Wow, has it really been this long since I last updated? I hate being this busy ): well, here I have Chapter 12 for your enjoyment. Hope you like, even at least a little.
Crystalgurl101: thanks, I see you really liked it so far. Hope you'll like this chapter... if not, then, hold tight for the next. I know there'll be at least 1-4 more good chapters.
DarthRoden: Hey budy, how ya doing? Sorry I haven't been replying to...well, anything. I haven't really been able to do much of anything, and when I do get a chance, I don't feel like doing anything. Don't you just hate that feeling? heh, well, anyway, lol... Will he be able to get through to her? Or is it just too late? And what'll Brainey do? Definetly gonna be interesting to see.
Jarel Kortan: I wanted to update sooner, but, yeah... good thing is, I'll finish this story regardless of anything. Hope you like this one too! Nice quote too, fits very well.
Lightweight: Surprise! lol, and Arnold sure got a surprise too. What a way to return huh? Formulatic love story? hmm, not sure really... for some reason I have a feeling it is, but I'll read through it a few more times to make sure it isn't. Or, at least not totally. I hate when I get a feeling that something isn't quite right, yet it is. Grr...
GhettoPunk: Thanks, here's the update!
ldypebsaby: Surprised ya huh? Yep, apparently he's back. Wasn't it odd not seeing him in a story for that long?
Disclaimer: Honestly, do I have to say it? Want to see it again, go to chapter 1.
Chapter 12 "Remember Me?"
The next morning, Arnold awoke from his temporary bed inside a hotel. Yawning, he heads to the bathroom.
Arnold stood a nice size of 6' 2", and still had that willy-nilly hair of his. His tiny blue cap still perched atop his head.
Quickly showering, drying off, and doing other regular morning routines, he then dressed in an attire he grew find of. Of course, it happened to be similar to that of his attire of ol'. Putting on a plain white t-shirt, and a pair of navy blue jeans. Followed by his old, long, red and yellow striped shirt he always wore under his moss-green sweater when he was 9. Though this time he left it unbuttoned.
"Ah…beautiful morning. I think I'll pay Gerald a surprise visit first."
Heading out of the hotel room, Arnold walked to Gerald's house. Even after all these years he knew exactly where it was. Upon arriving, Arnold was greeted by Gerald's younger sister Timberly, who was now 11.
"Hi. Who are you?"
"Hey Timberly. You don't recognize me?"
"Timberly! Who's at the door?" Came Gerald's voice.
"Some guy." She replied, not interested in who this person was really. And went back to what she was doing prior.
"Hang on, I'll be right there."
Gerald suddenly appeared in the doorway, while Timberly went back inside to play. Gerald almost jumped back when he caught sight of Arnold.
"Arnold?"
"Hey Gerald. Long time no see!"
"No way! I'm either dreaming or you're an imposter."
"Well, there's only one way to find out…isn't there?"
Holding out his hand, Arnold awaited his friend's reaction. Gerald slowly did the same. Then, they did their secret handshake, "The Stumper", flawlessly. Gerald was astounded. He couldn't believe that this person standing in front of him was his best friend. He never thought he'd see Arnold again, but now, Arnold was here, and he was real.
"You are real. Dang…you look good man." He said with a smile.
"Thanks Gerald."
"So what's up, what brings you back home?"
"I came here to see someone, and maybe help them."
"Who would that be?"
"I…really don't want to tell you." He said knowing that Gerald would probably freak.
"Aw, come on man, you can trust me."
"I'm sure I can, but I'd like to keep it to myself for now."
"Alright, that's cool. If you ask me, the person who needs the most help in this town is Helga."
Arnold froze and his eyes widened when Gerald said that. Gerald looked at his friend and tried to figure out why he suddenly looked so tense. Then, he caught on…
"Oh no…Arnold, you can't! Please, just tell me you thought of something serious, or that you have a medical condition of some sort."
"Sorry, nothing of that sort."
"Oh my…Arnold! You can't be serious! You came here to see Helga? Why man?"
"Because…"
"Because why?"
"Unfinished business."
"I'll tell you this. Helga will finish it…believe me, that girl is psycho!"
"No Gerald. She isn't psycho. She's just lost."
"Lost? Oh come on Arnold." Gerald sighs to himself while shaking his head. "Looks like that Jungle air has been getting to ya."
"No it's not. In fact, it only helped me in my quest."
"Yeah, your quest to get yourself killed."
"Gerald, why are you arguing about this?"
"Arnold, you're my friend. And I don't want you to get hurt. Helga is an extremely dangerous person. She'll seriously hurt, if not kill anyone who dares mess with her. I should know cause I've seen it hundreds of times already."
"She won't, not to me!"
"Yeah right. What makes you so special?"
"She loves me!" Arnold blurted out unintentionally.
Gerald stood there like he was shot. Never in his wildest dreams would Gerald ever think that Arnold would say such a thing. To him, it seemed surreal. Even impossible. Especially after all the years of torment. How could Helga love someone when she went around hurting others? Especially Arnold, the boy who she picked on more than anyone else!
"…or at least she did." Arnold said interrupting Gerald's thoughts.
"Whoa man…what the hell did I miss?"
"A long story."
"I would like to hear what the heck has been going on between you two…"
"Gerald! Nothing went on."
"Bull-crap. Something happened, and that's why Helga acts the way she does." He said a little roughly
"Well, you got me there…" Arnold admitted, staring down at the ground.
"So spill it already!"
"Maybe some other time, look, I have lots of people to visit, and someone to help, before I go back."
"Go back? You mean you're not staying?"
"No Gerald. I've only come for a 6-day visit. I've already been here 2 days…so that leaves me with less than 4 days."
"Well bud, I wish you luck then. Be careful will ya? I don't want to have to get a new best bud."
"Sure thing Gerald. …and don't worry, you won't have to."
With one last stumper Arnold was off. But not before Gerald called out, "And tell me what the heck happened some time won't ya?" he shouted to Arnold, who in turn sorta ignored him.
'Well, Gerald didn't help me feel much better about the predicament I'm in. Still, it was great seeing him again. So much has changed here. And I feel as though things aren't all that well here with the ol' gang. I know, maybe talking to Phoebe will help me a little? She's a smart girl. Maybe she can find a way to help me. After all she is Helga's best friend…or at least I think she still is.'
Arnold heads off to Phoebe's house. Still amazed by how well he knew where everything was. Well, except her house anyway. However, he thinks he knows where it is and decides to go with his instincts. Humming a song to himself, he walked along the sidewalk, not really paying much attention as he slams into someone.
"Ow…man. Just hasn't been my weekend." The person said
"I'm terribly sorry miss." Arnold said extending his hand
"It's ok…Arnold?"
"Arnette?"
"Whoa! I can't believe it! It's been so long!" She said jumping into his arms in a hug.
"I know. I missed you." He said loosely hugging back
"Well, ever since the war got close to us, you've been busy. I never got a chance to see you. And eventually, my family moved here."
"Yeah. I don't blame you either. It's been quite hecktic there. Though I'm happy to say that the war is over."
"Really? Wow! So are you gonna move back here?"
"Not anytime soon I'm afraid. I've only come to visit."
"Oh really, have you visited Phoebe yet?"
"Actually, that's where I'm heading."
"Cool, then we can go there together."
"Sure."
Heading off towards Phoebe's house, the two remained silent. Arnold didn't exactly feel comfortable at the moment talking to a girl, since Helga was the only girl he talked to, and that didn't go so well. He knew Arnette wouldn't yell at him or anything, but still, just that odd feeling kept him from speaking. Arnette on the other hand didn't know what to say to her friend.
Arnette and Arnold met in San Lorenzo, when Arnold first arrived there with his grandparents when he was 10. They practically became instant friends. Convenient for them, they lived next door to each other in the tiny town. In less than a week Arnette learned quite a bit about Arnold, his friends and enemies, where he's from, and…the most complicated girl ever. It took a while for him to talk about her really, and even then Arnette still didn't get much out of him. Still, both Arnold and his friends intrigued Arnette. Then she learned why he came to San Lorenzo. To find his long lost parents. Arnette offered her assistance in his quest, which Arnold gladly accepted. He knew it was going to be possibly dangerous, but, having a person who knew the area would be helpful…even if he did have a map, a guide would come in handy. Within 2 months, they found Arnold's parents, alive and well. They lived amongst the Green Eye People. However, there was talk of trouble. La Sombra, the evil river pirate, was seeking vengeance against Miles, Stella, and the Green Eyes. And it wasn't long before a war broke out. La Sombra had his own little army attack the Green Eyes. But they were met with a strong opposition. The Green Eyes fought back, quite well in fact. Arnette and Arnold avoided the war as much as possible. Arnold's parents fought in the war, to help protect their long time friends and caretakers. Arnette's family helped take care of Arnold, as his grandparents enjoyed themselves in the topical area. The years dragged on, the war going nowhere and seemingly endless. Before long, Arnold was now involved in it. Not in the fighting, but in the support for his side. Arnette didn't know how or why the war ended, nor did she know who won. But Arnold did. And it seemed kinda apparent that he didn't want to talk about it. Arnette could tell by the look on his face. He had too much on his mind. What specifically, she didn't know. Before they knew it, the arrived at Phoebe's house. Arnette knocked on the wooden door, seemingly perky all of a sudden. Maybe she could relate her friendship with Phoebe, to her friendship with Arnold? After all, Arnold was alone when he came to San Lorenzo. Then, Arnette was alone when she came to Hillwood. The only friend Arnold had there, was Arnette. The only friend Arnette has here, was Phoebe.
"Hi Arnette! You're here a tad early you know."
"I know, but I ran into an ol' friend on my way here."
"Oh really? Where is she?"
"You mean, he,"
"He? What? You mean you had a boyfriend?"
"Oh my no! I couldn't do that to Helga."
"Helga? What's she got to do with…wait. No! It…it can't be."
"I don't know. Who do you think it is?"
"I…no, it's…impossible!"
Suddenly Arnold appeared in front of Phoebe. Phoebe's eyes widened as she almost fainted. She stood still for a moment, then was suddenly latched onto Arnold's side holding on for dear life. Arnold couldn't help but smile and hug Phoebe back.
"It's good to see you again Phoebe."
"Oh Arnold! Things have been such a mess without you!" Said the 5' 3" Asian-American.
"I'll say." Arnette commented
"I was afraid of things getting out of hand after I left." Arnold said. Phoebe then detached herself from him.
"Well, to be honest, it was rather crazy for a few months after you left. But, things seemed to of gotten better for everyone…except one person. Still, it wasn't till…oh I'd say when everyone started turning teenage. So around when everyone was turning 13 or even 14."
"Whew. For a second there I thought everything went into permanent chaos. So I guess it was just everyone being teens huh?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I doubt I could of really helped then anyway."
"Possibly. But you might have reduced some of the chaos here." Phoebe said optimistically.
"True. And let me guess, the one person would be Helga, right?"
"How'd you know?"
"Let's just say I had a not so good meeting last night." Arnold stated rubbing the back of his neck semi-shy fully.
"Oh my gosh, are you ok?" Phoebe asked very concerned.
"I'm fine…why?"
"Because, Helga will frikin kill anyone who bothers her!" Arnette exclaimed
"Huh?" Arnold said, rather oblivious to what was going on. Denseness is a key factor there.
"Come inside Arnold. We have much catching up to do…"
"Ok. Though I have a feeling this isn't going to be what I expect."
"You have no idea." Phoebe said walking into her house followed by Arnette and Arnold.
Sitting down in the living room, Phoebe took a deep breath, then exhaled. She knew it'll take a while to explain everything to him, but he needed to know. Maybe he could find a way to help her friend. Phoebe could only hope and pray Arnold would be able to help Helga. But first, Phoebe wanted to know what happened between them last night. And why Arnold seemed completely unharmed. Cause knowing Helga, she wouldn't of let him get away without getting hurt. That is, unless that fire, that passion, still burned deep down inside her. Phoebe could only guess at all this. Now, the time has come for less guessing, and more telling.
"So Arnold. What happened last night?"
"Well…"
Yah, another chapter done! Please review! It'll make me happier about this story...
-King RTS-I'm the King of My World!
