***Sorry for the long wait, but I was grounded from electronics :( but here it is! Songs are Sparks Fly (Speak Now World Tour Live Version) cause its awesome. AND Change from her Fearless Album. OH! And I changed some lyrics but not much. I mean hey, it has to fit the story! Right? Well, there isalso a quote I'm sure you'll all recognize and know I didn't make it up lol. Without further Ado, please enjoy :D
Oh yeah! And when Helga is performing, just think about Taylor Swift performing and what she'd do, it might make it seem more real. But I did go into detail about some parts :D oh well carry on
I don't own anything but Brett ;)
Chapter 5 The Sparks Flying will never Change
The entire room of the makeshift music/café hangout for all ages was pitch dark, except for the windows from swinging kitchen doors glimmering square lights onto the concrete flooring. The crowd was silent for a total of ten seconds, waiting for something to happen, and then they heard Jason, the owner, speak in the quiet you-could-hear-a-pen-drop open room. Jason was a tall, lanky, man, about six foot, with dirty blond hair that he tied in a pony tail down his back, and he always had a smile on his face. That smile was stretched to a full blown grin with an 'I told you so! Haha!' look that was shining from his hazel eyes. "You guys didn't see that coming, huh?"
Then the room started all talking at once. Mixes of approval, connections to her songs, amazement at her voice, and, of course, the students, who have been together since the Urban Tots days, gossip about the new found Helga G. Pataki's talents. Eugene, Curly, and Sheena were praising her stage performance and voice from where they sat, sharing a table in the middle of the room. "She has decent foot work for someone who hasn't had training like Eugene and I," Curly told Sheena and Eugene nodded. Sheena added, "And her voice is so real, and don't even get me startedd on her guitar playing!" She gushed. Curly had started to mellow out since he joined Drama and concert choir their freshmen year and had paid more attention to his ballet than his beloved Rhonda. He didn't bother her as much, but he still harbored those soul crushing feelings of love for her. So he, of course being Curly, still had his moments. He found solace in Eugene and Sheena's company which they had proceeded to help him through his 'troubled' times.
Harold and Patty were conversing with each other at a table for two near Sid and Stinky. Patty was trying desperately to salvage their makeshift date with the tag-a-long boys. Patty knew Helga didn't want anyone to disrupt her performance, and ever since that 'fight' in the gym, she's been rooting for Helga to make a move on Arnold or vise versa. Patty really wanted them to get together, and she wasn't about to let her boy friend become too much of a nuisance with his long time pals. "Harold, I swear if you ruin this for Helga, we are not going to Slausen's and I will NOT let you go any where near any type of sweets when you're in front of me! And if you even think about starting anything when she comes back out, I will show you just how I won that wrestling state tournament." Harold gulped and nodded. Patty smiled a sweet smile, "Thank you, honey."
Patty had turned into a very beautiful, strong girl. She was slightly taller than Helga's 5'10 status and had grown her hair just below her shoulders and had dyed it to a deeper brown. She just finished her first year of college at Hillwood University on a wrestling scholarship and has been the girlfriend of Harold for one and a half years. She became the first girl to be on the wrestling team and win the tournament practically single handedly, almost like how Helga had joined the baseball team with Arnold and they had finally won the state tournament for baseball for the first time their sophomore year. Both girls had complete respect for each other and had made it a point to look out for one another, even though both had agreed they didn't need any 'protection'. It was the sentiment that counted.
Sid and Stinky were laughing Harold and making whipping sounds, which costed them a glare from the athletic couple. Harold had joined the football team, naturally, and since seventh grade he had put his whole effort in it. Him and Torvald practically ran the football team since they were sophomores, and it'll only make it official next year as seniors; co-captains, working together to get to state. Sid and Stinky were just along for the ride in high school, they remained best friends through out, and had both gained a reputation as heart breakers or 'badasses', but their classmates who grew up with them and knew how they really are: overly superstitious and completely back-country. No matter how much they try to deny their inner selves with their tattered leather jackets.
"Boy howdy, Stinky! Is it just me or…" Sid brought his voice down to a whisper. "Does Helga actually look… hot up there?"
Stinky was still day dreaming about the dress was in, and her black cowboy boots. "Well, gosh, Sid. I reckon your right, Helga looked mighty purty. She looked like a regular blonde country bumpkin. I sure wish she'd…" Stinky trailed off with his response.
Sid gave a knowing look to his best friend, "You wish she… wasn't Helga G. Pataki?" They busted out laughing. "I wonder how long it took Phoebe to make her look like that?!" They continued laughing.
There was continuous talking throughout the whole place, but there was a tension between tables in particular that had ringing through their ears. Brett and Phoebe didn't know what to say to Gerald and Arnold. Rhonda and Lila also didn't know how to react, since Arnold and half of the Junior class was in that room. They didn't want to be too suspicious, but they were mainly to shocked to speak. They knew everything they had worked hard for, was going to crumble. Well, everything Lila worked for. Rhonda wasn't stupid enough to go after Arnold, especially after Lila had told her the confession and threat Helga told her in the forth grade in order to become Juliet. She had Torvald. Everyone knew that if any girl tried toying with Helga's best guy friend, there would be Hell to pay, no matter if Helga's bullying had gone down considerably, she still was able to pack a punch on anyone. Same thing was vise versa. Arnold is always a level headed guy, but when word got out freshmen year that Arnold, Arnold head in the clouds do-gooder, broke some John guys nose and left a black eye because he pulled a fast one on Helga… well. Let's just say Arnold took the role as overprotective best friend. Every guy who tried to date Helga was put into serious questioning by Arnold and his father, Miles. Helga would be annoyed and angry of course, and arguments between the two best friends would start, but Arnold was Arnold. Being the best friend of the pink bowed bully since grade school, he had grown a back bone and stuck up for himself, more than he usually did.
Phoebe decided to take the initiative and bite the bullet, "So! What do you guys think of Helga so far?" Phoebe put on a cheery face and folded her hands neatly in front of her on the table.
Her table, and the table over, was staring at her blankly. Gerald decided to speak up first. "It's interesting. I'm really surprised she can sing, play guitar and… write her own songs?" Phoebe nodded. 'Wow… who would've thought?' Gerald raised his eyebrows and was amazed; his thoughts started to become borderline denial. But that's just Gerald.
Arnold was still stuck on Phoebe's last words. "So far? There's more?" Phoebe bit her lip and nodded. He was stunned. "I always knew Helga had great talents, especially when it came to sports, but I never did expect this. I knew she could play guitar though." Arnold smiled. 'I wonder if I taught her the cords…?'
Phoebe laughed, knowing where his thoughts were going and knowing about their little music lesson. "Oh, Arnold. Helga already knew the cords you were teaching her, and much more. She didn't want to make you feel bad, and she wanted you to feel accomplished." Arnold thought about it as Phoebe waited for his response, not knowing how he'll feel about all of this.
He just laughed. "Wow. I'm still amazed, although," He grinned, "I did teach her a few songs." The three of them chuckled.
"How did you teach her? I didn't know you could play guitar." Lila had an incredulous look on her face and Arnold just mirrored the look.
It took a moment before he answered slowly, "Lila, I don't go around telling people, but we have been boy friend and girl friend for four months now, and dating a bit since the start of school. ...You haven't noticed my Dad's guitar in my room?"
Lila was just raised her eyebrow. "Am I supposed to say I'm ever so sorry I don't know you inside and out, Arnold?" Arnold frowned. "Because I'm oh so certain you don't know me very well."
The lights were still out and only five minutes had passed, though it still felt like a life time. Arnold started to roll his eyes but stopped, she was right. Arnold didn't know Lila that well, at least the new Lila. 'I guess the kind, intuitive, sophisticated, fourth grade girl in red braided pig tails isn't making a comeback,' Arnold pursed his lips. 'Just like Helga said.' Arnold decided he'll have to talk to Helga soon and break it off with Lila. Arnold turned to ask Gerald when their baseball practice is supposed to end on Monday, trying to change the subject. Their game was cancelled due to a tornado tragedy that happened a couple weeks back, and they wondered what they would do. Soon enough though, this concert was the main talk around school and their calander was booked.
But before Arnold could voice his question, Helga's voice sounded, and he promptly shutted up, listening intently.
The darkness was still scattered across the room, the stage couldn't be seen fully, but there were figures now, standing in place. The crowd was silent, listening to Helga. "Real life is a funny thing, you know. I think most of us fear reaching the end of our lives and looking back regretting when we didn't speak up. When we didn't say, 'I love you'. When we should've said 'I'm sorry'. So there's a time for silence and there's a time for waiting your turn, but if you know how you feel and you so clearly know what you need to say, you'll know it." Applause filled the air at her speech, noting the pause, but what the crowd didn't know, was that she wasn't done. "I don't think you should wait, I think you should speak now." Helga's voice echoed throughout the vast room and before Arnold could admire the wise words, his thoughts were interrupted.
Someone playing a guitar filled the dark air and a cloudy smoke came floating off the stage.
Drop everything now!
Helga suddenly appeared center stage as the bright main light centered on her. She was dressed in a short, very short as most of the guys, including Arnold, noticed, shimmering gold dress. She absolutely glowing on stage. She had on her same black boots as before, but her pink bow was wrapped around her wrist, and her hair was in its curly gold glory. Her head piece/mic was in and her right arm was raised with her Helga smirk in full power. She was beautiful. She took it all in. The lights flicked around her and showing the band and back up singers. As she sang, she was walking slowly to the front the stage and her hands were in motion, as if telling a story or moving magic.
The way you move is like a full on rainstorm
And I'm a house of cards
I'm the kind of reckless that should
Send you running but
I kinda know that you won't get far
And you stood there in front of me
Just close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't see what I was thinking of
'This is so invigorating!' Helga thought to herself as she sang to the crowd,who was cheering wildly I might add. Helga used the whole stage as she, in lack of better words, rocked out to her bedroom music being brought to a live concert.
Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
Cause I see, sparks fly
Whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
I see, sparks fly
Whenever you
Helga snuck a peek at Arnold, her beloved. 'I wonder if he's too dense to realize who this song is about…' Helga smiled deviously, 'I'm not holding anything back. Heat of the moment be damned.'
She looked towards Arnold fully and sang the next verse.
My mind forgets to remind me
You're a bad idea
You touch me once and it's really something
You find I'm better than
You imagined I would be
I'm on my guard for the rest of the world but with you
I know it's no good
And I could wait patiently
But I really wish you would
Helga made her way down the right side steps of the stage, making sure walk by every table, and stopped to serenade a few random people she didn't know as she sang. The spotlight stayed on her and the room was still dark besides the random flashes of light that went towards the band. Helga noticed Alicia stepped off stage to interact with the unknowing attenders. Helga's confidence was sky high.
Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
Cause I see, sparks fly
Whenever you smile
Helga stopped cue, after practicing for three weeks, in front of Arnold's table. They both had blushes on their faces as she sang.
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
Cause I see, sparks fly
Whenever you smile
She smirked as she flipped her hair around and danced to her music. Arnold was grinning wildly, 'This is so surreal! I can barely take it all in! Helga is amazing!' Without thinking, he stood up from his seat to dance wildly with her, which was basically jumping around like they do when they listen to her alternative music in his room. 'Oh my God,' Helga thought happily. 'Arnold's dancing with me!' She sang on and acted out the next verse, even though it wasn't really apart of her plan. She ran her fingers through Arnold hair as she danced and sang, the light effects had flickered around them, and she grabbed his hand and lead them both towards the left, darkened side of the room. To where Phoebe was playing the white piano on a small platform.
I'll run my fingers through your hair
And watch the lights go wild
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me
It's just wrong enough to make it feel right
And lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow
She looked Arnold in the eye as she sang-
I'm captivated by you baby like a fireworks show
She let go of his hand and motioned for him to sit by a wildly grinning Phoebe. Helga took the steps on the side of the piano to stand on top of it. She sang along to the amazed and cheering crowd with Phoebe playing smoothly as years of lessons would give her.
Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Drop everything now
Take away, take away the pain
Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Drop everything now
Take away, take away the pain
'I can't believe I'm telling a room full of people about my love for Arnold,' Helga thought to herself as she suddenly realized the song is coming to an end. 'Oh well, I'll deal with it later. …Arnold always says I don't think things through.'
Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
Cause I see, sparks fly
Whenever you smile
Helga jumped off the stage and made it back to center stage in her long strides. 'Thank you Coach Mike for those suicides and sprints.' Helga thought gratefully, if wasn't for sports, she wouldn't be able to do this. She sang back with a passion to the screaming crowd, almost as if it were actually a small concert. She was still rocking out on stage to her music, hair flipping and all.
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
Cause I see, sparks fly
Whenever you smile
And the sparks fly, oh baby
'This is unbelievable!' Helga thought as she was jumping around and going wild to the rhythm as her song came to a close. 'Oh my God… Crimeny'. At the end she stood up straight and stared at the screaming crowd. Arnold was standing up with the audience, clapping wildly from his seat beside Phoebe from the piano. Helga was giggling in almost disbelief and mouthed 'Oh My God', and the crowd, if possible, got louder. After about 5 seconds of soaking it all in, she remembered the time schedule. She gave her infamous Helga secret smiles and turned around, the stage lights dimming considerably.
'No,' Arnold thought, jumping in his seat in excitement. 'Come back Helga!' Phoebe was laughing at him, Helga would've said he looked adorable.
Helga did come back though, with Jason's blood red Gibson guitar, which was magnified next to her gold shimmering dress. Helga smiled widely as two more guitarists flanked both her sides and they started playing a melody you just wanted to dance to and throw your fist in the air. Helga was laughing delightfully with them, they were all thinking they'd have to be dreaming. Helga walked forward to the center of the stage and to Arnold of their triumphs.
Oh it's a sad picture, the final blow hits you
Somebody else gets what you wanted again and
You know it's all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you're getting sick of it
But I believe in whatever you do
And I'll do anything to see it through
Helga smiled at him and Arnold smiled back. Arnold said to himself, thinking his thoughts out loud "I'm so lucky to have her."
Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
And we'll sing hallelujah, we'll sing hallelujah
Oh, oh
Then, the large projectors had placed a video of sorts onto the walls and outlining the stage of the FTi debacle. When they saved the neighborhood together… with Gerald. Gasps were heard around the room. Helga smiled and sang on.
So we've been outnumbered
Raided and now cornered
It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair
We're getting stronger now
Find things they never found
They might be bigger
But we're faster and never scared
You can walk away, say we don't need this
But there's something in your eyes
Says we can beat this
The audience all stood up, even Lila and Rhonda, remembering when they all thought their home was going to be torn down. Gertie was dancing around the room with Phil like they were teenagers, and in their hearts, they were.
Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
And we'll sing hallelujah, well sing hallelujah
Ohhh, ohh
Helga was twirling around in circles with her guitar and saw the crowd dancing. She stopped and looked at Arnold when she knew the scenery changed on the walls of the large music café. It was the jungles of San Lorenzo, the videos Mr. Simmons was making during that trip was in full view. The entire fourth grade class stopped to admire the memories, especially Arnold when he saw the video of being reunited with his parents, along side Helga. 'It was a wild rescue,' Arnold thought to himself. 'A wild adventure spent with Helga.' Arnold and his parents smiling widely, not knowing if they should cry tears of joy or run up stage and hug the pink bowed girl who reunited them.
Tonight we stand, get off our knees
Fight for what we've worked for all these years
And the battle was long, it's the fight of our lives
But we'll stand up champions tonight
The girl center stage smiled softly at her second family.
It was the night things changed
Can you see it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down
It's a revolution, throw your hands up
Cause we never gave in
And we'll hallelujah, we sang hallelujah
Hallelujah… Yeah
Everyone had their hands up and dancing around, smiling so wide they thought their faces would crack. 'Oh, what the Hell,' Rhonda thought as she joined in with her classmates. Helga continued to dance around on stage and play the guitar like it was the last thing she could ever do on this earth. 'This song always gets me pumped up,' Helga was
laughing to herself. 'I feel so… carefree, like no one can get me.'
As her song came to an end, Helga Pataki was panting hard. The attenders was practically giving her a standing ovation. "I bet you all remember those stories, huh?" They all answered in shouts of joy. Helga stood with this amazed look on her face, giggling softly.
Arnold watched her with half lidded eyes and an ear to ear grin he's had since he was a child, 'Helga… your… wow'.
***AN:
New chapter should be up by the end of this week maybe… sorry I took so long! D:
Maybe tell me what you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Goodbye for now! :D