Monday, October 30th 5:15 PM
"Alright Phoebes, the goal is to check the place out. See if the space is good, figure out in they have decent equipment and see if it's gross or not. That one's important, I don't dance in gross places," Helga said to Phoebe. "Noted!" Phoebe responded. Helga and Phoebe were standing outside the Ali Mixed Martial Arts gym. "No idea why they want to go to this place. It's so out of the way. We had to drive all the way to other side of the city for this little adventure," Helga opined out loud. "Maybe they want a place away from the schools so you guys can practice without being seen," Phoebe said. "Maybe, we're certainly far enough from the schools, there's nothing out here but this place," Helga responded.
They entered the building and saw the layout. It was a very simple open floor plan. The single room was huge. On one side they had a general mat area, where they held classes and circuits. They had a ring with a boxing area, filled with heavy and speed bags Along with a large ring that was currently surrounded by screaming, cheering teenagers and adults. In the middle they had a fitness center with gym equipment. With mirrors all along the back wall. Helga looked around looking for the person she was supposed to meet. "What do you suppose they're cheering about?" Phoebe asked. "Probably a couple of idiots beating the crap out of each other. Wrestling is so much better to watch, there's a story there. Not just two morons punching each other," Helga said. "That's pretty what's happening," they heard a voice come up to them. A stout dark skinned man came up to them, he looked older but was in good shape. "Can I help you ladies? Are you members?" The man asked. "No, I'm hear to meat Ali, so I can check out the gym," Helga said. "Ah, are you Helga?", he asked. "I am," She responded. "Well its nice to put a face to the name, I'm Ali. We spoke on the phone," Helga and Phoebe introduced themselves. "So feel free to check out the gym, check out the mat area, check out the locker room, have a workout on some of our equipment and come get me and we can talk schedules and pay and all that," Ali said. "Oh we'll check out everything alright," Helga responded. "Well come grab me when you're done, hey you look like you might be a fighter yourself there young lady. You can come do a couple rounds in the ring," Ali laughed talking to Helga. "What's happening over there?" Phoebe asked Ali. "Well I'm trying to prove a point. I have this one great kid, who's the best amateur fighter I've seen in years. So I'm doing a test where by I throw every fighter I have at him one after the other and see how he does." Ali said. "That seems excessive," Phoebe said. "I agree, but I need to prove to this kid how good he is, he won't compete. He just likes to do exhibitions. Which is fine, but he's too good. He's wasting his talent!" Ali said, exhaling. "Well enjoy your fight, come on Phoebes," Helga said.
Helga and Phoebe went into the ladies locker room and started changing into gym clothes. Helga taking notes on the shape of the locker room. She looked in the showers, the bathroom portion, and the lockers. Tried out a few of them to see how they opened and closed. She slammed a few of the lockers for good measure, which jolted Phoebe when she did. Helga smiled devilishly at her friend every time.
Helga finished her thorough inspection. Her and Phoebe made their way out to the workout area. She stood on the mats while Phoebe made her way to the weight area to start working out. Helga did some stretches, and basic dance moves to warm up and stretch. "Should I stretch, Helga?" Phoebe asked. Helga with her leg suspended over her head in a ballet stretch, looked at Phoebe. "Yeah, you should. I'm just warming up a little while I stretch so that I'm not doing it cold," Helga answered. "Here, we'll do some easy ones and we can lift some stuff. O.K.?" Helga asked. Phoebe smiled and nodded.
They did their stretches while the noise on the other side of the gym grew. They both noticed as they moved to the weight area. "What the hell are those troglodytes doing over there?" Helga finally said out loud as the crowd roared in a particularly loud cheer. "I am quite curious," Phoebe said. "Let's see what so entertaining," Helga said motioning Phoebe to follow her over.
Helga and Phoebe went over to the crowd. They pushed towards the front, conspicuous among the mostly male crowd. They walked up right behind Ali, yelling instructions at the two fighters. Helga saw two fighters going at it in the ring. One really tall and muscular guy in black shorts, and the other slightly skinnier with green shorts. The larger one was clearly the better fighter. When Helga rested her eyes on the pair, the fighter in the black swept the left leg of the slower fighter putting him on one knee. The fighter in black knocked out the other fighter with a swift elbow to the head, and the crowd went wild. "Which one is your boy, Ali?" Helga leaned forward and asked. "He's the bigger, blond one with the black shorts. Isn't he great?" he yelled over the crowd. "Alright next one, remember we fight fair gentlemen!" Ali yelled hitting the bell with the small mallet as a second fighter in blue shorts entered the ring. The two fighters squared up and touched gloves. Both fighters had their faces obscured by the head wear, Helga couldn't tell much about the face.
The larger fighter in black was far faster than this fighter. The fighter in the blue shorts trying to fake out the larger fighter, was clearly out of his league. "This is voluntary right? These guys are getting their asses kicked one after another," Helga asked Ali. "Oh yeah you can't force people to fight, and it's all controlled. This was the other fighters' idea. They agree with me that this kid needs to be competing," Ali said. The larger fighter in black shorts was able to see every one of the moves from the fighter in blue. The fighter in blue moved forward to try and create space by kicking the larger fighter in black in the chest. However the fighter in black was able to side step and use the momentum to sweep the legs of the fighter in blue. Eventually the fighter in blue learned his lesson and tried to back off. At this point the fighter in black used the opportunity to come forward with a flying knee to the fighter in blue's chest knocking him down. "Is there something familiar about that person?" Phoebe asked. "Now that you mention it, kind of," Helga responded. The bell rang out and Ali shouted "I got one left Arnold, you got this kid!" Helga and Phoebe looked at each other. "Did he just say Arnold?" Helga said. Her and Phoebe looked back up at the fighter in black.
"That's what's familiar, look at his head!" Phoebe said. Helga looked at the fighter again and them helmet looked special made in an oblong shape. Almost like a football. "Holy shit Phoebe, that's Arnold!" Helga shouted. Helga and Phoebe looked at him again recognizing the fighter as Arnold Shortman. The next fighter came up, this one in yellow shorts. He was about Arnold's size, although thinner. "Alright gentlemen, we fight fair here," Ali said ringing the bell starting the match. The two fighters touched gloves and started to size each other up. The fighter in yellow moved towards Arnold, far quicker than the last. "He's projecting Arnold!" Helga heard Ali yell. Arnold saw the move his opponent was going to do, he lifted his leg in anticipation of the leg sweep. The fighter moved forward, less fearful than the others. He took three large swings are Arnold's head. Arnold was able to parry each one, using the third to counter attack with a sharp hook to the his opponent which connected and sent the other fighter back. The fighter in yellow looked as is he was going to perform another low leg kick, and Arnold moved his leg in anticipation. Just as Arnold moved his leg he left his body open, the other fighter whipped around in a swinging round house which connected to Arnold's stomach. The fighter in yellow ran forward to swing several times while Arnold covered his face. Arnold went down when one of the bigger swings connected. The fighter in yellow backed off and immediately raised his hands to the mixture of boos and hoorays in the crowd. Helga looked around. "Holy shit this is better than wrestling," she thought. Ali had his face in his hands and shouted, "never ever turn your back until it's over!"
As the fighter in yellow celebrated, Arnold on the other side of the ring rolled back on his neck, placing his hands flat on the ring. He then kicked up like a spring to his feet. The crowd started cheering in unison and Arnold screamed "turn around!" Slamming his fists together, ready to kill. Helga had never seen this fire in his eyes. The normally calm, compassionate eyes were fierce, burning with indignation. The fighter in yellow turned to see his upright opponent and started to square up again. "You got this Arnold!" Ali screamed. As the fighter approached, Arnold changed his movements to something Helga didn't recognize. He was moving side to side putting his arms to block. "What's he doing?" Helga asked. "He switching up his style. These are Capoeira moves, it's a Brazilian fighting style that he knows really well. What's he's doing now is called the Ginga. Not really helpful in a fight this move, but what he's doing is creating space between him and Justin there," Ali explained. Arnold continued these moves even doing a no handed cartwheel to avoid a low kick. "I had to teach him not to be stiff on the dance floor and he can do this?" Helga asked herself. Finally, the fighter in yellow got in close to Arnold. Arnold saw him coming trying to swing at him. Arnold moved back performing a font kick, which caused Justin to cover his body. Arnold saw the mistake, and capitalized. Arnold spun around performing a fast spinning hook kick with the back of his heel. Which connected hard to the head of the other fighter. Down he went. The whole crowd went insane at this. They all ran into the ring to congratulate Arnold and check on the other fighter to make sure he was alright. Arnold ripped off his helmet, raising his hands in the air in victory, screaming "Fuck yeah! That's ten! Lets see those assholes at Jim's MMA fucking do that!" Helga and Phoebe were completely taken aback at this. They could never have imagined Arnold fighting before, or swearing. Let alone screaming curses while celebrating defeating ten fighters in a row. "So Arnold is one of the best fighters Ali has ever seen?" Phoebe asked. Helga as shocked by this scene as her answered, "I-I guess. I've never seen him look like that when he got up and wanted to keep fighting. That was a little scary," Helga said. "Also kind of hot," Helga thought to herself.
They witnessed Arnold go over and check on the other fighter to make sure he was alright. The other fighter got up, and Arnold had his arm on his shoulder. Both of them were laughing. As they got out of the ring. Helga watched Arnold leave the ring and grab a towel. He came over by them making his way towards the locker room, without seeing them. "Arnold?" Helga called out. Arnold's eyes connected with Helga's. Arnold stood frozen. He looked back at them without saying a word. "Hey there big guy, good match?" Helga asked. "H-H-H-Helga wha-what are you… Phoebe! Wh-Wh-What are you guys doing here," Arnold struggled to ask. "Why is he acting like we just caught him cheating on his wife?" Helga asked herself. "We were checking this gym out, the better question is what are YOU doing here?" Helga asked. "You're the best fighter Ali has? When the hell did you start training in martial arts? What the hell is going on Football Head?" Helga. "Nothing is going on. I come here sometimes, that's all," Arnold said avoiding Helga's eyes. "Really, you come here sometimes? Nothing else?" Helga was floored by the situation. "Ali! How many times a week does your boy come here?" Helga asked Ali. With Arnold shaking his head furiously and waving his hands at Ali, Ali said "he's here most afternoons. Five or six days a weeks I'd say. It shows too, he's great. I'm proud of you kid!" "Thanks Ali," Arnold said under his breath, staring at the floor.
"Alright pal, spill it!" Helga said to Arnold. Arnold acted as if he didn't hear. "I'm gonna hit the showers," he said. "Woah there, if you got to read my essay, I get an explanation. Why are you acting so cagey? You don't have to hide anything form me, Arnold. You can trust me!" Helga said grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around. "I….." Arnold couldn't speak, he had a look of inner turmoil on his face. "Is anyone hungry?" Phoebe asked. Both Arnold and Helga looked down at Phoebe. "I think we should cleanup, and grab something to eat. Then we can talk instead of shouting at each other," Phoebe said. Arnold exhaled a large breath and nodded in agreement. "Can I meet you guys out front?" Arnold asked. "Oh yeah, I don't plan on letting you out of my site, bucko!" Helga said.
The three went to their respective lockers rooms and cleaned up. Helga rushing Phoebe to make sure they didn't miss Arnold in case he tried to sneak away. Helga waited in the parking lot now seeing Arnold's car towards the front. Arnold was good on his word. Arnold suggested they go to a near by sub shop. Phoebe elected to drive them all. There they all ordered some food and sat in a corner booth so they could hear one another.
Arnold started eating. "Sorry.." His mouth full of food. Realizing this he swallowed the bite. "Sorry, I'm starving." He said. "So what's up Arnold? How long have you been Jean-Claude Van Damme? And why'd you act so sketchy about it? All of this seems really out of character for you," Helga asked. Phoebe looking on and eating just as interested. "I started five years ago, I think. Remember when I started taking karate lessons, at like nine years old?" Arnold asked. "I do remember that!" Phoebe piped up. "Well I never got over how much I actually enjoyed fighting. So for a couple years I didn't think about it. Until grandpa needed help picking out auto parts for his car. We came out here because the only store that sells the parts he needed was down here. I walked by this place and walked in. I saw people fighting, and I was kinda hooked," Arnold said. Helga and Phoebe looking on as a captivated audience. "I met Ali, and he started training me. I started going everyday after school," Arnold finished.
"O.K., that doesn't explain why you're acting so weird about it." Helga observed. "I just don't want anyone to know," Arnold said. Something in Arnold's eyes told Helga she may get a better answer if she was questioning him alone. "Who else knows about this?" Helga asked. "No one knows about it, not even my parents. Or Gerald," Arnold said. "Why wouldn't you tell your best friend about this?" Phoebe asked. Arnold shrugged his shoulders and didn't answer. Helga was a little mystified. "Arnold is always honest and forthright. This is weird, he's so quiet about it," Helga thought. Phoebes come with me," Helga grabbed Phoebe and pulled her away from Arnold. "What is it?" Phoebe asked. "This is odd right? When has Arnold not tripped over himself to tell someone the truth?" Helga asked. "You're quite right Helga," Phoebe. "He may be more receptive if you talk to him alone," Phoebe said. "That's what I was going to say, how did you know that?" Helga asked. "Great minds, Helga. You two have a connection. I'm sure he'd be willing to talk through his anxiety with you alone rather than both of us," Phoebe said. "I think so too," Helga said. Phoebe marched back to the table and stood next to Arnold. "Arnold, I have some business I need to attend to and need to take my food to go. Would you be able to give Helga a ride back to her car when the two of you are finished?" Phoebe asked. "Yeah, of course," Arnold answered.
Phoebe bagged up her food, turning to Helga wrapping her in a big hug and saying "good luck, let him get close. It's O.K.!" With that, Phoebe was gone. Helga was puzzled by her plucky friend. Helga went back to the table, Arnold was finishing up. "Sorry, I couldn't wait. I needed to eat," Arnold said. Helga looked up lost in what Phoebe said. "It's alright," She said. "So, you're pretty talented. Phoebe and I caught your last two fights and you're really good. I've never seen you like that!" Helga said to a progressively dour Arnold. "What?" Helga asked. Arnold looked at her with sullen eyes. "He's seems so angry," Helga thought to herself. "I don't want the people I know to see me like that," Arnold finally said. "When I attacked that kid all those years ago, I did something really stupid. I don't ever want people to be scared of me," Arnold said. He exhaled and his shoulders slumped. "Is that why you go to a gym so far away from school and the neighborhood? So that no one you know would see you?" Helga asked. Arnold nodded in response.
Arnold and Helga sat in silence for a while. "What do I say to that?" Helga asked herself. Helga finally said, "let's go for a walk." Arnold agreed and they left the shop. The sun was setting as they walked down the street. "So why were you so shocked when you saw us?" Helga asked. "Back when we saw you at the gym, you were really cagey about the whole thing," Helga looked up at Arnold hoping for an answer. Arnold just looked down at the ground and continued walking. She nudged him with her arm, as he had done earlier. He looked down at her, Helga tried as much as possible to decipher his face. "I guess… When I say I don't people to see me like that, I guess you're one of the people I especially didn't want to see me that way. I don't know what it is about you, but I guess I find myself caring more about what you think about me than anyone else," Arnold said. Helga had no idea what to think. She had this feeling in her stomach, and her words were caught in her throat. "Ah crap!" Arnold said suddenly. "What?" Helga said looking up at him. "I didn't ask Phoebe, but could you guys please not tell anyone what you saw today? Please, I don't want anyone to know," he said. "You don't have to worry about us Arnold. Phoebe wouldn't tell anyone, she saw how upset you were. And I would never tell anyone your business. That's up to you," Helga said. "Although, I don't think it would go over as bad as you think it would," Helga said. "Yeah everyone's boring straight edge friend entertains himself by studying how to hurt people. 'It's always the quiet ones' He's a secret psycho," Arnold acted out. "Sounds to me like the very fact that you're so scared of this training is proof enough to understand and appreciate what it means to train as you do. Isn't the whole point never to hurt anyone except in defense, or compete in a controlled space?" Helga said looking back up at him. "I guess," Arnold said, shrugging his shoulders. "It is, isn't it?" She asked again nudging him again. "Yeah, I think you're right," Arnold replied. He smiled down at her. "Finally, there's my Arnold," she thought. She smiled back at him. "I'm sorry we found out this way," Helga said. "It's not your fault," Arnold said. "So, I'm not some monster, right?" Arnold stopped and faced to ask her. Helga looked up at him, and put a hand on his cheek. She smile at him and they locked eyes. "No, you're the same compassionate, amazing Arnold Shortman. Now I just know something new about you. It's like I know a cool secret about you. I like it. Makes you mysterious," Helga said. He smiled down to her and she smiled back up at him. Their eyes never leaving each other. "Yep, that's definitely my Arnold," She thought to herself.
They kept walking as the sun set. They found themselves back in front of Ali's where Arnold's car was still parked. "Oh dammit," Arnold said as he looked for his bag. "I left my bag inside," Arnold said. The gym was quiet, the lights out , and no Ali in sight. "Looks like the place is closed, Arnold." Helga said. "I have a key," Arnold said heading towards the door. "You have a key? Wow you are here a lot," Helga said. Arnold opened the door and turned the lights on making his way towards the locker to grab his bag. Helga followed him in and looked around the gym. It was a different animal now that everyone was gone. Helga picked up a pair of pink gloves that they used for guests without equipment. She looked around again, Arnold walked up to her. "Ready?" he asked. He had his bright face back on. "I prefer that face," Helga thought to herself.
Helga didn't know what compelled her next request. "Show me how to hit," Helga said grabbing the gloves and smiling at Arnold. "Uh.." Arnold stammered. "What?" Helga asked. "You've been hitting people ever since I've known you, I don't think you need help," Arnold said chuckling. She punched his arm. "Seriously, I hit people in whatever way feels natural. I want to know how to hit from someone who knows how to hit correctly," She shoved the gloves at him and he smiled at her. "O.K. then, let's get started," Arnold said as he walked over behind the counter in the gym. He cam out with a wrapped cloth and started unraveling it. He sat on the bench and motioned to her to come sit with him. Helga complied and sat next to him. Arnold swung his leg over the bench so that his body faced hers. "Give me your hand," he said as he held his out. "The first thing we have to do is wrap your hands. See when you hit someone you can really hurt your hand if it's not protected," Arnold said as he held her hand and started to wrap her hand in the cloth. He wrapped it around her knuckles and her wrist. He ran his thumb over her skin while he was wrapping it. "I don't think he realizes he's doing that, I don't want him to stop," she thought to herself. "Now the other hand," Arnold said. He wrapped her other hand running his thumbs unconsciously over her skin.
"Now, let's see your stance," Arnold said. Helga stood there with her hands wrapped, wearing boxing gloves unsure of what he meant. "My stance?" she said. "Your stance, how you would stand in front of your opponent." Arnold said. "I'd just stand like this I guess," Helga said as she shrugged. "Well, next lesson. You're stance," Arnold came close to Helga, Helga starting to blush. "You see if you just stand like that, and I'm your opponent. I can just do this," Arnold said as he gently pushed forward bringing his arm slowly towards her as if to knock her down. He then put his leg behind hers. Helga started to fall back and Arnold caught her. "You see it'd be easy to knock you over if you stand like that," Arnold said, holding Helga with her wrapping her arms around his neck. Arnold stood her back up, and they looked at each other. Their faces inches apart. He didn't let her go for a moment. "Um, I'll show you how should stand," Arnold said, Helga noticing his blush. Arnold walked in front of her and got into a stance. "Stand like this," He said as he stood in a fighting pose. One leg in the front slightly bent with the foot facing forward. The back leg in the back with the foot facing the side. One fist in front of his face with the other further out. "Alright," Helga responded, mimicking his stance. "O.K. stay like that," Arnold said as he circled around behind her. He placed his hands on Helga's hips. "Bend your knees a little bit," Arnold said. Helga complied. Arnold guided her legs with his legs. "He's very close to me, his cologne is hypnotic," Helga thought.
"Alright, that's a good stance. See now, if I'm coming at you from the front you'll have balance," Arnold walked to the ring and grabbed one of the hand pads. "Now, the stance is also important, because we're going to practice punching. Your power should come from your back, the torque of your body, and your back leg rather than your arm. Watch me," Arnold said as he threw a left jab, twisting his body. "Try that," he said. "Alright!" Helga said as she mimed the punch. "Nice job, do it again," He said. She punched again, and once more. "Nice Helga, I'm just gonna adjust you a little alright?" He asked, and Helga nodded. Arnold got half an inch from her and adjusted how her hands were placed. "You want to keep your other hand up while you do that. We don't want someone to get a shot at your beautiful face, do we?" Arnold said as he adjusted her hand placement. "So now try a couple hits on the pad," Arnold smiled at while he put the pad on his hand and held it up for her to hit. She punched the the pad copying the motion she saw. "Nice Helga! If you're not sure about your motion just look in the mirror," Arnold said with a big smile on his face.
They continued like that for a while. Eventually Arnold's mother called looking for him, cutting their session short. Arnold locked the gym and they were on the way to Helga's car. When they arrived back at the school, the lot was empty accept for Helga's car. "How's it been running?" Arnold asked. "Pretty well, no issues since you got your hands on it," Helga said grabbing her bag. "Good!" Arnold said. Helga seeing her adventure for the day come to a close, looked at Arnold and said. "Text me when you get home O.K.?" She asked. "I will," Arnold said smiling at her. Helga got out of the car and closed the door. Helga stood there for a second looking at her car. She turned on her heel seeing Arnold looking for something to play while he drove home. She ripped the door opened as if where getting back in. Arnold looked up and Helga met his eyes. "Did you forget something…" Helga interrupted him, leaning in and capturing his lips in a kiss. The kiss was deep, tender, and affectionate. Helga opened her eyes and saw he had his closed. She closed her eyes again as she moaned barely audibly into his mouth. She broke the kiss suddenly, backing out of the car. "Hope that helps you feel better, text me later," Helga said casually. She saw Arnold frozen in place turning bright red as she closed the door, got into her car and drove away.