"Finally, why does it seem to take forever to get to 10 o'clock?" Helga asked as she glanced over at Donovan.
"Because when you're a teenager it does." he replied with a cheeky grin.
"Well I'm out, bye D." Helga yelled as she slid off her apron and her visor. Helga practically ran out the front door to The Java Joint.
"Hey."
Helga screamed and turned around.
"Are you trying to kill me football head? Geez." she said trying to calm down.
"Sorry. I asked Phoebe what time you got off. I really wanted to talk to you. Besides a girl walking alone at night is quite dangerous don't you think?" Arnold said while giving her a sly smile.
Helga pulled her keys out and flashed her lights to her Denali.
"Guess it's a good thing I don't walk right." she replied.
"Ah. Makes sense. Rich dad why would you not have a car. I really didn't think this through." he sighed.
"Get in Shortman. I'll give you a ride home." she motioned towards him as she opened her passenger's side door for him.
"My parents always say I shouldn't take rides from strangers." he winked.
"Yeah well Big Bob says you gotta cut throats to get ahead. So either way that's a 50 50 shot of making it home safely. " she laughed.
"I'll risk it." he jumped into her SUV and was shocked of how nice it really was on the inside as well.
"The cellphone business is booming huh." he said trying to make small talk.
"I guess. I mean everyone practically owns one. So what's really up with you?" she asked staring hard at the road in front of her.
"Well, why are you avoiding me... of all people I kind of thought you'd be excited to see me. Or at least say hello. Helga you're straight out avoiding me."
Helga winced as his tone got sadder with each word.
"It's weird ok. I haven't seen you in how many years? It's just weird. " Helga felt her stomach knotting up with anxiety.
"It's weird for me too. I don't want to be make things weird for you. In fact after today I won't bother you anymore. I just wanted to apologize..for how I left." He stammered out.
Helga pulled up to the boarding house and never let her gaze wander to him.
"You don't have to apologize. It was a long time ago. " Helga replied sympathetically. There was a small pause before she sighed and said ,"I'm not the same little girl you used to play ball with. And you're not the same boy I used to torment and secretly admire. We've grown up." She whispered softly.
Arnold looked at her desperately hoping she'd look back at him but it never happened.
"Thanks for the ride. " With that he hopped out and walked in to the boarding house.
"Shortman!" Phil exclaimed. "Nice evening stroll?"
"Something like that." Arnold's face must have been easy to read because Phil frowned at the young man's response.
"Why the long face?" Grandpa questioned.
"Grandpa, do you remember Helga Patacki?" Arnold asked figuring he probably might remember.
"Who?" grandma asked as she came through the hallway banging her pots like drums.
"Elanor, pookie." grandpa replied.
"Elanor! Oh why didn't you say so cowpoke! Of course we know lady Elanor." grandma said smiling ear to ear.
"She visits us quite often. You know after everything." grandpa replied while motioning his hands to the side.
"After everything... what does that mean?" Arnold asked raising one eyebrow curiously.
"Hmph. No one's told ya huh. Well then Shortman it's not my place. You should talk to her. You might learn alot has changed since you left." grandpa winked.
"Gotta go those prunes aren't having any mercy tonight Shortmman. " Grandpa clenched his stomach and ran towards the bathroom.
A/N:Let me know if anyone is still reading this . If so I'll post another chapter tonight.
