Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold.
Thursday, April 2
I woke up earlier than usual because I knew that Miriam was too drunk to make breakfast. Olga has broadway stuff to do and Bob never does housework. We have a maid but Bob and Miriam never gives her a break from work so I decided to help her in the morning. I usually wake up at 6 am but today I woke up at 5 am. I went down to the kitchen. I saw a lot of wine bottles on the table and floor. I picked them all up and threw it in the bin. Not long after, Cindy walked in and saw me cleaning up. Cindy is our maid. She quickly stole the remaining bottles from my hand.
"Ms. Pataki! That is my job. You're father would have me fired. Please let me do it."-I stopped her.
"Don't worry Cindy. Bob is still asleep and guessing from all this wine bottles, Miriam is passed out somewhere in the living room. Let me just help you. My parents already put you in so much work during the day." –she let go of the bottle and smiled at me.
"Thank you so much Ms. Pataki."
"Call me Helga."- she was taken aback.
"But I couldn't.. Your father wo—"- I stopped her.
"Nobody would even care Cindy. Its ok." – she continued to stare at me.
"How did a very kind and caring girl end up in a neglectful family?" – I was taken aback at her question. I stood there thinking of what she just said. Why? The question echoes in my head.
"I don't know Cindy. But let's not try to find out." I flashed a bitter smile.
"Ms. P- uhh, I mean Helga. You know, if you want someone to talk to. You know, I'm a good listener." –then she smiled.
"That'd be great Cindy. Let's just keep this little conversation to ourselves. I don't want anyone to know that I've gone soft or anything." – she chuckled and made a zipper motion on her mouth. We continued to talk. She told me her life story. Apparently, she was from a poor family and this is the only job she got hired to. And this job keeps her family alive. I really am proud of people who'd do anything for their family. After cleaning, she cooked breakfast and I took a bath. When I went down, it was still really early. It was still 6:23 am. Cindy motioned me to the table to eat breakfast. I motioned her to join me.
"I couldn't." – but I forced her.
"Both of them are still asleep. C'mon. I need someone to join me while I eat. You know, kids who eat alone are more prone to psychological problems. You're doing me a favor here. And I know you haven't had breakfast yet." – she smiled and took a seat next to me. We ate and shared our goals in life. We made jokes and laughed. After that I ran up to my room and gathered my stuff. Stuff I needed for school. I walked to the kitchen only to find Bob already there. I looked at Cindy and when Bob wasn't looking she gave me a paper bag. I smiled at her and walked out the room not even saying a word to my so-called father. When I was in class, I looked inside the paper bag. I found a note saying "thank you Helga." And a lunch pack. My own mom couldn't even make me lunch. I actually felt happy. Even though I had unappreciative parents, who knew I could still make friends. While I was uncontrollably smiling at the note, Harold walked by. He seemed to have noticed my packed lunch.
"Still bringing packed lunch Helga. HAHAHA Did your mom make it for you? HAHA." – everyone in the classroom was looking at me. Some girls were giggling. Arnold and Gerald heard Harold and they were staring at me. I could feel my blood boil.
"Shut up." I muttered through gritted teeth.
"HAHAHA.." – he continued laughing. Out of impulse, I punched Harold's jaw. He stopped laughing and cried in pain. I saw blood coming from his mouth. All of a sudden, the teacher comes striding in. She saw Harold and gasped. She automatically signed me a detention slip. I went straight to detention and was obviously punished. Any form of abuse here in this school is prohibited. The bigger the abuse, the bigger the punishment.
"How many times have you been in detention Ms. Pataki?"- the guidance director asked.
"I lost count." – I said sarcastically. She looked at me with an expressionless face. Suddenly her eyes widened.
"I know the perfect punishment. You will be the school's mascot for this upcoming baseball game."- my eyes grew wide.
"WHAT?! No, no, can you just suspend me? Yes, just suspend me. Please. Anything but the mascot. Please." – I begged. She refused.
"Punishment is final. Thank you and ask coach for the mascot uniform. You may go." – I didn't even got a chance to say anything. When I walked out, the bell just rang for lunch. I went to the cafeteria to eat. I sat alone like every other rime I eat lunch. I don't have a friend here because some people think of me as a bully and some think of me as a weirdo. The only thing that could still make me smile is Cindy's packed lunch for me. I opened the lunch box and I saw some beautifully cooked meat with mashed potatoes and a pudding cup. Even Miriam couldn't do this for me. I heard chuckles and whispers from around me. They're making fun of me for bringing a lunchbox but I don't care. Seeing this was made for me made it more special that I don't care what people want to say about me. As I was eating, I didn't noticed that Arnold was approaching my table.
"(Clears throat) uhh Helga, could I sit here with you?"- I didn't bother looking at him because I was too engrossed in the food.
"Knock yourself out football-head." – there was an awkward silence between us. Finally, Arnold broke the ice.
"I notice that you brought a packed lunch with you today. Did your mom make it for you?"- he calmly asked. I stopped eating and looked at him.
"What's it matter to you football-head?"- he looked at me. I noticed that Arnold and I have never really been able to just talk. After moving, I never really contacted them anymore. Our conversation today has been the longest ever since.
"Nothing. I think it was sweet of your mom to make this for you."
"My mom didn't make this for me." – then I cleaned up my lunchbox and left.
"Did you see what happened to Harold? His jaw looked like it was gonna fall off. I can't believe Helga could even do that." – Gerald said. We were walking to the cafeteria. It was lunch time and Gerald and I decided to eat at the cafeteria today. We normally eat at the diner down the street but today was an exemption. I have to go to the library to finish my paper due later this afternoon. And I know that if we ate at the diner, I wouldn't be able to finish anything. As we were getting in line, I saw Helga walk in. She sat in a table at the far left of the cafeteria. She was alone. As I thought about, Helga really didn't have any friends here. If Phoebe was still here, maybe Helga would be less of a bully. I just think she needs a friend. I could also see that some of the students love to make fun of her. Once in a while I could hear nasty rumors about her. But I don't choose to believe it because I know Helga. After we got our food, Gerald motioned to a table where Harold, Trevor and Sid were sitting. Trevor is our next door neighbor. He moved back when we were in middle school.
"C'mon Arnold."- Sid called. As I sat on the table, the first thing they talked about was Helga.
"How's the jaw Harold?"- Gerald asked.
"She'll pay for this. She can't just hit me like that. I'm gonna try and get back at her."- Harold exclaimed.
"Give her a break. You started it anyway."- out of nowhere, my mouth began to say things. I left the table and went to Helga. I cleared my throat.
"Uhh Helga, could I sit here with you?"- she nodded and said,
"Knock yourself out football-head."- she never forgot about that name. I looked at her and I noticed that she was eating the packed lunch Harold was making fun off.
"I notice that you brought a packed lunch with you today. Did your mom make it for you?"- she looked at me.
"What's it to you football-head?"- She is so stubborn. But every time I look at her, I could feel that she's hiding something. Helga used to throw spit balls at me, shove me in the hallway and insulting me but when we reached highschool. She stopped. She still insults me but not as often as before. Although, its more of a good thing than a bad thing but I don't know. I somewhat missed that connection with her. She used to help me out with Lila. I couldn't believe that the girl who's as hard as a rock was the one who could help me. But Lila and I never happened. I found out things that I never knew before and it made me change my mind. But now, Lila and I are friends. I snapped out of my momentary melancholy and got back to reality.
"Nothing. I think it was sweet of your mom to make this for you."- she stopped eating and cleaned up after herself.
"My mom didn't make this for me."- I don't know why but I could feel pain in what she said. She stood up and left. I continued my gaze on her until she was out of sight. After she left, a piece of paper was on the table. I read it and the only thing it said was 'thank you'. This maybe Helga's but I wondered. Who could've thanked her? Gerald moved to the table where I sat. I hid the paper in my pocket.
"What was that all about? Was that really Helga? Or was it her nice twin?"- Gerald laughed. I looked at him and cracked a smile.
"I don't know. Maybe it was a twin. She didn't even raised her voice at me."- I stood up put my tray in the bin. I headed to the library. Gerald didn't follow me because he said that the library would bring him bad vibes. I know the only reason why he won't go to the library is because it's the place where he and Phoebe used to hang out. He probably doesn't want to remember the feeling of being there. I went inside the library and picked out some books for my paper. In the midst of writing, I felt nostalgic all of a sudden. I remembered when. I came here with Gerald. It was just like yesterday. It was the day when he would finally ask Phoebe to be his girlfriend. Seeing the happy look on Phoebe's face when Gerald asked was now a distant memory. Even if it was years ago, I still ask myself, 'why would Gerald ever cheat on the girl of his dreams?' The thought was running through my head. I didn't notice that I was staring at the ceiling for nearly an hour. I looked at my paper and I wasn't even half way done. I focused on my paper. After what seemed to be half an hour, I finished my paper. My class wouldn't start for another hour so I caught myself thinking about Phoebe and Gerald. I wanted to help them. I know Gerald still loves Phoebe and I know Phoebe is still in love with Gerald. I just need to push them together. And I need help.
