A/N: I didn't expect to update so fast. I got really inspired I guess!

I don't own "Hey Arnold!" and by that I mean the rights and all that. I have the series on DVD and that's the closest to ownership I'll ever get!

Chapter 2: Her Bad Timing

What is wrong with me?! I'm seriously convinced I'm messed up! Honestly, I've gotten so stuck in this habit that I don't know anything else. And I was having a good day so far. I finally remembered to set my alarm for once so I had just enough time to put a little more effort into getting ready than I usually do. I actually felt like doing those annoying practices of vanity that I rarely have the patience for at all, like shaping up my eyebrows, which they really needed that. I even had time to pack my lunch so at least I didn't starve today. Not only did I have extra time to get ready and pack my lunch, but I also remembered to take the keys to my car so I wouldn't have to take the bus. It was actually Olga's old car that was handed down to me on my sixteenth birthday but I wasn't complaining. It was a decent car and my parents actually remembered my birthday. More good luck came my way when I scored a good parking space in the student lot, one not too far from the school so I didn't have that far to walk.

Then in my first class, I aced yet another English quiz. As an added bonus, the teacher didn't embarrass me by reading one of my poems to the class again. Heck, I was in such a good mood that not only did I know the answers to the questions my teachers randomly called on me to answer, but I also actually felt like answering them correctly without any snide remarks, which really rattled them a little bit. Hehehe.

By lunchtime I was almost giddy. Even Phoebe could tell I was in a good mood because she didn't sport that famous concerned look my way or anything. I guess she was relieved good things were happening to me for a change or probably just the fact that I wasn't angry. I think I've calmed down a bit over the years but every now and then there's always some kind of trigger that forces me to make sure I have my anger in check.

Once again, I was feeling great by lunchtime. It was a major plus that I actually had something to eat this time. Honestly, my mother is trying more but I told her not to worry about it because she wouldn't remember anyways. Though she doesn't drink anymore, the damage has been done and she's still kind of scattered and forgetful. Go figure. But hey, she used to be a lot worse and at least I know she cares now…

After lunch, classes resumed as usual and I continued to have a pretty good day. I even got some good spitballs in at my beloved's expense!

After the final bell, I'm at my locker and that's when I saw him: Arnold Shortman. He was the bane of my existence, my torturer still to this day though he doesn't have a clue, and my childhood self even went as far to call him my sole reason for living…yeesh, what a basket case! I like to think I'm more level-headed now but I still have it bad for the football-headed shrimp, which is not even correct to say anymore since he finally caught up to me in the height department and then some. Anyways, there he was and it almost seemed like he was walking towards me, but I knew better than to actually think that. I was right but that didn't stop me from hoping that would be true, one day. I nearly got lost in my lovesick crazed thoughts for the millionth time in my life when I noticed who he had his sights on. Her. Little Miss Mary Sunshine herself, Li-la. Criminy, I knew Arnold wasn't really this dense. He probably knew deep down that they were never going to work. For one thing, Lila kept stringing him along. But he's a guy. And guys take forever to realize these things. Plus, he's so stubborn. I don't know what it'll take for him to see she doesn't like him like that, and that he should really be with me…of course, the reason he doesn't know that last bit is all my fault for hiding it so well.

Suddenly, without thinking it over, I stuck my foot out just as he was walking past me. I guess the jealousy and anger got a little too much yet again…Sure enough, the football head was in a state of shock as he barely dodged banging his head on the tiled floor.

"Whoops, how clumsy of you!" I found myself saying, a classic Helga saying that's for sure. I seriously was stuck in a rut I could never break free from, and I hated it. Yet, it was the only thing that made me feel safe, ironically enough.

The moment he turned around and was facing me with that cold and harsh expression, I knew that I had finally gone too far. When he confronted me, I should've apologized. I should've owned up to my mistake but I didn't do that. If anything I did the opposite. I was uncaring and sarcastic to the point where he felt the need to get in my face. At that point it took everything in me not to melt into a puddle at his feet. I didn't have much time to get all swoony though because it wasn't long before what came out of his mouth next became all I could focus on. His words cut me deeply, mainly because they were true. I did not deserve to be in his life. Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't given up on me years ago. If he knew that it broke my heart every time I had to pretend nothing happened when we had such a nice time hanging out the day before, maybe he wouldn't blame me so much. I didn't really feel the point of being myself at school when there was no chance he was going to want to talk to me anyways. At school, he only has eyes for her. And I'm not going to fight for his affections, since it would be a losing fight after all, though she didn't even want him! Oh if only he knew, but then again that was my fault too. Not that it would matter anyways, especially not after what just happened.

By the time he finished declaring that he wanted me out of his life, my eyes were so full of tears that there was no way I could hide them. I then heard him stomping down the hall but I never saw him leave, since all those tears were blocking my vision. This brings me to now...

Not long after he left, I take that as my cue to get out of here as well, but instead I go through the other end of the school, where the student parking lot is. In a few quick steps, I find myself sprinting, the growing need to just get out of here gets more intense by the second. At some point, I apparently run past Phoebe along the way because I could hear her calling my name in concern. I have no intentions of stopping though. I don't care if I'm freaking her out with my behavior. I don't feel anything but numb right. Once outside, I push myself to run even faster to my car. I get inside and then I'm off. I don't even remember turning the key in the ignition. It's like I'm on autopilot. I pull out of the parking lot with no exact direction in mind. My phone starts going off the second I drive off. It's probably Phoebe. Though I'll probably regret it later, I just ignore it. I don't care about anything right now. I just want to drive, to nowhere in particular. I'll go just about anywhere that will take my mind off of what just happened, if just for a little while. I'm not dumb though. I know that such a place does not exist. And why not? Because nothing will take my mind off of…him scrubbing me from his life…forever. I royally screwed up and I don't think there's a thing I can do about it this time.

"And stay out of my life! There's no place for you in it,"

"And stay out of my life! There's no place for you in it,"

"And stay out of my life!"

"Stay out, stay out, stay out, stay out, stay out, stay out…"

"There's no place, no place, no place…for you!"

Those words replay themselves in my head. They become jumbled and mixed up, which makes them sound even harsher, if that's even possible. They continue to haunt me as I drive aimlessly.

"Maybe he's right," I think to myself out loud, "Maybe I'm no good for him and I just need to give up, once and for all, for him. It's gonna hurt like he-holy mother of fu-!" I scream as suddenly my thoughts are abruptly interrupted. A truck comes out of nowhere, obviously turning and running that red light when it wasn't supposed to. The visual of it hitting me head-on is the last thing I see. Before everything turns black, the last thought I have is how I wish I could at least live long enough for me to have the chance to apologize to Arnold, for everything…

A/N: Well, I guess I'm really evil for ending this chapter like this! Before you send hate mail my way, Helga lives!

Ok, so the other good news is that I'm about half done with chapter 4. The bad news is that this was chapter 2! XD In other words, I'm not sure when I'll finish chapter 3!