Sorry for the slow update, my schedule has changed. Thank you for the reviews.
Arnold's legs are getting tired from pacing; he's right in front of the bathroom that Helga has locked herself inside. She's only been inside a few minutes, but from his point of view, it feels like she's been in there much longer.
He leans against the wall ad slightly bumps his head against it. I was so sure that she…that she wanted me to kiss her… He glances at the closed door trying to put him in a hopeful mood. Maybe she's just scared? Maybe I just surprised her…yeah, I think that's it. He banged his head against the wall again looking up at the ceiling. I hope that's it. He put his hand over his heart and then moved it up to his lips and smiled big at the fresh memory of her lips against his. I really do love her...God, she's so...
He stops in his movements as he hears the door knob turn and Helga emerges out. Her eyes meet his for a flash and then she brushed past him.
"Helga…" He gently tugs at her arm. "I'm sorry—"
He lets go of her once she looked down at his hand around her arm. She played with one of her ponytails subtly. "I don't want to hear you saying sorry!" She yelled with some level of bitterness and then took a breath to calm herself. "Arnold we were both drinking, the punch was spiked of course and we said and did things in the heat of the moment it's nothing to talk about...nothing to apologize for." She brings her palm to her forehead and splays her fingers out to cover one of her eyes while shaking her head.
Arnold was searching her face with a definite frown. "Is that really what you think? That the kiss was in the heat of the moment? What about everything I said about being attracted to you?" Shit, I wish I'd never agree to that heat of moment junk...sure it worked for me at the time, but now it's come back to bite me in the ass...because now she doesn't believe me.
Waiting for her response, he was tracking her every movement of her eyes, every twitch of her eyebrows, curl or drop of her lip. He let his eyes fell from her face down to her neck and to see her swallow. She's nervous ... He looks at her mouth which she opens about to reply but is interrupted by the sound of Brendan's voice vibrating through the house. Arnold could also hear the sound of Lila's voice but his overpowered hers. At first, he was curious as to what was going on between them but he kept his focus on Helga because she was the most important person to him at this party.
She frowns viciously not even caring what the arrogant guy was saying or who he was speaking to. She just had no interest in sharing anywhere near the same space; even if it was a mansion. She gave Arnold a brief look, before turning to practically power walk down the hall. "I need some air…"
Her eyes told him she wanted him to follow so he did. "Okay..."
But it didn't matter it seems, his voice is louder although she was walking further of away. Helga felt like she was losing her mind as she moves through the long hallways. Her instincts were telling her she needed to leave and Helga always trusts her instincts so tried to bolt out of the large place as fast she could with Arnold right on her heels.
As she enters the main living room area; which is close to the exit, Ashley set her eyes on her and with much thought purposely put her foot out to cause her to almost fall. But Arnold quickly wrapped his arms around her to stop her. He held on to her for a second and instead of defending herself verbally or physically like she would normally she simply pulled out of his grasp and ran out the door.
He turns to Ashley and her group of friends with a glare. "I saw that, don't you all have anything better to do?"
"Arnold your taste in girls has gone straight down the drain, this is severely disappointing. I can't believe you went from Lila Sawyer and other hot girls...to her…she's not even pretty."
He practically grits his teeth in their direction and did a shake of his head. "You're right she's not just pretty, she's beautiful, a word that I would never use to describe any of your vapid brats." He gives Rhonda a quick look before turning to walk off and as he was doing so he saw Brendan standing in behind them shooting daggers.
Arnold under these hateful eyes also feels the need to escape this scene as quickly as possible. He ignores any of her other comments and ran outside to find Helga; who was pacing on the sidewalk in front of his motorcycle.
"Helga, are you okay?" He frowns not at her but at the situation. "I'm sorry some of those people can be real idiots..." He said while pulling his keys out of his back pants pocket.
She nods a few times, refusing to meet his gaze full on. "Don't apologize Arnold. I just needed to get out of there... and get some air." She gave him a glance and stopped her movements. "Honestly, I have no interest in going back inside, though, so I would like if we could leave."
He nodding in understanding because he felt the same way. "I figured, I don't want to go back in either either." His face softens as her eyes met his for a second but she removed the contact quickly and turns around. He moves in front of her to try to get a better look at her face. "But please don't tell me you want to do home. I would love to spend more time with you - I want a chance to talk about you and I and what happened...just not out here." He licked his lips on instinct once she looked up at him. "Please, we can go anywhere..."
Helga was staring up at him, searching his face, trying to find any evidence of insincerity but she failed to and her features; which had been tense, relaxed greatly. I guess we could go to the EvilOlive... "Um...if you're interested there is a club I always go to." She began to feel more at ease now that she was outside and smiled a little, which was more of a smirk. "It's a far cry from what's going on in there so I don't know if your Mr. goody two shoe butt can hang."
Slowly his mouth curled up into a wide smile - realizing that she was in more of playful mood again. "I already informed you clearly that I have no problems getting a little dirty. I know I can hang." He climbed on his motorcycle and looked to her with flirtatious eyes. "C'mere."
Helga sits down and he starts up, peeking at her over his shoulder. "Don't be scared to hold on tight... Now tell me where we're going..."
"The EvilOlive." She lightly taps him on the back with a laugh and then wraps her arms around his waist. She could feel his body tense up at her touch. "Just start driving, I'll tell you how to get there.."
XOXOXO
Now on his motorcycle, the fall wind cooling them down, yet still Helga had a hard time resisting resting her head on his strong back or kissing him gently on his neck. Instead, she just held on to him breathing in his sickeningly amazing aroma.
Parking and climbing off to eagerly jog across the parking lot hearing the music booming from outside; they just had to get inside.
Going in, since this club tended to attract the more alternative, eccentric and maybe some goth or emo types, now it was Arnold's turn to receive some weird stares. They were probably wondering what that hot edgy girl was doing with a guy that from their point view appears to be a square or a stiff. But Helga holds his hand firmly just like he had done at the previous party. He pulls away from her to wait in line to order some nonalcoholic drinks against her protests.
He watches her as he parted through the crowds to reach a table full of her friends. She was surprised to see Curly there.
Jennie looks her up and down. "What - golden boy didn't show up?"
Helga matches her expression except more intensely. "Wrong - in your face he showed up and is over there in the drink line."
She rolls her eyes but smiles and pulls out a ten dollar bill to hand to her. "Fuck.. here... I guess you showed me!"
She laughs loud and manically earning a middle finger from her betting opponent. Once she was done rubbing victory in her face, she sat down and she could see that even though Curly was wearing his dark shades, he was avoiding looking at her.
Helga speaks to everyone and her eyes stop on him. "Thad." He looked over at her. "Are you still being a dick or have you gotten back to your normal self?"
Curly sips his drink without responding to her. "He's just being stubborn... he'll come around." One of her other friends told her.
Helga shakes her head and flips her wrist and turns away from him Fine! be that way... Once she did she saw Arnold coming their way carrying a tray of drinks.
She gets up to take some of the glasses. "Thanks. You didn't have to buy all this."
He smiles lopsidedly at her and everyone else. "I know I didn't have to, I wanted to." He says with authenticity and shrugs once he sat down.
Once introduced officially to everyone he stares at a familiar face who was only sitting there. "Hey Curly, how are you?"
"Fine. He mumbles with little emotion and everyone who knows him knows he only likes that when he was angry, sad or tense. "You?"
"I'm good." Arnold's green eyes flickered onto Helga with affection; causing her to blush and then back to Curly. "Very good..."
Curly shifted in his seat and took his shades off getting everyone's attention. Now Helga, Arnold, and everyone else could see the slight sadness seething through. He makes a strange noise and glances at Arnold and to Helga; he let his gaze linger on her. "Look I'm acted like an ass earlier... I'm not going to divulge too much about our conversation Helga, but." He chuckles. "You were right... even about her." He winks at her subtly figuring that no one, not even Arnold knew who he was referring to at the moment - although it was no secret to those of PS 118 that Curly loved Rhonda. "I was wrong... Now I don't think I was wrong for being protective because I love you." His eyes shot to Arnold awkwardly. "In a strictly platonic way ...I still have some reservation about this new development... I can't lie. But I was wrong for being judgmental - that's usually not me and for not trusting you. But mainly for telling you I wouldn't be there for you if you had gotten hurt because that's the biggest lie I've ever told. I'll always be here for you... even if you don't want me to be...so... unlike you Pataki I don't have a hard time saying... I'm sorry."
All the girls sharing making 'awe' noises and hug Curly making him blush.
Tears threatening to come out but she held them in, she was a pro at that. She slammed her fist on the table."Wait! That was sweet and all Curly but what's with the jab... Helga G. Pataki has no problem saying sorry!"
Everyone at the table paused with raised brows and smirks at her. She wears a look of shock and peeks at Arnold who was softly chuckling. He sits up straight. "In Helga's defense. She might not say that word often but...she did say it to me earlier in the week." His shy gaze went to her and he grinned like a goon at the way she unintentionally flutters her lashes at him.
Helga grins in return to the point that her face began to ache. She plays with her hair girlishly gaining some more raised brows. "Thanks .. See us Pataki's do say sorry...you don't hear if often because we so rarely make mistakes."
After a minute or so of jokes and laughter, she got up and hugged Curly. "Thank you for saying that..." She mouthed the words. "I love you too." Then she and one of her girlfriends went to the restroom.
Arnold was feeling just slightly green at the moment. He fully understood the love they spoke about was friendship but he longed to say those three words to her and to hear her say those words back to him in return. He almost stood up to tell her in that moment but stopped himself. It just wouldn't feel right for him.
Curly looks at Arnold. "Oh and Arnold... sorry for bumping into you earlier that wasn't cool." Arnold accepts and a wide comical grin spread across Curly's face he drummed the table to the music. "Now that's the last sorry I'll have to say for tonight... but since I plan on being a bad boy tonight who knows." He put his shades back on only to lower them to the tip of his nose. "Any of you beauties care to meet me on the dance floor?"
A short redhead girl jumps up and yanks him by the arm making his glasses fly off but he didn't seem to care he ran along with her to bust a move as soon as they hit the floor. Once Helga came back she giggles watching them dance without a care in the world. One by one, potential suitors came over to ask her friends to dance. One very handsome older guy approached Helga, she turned him down politely. Arnold took that as his cue to ask her. "So Ms. Pataki, would you like to dance?"
With his question entering her ears, at this time she is finally able to focus on everything that has happened regarding Arnold.
This is feeling more and more like a something that starts with d and rhymes with mate... But it's not .. is it? He did kiss me. But he had been drinking - lots of people kiss - it doesn't make it something more than that. But then he did say he always wanted to and the whole thing about fighting Brendan because he insulted me after seeing Arnold checking me out... The middle of her forehead crinkled up. Damn you football head... after all this time... after I was beginning to get my once desperate urges for you intact you just had to glide that - that ... beautiful face of yours... back into my life getting me all stirred up...only to... press those soft lips against mine. A long sigh fell out - matched with her glassy eyes staring into space caused her male companion to worry.
She feels warm fingers grace her arm gently and it make the small hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She flinched when she saw Arnold so close to her, crouching down to get her attention. She realized she had zoned out and she shuttered at what her face might have looked like. Thinking she probably looked like a deranged mental patient. But he didn't seem disturbed or anything - he straightened up and lifted his hand out. "Felt like I lost you for a second. I got a little nervous." He grinned. Are you okay?" She shut her eyes for a second because his low tenor voice was so soft and full of genuine concern. She lamely put up her thumb as a signal because she knew her voice would most likely crack and fail her. "Dance with me." He insisted nearly pleading.
She smiled coyly and let him lead her to the dance floor. The two of them began to dance with Arnold leading, she developed the biggest smile on her face as she followed his steps to the uptempo reggae music. She giggles, briefly presses her head into his chest while doing so and looked up at him. "You always could dance..." She compliments him in a whisper.
He beams. "Thanks...Yeah, my grandmother taught me how to dance to different music...she always would say a man should know how to dance with a woman...that it's a way into her heart." She notices how his grin slightly falters but remains on his face. His eyes water a little also. Oh, Arnold... She thinks because of his mention of his grandmother who had passed away the previous year. Within she felt the urge to hug him because she had never had the opportunity to console him at the time of her death. Instead, she had sent a written speech for Phoebe to say at the funeral that was the best way she could console him at the time without letting her feelings for him get out of wack.
Arnold suddenly twirls her around pulling her out of her thoughts and bringing her close. The two were practically grinding at this point. The pair, along with Curly and the rest of her friends danced to several more songs until everyone was nearly perspiring. A laughing Helga grabbed Arnold by the arm and pulled him back to the table breathlessly demanding water; which Arnold got for her.
Helga was leaning on the table, her eyes scanning the room at familiar and unfamiliar party goers. She spots her friends still in their little huddle dancing and with a sigh she looks over at Arnold was sitting across from at the table. His chin is resting on the palm of his hands, brows both raised, intense yet affectionate eyes, one-half of his lip curls up. Christ, he's fucking sexy...without even trying. She feels shy under his gaze and blinks several times which didn't go unnoticed by him, but he only smiles more.
She searches the room again and turns back to him with a sigh. These guys must be amped up on a red bull or something...I can't hang any longer. "I'm worn out are you ready to go?" She anxiously drums her fingers on the table. "It's getting late..." She mumbles.
His brows twitched up with a nod. "Sure - I was waiting on you."
Her mouth slight agape her eyes bored into his and then she abruptly stood up. "Okay, then let's go."
She was followed by a cheesing Arnold.
Since the time he actually drove her to her house. Helga did not even think about her concerns over where she lives or her father. She climbed off his bike and clasped her hand behind her back, stepping up to her porch with Arnold trailing behind. Once she reached her porch she turned to him, he was smiling wide than a mile. Her eyes dropped to her shoes. "I-I...had a good time...thanks for this. I guess you can hang." He reaches up slowly and lifting the small choker/necklace around her neck as he put it down his fingers slightly purposely graced her collarbone. So soft. He feels her gulp at his small gestures.
His fingers glide upward to reach her jawline with the slightest tenderest touch. "It was my pleasure." His voice was incredibly quiet but smoky, on the cusp of being lustful; which she didn't expect from Arnold. "So..." He starts as his fingers made it's way cautiously to brush against her lips. "About that kiss." He flashes a quick smile. "I would love to be able to do it again..." His expression sobers up. "Not just because I want to kiss you simply because of physical attraction or for the fun of it or just the pleasure of it...but because I..." How much do I reveal here? He looks deeper into her eyes hoping that she could read his mind somehow. "I really like you, a lot and I was wondering if you could give me a chance...us a chance?"
His eyes darted around searching her face and she bit down her lip and looked at him with half-lidded eyes. He hisses softly to himself.. Fuck it! He pulls her to him by the waist and with his other hand he cradles her face while his eyes pour into hers. He's close enough again to smell her honey scent. "You are so beautiful." He mouths to her right before he presses his lips smoothly against hers, letting both his love and lust for her take over him for a moment.
He slowly moves his lips from hers and looked at the dreamy-eyed girl who was now like putty in his embrace. He slowly parted his lips as his fingers gently stroked her face. "Sorry Helga I lied, I don't just like you - I love you."
Not much excitement this chapter - I hope it wasn't too dull. I don't know when I'll next update, but I'll try to start writing the next chapter soon.