Hi my dear readers !

Sorry for that lonnnng wait, But with work, I've been kind of busy with work... But anyway I've been fired, so... that suck.

And When I had time, I wasn't in the mood to write. But yesterdat someone told me that people were tired of waiting after my fic, so I hurried up and finished that chapter with most inspiration I thought I had.

I'll try to make bigger chapters and make you wait a little less next time.

And for all the haters over there... Your comments are always funny to read, since you don't even have an account. lol.

Enjoy the read !

It's been awhile since I last saw my parents. Maybe one and half years ago. Maybe more, maybe less. I'm not sure. I was happy to see them, but they always chose the worst timing.

Don't get me wrong, I was really glad to have them here but... weren't they supposed to be here for December? We're not there yet!

But before I could place a word, they hugged me tightly, smiling and telling me how much they missed me. Soon enough, their warmness and love quickly shoved my thoughts away and I hugged them back with all my force.

''Mom... Dad!''

They told me they would be there for Christmas, and my smile grew wider at that. Knowingly, I raised my eyes to meet Helga's. Her eye was filled with sadness, though her face remained emotionless. She looked at us with impatience, and yet nostalgia. I slowly pulled my parents away and smiled at them.

''I'm so glad you're back. But what are you two doing here?''

''We decided to do you a surprise. Surprised?''

''Yeah, I am. Oh, I almost forgot.''

I walked towards Helga and grabbed onto her waist. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

''Here's Helga Pataki, my girlfriend.''

''Hold on, Shortman. I am not...''

''Pataki? Like, in Geraldine Pataki?''

Helga and I shared an incredulous look, but her eye quickly narrowed. After all, her name was fully known in town because of her reputation. She hid her hands in her pockets, sending them a suspicious glare.

''That's me. Why?'' she asked in a somewhat cold voice.

I frowned. What was going on? My parents just looked at each other, having a silent talk with their eyes, before smiling nervously.

''Nothing. I just heard your name somewhere. No big deal.''

I sighed in relief, but Helga was still being tense, her big, blue eyes locked up on them.

''Relax... You're safe here,'' I muttered softly, grabbing her wrist.

She simply shrugged and sat on a chair, looking tired. She looked pretty sober by now.

We all sat, and we went silent for a awhile, my parents throwing looks at Helga and her ignoring them. I sighed. They didn't know each other for more than five minutes and she was already pouting them. I was happy to be with my parents, and I wanted to share this moment with her. They are the sweetest. There was no way she could hate them.

''Sooooo... How was your flight? Everything went alright?''

''Yes, sweetie, except that your father ate nuts. You know how they make him sick, but he kept saying that they were so good,'' she teased while dad was rubbing his neck in shame, a sly grin on his face, not too proud of his doings.

I glared at Helga, thinking she would be at least smiling, but she still had her emotionless face. She was always on her guard. She really needed to relax a little.

''How do you two guys met?'' asked Stella, her head resting on her hands and her elbow resting on the table, her chestnut eyes leering on us.

Okay, they definitely knew something I didn't. And I will figure out what it is.

''At school.'' I said, knowing Helga wouldn't talk. ''She was new in my class, and uh...''

''And he thought I was hot, so he stalked me,'' finished Helga with a little smirk, fully aware that not only was that true, but also that that wasn't the kind of thing you say to parents.

''Helga!'' I growled, red as hell.

My parents looked at us, wide eyed, obviously shocked to see that part of me. I understand their reaction. I didn't know I had it, too.

''Oh, my...'' gasped my mom.

''That's my boy!'' Miles started to pat my head, visibly proud of me.

Helga rolled her eyes and I knew what she was thinking. If he knew, he wouldn't be so proud of me.

''And it was... love at first sight?''

Mom narrowed her eyes. Something wasn't right.

''Yeah. I love her with all my heart.'' I smiled slyly, gently taking her hand.

She blushed hard, but never took back her hand, which made me melt inside. She had her own ways to show her affection. I just had to be a little more observant. I loved the way she would just peek on me from the corner on her eye, the way she would create a contact between us just by touching my arm, like she wanted to feel the warmth of our bodies kept close, and especially the way she would tilt her head when I was speaking good of her, looking like she was not believing what she was hearing, like complimenting her was odd enough. I licked onto my lips, trying to get a hold of myself, finding just way too cute the fact that she never pulled away her hand. She was gradually mellowing out by my side, which, I got to admit, was a big step into the right path.

''Isn't that sweet?'' Stella smiled. Though, her smile seemed kind of fake.

My eyes narrowed, gazing at them with some kind of accusation as my dad was typing something on his phone, Stella peeking over to see from time to time. I would have expected them to be more welcomg towards Helga, even though she didn't seem to mind. Hell, I bet she would give anything to be anywhere but here. Plus, I haven't told her anything about that whole couple thing.

''Dad?'' I called, wanting him to stop playing with his phone while being in front of me... Or, actually, of us.

''Uh? Oh, yeah, sorry, I had, uh... something to check.'' Miles put it back into the pocket of his light blue jeans, a smile on his face. Something was up, and it was driving me crazy. By the look on Helga's face, she had a little doubt of what it might be, but I was clueless. My mom went over to Helga and outstretched her tanned hand, a kind grin on her face.

''Hi, Helga, I am Stella, Arnold's mother. And that big guy over there is Miles. We are glad to have you in the family.''

Helga didn't take her hand, locking up her eyes with hers with that serious, solemn face of hers. Stella's smile disappeared, and for a long moment, they had a silent conversation. Dad and I shared a look before Stella finally pulled away, like she was giving up to a invisible fight.

''I'll call for pizza. Are you guys hungry?''

''Yeah, mom, than—''

''I'll do it,'' snapped Helga with a harsh tone, grabbing her phone and heading towards the living room to avoid any noise in the background.

I knew she didn't want to to that simple thing, but she obviously needed to be alone for a little time, even for the three minutes the order would take. She was on the verge to being angry and I had no idea why.

I sighed, brushing back my yellow hairs, looking mindlessly at the ceiling. What was going on? I knew Helga wouldn't change for anyone, but something was definitely up here. If I asked Helga, she wouldn't answer me, and I couldn't ask my parents now. I closed my eyes. Helga's family name reminded them of something. What could it be? They haven't been here for a long time, and I don't think Helga was in this town, or at least that neighborhood since years ago. I bit my lip nervously, but my dad quickly snapped me from my train of thought, looking worried.

''You, okay, son ?''

''Yeah... Kind of. You are acting weird towards Helga...'' I murmured, trying not to sound accusing.

My parents shared a look, and dad opened his mouth, about to say something I was sure was highly important, but he was interrupted by Helga coming back. She had removed her hoodie and scarf, which left her only in a dark black normal T-shirt and her jeans.

''I chose all dress,'' she said, sitting back on her chair, ignoring my parents the best she could.

''That's alright. So, Helga... What are you doing in your life?''

Helga threw her a dinsinterested look. I widened my eyes and spoke before she had the chance to.

''She is studying in my class.'' I turned my green eyes at her. Sh simply crossed her arms with an annoyed look.

''Oh? And what are you studying?'' asked Miles.

Helga wanted to say something as well, but, again, I didn't let her have the chance. I said the first thing that came to my nervous mind.

''Fashion.''

Both Miles and my parents sent me an ashtonished look, brows raised. Helga rolled her eyes, like saying, ''Yeah, right'', and I could tell my parents were hardly buying it. I gulped, trying to sound convincing.

''Fashion?'' my mom repeated.

''Yeah. You know, creating dresses and... and stuff like that.''

''Whoa, I did not know I was able to do that...'' teased Helga with that horrible, yet sexy, smirk of her.

''You will soon know.'' I laughed nervously.

Helga rolled her eyes again, probably ditching on the fact that I was both lying to my parents and a bad liar. I did not want my parents to know I was dating a... a... girl like that. Not after they got accustomed to Lila's ''prefection''.

''Okay... Well, that's great. Maybe you will be the next Carolina Herrera!'' Dad did a big, genuine smile.

Okay, he was definitely buying it, but he was about as dense as me, so...

''Yeah, I hope so... She's, like, uh... my favorite... uh... fashion girl ever,'' mumbled Helga, looking down.

I could tell she had absolutely no idea who she was. I was surprised enough my dad even knew a name coming from that kind of business.

''I like when she, uh... does... creates... Well, you know the thing.''

''So, Mom, Dad, are you still with The Green-Eyed People ?'' I asked, full knowing the answer, but wanting to drop the subject as fast as possible before she said something we would both regret.

Stella turned to me, eyebrows raised in pure surprise.

''Of course! They saved us. They support us all the way with our research.''

''The Green-Eyed what ?'' Helga seemed completely out of it, her arms still crossed, but now having a curiosity growing in her unhidden eye.

My parents shared another look, unsure of how to explain.

''Well, we can't tell too much information. You know, it's kind of a secret. But they are like a hidden civilisation, and...''

''Okay, forget it. I don't care. I'm hungry.''

Helga rose from her chair, rubbing her stomach as to put more weight in her statement. Miles looked at her with awe and I did as well. She was asking the question, but then didn't care about the answer. Okay, weird. Maybe she thought they were lying to her with that whole civilisation thing. This is the only logical thing I could think of.

The pizza arrived shortly after. My parents paid, and we started to eat, at first in a strong silence, but then my mother started talking about what they were doing when they weren't working, and she said she liked to listen to music, usually The Beatles, Air Supply, or Bon Jovi. They were all good groups, and I was about to continue the conversation when a thought crept into my head. I looked at both my parents and my ''girlfriend''.

''You know, Helga, can play music. And she can sing.''

The blonde headed delinquent immediately sent me a deathful glare, her mouth still full of pizza. Her ocean blue eyes turned icy cold and I knew I should have keep my mouth closed, but again, what was wrong in telling this?

''Oh, yes? And which instrument are you playing, sweetie?'' My mother seemed suddenly really interested, because unlike earlier, it didn't sound like a lie this time.

Helga swallowed, looking tired for a minute before sighing and looking into her eyes.

''I play guitar... and a little of piano.''

''I used to play guitar in my young time.'' Miles decided to join the conversation, suddenly interested. '' I would play U2's songs all the time.''

''U2? That old group? Urgh, my mother was always listening to them. I just got sick of it.''

Both me and my parents flinched at that; me because it was the first time she was talking of something related to her parents, and my parents because of, uh... I don't know.

She decided to ignore it and continued.

''I love Nickelback and Coldplay better.''

I raised my eyebrow, unaware she was attracted to that kind of groups. Really, I thought she only loved party and dirty songs.

''Nickelback? It reminds me of something...'' said my dad thoughtfully.

Helga leaned forward, fully awake by now, looking interested as my mother and I watched them with wide eyes.

''You just can't know them. C'mon, don't tell me you don't know this song!

''Misused, mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait?
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
You know, you know''

Both of my parents stared at her with a funny look on their faces, obviously impressed by her voice. My father gathered his thoughts and senses back and smiled.

''Yeah, I know that. I heard it sometime on the radio. Damn girl, you sing really well.

Helga's head dropped as she murmured a weak ''Thanks''. I could't help the giggles. She looked like a little girl right now. I was about to point it out, but a ringing tone I never heard before started to echo in the place. She reached out for her pocket and grabbed her phone.

''Yeah, T-rex, this is, like, not the time for... Wait, what?''

I frowned at the seriousness in Helga's tone.

''Did he... He did that again? And is Pinky alright? Damn, Jeoff, is Anna alright? Godamnit, you're as deaf as a 109 year old granpa! WHAT, HE STOLE IT ALL? THAT BASTARD!''

We all jumped at that sudden outburst, looking at her with fear and worry. I stared at her eyes, which was now darkened by the hate and wish of murdering.

''I'm coming. Avoid him with all the ways possible, and try to stop the blood.''

On those horrible words, she hung up and grabbed her hoodie and scraf again.

''Sorry, guys, I have to go.''

''I'm coming with you,'' I said straight away, worried about her friend.

She threw an impatient look at me.

''No, you stay here and have a good time with your parents. I have to go. Now. Don't call.''

And with that, she bursted out of the appartment, leaving us completely silent.

''Is... Is everyting alright?'' asked Miles after a couple of minutes.

''I'm not sure...'' I muttered sheepishly, unpleased to be left in the dark about everything.

I wanted to run after her, knowing she and her gang were into some serious shit, but she would beat the crap out of me if I did.

Mom let out a sigh, staring at her fingers, lost in her thoughts.

''Mom... you and Dad were acting odd earlier with Helga... What's... What's wrong?''

I really feared they would know about her doing drugs, being leader of a gang and all... They would freak out.

''I guess now she's gone we can talk about it...'' She seemed to speak more for herself than for me.

''Talk about what?''

I felt my blood turn cold at the idea of them knowing about Helga's bad habbits. But I kept my cool.

Miles and Stella shared a look again, looking unsure. Stella nodded and my father turned to me, with a solemn, bottomless look, giving me his phone – galaxy s3.

''What is it?'' I asked in pure laziness, not in the mood to read all of this.

''Just read.''

I sighed and looked back at the phone. The internet screen glowed at my face violently, making me blink blindly. It was showing the scowling face of a little, blonde girl that was about 13, 14, or 15... I couldn't tell precisely. I almost choked. In fact, I wouldn't have recognized her if it wasn't for that time when I dug into her past by rummaging into her stuff.

My eyes grew bigger at what I read. No way... It was impossible.

I held it in my now sweaty hands, not knowing how to react.

''Mom... Dad... It can't be her...'' I tried to convince myself.

''Arnold... her name is written in big, red letters...'' my dad spoke, feeling awkward.

I read it again and again, but I had to get a grip on the reality.

Helga was a missing child.