Chapter 6

"So anyway I had run to Arno, I MEAN my friend's house," Helga quickly corrected, "after that big oaf clocked me."Helga was speaking rather frankly about being assaulted by her father and I made a mental note of just shrug off that obviously traumatic experience suggested to him that she wasn't fully processing this yet. I should at least let the intern or resident know about this so they can be aware.

"Helga," I interject, "You don't have to keep hiding that Arnold is the 's obvious he means a lot to you and I can't imagine how worried he is for you.I mean after all your father is listed as your primary decision maker in the chart, someone who is on your side should at least know what's happening."

She shifts uncomfortably in the bed, tugging at the hospital gown as if its coarse fabric is what's making her uncomfortable. After what feels like an eternity but in reality is only like 5 seconds of silence passes, she meets my inquisitive gaze and a more serious tone takes hold. "Honestly, I'll be surprised if Arnold ever wants to speak to me again after all that happened."

I see tears well up in her eyes. Shit, I've never been good in these situations. I spot a box of tissues on the bedside table and hand it to her which to my surprise she Helga, who now appears more as the frightened young girl I expected to see, dabs her eyes with the tissue, I press on.

"Helga, believe me when I say I've seen people at their absolute worsts.I'm talking about smoking so much meth it literally stops your who stick whole bottles of shampoo up their rectum to get out of the county jail for a night or two.I seriously doubt whatever you could have said or done to Arnold would damage the trust there," I try to emphasize with her and dig up some of my most disturbing patient I'd been told this rotation usually gives the students the wildest experiences of the year and so far that was proving to be true.

"Alright, Joshie boy," she sniffs."I'll explain what happened and maybe then you'll see why Arnold will never see me again."

I can tell she is barely keeping it together but trying to put on a front where everything is seems like a classic feature of an abused child and again I make a mental note to ask my resident about it.

"So I'm at Arnold's house, foolishly thinking the worst is over and that Big Bob just needs some time to cool off…"

On her way back from Arnold's bathroom, Helga cracked the door open to Arnold's just to observe him he was, fluffing a pillow for her on his was wearing an old James A Garfield High PE shirt and flannel pajama stood there for a moment longer; she could have lingered there for eternity watching her beloved with his golden hair fuss over such minor details as a pillow for was beginning to realize maybe Arnold did have genuine feelings for her beyond his absurd kindness.

"I hope that's a down pillow you've got for me there, Footballhead," she joked as she attempted to casually walk in the was nothing casual or routine about this night or what had taken place, but hey a girl's gotta try right?

Startled slightly by the sound of her voice, Arnold turned and smiled at there in his white t-shirt and gray sweatpants that were oversized for him but fit her just right. She had her hair down, no make up (not that she wore much anyway) and while he could tell she was trying to diffuse the situation with knew she was was he.

"Only the best for you, Helga," he responded as he stepped toward her to reorient her to the room."So… please make yourself at home.I've got a down pillow as you so astutely noted.400 thread count cotton 's a phone charger, glass of water and clock on the nightstand there.I've also got some ibuprofen and Tylenol if you need any and some melatonin if you have trouble getting to sleep."Wow, that was a lot, Arnold thought as he finished explaining.

"Melatonin? Man, hope I don't OD on the heavy stuff there Arnoldo," she playfully remarked as she nudged him in the side with her elbow."And did I hear you spout off a thread count on those sheets?"

"Well… yeah I may have made that up.I can never remember if higher is better or lower," Arnold sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he tried to remember which was correct.

"I think higher is typically the way to go but 400 thread count may as well be sleeping on a cloud made of Egyptian cotton tonight." She paused for a moment then touched his shoulder and their eyes met."Arnold, truly, this is wonderful.I can't remember the last time someone spent this much time and effort on me, besides Phoebe of course.I just hope that.." and she dropped her hand from his shoulder, struggling to decide if she should even bring this next part up.

"Hope what?" Arnold asked. For his part, the absence of her touch did not go fact, it surprised him how quickly he missed her warmth.

"This is silly, I can't believe I'm even bringing it up because obviously you don't want to do it anymore and why would you?" she said as she shook her head.

"What's silly? Helga what're you talking about?"

"Our date!" She said louder than she wanted. "I hope we can still go on it." She dared not look at him for fear she had just ruined everything.

He couldn't help but inwardly chuckle and reach a hand out to her arm. "Helga," he said in a reassuring tone. "Of course we're still going on it.I nearly passed out trying to get the nerve to ask you the first time! Do you think I can really go through that again?"

Helga's body initially stiffened at the surprise of his touch and then subsequently melted into it. Jeez if this is what happens with a mere touch on the arm, I hope we never round second base she thought.

She looked over to him and grinned, "Whatever floats your boat, Footballhead. Now time for of us, and I won't say who, needs to get their beauty sleep."

"Whatever you say, Helga." He said as he climbed onto his couch and got comfortable while flipping the light off.

Helga got into Arnold's bed and pulled his cotton sheets over her. She was able to fully relax at last, surrounded by the scent of her Footballheaded prince with the knowledge that he lay a few feet away.

"Hey Arnold?"

"Yeah Helga?"

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Helga"

And with that, she drifted off to sleep.

And that concludes chapter 6, again sorry for the delay but I am committed to finishing this story and it feels like I've got a lot left to tell. Will update again soon. Let me know what you think.