Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.

Chapter 5:

Helga slammed her locker close as she walked down the hallway. She ignored the whispers and the stares emitting from her schoolmates. Instead, she focused on munching her gummy bears. Those little, man-made, heavenly, sin-committing snacks made Helga want them more. She discovered that she has a craving for them when she was offered a pack by Jules Verania; another kid who was in that hellish interview. While Jules treat gummy bears as a way of reliving his stress, Helga viewed the miracle munchies as her life support. A day has never gone by without her eating ten packs of it… or more. How she maintains her model-like figure, no one will ever know.

Helga opened the double-doors of the cafeteria, immediately stopping all the things the students are doing inside. They all watched her as she got a tray and pile all the sweets she could find, which, by the way, were really limited just because the lunch lady wants it that way. The minute she paid for her orders, she sat on the nearest available chair she could find. The people sitting on the table with her stood up to find another vacant one. Helga smirked mentally. All for the better then.

The students, realizing that there won't be any interesting thing that's gonna happen, stopped whispering, but a few stares were thrown here and then. Finally, being able to eat in peace, Helga let her mind wander on what happened earlier.

She got to meet her homeroom teacher and got welcoming stares, please note the sarcasm, from her lovely schoolmates. And like a grand finale to finish an award-winning movie, she was assigned on a seat beside him.

No.

No, it's not like that.

She's not in love with him… nor did was she since she was a child. She realized that now. Experience and encounters with different persons taught her that. Now, if she decided to look back, a smile would always creep up on her face.

She wouldn't laugh. No, she wouldn't. Her antics as a child enveloped in the illusion that she was in love with the boy may be hilarious, but she wouldn't laugh. Why? The truth always remained that he—Arnold gave her the thing she lacked.

As years passed by, she still holds on to her childhood memories, and she was forever grateful to him for it. But people grow up, and when they grow up, their minds will get more mature, and that's what happened to her. She matured and realized something. That she wasn't in love with him but was infatuated with him. She was so fascinated by the attention he gave her, that she became obsessed with it. Add the knowledge that she lacked the attention from where a child was supposed to get loads of it. Home.

Helga was indebted to Arnold for showing her the experiences she had when she was a child. Without it, the 'Helga' now wouldn't be complete.

She turned her head around to observe the cafeteria. It was wide, and had to have thirty tables at the least. The counter was full of delicious-looking food, except that it wasn't. It tastes like puke, only in disguise. The only bearable food there were the sweets and it isn't even enough for half of the whole school population. The lunch lady must have a really traumatic experience in cafeteria foods, so horrible that she decided that she wants them to experience it too. Helga grimaced. Sadistic monster.

She glanced at the table where most of the noise was coming from. It was in the middle of the cafeteria. As she observed the people who sat there, she realized it was full of whiny, stick-thin girls and meat-buffed boys.

The popular group.

She stared at her surroundings and observed that the center table has the fewest people, but was the most watched. The circle of the tables grew in the corners of the cafeteria, where most of the intellectual people, a.k.a the nerds, were there, watching the center table with longing eyes. Helga's mouth twitched. This school's so cliché.

A loud feminine laugh interrupted Helga's train of thoughts. It was the center table again. Amidst of all the laughter, there was one who was always at the center of the attention, the queen bee. And Helga has the idea who she is.

Long legs adorned in high heels clicked in synch on the floor, teeth that shined like rays of sunshine showed themselves as the girl smiled. Rhonda was like a living goddess as the boys busied themselves by stealing her attention, while the girls were busy trying to steal the attention off of her. Hypocrites.

Rhonda just ignored the obvious behavior of her friends; instead, she focused all her strength in basking all the attention the boys were giving her. But what could Helga expect, once a princess always a princess—oops, sorry, she's a queen now.

Rhonda's eyes swept over Helga's as her cronies flocked around her. The scene between her and the girl earlier flashed in her eyes. She expected a glint of anger flashed through her way but Rhonda's eyes remained adamant. Helga's eyes lingered on hers for a second long before smirking. Rhonda clenched her jaw before looking away, smiling again like nothing happened. Helga raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off and continued munching on the sweets. Unfortunately, her gummy bear stash was almost depleted. She stood up to go to her locker to retrieve another when a pack of gummy bears was slammed on the table, followed by a tray full of food. Helga immediately sat down and dove right away for the treat, not even bothering to acknowledge the person who gave it her. The cafeteria went silent as they watched them. Helga munching nonstop and… the other person was, well, eating…also.

"Thad!"

Helga continued on eating but she glanced sideways to see Gerald, an arm raised, a confused look was on his face. He was looking at the table where she was eating. Even Rhonda stopped laughing and this made Helga turn around. Rhonda was looking at the table where Helga was sitting, her eyes just as confused as Gerald's, although something else was mixed in it. Jealousy, maybe?

Gerald's expression wasn't any different from the expression his friends wore on their table. Yes, the gang was there; well, except for a certain green-eyed boy. She noticed Big Patty, whom she didn't saw earlier. She definitely had changed. Her body was slender, her legs going on forever, and just like her, no more unibrows for the either of them. She was wearing a black t-shirt with a "I know you want me…" print. It was tucked in her red skinny pants adorned with a thin, beige belt. She was wearing a pair of beige ballet flats. Her dirty-blonde hair had been styled into boy cut; side bangs framed her face, as her fringe adorned it. Her brows were creased and her eyes, which were looking at her, were full of confusion and doubt. Helga's brows lift up a bit then followed the eyes of Gerald. She found out that he was looking at her…eating mate.

Ah, so Thad is the one beside me. They kept on calling him, but Thad still didn't show any signs of hearing them… or he just was plain ignoring them. Helga sighed. She looked back at Thad who was still eating as if nothing's wrong. She just shrugged and continued eating…

…when she felt glares piercing through her back.

She noticed that many girls were glaring at her like she committed a mortal sin against them. She just smirked at them, irking them more. A girl slammed her fist on the table and this just made Helga more amused. She stuck her tongue out to them to see if she can get any violent reactions, but these girls were more refined than Helga expected them to be. This made her gain a bit respect for them, well, at least until they started shrieking.

Thad noticed the interaction between his fan girls and Helga. Stifling a laugh, he continues to eat his lunch although the amusement he feels shows obviously in his eyes. This didn't got away from Helga's eyes. She can understand why the girls like him. His long messy black hair keeps on covering his eyes, causing him to blow it out of his face, a gesture which provides a hard-core fan girl her life support for a week.

The two continued to eat in silence, only the rustle of the plastic and the occasional clanging of the spoon and fork on the plate were heard. The silence wasn't awkward, it wasn't comfortable either. It's just silence, a natural silence. No words were needed to fill it.

Thad finished every morsel of his food, chewing slowly as he could, wanting to stay longer, but time would not allow it. So he put the utensils down and stared at nothing. Helga noticed this but didn't said nor do anything. Thad sighed and arranged his things. He put all the trash on his tray and stood up, but before he walked away, he said something. It was whispered and hesitant, but was full of unspoken feelings, only those who knew the story between them can decipher it.

"Thank you."

Helga continued on munching her sweets, smirking, savoring every bit of those gelatinous goodies as she closed her eyes in contentment. One would think that she simply adored eating those treats that's why she did such an action. But it would never occur to them that behind those lids was a memory about a boy, crying and shaking because of bullies.

She hid a smile as he walked away. Helping people was a pain in the ass, but rewarding nonetheless. She waited for a moment to confirm that he's already gone before replying to his gratitude. It was as soft as the wind, but sure unlike his earlier. Pity it was lost in the sea of noise, never catching up to him.

"Hmm."

The day went by as normal as it can be, well if you considered it normal when most of the school population was staring and whispering behind your back every minute. Some girls even tried to corner her when she went to the restroom to sleep. They were part of Thad's fan club and were inquiring her about what happened earlier. She just looked at them with bored eyes listening to their blah, blah-blah, blah-blah. A yawn escaped her mouth and she decided that listening to her teacher in Physics yak something in her sleepy tone was more enjoyable than this, and that's saying something. She turned her heel and proceeded to the exit, closing the door. She heard several scoffs coming from the girls that were soon turned into shrieks as they followed her and turned the doorknob, only to find it locked. A key was gleaming in Helga's hand, borrowed, ahem stole, from the janitress earlier, deeming its usefulness. But Helga was trained on how to be a proper lady and a proper lady is kind so, she kindly dropped the key on the floor.

"Gosh, I'm so kind." She said, her words slurred because of drowsiness. "Enjoy crawling for the key—I mean, cheerio!"

The teacher back in the classroom must be wondering where she is. But Helga desperately wants to sleep and she would give anything for it. She just had to find a good spot where she can rest in peace. Something caught Helga's eye as she passed by the moldy statue of their principal. She smiled as she walked towards it. The gym, the perfect place.

No one was using the gym because it's only the first day; they were stuck on the classroom, awkward introductions being made.

The gigantic gym loomed over her. The double doors creaked as Helga opened it. Rays of sunlight cut through the darkness of the place, dust motes danced through the air as if performing for an act.

It was your normal gymnasium, where a basketball court was installed and bleachers were made for the viewers who want to watch the game. It was quiet, different from the loud noises she was accustomed to every time a game was played in the gym in her previous school. The bleachers, which were usually filled with people chattering about nonsense, were empty. She tried sleeping on it, but it was too uncomfortable. She considered sleeping on the middle of the court but that would just be stupid, considering that she could be easily seen by a teacher. She was looking around the gym to find a spot where it's comfortable but hidden from the alert eyes of the school personnel. The stack of mats caught her eye. It was in the corner, dark shadows were draped over it so it wouldn't be noticed so easily. Helga smirked as she walked towards it. There were three separate stacks of mats; the middle was the highest, gaining height of eight to ten feet. And, of course, being Helga, it was what she chose, so a second later, she already had plopped herself up there, yawning while looking at the ceiling.

Helga let her mind wander unto the magical land of gummy bears. While she was jumping from hill to hill made of gummy, she didn't realized that her eyes were slowly closing, sending her to dreamland and out of gummy bear land.

Someone moaned.

Helga opened her eyes and checked her watch, its light was gleaming in the darkness, allowing her to read the time, but its brightness was not enough to illuminate the whole place. It was past an hour since she had slept. Helga yawned and shrugged off the distraction earlier as she went back to her dream. She was already the queen of "Gummy Bear Island" when she was interrupted.

Another moan was heard again.

Helga opened her eyes and sighed softly, not wanting whoever was doing something to hear her. She waited for another, but none came, so she closed her eyes again, drifting into another dream.

Another second and she would be in dreamland again but was interrupted yet again. Not by a moan, but by a squeal instead. Then, it was followed by girlish giggles, then a growl, followed by a moan again. Helga was getting tired of it and was about to holler at them when she saw the faces of the one's who're preventing her to sleep.

An eyebrow was raised as she fumbled for her cell phone in her pocket. Helga smirked as she pushed the record button. This should be interesting.

Phoebe desperately wanted to keep quiet, but her moans keep on coming as her boyfriend sucked on her neck. She tried stopping Gerald but he just sucked harder, making her squeal. This is not turning out the way it was supposed to be.

After the revelation that her bestfrien—Helga came back, her mind was in jumbles. A million of questions kept on intruding in on her head, making her so distracted that she was not able to listen to the lessons that the teachers were discussing in front. And she knew she wasn't the only one too. Since homeroom, she had been observing the gang.

Rhonda had been faking her laugh; her smile was brighter than always. But Phoebe knew better. She had been friends with Rhonda long enough to know that it was her way of masking what she was truly feeling inside. Even Eugene was not acting normal, he was much clumsier. The Idiot Amigos didn't even made any comment as the class went by. Nadine and Sheena bumped unto each other as they were so emerged within their thoughts, oblivious to their surroundings. Lila burst out something concerning her in class, while Gerald kept on glancing on her every second. And Thad, well, Thad seems normal. It's seems like he didn't mind it, especially after what Phoebe had witnessed earlier at the cafeteria. Arnold's was the only one that she didn't saw. Ever since homeroom, she hadn't had a glimpse of Arnold. It's like he suddenly disappeared… or maybe avoiding her.

Anyway, Phoebe had been distracted enough that she was willing to meet with Gerald in their usual place and ditch class. She needs to talk to him about her. But by the looks of what is going on, it seems like her dear Gerald misunderstood by what she meant. Gravely.

Phoebe blushed as she recalled the turn of events. They were now on the mat, just in the dark corner of the gym, making out like there's no tomorrow. It wasn't really unexpected… She squealed mentally as she scolded herself for her raging hormones, but it soon turned into reality when Gerald nipped at the base of her neck, just beneath her earlobe. Her squeal seems to be a wakeup call as she pushed off Gerald with a strength she didn't know she had.

Gerald was very surprised that one minute, here he was making out with his girl and the next, he was on the floor. He looked up at Phoebe who seemed bewildered by what she had done. She was half-lying on the mat, clutching at the base of her throat and was breathing heavily. Her eyes were wide, her glasses were at the bridge of her nose, and her hair was messy. Her other hand was clutching her skirt, which had ridden up to middle of her thigh. To any guy, she was a very sexy mess, and Gerald was no exception to that. But he had to push off his hormones as he noticed that something was wrong with his girlfriend.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Gerald approached Phoebe as he tried to calm her down.

Phoebe took deep breaths as she tried to relax. Gerald led her to seat properly on the mat, but it didn't help, if anything, it only made her more uncomfortable. She tried to distract herself by fidgeting unto her skirt but it was the same outcome. It seems like Gerald had noticed this and put his arms around Phoebe's shoulder.

"Babe, you know that you can tell me anythi—" he was cut off when Phoebe suddenly stood up. Gerald raised an eyebrow as she paced right and left. It seems like whatever bothering Phoebe seems serious. And it seems that he know what, no, that's wrong, who is the root of her problem.

He sighed. "It's Helga, isn't it?"

Helga held her phone as she record what the couple is doing. It was disgusting at first, it reminded her of how this was completely different from Emu and Adan's relationship, another pair of kids in that interview. Anyway, she felt proud when Phoebe threw Gerald off of her. She didn't know that the girl has a hidden strength. She almost laughed out loud when she saw the face of Gerald. She wonders if… Oh no, her sadistic side is seeping into her again.

She continues to record what's happening, smirking to herself. There are really many blackmail material out there. Phones are really god-sent from whoever is the god of sadists out there.

"—Helga, isn't it?" she heard Gerald say. Helga raised an eyebrow. What's her name doing down there?

She saw Phoebe stopped moving and looked at Gerald. The girl sighed and sat down at the floor, Indian style. Phoebe propped her elbows on her legs and sighed once more.

"Nothing gets past your eyes, huh?" Phoebe smirked at her boyfriend.

Gerald smirked back. "As long as it concerns my girlfriend." Phoebe smiled sweetly at him but her face turns ashen once more.

"It's just, Helga—I…" she trailed off as she bowed her head. Gerald's eyes softened as he took in the appearance of his girlfriend. She looks very vulnerable right now. He knows how hard it was for Phoebe during the first years of Helga's sudden disappearance in her life.

He heard sniffles and was about to comfort her when Phoebe's head looked up to him suddenly. He expected sad, puppy dog eyes but instead, he was showered with a very bright smile.

"God, I know I look like a lunatic right now, but I can't help it." she wiped her nose with her sleeve and laughed. She looked at him with disbelieving eyes. "She's here! Helga's really here!"

Gerald had to bite his lips to keep his laughter in. It's the first time in years since he saw his girlfriend smile so happy, so… genuine. And it's because of her.

He had been trying hard for years to restore Phoebe's smile. And it showed up so easily just because of her. He felt a little bitter about it, but it was soon washed out as he gazed into Phoebe's face. He knew, since they were children, that Phoebe and… Helga's relationship was special. They had this relationship where no one can interfere, like when they're talking, it's like they have a shield around them that no one can break through. Sometimes, he was jealous of their relationship.

"You know, if I had known that she was to come back, I would have prepared her a party." Phoebe said, cutting off all Gerald's other thoughts as he paid attention to his girlfriend. He listened to her describe every detail of her supposed to-be party for her best friend. "It would be the best party ever. Even topping Rhonda's!" Phoebe raised her arms in glee as she looked at her boyfriend, eyes brightening in excitement. Gerald only smiled in response.

Helga was watching them both, not noticing the smile that crept up to her face. She looked into her cell phone, and then looked back at the couple. She was hesitating to save it. Would she really want to pass up the chance to blackmail these two? Helga looked up and thinks. Nah, this chance may never come again.

Helga decided to leave and give some space to these two. As she climbed down to the other side of the mats, the memory of Phoebe's smiling face cannot be erased from her mind. She walked towards the backdoor so as to not disturb the two. She sighed as she pushed the door open with her right hand as her left was busy in her pajama's left pocket. Busy deleting the video, that is. She heard the exited squeal of Phoebe followed by Gerald's laughter.

They'll last.

She smirked as she began to plan on how to get another potential blackmail material of them. Many chances would pass by as they were hormonal teenagers after all.

A/N: Review please.