Chapter 3
I am so happy you guys are enjoying this story! Im a huge Hey Arnold fan and I wanted to give it my own little twist. Please let me know any suggestions you might have for this story. I'm open to any opinions. Thank you, guys!
Helga P
Today the sun was extra bright, the weather was amazing, and it was finally summer. Phoebe, Rhonda and some of the other girls decided to go to the beach today. I wasn't much of a fan of the beach. I hated the sun right on my face and I didn't like sand all over me. But Phoebe insisted I go. I decided to make the best out of it and throw on one of my favorite bathing suits. It was a blue one piece with white strips, I felt it flattered my body. I wore some sunglasses and headed downstairs to meet up with the girls. Rhonda insisted she would drive there. I think it was because she wanted to show off her brand-new car. When she saw me, she honked her horn.
"Helga! Let's go! Im trying to catch this sun and get a tan." Rhonda said as she wore a big floppy hat, and designer sunglasses. I rolled my eyes. "Keep your panties on, I'm here already." I told her as I got into the back seat. "Hey Pheebs." I smiled when I saw her. Nadine was in the front seat with Rhonda. "Alright let's go!" Rhonda cheered as she drove off.
The beach was about an hour away from us. So, most of the ride we spent is chatting or listening to music. Once we got closer, Rhonda lowered the radio and looked at me from the rear-view mirror. "So, Helga…is it true?" She asked me. I was confused. What was she asking me? "Is what true?" I asked completely lost. "Well, rumor on the streets is that Arnold and Lila are going to break up." She stated as I took a deep breath. I have no idea how she does it. But Rhonda always knew everyones business. I think it was one of her talents. "What makes you think I would know anything about that? Besides Rhonda is that anyones business?" I asked annoyed. She shrugged. "I mean Arnold and Lila have been together for so long, I just wanted to know if it was true. I figured you'd know since you and Arnold are friends." She said and for some reason this made me nervous. Why would she think Arnold and I were so close that he would tell me his personal things? I mean mind you; he did tell me about the situation. But I didn't realize others would think we were that close. "I don't know squat and I think you should mind your business princess." I snapped at her. She glared at me as she parked her car as we finally arrived at the beach. "Fine, blame me for being concerned for our friends." She said and I glared at her. "Oh please, you just want to be nosey. If you want to know anything, ask them. I wouldn't know." I explained to her as I put my sunglasses on and started to walk towards the sand.
When we finally found a perfect spot, everyone threw their towels on the floor. Except for Rhonda. Rhonda flipped open a beach chair and an umbrella. Why did she need an umbrella if she was going to tan? I didn't bother asking. "Guys we have to take advantage of this. We are about to separate soon and star a whole new journey." Pheobe said with a sigh. "Phoebe we will always be friends." Rhonda stated as she rubbed tanning oil on her skin. "Yes, we will but we are going to be really busy soon. So, summer vacation has to be memorable." She explained. I don't like to think about it much, but she was right. Things were changing and that scared me. "Do any of you guy want a drink? I'm gonna go get a soda." I told them as I got up heading to the beach bar. They all muttered a no thank you and as I continued to walk.
"Hi, can I get a Yahoo soda please." I told the man at the bar. The beach was pretty full today. Kids, couples, older people. Everyone was taking advantage of the beautiful weather. "Hey, I like your sunglasses." I heard someone next to me say. I turned my head to see a guy around my same age smiling. He was pretty tall, light brown hair and light grey eyes. He was wearing a tank top with some swimming trunks that had blue strips. Similar to my bathing suit. "Oh…thanks." I said turning back and watching the man handing me my drink. "Thank you." I told him as I paid him. "Im Corey by the way…you are?" The guy next to me said. I rolled my eyes. "Im Helga, I gotta go." I said getting up from my seat. "Helga, thats a pretty name, is it Russian?" He asked. I turned to him. "Its Scandinavian actually." I said annoyed that he didn't know that. But then again, I'm sure many don't. "So, you're Scandinavian?" He asked with a smile. I took a deep breath. "Look…. Corey." I said as polite as I could. "Im with friends I don't have time for chit chat." I said once again turning around. "Whoa, I see someone has an attitude." He said with humor in his voice. This irritated me. "I don't have an attitude." I said stopping and turning around. "Sounds like an attitude to me." He said folding his arms together. "Im not though." I explained through my teeth. He was clearly enjoying this. "Why are you smiling? Nothing is funny." I said glaring at him. He chuckled. "You give me the vibe of someone that gets angry easily. Thats why." He was taunting me now. "Look pal, you don't know me. So, mind your business." I pointed at him with my index finger. "Well, you know my name now. So, in my eyes you know me now." He explained. "Doesn't mean you know me." I spoke. "Well, I know your name too. We are practically friends now." He teased again. "Whatever, I gotta go." I said turning around. "This is the third time you say you gotta go and you haven't moved. Seems to me you're enjoying this conversation just as much as I am." He chuckled. "Oh please, I'm leaving now." I said now. Finally turning around and walking. "See you around Helga." He said watching me as I walked away.
"Helga! What the hell was that?" Nadine asked as the rest of the girls turned to me as well. "What was what?" I asked. "That guy you were talking to. He was so cute!" Rhonda squealed. "He was annoying too." I muttered sitting down. "He is very handsome Helga." Phoebe giggled. I glared at them. "Can I just enjoy my beach day without you guys asking me a bunch of questions?" I said as I laid down on my towel. "Well let me know if you don't want him, I wouldn't mind." Rhonda said and I rolled my eyes. She can do whatever she wants.
Arnold POV
"Gerald for the last time, I'm not joining a frat." I said once again as Gerald continues to try and convince me about it. I never understood the point of frats. I was going to school to study and not hang around dudes who break cans on their foreheads. "Arnold, this is part of the college experience. Frats, parties, new adventures. We have to have a memory college experience." He said to me. "Yeah, and I can have all of that without a frat. Im good." I said getting up from his couch. I grabbed the chips that were on the table and sat back down. Gerald glared at me. "Fine. I guess ill just have all the fun myself Arnold." He said and I rolled my eyes. I was defiantly going to have fun in college. Only because I wasn't joining a frat won't mean I won't have fun. "By the way, have you spoken to Lila?" He asked me. My eyes snapped up at him as I ate another chip. "Talk to her about what?" I asked oblivious. "About you two obviously. Have you guys been good?" He asked me and I shrugged my shoulders. "We have been texting fine today. She's with Sheena today. She said Sheena was helping her find the perfect crystal for her heart Chakra. Whatever that means." I explained to myself still confused about that the hell a chakra is.
"Are you going to talk about how you've been feelings?" Gerald asked me and I shrugged my shoulders again. "I don't know Gerald. Its easier said than done. I don't want to end things. But at the same time, I feel like things haven't been the same. We were so happy back in freshman and sophomore year. But then Junior year hit, things just shifted with us." I told Gerald. He frowned. "Im sorry man. I mean maybe not every relationship is supposed to last forever." He shrugged and I stared at him. "Thats the same thing Helga said. So, you think I should end it then?" I questioned him. "Arnold, it is not my relationship to tell you what to do. Wait Helga told you that you should break up with her?" He said confused at the last part. I shook my head. "No, but she told me that sometimes people are in your life for seasons." I explained. "Pataki has a point." He agreed. I lifted an eyebrow at him. "So, you do think I should end it." I stated. Gerald took a deep breath and stared at me. "Like I said, it's not my place. But if you really want to know. Yes. I think you should end it." Gerald said very bluntly. I frowned at his answer. "Ouch." I muttered and rubbed my face with both my hands. "Im sorry Arnold. But I am your best friend. I'm not going to lie to you. I think you have changed allot since being with Lila." He explained. That shocked me. "What do you mean I've changed?" I asked. "Well, don't take thins the wrong way. But you just don't seem as happy anymore. You used to be this happy positive guy. And now its all about how upset you are about Lila." He said and I glared at him. "Well, I'm sorry if me expressing myself to you bothers you." I said getting up. Gerald glared back. "I never said it bothered me. I just want you to be happy." He shrugged. "Right, I'm gonna head out actually. Ill text you later." I told him as I grabbed my car keys. "Yeah, sure. See you." Gerald said as I walked out the door. I felt myself become annoyed by what he said, and to prevent us from arguing I prefer just leaving. I know what he said came from a good place. But it doesn't make me feel any better.
As I headed to my house, I felt my phone vibrate. Lila was calling me. "Hey Siri, pick up phone call." I said to my phone and I automatically my girlfriend's voice. "Arnold, hi." She said and I smiled. I loved hearing her voice. "Hi Lila, how did it go with Sheena?" I asked. "Oh, it was ever so wonderful. She helped me pick out a beautiful crystal called a rose quartz. She said it's perfect for my heart chakra." There is that word chakra again. "Oh, thats great Lila, so what are you doing now? Can I see you?" I asked wanting to see her. I know things aren't perfect with us, but I can't deny that we both care for each other. "I was actually just heading home, but I'm hungry. Would you want to go get something to eat?" She asked and I smiled. "Heading to you right now beautiful." I said before we hung up. I know many people don't understand our relationship. Especially when we fight. And that's ok. As long as we understand each other. Thats all that mattered to me.