Sometimes love just isn't enough

by Jedy

Not all stories end in happily ever afters and this story is about one of those few who don't. The story about our favorite couple, Arnold and Helga... unfinished

4. It's the Ice Queen!

Hello! I apologize to everybody for sending this out late. This chapter took a long time to write and edit. I still haven't finished chapter four so I might post that also a bit late. Muchos gracias to my editor, Polgara. I hope you all like this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold! Not mine.

Chapter Three

It's the Ice Queen!

Dear Gerald,

How are you? How's Phoebe and the rest of the gang? Do you still keep in touch with them? I hope they're all okay. I still haven't received Rhonda's letter, maybe she's busy in Princeton.

I received your letter on Saturday but couldn't reply to you sooner. Time sure flies fast. Our finals were this week already and now I am glad they're over. I think I did pretty okay with all my exams I think I passed all of them. How about yours? And, I know I shouldn't ask but how did Phoebe fare in the exam? Did she ace it?

I am a little worried about Helga right now and I know you're going to tell me to stop doing that but a semester has already passed and I still haven't introduced her to them. I have a feeling that she hasn't made many friends here so I really want them to meet. And I know they will like Helga. Even if you still don't believe it, Helga is much nicer and friendlier now. She's still as fiery as ever but she's not a bully anymore. It's probably because of her grandmother (Remember Lizi?) and she's more open now.

Speaking of Lizi, I am now a full-fledged gardener. Lizi been teaching how to make and keep a garden healthy whenever I visit her. Helga will sometimes join us and tell a few funny anecdotes to make the work a bit easier. And the other times she'll do her homework or her assignments on the balcony.

Arnold gazed at his unfinished letter. He wanted to add that even though he visited Helga's home as often as he could he still knew only a little bit about her. Helga did reveal a few things, but it was mostly due to Lizi's stories that he got to know her a little bit better. But, during the last few times he noticed that Lizi would stop or she would change the subject suddenly. He did get to know her by observation.

"Hey Arnoldo, how did your finals go?"

He quickly, but neatly, folded the paper and inserted it in a book. He looked up and saw Helga with a binder in one hand. "Okay, but I'm a bit unsure about my answers on genetics."

He stood up and walked away from the wall he had been leaning on. The two of them then proceeded to walk together.

"Sometimes I don't get why we have to study subjects that don't have anything to do with our major." She paused. "Although now that I think of it genetics does tie in with your major." Helga waved her free hand. "Anyway, I guess our society still follows the old ways of the Greeks by being a well-rounded society."

Arnold grinned. "Let me guess, your last final was Philosophy?"

Helga grinned back and then hung her head and sighed. "I know!" She groaned. "I think I studied too hard."

He chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll see that what you did was great when you receive your grades." He paused. "So, how did yours go?"

She shrugged. "Fine I guess but I don't think much about it. I have this philosophy..." She paused as she cringed but continued. "...That I don't think much about my grades. I only worry when the day they give the grades back arrives."

Arnold smiled. "Hey, I do that too! Actually I've been doing that ever since grade school."

Helga looked a bit startled and then she gave a weak laugh. "Yeah, what do you know?" She tried to think of a different topic and one came to her. "I almost forgot! The tomatoes that you planted are starting to grow. Ma already saw the seedlings this morning."

"Really?! What did you do?"

"We looked at it. What else are we suppose to do?"

"Helga!"

"You need to cool down! Someday you're going to have a heart attack." Her tone softened, "Ma quickly inspected the seedlings and the soil. And then she..." Helga went on.

"Where is he? We've been waiting for him for ten minutes." A handsome blond young man sat down beside another blond man who was reading a book.

The blond-haired young woman at his left glared at him and exclaimed, "Why are you so impatient? It's finals week, remember? He might have stayed behind to finish his exam. Besides, it's the last scheduled test. Have a little bit of patience."

"I know why Logan is so impatient. He's going to ask one of our classmates for a date," the female auburn-haired retorted. She rolled her eyes and began to scan the incoming crowds for their familiar friend.

They were all seated in a cemented bench outside the San Gabriel building. The last scheduled exam had already passed and all where waiting for their friend.

The blonde-haired woman broke their silent search. "Has anyone seen Arnold's friend, Helga, yet? I've been dying to meet her the whole sem but I haven't seen hide nor hair of her."

The young man who was earlier reading a book looked at her and then said, "Now that you mentioned it, neither have I. He often goes to her place to do some gardening but he hasn't introduced us to her yet. I've asked him about it and he says that she's busy when we have free time, but when it comes to his free time she's available."

No one was able to ponder his words because the brunette at the far left end of the group exclaimed, "I think that the person that you're talking about and the person we're waiting for are coming our way."

The auburn-haired woman faced her and said, "Why can't you just say that Arnold and Helga are coming?" Then realization hit her. "...They're coming?!"

The group quickly faced the direction the brunette was looking, which was to their right, and sure enough Arnold and a blonde, who was a little bit shorter than him, were walking side by side. The blonde was at their side while Arnold was at the other. They were heading their way but Arnold didn't seem to notice the group watching them. The group couldn't see the blonde's face because she and Arnold were engaged in a friendly conversation.

Only a few feet remained and then finally the blonde faced their direction. All gave exclamations of surprise.

The blonde woman exclaimed, "Oh my..."

"...God." The auburn-haired finished the exclamation.

The young man who spoke earlier exclaimed, "It's the Ice Queen!"

At the mention of the title the blonde faced them and glared. They could feel her blue eyes turn ice cold as she gazed at them.

Arnold noticed the sudden change in Helga's attitude and turned to look at her. He then followed her gaze and saw the group. His eyes showed confusion for a brief moment and turned to face Helga again but only saw air. He looked ahead and noticed Helga was walking away from them at a fast pace.

He turned to the group and said, "Just a sec," then jogged to catch up with Helga. When he was at her side he matched his stride with hers and asked, "What's the matter, Helga? Have you met my friends before?"

Arnold noticed she was clenching and unclenching her fists. Her facial expression turned into a scowl. The old Helga was back.

"Just one," she gritted.

He felt helpless as he watched her silently fume. This was the first time he had ever seen the old Helga since she left after the graduation. Years had already passed; would consoling her still work?

He released a deep breath and grabbed hold of her right hand and stopped, this in turn made Helga stop. A pair of very angry eyes looked at him.

For a second Arnold was scared at her smothering look but he took hold of a bit of courage and asked, "Please tell me what's wrong?"

Arnold could feel her trying to jerk her hand off his hold but he held on tighter. Finally she stopped her efforts and looked into his eyes.

"It's a long story," she replied in a tired voice.

He was partly relieved and partly concerned. He could feel that Helga was finally opening up to him. "We just finished our finals. I have two weeks to listen," he softly replied.

She gave a small laugh. "Fine."

Arnold smiled. "Great! We can start this with my friends." He felt her stiffened at his words.

"No, Arnold, not with them." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please."

He could feel himself softening up at that gaze but he strengthened his resolve. "No, you have to face your problems now."

She looked down.

He was right, she was running away from her problems. Helga clenched the fist that Arnold wasn't holding. Why did he have to be right all the time?

Helga sighed deeply and gently tried to remove his hold on her. She faced the other way and uttered, "Lead the way."

"I wonder what they're saying?" Logan asked.

The group looked over to the two people that they were talking about. They could still see the couple but they couldn't hear them. Even the brunette, who usually didn't bother much about gossip, was looking.

The auburn-haired turned to Logan and hissed, "What do you think they're talking about?"

Logan faced her with an annoyed look and asked, "What are you hissing at me for, Chelsea?"

"You're the one who called her the Ice Queen!"

"Isn't that what we call her?"

Chelsea stopped but then exclaimed, "You didn't have to blurt it out loud!"

"Do you think they're a couple?" the blonde female suddenly asked.

Chelsea and Logan stopped arguing. The rest turned to face the blonde.

"Well, look at their body language. It looks real intimate."

"Please don't practice you're soon-to-be profession, Alicia. It really doesn't suit you," Logan uttered.

Alicia ignored him. She turned to face the couple again, they seemed to have a very tense atmosphere. "Maybe that's why he really wanted us to meet her." She paused then said softly, "That is so sweet."

Logan looked at Helga with a very satisfied look. Even though she was wearing loose clothing he knew she had a very flattering figure underneath. "Well, I can account for his taste."

Smack!

"Ow! Well, forgive me for being a bit heartless but how could he be close to her. She is what her title says." Logan stated while rubbing his head. Chelsea just glared at him then turned to once again spy on the two individuals.

Finally the brunette talked again, "I think it's only something that Arnold sees in her. I for one like a part of her personality. She's direct and lets others know how she feels about them. Although our society doesn't approve of that behavior it is rather refreshing to see. But what I admire most is her strength." She pauses as if she was thinking some more. "It is like she is against the world but she still keeps her back straight."

Alicia turned to face the brunette and Logan, sensing what she would do, faced Alicia and silently shook his head and waved his arms. Alicia and the brunette ignored him. "How did she come about with that personality, Tish?"

Tish's mouth opened and Logan hung his head. "No one has been able to really figure out how. Most of the specialists say that it's nature while some say it's nurture. In my opinion, as well as others, it's nature and nurture. I would hypothesize, in Helga's case, that something happened when she was young that left a bad imprint on her life. I cannot specify if it's nature or nurture."

"Of course you would say that. That's what the television shows and movies usually demonstrate," Chelsea adds.

Tish reddens a bit. "Oh."

"Now that's how a psychologist is suppose to be," Logan exclaims. He faces Tish and said, "How come you didn't choose to be a psychologist and picked out a culinary chef instead?"

Tish was about to answer when Chelsea butted in. "Shh! They're coming!"

All looked to where Helga and Arnold were and sure enough they were heading their way although Arnold seemed the most eager of the two of them. Helga walked a bit slowly behind him. When they finally arrived everyone became uneasy.

Arnold looked at his friends and then at Helga. Helga could feel the tension all around them but she did nothing to stop it. It was Arnold who finally broke the awkwardness, "Everyone, I would like you to meet Helga Pataki. Helga this is..."

He pointed to the blonde young man who was wearing glasses and holding a book. "Patrick."

Arnold then pointed to the other blonde man who was clearly the handsomest one, "Logan." Logan smiled flirtatiously.

Helga narrowed her eyes at Logan. "We've met."

Arnold looked at her as if wanting Helga to explain it further but he decided against it and continued the introductions. He then pointed to the blonde young woman, who had the longest hair among the females, beside Logan. "Alicia." Alicia smiled.

Then the auburn-haired female, who had the shoulder length hair, beside her. "Chelsea."

And lastly the brunette, "Morticia or Tish as she likes to be called."

Helga nodded to each and every one of the introductions except for Logan. Arnold then looked at her and asked where did she and Logan meet. Helga looked a bit hesitant to say what happened. She bit her lower lip and looked at Logan. To everyone's surprise she asked him, "Is it okay?"

Still in shock, he dumbly nodded.

Her voice was neither soft nor loud. In fact it was emotionless as she retold what had happened on her second week in the first year of high school.

Helga slowly closed the door to her locker and then locked it. In the corner of her eyes she could see the other students avoid her like she was carrying a plague. Her sharp ears detected what they were whispering about her. Cruel names...false assumptions...but she kept quiet.

She was headed to her next class when she felt someone put one of their arms on her shoulders. Helga stiffened but said nothing. It was the first time anyone had touched her but then she realized she didn't know who this person was and shook off the hand. The hand stayed there.

Helga turned to her right to glare at the person and found the most handsome young man. His blonde hair was short but he kept his bangs long. He gave a flirtatious smile and asked what her name was.

Her eyes narrowed and she tried to shake of the hand again. This time she shook it much harder but still his hand stayed. "What is it to you?"

He smiled again, a smile that usually warms all the female hearts. "I need to know your name. How can I ask you out if I don't even your name?"

Instead of being flattered her eyes had an angry look in them. "Why do you think I would go out with you?"

"It's tradition for all the newcomer females to have a date with me." He drew her closer. "So what do you say?"

To his relief Helga relaxed. "Here's my answer." She clenched her right fist and hit him. Helga could feel something break but didn't turn around to face him as she continued to walk to her classroom.

Helga boldly looked at everyone after telling the story. She saw somber facial expressions except for the auburn-haired girl, Chelsea. She was grinning. "What do you mean you hit him? You whacked him!"

Chelsea noticed her fallen expression. "Don't worry you're pretty little head. He deserved it! And I was wondering who did that to him. He was nursing his broken nose for a week. That was the highlight of my life, if not that of the female population in our high school."

Logan just boyishly grinned while Helga produces the briefest of smiles.

He could feel the tension lessening. Arnold gave a small smile. "Since that's cleared up why don't we all go celebrate the end of our first sem. Do any of you have any ideas?"

There was a minute of silence. Then Alicia says, "Come on, Arnold, you've been here for more than three months already. You still don't know where the good places are?"

"Well, I do know that but I was just considering the various taste our group has."

"Where shall we go?" Patrick asked.

"How about the Museum of Civilizations. They're showing The Journey of Man that's performed by Cirque du Soleil," Tish suggested.

"Do any of you have any good ideas?" Logan inquires.

Tish glares at him but speaks again, "How about The Buzz?"

All except Arnold and Helga turn to look at Tish with shock on their faces.

"What The Buzz?" Arnold asked.

"It's the biggest arcade in Ottawa and it's quite near here. It houses nearly all the available game consoles sold in the market," Patrick answered.

"Great!" He turned to face everyone "Is it okay with everyone if we go there?" All, even Helga, nodded in affirmation.

Link, with his sword ready, opened the door. He had opened many doors already and they all hid enemies of every caliber. He wondered what this door would open up to him.

The enormous room was empty save a huge column that was located on the center and platforms on the floor. He could feel the heat radiate as he went inside and wondered where it was coming from. Even though he was inside the mountain it was pretty cool on the hallway he just passed through.

Focus. There might be an enemy here so he has to be ready. He tightly gripped his sword and made a mental inventory check of his arsenal. He had enough nuts and arrows to fend them off. Now all he needed was the enemy.

Wait a minute! He could feel another presence in this room. Then he heard clicking sounds. It sounded like it was coming closer to him. He held his sword in front of him and walked around the platform he was standing on. In his search for the enemy he noticed that between the platforms were piping hot lava.

An angry hiss to his right... Link quickly faced that direction and saw a lizard that was taller than a man. It even walked upright like a man. It's beady eyes looked at him and he swear it sneered at him. The lizard-man was dressed in only the bottom part. Link noticed it's long sharp claws and in one of its hands a sharp sword.

He suddenly swung his sword at the lizard-man but it was too fast. It avoided the attack and jumped over him. Link turned around to face it and found it jumping around as if taunting him. In rage Link sliced him or tried to as it jumped at his left. The lizard-man must have realized his poor swordsmanship skills because he kept jumping around him, taunting him. Then Link heard another hiss. There was another creature in the room.

Because of either fright or anger, Link attacked the lizard-man and was finally able to hit him. The creature hissed and growled and it's beady yellow eyes turned into red. It slashed at him using its claws. Link tried to back away but stopped as he remembered the lava. Even though he was hurt Link attacked the creature with blind rage. But he will never be successful if only blind rage was his tool. Pretty soon the creature attacked him continuously. Link tried to attack the creature but he was too weak and hurt. He could feel faint coming. Link failed his mission...failed the princess...

Do you still want to play?

Alicia was about to hit the game in frustration when a male voice uttered, "Tut, tut. Alicia, I didn't know you could use such colorful language?"

She ignored Logan and began to search for the others. Alicia walked a bit and looked all around her. Logan must have noticed what she was doing because he told her, "They're everywhere. Tish is teaching Patrick on some game. Chelsea's on the skeeball loosing as usual and Helga's on the second floor playing Street fighter. It's an old game but Helga knows all the special moves on all the characters."

She noticed that at the mention of Helga his voice became a bit annoyed and stiff. She didn't mention aloud her thoughts and just searched for Helga. She was intrigued to see her play.

Alicia could feel Logan grow closer to her. "Follow me," he said stiffly. She complied.

They passed all the new games and various people playing them and proceeded to go to the second floor. They were still on the middle of the steps when they heard cheering and shouting. When they were finally on the second floor groans were heard but a massive cheer overpowered them. They could see a huge crowd on one of the games. Then a short young man walked out of the crowd. He hung his head as he walked out. Later on a blonde female walked out of the huge crowd. A much louder groan was heard.

Alicia saw Helga's impassive face and wondered how Arnold could have managed to befriend such a cold person. Helga must have noticed her look for she looked up and met Alicia's gaze. They stayed that way for a minute staring into each other's eyes, measuring each other. Well, to Alicia it felt like Helga was measuring her. Then Helga broke it off by going off to another new game. While looking into those cold blue eyes, Alicia could've sworn she felt a flicker of friendship but it couldn't be...

"What happened?"

She turned around to see Logan. She had forgotten he was there. "Nothing."

"You two stared at each other for quite some time. That wasn't nothing."

"It's nothing. She wasn't mad or anything." Alicia knew he was still unconvinced so she decided to change the subject. "I noticed you've been edgy every time you mention Helga." She smirked. "Did she beat you?"

She hit it right on the head when she saw him frown. "Beat me at every game. Even at skeeball," he darkly muttered. He looked around at stopped. "I'll just try this game out."

Alicia grinned at his retreating figure then faced the direction where Helga was. She was still there so Alicia just walked near one of the walls and watched Helga there. She noticed that Helga's eyes were focused on the screen while her hands were quick at pushing the buttons.

Alicia then noticed an older man, who looked to be in his forties, approach Helga. "School's out already?"

Helga pushed a button and the game was paused. She faced him and gave a small smile. "Yes."

They talked a bit and Alicia continued to watch them. Helga always gave short answers to the older man's questions but the usual cold tone she heard from her was gone. The older man even had the courage to tease her, which Helga rudely countered.

Ever since they had all agreed to celebrate the beginning of their vacation here Alicia noted that Helga kept to herself. Arnold continuously tried to include her in their conversations but Helga always gave them short answers and never expounded on them. It didn't bother him one bit as he continued to ask her questions.

Apart from being cold and distant she was also rude. Even when the two were alone she could hear Helga insult Arnold. What was weird was Arnold wasn't even angry. He just grinned or smiled at her as if it was nothing. How come Arnold and the older man are fine with her attitude?

"I just wonder how you became so good in both playing games and in your studies?"

Alicia was steered out of her thoughts by the question and tried to listen to her reply but Helga's answer was so soft that she didn't heard it.

The older man chuckled. "Right you are!" He calmed down a bit. "I haven't seen this much points since the last time you were here." He paused. "Maybe you should check out the couple the other end of the room. There's someone among the two who could have the potential of beating you." He pointed the game that was indeed on the other side of the room.

Helga and Alicia turned to face the said game and couple. Even though there were many games on the center of the room they could see a couple on the corner of the room playing. A familiar brunette and blonde.

Then suddenly the blonde man, Patrick, yelled, "Arrgh! Even in games you beat me! Isn't there something you're not good at?"

They could hear Tish laugh. Alicia smiled. In the background she could hear another female chuckle.

"Bye Arnold! Bye Helga! Bye guys! I'll call you all soon!" Chelsea yelled. Beside her were Tish and Alicia, who were both waving. Then they began to walk to the right, to where Alicia's car was.

On the other side was Logan ready to leave. "See you guys soon!" he said while leaving.

It was already dinnertime and everyone wanted to go home and eat. Patrick, Arnold, and Helga were in front of the arcade building waving and saying their farewells. At least Patrick and Arnold were. Helga just gave a slight wave and then faced Patrick and Arnold.

"I've got to go too." She faced Patrick, "Patrick." He gave a small smile and waved too. She then faced Arnold. "Arnold."

But he didn't say his goodbye. Instead he faced Patrick and said, "I'll be going with Helga, Patrick. See you later." He ignored Helga's immediate protests as he said those words.

Patrick looked at his earnest face and then at Helga's scowling face and hid a smile. "Sure, just knock. I'll be watching some television."

Arnold nodded. "Bye!" Patrick then left. Arnold faced a frowning Helga and smiled. Helga scoffed at him. "We're not through yet."

Helga scowled. "Why don't you just mind your own business," she darkly muttered. She then felt his warm hands on her right shoulder. She looked up to see a concerned face. Helga's scowl vanished and then she sighed. "Let's go."

"You could start telling the story now if it's long." As soon as they were on the road Arnold began the conversation.

"I told you, some people don't like other people butting into their business. I ought to pound you for that," Helga muttered.

Arnold was looking at the various sights at the road. "You can't pound me Helga. You never did have any intentions of pounding me or any of the kids. Well, except Brainy. Even during grade school. I think you were all threats." His voice was serious and didn't have the usual warmth.

He was speaking the truth but her dignity was bruised. She tightly gripped the steering wheel as she hissed, "So you got me all figured out. What do you intend to do with that information?" Helga didn't want to look at him for fear of an accident and for fear that he would find out the whole truth.

"Nothing. I just wanted you to know that I know. I just realized it a while ago."

Helga had nothing to say after that.

They still had a bit of a long way to go. If from Helga's house to the university was half an hour long it would take twice as long from The Buzz to her house. But Arnold couldn't let Helga's stubbornness stop him from finding out the truth. "Since you don't want to start maybe I should."

Helga dreaded what he would say next.

"I only partly figured it out so I may be wrong. It all began during junior high right? Nobody came near you when you first appeared. You were hurt but didn't do anything about it." He paused. "And I am sure you didn't pound anybody."

He was right. It wasn't the whole truth but he was right. How did he figure it out? Still she didn't utter a word.

"Can you tell me the whole story?"

She wanted to yield to his soft and warm voice but she strengthened herself. Helga remained silent. To her surprise she could feel his anger rising. Helga was rather surprised by this and began to get worried. She looked at the road in front of her and parked at the edge of the street. It was a good thing she did because as she turned to face him she saw an angry Arnold.

Helga wanted to runaway. It was better than facing him this way. This was extremely dangerous, he was her weak point and if he uttered words that would hurt her she would be devastated.

"Look at me."

Her hands were shaking. She quickly hid them behind her and tried to muster some courage. When she had a sliver of courage she slowly faced him. Helga bit her lip as she saw a frown in his face.

"You can't push everyone away." His voice was low but to Helga it had the same force as if he was yelling at her. Arnold never did that kind of voice to anyone.

"You can't just push everyone who cares for you. You may have convinced yourself that you could live without friends. But there will come a time when you'll be proven wrong." His frown vanished as he sighed. "It's already starting, you know. I did notice that you are being isolated but you also isolate yourself. Even during grade school." In the last sentences his voice had gone soft.

Helga began to face front but Arnold was too fast for her. He quickly grabbed her shoulders and made her face him. Instead she closed her eyes.

"Stop that!" His voice became steel but it softened again. "Showing that you care for someone isn't a sign of weakness."

Her eyes opened and a few tears came out. She looked at him, half in fear and half in amazement.

Arnold gave a rueful smile. "I was right then." He let go of her. "You cared for your grandmother but you were afraid of introducing her to me. And now you're not telling me the whole story because you thought I would think you were soft, weak."

He looked at her tear-filled blue eyes. "Why must you always show to everyone that you're strong to the point of becoming a bully or making yourself a pariah?"

She met his gaze even though a few drops of tears were falling. "I was taught by my family that to survive this world you have to be strong. Weakness is not an option."

Arnold took out his handkerchief and offered it to her. "You have a wrong conception of strength."

She looked at his offered handkerchief and then she took it. But still she didn't wipe her face. She lightly fingered the small cloth and softly said, "I know. You are far more stronger than I am."

His eyes widened a bit at her words but he remained quiet.

Helga began to wipe her tear-streaked face. "I can't change. It's far too hard for me." She paused. "Since you wanted to know what happened I'll tell you."

"When I first arrived here I was scared. My sister had to drag me with her to some strange country because of a job which she didn't last very long in. Plus I was forced to live with my grandmother who was very strict. She forced me to do chores around the house. I had to learn how to do housework but I had never done any back in Seattle. I scowled, yelled at her, but her tongue was sharper than mine. When I yelled insults at her she would hurl much damaging ones."

"And school was even worse. The first day some students welcomed me. They tried to befriend me but they never lasted long. They were offended by my cold attitude. I did talk to them when they ask me questions but I couldn't prolong the conversation. I didn't know what to say. Pretty soon, nobody came near me but I was used to being alone so I didn't chase after them."

"As weeks went by, I was discovered to be a very good student. Jealous students began to spread rumors about me. They said I was flirting with the male teachers and some even said much worse than that. Nobody really knew anything about me so they all believed those rumors. I was called names behind my back but I could hear them."

She gave a cruel laugh. "I became a game for them." She waved her hands in the air as if she was reading a banner in the air. "Guess Helga's history."

"Teachers stood by me and tried to stop those rumors but it became even worse. I thanked them for their help but I had to handle this problem on my own. I decided to just ignore them. And I have been doing that ever since."

Her voice became soft. "When I went home from school one night crying ma consoled me. I let loose all the anguish I had stored for so long. I told her about everything and soon she became what she is today. She explained to me that it was the only way for me to learn to get along with her. I had to learn the hard way."

Helga looked at him as if wanting to know what his reaction will be.

He smiled at her. "How do you feel now?"

She looked at him in confusion. "I-I feel fine, I guess," she answered uncertainly.

"Lightened?"

"I guess so."

A grin appeared in his lips. "I don't think you're weak at all Helga Geraldine Pataki." He tried to imitate one of his professors by raising his finger and saying, "By facing your problems one does become strong." He faced her and slyly grinned.

Helga couldn't control the smile that was weaving in her face. She looked at him and he looked at her. Both had smiles in their faces.

"Just one question," Arnold suddenly asked. Helga looked at him, a bit confused.

"Do you always have to whack every admirer you have?" Helga laughed.

Just a note: (Kimba brought this to my attention a long time ago) I wrote the prologue before the first new episodes of Hey Arnold! so I assumed their hometown to be Seattle and not Hillwood. I couldn't change their hometown so I stuck with Seattle. In the future fics (I hope) I'll change it to Hillwood.