DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO CRAIG BARTLETT AND NICKELODEON!
OBVIOUSLY if a character appears in this story that is not from the show it's my own filler character or whatever.
Chapter 9:
"Oh, so you'll be going with, Wolfgang?" Phoebe said softly over the phone. She was a tad confused to Helga's sudden change of heart with the ex-bully.
"Is that okay with you? I don't want to leave you alone at the prom, so just say the words and I'll let him know I can't do it." Helga paused. "Also have you seen Rhonda at all?" Helga asked.
"Helga shush. I am totally fine with going alone, I'm actually really relieved Wolfgang is going with you. Wait, what do you mean where's Rhonda? You live with her and you haven't seen her since this morning?" Phoebe questioned. "Well I guess she had something to do, ack, oh no. Helga, it seems my mother has come to start the pre-prom squealing, I have to call you back later, or tomorrow, depending on her enthusiasm…"
Helga only laughed softly and said goodbye. Leaning against her pillows she pulled her laptop onto her stomach and fished through old photos she had scanned some years ago. Among them, happened to be a picture of Olga in her prom dress and the family seeing her off on her way. Helga winced at her 8 year old self, she was looking practically miserable almost completely ruining the photo. Almost, that is. Groaning about the past and the wishy-washy look the future was holding for her, she was at a lost. Unable to do anything more than live for the moment now.
The prom was soon and she had to start making big-girl decisions. She didn't plan on wasting it with Arnold's affairs. For now she'd ignore that situation, even as it nagged at her still almost every second. She couldn't let it ruin such a monumental point, proms are to be remembered forever, right? Let's hope it's going to be a good memory, and not a bad one.
X-X-X-X-X
"How?! How can you sleep at a time like this?!" Rhonda screamed to the roof tops Friday morning. Helga groaned and rolled back over, she and Rhonda called out of school today because Rhonda wanted to, 'make a woman out of her'.
"It's only 7AM, Rhonda go away. We have a whole day and a half to get ready for prom." Helga sighed and hid her face back under her pillow. Thursday wasn't too eventful, she ran into Wolfgang again and they chatted for a few hours. Surprisingly he was really fun to hang out with. Phoebe was going to be with Nadine, who also didn't have a date, making Helga feel way better, she didn't want to just leave her friend off to the side, so they lucked out whomever Nadine was going on dates with, wasn't up for the prom scene.
"You're right." Rhonda whispered, "I should have started back on Thursday! If only I didn't have responsibilities to handle for the prom!" The raven-haired girl screamed out afterwards. "Do you know how hard it is to get all this hair prom ready?! And you, you have more hair than I do, though it's hard to tell in that uncouth rat's nest you call a ponytail!" She grabbed Helga's arm and dragged the poor girl out of bed.
"Nooo, five more minutes!" She yelled as she was dragged into the abyss of the walk in closet, filled with clothing that Phoebe and Rhonda had picked out for Helga. Propped up against a wall for her safety, Helga watched as the crazed fashion teen rummaged through all the clothes, the click of the plastic hangers was starting to kill her eardrums.
After what felt like an eternity, Rhonda had Helga washed and prepped and they were soon out the house and off to makeover heaven, or hell if you were in Helga's P.O.V. of the ordeal. The beauty spa was about 15 minutes from the Lloyd House. Helga, who was still tired took great appreciation for any extra sleep. Rhonda said they opened at 12PM, with all the getting preparation to go out, Rhonda had actually took 3 hours fighting Helga into such girly attire. The blonde had finally giving up around 10AM making the rest of it smoother.
"Oh thank goodness we're going to make the appointment!" Cheered Rhonda as she smiled triumphantly. Helga would much rather be sleeping or doing more catch up with Olga. Even another day relaxing with Wolfgang was look mighty fine. When the car stopped Helga looked up at the sign.
"The Frou-Frous Spa and Salon? Are we seriously going in there? Can I get a mask or something, I can feel my reputation melting off of me with every step we take closer to it." Helga complained as she was marched right on into the doors by a very iron-willed fashion diva.
"Ladies, I Rhonda Wellington Lloyd," she paused and pulled Helga more to her side. "And company, have arrived!" She exclaimed to the workers who instantly rushed over to tend to them, Helga felt faint.
"Criminey, I'm not gonna make it! I didn't even get to write my Will!" Helga yelped.
X-X-X-X-X
Arnold and Lila sat together at outside the school after classes and ended up fussing over one another and their excitement for prom. "I can't believe prom's tomorrow. I'm ever-so excited to see you in your suit Arnold." Lila peeped out gingerly.
Smiling Arnold nodded. "Yea, your dress is going to look amazing on you, Lila. You really picked a perfect color and style." A low groan was heard from where Phoebe and Gerald were sitting, it came from Phoebe.
"You okay, Phoebe?" Gerald asked her and she waved her hands dismissively.
"No-no it's nothing, I just think the lunch isn't agreeing with me today." She laughed softly. Knowing Helga was doing her best to ignore this situation between Arnold and Lila didn't stop Phoebe from being hyper sensitive to everything the two of them did. She didn't even like Arnold and she was getting sick from it. How in the world had Helga managed it for a year? No wonder the girl had become so depressed.
"Man, I wish I was able to stay and go with you to prom Phoebe, this is real messed up. At least I got them to let us stay together another day." Gerald complained holding her hand tightly. Phoebe smiled warmly and told him she understood and was happy he was going to visit family, she didn't see much of her own family outside of Hilwood. "As soon as I get back we're going on the best date ever!" Gerald stated with conviction.
"Oh, I have to be going, I'm ever-so sorry to leave you like this Arnold but I promised my father I'd be home a little earlier than usual. Goodbye everyone, I am oh-so anxious to see everyone all dress for success." Lila cheered as she made her way home. Arnold waved her goodbye fondly looking after her till she disappeared from view.
"I really love that girl." Arnold sighed, making Phoebe choke on her bottle of water. Deciding it was best if he headed home as well he said his farewells to Pheebs and Gerald and left. Feeling at ease for the first time in days.
X-X-X-X-X
When he walked in he was greeted by Abner. The pig didn't get up much these days from his cozy bed in the kitchen, but on his good days he greeted the blonde when he came in from school. "Hey there, Abner, came to say hi?" Arnold smiled giving the pygmy piggy a pat on the head. Happy with the attention he waddled back to his bed to lay down for another nap.
"Oh, hey there Short-Man." Grandpa Phil called out from upstairs as he made his way down. "Arnie just went out about 20 minutes before you, so you're good to go to enjoy your room for some peace and quiet." He patted Arnold's back making him chuckle. "And don't look for Pookie she's still at her doctor's appointment." Phil added as he walked to the kitchen.
Taking the Arnie-less house for granted was a no-go and he quickly went to enjoy a nice long shower. Mr. Hyunh was visiting his daughter more and more these days and Ernie still wasn't home thankfully, since he and Arnie were more or less the only boarders, it meant all this hot water, was all Arnold's for the taking.
After his shower Arnold headed up to his room, a towel thrown over his head as another rested across his shoulders. He was already dressed in his pajama bottoms and some slippers. Pulling out his sofa he laid across it, reveling in the soft cushions. He didn't have anything more planned for the day so maybe just read some more books and surf the net till bed time. The anxious feeling in his chest returned when he thought about what tomorrow would bring. He found himself thinking about how gorgeous Lila would be in her gown, it was form fitting and generous with the showing of skin on a classy level. He smiled, she really was the girl of his dreams. Really.
A knock at his door ended his thoughts and he said come in before he thought it through. "Arnold." Arnie stated flatly as he made his way inside, sitting at the computer desk. "I hear your prom is tomorrow." Arnold nodded. "They didn't do all this fussing back home when prom came around." He added. "Though, I'd like to see what Helga wears."
The name had hit Arnold much like a bucket of ice water. He wasn't even thinking about the fact that Helga would be there, would she even be there. More importantly, would she be there all dressed up? He knew some girls wore suits to prom these days. Helga in a suit, he could see it, in fact he was more or less sure that's how she would end up wearing. "She'll probably wear a tux knowing Helga." Arnold laughed.
"Maybe." Arnie said sternly looking over Arnold's face as he chuckled. "Well, I'll be going then Arnold, good luck with you and Lila." Arnold's chuckling face fell and he looked over at Arnie as he gave a smile, while his crooked teeth were as off-putting as always before he left. The smile left Arnold feeling cold and he suddenly felt uneasy, dirty even. Forcing himself to shrug off the feeling he decided to just go surf the web for a while then go to bed.
X-X-X-X-X
The time for the prom came faster than anticipated and before they knew it the gang had been whisked away into one of the most important moments in their young lives. A day that would stick with them forever. The limousines and fancy rides were soon swarming the front of the Grand Hill Hotel, the historical and beautiful work of architecture was usually the host to the higher end finishing schools who held their proms way earlier, leaving Hilwood High to make do with their auditorium. A couple years back the seniors before them made a big fuss till they finally approved.
Sid and Stinky were dressed to impress, Stinky showing his country upbringing in a superb white, wool felt cowboy hat with matching tuxedo. Sid on the other hand wore a vest over a band shirt and an open jacket, his slacks baggy and his hair looked ill-kept, but still stylish. Their dates were on their arms as they entered the building.
Harold and Patty wore not too fancy, more modest attire, Patty in a dress similar to her and Harold's first dance at Rhonda's party when they were younger. The baby blue gown was more mature however, the neck cut lower, the sleeves hanging off her shoulders. Harold was in a simple tux, but now that he'd slimmed out with boxing, his stomach was under the clothing instead of sticking out. "You know, Harold, I'm glad I stayed back two more years in P.S. 118 to be able to graduate with you." Patty teased, making him nudge her side and pinched her neck lightly.
Phoebe and Nadine came with Sheena and Eugene. The quartet was adorable if anything, Phoebe was in a slimming, lavender evening dress and Nadine in a pale yellow two-piece. Eugene and Sheena in matching navy blues, the couple was as animated as always soon enough moving ahead leaving the other two to giggle at their enthusiasm.
A few other kids had entered when a stunning white Lincoln park-avenue came into view, producing a very stylish looking Arnold, in a nice custom fit tuxedo, a red satin vest and tie and a crisp white dress shirt. Lila was on his arm in an amazing hunter green, sleeveless, open back, high slit, satin gown that ruffled lightly at the bottom. Her auburn hair done up wonderfully with green beads mingled within.
After sometime the Lloyd family car came to drop off Rhonda and her date. The man was taller than her, broad, well dressed, red jacket and tie with black slacks. His vest was black as was his shirt. The man had long hair, his bangs framing his face as his ponytail swayed behind him. He wore a plain masquerade mask that covered most of his face as he led the esteemed, Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. She was dressed in a silky red gown, which pooled at the floor. The sleeves hung off her shoulders giving her a gracious amount of cleavage, a smooth white mink shawl draped about her shoulders, and her raven hair was blow dried to perfection, instead of its usual flat look it looked lush and full of body as it cascaded to the middle of her back.
A silver SUV pulled up eventually as Wolfgang stepped out, he was in a dark green jacket, tie and slacks. His vest was green and his dress shirt white. He moved to the passenger side and opened the door, holding his hand out till a smaller feminine one rested in it and he helped Helga out the car. She smiled up at him softly. Her hair was done in a loose ponytail held up by a pink and white circular clasp. The rest of her hair was blow dried and curled building the volume as it fell long down her back, the ends ticking her open back to her shimmering pink gown. Her bangs were cut and styled in just a way to cover her brow. The dress had no sleeves, a corset top, and a satin ruffling skirt that touched the floor. Her makeup was done lightly and she flattened out the fabric at her waist, self-conscious to her tight corset top. "Calm down, Pataki, you look hot." Wolfgang smiled.
"Thanks bucko, not too shabby yourself." She countered, taking a deep breath and linking arms with him. Rhonda hadn't quite gone in yet and noticed her.
"Helga, there you are, when you left before me I got worried. But, I see you made it." Rhonda smiled, her date connected to her arm like glue.
"Thanks Princess, I know you wanted to fuss over me a little more but I had to meet up with this pedophile of a date of mine." Helga grinned, making Wolfgang complain pathetically by her side. The four of them walked into the hall where the prom was being held and Helga felt hot under all the shocked gazes. "Criminey, is it all eyes on us or what?" Helga groaned, her eyes scanned the room and she immediately found Arnold, how could she miss such a big head.
"Well of course, you're walking next to The Queen of Fashion. And I must say, even though I wasn't there when you picked your dress, Phoebe is very close to my tastes. Who knew?" With a chipper laugh, she dragged her date to the refreshments. She was leaning on him and he had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, holding him to her. As he rested his head on hers he gave her head a kiss, and it looked like he sniffed her hair.
Helga watched them as they walked away and shook her head. Rhonda had odd tastes in men. She looked at Wolfgang and he smiled down at her. He looked oddly handsome in that moment and she found her cheeks flushing. "Jeez, do you have to look at me like that so hard you creeper." She barked. He only grinned and pulled her closer. "He-hey!"
"Wow, Helga, you look amazing, better than when you tried it on at the store." Phoebe squealed. Nadine and her fawned over Helga and Wolfgang felt suddenly in the way.
"I'm gonna go get us something to drink, Pataki." Chuckling as Helga was swarmed by females he got out of there. He stood near the punch bowl just looking over at her. Turning to grab Helga's drink his hands bumped into another's. Looking up to apologize he ended up face to face with Arnold. "Oh it's just you." He groaned.
"Wolfgang? Aren't you a little old to be here?" Arnold challenged. "You're not even part of this class. How'd you get in?"
"Whoa, wow, didn't realize I was going to be put under interrogation by some dork who wears skirts." Wolfgang growled. "If you must know, I came here with Pataki." He pointed his thumb in her direction. Arnold followed his gaze and the serving spoon for the punch fell from his fingers.
"H-Helga…" It wasn't a question, it wasn't really a statement; it was just a disbelieving gasp.
Wolfgang looked at the dropped spoon then Arnold. "Just what I thought." He scoffed snapping Arnold out of his thoughts. "Your woman is watching you, I think she wants her drink already." Grabbing the two cups he came for, Wolf rejoined Helga who was surrounded by slightly less women.
"Thanks," she sighed as she and Wolfgang excused themselves from the group and over to some chairs on the side. There were people on the dance floor already but Helga still felt, exposed. She also wasn't much of a dancer anyways.
Arnold settled back besides Lila but his attention still on the direction Helga was. He had the nagging feeling to see her up close.
"Arnold is everything okay?" Lila asked sweetly, holding his hand.
"Uh, yea. Just saw Helga and Wolfgang though, it was weird." He chuckled lightly, but his demeanor was stiff, the irritation was apparent in his voice.
"I see, so Helga came with someone, that's ever-so fortunate." Unlike Arnold, Lila was far more superior in hiding her distaste that Helga was with someone. She peered through the crowd and caught glimpses of the duo, they were smiling and laughing. Lila squeezed Arnold's hand making him look down at her.
"You okay, Lila? Your grip got a little tight." Arnold commented.
"Oh, I'm ever-so fine Arnold. Do you want to dance? I think we should dance." Lila stood taking Arnold with her as the two moved to the dance floor. She made sure to dance particularly close to him. As they danced Arnold couldn't help but notice Lila seemed to steer them closer to Helga, his heart started to beat a little faster.
Helga hadn't been prepared to have a familiar blur of blonde hair so close. She stiffened up and Wolfgang looked over to Lila and Arnold as they danced. "I can't believe they moved over here…" Wolfgang groaned. Helga excused herself to go to the rest room. "Fine, don't let him bother you so much, Pataki." He added out of concern, nodding she disappeared into the crowd.
Lila watched Helga like a hawk before excusing herself from dancing. Wolfgang had laid his head back against the wall his chair was near. He hadn't noticed that Lila and Arnold were no longer on the dance floor, and he sure as hell didn't see Lila was heading to the restrooms. Arnold on the other hand thought nothing of Lila's sudden urge to head for them and he stood next to the refreshment tables once more.
"Feeling ill are we?" Lila's voice drifted over Helga like a bucket of lava.
"I just can't catch a break from you can I, Lil Miss Perfect?" Helga spat. Lila only smiled, inspecting the bathroom for anyone else. "I'm partially surprised Arnie isn't here on the side-lines for when you're done with that stupid, football-headed idiot."
"That's no way to speak of your loved one, Helga. In fact I'm ever-so sure it's that attitude that ran him off to blindly chase me, someone who exudes beauty, charm, compassion and brai-," Lila didn't get the change to finish as Helga punched her in the jaw, sending the ginger from hell stumbling backwards and into the hall. Panic arose in Lila's eyes, obviously not expecting the hit and she ran down to where the prom was held. A rather pissed off Helga stalking close behind.
"Lila w-what happened to you?!" Arnold rushed to her side the last bit as she stumbled back onto the dance floor trying to cross to him. Her lip bleeding and puffy. She gripped onto Arnold and cried out.
"Helga's lost it, she attacked me in the restroom!" She yelped. Helga froze as she came into view, the whole room looking at her and her bloody fist when she collided with Lila's teeth. Most of the gazes were disbelief and disgust, only a few looked at her with concern, for her.
She straightened herself and strode forward to Arnold and Lila, Lila hid behind Arnold and he stood tall, looking down on Helga with confusion even though his body language seemed hostile. "Outta the way, Football-Head, me and that little tramp have unfinished business a long time coming." Helga growled.
"No, Helga what the fuck is wrong with you, why would you attack Lila, at prom of all places?!" Arnold snapped at her. Wolfgang was up in an instant and by her side, Rhonda, Nadine, Phoebe and Rhonda's date weren't too far from them as well. Harold and Patty had left to relax in the yard connected to the hall room so they were missing the drama.
"Helga come here you don't have to do something like this." Phoebe whispered to her friend and stepped forward grabbing her hand. Helga shrugged her away.
"No, this has nothing to do with what you guys think, I saw, I saw this little slut with Arnie, they were kissing and feeling up one another in the alley by the playground. Rhonda and Phoebe gasped and stared at Lila as she coward behind Arnold.
"She's obviously lying, I don't know why you've always hated me so much Helga when I did nothing to you, but to come up with an oh-so obvious lie! It is most unbecoming and unladylike!" Helga growled and lunged only to be thwarted by Wolf pulling her back and Arnold backing Lila more, however he stood his ground in front of Helga.
"Don't you fucking sit there and lie, Lila! Don't you dare fucking lie, you little bitch, I can't just sit back and watch while you play this idiot like the sap he is-." SMACK! The entire dance hall grew eerily silent, save the thumping of bass though even the DJ froze. Helga stumbled back into Wolfgang as he too stared at her in disbelief. Helga held her cheek and looked at her attacker, her light blue eyes, boring into the flickering emerald greens as Arnold looked at his hand. He looked at Helga, the look of hurt on her face was so intense he felt bile rise in his throat. She looked utterly betrayed.
"Pataki? Pataki are you okay?" Wolfgang shook her, she looked like she was in shock, then he turned to the still stunned Arnold, the rest of their classmates equally startled. "Why I aught'a!" He growled getting up to beat the shit out of Arnold.
"No, stop!" Helga begged, snapping out of her trance to tug on his arm, "Let's just go." She whispered when he stopped. Nodding Wolfgang grabbed her close and steered her to the doorway. The students and few teachers chaperoning were still in complete shock, however till the door closed, there was a sudden rumble of cheers from all the students that watched except Rhonda, her date, Nadine and Phoebe.
Rhonda looked back at Arnold and Lila, glaring before grabbing her date and walking to the farthest part of the room so fast she almost tripped him. Nadine followed close behind, but Phoebe just stared at the door where Helga exited from. A few of the teachers had run off to try to do their jobs but Wolfgang got her out of there as fast as he could.
A few female teachers helped Lila in the restroom and telling her how they shouldn't have let such a violent child in at all. Lila of course sucked up as much of this Helga hate as she could.
Arnold was now slumped in a chair, he didn't have much of a mood for dancing or celebrating. Everyone kept congratulating him for putting 'that bitch' in her place finally. They were right, he protected his woman and finally snapped on Helga. But why did it feel so dirty?
"I hope you're happy with yourself, Arnold." Phoebe stood over him. He didn't even get time to reply as she turned on her heel to grab a more or less confused Patty and Harold and drag them over to Rhonda's table.
"Thank you ever-so much, Arnold, for standing up for me tonight." Lila smiled as she settled next to him in a chair. He nodded but didn't face her. "As long as you know she was lying that's all that matters to me." She purred grabbing one of his large hands in her delicate ones. She rested her cheek against it until he finally relaxed, pulling that hand away from her own to pull her close to him.
X-X-X-X-X
Wolfgang parked on the outskirts of the city, right before they hit the residential area of Hilwood. Turning his car off, he looked over to Helga. She'd been looking at the window in a daze, holding the cheek Arnold slapped. "You know Pataki, I can turn back now and kick his ass for you, and you just need to say the wor-." He didn't have time to finish because Helga had suddenly turned, pulling him into a fierce kiss, it was so intense, that the calm and collected womanizer could almost feel her hurt. She didn't let up though, only pushing the kiss on him more. Finally placing his hands on her cheeks he kissed her back, trying to match her urgency.
Helga broke the kiss. "I need you to help me forget about today, even if it's only temporary." She whispered, suddenly hiking her long flowing skirt up and climbed over to him, straddling his lap. More surprised than anything Wolfgang actually froze up for the first time ever.
"Are you sure…?" His voice was huskier than she'd ever heard, it was him holding on to the last of his control. She nodded and he kissed her, long and forcefully. Somehow he managed to do two things seemingly at once, lower his seat so it was horizontal, and flip her under him, his body nestled betwixt her legs. His hands were roaming over her corset top as he pulled and fumbled with the laces. She whimpered at the new-found feelings and sensation as his hands cupped her breasts through the clothing. One of them however ventured down under her long ruffled skirt and stopped at the rim of her panties. When he pulled away for air, he licked his lips and looked down at her.
She looked terrified. Sad and miserable, trembling under him. Her eyes were clamped shut as tears streamed freely. Wolfgang smiled softly and sighed. "Maybe next time kid…" He exhaled and opened the door stepping out.
"Wh-what happened did I do something wrong?" Helga panicked wiping her leaky eyes.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I just feel bad doing this when you feel like you do for the Dweeb," Wolf chuckled pulling out a cigarette. "And before you say you're not good enough or something, believe me, besides that brow of yours, there is all woman. Your body felt amazing in my hands." He squeezed the air to emphasize, making her blush. "But I know you weren't really into it. You're lucky I'm such a gentleman now. Or you'd be fresh out of virginity tonight."
Helga only looked over this man, this bully turned friend and sobbed rather loudly. Wolfgang stood close and rubbed her back, patting when needed. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She apologized.
"Shh, I know how you feel, I've taken advantage of enough damsels in this predicament. Now let's get you home." He smiled picking her small body up and tossing her playfully into the back seats. "Lay down and try to calm down, Pataki. Tomorrow's another day."
She sunk into her ruffles, tomorrow was one more day closer to facing everyone on Monday.