Ghost in the Night
A Hey Arnold FanFic
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold and make no attempt to profit from it. All characters belong to Craig Bartlett, who is a genius!
Chapter Two: Caught in a Moment
Arnold splayed himself out on the bed, exhausted but feeling slightly better than he had been. A week had passed since his last drinking expedition, leaving him in a much better mood, but still nervous around everyone regardless. He wasn't as talkative at the bar now, something Gerald was quick to pick up on. Dinner that night had been wonderful again, Phoebe demonstrating her gift for cooking by making spaghetti bolognaise that left both Gerald and Arnold speechless. Licking his lips at the thought of it, Arnold rolled over, his eyes coming to rest on the side table. Arnold looked at it oddly.
Resting on it, ever since he had written in it a week ago was the black book Phoebe had given him. Arnold paused; the light from his lamp made his eyes wince as his grabbed a hold of it, his hands feeling alien to him as he fumbled the pages within. All were blank except for the singular page he had written on, his passable handwriting alluring only to the idea he had had at the time.
Holding the pen in his hand, Arnold looked at the blank pages. Slowly time began to slide away from him…seconds passed into minutes, minutes into hours; the first rays of sunlight began to stream in through the curtains as he held the pen tightly in his finger tips. "This is pointless," he mumbled as he lay back onto the bed.
"Nothing is pointless Arnold."
Arnold shot up; Helga?
Looking around the bedroom, Arnold's eyes scanned for her presence, the smile on his face growing as he searched for any sign that the blonde haired girl was present in his room. But after a while his eyes tired and his smiled faded; Helga wasn't here. His body collapsed back onto the sheets once more. His exhaustion crept over him as his eye sight faded to darkness…
Four years ago…
Standing on the rooftop of Sunset Arms, Arnold smiled as the relief of the last few days washed over him. No longer bound by the school life of high school, Arnold grinned as he shared a can of soda with Gerald, the guzzling down of its contents causing both of them to burp loudly. Arnold laughed as Gerald coughed and splattered, his smile growing as he saw Arnold fall to the ground clutching his sides.
"What makes you think I'm going to let you get away with this?" Gerald grinned as Arnold stopped laughing.
Before he could stop him, Gerald was pouring a bucket of water on top of him. Soaked, Arnold growled as Gerald laughed; before he could react, another bucket of water was falling on top of his head, drenching Gerald's clothing.
"Now we're even," Arnold smirked as Gerald smiled.
A scrambling of footsteps caught his attention; making their way towards them with cans of soda in their backpacks, the blonde haired girl known as Helga and her close friend Phoebe walked towards them, Helga's grin growing as she saddled up next to the wet blonde haired boy, a quick peck on the cheek causing him to blush furiously. The laughter from Gerald died in his throat as Phoebe mimicked her friend, causing both girls to laugh at the stunned faces of the two boys.
It was the end of schooling for all four of them; although the party for the whole class would take place at Gerald's in two days time, this private gathering was only meant for the four of them. With the soft music playing in the background, the four began to party, enjoying each other's company and reminiscing over their past memories together. Arnold though lay back as the three of them discussed the last prank they pulled on the school before they left and sighed to himself; there was something about watching Helga and Gerald fight it out with Phoebe over whose plan was the best that made him wish he could have his whole life devoted to this.
But he knew better than to try and dwell too long on the past; it was wonderful, magnificent even, but he knew that he had a long way to go in his life and the excitement he felt now would only grow over time. Helga was moving away soon, how long he had with her he still wasn't sure of; he had entertained the thought of teaching or counselling, but deep down he still wanted to travel. Although he had been quick to point out the absurdity of Gerald's plan, opening a bar in town might not be too bad of an idea, providing Gerald could make it work. Earn some quick cash then leave and travel; not the worst idea he had had. But it probably wouldn't work.
He shook his head as he heard Phoebe mention something about the constant threat of college life and her love life with Gerald. "Phebs, you'll find a way," Helga said dismissively, smiling as Phoebe's eyes began to sparkle with hope.
"That reminds me…" Gerald smiled as he pressed a button on the stereo Arnold and he had moved onto the roof for tonight.
Slowly fading in, a soft, gentle and quiet piece of music began to play, its echoing sounds singing like angels in their ears as Gerald took a hold of Phoebe's hand and led her away from Arnold and Helga. With due care, Gerald and Phoebe began to dance, remaining still as they turned slowly on the spot, every now and then giggling or sighing happily to one another. Arnold smiled happily for his best friend as he watched them twirl as one on the spot; it was almost strange to imagine Gerald ever settling down, but then again he had found the one girl who could balance him out. Their smiles warmed his heart as he watched them twirl before smiling to one another again. A cough from his side though snapped him out of the day dream.
"Are you going to ask me to dance football head?" Helga asked sweetly with a hint of mockery in her voice.
"I never thought you would ask dear," he grinned, causing Helga to blush.
Taking her soft hand, Arnold led her towards the other two and began to follow their example. As the music began to soar, Arnold felt his heart flutter as he looked into her eyes once more; shining like diamonds, he felt himself being lost in her loving gaze.
"Isn't this just magical?" he heard her whisper against his chest.
Arnold could only smile as he held her close. He had grown to be only slightly taller than her, but that hadn't stopped her from calling him Shortman whenever she got the chance or her pet nickname for him: football head.
"I wish for once I could freeze this memory and remain in it forever," said Helga.
Arnold paused for a moment before continuing. "Why would you only want to freeze this moment?"
Helga didn't reply; Arnold suspected something, but decided to drop it for now. She was right; this moment was too precious to ruin it.
"So what are you planning to wear to the party?"
"Something elegant; something beautiful and majestic that will leave every boy in the room gazing at me," Helga smiled.
"Helga, we are still dating aren't we?"
Helga smirked, kissing him on the cheek. "Of course we are Romeo; didn't think I'd forget after how long it took me to catch you, did you?"
Holding her close, Arnold continued to hold her closely to his chest and he glanced over and saw Gerald and Phoebe locked together at the lips. He was tempted to say something, but feeling her caressing hand on his face, Arnold turned back to Helga and met her lips as they continued to dance under the starlit sky.
D & F
Arnold stood over the stove cooking, the ever present Gerald beside him as they awaited Phoebe's arrival. Her work as a lawyer had seen her taking on more cases lately, something she attributed to a rise in common criminal crimes, or something like that. Whatever it might have been, all Arnold knew it meant was later nights at work, which suited Gerald and Arnold just fine. They had closed the bar for the night, much to the disappointment of some of their regulars, but they had reasoned the early closure to remain later tomorrow night; of course it was their intension to work late tomorrow night given it would be a Saturday, but shutting earlier tonight allowed them some more rest.
Having started to return to work, Arnold had started to gain some more composure in his life, but a small part of him still felt uneasy.
"So I said to the young kid he should leave before I told his parents," Gerald finished as he regaled to Arnold about finding a young kid in the bar alone.
A sad smile crept across his lips as he looked at Arnold, as he added some of the beef to the pan. "I wish you'd stop lying to me though Arnold."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Every time we open, you're looking for her; as soon as the elevator doors to our apartment open, you're scanning for her."
Arnold shook his head and continued his browning of the meat. "I just think you should move on now man; you've had long enough."
"I can't Gerald; after being with her for so long, no one can ever match up to her," he shot back at him, continuing his work.
Gerald took a sip of the wine in his hand and yawned; Phoebe would be here soon. "You do realise we are talking about Helga G. Pataki, mono-brow girl who as a child threatened to beat you up every time she saw you?" he smiled slyly, earning a punch from Arnold.
"I was surprised to find out about her poetry though; and the whole shrine thing? I think Lila could have matched her devotion to you, bowing and saying you are ever so nice my lord," he said in his best imitation of Lila and curtsied.
Arnold smirked as he added to the sauces and vegetables to the cooked meat. "Have you put the rice on yet?"
Gerald stood to attention and saluted him before heading to the microwave to check on its progress. "Sure you put enough water in?"
Arnold nodded as Gerald rejoined him. "So how are things with Phoebe?"
"They're going smooth my man; couldn't wish for it to be better."
Arnold added the last of the sauce and turned to his long time friend. "When are you going to pop the question?"
Gerald's face grew paler as Arnold's smirk grew. "That's not something…what would…I mean I've…that's not funny man," Gerald stuttered, blushing as Arnold laughed.
"Come on Gerald; you two are perfect for one another; what's stopping you from tying the knot?"
Gerald leant back against the counter. "I don't know man; I want to, but it doesn't feel like the right time. I mean we are planning to take that trip to New Zealand at some point; I thought maybe there, but the girl is still trying to sort out her life."
"All the more reason you should sweep her off her feet and make her feel special; you can't wait forever Gerald."
"I do make her feel special anyway," Gerald smiled, earning a smile from Arnold, "but that's not the point. I don't know what it is, but something has been off about her lately; something I can't put my finger on..."
"I hope you don't mean me," came a voice from the hall way. A few seconds later and Phoebe walked into the kitchen, her hair done up and business suit still as spotless and meticulously clean as it had been that morning.
"Never; I was just talking with my man about one of the girls at work. She must be upset or something, because she hasn't been too cheery lately," Gerald said casually, earning a wink from Arnold and a shrug from Phoebe.
"That's fine; I'm starving though. Can we eat yet?" she groaned as she checked her watch; luckily it would be the weekend tomorrow, otherwise the late night might kill her.
After sitting down to eat, Phoebe and Gerald joined Arnold on the couches with their drinks, talking idly into the night. Covering Phoebe's latest case to the mystery of the upset girl, Gerald yawned and with a great effort bid them goodnight before heading to his apartment. Arnold smiled briefly before turning his attention to the wine in his hands, his sudden interest in the drink catching Phoebe's attention.
"Have you had a chance to use it Arnold?" she asked sweetly.
Arnold lazily looked up and shook his head. "I can't find anything to write about," he lied, hoping she would drop the subject.
Phoebe looked at him for a moment before shrugging and sipping from her glass. "If you say so Arnold."
Not hearing her last words, Arnold was already miles away; he was back on the roof, swaying gently under the stars with a familiar and radiant young blonde haired girl in his arms, her eyes locked into his with grim determination. He could savour the taste of her lips on his, the scent of watermelon lingering in his smell. She moved closer to him, holding him tightly as she moved her lips to his once more…
"Arnold?"
Looking around puzzled, Phoebe watched him cautiously as he put his glass down. "Sorry what were you saying?"
"I was asking if you had heard from Helga lately," she said, following Arnold's example and putting it down.
"I haven't," he muttered softly. I wish I had.
"Oh; well she's coming back to town on Monday for a catch up. I was wondering if you wanted to join us."
Feeling his face begin to flush and heart rapidly beat to the sound of the dripping tap in the kitchen, Arnold looked away from Phoebe. "I'm not so sure that is a good idea Phoebe; we didn't exactly part on good terms."
Phoebe sighed. "Well, if you change your mind, you're more than welcome to come."
Taking her leave, Arnold watched her leave and began to tidy up the glasses. It was nearly two in the morning, but Saturday was a late starter anyway. His mind was already numb from the lack of sleep and alcohol that he found himself shaking his head in the shower as he tried to wash away the grime from the day. A gentle voice echoed in his head as he began to wash his hair: I need you Arnold. His eyes opening at the last of her words, Arnold's eyes locked on a silhouette on the outside of the shower glass. Rinsing his hair Arnold carefully turned off the water and stepped out. Grabbing a towel, he walked towards the balcony in his room and watched.
Swaying gently in the breeze, Arnold could make out a shadow, not clear but one that resembled his long lost lover. Tentatively he headed out onto the balcony and gazed out on the night life. The town was quiet, its breath seemingly caught in its throat as it waited for him to speak, to say anything that would break the deadly silence that hung around his neck like a chain and ball. Everything in him was growing; his loss, his want, his desire and his love for her.
"Helga," he whispered ever so softly to the night air as he broke down crying.
D & F
"Thanks Mark; and give my regards to Jenny," Gerald smiled as he handed the change to the plainly dressed man. Receiving thanks, Gerald turned to Arnold who continued to pour the drinks effortlessly, earning attention from man and woman alike.
Gerald shook his head as Arnold poured them easily, a line of ten filled with pin point precision as the women closest to the bar swooned over his skills, and masculine frame. The boy had girls on him all the time at work; it was hard enough to close the bar at night, let alone stop the rush for when the bar opened during the afternoon. He could have any of them if he so desired, but Gerald knew his friend better than that; a gentleman to the very end, he knew Arnold only had a spot for one girl.
Grabbing a hold of the tray of ice near Arnold's working area; Gerald smiled as Arnold grabbed a hold of some of the ice and flung it in the air, landing gracefully into the soft drinks being served to two young boys.
"I'm going out back for a second to get more ice; you're the boss now," Gerald laughed as Arnold grinned back.
It had become a running joke that whenever one of them was out back, the other would become the boss of the bar. It had led to numerous laughs, the most common being Gerald's choice of music against Arnold's; once the jazz was on, Gerald would on average be back in the bar serving in four seconds, often meaning that the 'neutral' choice of music would once again be played. Without second thoughts to the music playing, Arnold began to serve the customers effortlessly.
It was late afternoon approaching night when Arnold finally heard Gerald mention something about needing more ice again. It was true they had been going through a lot lately, but this was getting beyond even Arnold's understanding; they were popular, but why the sudden interest? Normally they would work late, but the increasing lateness of the times they closed was beginning to worry him; the whole town hadn't become drunks over night had they?
Business anyway was good as he served another woman; sure he missed the chance to travel, but for now he had friends in his life that cared for him and that was all he needed. Sure it wouldn't long now anyway till their trip overseas; perhaps then he could start afresh and find someone. Handing the change as he passed the drink to the lady, Arnold sighed and stretched his back; he needed to rest. There will be plenty of that after tonight, he thought as he watched some of the usuals leave the bar.
A feeling of dread washed over him as he placed the washed glasses onto the counter and behind it; a breeze, one Arnold had not smelt or felt in a long while blew through the doors, catching him and sending his mind into freefall. Shaking it off, Arnold's eye sight became entranced as he watched a young lady walk towards him, her hair pulled back and eyes hidden by a pair of black sunnies. Complemented by a light brown trench coat, Arnold would have normally shaken it off, but something in his mind alerted him to this girl's presence.
This woman was no ordinary woman; she felt different to the others he had served. He couldn't pick it, but something about her hair set him off; sure she was blonde, but the chances of it being her would only have further caused his panic to rise. Crushing his thoughts about it, Arnold tried to smile as she came to a standstill at the counter, resting against it easily.
"How may I help you?" he asked, his heart suddenly racing.
"It's been a long time football head," the stranger replied before removing her sunglasses.
Arnold would have given anything to have been invisible in that moment; he would have traded his life not to be here in this place of all places in the world. His heart was caught in his mouth as he tried to remain calm but it was proving useless. Removing the glasses, Arnold looked into a pair of crystal blue eyes that pierced his heart to the core. The one girl he had loved, hated and needed more than any other had returned: Helga.
A/N: I'm trying for an update a week, hopefully. Please R & R; I do appreciate the time it takes you to review it and let me know what you think, good or bad. I would also like to thank loonytunecrazy for giving me the first review for this story; you rock!