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During the following few days, Phoebe attempted to go about her daily routine. Wanting some distraction, she attempted to hang out with Gerald as much as possible. Being close to him somehow made life much more tolerable. His presence somehow alleviated all worries and woes and just let her concentrate on the present, the here and now. She was still plagued by her conclusions from last weekend, but Gerald provided the necessary breaks her mind needed.

While on the bus that one morning, Phoebe snuggled very so tightly beside Gerald. He noticed.

"Everything alright, babe?" He asked.

"Yes." Phoebe responded with a happy sigh. "They are now."

Gerald had noticed Phoebe had been under a lot of stress lately, but couldn't figure out what. He had attempted a few times to ask her, but the half Asian pre-teen declined to give him a response, opting instead to put the blame on the many extra curricular activities she was currently dealing with. Gerald knew Phoebe was brilliant and unless she was tackling university level physics and calculus, he suspected her extra curricular activities could not have been the culprit. But, so long Phoebe was not overwhelmed by it, he was confident his girl could tackle anything that came her way.

Phoebe thoroughly enjoyed these moments, so much so she even let out a smile. Gerald complimented her by hugging her tightly, reassuring her that she was safe, even if for just a moment.

Inevitably, the bus soon made its stop, its tires producing those awful screeching until the vehicle came to a complete stop, let out some gas and then the doors opened. Phoebe groaned on having been interrupted from her golden moment, but alas, she had no other option but to get up, grab her backpack and proceed to get out with Gerald.

"Hey babe," Gerald then spoke, catching her attention. "is it okay if I spend lunch recess with Arnold?"

"Oh." Phoebe said, with that bitter feeling of disappointment creeping in. "Sure. Not a problem at all." She replied, trying to sound as genuine as possible.

"Thanks, babe." Gerald thanked her with a smile as the two continued to get inside the school building.

During lunch recess…

Phoebe was at the monkey bars, but her attention was entirely focused on two pairs of pre-teens. She merely hanged to the side, sitting on one of the bars with a book on her lap to give the impression that she was 'busy' reading something while the other kids played on the on other side. But in fact she was observing Gerald and Arnold from a distance.

From afar, she witnessed the two old best friends talking and happily playing catch with each other. Both of them even laughed a few times here and there. Phoebe could instantly tell the level of trust and strong bond they had. Although she couldn't hear them, she could tell they were perfectly comfortable talking to each other with any topic that came to mind. She had heard Gerald many times say they had no secrets. Anything that came to mind, or whatever was bothering them, they would tell each other and had each other's backs. But it wasn't just that. She could tell just how comfortable they were with each other. There was no formality, no barrier or anything that can create a distance between them. Both were happy being who they are with each other.

They are the epitome of what best friends are like. She admirably thought.

She then turned her head to where Helga and Rodrigo were and almost immediately, she heart sank. From a distance, she saw her best friend seemingly enjoying her time as they competed against each other in their latest ball game. Despite the competition though, Helga not only looked relaxed, but even a bit cheerful around him. It was so out of character for her. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but it was obvious that whatever it was, Helga was content to speak to him about it. Even more so was just how comfortable she was around him. She didn't look at all tense, frustrated or even angry, unless when she would lose a game. If anything, she looked quite happy, even if it was only momentarily. Heck, Phoebe even just saw Helga laugh. Either due to a joke Rodrigo made or due to the game, but it was still remarkable that someone can actually make Helga G. Pataki laugh!

This troubled Phoebe to no end because this was not the first time she had seen Helga like this with Rodrigo. Maybe not every single time, but enough times for her to notice. She could hardly recall a time when Helga laughed around her and the few times she did, it wasn't due to anything she did or said. Heck, she could hardly even recall a time when they talked about something both were equally interested in. And to add insult to injury, Phoebe had not witnessed Helga treating Rodrigo as anything but a true friend. Phoebe can still recall how often Helga used to treat her more like an employee than a friend. It was only sometime during the fifth grade when she finally stopped and began to talk to her rather than give out orders. Phoebe had to work hard and use every patience in her fiber to achieve that, but Rodrigo somehow earned it without breaking a sweat. This was really something that caused her to be not only so resentful against the Latino kid, but even began to finally see where the wind was blowing.

Helga was right. They have so much in common. She sadly thought. I've been a lousy best friend. I don't make her laugh, I don't stand up for myself, I have very little in common with her. Why should she consider me as a best friend? I could have at least made more of an effort to hang out with her this year. Now she barely notices me, let alone wants to talk to me.

Unbeknownst to Phoebe, Helga was seeking her out earlier that day, during lunch. With Arnold once again being busy as Hilwood's caped moral hero, Helga was again stood up. Not wanting to eat alone, she went toward where she and Gerald were eating, but stopped herself when she saw them enjoying each other's company. Not wanting to be the third wheel and ruin their time together, Helga left them alone and eventually made her way to where Rodrigo was sitting. Phoebe was enjoying her time with Gerald so much she didn't see Helga standing alone.

Eventually Phoebe couldn't stand it any longer. Cringing in anger, she got off the monkey bars and made her way back inside the school building. It was almost time before the bell ring, so it mattered little anyways to sit around and stare. Without pause, she made her way to her locker to get her things. She then went to the bathroom to relieve herself. It was around that time when the bell finally rang and all the kids began to head back inside. Phoebe made no attempt to rush and took her time in the bathroom before coming out and them getting a sip of water. She saw Helga and her friends from afar, but being in no mood to talk to anyone, she went the opposite way instead.

As she did so, Phoebe could do nothing to stave off the anger and hurt she was feeling inside. She had finally concluded to herself the worst possible reality; Helga may not necessarily be trying to cut her off. No worse, she was demoting her from best friend to just friend. This was happening right before her eyes. The only reason why Phoebe wasn't convinced that Helga was completely cutting her off from her life was due to what she said to her last weekend. And while that initially calmed her anxiety, it aroused a type of resentful anger she had never felt before. To Phoebe, being demoted was not only humiliating but an upfront to her very nature. Ever the astute person to be #1 at anything, Phoebe could not imagine being #2 to Helga. It was unthinkable!

I can't believe she would do this to me! Phoebe angrily thought to herself. Who does she think she is? After everything I did for her, she is now casting me aside as a another 'friend'. It's ridiculous! How little does she thi-

Phoebe hadn't had the time to conclude her thoughts before she felt someone bump right into her, just as she was turning a corner. The collision was so sudden and hard that it knocked her right down to the ground, along with the person whom she collided with.

"Of!" She exclaimed and felt the instant pain in her butt when she landed.

Normally Phoebe would have been apologetic and responded courteously. But she was so caught up in her anger that she angrily blasted at the person she hit.

"Oooh, why don't you watch where you are g-" Phoebe suddenly stopped when she realized to her shock who the person was. "You!" She softly said with an anger tone.

"I am so sorry, Phoebe." Rodrigo apologetically said as he got up. "Are you okay?"

"I was until you came along." Phoebe angrily remarked as she got up, something that caught Rodrigo by surprise and even made him go silent for a second.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you." He apologized again as he grabbed his books from the ground.

"Well next time be careful were you step." She warned him. "It might be your last."

And with that, Phoebe angrily walked away, leaving a highly confused Rodrigo behind her.

What is up with her? He thought as he scratched his head. I didn't mean to bang into her. It was an accident.

Rodrigo made a mental note to keep his distance from Phoebe for the rest of the day and then proceeded to get to class.

Meanwhile, Phoebe continued to walk, still fuming over her encounter with Rodrigo. There was so much more she could have said to him. Not just mean things, but certain vulgar words and other profanities. But luckily for him, she managed to find enough will power to restrain herself. She wasn't sure why though. It's not like she was fond of him. Well, not anymore.

Eventually, Phoebe arrived in class but waited until everyone else went inside. She didn't want to be stopped and talk to anyone, not even Gerald. She was too angry to be able to have any kind of decent conversation and she was in no mood to be asked what was wrong. Once the last person went in, she proceeded to quickly enter the classroom and sat in her seat. To her luck, Gerald was still talking to Arnold and Helga was busy writing something.

With a serious frown, she got her books out and waited for Mr. Simmons. She just hoped it would be quick so no one would be the wiser and attempt to speak to her.

"Alright class," Mr. Simmons then appeared, "I hope everyone had a wonderful and fun lunch recess. But now it's time to settle down and get back to our lessons."

Phoebe was at the very least grateful getting the opportunity to be left alone and proceeded to get her notes out.

After school…

Phoebe walked out of the school building late. Everyone else had already left. She only just left because she wanted to get a head start in her homework, but it was mostly because she did not want to be peppered by questions from her friends.

Ironically, that was exactly what Phoebe was hoping would happened. She hoped Helga would notice and approach her to ask, but she did no such thing. In fact, Helga essentially ignored her, opting instead to direct her attention to Rodrigo. She didn't even bothered with Arnold, which only served to further fuel Phoebe's rage. Hence, Phoebe left the school building feeling angrier and more bitter than ever before.

Phoebe could do nothing but stare out from the bus window, looking at people walking around as a way to get her mind off of things. By now, she was wiling to trying practically anything to get even a few moments of rest from these haunting thoughts.

I need to talk to her about this. She finally declared in thought. This can't go on.

Phoebe immediately took her phone out and began to text message Helga. She soon responded, but not the answer Phoebe was hoping for.

Helga: Sorry, can't meet up today. 'Busy' helping Bob.

Grr! Darn it! Phoebe growled in anger, but just opted to text message her back.

Phoebe: It's okay. Some other time.

Once she was finished, she put the phone away and looked out again through the bus window.

Perhaps it's a good thing she isn't meeting up with me. She thought. I'm still too angry to talk to her about this. It would be best I calm down first.

The next few days…

The next few days were agonizing for Phoebe. She attempted a few times to speak to Helga, but each time she was either not alone, or was busy hanging out with Rodrigo. She wouldn't even give her a few minutes of her time just to talk. During one encounter,

"Um, Helga?" Phoebe said to her.

"Hey Pheebs." Helga said but seemed to be in a rush. "Sorry I gotta go meet up with Latino boy. You need something?"

"Actually, yes." Phoebe said. "I need to-"

"Okay, just send me a text message and I'll look at it later." She said as she quickly left. "I'm running late. I swear I think Rodrigo is rubbing on me. Bye!"

"But-" Phoebe attempted to stop her, but Helga was already too far way to hear her. Phoebe just stood there feeling alone and upset for this latest failure to get her attention.

The next day,

"Hi Helga." Phoebe said to her. "I'm glad I caught you. Listen, there is something we need to-"

"Aw, can it wait Pheebs?" Helga said as she looked at the clock. "It's the end of school and I got somewhere to be."

"That's okay. I can walk with you to where ever it is you are going." Phoebe offered.

"That's okay." Helga stopped her. "I don't want to keep you apart from Gerald. Go on and see him. The poor fool is probably going nuts without you."

"But Helga-" Phoebe was about to protest.

"I insist!" Helga cut her off. "What kind of a friend would I be if make things all about me and don't let you focus on your relationship?"

By now, Phoebe was beginning to doubt if whether Helga was sincerely concerned about her relationship and well-being, or if she was just using that as an excuse to get rid of her.

"That's very kind of you, Helga." Phoebe thanked her, "but my relationship is going well and there is something that I need to-"

"Whatever it is, it can wait." Helga cut her off again as she put her hand on her shoulder. "Go on and have fun you lucky girl you."

And with that, Helga simply turned around and headed out to meet up with Rodrigo, leaving a destitute Phoebe once again alone.

Is...Is she ignoring me? She worryingly thought.

Phoebe tried desperately to push that thought aside. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true.

No, not at all. She tried to convince herself. She is just trying to be my friend, that's all there is. S-Sh-She is just looking out for me.

Phoebe spent the rest of the day feeling highly conflicted, upset and anxious. Her only source of comfort was Gerald, whom she spend time with while riding the bus back home.

The next day Phoebe once again attempted to talk to Helga, but she was no where to be seen. She wasn't waiting for her or her friends at the bus stop, nor was she at school.

Where could she be? She thought as she searched and and searched.

Hm, come to think of it, I didn't see Arnold this morning either. She thought, with it soon occurring that the couple weren't even on the bus yesterday as she was heading home.

Did something happen? She thought. I hope not.

*Rrrrinnnggg*

The bell now rang, signaling that class was about to start, which prompted Phoebe to quickly make her way to class.

As much as she tried to remain positive, Phoebe braced for the worst and prepared herself in the possible event of having comfort Helga.

I sure hope they are alright. She thought as she quickly made her way to class.

Soon enough, she made it and saw everyone else already there, including both blonde pre-teens. Phoebe stood at the entrance for a second and observed both of them, trying to see if they were doing alright. To her relief, it seemed that everything was alright. Arnold quietly made his way to his desk, but not before giving Helga a small smile, which she returned the favor. Assured by this, Phoebe made her way in and approached Helga.

"Morning Helga." She greeted her.

"Hey Pheebs." Helga greeted her back with her usual emotionless way.

"Is everything alright?" She asked.

"Yeah, why?" She asked.

"Well, I didn't see you or Arnold yesterday on the bus." She said.

"Oh that." She said. "Don't need to worry your head about it. It has been taken care of."

Phoebe was taken aback by this, not least because her instinct were right, but also that Helga was not in a hurry to share anything with her about what happened. If anything, it looked as if she was attempting to hide it. This has never happened before. Usually Phoebe was the only person Helga would ask for help.

"Helga, you know you can talk about to me about anything." She assured her. "If something did happen yesterday, I would like to-"

"I said you don't need to worry about it." Helga insisted, almost snapping at her. "I already spoke to Rodrigo about it. Everything's fine."

That was when her world cracked.

"R-Rodrigo?" A shocked and visibly hurt Phoebe said. "Why would you tell him and not me?" She had to ask her directly. No more hiding.

Helga was about to answer,

"Good morning class!" Mr. Simmons then suddenly came in the classroom and cheerfully greeted everyone. "Please take your seats everyone. We have a lot to cover this morning and time is of the essence!"

Phoebe frowned hard on having been interrupted at such a crucial moment. She wanted to grab Helga and take her outside the room to continue with this, but Helga was already concentrating on their lecture and Phoebe was the only one still standing.

"Phoebe, is everything alright?" Mr. Simmons asked when he noticed her still standing.

Phoebe initially said nothing and clenched her fists hard in anger.

"Yes...Mr. Simmons." She finally answer and after much reluctance, she went and took her seat.

During lunch recess…

Phoebe sat by herself whilst eating her lunch. Too frustrated and furious, she merely played around with it, having barely taken any bites. Once class ended for lunch, she had attempted to talk to Helga, but once again lost her as she disappeared among the crowd of students.

The situation had gotten so bad for Phoebe that she was contemplating on giving up hope and perhaps just let things end the way they are now. It was becoming clear by now that Helga had no desire to talk to her. She was off running astray with her bestie and Phoebe saw no further point in trying to salvage their friendship if Helga was not pulling her weight.

Just then,

"Hello everyone! Can I have your attention please?" Arnold then suddenly announced to everyone in the lunchroom. Everyone turned around to look at him, including Phoebe.

"Thank you. I'll get right to the point." He said and then began to talk. "Over the past few months, you have all been seeking my help with whatever issues or problems they have. I guess you could say that as a result, I've become somewhat of a celebrity here. But what most of you may not realize is how much time it takes for me to help each and every one of you and while I have no regrets in doing so, recently I realized that it has been taking so much of my time that I I have ignoring those those who are really close to me. And, that's not fair, not me and to them. What's more, this has been consuming me to that point that it's all I ever do. I can't do anything else that I enjoy doing. That's why ddicating all of my time to help everyone unfortunately is no longer feasible. So with that, I'm going to be stepping down and let you guys solve your problems first."

That stunned everyone and looked at him with shocking looks. Even Phoebe was surprised by this.

"Look," Arnold continued, "most of the problems you have guys have been coming to me are not really that serious. They don't require you to wait hours on end for me to help you. Many of these problems I am certain you can solve them yourselves. And it's not fair to me or you guys to have to solve them for you. You become dependent of me. What will you do if I were to ever leave? Are you really going to be following me around wherever I go?" He asked them.

Everyone looked around to see who had the backbone to answer him, but no one said anything.

"I'll still be around to help anyone who needs it, but only if it's something that you feel you can no longer cope with or can't resolve yourselves. I need to have my life back and I hope you guys can understand that. Thanks, that's all I wanted to say."

And with that, Arnold hopped back down and went back to sit down where both Gerald and a smiling Helga were. Even Rodrigo was there sitting with them, much to Phoebe's fury.

It was now clear that whatever issue Helga and Arnold had, was not only resolved, but based on what Helga said, it seemed that Rodrigo was somehow responsible. This drove Phoebe to breaking point and with Arnold's speech, curiously, inspired Phoebe to do the same.

"That's it!" She exclaimed as she banged on the table. "No more procrastinating! It's time I end this and regain my life back!"

Later that same day…

Phoebe quietly but with all determination walked across the hallway, straight to where Helga was. She used the last of ounce of her patience to wait until the end of school to talk to her. As soon as the bell rang, she quickly went to her locker to grab her things and then proceeded to find Helga. No matter what, she was not going to let her get on that bus until she spoke to her.

With a fury in her eyes, something unseen before, she continued to head down the hallway where she soon had Helga in her eyesight. Not to surprise, but to her fury, she was Rodrigo. She didn't care anymore. Today was the day.

Helga had her back facing her and so didn't see her approaching her. Rodrigo was busy talking and looking at her, so he didn't see Phoebe approaching them from behind Helga. As soon as she was within reach,

"Hey!" Helga exclaimed when she felt someone suddenly grab her and pull her hard away.

It all happened in an instant. Phoebe simply approached them and grabbed Helga and dragged her away toward the closest door. Rodrigo didn't even see it until it actually happened. He didn't even have time to comprehend that it was Phoebe who grabbed and pulled Helga away. They were a few feet away when it finally hit him and when he did, he dare not interrupt.

"Phoebe, what are you doing?!" Helga exclaimed as she tried to break free but surprisingly, the half-Asian pre-teen was holding on to her pretty tightly.

"Umm…" A still stunned Rodrigo said as he saw them enter an empty classroom and disappeared.

"Okay." He said and wondered if he should stay and wait or go home.

"Phoebe what's wrong with you?!" Helga, now getting angry, exclaimed. "Let go of me!" She demanded.

Phoebe conceded and let her go.

"How did you get to be so strong?" Helga said as she caressed her arm. "I need to have some of that juice." She joked.

"This isn't funny, Helga." Phoebe finally spoke.

"Well, what is it?" Helga impatiently asked. "Why did you drag me here?"

"How could you?" Phoebe asked. "How could you demote me? You could have at least have the decency to tell me instead of having to figure it out for myself."

"Demote you? What are you talking about?" A confused Helga asked.

"Don't deny it Helga." Phoebe firmly said to her. "Can you please just stop with the charade and just admit it?!" She angrily shouted at her, but the anger soon dissipated and sadness soon appeared on Phoebe's face.

"I don't understand." She sadly said to her, almost breaking into tears. "I've done nothing wrong! I mean...I've been there for you all this time. We've been friends since preschool. Nay, best friends! I've stood by you all of these years without complaint-".

"Phoebe, what in all the Gods are you talking about?!" Helga, no even more confused and frustrated shouted.

"You replaced me with Rodrigo!" Phoebe angrily shouted back. "If you think he makes a better best friend then fine, but I at least have the right to know why. Why after all this time did you just brush me aside like I was nothing? Just because I wanted to spend some time with Gerald? I told you that I needed time to develop my relationship."

Helga could not believe what she was hearing. She was so stunned and flabbergasted that she stuttered.

"I-what-Where did you- What are you talking about?!" She angrily exclaimed. "I told you that I understood that and I was giving you chuckle heads the space and time!"

"I don't believe you!" Phoebe angrily shouted back. "You are just using that as a cover up to get rid of me! I know it!"

"Have you lost your freaking mind?!" Helga angrily shouted back. "Where on Earth did you come up with such a stupid conclusion?"

"You hanging out with Rodrigo." Phoebe replied. "That's all you've been doing. Every time I see you, I see you with him."

"Yeah, it's called hanging out with a friend." Helga shot back. "You should try it sometime." She said with a frowned.

"I was trying!" Phoebe angrily shouted back, barely able to contain her anger. "I have been trying for about a month to hang out with you, but each time you keep on ditching me for that...that...fiend!"

Helga about to angrily shout back, but that last thing Phoebe said made her stop at the last second to think.

"Hold up, hold up." She then said. "Back up there for a second. What do you mean I kept on ditching you?" She asked her.

"Exactly as I said." Phoebe said with an angry frown. "As much I am aware of how important my relationship is with Gerald, I realized it was coming at your expense. I have been trying for the last month to hang out with you, just to at least catch on up things. But almost every time I approach you, you seem too 'busy' with Rodrigo."

"Now hold on there!" Helga then interjected. "The reason why I've been hanging out with Rodrigo so much is because A) Football head was busy helping the world from its mundane problems and B) you've been busy with Tall-hair boy! I didn't want to come between the both of you and be the third wheel! In case you have figured it out, I only have you and Arnold as any decent people I'm willing to hang out. I don't have anyone else. What did you want me to do? Wait for you to be available?"

"Of course not." Phoebe said, "And while I can appreciate you giving me some space, I certainly do not appreciate you ignoring me and ditching me every time for that fiend."

"I wasn't ignoring or ditching you!" Helga shouted back. "And as I told you, I was only hanging out with Rodrigo because you were too busy with Gerald. I actually tried a few times to hang out with you, but you declined each time for the same reason you are accusing me of."

"How can you expect me to believe you?" Phoebe asked with a frown. "Actions are louder than words Helga and what you been doing is the exact opposite of what you have been telling me."

"Because it's the truth!" Helga angrily shouted, not liking that her own best friend was calling her a liar. "I was only using him!"

That surprised Phoebe, enough to curb some of her anger.

"What are you talking about, Helga?" She asked while still frowning.

Helga rolled her eyes before continuing. "I only befriended Rodrigo to get back at Arnold. I didn't like him or wanted to be friends with him. He was just a tool I was using to make Arnold jealous for all the times he lied and ditched ME!"

Helga got so anger she had to actually wait for a few seconds to calm down.

"That's why I was focusing so much of my time in hanging out with him and why I had to say 'no' to you." She continued. "I wasn't doing it for the fun of it. I was trying to earn his trust so I can proceed with the second part of my plan to hurt Arnold and make him jealous."

For the first time, Phoebe was left stunned and unable to say anything. This was just unexpected news. It even caused her anger to dissipate quite a bit.

"Well, that was initially the plan." Helga continued. "But then, I actually started like being around him and then eventually, we became friends. I was still adamant on proceeding with the second phase of my plan, but I was now also doing for me; because I wanted to hang out with him."

"I knew you wanted to hang out," Helga continued, now also calming down. "But I couldn't let up. I had to continue with my plan. That's why I kept on telling you to hang out with Gerald. I thought it was a win-win. You got to continue being Tall-hair boy, while I got hang out with a new friend and didn't have to be so dependent on you or Arnold. I felt like I was dragging you both down and I didn't want that."

Finally, that spurred Phoebe to release some of the anger, hurt and bias she was holding on and pay attention to what Helga was actually saying.

"Really?" She asked her.

"Yes." Helga replied with a frown.

Now Phoebe felt more confused.

"But then, why did you continue to say 'no' to us hanging out after you and Rodrigo officially became friends?" she asked her.

Helga just sighed in annoyance.

"I told you," She annoyingly replied, "I was giving you space to do whatever you wanted to without me holding you back. But also...I just really got caught up with the moment with Rodrigo. It turns out it was really nice to hang out with someone else other than you and Arnold who see me beyond than just this aggressive, tomboyish girl and who understands me almost as much as you do. No offense by the way."

"None taken." Phoebe genuinely remarked, even prompting to smile a bit. "So, all this time, you were keeping your distance not because you wanted to get rid of me, but to actually help me?"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Helga exclaimed, finally relieved that she got through to her. "Crimeny, Pheebs how can you ever think I would want to ever get rid of you?"

Now starting to feel a bit ashamed, Phoebe looked down on the floor.

"I guess it's because I thought you took offense that I was spending so much time with Gerald, you went out to find someone else to hang out. And when you found Rodrigo, you saw in him someone you have more in common with, so I thought that you wanted to part ways with me, but you were just trying to let me down slowly, without hurting me too much."

Helga said nothing and continued to stare at Phoebe with a flabbergasted look.

"That's how I interpreted you saying 'no' to us hanging out." Phoebe softly continued, "And the few times when we did, all you did was just talk about how great he is and how much in common you both have. That made me think about us and I realized that we don't really have much in common. I mean, I saw the way you both interact with each other. It's looks so smooth, very natural. You look so calm and relaxed. I even saw you laugh a few times with him. I can't even recall a time when you laughed at whatever I said. And to add insult to injury, you treated him as an actual friend from the beginning. For most of our friendship, you treated me most as an employee than anything else. I know you later apologized for that and changed, and I'm grateful for that. However, it was still painful to see Rodrigo getting special treatment. I felt I had to work hard to earn the right for you to treat me as an equal. Rodrigo got that without breaking a sweat."

Helga could not believe what she had just heard. It was all too surreal, but the reality was showing right in her face, in Phoebe's. There was no denying now at how the past quickly came back to haunt her, even some scenes that she thought were not past behind them.

"You have got to be kidding me." She said in astonishment. "What have you been smoking, Pheebs?! I cannot believe you would actually think I would ever, EVER replace you, let alone demote you."

Upon hearing that, Phoebe looked up.

"Let me make this perfectly clear." Helga firmly said to her with the type of look that showed just how serious she was. "You are and will always be my best friend. Neither Rodrigo, nor anyone else will ever, EVER take your place. Not even Arnold!"

"Really?" Phoebe asked, really surprised by that remark.

"Yes!" Helga exclaimed. "What you and I have, goes beyond having just 'things in common'. We work well together. We're like...you know that whole Ying Yang type thing. We compliment each other. Who else that kind of relationship? No one. And this is not even mentioning all the things we did together. Phoebe, you don't seem to realize that I trust you with my LIFE!"

"You..You do?" Phoebe asked, surprised by this.

"Yes!" Helga again exclaimed. "You've been by my side since the beginning. You showed me that not only can I trust in people, but that you actually care about me and can see past my tough girl attitude and see me as something much more. You showed me what I can be capable of, Pheebs. Heck, I can even go so far as to say you brought the best in me."

"And you're the only one I can say that." Helga continued. "I do not even put Arnold in the same category. He's the most mature, wise kid I know, but he hasn't yet earned my trust fully to make me trust him 100%. And Rodrigo is nowhere close."

That now truly shocked Phoebe and was left speechless.

"I...I've never realized how much I mean to you." She confessed. "I mean, I know we've said it a few times how much we mean to each other. But I've never would have thought you would place so much faith in me."

"Well there's a first for everything." Helga remarked.

It was then when all the woes, hurt, tension and worry that Phoebe was feeling for weeks were lifting away from her shoulders. Within a few seconds she left as light as a feather, as if a massive burden was finally shoved aside and she can now breathe in the new aroma of a fresh start. Heck, she even began to smile again. But before she could say something, she noticed Helga's frown.

"What is up with everyone?!" Helga frustratingly exclaimed. "I make one stupid friend and the whole world falls apart!"

"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked.

"You and Arnold both thought I was replacing you both with Latino boy!" Helga replied.

"What?" Phoebe exclaimed, once again surprised. "Wasn't he supposed to only be made jealous?"

"Doi! But it worked too well." Helga said. "It's a long story, but the jist of it is like you, he interpreted me hanging out with Rodrigo as us breaking up and I found someone who actually paid attention to me. He realized his mistake but thought it was too late for him. Instead of confronting Rodrigo or doing anything to salvage our relationship, the typical of him, he apologized to me and wished me and Rodrigo the best! I swear I had to restrain myself from smacking him in the head for ever thinking I would just give up on our relationship without a fight."

"Oh my. When did this happen?" Phoebe asked.

"Yesterday." Helga said with a hard frown.

Now everything made sense to Phoebe.

"Is that why he made that speech earlier today?" She asked.

"Yes." Helga responded. "We had a talk and cleared everything up after school. But not before I had to confront Rodrigo about what happened."

"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked.

"Right when I was talking to Arnold about what was really going on with Rodrigo, Latino boy came and stood right behind me and heard everything."

"Everything?" Phoebe gasped.

"Yes, everything." Helga replied. "including the reason why I even bothered to invite him to come to Wrestlemania with me."

"Oh no! What happened after?" Phoebe asked.

"It's another whole other long story that I don't want to get into it now either." Helga said. "The point in all of this is that Rodrigo is not a competitor for the best friend position. He never was and if he ever dared tried, I would introduce him to good old Betsie here."

Phoebe said nothing and took her time to completely absorb everything she just heard. While she felt so relieved, she also felt completely embarrassed, even stupid on having allowed her emotion and fear overtake her like that.

"Helga, I am so sorry for ever doubting." Phoebe began to frantically apologize. "I can't believe I let my fear get in the way of my-"

"No Pheebs." Helga then interrupted. "I'm the one who should be saying sorry. I completely went overboard with this. I ignored you and left you completely in the dark about what I was doing. I'm assuming this is what you have been wanting to talk to me about?"

"Yes, it was." Phoebe confirmed.

Helga continued, "I didn't even give you the time of day to talk to you when you needed it. You had to pull me away just to get my attention and that wasn't fair to you. I'm sorry."

Phoebe was about to protest, but then closed her mouth when she thought about it. Despite letting her imagination run wild, Helga did have a point; her lack of communication and secrecy only served to reinforce Phoebe's fears. Even when she tried to confront her about it, Helga refused to listen. But then again, she clearly remembered Helga asking her to hang out earlier, but she also declined. In the end, Phoebe concluded that both were at fault.

"I'll only accept your apology if you accept mine." Phoebe said with a smile.

"I do." Helga said with her own smile.

Then, the two best friends, in a rare moment, went forward and hugged each other.

"But seriously," Helga then spoke, "We really need to work on our communication. Okay more me, but hey it takes two to tango."

"I agree." Phoebe said. "That we both need to work on it."

"And it wouldn't kill you to ditch Gerald a few times for little old moi." Helga said.

"You're right, it won't." Phoebe said with some guilty. "I promise to make more time of us. Now I just need to apologize to Rodrigo."

"About what?" Helga asked.

"I wasn't particularly nice to him a few days ago." Phoebe explained. "He didn't know why, but I do owe him an apology. Speaking of which, are you two still friends?"

Helga said nothing and gave Phoebe a suspicious look, wondering if she will be alright with the answer.

"I promise I will not take offense." Phoebe promised. "Now that everything has been cleared up, I'm confidence about your answer."

"Yes, we're still friends." Helga relented. "Turns out he outwitted me in my own plan, which is something I need your opinion on."

"I'm happy to help." Phoebe gladly offered.

"Thanks Pheebs." Helga thanked her as both then began to walk out of the room and back to the hallway. "Okay, this is what happened. After I realized Rodrigo was behind me he stormed away and I followed him…"

The End

Alrighty, so this was one rather short and sweet. I think the moral of this story is lack of communication and letting your fears get the best of you can be a dangerous mix, especially if you are constantly ignored well, that'll end up being a ticking time bomb.