Wow, this is the fastest I've updated in...well, a long time, ok? Just enjoy this, cause I am! By the way, anyone notice how ugly Olga looked in that photo Bob held up when she was Helga's age in the spelling bee episode? Hope I'm not the only person who caught that.
Anyway, onward march!
Helga stepped out into the warm summer day, almost skipping as she moved along. This summer went from almost unbearable to fun. She grinned, looking over at David, who ran his hair through is unusual reddish brown locks. She stared into is icy blue eyes and a small part of her wondered what it would be like to stare into those eyes all the time. The corner of her lips turned upwards in an even wider smile.
"What's with the grin, Joker?" David asked, smirking as Helga turned away in a blush.
Rubbing her right arm she countered softly, "Don't scare me like that," I can't believe I got caught staring at him! Criminy Helga, what must he be thinking? She stared at the ground, hoping against hope that her blush would dissipate.
He chuckled, giving her a small shoulder hug. As if he read her mind, he continued, "Don't worry about it Hellie."
Helga smirked, lightly punching his arm, "Don't get too comfortable, Waters. I'm still Big Bad Pataki."
David rolled his eyes, "I'm shaking," He said in false fear, shaking his hands to boot.
Helga just sighed. "What brings you to the wonderful world of summer school? Is this for real or are you just bored?"
He groaned, rubbing his scalp, "I wish, our math teacher said if I want to go into Geometry freshman year, I need to pass this. Otherwise, I'll be saying hello to Algebra 1...again."
"Criminy," She shook her head, "How'd you even get into accelerated math in the first place?"
"You know, math was so easy back then, before letters came into play." Helga laughed, "So is 1+1=2."
"It's true," He continued, a bit defensive, "And nearly half the class passed, to be fair."
Helga nodded in agreement, "You have a point there bucko. That test was almost too easy. If Sid of all people aced it..."
David smiled. "Yeah."
"What's so important about being in accel anyway, David? You can always take Geometry in sophomore year, it's not that big a deal."
If only she knew... "It kinda is. You know, collages and stuff."
Helga shrugged. "If you think so."
"I know so."
While the two continued their meaningless chatter, a figure watched at a distance enviously...
"Hey Shortman!" Grandpa called as Arnold walked in, almost slamming the door in anger and jealousy, "How was that summer school thing you're doing?"
Arnold shrugged, trying to put on a smile. "It's OK, but Ms. Pataki gives out a lot of homework," He pulled out three double-sided worksheets.
"Ah, don't worry Arnold, you'll find a way to do it all." At that moment he felt a rumbling in his lower abdomen. Grandpa gripped it, saying, "Now to head to my office. Ask your parents for help if you need any!" With that he rushed off.
Arnold sighed happily, heading up to his room. My parents...
After three years, it still came as a surprise to him, after almost nine years of them out of his life. For the first couple of months, he wanted nothing more than to never leave their side, for fear that they would leave his life again.
To his surprise and delight, they always asked how is day was, and took and interest in his hobbies. Of course, they did have the occasional disagreement and quarrel, but they always overcame it in the end.
"Hey Arnold. Back from school already?" Stella stepped out, drying her hands with a dish towel. "I thought I heard your Grandpa rushing off to his office again."
Arnold gave an unenthusiastic nod, letting out a deep sigh. "Yeah."
Stella sensed her son's conflicting emotions. "Do you want to talk Arnold? I have some cookies."
He gave a slight smirk, "Do they have sparkles in them?"
She shook her head, looking wistfully into the distance. "Which is why we don't let your Grandma bake anymore."
The football headed boy cracked a smile at this, and followed his mother into the kitchen.
"So tell me," Stella asked as her son bit into a chocolate chip cookie, "How come you're so...down?"
Arnold swallowed, tapping his fingers on the table as a bright red blush appeared on his cheeks. "Umm... It's about a girl..."
"I had a feeling. So who is she? Do I know her?," She sipped her glass of milk.
Arnold nodded, "Yeah, she kinda helped me find you guys."
"Helga Pataki?"
Arnold bit his lip, and Stella took this as a sign to continue. "You mean the sweet little girl with the pink bow."
"Yeah. She told me she liked me some time ago, but I'm not sure if she meant it, or if it was never the truth at all We kinda pushed it to the side after that. Plus, she's hanging out with this guy and she really seems to like him and I'm worried. What if I never get the chance to tell her how much I care about her?"
"Well," She dipped her cookie in her milk glass, "If she really cares about you, you should let her go. If you two become friends again, then maybe it can lead to something more."
Arnold chewed the last of his cookie, nodding.
"Well, I better start making lunch," She glanced at the clock, which read a quarter to three, "Your father is coming home for his lunch break soon. Come down around three thirty, OK?"
Nodding, Arnold grabbed his bag and headed up the stairs, the advice reeling in his mind. While he trusted is mother, he felt it wouldn't hurt if he got more than one person's opinion on the matter.
Hang in there guys, I will update 'TSLOHP' soon! Just give me some time.
But in the meantime, REVIEW!