Chapter Six:
I was a ball of nerves. I should have known that with my luck things were not going to be so easy. First thing that happens as I step in Hillwood I move in next door to Arnold, my childhood love. Second, I get to meet my best friend who thought I was dead for the past five years. So, when the massive truck with all our stuff pulled in, I was extremely thankful that I was going to be busy for awhile and forget about my incoming meeting.
I had thought about painting my room, but I decided that the lavender color suited me. I was thankful that the house was spotless, and other than the first floor, it needed no remodeling. So the movers brought my bed and frame in and set it up. By the time that they where done with setting up all the beds and frames in the designated rooms, Arnold, Phil, Stella, Olga, Jeff and Miles had unloaded all the boxes, while Grandma Gertie took care of Lucee.
Other than narrow passages leading to the door, kitchen and the stairs, it seemed that the first floor seemed completely covered with boxes. I was so glad that the boxes where labeled as Gab's, Mom+Pop, G+J, Lucee's, Kitchen, Living Room, Dining, Bath. Arnold helped me bring my stuff up to my room and after many trips up and down the stairs we both fell on top of my bed completely exhausted. "I need a shower." He started, "But I don't even want to move." I laughed.
"You are such a wimp." I said. "I totally am not! You know that I'm on the football team, quaterback." "Really?" I asked, "Varsity?" "Yup, with Gerald and Harold and the rest of the gang." "Really?" "Yup, and the girls are cheerleaders, varsity as well." "Really?" "Would you please stop saying 'Really' it sounds so so condescending." I laughed. "I'm just glad that not everything changed." By this time we were both on our sides looking at each other. "A lot of things change Helga. But a lot of things are still the same." I saw his hand moving up to me and he gently tugged away a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I'm glad." I whispered. We both jumped when we heard our names being called from downstairs.
"Arnold!" Stella screamed up at us, not realizing that we were just behind her. "Oh, Arnold! There you are. Arnold, we are heading out but you are welcome to stay." She smiled at us. "It really is lovely to have you as neighbors and I hope that I get to see more of you around." She gave me a hug before ruffling Arnold's hair and leaving with Miles and Phil. "I better go, take a shower before Pheebs and Gerald show up. Um, do you want to see them or I can tell them your busy or something?" He asked nervously. "I think its better to see them now. The most I postpone it the harder it will be."
A smile so big spread out on his face that it made me forget to breathe for a minute. "I'm glad, Helga. I'll give you my number so you can text me." He quickly said his number as I programmed it onto my seed phone. He smiled again at me before walking out. "Arnold!" I screamed from the doorway as he was going to his house. "Thanks!" I said giving him a smile and closing my door.
Sighing, I made my way to my room to find my shower products to take a shower.
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She smiled. And it was radiant. I had never seen her so carefree and so happy, even though she was worried about Phoebe, she was so free and confident. "I'm back!" I said as I made my way up the stairs to my room. I took a hot shower, hoping to ease my muscles. I couldn't believe how much stuff Helga had. We both had made at least twelve trips down the two flights of stairs. But it's worth it, knowing that she is safe next door. I finished my shower and changed into jeans and a white tee and a red plaid shirt. Just as expected, I had tied my sneakers when there was a knock on the door. "Arnold, its Gerald and Phoebe." "Are you decent?" Came Phoebe's voice. I smiled remembering both our embarrassment when she had walked in on me half naked, luckily she didn't see anything. "Yeah, I'm good!" I called out and they came in. "Hey, man, whats up?" Gerald asked as we shook hands. "You have no idea." I said and moved to give a hug to Phoebe. "Hey Phoebes." "Hey no too touchy on my girlfriend." Gerald called out from the bed. Phoebe rolled her eyes as we sat on the couch while Gerald was sprawled out on my bed reading a magazine.
"Make yourself at home." I muttered making Phoebe giggle. "Hey, what are you laughing at over there?" "Nothing." Both Phoebe and I said. Gerald narrowed his eyes. "Arnold you are my best friend but don't think that I won't hesitate to kick your butt down the neighborhood if you are hitting on my girl." I laughed. "You wouldn't have to worry about Arnold if you had a little more manners. Look at yourself, taking over Arnold's bed." Phoebe said at him slightly amused at his jealousy. I put my arm around Phoebe's shoulder. "You know what? You can have my bed, I'll just take your girl out." Gerald mouth fell open. "How about it, Phoebe. Me and you. Gerald and my bed." At this point Gerald yelled "Hell no!" And pounced from the bed to the couch, pushing me away from his girlfriend. "Babe, don't listen to him. I wouldn't trade you for Arnold's bed or for all the riches in the world." "Please please please stay with me!" He said sprinkling kisses all over her face.
I laughed at their antics. "You are so whipped!" I said. He just sent me the middle finger as he continued to kiss his girlfriend. Eventually, and thankfully they stopped. "So did you guys just come to my room to make out or for you to hang out with me?" Phoebe smiled up at me as she cuddled against Gerald. "Both." Gerald said and then quickly added, "Well mostly to make out." Phoebe slapped his arm. "Truthfully, we came to see what was going on with your neighbor." "Yeah, she's cool. Played sports at her old school." "That's cool and everything, but is she hot?" Gerald asked, momentarily forgetting that his girlfriend was right next to him. She slapped him again. "I just took you back. Don't make me trade you for Arnold's bed." "Babe, I asked for him, I don't care if she's hot. But my man here, needs a girlfriend. He has not dated anyone since, like, forever." A sad look passed through Phoebe and before I could say something my seedphone rang.
"Hello." "Hey, Arnold, its me." I smiled. Helga. "Hey, whats up?" I asked with a smile. "Nothing, much. I just got out of the shower and kinda hungry. Olga and Jeff are staying in and ordering pizza—." "Oh, I see. Yeah, we can go out. But, um, I kinda have company. Unless you want to meet them." Gerald took the phone away from me, "I'm Gerald, the uh, company and I was just leaving. So, you can take Arnold here anywhere." I pulled the phone away. "Sorry about that He—he fell off the bed when he was younger." "Nice save." "Sorry." "So is Phoebe is around?" "Yeah." It was quiet for a moment. "Invite them. We'll go have a really awkward dinner and hopefully they will forgive me." "They will. Trust me." It was silent again and I could tell that Phoebe and Gerald where wondering what this conversation was all about. "Arnold." "Yeah?" "Thank you again." "That's the second time today." "I mean it. Even when you we where younger, in preschool when you lent me your umbrella. I never thanked you. And you even forgave me for everything that I did." "Hey, don't tear up. Its okay." "Its not. At least not yet." "It will though." "Your right." "I'm always right." "Hey don't get cocky now. Invite them. I'll meet you outside in a few minutes. K?" "Ok. But don't wuss out!" "Whatever!" She yelled back before hanging up.
"Arnold, who was that?" Gerald asked. "Could it possibly be a girl?" Phoebe asked with a smirk. "Um, it was just a friend." "Uh huh. What friend wanted to have dinner? Harold or Rhonda?" Gerald asked. "Its um, the neighbor. I knew her before she moved away. And now she's back." "Mmhmm. The way you talked to her was more like lovey-dovey." "Whatever, Gerald. Now do you want to have diner with the neighbor or not?" Phoebe smiled. "Sure, lets go meet Arnold's future girlfriend." They started laughing and I just ignored them and started walking down the stairs. I stopped by the kitchen, "Grandma, I'm having dinner with-" I moved my head to the side, motioning to Helga's house. "Gerald and Phoebe are going too." "Ok. But I don't think they have any food next door." I smiled up at her. "No, grandma, we are probably going to the diner." She smiled. "Ok, hopefully everything turns out well." "I know."
"Bye, Grandma G!" Gerald called out as he followed me to the door. "Bye, Gertie!" Phoebe called out as she joined us outside. It was dusk already and for a second I wondered where the day had gone. I yawned and I was slightly surprised. "Is it past your bedtime Arnold?" Helga called as she walked up to me. "Or are you bored without little old me?" I smiled. "Ha ha. Your the one that called me out, first." I saw her smile again. "Because I am hungry. Now lets go before I starve to death." She started walking the wrong way, "Hey, its this way." "I know. I'm taking the car." I quickly ran up behind her before realizing that no one was following us. I guess she noticed to because she turned at the same time. She walked past me and back to where Phoebe and Gerald where standing. "I guess you recognized me?" She asked as I stood by her. "He-Helga?" Phoebe asked. "Yeah, Phoebes. Its me in the flesh. I'm not dead?" It seemed that with every word she became smaller and smaller. "I'm sorry!" She said.
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"I'm sorry." What else could I say to my childhood best friend who thought I was dead for the past five years. Its not like they sell Hallmark cards for this type of situation. "I just moved back today. Olga and my mom are alive too. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you, I know your mad, I know that you hate me—." "I don't!" I looked at her and she rushed towards me and hugged me. We fell to the sidewalk. "I am so glad that you are alive. I missed you so much. I can not believe that you came to see Arnold before me! I am your best friend, I still am your best friend right?" I smiled and I felt tears of joy trailing down my ears. "Your my only best friend!" I said giving her another hug.
Authors Note: Let me know what you think. I'll try to upload another chapter before the month ends. Review! -N