A/N: Hello readers, and thank you so much for your reviews. Although my original intention was to leave this fic as a one-shot your response and enthusiasm spurred me on to come up with this chapter. So, this is dedicated to you!:) So far I'm working on Arnold's POV which hopefully will come next. So I hope you like it; let me know if you do!

I ran.

In heels, I ran. A most unexpected development of that I'm sure. Who would've thought that today of all days I would be faced with a predicament such as this. Definitely not me. I was cursed. Cursed with bad luck, I tell ya. Probably Madame Blanche's doing for ratting on her about the main ingredient in her fake love potion (or out of love potion) to the city inspector. Who knew that the imported soda pop she used was an unauthorized product in this country, and that she would get shut down and sued for it. I sure didn't! I was just doing my civic duty as a concerned citizen when I realized that another product she sold me to make my love return did not work. I surely did not want my money back. I just wanted results. At the time, I was an angry and desperate twelve-year-old girl with 'high expectations'. And you just didn't mess with that. But thinking about it now, I guess it sorta, kinda worked. Technically, he has returned soooo I did get what I paid for. Ironic isn't it. Oh well!

It seemed that the moment I began to run, so did he. 'Crap!' I thought. That baboon still couldn't take a hint. I mean if a woman ran away from you, it usually meant that they didn't want to deal with you and wanted to avoid you or they're just not interested. And yet, there he was chasing me around New York City's streets like some raging maniac. Seriously, who does that?

During my so-called marathon, I took a quick glance back to measure the distance between us and I was glad to see that I was far ahead. When I turned to look forward again, I heard his deep baritone voice call my name. "Helga" "HELGA!"

'Ooooh' a shiver ran down my spine just now at the sound of his voice. 'This is bad. This is really bad! I have to keep running, I have to.'

"Helga! Helga, please…stop!" I heard him say. But I just shook my head 'No' as I continued to run. I couldn't stop. No! I just didn't want to stop. I didn't want to be sucked into his world again.

"HELGA! Why are you running away from me? Please…answer me?" He pleaded as he continued to chase after me. "Hohoho! He's good! Very good! He's pulling the innocent act! Ha! Playing the victim card I see, Arnoldo. He just might get an Oscar for delivering that line on me, which would've worked…, TWELVE YEARS AGO!" But no, I continued to run, ignoring his plea to answer him.

He pushed forward and started to gain on me. 'Crap again!' Darn heels are making me lose ground. Luckily, I had a head start or I would've been screwed. Besides, I'm a Pataki and regardless of what my circumstances were I pushed, and pushed until I couldn't push anymore. And it seemed that my pushing was having an effect on his good-naturedness all of a sudden as I heard him growl in frustration. I could almost feel his temper rising. 'Ohhh Yeah, just like old times.'

He yelled out seeming somewhat short in breath, "WILL YOU JUST…HEAR ME OUT? JUST-"

I was bent on not uttering a single word to him, but in my mind I responded, 'NOPE!'

I wondered, 'Why can't he let me be? Why can't he just let go, like he did years ago.'

Finally, I reached the end of the street and I could see the park ahead. I know this city like the back of my hand, just like Hillwood. And I knew that if I took this shortcut through the park, I could easily lose him and I would never have to see his football face again. 'Hahaha! Take that ya pea brain.'

The hope of shaking him off brought a smile to my face. This time I had the advantage, I was gonna win! But I barely entered the gates of the park, when I ran into a snafu. As soon as I stepped on the grass, the heel of my right shoe went in so deep that it got caught in the hardened soil and broke. 'Great $200 down the drain. Never mind that. I had to keep going, I had to lose him.' So I quickly removed both shoes, half-hopping, half-running as I held them in my right hand since the other hand was occupied with my purse and I prepared for a full out sprint.

The grass surely helped soften the pounding of my step as my bare feet repeatedly came in contact with it. Soon, I noticed the exit to the busy streets up ahead. I was going to make it. I was going to get the gold. I was gonna finish the race. 'I am woman hear me roa-What the-?'

I was tackled. You think it's funny huh! Well, it's not! Arnold, in his desperate attempt to stop me, as he saw that I was winning, of course, took it upon himself to suddenly play football with me. That jerk! He just jumped in the air and tackled me. Just like that. What's the matter with him? Had he completely lost it?

Well, he did twist himself under me in order to take the brunt of the pain as we both hit the ground. Maybe he hadn't completely lost it, but I'm still pissed. For a moment, I stayed still, trying to catch my breath. I gazed at the sky. It made me feel almost peaceful; just seeing the clouds pacing along with the slowing rhythm of Arnold's breath as I lay there on top of him, my back pressed onto his chest while he held me still. It was…It was…..

"Helga?" He murmured, his breath tenderly caressing my left ear. It sucked! That's what it was.

He squeezed me a little, hoping I would answer him and I nearly moaned? No, no, that's not it. I… nearly cried out due to my discomfort. Yeah, I'll go with that!

Anyway, I still haven't said a word and I'm not going to.

Besides, my mind was elsewhere. 'His arms are so strong, so strong. And…When did he get so strong?'

Yeah, I was extremely distracted. That's good! It'll keep me from having to face him. Good plan, Helga! Good plan! 'And his voice, when did his voice become so sultry and stimulating. Ahhhh, I'm doing it again. ' After barely a few minutes since he'd returned, I was already flooded with thoughts of him.

Time for plan Z. I took a deep breath and relaxed my body. He soon let his guard down and relaxed his arms as well. 'Big mistake, Bucko. Huge.' I took this development to elbow him in the stomach and scramble off of him. I managed to get up, and took a few steps forward to run, but to my surprise Arnold was not only strong, he was quick, very quick. He bolted to his feet and that's when I felt large hands tug at my waist. "Uh oh" I thought. He turned me around, and I quickly shut my eyes. 'Don't look, just avoid his gorgeous green eyes and you'll be fine.'

"Helga, why are you doing this? Why are you being this way?" He implored.

I could hear the pain in his voice and I could picture the pain in his eyes as well. But I did not want look into it. If I did I would be reminded of all the hurt and pain I felt back then, when he abandoned me; when he turned a blind eye to my cries for his attention. 'The little runt! Well…he's not so little anymore. Curse him and his sexy manliness. Gah! I thought I overcame this. I thought I was free. But lo and behold he comes back from wherever and with a simple glance of his emerald pools, I began to unravel like a wilting flower. You're pathetic Pataki, really pathetic.'

Alright, I had to think of something. But, what? For a second I stood there and pondered and… 'Got it!' Okay. Fine, I could do this; I could talk to him like a normal...sane... adult, but… with my eyes still closed. 'Yeah, so the mature decision there, Helga.'

I gathered my thoughts and composed myself; prepared to speak.

Firmly I said, "Arnold" And then, I floundered. I haven't spoken his name in years. Saying his name made me feel so vulnerable that I'm sure my emotions were showing through on my face. But I couldn't look at him to see if they did. Things were bad enough as they were at the moment.

Arnold reached for my hand and squeezed it, trying to get me to relax. But I just felt worse. He softly spoke again, "Why…were you running away from me?"

I shrugged my shoulders "W-well Arnold, I ran from you because…because I didn't recognize you and I thought you were aaa…STALKER, heh, heh. Talk about embarrassing huh!" 'Phew! Great save Pataki' I thought. But I wondered if he bought it. I just hoped that my facial expression did not give me away.

I felt him shift on both feet, and then I heard him sigh.

"Look at me" he said in the most sweetest voice, he could've ever mustered. I felt another shiver. And yet I still shook my head 'No'. He sighed heavily this time. "I know you recognized me, Helga. So can you please tell me the real reason why you ran away from me?"

He continued and his voice began to rise. "Can you please tell me why everyone won't talk to me about you? Why all my FRIENDS ARE TRYING TO KEEP ME AWAY FROM YOU? EVEN GERALD, MY OWN BEST FRIEND!" He finished, breathing heavily from his sudden fit. I was somewhat shocked and afraid at his outburst. I guess it showed because he calmed down right away and composed himself. I know he'd changed quite a bit, and yet I can still tell that he's the same. I couldn't wrap my head on what had changed though because I had never asked for him or about him. I completely erased him from my life and I just couldn't or didn't care to look back. His name was taboo whenever I was around the gang. I didn't mind, and they understood. It's what made my life easier.

I heard a THWUMP before me. And from the sound of it, it seemed to me that he sat down on the grass. He spoke calmly with a slight hesitation. "Have I…have I done something wrong? Did I…hurt you in any way?"

That did it! I opened my eyes and finally stared at him. And I mean really stared at him. I was pissed…AGAIN. I tried to control myself as I asked, "Are you telling me you don't know?" Seeing the confusion in his face, in his eyes, I screamed, "ARE YOU?"

"Helga, I-" He didn't have a clue. Either that or he was playing me for a fool.

"YOU BASTARD" And that's when I jumped on him and pounded my fist on his chest. "You hurt me, Arnold, can't you see that. You tore me apart, you killed me inside, you bastard." I pounded and pounded, until I felt tired. And for the first time in my life, I let him see me cry. I let him unveil my façade, albeit unwillingly. He cornered me at my weakest moment and exposed me. As I cried, I felt him attempt to wrap his arms around me; I hissed and pulled away as if burned by his touch. I quickly got up, and I set my cold blue eyes on him. "Don't" I whispered harshly, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You brought me enough pain to last me a thousand lifetimes. Just….Stay…. away from me." His eyes were burning through me and it almost made me lose my courage.

But I knew Arnold wouldn't take no for an answer. He'll try to fix, and correct. That's just his way; it's in his blood. And in order for him to stop you had to really hurt him to get your point across. And hurting people was my specialty once upon a time. So here we are again. The bully and her victim placed together in the same scenario. History would repeat itself. Even though it pained me to revert to old ways, I had to do this one last time. I had to make it clear and mean it. I had to make him understand that the best solution was to let go. "Sometimes, I wish…" I closed my eyes tightly unable to bear the hurt look in his eyes as he listened. I opened them and held firm his gaze. It's now or never. "Sometimes, I wish we had never met, and we were never friends. Because… knowing you made me miserable all the more. Perhaps…perhaps, I would have been better off then, than I am right now."

And with a firm resolve, I picked up my shoes, turned and walked away, unable to see the tears that began to streak his face. 'I'm sorry Arnold'

And as I got to a fair distance away from him, I could've sworn I heard his voice carry on through the wind whispering, "I'm sorry too Helga"

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