A/N: I apologize for the late update like always. I am pretty busy and my life is more than hectic. There were some people that even message me asking me why I'm posting chapters when I take too long to update and to stop posting stories if I never update regularly. Yes, I deeply apologize for taking too long to update, but I like writing stories and posting them up is a plus. If you feel like "hating" me for taking forever to update, I did warn a few times I will not update regularly. I like to share my works and writing is a hobby of mine to relieve stress not to bid to the will of others. I am sorry if I am harsh for that statement, but I cannot abide to your time when my time is already taken up. I am just lucky I am able to write at all and updating. But I like to say one thing, I am happy for those who read my stories even if I take forever to update. I deeply apologize for the rant. I rarely ever complain on fanfiction, but I hope it does not deter you from enjoying the chapters. Thank you for support and enjoy. Warning! Mild Language. Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! and the original characters of the show.
Chapter Three: Phoebe and Gerald
Phoebe had since felt lonely without Helga's presence. It had been a week since Helga's departure. They spoke a few minutes every day due to Phoebe's busy schedule and Helga's changing lifestyle, but it helped Phoebe to control the sadness of not having Helga in Hillwood. Helga's family had moved to a different city in Washington called Tukwila. It wasn't that far away, maybe at least a two-hour drive from Hillwood. Phoebe had promised when the weekend comes, she would come visit her. Helga had to deny her request because of the strict visitation rights in the treatment center. It saddened Phoebe to not be able to see her friend, but it made her feel better knowing that Helga was in good hands.
It was not only Helga's leaving that made Phoebe lonely. The pressure from Gerald to tell Arnold about Helga's whereabouts has caused a rift between Gerald and her. Even though Phoebe truly loves Gerald, Helga is her best friend. Helga deserves to recover without any distractions; and to do that, Phoebe needs to keep Helga's location a secret. This secret led to fights between them, causing problems among problems between them. Both chose to protect their best friends. Gerald wants to help Arnold while Phoebe wants to help Helga.
"Look, Phoebe. Why can't you just tell me where Helga is? My boy, Arnold, is hurtin' and I don't want him hurtin' anymore," Gerald insisted. His fingers playing with his cornrows in his attempt to calm his anger.
Phoebe rolled her eyes and answered, "Helga is my best friend just as Arnold is yours. If you have not noticed, Helga needs her privacy to recover. I, as her friend, will not let anyone, not even you, know her whereabouts. She's been through enough, Gerald. If you can't see that, I don't know what to tell you. I love you, Gerald. I really do, but I cannot allow Arnold to know and then destroy Helga's path of recovery."
Gerald seethed at her statement, "If you love me enough, you would just tell me about where Helga is! Why are you so loyal to her anyways? She's never treated you right. I always see her bossing you around and telling you to do things for you."
Phoebe glared at Gerald for a moment and turned her head away.
"Have you forgotten what Helga did for me? She's cared for me all these years, protecting me when you couldn't. She's been there for me when problems would arise in my life, and I could tell her about anything, knowing she would not tell anybody. Yes, she may be bossy, but she tries her best not to go too far. She realizes her wrongs and tries to apologize in her own way, but you don't know her like I do, Gerald. Even though she says things that are sometimes hurtful, it is her way to protect herself from being hurt because it is the only way she knew how. She did this for the rest of her life, and she hates herself for it. She is slowly breaking from her defense mechanism, but you know what saved her from destroying herself? Her love for Arnold and their relationship. She tried changing for him. Even though it does not seem that way, you cannot expect her to change completely like Arnold does. She's going to stumble here and there and sometimes reverting back to who she once was. Every situation takes time, some longer than others. Arnold could not see her efforts even though it may be little and broke it off with her. You weren't there when Helga broke down. She became depressed and almost suicidal. She wanted to destroy herself because her only solace is gone. Not even a week, Arnold already dated someone. Do you know how much hurt she was in? Two days after their break-up and he already dated someone else. If you think that Helga is cruel, then Arnold is just as cruel. His pain is also partially his own fault as well."
Gerald scoffed, ignoring Phoebe's explanation as if it was nothing important. All he could think about is Arnold's pain and how it was Helga's fault that he went into depression. He loves Phoebe. He really does, but he had the bro code. His best friend comes first, second is his girlfriend in times like these. Also, he was biased about Helga. He always thought Helga was not good enough for Arnold and Phoebe with the way she acts. She doesn't deserve the good things in her life the way he sees it. Karma is a bitch, and she deserves it.
"Helga ain't cool, Phoebe. She deserves what she got, but my man, Arnold, doesn't deserve to be hurt. He's innocent in all of this. He deserves to know where Helga is and drops her ass so he could move on," Gerald said. Phoebe gasped at the words Gerald spouted about her friend. The words were cruel, nothing like the kindness he showed towards Phoebe. Helga did not deserve such cruel words at all.
"I can't believe you, Gerald! How dare you think Helga deserves all the pain coming towards her! You always think bad about her and forget the good things she's done for us. Don't forget I am Helga's best friend. I will not tolerate you hurting her, even if you are my boyfriend, Gerald. You are also questioning my judge of character. Helga may be mean in the outside, but she kind and caring in the inside. She may not show it, but she loves me and Arnold. We are the whole world to her. If you think for a minute, she does not deserve happiness then maybe I am not right for you."
Gerald's eyes widened and he felt sick to his stomach at what Phoebe was hinting at with her last statement. He could not believe it. He could not believe Phoebe would choose someone like Helga than her boyfriend who loves her more than anything. This feeling is painful, more painful than a basketball hitting his face or him breaking his arm due to his stupid antics. He just could not understand how Helga could affect her so much. In the end, he felt like Helga brainwashed Phoebe. It was all Helga's fault and he hated her for it.
Even though Phoebe loves Gerald very much, she would not hesitate to stand for her beliefs. Helga already lost enough, and Phoebe would not be the one to leave her behind like everyone else did. Her friendship with Helga had helped her become strong. Helga taught her that. Gerald didn't know how deep her friendship with Helga is. Even though Helga was demanding, it was her way to teach Phoebe to stand up for herself.
When Phoebe finally did stand up against her friend, Helga smiled and said, "Did you know how much I waited for you to say no? If you can stand up to me, your friend, then you can stand up to anyone. Don't forget Phoebe. When people pull you down and question your beliefs, don't give in, no matter if they are your friend or the love of your life. Because in the end, if you let everyone treat you like dirt then you will be dirt. Don't let anyone take away your identity."
After that, Helga was not as demanding towards Phoebe as much, but Helga found a thrill in seeing Phoebe becoming bold towards her. It made Helga happier to see that Phoebe was no longer a pushover. There were times Phoebe did give in, like the memory of her being bullied by Gerald's ex-girlfriend, but Helga pulled her up during those times. They are best friends, maybe soulmates, and nobody is going to destroy that connection, not even love.
"Fine then! If you think she's all that, then maybe we aren't right for each other," Gerald angrily spouted after his brief shock. Phoebe looked sadly towards him and nodded before she walked away. She wasn't going to show any tears even though it hurt like hell to be broken-hearted.
Two hearts were broken that day. All because they both took their best friends' sides.