Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story.

They all belong to their rightful owner: Craig Bartlett.

Title: "Roadside girl"

In the last chapter: After Arnold and Helga had officially announced their relationship at the party, David ran out of Circle Theatre. Maria followed him and they started drinking together while he vented his feelings on her.

A couple of girls requested Helga to sing a song for them all and to her happiness, it was a song she adored. Unbeknownst to her, David and Maria recognized her voice and went inside, only for David to vomit when Helga kissed Arnold once the love song was over.

Helga tried to talk to David, but it ended up in a fight. David couldn't handle Helga's obliviousness anymore and ended up reminding her of something very important she had forgotten. In tears, Helga ran away from the party, apologizing to Arnold without any explanation.

Author's 1st note: Ok! I want to make something clear before you read this chapter: One, I am TERRIBLE with Geography; I don't know where anything is! Two, Craig Bartlett has mentioned that Seattle, Portland and Brooklyn inspired Hillwood, so I had to choose between these cities for a position of Hillwood in order to do this chapter. If anyone is dissatisfied with the position or if I have miscalculated the miles or something (I tried to keep it vague in order for that not to happen) then do tell me, though don't be rude about it: I'm Danish, how am I supposed to know? I barely know where anything is in my own neighborhood xD

[Please notify me if you notice any grammar mistakes. This isn't my first language, so there's bound to be mistakes.]

Chapter 18: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"

"What were you thinking?!" Phoebe hissed angrily at David, hoping that no one else would notice her words. David wasn't looking at her though; he had his head locked to the side, refusing to acknowledge that she was talking to him. "I wasn't thinking." He admitted. "Yeah, no shit!" Phoebe retorted, surprising Maria who was standing near them next to Gerald. Gerald knew though that when Phoebe was truly angry, she could curse with the best of them, and right now, she was furious. After she and Gerald had decided to follow Arnold out on the street, only David and Maria were outside. Once Maria had told them what had happened, much to David's displeasure, Phoebe had thrown a tantrum.

"She was going to realize it sooner or later." David hissed. "I figured the sooner she realized, the sooner she would figure out a way to - - "

"To what?!" Phoebe repeated. "The sooner she would come crawling back to you?"

"No!"

"Yes! That is why you did this, isn't it? You're hoping that Helga will be miserable again and that she will need you once more rather than Arnold!"

"No! That is not what - - "

"David, please lower your voice." Maria begged, noticing that two boys had just walked out of Circle Theatre in order to smoke. David held his tongue and crossed his arms around himself. "Listen to me, Phoebe. I know Helga is hurt right now and I am sorry, but that doesn't change the fact that this is not my fault. I told her the truth. What else was I supposed to do? Let her live in happy oblivion until the play was over?"

"Yes! If any girl deserves some happy oblivion, it's Helga! If you love her so much, you would have let her have that." Phoebe retorted. Despite glaring at David, she noticed Arnold walking towards them. She kept looking at him, while David started responding, oblivious to Arnold's growing presence behind him. It wasn't until he felt a pair of hands pushing at him, Phoebe jumping nimbly to the side in order not to get in the middle of the two of them, that he realized Arnold was back.

"What did you say to Helga?" Arnold asked angrily as David turned to look at him. "What happened?" Gerald asked worriedly and Arnold looked towards him. "Helga went home in tears." He replied, causing the two girls to gasp though Phoebe's sob quickly turned into a growl. She pushed at David angrily before Gerald grabbed her wrist in order to stop her. Phoebe didn't have the intention of continuing an assault though and stepped obediently to the side. "I don't know what you did or said to Helga, but I have never seen her so sad before." Arnold hissed, but David snorted, the flash of guilt on his face disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. "That's hard to believe."

Arnold sneered and lifted his fist, unaware if he really had the intention to hit David, but never got the chance to figure out before Gerald grabbed his arm. "Whoa, chill!" he ordered and forced Arnold's arm down. "What did you say to her?!" Arnold asked after having shot a displeased look in Gerald's direction, but his friend refused to let go of his arm. "I just reminded her of the facts of life! Why am I the bad guy here?" David asked. "Because Helga was crying because of you!" Arnold answered in a loud voice. "Arnold, keep your voice down." Gerald whispered, but he didn't listen.

"No, Helga was crying because she suddenly remembered that she can't be with you for that much longer." David corrected. Arnold's eyes widened and he finally managed to push Gerald off him. He was about to grab him again, but Arnold didn't charge towards David this time. "What are you talking about?" he asked with a frown. When David didn't answer, Arnold turned to look at Maria who looked away awkwardly. He then looked at Phoebe and Gerald, both looking equally guilty. "Am I the only one who doesn't know?" he asked and then looked at David again. "Why can't she be with me?"

David didn't respond so Maria nudged at him. "What? You want me to tell him? Sure! Because it went so great when I told Helga." David hissed, but Maria just shot him a slanted look. "Forget it, Maria! I'm an actor, so I'd prefer if Arnold didn't decide to redecorate my face." He continued and Maria rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, David. Arnold's not gonna - - "

"Actually, it might be a good idea if David wasn't the one to tell him." Gerald interfered. Maria looked at him in shock and Gerald couldn't blame her; he was one of the few people who knew Arnold well enough to know that while he was a mild-tempered boy, once he was mad, he would be furious and right now his fist seemed rather itchy. He wasn't like that as a child, but he had grown up since then. "Arnold." Gerald said and stood in front of him. Arnold was looking at him intensely; the look in his eyes was almost burning. Gerald took a deep breath, sincerely hoping that Arnold's ability to look on the bright sight would come in handy. "Helga, she's… she, uh… Arnold, Helga doesn't live in Hillwood anymore."

Arnold blinked a couple of times in confusion, but then snickered. "I know that." he said in incredulity, but Gerald shook his head. "No, Arnold… Think for a second." He told him and Arnold frowned, but did as told. That Helga didn't live in Hillwood was all his mind registered though. "Helga lives in Los Angeles." Gerald said somberly before Arnold got the chance to question him again. Arnold narrowed his eyes. "Los Angeles?" he asked and Gerald nodded. "But… But that's…" he mumbled. "2778 miles away." Phoebe finished for him.

"And…" David interjected, earning their attention. "A scout has had his eyes on Helga for a while… If he decides to hire her, she'll be busier than ever." he continued, earning a glare from Gerald. A glare saying: "We don't need your comments," so David shut his mouth after that. When Gerald turned to look at Arnold again, he had walked towards the wall and turned his back to it. He then slid down until he landed unceremoniously on the asphalt. He didn't say anything; he was just staring into thin air with a somewhat impassive expression on his face.

David's hard expression softened slowly at the sight of Arnold's reaction. Damn it… He thought and took a hesitant step towards him. Gerald quirked an eyebrow at him, but Maria pushed at David's back, encouraging him to approach Arnold. In silence, David sat down next to him. They kept quiet for a while before David cut through the silence. "I'm sorry." He said and looked at Arnold who didn't look back. He just kept staring at nothing in particular. "Look, I… I know how you feel… kind of." David continued and while Arnold still didn't look at him, his eyes did narrow curiously for a moment. "When Helga told me about that scout that had called her and told her he was very interested… at first, I was happy for her because… well, it's a huge opportunity for her; it's her dream… but then I realized what it meant and I… Well… it was partially the reason why I didn't fight her more when she suggested we should break up."

Arnold finally turned his head to look at David, a somber expression on his face. David looked back at him. "I was hoping that… once we were officially broken up, my feelings would change and then once she left with the scout, it wouldn't hurt as much… Tell you what; she's not a girl you forget." He continued, which Arnold frowned at. "I know." He snapped. "I know you do." David responded and turned to look at the street again. "Tell me, Arnold… do you know who much Helga loves you?"

"What? Of course I - - "

"No, seriously. Do you know how much she loves you?" David interrupted and looked at Arnold again. The boys gazed at each other for a moment, none of them blinking. "I do know… I know more than you think." Arnold insisted and turned his head away, leaving David to nod in understanding. "And it didn't freak you out?" he asked and Arnold chuckled. "As a kid, when she told me for the first time, I was creeped out." He responded honestly. "And now?" David asked and Arnold chewed on his lip in consideration. "I think of it as… deep passion. A sort of love that most people don't get granted with so no… No, I don't find it creepy. I'm honored, actually."

David smiled as he nodded. "I thought it was creepy." He admitted and Arnold's lip went up in a half smile. "And if all she did back then had been for and about you?" he asked. David went quiet for a bit, but then frowned deeply. "Still creepy." He insisted, which Arnold chuckled at and David joined him. "Which is probably why Helga loves you and not me." He continued to Arnold's surprise who looked at him expectantly. David looked at him again. "Look, I don't know what's going to happen once the play is over. I don't know if you and Helga can figure something out. I don't know if you're gonna fall apart… but I can promise you this." he said earnestly and lifted his hand to point at Arnold. "Helga will always love you."

To say that Arnold was dumbstruck at David's words would have been an understatement. Even Gerald, Phoebe and Maria were staring at each other in incredulity. A boy who had loved Helga for so many years was telling another boy that she would always love him; it was a painful realization he had made. Arnold's expression slowly softened as he looked at David, the clear pain in his eyes so obvious that it was almost agonizing to look at. "Thank you, David. That…" he said and smiled a bit. "That means a lot coming from you."

"Yeah, well… you're welcome." David responded unsurely. He hadn't expected Arnold to thank him; frankly, he didn't think he deserved it. It was simply the truth after all. "We still have a problem though." Gerald said as he crossed his arms. "Helga is still unbelievably pissed at you." he pointed out, which David sighed at, but nodded. "Helga will calm down." Phoebe countered. "The biggest issue is Arnold's relationship with her. What's going to happen with you two?"

"It's not an issue." Arnold argued with a frown. "How is it not?" Maria asked miserably. "Arnold, Helga lives in Los Angeles, that's like almost three thousand miles away from Hillwood." She didn't like the thought of her favorite blonde couple breaking up. "We will figure something out." Arnold answered, which Gerald smiled at. "Arnold: the chronic optimist." He declared dramatically and Arnold smiled, but his expression remained grave. "I lost Helga once… I'm not ready to lose her again."

David looked at Arnold for a bit before he touched his shoulder. "Good to know that you're not gonna give up on you and Helga. It's a relief." He said and patted his shoulder. "I am officially passing Helga onto you." he said dramatically and gestured towards Arnold, who chuckled at his words. "Dude, Helga was never yours to give away!" Gerald pointed out with a smirk and David put both of his hands to his heart as if he had just been shot with an arrow. "Low blow!" he said and stood up. "I'm gonna get you for that!" he announced before running after Gerald, who started to run away. The girls and Arnold watched them as they laughed at the scene. To Arnold, it felt like there was still hope for him and Helga.

"Dear?"

Helga didn't answer; she figured it wouldn't be necessary since according to the tone in her mother's voice, she would walk into her room son anyway. As Helga had predicted, Miriam did indeed open the door and walked inside. "Oh, Helga. It's so dark in here." She said and Helga flinched when the light emitted in her room. "Miriam!" she groaned and pulled the covers over her face.

"What's wrong, honey?" Miriam asked and steadied the plate in her hands. "I brought you some pizza, in case you're hungry?" she asked hopefully and Helga felt her bed moving when her mom sat down. "You didn't make it yourself, right?" she asked suspiciously, which Miriam simply chuckled at. "I swear I haven't touched it. I didn't even add any salt." she promised and then Helga flipped the covers aside and sat up. "Thank you." she said and reached for the plate, bur Miriam moved it out of her reach. "On one condition: Tell me what's gotten my youngest daughter to cry for the past hour."

Helga frowned and eyed the pizza slice hungrily. "Deal." She stated once her stomach had rumbled and took the plate. She took an eager bite of it, realizing that she had in fact been hungry for a while. She wasn't even sure what time it was anymore. "So…?" Miriam proved, reminding Helga of her promise. She chewed slowly as she pondered how she should phrase her problem. "Mom, have you… ever dated someone who was going far away?" she asked softly, much to Miriam's surprise. "Why are you asking such a question? Are you dating - - "

"Just answer me, Miriam." Helga interrupted curtly. Miriam hummed thoughtfully, not taking Helga's rude tone to heart at all. "Actually, I have."

"Really?"

"Yes, my second boyfriend I believe. His name was Justin. His dad had to move around a lot due to his job, but I don't remember what his job was. Justin had to move around a lot with him because of it."

"What happened with you two?"

"What usually happens with long-distance relationships; we gave it a shot, but it didn't work." Miriam replied honestly, not noticing that Helga stopped chewing at her response. "As they say: out of sight, out of mind. We eventually lost interest in each other. That's the natural cause of such a relationship. It's - - "

"I get it. I get it! My love is doomed and my love is dead!" Helga interrupted in a grunt. Miriam finally realized that the look on her daughter's face indicated that her answer hadn't exactly been what she had been hoping for. "But, Helga. I was only sixteen years old. My hormones were doing all my thinking for me. It's different with you and Arnold."

"It is not different!" Helga replied as she put her plate on the bed and stood up. "I live more than two thousand miles away from Arnold and to make matters worse: I'm an actress! I'm a busy woman! I won't have time for him, especially if he's not right next to me! We'll forget each other, just like you and Justin! To Arnold, I will just be somebody that he used to know and he will forever be the one that got away! I'll try to find someone like him, but he will always be the one that I want and I'm gonna love him for the rest of my life, while he marries one of those girls even though he belongs with me!"

Miriam blinked one, two, three times in shock at her daughter's rant. "I have never heard anyone refer to so many songs in such few sentences…" She muttered absentmindedly and Helga gestured violently. "Mom! You're not helping!" she shouted in frustration and Miriam put her hand up in mock defense. "Helga, I think you're perhaps being a little overdramatic… You love Arnold, yes?" she asked and Helga sighed, but nodded. "And he loves you?" Miriam asked again, which Helga blushed at. "Well… none of us have said the words, but… yes. Yes, I believe so."

"Well then, I'd say he is probably as scared as you are." Miriam said, which Helga quirked an eyebrow at curiously. "Yeah?" she inquired and sat back down. "Honey, talk with Arnold. Tell him about your insecurities. Tell him that you don't want to lose him. You have loved this boy since you were a child. Did that love change after being away from him for seven years?" Miriam asked and Helga's eyes widened. "Well… n-no, but - - "

"In some cases, absence makes the heart grow fonder." Miriam interrupted and Helga frowned in confusion. "Where did you hear that?" she asked and Miriam smiled at her. "You know I love romance novels." She pointed out and for the first time since she got home, Helga smiled a bit. "You were quoting something contradicting just before though?" she questioned and Miriam shrugged. "It depends on the people involved. What Justin and I had was a fleeting romance between a pair of teenagers. Your love for Arnold is much more powerful." She said and scooted closer to sit next to Helga up against the pillow.

"What if it isn't like that for Arnold…?" Helga asked in a quiet voice, wondering if she wanted to hear the answer. "Well, dear, perhaps it's not." Miriam replied honestly and Helga frowned at her. This is where you're supposed to say something else, you moron… She thought sullenly, but then her mom continued. "But you did bully him as a child?" she asked and Helga blinked in surprise. "How did you…? What does that have to do with…? Ugh, yes…" she admitted and looked down at her hands on her lap. "And he has fallen in love with you despite that." Miriam declared, causing Helga to look at her again. "I'd say that when someone falls in love with someone despite past pain caused by that someone… it's a rather grand love."

Helga blinked. Well, I'll be damned… she thought in incredulity. If someone had told her that Miriam would one day give her advice in love, even good advice, she would have laughed at him or her until her stomach hurt, but Helga felt much better after talking with her mom. Her insecurities weren't gone, neither was her fear, but she did feel more calm about her situation. With a small sigh, she let her head hit Miriam's shoulder and rested there for a bit.

"Thank you, mom… but I do have one question."

"Yes, honey?"

"… Are you drunk?"

"A little." Miriam answered honestly and Helga started laughing loudly, which Miriam slowly started doing as well. The laughter was interrupted by the sound of Helga's phone ringing and the smile disappeared from her face. She went to grab it from her nightstand and sighed at the name. "Arnold…" she muttered and looked questioningly at Miriam. "He's probably worried about you." she said, but Helga pressed the red button rather than the green one, thereby ending the call before it had begun. "Sweety…" Miriam reprimanded, but Helga started tapping on her phone again. Miriam looked at it and smiled when she saw that she was texting Arnold that she would come back to the party.

"You should probably wash your face before you do." Miriam said. "Huh?" Helga mumbled and looked up towards her mirror at the end of the room and growled at the sight of the black mascara running down her face. "This is why I hate make-up!" she declared, finished texting Arnold and then jumped out of her bed. "Want me to help you redo your make-up?" Miriam asked and stood up as well. "You know how?" Helga questioned. She had never seen her mom wear make-up her entire life so she felt skeptical. "Honey," Miriam said and grabbed her daughter's hand. "Who do you think did Olga's make-up before she could herself?"

Arnold's leg was bouncing in frustration, the sound of his shoe clinking on the asphalt echoing beneath him in an annoying beat. He had called Helga a couple of times after she had told him she was on her way back, but she hadn't returned yet. "Calm down, dude. You'll make a pothole in the sidewalk." Gerald said, but Arnold didn't stop. Gerald rolled his eyes and gestured to Phoebe in a surrendering way. "You try, babe. I give up." He told her and she took his place next to Arnold. "Helga will be back, Arnold. She said so, right? If she had changed her mind, she would have texted you or at least me." She told him. He continued to bounce his leg for a bit, but then finally stopped. Phoebe turned around to smirk at her pouting boyfriend. "It's only because you know Helga better than me…" he insisted childishly and she kissed his cheek as a way of soothing him.

In the distance, Arnold could see something white moving around and recognized Helga's dress. His face lit up and he sprinted towards her. "Helga!" he called and the others behind him turned to look towards her as well. David gulped nervously, about to walk away to avoid angering Helga further, but Maria grabbed his hand and frowned warningly at him. "You're not running away from this." she whispered and with a sigh, he stayed put.

Helga looked up from the ground when she heard Arnold calling her name. Seeing him running towards her like that with relief painted on his face hurt her a bit. It reminded her that she was the one who had randomly left him without any explanation. Oh, God. What must he be thinking about me? She thought and opened her mouth to speak. "A-Arnold, I'm sorry I left like - - " she said, but lifted her arms automatically when he stumbled in her embrace. Her body moved on its own; her feet taking a few steps back in order to steady her, but her mind was blank. "A-Arnold…?"

"It's gonna be ok, Helga…" Arnold whispered as he put one of his hands on Helga's neck, soothing it gently near her hairline. She blinked in surprise, but then frowned. "Who told you?" she asked before her eyes locked on David who took a step back, ready to run if she decided to make him into her personal Play Doh Fun Factory. "Why you…!" Helga hissed and stepped passed Arnold, but he grabbed her wrist and stopped her from walking any further. "Helga!" he called and pulled her around even though she was fighting against him. He grabbed her cheeks and kissed her roughly even though her hand started to bang at his chest in an attempt at getting out of his embrace.

After a minute, Helga finally relaxed in Arnold's hold and he moved his lips off hers. "Calm down and listen to me…" he whispered, placing his forehead against hers. She took a few heavy breaths as she tried to calm herself. "I'm listening." She stated. "Are you calm?" Arnold asked and she blinked. "I'm listening." She simply stated again, which he snickered at. "Helga, I… I'm not going to let you go." He whispered, but then she frowned and pulled back. "Excuse me?" she questioned and when he realized how that had sounded, he shook his head. "N-No! I didn't meant it like that! What I mean is… I don't want to give up… on us, I mean. I… Even when you go back to Los Angeles, I-I want to be with you somehow. Even if it's just phone calls every day."

"Los Angeles?" Helga questioned and turned to look at David. "I… figured you should tell him the details." He replied to her unsaid question. She narrowed her eyes at him. Oh, sure. Now you think I should be the one to tell him… She thought and looked at Arnold again who was looking confusedly at her. "Arnold… a scout has had his eyes on me for a while and… depending on the success of Roadside girl he is going to hire me." She told him severely, but he just smiled. "That's great, Helga! Why does that make you…?" he questioned and she took another deep breath. "He works for Broadway…"

Arnold's eyes widened. "You're going to be on Broadway?" he asked and Helga shrugged. "Maybe. It's a possibility… If I am going to Broadway… I'll be doing nothing but eating, sleeping and practicing! Arnold, even phone calls won't be a possibility. New York is closer to Hillwood, but Broadway is going to be so time consuming. I can't even bring myself to happy about it anymore!" she bellowed unhappily, but Arnold shook his head. "Don't you dare not be happy!" he threatened and wrapped his arms around her. "This is amazing, Helga… Going on Broadway, so many people dream about that! How can you not be happy?"

"Because the timing sucks!" Helga replied in a muffled voice because she had just buried her face in the crook of Arnold's neck. "I don't want to leave you, but saying no to such an opportunity would be beyond mind-numbingly stupid!"

"You're not turning it down. We can do this, Helga."

"Why must you always be so damn optimistic?" Helga asked and pushed Arnold away in frustration. "It's not realistic, Arnold! What chances do we have?"

"I don't care if the whole goddamn world turned against us!" Arnold roared, shocking Helga due to his small curse. "I want you, you want me, that's all I know and all I need to know. Helga…" he continued and took her hand in his and cupped it tightly. "I fell in love with you seven years ago. I made the mistake of letting you go, but I'm not going to do that this time. I am still in love with you, Helga… after seven years of not being in contact with you, with all odds against those feelings; I'm still in love… You really think I'm gonna stop now?"

The blush on Helga's face could have made a tomato jealous. The little girl inside her that had been in love with this boy her whole life was squealing in happiness, but that annoying, skeptical voice was still there albeit smaller now than before. "Aww…" Helga heard Maria coo behind her and she turned to smirk at her. Maria held her mouth instantly, but the grin on her face went up to her eyes. Helga rolled her eyes with a smile on her own face and turned to look at Arnold again. "To translate what Maria just said… corny." She said in a singsong voice and Arnold frowned. "Helga." He chastised, but the smirk on her face stayed on. "You really… believe that? You think this can work?" she asked as the smirk slowly, but surely faded.

Arnold smiled somberly and took Helga's other hand in his. "I do." He replied and she blushed once more. "H-How come I feel like we're exchanging vows?" she questioned jokingly and started laughing awkwardly. Arnold chuckled embarrassedly as well, as a small voice in the back of his head was wondering if they would someday. "You know…" Helga said quietly and leaned closer to Arnold, resting her forehead against his. "Miriam said that sometimes… absence makes the heart grow fonder."

The grin on Arnold's face almost it seem like he would crack in two soon. "I like that…" he whispered and Helga rolled her eyes. "No surprise there. It's corny as hell and so are - - " she retorted, but he stubbornly silenced her with a kiss, which she whimpered at in surprise. "Oh, the gang's together!" Maria quoted loudly and started cheering, causing the others to start clapping jokingly. Helga turned to look at them, rolling her eyes while Arnold himself just laughed.

The laughter died down when Helga's mobile started ringing. She looked down at the small purse hanging near her waist and shoved her hand into it. "Who the hell calls someone past midnight?" she wondered aloud and looked at the display. "Apparently, the director does…" she muttered and looked at Arnold in fear. "Well, answer!" David insisted and approached them. Helga shot him a bit of a dirty look – she hadn't quite forgiven him yet for basically calling her a lunatic earlier – and put her phone to hear ear. "Sir?"

"Oh, you answered surprisingly quickly. You aren't too drunk to listen and remember what I'm about to say, are you?" the director asked nonchalantly on the other line. "Uh… n-no, sir, I'm in fact quite sober." She replied and furrowed her eyebrows. "Very well. I just wished to inform you while I remember it myself that a man by the name of Tate Haddock has contacted me through e-mail this evening. Is it a name you're familiar with?" he asked and Helga felt her blood freeze. Arnold looked worriedly at David who mirrored his expression and then waved his hand in front of Helga's face. She shook her head, frowned at David and then coughed. "Y-Yes, sir, I… I know Tate Haddock." She answered and looked knowingly at David whose eyes widened a bit. "What?" Arnold asked in a whisper. "That's the scout." David replied and Arnold gulped nervously.

"What did he say?" Helga asked and took a deep breath in a feeble attempt at preparing herself for whatever the director would answer. It was a rather contradicting feeling; hoping for one thing and yet praying for the other as well. Her heart was beating a hundred miles a minute and her chest was starting to hurt. She hadn't even noticed that her other hand was squeezing Arnold's tightly to the point where his fingers were turning white due to the lack of blood flow.

"He simply wished to inform me that he would be attending Hillwood Theatre Monday morning for our practice." The director replied and Helga frowned in confusion. "It turns out that he wants to make his decision as soon as possible so you will be receiving an answer whether he will scout you or not after practice. Do you understand?" he asked and Helga nodded. "He can't see you." David reminded her. "Y-Yes, I understand." She said though the expression she showed David was anything but thankful. "Very well. Give my best to the others and enjoy the party." The director said and Helga sighed in something akin to relief. "Oh, and I wish you good luck, Helga Pataki."

"Thank you, sir…" Helga replied even though he had already hung up. The grip on her phone was tight, but her arm fell down to her thigh and it hang there lazily for a bit before anyone spoke up. "What was that about?" Phoebe asked gently and put her hand on Helga's shoulder. "Uh, that was the director. He… uh, the scout is going to join us for our practice on Monday. He'll… He'll give me an answer by then." She replied and Maria gasped. "That's so soon!" she bellowed. "I thought he wasn't going to decide until after the premiere?"

"The premiere is in two weeks." David pointed out, but Maria just shook her head unhappily. "Still! On such short notice…" she mumbled and walked around Helga to face her. "Are you gonna be ok?" she asked gently, but Helga didn't answer at first. She looked down at her phone and then at Arnold. "I… I don't know how to feel." She muttered honestly. "I do." Arnold replied and Helga held her breath. "Feel happy and motivated. Tomorrow, you're going to take advantage of our day off and go to Hillwood Theatre to practice on your own."

Helga hadn't expected that answer from Arnold, but it made her smile. She nodded seriously and gripped her phone tighter. "Yes." She agreed and took another deep breath. "Yeah! Go for it, Helga!" Maria cheered and bounced happily. "I'll be rooting for you!" Phoebe agreed and hugged Helga from behind. "You'll be fine! We've heard you sing; he's an idiot if he doesn't hire you." Gerald chimed in and patted Helga's shoulder. "Just make sure not to strain your voice too much." David suggested and while Helga did frown at him as she had done since she had come back, she also nodded at his advice. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder', huh…? I hope it's true. She thought as she looked at Arnold who was wearing a goofy grin on his face. I prefer that to 'out of sight, out of mind'…

Author's 2nd note: Bam, bam, baaaaam xD Anyone surprised at the "big issue"? A few people admitted in their reviews that they weren't sure if they had figured it out or not, but others knew it already :P On another note, I was honestly rather surprised how furious some people were with David though I guess I don't blame you xD Helga's also still mad as you can read.

Quiz time: Miriam says that Helga makes a lot of song-references in her short, panicky monologue in the middle of the chapter: How many are there? Can you count and name them all? Virtual cookie for those who can! xD

Oh, and oh my god, at some point while I was writing this chapter, I realized… it's almost over O.o Like… maybe two-three chapters left? I'm not sure, but it's not gonna be a lot more… Well. just figured I should "announce" it… xD