent over scribbling furiously in a notebook. Arnold sat across from her, "Still writing I see."

Helga looked up startled, "Oh hi Arnold!"

"How was your summer?"

"Okay. I moved out of my parent's house."

"Why?"

"My dad doesn't like Frankie. And I can't break up with him. So I moved in with him."

"Are you happy?"

"Yeah, Frankie is a good guy. He loves me."

"Well, well, well. If it ain't triangle face," Frankie said smirking, "Now tell me why are you talking to my girl?"

"I was not aware you owned her."

"Yeah well I do. Get over here now Helga."

She gathered her books and rushed to his side, "Frankie, Arnold is my friend…"

"Was I talking to you?"

"No sorry."

"Now Triangle Face I suggest you stay away from my girl or I'm going to have to rearrange your face. Do you get me? Good. Come on Helga." He grabbed Helga's wrist and dragged her out the door. Arnold sighed as he sat across from Gerald.

"I told you not to mess with Frankie's girl."

"She's not 'Frankie's Girl'"

"Yes she is. She has been since the 10th grade. When the other guys found out they left Helga alone. Ya know my man Fuzzy Slippers says he has a temper."

"I hung out with Frankie when I was 9 I know about his temper."

"Then you know to leave Helga alone."

*~*~*~*~*

Once Helga and Frankie arrived at his apartment, Helga immediately began talking about her school day. She was trying to keep his mind off his anger. "Anyway I have a math test Wednesday. Can you believe it? School just started and already…"

"Cut the bull, Helga. What did you think you were doing?"

"We we're just talking, Frankie."

"About what? How you are going to cheat on me?"

"Frankie, I would never cheat on you. I love you. Don't be so silly."

He slapped Helga hard across her left cheek, "So I'm silly now?"

"I didn't mean it like that." She whimpered holding her now bruised cheek.

"How did you mean it then Huh? You think I'm crazy?"

"I never said that!"

She swallowed the cry of pain that collected in her throat as his fist made contact with her stomach. She fell to the floor holding her stomach. Frankie's boot kicked her back forcefully sending Helga across the living room floor. She laid there her body throbbing with pain as Frankie stood over her. He picked her up placed her on the couch, "I thought you were going to leave me Babe. You know how that makes me crazy. I can't live without you. And I won't let you live without me. We belong together and nothing can ever change that. No one loves you like I do."

"I understand."

"I know you do," He said kissing her bruised cheek gently, "Now I'm going out. Clean this up for me will you babe?" he asked motioning his arm toward the living room. It was more of an order than a request.

"Whatever you say Frankie."

"That's my girl." He said before getting up and disappearing out the door.