Hello, everyone! Thanks to all who read and reviewed. Sorry if chapter one was a bit late. And Kimba's right, the names I got for the daughters of Arnold and Helga and Gerald and Phoebe are from Taming of the Shrew. I still can't get that play out of my system perhaps because it fits HA! so much. Thanks again to my wonderful editor, Polgara. I hope you all enjoy this.
Oh yeah, I made a mistake on one part of the prologue. Gerald should have said that Arnold was gone for nine years and Helga for fifteen. That's about it, I guess.
DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold is not mine or these would truly be seen on TV. (I wish.)
Helga's heart swelled as she gazed at the little girl beside her. Katey's one of the most precious things in her life. That was why she rarely uttered a harsh word to her.
She remembered the shocked expression Sid had earlier. Helga knew she was probably the person least likely to be a mother, but that all changed when she gave birth to Katey. Sweet little Katey.
She wouldn't raise her daughter the same way her parents raised her. No, she would give her all the love that she held and much more. Love her the way that she had loved her husband, with all her heart.
Helga's hear wrenched at the thought of him. Everything used to be so beautiful and perfect before. Why did it end? Why did their marriage suffer? Did she do something wrong?
Tears fell from her eyes but she didn't stop them, she let them flow. She was used to this. Ever since they made the decision to separate, she would cry herself to sleep every night.
However, she stopped as she heard a whimper. Helga looked at her daughter and took one of her hands and held it. Katey's whimpering ceased, but Helga still held on. All that she had of her marriage was Katey and her memories.
Just a few doors down Arnold too lay awake. Like Helga, he remembered the past. The happy past.
Part One
Chapter One
Welcome, Arnoldo, to Canada, eh
He looked at his surroundings. There were many people getting ready for the take-off. Some were putting their carry-on in the overhead hangers and some were putting them underneath their seats. Others had already finished putting away their baggage and were sitting down, reading a book or magazine.
He looked around and saw a man tightly gripping the arm rests. 'He must have a phobia of flying,' he mused. Another man was taking care of a girl who was on a verge of throwing tantrum. Deciding he had enough of looking around, he peered out the window and gazed at Seattle for the last time.
The young man had the most bizarre shaped head. A kind of a taco or football shape. But his head had been even more distinct when he was young. Now it was a little bit more like the usual head shapes.
His green eyes roved the airport and the Seattle he could see. He felt sad about leaving the place he had lived in his whole life, but sooner or later he had too. Especially, if he wanted to be a good doctor. He had to go to a good school, one that offered medicine and is affordable. It was just his luck that it was so far away from his hometown. But that really wasn't the main reason he chose Ontario, Canada, what he really wanted was to...
He sighed.
Maybe Gerald was right. There's a very slim chance that his parents are still alive. Maybe he should back out now. They still hadn't left the airport terminal. He could tell the flight attendant, or whoever questions him, that he had changed his mind. That he'll just stay here in Seattle with all his friends.
A memory flitted in his head as he continued to gaze at his hometown.
They all
looked at him. He could tell they wanted to say something. Grinning at them, he
said in his most cheerful voice, "We'll see each other again soon."
They
murmured among themselves. The girls were more open about their feelings than
the boys. They all looked like they were about to cry, while the boys looked at
anything or anyone other than their soon to be departing friend.
"After
all the inspirational speeches you've given before, what you just said doesn't
console me at all!" Rhonda exclaimed. Rhonda still wore the latest trend
in clothing. And now at his departure she looked like she was going to a party.
Her hair, her clothes, and her shoes were all very formal.
She reddened as she realized
what she had just said. "Err...
you know that we'll all miss you, Arnold," she replied softly.
He gave
her a grin. "We'll all be leaving soon, Rhonda. You're going to Princeton,
right?"
She nodded.
"It
isn't making you're departure any easier for us, Arnold," Gerald said.
Heads nodded.
Arnold
could feel himself getting misty-eyed so he just smiled at all of them. Yes,
all of them. The former fourth grade class of Mr. Simmons littered the
departure gate to his flight.
Everyone
began to talk to Arnold, asking him questions about what his new life would be
like. Part of him missed one biting voice.
Before
he knew it, they all started talking among themselves about their plans for
their future. That was when Arnold noticed Phoebe slowly approaching him. The
years had been great to Phoebe as she grew up. Her hair was still in the same
style, same with her clothes. Still as conservative as ever.
"Arnold,
if I may ask a favor of you?" she asked softly. He nodded.
She
looked down and played with her hands, a gesture she developed after Helga
left. Phoebe then looked up, "Could... If you see Helga could you tell her
that I just mailed her my letter?" She paused. "And that I miss
her?"
Arnold
went over to Phoebe and hugged her. "I will," he said, before he
realized what Phoebe had just said.
"Helga's in Canada?" he asked, while letting go of Phoebe.
She
nodded, "That's where she moved to seven years ago."
"Well,
if I do see her then I'll tell her."
"Thank
you so much, Arnold."
"Flight
176 to Ontario, Canada, is now boarding."
Arnold
turned to face all his friends, of the last eighteen years. "See you soon,
guys."
The
words were no sooner out of his mouth when he was tightly hugged. Arnold smiled
as Gerald drew away. "Write to me, man. And be sure you'll visit during
vacations!"
"And
don't forget to send me all the pictures of all the Canadian babes you've
seen!" Curly exclaimed.
Rhonda
smacked him. "Ow!" He teasingly glared at her. "Jealous,
babe?" another smack.
Arnold
laughed at their antics. He was sure going to miss this.
After that everyone, from
Torvald to Eugene, said their farewells, Arnold waved to them. He looked at them for the last time, all
bunched together. He knew he would miss all of them.
"Sir! Sir!"
Arnold turned around to see a flight attendant looking at him. The older woman next to Arnold was also looking.
"We're about to take-off. Could you please fasten you're seatbelt?" he added.
Arnold smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." He began to fasten his seatbelt.
"Thank you, sir," was all the flight attendant said before he left.
Arnold then remembered that he wanted to tell the flight attendant that he wanted to leave, but then the older woman beside him exclaimed, "First time?"
He faced her and nodded.
She smiled at him. "Don't worry, you'll be back." She stopped as she noticed the surprised look on his face "I can tell by the way you're all moping around. You were having second doubts right?" She grinned. "You know, ties are strengthened when they're apart. It's tough, but the end results are good."
Arnold nodded at her and smiled. She was right; he just hoped he could handle it.
~7:40, University of Ottawa
A tall blonde, carrying a heavy backpack, was rapidly entering the campus grounds. To an ordinary observer it looked like she was sprinting, but to it was just her natural walk.
She was dressed in simple clothes, a loose T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Her long hair, which was still wet, swayed as she walked in. 'Criminey! First day of classes and I'm behind schedule.'
Ahead of her, she saw a rather tall blond man with a backpack. He was looking at the entrance gate of the college. 'If he doesn't stop gawking. He'll be late!" She scoffed. "Oh who cares about him? He's just a guy with a weird shaped..."
She was only a few feet behind him when she stopped walking. She took a really good look at the man in front of her.
Like she had noted earlier, he was taller than she was and had blonde hair. His body wasn't puny anymore. No, in fact it looked like he had done some heavy-duty work. The blue hat was gone, and he let his hair grow a little bit more.
She nearly dropped the binder she was carrying as she softly uttered, "Arnold!"
'So this is the University of Ottawa.'
"Since you've never been here before, I would suggest that you gawk at the school during your break. You'll need all the time you can in order to find all the rooms you need to go to," a female voice retorted.
The tone was familiar to him but the voice wasn't. He turned around to see a young woman that looked like she had just taken a bath. The young woman looked like a model with her wet hair forming waves and her commanding presence. She was dressed simply, and was armed with binders and a backpack.
She seemed familiar, but he couldn't put a name to the face until he saw a pair of very amused blue eyes. "Helga?"
She waved her free hand. "In the flesh, Arnoldo." She grinned as she said, "Welcome, Arnoldo, to Canada, eh."
Arnold laughed. She took one of his hands and proceeded to drag him inside. "I would love to ask you some questions but I need to go to my class. When's your first class?"
"Uh, 8:00."
"Okay, so we both need to go to class. Where's your sheet?"
"Sheet?"
She gritted her teeth. "The sheet where all your classes are written."
"Oh." He took it out of his pocket and gave it to her.
She grabbed it from his hand and scanned it. Helga shoved the paper back to him. "It's in the building in front of us. Go in that building and make a right at the first corridor. The room numbers are posted at the top of the door."
She really was in a hurry. "Umm, thanks Helga."
Helga waved him off. "Yeah, yeah!" She stopped. "When's you're break?"
He looked at the sheet. "11:30."
"Great! I'll meet you in front of the cafeteria. See you, Arnold!" Helga walked away and waved.
Arnold was still in shock at having seen her and her blatant acts of kindness. "Bye."
Helga hastily walked up the stairs. 'Stupid, professor. He had to go on and on about the joy of essay writing. Yeesh!'
She was already a few minutes late but she hoped he was still there. 'Knowing his personality, he probably had many friends already. If he can't wait for me he's probably eating with them now.'
At that thought she slowed down. Truthfully, she was looking forward to eating with him. He was her beloved, for Pete's sake. He still was, even after all those years.
Helga sighed. Sure, she was a hopeless case. Loving him secretly, ever since she was in kindergarten. Why did she continue loving him, even if the chances of him loving her back were impossible?
She smiled. Fate had been kind to her. Maybe it's a kind of leeway, making him go to the same university as her. Maybe the only role she was to ever have in her beloved's life was that of a friend. After all, it wouldn't surprise her that he had a girlfriend waiting for him in Seattle; he had grown so much. Maybe he had been able to convince Lila to love him. It was better that they be friends than have her be a bully and him the victim. It was better than nothing.
Helga recalled their talk earlier. She remembered how he looked, the way he talked, how he stood, and especially his aura. He had grown up to be a very handsome young man, but his loving, caring, and friendly aura still showed. She hoped that he never lose his naïve way of looking at things.
And the feeling that stirred up in her, at seeing him again after so many years, was nerve-wracking. It was still the same passion she had when she was young. But somehow it felt like it had changed. Helga didn't know in what way it changed. She just hoped it wasn't bad.
Helga was already at the top of the stairs. She let her eyes roamed around the cafeteria as she searched for the familiar football head. Scratch that. Almost football head.
She saw him standing near the end of the plastic tables and benches searching for her. Her heart gave a sudden leap as he turned in her direction and their eyes met. His green eyes brightened at seeing her. Helga scolded herself for her body's reaction.
So, she just hid her clammy hands and rapid heartbeat by grinning at him as she walked toward him. To further shorten the distance he also came to her. When they were face to face, "So, not-so-football-head what do you feel like eating? American food? French? Canadian? There are a few restaurants near here."
His eyebrows wrinkled. "We're not eating here?"
"Oh, please Arnoldo. Cafeteria food is the same in all schools and universities." She began to walk away from the cafeteria with Arnold following. "Let's just start with Canadian. I know this little restaurant that serves great food. I'll take you there. Oh by the way, how long is your lunch break?"
"An hour and a half."
Helga smiled. "Good! We'll have time to catch up."
"Uh, Helga?"
She stopped and turned around to face him. He looked at her in a weird way. "What?"
"You've become more open," he commented. He stopped and smiled. "It's great to finally see you after seven years."
Helga suppressed the urge to faint then and there. "I'm surprised you counted how long I was gone," she replied, a bit hesitant.
He smiled. "Of course, I did. You were one of my friends."
She was disappointed. 'Like he's going to say that he missed you because he loves you. Oh please!' Helga forced herself to grin. "I'm surprised, football head. Me?" she pointed to herself. "Your friend?"
"Of course! Now, where were we going to eat?"
She still felt disappointment but she quickly went to him and pulled him in the right direction, "This way Arnoldo or we may never get to our next class on time."
~ Restaurant
Helga grinned as she gazed at his face. "Trying to read the French version?"
Arnold looked up from his menu at her. "Yeah." He said while putting the menu down.
"I'll just order for the both of us," Helga stated.
When she saw him nod she focused her attention on the waiter and ordered their food in perfect French. Arnold just gazed at the scenery, through the window beside him, but his ears were on Helga and the waiter. He was amazed at how fluent Helga sounded.
Then she repeated something in French. Thinking she was still talking to the waiter he continued to stare out the window. She repeated herself again, this time she waved her hand in his face. He faced her.
"Were you daydreaming again? 'Cause I've been repeating what I said to you about three times!"
"Oh. I thought you were talking to the waiter."
She exasperatedly sighed. "You have to learn to speak and understand French if you're going to live here for a while. You're lucky Ottawa is mainly French and English. If you had been in Quebec you would really need to learn French."
Helga slyly grinned. "Besides, when you do get back to Seattle you'll be speaking..." Her voice had a French accent as she said, "...The language of love." It hurt her deeply to say those words, but she remembered that she wasn't going to be the woman in his life.
He sheepishly smiled. "I don't have someone to say that to."
She felt giddy but restrained herself. "Oh come on, football head. You can tell me. You told me a while ago that I was your friend. What about Lila?"
He shook his head. "Well, I confronted Lila about my feelings and she replied that she will never like me like-me. So I gave up."
Helga scoffed. "Don't you ever wonder were Lila came up with that word? Jeez! It makes the speaker sound like a broken record." She looked at him and waited for him to defend Lila but he didn't. Helga looked at Arnold and softened. "You'll find someone here, football head. There are lots of women to choose from." She clenched her right hand that was beneath the table.
He smiled at her. "I don't think I'll be dating much. It would probably just distract me from my studies. Maybe after college."
Whatever small hope she had was dashed as he uttered those words. Helga covered her disappointment by saying, "Like you'll be able to do that. Anyway, I noticed you've been looking at the scenery a lot. How do you like Ottawa?"
He grinned. "Well, I'm just a bit... surprised. Everything looks so fresh and green."
Helga nodded. "I know, that was my reaction when I first arrived here too. Ottawa's like a province compared to Seattle. That was why I never want to leave this place again."
Arnold looked at her, a bit concerned. "You don't want to come home anymore?"
She scoffed. "Home? Home is where the heart is, Arnold. And my heart is certainly here."
He wanted to say something else but he decided not to pursue it anymore.
"How's Phoebs?" she asked softly.
He faced her. "She misses you terribly. In fact, before I left she asked me, that if I ever saw you, to tell you that she just mailed her letter to you and that she misses you."
Helga just nodded. She looked at the beautiful scenery through the window. "So what are you going to be?"
"A doctor."
"It fits. You being caring and all."
He smiled even though she couldn't see it. "Thanks. What about you?"
"Lawyer."
Arnold smiled again. "Wow! That's great, Helga!"
"Yeah, yeah." She paused. "Why did you come to this college, Arnold? There are many great colleges and universities in America. Why come here?" She still didn't face him when she asked the question.
"Well, this was the best medical school I could afford."
She looked at him. Disbelief, clearly written on her face.
He was a bit surprised that she knew he was lying but didn't say anything.
"Look, Arnold, there are many people that buy goods in America and bring them here. You know why?" She didn't wait for his answer. "Because the taxes here are too much. It's like 15%! Compare that to our own taxes."
Helga looked at his green eyes. "What's the real reason you're here?"
Arnold sighed. "My mother graduated from here," he softly replied.
"Oh." Her heart went out to him.
Silence.
Helga sneaked a look at Arnold and found him to be looking outside again. She wanted to comfort him but she didn't know how. She felt so useless. How can she be a friend to him when she can't even console him?
But she can introduce a new topic so she did. "Uh, are you staying in a dorm?"
He faced her and nodded. "I live only a few blocks away from here."
"Do you have anyone to show you around Ottawa. If not I'll show you around."
He smiled again. "That would be great."
"When do you have any free time?"
"I don't have any classes this weekend."
"Good. Give me your address and I'll pick you at your place at 8:00 am."
Arnold became uncertain. "Isn't that a bit early?"
He was saved from an upcoming tease by the arrival of the waiter. Helga wickedly grinned at him, somehow telling him that he was spared... for now.
No words were uttered after the waiter left because they silently ate their meals.
~Wednesday
Helga read the bulletin that was posted on the board in front of her. It had become a sort of a ritual, whenever she passed by the auditorium she would stop and read the bulletin board that was located in front of the building. She had been doing this since she first started studying here and was still in high school. This was where they posted the upcoming shows and plays that were to be shown in the auditorium, as well as any upcoming auditions.
Ever since she had played Juliet for her school play she wanted to be on stage acting. It wasn't that she enjoyed having had the chance to play Arnold's love. It was the queasy feeling that she got seconds before going on stage, the thrill of performing to a live audiences and the sound of everybody clapping because they enjoyed her acting. Oh, how she wanted to act.
She held her binder close to her and sighed. It was because she was afraid of them that she didn't want to act. If only things were different.
Arnold was about to go inside the administration building when he saw a familiar back. She was reading something on the wall of the auditorium. He smiled. They hadn't seen each other for about a week, not since that first day. He thought about going over to her and say 'Hi!'
Arnold walked across the small road, used for small trucks for disabled students, toward Helga, who was still reading. When he was only a few meters away from her he looked over her shoulder to see what she was so engrossed about. It looked like she was reading a notice for an audition to a play written by some guy.
He stopped beside her and said, "Maybe you should try out."
Helga faced him a bit surprised. She regained her senses and glared at him. "Don't sneak up on me!"
Arnold was confused. "I wasn't sneaking up on you. You were just engrossed about the flyer."
He was expecting an angry comeback but none came. "No I wasn't engrossed," was all Helga said before she turned around and started walking away. Arnold followed her.
"Aren't you going to try out? Everyone loved you when you played Juliet. I know I did."
Her usual cool façade was broken. Helga cursed her heart's reaction. Why did he have to say those exact words?
She just faced him and mustered a fake grin. "That was eons ago, football head. And I've forgotten how to act. If you want to, maybe you should audition," she replied with a tone of finality.
He looked at her. Something was wrong but he didn't know what it was. So he just brought up a new topic. "I wanted to thank you for showing me the sights the other day."
She looked at her watch and continued to walk. Helga didn't even face him as she replied, "There weren't that many sights to see, Arnoldo. Besides, you already thanked me last week after the tour."
"I know, but I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed it."
"It's no big deal." She stopped in front of a building, as did he. Helga looked at him and sighed. "Look, Arnold, I'm sorry if I'm a bit of a bear to you, but I guess I should have warned you that I'm not approachable during school. Once classes get started I put my whole attention on school."
He nodded and she grinned again. "I'm already late. So I'll see you when I see you, not-so-football-head!"
Arnold just chuckled as he watched her enter the building.
He looked at the clock on top of the blackboard. The professor was already ten minutes late. Arnold sighed as he gazed at his classmates. A brunette who was reading noticed his gaze and smiled at him. He smiled back. The brunette then resumed reading.
Arnold looked at the door then the clock. His thoughts then turned to Helga. Until now he still couldn't believe Helga's personality. He knew from grade school that there was more to Helga's nasty attitude. He had known that she was nice inside but he hadn't expected her to be like this.
She was nice and friendly. And even though she wouldn't admit it, he knew she was a very caring individual. Let them call him crazy but he liked her fiery nature. It was probably one of the things he liked most about Helga. Why he considered her one of his friends.
He was pulled from his musings by an out of breath older woman. "Sorry class but my car just broke down."
Groans were heard. "Now, now class. If you continue to dawdle on I'll be force to give extra assignments."
The groans dwindled. Arnold had to force himself to be attentive.
'Why is it that when it comes to Arnold I always tell a lie? Why can't I just blab everything to him? Can't I just say that I love him, and have loved him for almost all my life?'
Helga clutched her binder close to her. Since she was used to the usual weight of the bag she tends to forget about her backpack. So as she was walking along the hallways, towards the parking lot, she was thinking about him, again.
She sighed, for the hundredth time that day. Ever since he came her attention, which used to be solely for school, was now divided between him and school. She hated it, yet...
"Ms. Pataki!"
A startled Helga turned around to see a middle-aged man, with thinning hair and wearing a suit and tie, walking with her. He seemed concerned at her behavior.
"Y-yes, Mr. Gorvino?" Helga asked after stopping.
By habit he fixed his tie as he replied, "I have been complimenting you on your debating skills, Ms. Pataki, but it seems like your mind was on something else. Is it perhaps your next class?"
She grew red. "Uh, no. Mr. Gorvino. I-I was jus..."
He noted her blush and grinned. "I believe it concerns someone special."
Helga blushed again. "Sir, please... I beg of you. Don't..."
Mr. Gorvino held up one hand and she stopped. "I won't tell a soul. I'm not like Ms. Lecuyee." She breathed a sigh of relief.
He smiled at her. "Ms. Pataki is human after all. May I know who the lucky man is?"
Helga shook her head. "That is all you will know, sir."
He just laughed. "See you on Friday, Ms. Pataki." She waved to him and then walked on.
She continued toward her destination. She also continued thinking about him and her lies. 'You are forgetting that he holds your heart in his hands. If you tell him the truth and he says he doesn't love you you'd be hurt. Extremely hurt.'
Helga was about to go out of the building her last class, Mr. Gorvino's, was in, when she stopped and leaned on the wall beside the door. She brought her binder close to her chest as she imagined his rejection.
Helga knees felt very weak. She leaned further on the wall for support.
'The relationship we have now is all I have. If I confess, I might jeopardize everything. He won't be my friend anymore. He'll just be a former acquaintance.'
She nervously pushed her fingers through her hair. "No... No, I can't let that happen. Besides, he said so himself, he isn't interested in dating anyone. Much less dating someone like me. I'm not even good-looking.'
Helga strengthened herself. 'I'll just be his friend, but I'll be the best friend he'll have.' She moved away from the wall and was about to go out the door when she heard a familiar voice on the other side.
"This is where her last class should be. She said so herself."
She went back against the wall. Arnold? Who was he talking to?
A male voice answered him but his voice wasn't as husky as Arnold's. "Maybe her class got cancelled, or they were let off early or late."
"Maybe she just used a different exit. There are about four more entrance/exit in the San Anael building," a female voice retorted.
Helga quieted the surge of jealousy that hummed through her veins. She didn't look up for fear of being seen.
"Ignore Chelsea. She's just miffed that she got a 'D' on her essay," another female voice said.
Helga made a fist with her right hand.
"I was sure that I would at least get a 'C'. Although I was aiming for a 'B'," the first female voice exclaimed.
"You'll get it next time," Arnold paused. "Maybe you're right Patrick. She might already be gone by now. I'll introduce you guys some other time." There were some footsteps heard. "I'm really sorry I brought you here for nothing."
"Hey, no sweat, Arnold my man. We'll meet her soon. She isn't going anywhere," Patrick, the first male voice added.
"Yeah, then I'll ask her out," a new male voice exclaimed.
Helga narrowed her eyes. That voice. Oh how she hated that voice.
A smacking sound was heard. "Hey! What did I ever do to you?"
"You're alive," Chelsea, the first female voice, retorted.
"Stop it, both of you. Some of us have other classes and jobs to go to in half an hour," the second female voice cut in. "You didn't tell her that you'll be introducing us, right?"
Helga heard his sheepish laughter. "Uh no."
"Well, that's the problem. Next time you see her, tell her. I for one am looking forward to meeting this wonderful friend of yours, Arnold. She sounds pretty great."
Jealousy forgotten, Helga felt heat rush to her face. He thought she was great. Only a friend but great one nonetheless.
"Okay, Alicia. And I'm really sorry," Arnold said.
"There's no need to be sorry, Arnold. You couldn't foretell that this would happen. You should only be apologizing when your actions or words are deliberately done. But then again, some people apologize for the immense guilt that they feel and not for the other person's feelings..." a new and monotone female voice stated.
"Now you've done it. Now Tish would go on and on," Patrick said.
"I won't give you the satisfaction of replying to you," Tish replied.
"We have classes and jobs to go to people!" Alicia exclaimed.
Helga then heard them say their parting words. She waited for a few seconds then she stood up and went outside. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no one. Helga then continued her trek to the parking lot.
A couple of curious green eyes looked on as they watched Helga walk through the doors and out of the building. She had seen everything. From the moment Helga looked a bit weak, and leaned on the wall for support, until a while ago when she left.
And she was very astonished. She knew Helga to be a very prim, proper, and studious girl. Helga was always serious but sometimes she would crack a smile or two for them, them meaning the teachers. In all of the years she had watched Helga, she had never ever seen her talk to her classmates. It seemed like she was a pariah.
But now, she just saw a multitude of emotions flash through her face. Pain, sorrow, regret, anger, and... she wasn't sure but she thought she also saw love.
Eyebrows wrinkled. But why? What brought upon this kind of reaction to her? More importantly, who brought it?
'It's not suppose to be any of my business, but to quote Myrtie Barker, The idea of strictly minding our own business is moldy rubbish. Who could be so selfish?' Helga was like her very own daughter. "I have to find out what's wrong with her soon."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Lecuyee!" a chirpy voice greeted.
She turned around to face a smiling young woman. "Good afternoon to you too, Dao."
The young woman nodded back and then went through the doors. Ms. Lecuyee then continued walking straight to her own destination.
When she got to her Beetle, Helga closed the door and locked it. She folded her arms on the steering wheel and put her head there. She closed her eyes as she recalled what a close call it had been. If she hadn't been thinking about him she would have met his new friends. And she mustn't meet them. Never.
There really is a university of Ottawa but I've never been there so the setting I had in mind for his story is based on my college. That goes the same with the courses offered.
All reviews and constructive criticisms are very much welcome.