*Phoebe's POV*

I came over to Arnold's as soon as I got off the phone with Helga. I picked up Gerald on the way and practically sped to get there.
"Ah, you made it!" Helga grinned when she met us at the door, "But I didn't realize you were bring him along." She jabbed her finger at Gerald and smirked.
"Hey! I'm here for moral support!" he replied, scoffing.
"Just get in here, already." Helga pulled me in.
She led us into the living room where Arnold was sitting with his mom and grandpa. "Hey, Stell." Gerald raised a hand to her, smiling.
"Hello, Gerald. Phoebe." She gave us a pretty smile.
"Hi, Stella." I replied sweetly.
"Wait, you know them, too?" Helga asked, sitting on the arm of Arnold's chair.
"Yes, I've met basically all of Arnold's friends, Helga." Stella laughed.
"Well, I feel a bit left out." She smiled slightly. Arnold put a comforting hand on her leg and I broke out into giddiness. Finally.
"Well, Shortman, weren't you gonna ask us something?" Phil spoke up.
Arnold sat up a bit and cleared his throat, "Well, uhm…Helga's been having some trouble at home and…erm—"
"We were…wondering if I could stay here for a little bit. Until I can get back up on my feet." Helga finished.
Stella shared a look with Phil before turning to Helga, "What kind of trouble?"
Helga looked at a loss for words for the first time. Luckily, she had filled me in on the details when she called me, "She just needs to be out of the house for a few weeks. We're planning on going back there later, aren't we, Helga?" I had convinced her to go back to her family to try to make amends. She needs them, no matter how much she says she doesn't.
"And if it doesn't work out here, she's welcome to stay at my house so we have a plan B." I hurried to add.
Stella leaned over to whisper something to Phil. Helga glanced at me, biting her lip. I gave her an assuring nod.
Phil whispered something back and Stella nodded slightly. Then she straightened up and glanced at Arnold and Helga, "There will be rules…"
"So she can stay?!" Arnold hopped up.
"Yes, but-"
"YES!" Helga yelled, jumping up and pulling Arnold, Gerald, and me into a hug.
I could hear Stella giggling a little and then she clapped her hands loudly. Helga stopping shouting and we all turned to listen.
"There will be rules. You can have Ernie's old room since he moved out. There will be, of course, a curfew; the same as Arnold's, 12:00. And you will be treated as part of the family so you must do chores and junk like that." Stella put her hands on her hips, trying to look stern.
It wasn't working.
"Oh, thank you, Stella! Thank you so much!" Helga ran to hug her and Phil too.
Stella smiled and then added, "And I would feel better if I could talk to your parents."

*Helga's POV*

Talk to my parents? No, she can't! They can't know where I am!
"Stella, I don't think that's such a good idea. You see-"
"Nonsense, Helga. I need to be in touch with your parents, just in case."
"'Just in case'?! My parents hate me!"
Stella shot a sad look at Arnold, "Helga, I'm sure that's not true."
"But it is!" I threw my arms into the air, "That's the reason I left in the first place! They don't care if I'm gone!"
"Helga…it's for the best." Arnold put his hand on my shoulder. I frowned at him. How is going back to the people who hate me the most 'for the best'? "They hate me, Arnold. I know they do." I whispered. Phoebe sighed and walked up to me.
"Helga, they don't hate you. They can't hate you."
I looked at her. Her eyes were filling up with tears, "Everyone loves you, Helga but you need your family. You can't live without them."
I knew she was right. Already, I could feel my heart yearning for the smell of Miriam's smoothies and even Olga. I missed her too.
But how could I miss Bob?
How could I go back to him after all the terrible things he's done?
But then again…
How could Arnold come back to me after all the terrible things I've done?
In a way, I'm just like Bob. But Arnold loves me anyway.
I looked back at everyone, my heart filling with gratitude, "Okay." I said, watching Arnold's face turn into a bright smile. I smiled back at him, "Thank you."