Hi everyone ! Here is chapter 10 :3 Hey guys, I'd like to thanks you Jopeth23 for correcting my chapters, but now, I need to find another betâ to do the job. If you're interested, please tell me in PM. I can't post any chapter without a beta.

You can find the picture for this chapter in my DA account. Try looking for Vanimic. :)

''We need to talk.''

I knew this day would come. I'm prepared for this, it wasn't like I didn't expected him to come to my place.

I left my computer on where I was listening to the CD Helga gave to me. Gerald seemed to have recognized the voice, because he let out a weak sigh, and I turned down the volume. I didn't want him to get more upset.

I sat on the couch, he did the same, and we were silent. I knew what Gerald wanted to talk about, and I was ready to defend myself. We haven't fought for years, and I don't to ge into one now. I felt bad everytime we get mad at each other.

It was raining today. Gerald was soaked to the bones, but I didn't offered any towel; he would refuse it. ''Rain won't kill a man'' he used to say.

The apartment was silent as I slowly breathed in and out, bracing myself for whatever to come.

''Arnold...''

I merely turned my head towards my best friend, I saw a frown and a puzzled look on his face.

''Yes, Gerald?''

''I want you to tell me everything.''

My eyes widened. I was expecting him to get all agressive on me or something, but he didn't. He simply stared blankly at his front, arms crossed, talking with a strong yet calm voice. I know he is a cool man, but still, it's quite unusual for him to be like this.

I cleared my throat, and talked slowly and clearly.

''Everything?'' I repeated to buy me some more time, a short respite from the inevitable.

''I wanna know what's going on in your mind.'' He spoke calmly as he turned to me, his body slightly tensed.

''What do you mean?''

I felt he was trying his best to remain calm. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. The ticking of the clock was driving me crazy as I tried to find a good way of explaining it.

''Sorry. I know what you mean...''

''So...?''

I sighed back.

''You know Gerald, I don't want to lose you... But I can't give up on her.''

It has been one week since I met Helga at the alley. She scared the hell out of me, but I still loved this girl, and I loved her for being such a badass.

''Why, Arnold? What is so special in her? What do you see that we don't?'' He asked me with a suspicious yet curious voice.

I sighed deeply, and stared at the ceilling, chewing my words.

''To be honest Gerald I don't know.'' I admitted. ''But she has something that Lila doesn't have."

He crossed his legs, and put his hand in the pocket of his red hoodie.

''What is it?"

I shook my head, trying to clear my head. How am I supposed to explain to him what I didn't know myself ?

''I don't know how to tell you. She has...so much confidence in herself. She doesn't need others to help her, she doesn't give a crap of what people could think of her. Lila has been always trying to get the perfection people wanted her to have, ya know. This is what I hate about her. I mean, I loved her for what she was, not for what she wanted to be. I don't know if you can understand.''

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I lowered my head to watch him smiling weakly at me.

''I think I can understand, Arnold. But still, couldn't you just tell Lila about it?''

''I tried, Gerald. I tried hard! But she just don't get it! I told her what exactly I'm telling to you, and she kept denying it. I didn't know what to do... I didn't want her to become like what her friends wanted her to be, you know, and...''

He blinked, waiting for me to continue. I let out a sigh, stood up, and grabbed a can of soda from the fridge.

''And then this girl came into my life.'' I ended as I tossed him a can of yahoo soda.

He listened carefully as he opened his can.

''She was so hot, and yet cool. At first I thought she was too vulgar and wild for me. I mean, look at me.'' I said. ''I'm a goodie-two-shoes guy. Paste-for-brains. Could you imagine a guy like me hanging out with a girl like her ?''

Gerald chuckled a bit with me. I guess if I tell everything this way, it would lighten up the mood.

''So? What has got into your head that made you think you could love her ?'' He asked, but I could feel the words burned him.

''Well, she is... You know.. Really, really sexy... I mean, smokin' hot...''

He just nodded. There's no denying: Helga Pataki's badassness made her sexier than any other girl.

''But there has to be more than this, right ? Or at least I hope..." his eyes narrowed as he looked at me suspiciously.

I shook my hands.

''Of course not! At first it was just a little physical attraction, but... as I saw her excelling in school, pushing everyone around, having a pottymouth, doing what she wanted... I somehow fell for her. She wasn't like Lila who is still trying to please to everyone; Helga is just being herself all the times. You got me?"

Gerald said his famous ''Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm'' before merely nodding.

''I got it man.'' He said, taking a sip of his yahoo soda. ''But these "qualities", if I can call it like that, aren't enough. I mean, okay, she does want she wants, but a lot of girls are like that. Rhonda, Nadine, and Sheena are. Even Phoebe is trying.''

I smiled. I was glad that Gerald asked me to talk to him. It was important for me to make him understand my side, and seeing him all concerned about me made my heart melt. This is what friendship is.

''There is...something else.''

''Something else ?'' He repeated.

I bit my lip, thinking of what I was going to say.

''Well.. How can I say it...''

I sighed and watched him removing his red hoodie, wearing underneath wifebeaters as black as my shirt. I coughed a bit, and then began to talk.

''Well, the first day, I think it was the first day?'' I paused, then shook my head and continued. ''The first day I met her, I saw her in the drug store where I work. And.. Well, she wanted to buy cigarettes, I think, or beer, I can't remember. Geez, how can I forget something like this? Anyway...''

Gerald smiled slightly, obviously thinking I was a little lost in my thoughts like the usual.

''I told her she wasn't old enought.. She is like what, 18? By the way, she was bent on getting what she want, so... ''

I remembered the way she looked at me. It was scary. Her face was full of confidence, but her unhidden eye was as cold than ice. But yet, I noticed something else in her eyes... Something I wasn't able to believe, even after I saw it myself.

Was it.. fear ?

I'm not too sure about it... I hope not. I don't want to believe Helga can be afraid of something.

Or someone.

''And then...?''

''And then she... She pulled out a knife on me.'' I watched Gerald's reaction on this.

His eyes widened as his mouth was wide agape.

''She.. What? Arnold, are you crazy! She will... '' He said.

''I know! I know Gerald! This girl is...she is crazy!'' I spat out as I stood up. ''But I like her! I am crazy in love with her! She is...this girl is one big trouble! Big trouble! But I can't help it but feel attracted to her! She's badass! She's hot ! She's dangerous, adventurous, mysterious! And I like it!"

I took a deep breath as I sadly sank on the couch, Gerald giving me a concerned as I blushed.

''But I love her...I don't know what's going on. I saw my life change and fell apart around me, but all I can feel is my feelings for her. I feel weird, selfish, egotistical... And yet, I don't care. I never loved Lila as much as I love Helga... I know you guys wouldn't understand, but I just can't help it.''

I turned away from him. I couldn't bear his stare right now... he must be upset.

I feel his hand on my shoulder, turned to see him giving me a friendly smile.

''It's okay Arnold. I'm glad you talked to me about this. I'm sorry I became upset at you. But I still don't agree you being with her. I mean, Phoebe was so mad at you, and at Helga. She treated your ex like shit."

''But Helga didn't even lay a finger on her...I don't see what's her problem...''

''So why?''

''I think.. Well, maybe it's just my silly imagination...but maybe she didn't hit her because she knows she was my ex... and I cared for her, no matter what, even if Lila doesn't want to talk to me anymore.''

''Man, this is crazy.''

''I know, maybe it's just my imagination like I said earlier...'' I spoke as I finished my soda.

''Listen to me.'' He began to speak carefully. ''I'll be the best friend as much as I could. I'll try to calm down Pheobe and all, you can do what you want. But I don't want you to be like Helga. Doing drugs and all that shit. Remember how I was back then with Sid. I'm completely against it, and you know it, so be carefull. I would be mad if I'd be losing my best friend. I don't want you to be in danger, so if something's wrong, do tell me. I'm your best buddy after all.''

I smiled brightly. The fight is now over, and I couldn't be happier right now.

Gerald left a few hours later. I left for work too. I needed money to get out of this expensive apartment.

The evening went very well. Some drunk men often came to buy more and more beer. I'm was used to it. They talked me like I was shit, but hey! Who cares? I'm getting paid for it!"

''I, I love you like a love song baby...'' I sang for myself as the song ''Love you like a love song baby'' was playing in the radio near me.

It's not my kind of music at all, but when you're bored... even Justin Bieber would sound cool.

''Crimeny, just turn off this fucking piece of shit!'' Yelled a familiar voice.

''Helga?'' I exclaimed as I opened my eyes wide.

''Make this Gomez girl shut up right now!'' She yelled again, more and more by second.

I turned off the radio and looked at her as she approached me. She wore a black hoddie with a dark pink top tank with a skull printed on it. She also wore dirty pink, white shoes, and a large beige baggy. She had a odd scratch on the cheek.

''Helga... What happened to you?'' I asked innocently as I was going to touch her wound.

''None of your beeswax!'' She spat grabbing a can of coka and chips.

Her ocean eyes were shining despite of her anger. Her blonde locks were kind of messy, but she was beautiful no matter what. I licked my lips. She was tense, I could sense it. She looked like she was going to kill someone.

''Helga... You okay ?''

''No, I'm not okay!''

''What happened?''

I tried to sound soft, but she was damn scary when angry. Trust me. The scary thing I knew is that she had a knife concealed somewhere on her body. And I didn't want to be killed by the woman I love. But I know deep down she wouldn't.

''Tssk!''

She turned around, heaving her every breath, trying to remain calm, but it didn't really work. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair before looking at me, gritting her teeth and frowning like she never did.

''I've been fired !''

''Oh, it's not... Wait, what ?'' I repeated, stunned.

''I've been fired !'' She said loudly.

I looked at the camera and sighed. I hope my boss won't watch it. But then the reality hit me in the face.

''You've been fired ? You mean, from you job at the club ? But... You.. Why ?''

''My damn boss just decided to choose another girl! Damn! After all of these! I even slept with him just to keep this job! FUCK!''

She left me speechless. She...she what!? She slept with him...? Jealousy grew inside of me as I crossed my arms.

''You had sex with him ? Helga, what are you? A whore ? You can find much better !''

''You don't understand, Arnold. Everybody know me. I can't just find a job in a drug store like you! I just can't! I tried, but almost everybody knew this face !'' she spat spat out as she pointed at her face. ''Crimeny!''

I sighed. It was useless to argue with her.

''So...what are you gonna do now?'' I asked curiously.

''I'm dropping out of the university.'' She said. ''And then we'll see.''

''Stopping school? But Helga, you're so smart and talented. You can't do this.''

''So what, Arnold? You'll pay for my studies? Don't fool me, you're as poor as me. And anyway, I have nothing to do in this school! I mean, it's not like I had any future ahead of me.'' She added a can of beer to her groceries.

''I didn't say it but... don't say you don't have any future, it's not true.''

And sad. I knew Helga was a very smart girl, she just made the wrong choices... like I'm doing right know.

''I'm a girl of the damn street. It's all I know. Going to school, heh, it was only a passing fancy of me. I knew it's useless anyway.''

She laughed.

''Well, it's not like I expected to be doctor, or something else. I never saw more in my life than what I am doing right now.''

''Helga...'' I muttered sadly.

''And don't you dare pity me.'' She threatened as she took out her money.

I looked her cash and then her with a worried look.

''I'll pay for it Helga.'' I assured her as I searched in my pocket for cash.

She scowled more and yelled.

''Take my money! I don't need any help, okay! I know what I have to do.''

I never saw her so angry before. I saw another customer enter and then I took care of him, and I didn't say anything when I saw Helga leaving with her stuff.

I saw it. The sadness in her eyes. My heart sank to my stomach thinking of it. Helga was really in the shit now, and I blamed myself not being able to help her.

Damn, it's so unfair for her.

It's so dark outside. I just got off work, and I headed for Helga's place. I don't know if she's there, I hope so. I wonder if she'll be happy to see me? I doubt that. But still, I couldn't help it. I have to be sure she is alright.

I can't barely see in front of me. The sky had no stars or moon to illuminate the night. The look on Helga's face flashed back on my mind, and I felt sad. She was desperate. But I had the feeling she was used of this kind of thing.

I was about to knock at the door, when I heard some noise. Curious, I pressed my ears on the door, and my eyes widened. These sounds...

'' More... Oh, Oh more !''

''Shut the hell up. Hmp!''

''Ah! Ah!''

I felt all the blood drained from my face. Sadness filled my heart, and I was about to have a fit of anger. But I cooled down. I raised my hand and was about to knock, and remained several minutes like this before I lowered my hand and went away.

She needed money...and she'll get it in her own way.

Without any help.

Oh, Helga...please do anything stupid.