Chapter 1: Late

"Mr. Shortman, you are late!"

I could hear the deep and stern voice of my college professor as I entered through the lab doors.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fields." I said calmly as I turned to face the short, black haired man." It won't happen again.

I turned around to see the rest of my class with lab coats and goggles on. In the tray below them I could see the remains of whatever poor animal we were dissecting today.

"It's fine." Mr, Fields replied to me, shaking his head in disappointment." Lucky for you the class just got started. Go get your safety equipment on and help out Miss Pataki. She is your partner after all."

"Don't remind me." I muttered under my breath.

Mr. Fields crossed his arms across his chest as I turned to walk to the back closet of the room.

After some struggling and grunting, I got the long lab coat and tight fitting goggles on.

I walked out of the closet with my gear on to look across the lab. Everyone was sitting at the long black tables stretched across the lab. Laughing and chatting with each other.

Mr. Fields wasn't known for his decor skills. All the green painted walls of the room were bare. Long windows stretched across the wall to my left. The bright sun made shadows through the blinds on the white tile floor.

I looked back to the lab tables to see Gerald holding a pair of scalpels in his hand. He was saying something to Phoebe while she giggled in response.

Nothing could separate those two. It had been that way since about seventh grade now. Everyone knew they had a thing for each other. They were just too scared to admit it to each other.

I remember the look on Gerald's face when she walked in the cafeteria that day. I wish I had a picture of it.

Being at Hillwood community college meant I still went to school with people I've known my whole life.

Stinky, Sid, and Harold got here with football scholarships.

Lila, Sheena, and Phoebe were top of the class.

Rhonda paid her way in here.

And Helga… is waving at me, giving me that Pataki look that can only mean one thing.

Get over here. Or else.

I quickly shook the thoughts out of my head and made my way to the table.

"It's about damn time." Helga muttered as I looked down into her ocean blue eyes." I've only been waving at you for five minutes while you've been stuck in lala land!"

"Sorry Helga." I said in a low tone as I looked down into the tray below us." Now what is that thing?"

Helga adjusted her goggles and looked back down into the small metal tray." It's what they call a "nightcrawler" worm."

"Sounds… interesting." I said, hoping she wouldn't catch the boredom in my tone.

I watched as Helga picked up her scalpel and went back to cutting on the outer line of the worm's skin.

Looking back up to her face. She was fully concentrated on the task at hand.

I watched her blue eyes focus hard, causing creases to appear on her forehead as she squinted.

I had to stop looking as a goofy smile had appeared on my face. I looked back down into the tray to try and get my mind off of Helga.

If the truth was told, things between me and Helga were kind of awkward.

Sure we've kept in touch over the years. She still calls me names every day when she sees me in class. However I know now she's not that bad.

Ever since we saved the neighborhood that one time, I've always seen Helga in a new light.

Don't get me wrong. Her constant bickering and smug remarks could get annoying at times, but I know deep down she's not a bad person.

I still can't believe she told me she loved me on top of that building. Man, that was crazy.

I mean not that I wouldn't mind it.

I mean, Helga's pretty hot.

And smart.

SMACK

"Criminy!" Helga announced as she gently slapped my arm." Where are you today, football head?"

"I'm sorry, Helga!" I said as I looked back up at her. A few chuckles could be heard around the lab.

I heard a distant voice mutter." I sure am glad she's not my partner!"

I could see Helga roll her eyes in response as she returned back to her task.

"I'm sorry Helga." I said as I leaned over the tray." Here, let me try for a bit. You deserve a break."

"I'm doing just fine on my own." She said through clenched teeth as she continued to look away from me.

Normally, I would be ready to defend myself. But I don't have a leg to stand on. I was late to class and I was not paying attention. She had every right to be mad at me.

"Okay, Helga." I said calmly as I looked away. I looked across the room to Gerald and Phoebe who were still giggling and having a blast.

"Here." I heard Helga beside me." You're right. My arm is getting tired."

Okay, now things are getting weird.

I know I said Helga isn't bad.

But apologizing isn't something she normally did.

"Are you sure, Helga?" I asked as I calmly grasped the scalpel from her hand.

"Yeah, sure." She said in a carefree tone as she shrugged her slim shoulders." Plus I'm going to head to the can. Be right back!"

"Okay." I said with a small grin as I turned to the tray." Thanks, Helga."

"Hey." She said as she calmly grabbed my arm. I looked over as she leaned over the tray." Just be careful not to cut one of the hearts out. We have to keep those intact."

I could smell her sweet fragrance as she leaned close to me. I felt her start to pull away and I almost wanted to tell her to stay.

I watched as she walked away and out of the lab door.

The way she gently grabbed my arm, it really calmed me down. And the way she smelled.

Man…

Woah, Arnold! That's crazy talk! I mean yeah, Helga's hot. But she doesn't have a thing for you!

She thinks you're some sort of dork loser!

…

Helga

You IDIOT

Getting a temper with Arnold like that!

Maybe he's had a rough week…

College is pretty tiring…

And let's not forget about that crazy shit on the news…

I found myself seated in a stall, pulling my phone out of my bra.

I just needed a few minutes to cool down. The football head could hold his own for that long, right?

Criminy, I hate it when I get like this. When Arnold and I were selected as partners last week, things got weird really fast.

And it was my damn fault.

I wouldn't even look at the football head through the first lab. Much less speak to him.

Arnold and I talk on occasion. But it never lasts long. I always have to find some stupid excuse to run away. Just like I am doing at this exact moment.

Plus the concept of dissecting a massive bullfrog last week wasn't the most interesting topic in the world.

Somehow it was worse than this dried out worm we are working on this week.

And I left the football head to work on it. All by himself.

Because I couldn't even handle being around him.

I'm getting too old for this shit.

I really am a basket case.

SCREEEEEECH

BOOM

I jump up and open the stall door.

Was that a… gunshot?

BANG BANG BANG

Someone was beating against the bathroom door!

I slowly back up and close the stall door in front of my face.

BANG BANG BANG

Alright whoever the hell it is. They are trying to get inside.

My hands start to shake as I back up even further. The back of my legs rub the seat of the toilet. Normally, I'd be grossed out. But I'm too scared to even think at the moment.

I check my surroundings to see what I could do next.

Red stall covers.

Check.

Marble floor tile.

Check.

White porcelain throne.

Check.

Shit, I'm screwed.

Suddenly, I hear a creak. Whoever was on the other side of that door decided to let themselves in.

Shit! Think Helga!

Silently, I lift my legs up one by one and climb onto the seat of the toilet. I can feel my chest moving as my heart threatened to break my ribs.

I hear footsteps enter the bathroom.

BANG

They slammed the door behind them. Whoever it is sure isn't too keen on subtlety.

Footsteps start to shuffle my way. I silently scoot back further. And take a seat on the back tub over the toilet.

I listen as the footsteps get louder and louder.

With my heart still pounding in my chest. I feel beads of sweat form around my ears.

The footsteps stop at my stall.

I can't move.

I'm literally frozen in fear.

And that's when I notice it.

My eyes widen to the size of saucers.

I forgot to lock the damn door.

I hear the door creak as it begins to open.

This is it , Helga girl! Now or never!

Adrenaline pours through my veins as I use this sudden surge of energy to jump down and burst through the door.

"AHHHHHHHH!" I scream as I burst the door and grab the small frame of my attacker.

With my eyes closed I push whoever it is against the wall. I throw my arm back and form a fist, ready to attack.

"HELGA, WAIT!"

I'd recognize that squeaky voice anywhere.

"PHOEBE!" I scream as I open my eyes to see a terrified best friend looking at me with a horrified look on her face.

"Phoebe I-" I begin to apologize until she pressed her hand against my mouth.

"Shhhhh"

The audacity of this girl.

I, more or less, gently slap her arm out of the way.

"Phoebe!" I say in a much lower tone." You scared the shit out of me! Why didn't you just call out my name?"

Phoebe looks down at the floor." I know." She says in almost a whisper as she rubs her sore arm.

I really didn't try to slap it that hard.

"And I am very sorry." She says as she looks up at me. Even behind those glasses, I can still see fear in her eyes.

Okay. Maybe I do need to relax. I know I scared the poor girl.

I take a small breath. I sit on it for a moment. And then I exhale. I can feel my heart beat returning back to a normal rhythm.

"Phoebe." I whispered with a small smile on my face." I'm sorry I scared you."

"No." Phoebe shook her head and looked away from me. She almost looked as if she was at a loss of words.

"Phoebe." I say. If she looked at me. She would see the genuine worried look I had on my face.

She turns back to face me with a worried look in her eyes.

"Helga, something weird is going on."

Confused, I ask." What do you mean?"

…

Arnold

A gunshot.

A single gunshot that sounded to be on campus.

Normally, everyone would panic. The professor would lock the door, close the blinds over the windows, and we would all hide.

But that didn't happen.

Instead, Mr. Fields got a phone call that lasted about thirty seconds. He didn't speak a word. He just nodded once and the call ended.

Afterwards, he told us to remain calm, stop what we were doing, and put all of our safety equipment back in the closet.

That's when the shot could be heard outside.

Gasps could be heard all across the laboratory. Much to my surprise, no one said a word.

Even Rhonda Wellington Lloyd and her partner Curly kept their mouths shut. And that was a rare occurrence.

"Come on guys." Mr. Fields said to us. You could hear a hint of urgency in his tone.

"Let's get that equipment off and head back to your dorms. Classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day."

"WOOHOO!" Harold Berman could be heard cheering through the building.

"SHHHHHH." Mr Fields put a finger over his lips. Directing the gesture to Harold." Mr. Berman, you must be quiet."

"In fact, all of you." Mr. Fields announced in a low tone." You may talk, but no outbursts. No reasons given, just know that it has to be done! Now everyone, let's hurry this along!"

As I turned to the closet I couldn't help but think.

If Mr. Fields doesn't even know what's going on. What are they going to tell us?

A few moments later…

After taking care of that little chore. I find Gerald talking to Sid as they walk out of the laboratory door. Gerald notices me and calls me over.

"Hey, Arnold!" He says as I make my way over." Do you have any idea what the hell is going on?"

"Have no idea." I reply with a huff as I walk out of the door." But don't you guys think it's pretty odd that we hear a gunshot at school and the teachers are chill about it?"

"I'm telling you guys." Sid says as he checked his surroundings." It's about that crazy shit I've been seeing on the news."

One thing to note about Sid. He is what I like to call, a conspiracy theorist. He always has been. Anything he sees on the news. Will be the topic of discussion for the next few days.

While this does sound annoying, a lot of times he really does make a good point.

Me on the hand, I hardly ever watch the news. It's too much bad news for me to see.

"Wait, hold on." Gerald says, waving his hands in front of his face." You mean to tell me that you believe dead people are coming back to life?"

"I'm telling you man." Sid replied, clearly distressed." Bad things are about to happen. I-I-"

"You need to calm down, my man." Gerald interrupted him calmly." You're starting to like one of those hippies sitting on the side of the street. One that goes on about the end of the world and all that."

Sid sighed and lowered his head." I'm telling you guys. Be prepared. I need to let everyone know."

Sid turned to walk away as I approached Gerald.

"Can you believe that guy?" Gerald said with a sigh as Sid walked away.

"I'm sorry, Gerald." I said in a low tone." Did you say dead people are coming back to life?"

Gerald turned to me and gave me one of those "I know he isn't serious right now" looks.

"Have you not been watching the news?" Gerald asked.

I shook my head no." Too much bad news for my taste."

"Of course." Gerald said as he rolled his eyes and grinned." That's why we love you, Arnold."

"Okay people let's hurry up and get back to those dorms!" Mr Fields could be heard all the way down the hall.

For someone wanting everyone to stay quiet, the college professors sure weren't. They could be heard directing kids all throughout the building.

I looked through the sea of teens and could see terrified looks and pale faces as everyone headed for the front entrance of the building.

"We better get going." Gerald said as he turned to look behind him.

"What are you looking for?" I asked as he turned back to face me with a worried look.

"Phoebe told me she was going to get Helga, but I haven't seen her."

Thank goodness someone went to check on her.

The truth is I wanted to go looking for her. But I knew she had probably lied about going to the restroom. She probably just had to go blow off some steam from being pissed off at me.

"Hey guys." I heard a voice from behind me.

I turned to see the blue eyes and pale face of Helga Pataki.

"Everything okay?" I asked, noticing the unusual paleness of Helga's face.

She waved a hand in front of her face." Yeah I'm good, football head. Phoebe just gave me a bit of a scare when she found me."

Phoebe giggled as she looked over to Gerald. Gerald smiled but you could tell he was still a bit stressed.

" I guess we need to get out of here." Phoebe said as have Gerald a small hug.

"Yeah." Helga said, taking her eyes off of me for a moment." Does anyone have any idea what the hell is going on here?"

"No idea." I said, pretty stressed out myself." There was a gunshot and none of the teachers seemed to care."

"Yeah," Gerald said." This is weird. Normally the school would be in a total shutdown. But instead, everyone's acting like this is normal,"

"This is weird." I said, trying to hide the concern on my face." But anyway, let's get out of here before we get in trouble."

"Typical, Arnold." Helga said, nudging Phoebe with her elbow as we started walking down the hall towards the entrance." Always worried about getting in trouble. Criminy, we aren't in the fourth grade anymore!"

I could hear the same old sarcasm starting to return to Helga. I know she's just pretending she's not scared in this situation, but I'm glad she was okay. Heck, at this point I might ask her-

"GUYS!"

I was suddenly cut off from my thoughts as someone came running from behind us in the hallway.

"Sid?" Gerald asked as we all turned to see what the commotion was all about." What the hell is going on?"

Sid stopped in front of us, leaning over trying to catch his breath.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Helga asked, giving Sid a concerned look." Don't you know we're supposed to be staying quiet right now!"

"Guys." Sid repeated as he stood up and looked at us. I can see tears starting to form." It's Park! He's been shot!"

Author's note: Hey guys, it's been a while and apologize for that. I've had a lot come up the past few weeks and it's just been busy in my life.

Anyways's I've chosen to split povs between Helga and Arnold and I hope you guys like it! Anyways's let me know any feedback you guys think I should know!