*Flashback*
"Sugarplum meets streetwalker."
"Helga.."
"Barney as a crackhead?"
"HELGA!"
"What?" I hissed.
"You're being much too dramatic about this. I helped you pick out the dress, and if I remember correctly you looked absolutely beautiful!"
I gave myself a once over in the mirror before sighing in defeat. "Phoebe, I can't believe we're actually doing this stupid pact thing! We made that pact when we were twelve for Pete's sake! Can't we bend the rules?"
"It's not stupid Helga. It's a milestone in our lives! A rite of passage." she sighed into the receiver. "You're only 18 once you know. Tonight will be special because we're all together! We all promised, Helga."
I'll never quite understand how I ever let Phoebe and 'the gang' talk me into this crap. During seventh grade at our Spring Fling dance, Arnold, Gerald, Phoebe, Stinky, Sid, Lila, and myself were sitting at one of the tables and watching all the young couples on the dance floor swooning over each other. Sid had mentioned the irony that all of us didn't have dates that night and had somehow wound up together at the 'reject table'. Even Eugene and Sheena had dates that night. Gerald claimed he didn't go with anyone because attending a dance 'single' was much less drama. Amen to that. The last time I had a date to a dance he ended up throwing me into the YMAA pool. I wasn't really into dances anyway, I usually went to laugh at the losers who actually thought this was an acceptable form of fun. Stinky was the first person to mention high school prom. We weren't even in high school yet! I didn't want to think about the possibility of ending up alone on prom night. One thing lead to another and then Arnold proposed a pact between the seven of us. If one person didn't have a date to the prom, none of us would. And we would all go together as an 'anti-prom' bunch. I was the last one to grudgingly agree to this ridiculous pact before we all shook on it. By the time Senior prom was rolling around I was reminded by Phoebe about the pact. I hadn't even tried finding a date, it was the furthest thing from my mind! And thanks to my dazzling lack of social skills, all seven of us would now be attending our senior prom together and dateless. Nobody was more peeved about it than Gerald who had every intention of asking Phoebe to be his date. He angrily kept reminding me that I was a social leper. So what if my top priority wasn't asking some buffoon to a corny formal dance so he could grind on me all night and try and spike my punch? I'll gladly be alone! I tried telling everyone to forget about the pact but Arnold was adamant that we follow through with our promises, he repeatedly said 'If ONE of us is dateless, ALL of us are. Nobody gets left behind!' Leave it to Arnold to be the noble one in this situation. I didn't want everyone to do this. It was stupid! I didn't even want to go to prom in the first place and now I was being forced to go with a group of people who most likely wanted to kill me for their lack of mind blowing one and a half minute prom night nookie.
"This pact is ridiculous Phoebs! We were all young and stupid when we agreed to it. Tonight is going to be extremely awkward! Everyone is mad at me!" I pulled several curlers out of my hair and let my locks fall over my shoulders before shaking my head and letting them come loose.
"They aren't mad Helga. A promise is a promise!"
"Bullshit!" I growled. "Stinky had to turn Gloria down two weeks ago! He was FURIOUS with me! This is such horse shi-"
"Okay! Okay… so maybe a few of them are upset, but tonight is going to be fun! I'm sure of it."
"Fine fine FINE." I huffed. "What time are we meeting at Arnold's again? The limo is still picking us up there right?"
"We're supposed to be there sometime before 7."
I glanced over at my wall clock, it read 6:15. Shit.. "Alright Phoebs. I'll see you in a bit then?"
"I look forward to it Helga! And remember, tonight is going to be fun!-"
"I'm already leaping for joy!" I gushed in mock enthusiasm. "Later Phoebs." I tossed my phone on to my bed and groaned. "Just kill me now."
A half an hour later I found myself standing awkwardly on Arnold's stoop, completely dolled up in a some sort of purple-ish mini dress that Phoebe claimed made me look 'gorgeous'. I felt like a clown and I hated it! Arnold's grandpa answered the door and gave me a long, hard stare. "Take a picture! Crimeny." I hissed. A flash suddenly went off, blinding me. "What the fu-"
"Eleanor Roosevelt!" Arnold's grandma appeared next to his grandpa as my vision slowly came back… she was holding an obnoxiously big camera, prepared to strike again. This time I covered my face before the flash went off. "Nice of you to join us early! Where's Teddy?"
"Oh pipe down Pookie! You're blinding the poor girl!" Phil grabbed the camera from her hands and ushered her back so I could come inside.
"Early?" I asked mainly to myself.
"Shortman's up in his room." he gestured toward the stairs with an all-knowing smirk.
"Uh… thanks." I teetered by them in my heels and clunked my way upstairs. When I got to Arnold's room I knocked softly before opening the door and poking my head inside. "Hello?" I knocked again before walking in. "Football head? Anyone?"
"Helga?" Arnold's voice came out muffled from inside his closet before finally appearing in the doorway. He was dressed only in his tuxedo pants and a white undershirt. Dear. God. "What are you doing here already?" he glanced down at his watch. "It's only 6:20"
"What? Oh dammit! Not again!" I groaned. "My clock is on the fritz again! Bob won't buy new batteries.. Ugh.." Now I felt like a total idiot.
"Oh.." he shifted awkwardly back and forth on his heels. "Well that's fine.. You can hang out here with me until the others show up. I don't mind."
Be still my heart. No sudden swooning!
"Whatever football head." I plopped down on his slide out couch. He shrugged off my attitude and disappeared back into the closet and reemerged with a white button up shirt in his hand, standing in front of the mirror he slipped it on. "So…" I attempted to break the awkward silence. "You excited?"
"I guess." He shrugged.
Eloquent, football head.
We remained in total silence the whole time he was dressing. We were never exactly 'friends' during our high school experience, but I wasn't exactly the bully I once was either. We tolerated each other and I still occasionally jousted an insult his way every so often. And after several years of seeing doctor Bliss, I had learned to somewhat control my harsh treatment of others… for the most part.
Arnold stood in front of his mirror with a concentrated/irritated face as he fiddled with his tie, unsuccessfully trying to fasten it. "Having fun over there?" I snickered. His eyes met mine in the reflection from the mirror, he was clearly not amused. "Need help?" I offered.
"You know how to do it?" he turned around and gestured to his tie.
I got up off the couch and stood in front of him, grabbing the tie and undoing the mess he made before tying it myself. "Big Bob always had Miriam tie his ties for him before his big business meetings." my knuckles grazed his chest and I desperately tried not to visibly shudder. "After a while he started asking me to do it… so I had to learn." Our gazes met and he smiled softly at me. I looked back down at the tie and tightened the knot until it was near his neck. "How's that feel?" my hands remained on the tie.
"Perfect! Thanks Helga.."
"Look… I'm sorry." I blurted out.
"What?" his brow furrowed. "Why?"
"I'm sorry I didn't get a date for tonight… I ruined it for everyone." my head hung lowly, voice soft.
"Hey.." his finger lifted my chin. "Don't be sorry Helga. I made a promise that night… nobody gets left behind. We're going to have a good time tonight. All of us.."
"I still feel bad Arnoldo.." I moved my head sharply away from his finger and tugged on his tie. "Ya know… you don't look half bad... For an undertaker."
"Thanks… I think." he chuckled. "You look…"
"Watch it football head." I smirked.
His hands landed on my shoulders and gave them a soft squeeze. "I was going to say you looked nice is all.."
"Oh-" I sputtered for several seconds "…Thank you..." I felt a slight blush forming on my cheeks. Why oh WHY did he have to be so damn nice all the time?
"Did you do your own hair too?" one of his hands left my shoulder and ran it through the bottom of my hair. "It's nice too… I like it." he smiled.
"Uh… y-yeah…" I realized I was probably full on blushing at that point. If anything Arnold only seemed amused by it. He and I both realized he had yet to take his hands off of me, our gazes met again and we were seemingly having a conversation with our eyes. I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on. All I knew was one of us had taken a step closer to the other.
"Helga.." he began, his voice just above a whisper.
"Let's get this shit over with!" Gerald's voice boomed as Arnold's bedroom door flew open. Me and Arnold both took several steps away from each other. "Well well, if it isn't the leper." he glared at me. "She bugging you man?" he looked in Arnold's direction.
Our eyes lingered on each other before he answered "Nah. It's fine.."
"Nice tux Geraldo." I deadpanned.
"Darn right!" he tugged on the lapel of his tux and grinned. "Too bad I don't have a date to impress." his eyes narrowed at me.
"Okay you two." Arnold stepped between us, placing his hand on my shoulder again. "We're going to have fun tonight, alright? I'm begging you two to behave!"
"Fiiiiine." Gerald muttered. "I just came upstairs to warn you the others are here. We're all waiting on you two."
"Can you give me a sec?" he pointed at his closet. "Still gotta get my jacket."
"Sure bud.. See you downstairs." Gerald took off down the stairs without acknowledging me again. Asshole..
When I started to leave his room Arnold's fingers suddenly wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back in. "What gives?" I glared at him.
He took both my hands in his and sighed "Don't let Gerald get to you tonight, okay? He may be upset with you… but not all of us feel that way-"
"But, Stinky-"
"Will get over it." his thumb ran across my knuckles before releasing them with a light squeeze. "Tonight could be the best night of your life Helga… don't miss out on it." his index finger tapped under my chin "Just open your eyes to possibility."
"Right.." I slowly backed towards the door with a smile creeping on my face. "You're so right Arnold."
"That's the spirit!" He grinned.
"See you downstairs football head!" I shot down the stairs in a flurry. I found the linen closet and rushed inside before letting out a loud scream. "Oh Arnold.." I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor. "Could this be the sign I've been waiting for?"
A few moments later the door to the linen closet opened revealing Gerald with an angry expression etched on his face. "Any reason why you're hanging out in here?"
"I-"
"Frankly Pataki, I don't care." he rolled his eyes. "Just get out of there and quit screeching like a psychopath!"
"I saw a spider!" I slapped my forehead at my own deduction. "Just shut up!" I pushed past him and went downstairs to join the others.
"Helga! You look ever so pretty." Lila came over and linked my arm with hers, walking us both into the living room.
"Boy howdy!" Sid's eyes widened when he saw me.
"Helga! You look amazing." Phoebe came across the room to get a better look.
"You look awesome too Phoebs."
I was dying to talk to Phoebe about what happened with Arnold. I told Phoebe at the beginning of this school year that this was last call for anything Arnold related. If nothing changed this year I was giving up for good. But after what happened upstairs I felt a new sense of hope… what happened up there was not normal for us. I HAD to see what Phoebe thought.
"Limo's here." Stinky stomped inside, very clearly displaying his unhappiness.
Arnold came practically tumbling down the stairs while pinning his boutonnière to his jacket. "Let's get this show on the road!" his voice seemed extra chipper all of the sudden.
Everyone exchanged glances before all eyes fell on me. "Oh for Pete's sake! Get your asses in the limo! Crimeny!"
Several hours into prom I finally found my moment to spring this new information on Phoebe. I waited until a group of girls walked past us "PHOEBE!" I practically tackled her once we were out of earshot of the leering bystanders. "I need to talk to you… NOW. Emergency! 911! SOS!"
"Certainly Helga." I dragged her to a more secluded location and began pacing frantically once we stopped. She let me pace for a few minutes before finally grabbing me and forcing me to stop. "What's going on?"
"I had a revelation tonight Phoebs… something big happened!" my hands flew up wildly.
"What is it?"
"I showed up early tonight at Arnold's… it was kind of awkward, really. But… But…" I took a deep breath. "Phoebe… something happened. Something that's never happened between us before. There was this… moment, ya know? We looked at each other. And for the first time ever he gave me that look! The look I've been dying to see. We were only inches apart and staring into each others eyes. It was magical Phoebs!" I grabbed her shoulders and shook her softly. "I-I… I think I'm going to do it Phoebe."
Her eyes widened in realization "You mean?-"
"Tonight is the night I'm going to tell Arnold how I really feel! No more hiding! I have to do it! He told me himself to not let myself miss out on opportunity!"
"Are you sure you're ready for everything that goes along with telling the truth?"
"Yes." I answered without hesitation. "I've practically waited my whole life to feel this sense of hope Phoebe! I can't just forget about it! If I don't do it now… I don't know if I ever will. We're graduating in a few months, and who knows if I'll have this chance again?"
"Helga.." she pulled me in for a soft hug. "I'll support you no matter what." she got a mischievous grin on her face and whispered "go for it."
"Thanks Phoebe.." I grinned.
And so my search for my darling football head began. Across the room I spotted Sid at the punch table chatting it up with a group of hipster girls, on the dance floor Stinky had found Gloria and the two of them were dancing to some cheesy slow song. Lila was hanging out with her 'farm boys' as I like to call them… they were more like her worshipers. "Traitors" I muttered under my breath. After fifteen minutes of searching around the ballroom of the hotel I couldn't find him anywhere. "Where the heck are you football head?" I stood on my tippy toes to get a better look.
"How about… -wheeze-… the patio?… -wheeze-"
Instead of connecting my fist to Brainy's face, I turned towards him and softly patted his cheek. "Thanks"
This was it… my moment of truth. Everything I had been waiting for. My legs felt like jello and my heart felt like it was going to fly out of my chest. But I was FINALLY ready to do this, I had to do it before I lost my nerve. I pushed through the glass doors and glanced around the patio, and there he was. He was leaning on the railing with his back facing towards me.
"Arnold!" I closed the doors behind me and began walking towards him. When I was just a few feet away a set of hands draped over his shoulders, followed by the sound of giggling. I felt myself gasp loudly before forcing myself to hide behind one of the large potted plants. Arnold looked over his shoulder to where I was previously standing and I finally saw who he was with… Trixie FREAKIN' Roberts… she was a girl from Arnold's calculus class. They both shrugged off the interruption and resumed their positions. Arnold leaned in closer towards her, not kissing her… but whispering something in her ear. He pulled away to gauge her reaction. She was blushing… which must have been a good sign, because Arnold leaned in again and pressed his lips to hers. I audibly retched at the sight, trying not to cry out in pain. I waited a few moments before creeping away slowly towards the door. At that exact moment Gerald was coming outside.
Fantastic.
"Why are you all… ghostly?" he gave me a once over.
"I'm fine.. Just cold. Excuse me.."
Gerald moved out of the way and held the door open. "Oh wow!" his eyes traveled over to where Arnold and Trixie were. "mmm mmm mmm…" he grinned. "It's about damn time!" he pointed over towards them "He's been putting the moves on her for months now. You should take some pointers from him Pataki."
I glanced over at the couple, forcing myself to hold back a sob. "I'll keep that in mind." instead of going back inside, I went over to one of the empty benches on the patio and cried quietly to myself, facing away from any spectators. How could I have been so stupid? Of course Arnold didn't mean anything this evening… he was just being Arnold.
"Gerald!" the sound of Phoebe's laughter came from a distance. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the two of them giggling together and Eskimo kissing. Against my better judgment I looked back over at Arnold and Trixie..
"Nobody gets left behind.." I whispered.
*Present Day*
Helga G Pataki ain't NOBODY'S chump. Messing with me is usually an automatic death sentence or it earns you a trip to the ER. But now the situation was different. This situation required more cunning than any sort of actual physical harm I could ever inflict. I didn't want Arnold dead or incapacitated. No, I had something much worse planned for my football headed squeeze. If he wanted to mess with me, I was going to mess with him right back. Men have been objectifying women since the beginning of time, I always assumed Arnold was above that type of behavior… I was wrong. DEAD wrong.
"This is a very, very bad idea Helga!" Phoebe's tiny hands grasped my arm. "It's only going to lead to trouble! I'm begging you to reconsider."
"There's nothing to reconsider Phoebs." I shook her off of me and continued to riffle through my closet.
"Seeking revenge on Arnold will not make you feel any better, no matter how right it may seem at the moment. Please Helga!" she stood between me and the clothes in my closet, a pleading look in her eyes.
"I'm not getting revenge Phoebe. This is serving justice." I grasped her shoulders and moved her aside. "I appreciate the concern and all.. But I'll be fine."
"I'm more concerned about your intended target! Do you realize what you're about to do to him? Think about this for a second-"
"PHOEBE!" when I found the item of clothing I was searching for I grabbed the hanger and pulled it out to examine it. "Arnold's a big boy. If he can dish it out, he can take it. Now…" I held a pair of jeans up. "Yay or nay?"
"I'm not helping you until you promise you wont make a fool out of yourself OR him tonight. Gerald kindly invited me to the frats new years party, and I don't want him to hate me for bringing you along."
I flicked my wrist at her dismissively and took the jeans off the hanger. "He won't hate you Phoebe. He wants in your pants too badly." I began working the jeans onto my legs, struggling with its constriction.
"You're going to wake up in the morning and realize this was a mistake and-" Phoebe paced around the room and continued to rant as I struggled with my jeans. I had them pulled up to my knees before tripping over my bed frame and falling to the floor with a loud thud. "- Gerald will be furious! Especially-" goddamn skinny jeans from hell! I laid flat on the floor and inched the pants over my thighs and hips before finally buttoning them. "-Do you understand, Helga?" She stopped pacing, finally noticing me laying down on the floor in nothing but a bra and jeans. "Why are you down therer?"
"I'm exercising, doi." I stood up and brushed myself off. "God DAMN Phoebe!" my legs stiffened "How the hell do girls wear these things every day?… Hmm.." I paused in front of the mirror to admire myself. "I hate to say it, but my ass is fantastic."
"Have you been listening to a word I've said?" her fists landed on her hips.
"Frankly, no." I grabbed a button up shirt and slipped it on "You aren't going to change my mind this time. Now lets go Phoebe!" I grabbed her wrist and my coat before dragging her towards the door.
"Why are you wearing jeans you can hardly walk in? What is that going to prove?" she held on to the door frame. Phoebe was really testing my patience this evening.
"Arnold and I supposedly had sex, right? Well if Arnold wants to treat me like a cheap lay, then that's what he's going to get." I slipped on my jacket and began walking down the hall without her. "And everything that goes along with it." I muttered lowly.
"Helga wait!" I heard my door shut followed by the sound of her frantic footsteps following behind me.
"Gonna give up the crusade yet Phoebs?"
"Giving up." she sighed.
When we got to the frat house I could hear the loud bass of the music thumping before we even stepped inside. We let ourselves inside and were greeted by several random people standing in the foyer. Luckily Louis wasn't standing guard at the doorway like I was expecting. The guys most likely knew I would try and show up, so I was anticipating their backlash at some point. "Here's the deal Phoebe." I shrugged off my jacket and hung it on the coat rack. "Find tall hair boy… he's just going to get in my way. I need you to keep him busy, got it?"
"This feels so-"
"Got. It. PHOEBE?" I hissed through clenched teeth
"Alright, alright… distract Gerald, understood."
"Godspeed Phoebs." I saluted her before slipping into the throng of people in the living room. I wasn't even five steps in before some random guy was catcalling at me. If it had been any other time I might have been slightly flattered. "Put a sock in it bucko!" As I was walking I realized I was still walking like 'me'…. tonight I wasn't me. Tonight I was a girly-girl. "C'mon Helga old girl. Get in character." I shook my shoulders to loosen myself up a little, flicking my hair over my shoulder. From then on I made a conscious effort to sway my hips from side to side as I walked and jutted my chest out proudly.
"There you are.." I spotted Arnold on the couch, taking sips from a Corona bottle and chatting it up with some pretty blonde. My fingers went to the top buttons of my shirt and undid the first three, revealing a tiny sliver of my black and pink polka dotted bra that Arnold had seen before. "Showtime." I fluffed my hair and adjusted my chest. I approached him from behind and gently placed my right hand over his eyes, he jumped slightly under my touch but didn't move. I pulled his head back and bent close to him. "Hey sexy.." my lips barely brushed against the shell of his ear. The girl sitting next to him stared at me indifferently, shrugging her shoulders. My left hand caressed his neck before traveling across his chest.
"Who is this?" he chuckled.
"Come on baby… don't play games with me tonight. You know it drives me crazy." I pulled his earlobe between my teeth and gave a soft nip. He gasped and shot up suddenly.
His eyes widened at the sight of me "HELGA? W-what the heck are you doing?" his hand shot up to his ear, rubbing it furiously.
"Baby?" I came around the couch and immediately got into his personal space, pressing myself into him.
"What the?- 'baby'?" he grabbed my shoulders and tried pulling me away. "Are you wasted?"
I swatted his hands off my shoulders before rounding on him again, wrapping my arms around his torso "Oh Arnold!" I burrowed my head into his neck and gasped dramatically "I've been waiting and WAITING! I couldn't stay away anymore. Why haven't you called me?"
"Excuse me?" he pried my arms off of him. "What are you talking about Helga? Can we PLEASE talk about this somewhere else?" we had began forming an audience, which is exactly what I was aiming for. "You're obviously a little confused."
"CONFUSED?" I wailed. "I waited by my phone for hours on end for you to call me after…" I leaned in closer to him, trailing my fingers up his abdomen. "..that night we shared!"
"WHAT?"
"I can't believe you Arnold!" I circled around him a few times. "After everything we said to each other that night you're just going to pretend it never happened?"
"Helga!" he grabbed my arm and tried pulling me away. "Please!"
"You said you loved me Arnold! Was that just a ploy to get me into bed with you? Dammit you said I was the best you ever had! Was that a lie too? YOU CRIED AFTERWARDS!" Arnold stopped tugging on my arm, dropping it completely. He looked absolutely horrified. Everyone who was watching began laughing hysterically. His face turned a bright red but he made no move to leave.
"We need to talk. NOW." He pointed towards the stairs.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of Arnold." my fingertips played with the collar of his shirt. "You gave me the most magical 55 seconds of my life." the crowds laughter erupted into a full on roar.
To my surprise Arnold cupped the back of my neck and brought my ear near his mouth. "What the HELL are you doing?" his breath warmed the side of my neck.
I grabbed a handful of his shirt and tugged roughly. "You 'fucked' me… now suffer the consequences football head." we both leaned back out and our eyes met. I jokingly puckered my lips at him and wiggled my eyebrows. "You wanted a girl… you got her."
His eyebrows raised in surprise before falling into an angry V-shape. "If you get to act like a girl, then guess what?… I get to act like a guy."
"Wha-? HEY!" Arnold swooped down and grabbed me by my thighs, hoisting me on to his shoulder and carrying me towards the stairs. "PUT ME DOWN YOU SON OF A BITCH! ARNOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLD!" I kicked my legs wildly and pounded my fists into the small of his back. My calls went ignored by Arnold, he only held me tighter and searched for an open bedroom. When he found one he stormed inside and locked it before throwing me angrily on the bed.
"YOU!" he pointed an accusatory finger at me.
"Who? Little ol' me?" I leaned back on my elbows and watched him.
"Yes you!" he grabbed me by my ankle and tugged me until my legs were hanging off the bed and he was hovering over me. He grabbed my shoulders and sat me upright. "Have you lost your mind? What were you thinking?"
"Well Arnoldo.. I was thinking YOU DESERVED IT!" my fist connected with his chest, pushing him out of my personal space.
"What are you talking about? What did I do to deserve this?"
"Are you KIDDING me?" I shot up from the bed and grabbed him by the collar. "You sold me down the river to the likes of Rhonda Wellington Lloyd! Don't you play innocent with ME bucko!"
His brow furrowed "What does Rhonda have to do with us?"
I released him with an indignant scoff. "Are you really this stupid? Why don't we just get it out in the open? Everyone thinks we slept together that night you stayed over at my dorm, and YOU didn't correct little miss princess! She cornered me at the diner and publicly OUTED me for an act I never committed!"
"Rhonda cornered you?" his eyes widened "Helga… I-"
"Just shut up Arnold! You're the reason this shit got out of hand! You're the reason I'm BANNED from poker night!" I shoved him harshly. "You guys stuck Louis with 'dump Helga' duty! How dare you!" I backed him into the wall with another shove. "If you were going to cut me out of your life at least have the decency to do it face to face you son of a bitch!" in the midst of my ranting he simply stood there and took my blows, not bothering to fight back at all. "Say something god dammit!"
"It seems like you said everything Helga." his voice was pure ice. "I guess you figured everything out, huh?"
"It was pretty obvious." I turned on my heel and walked a few steps away.
"Do I get to defend myself at all? Or am I sentenced to death already?" I felt him standing directly behind me and I was getting more and more agitated. "I didn't tell Rhonda what really happened because I-"
"I don't CARE!" my elbow connected with his ribs and he stepped back, wheezing. "Do you realize how you made me feel Arnold? Like shit! I never EVER thought you'd be the kind of guy to use sex as a tool to help you climb the social ladder."
"I DIDN'T!" he immediately got back into my personal space, placing his hands on my shoulders and walking me into the wall, pinning me. "I thought if I didn't give Rhonda something to talk about, she wouldn't talk about it! I literally said nothing about us! I told her it was none of her business and she left! I NEVER thought she'd publicly call you out on it. I would never do that to you Helga… ever." his hand softly cupped my cheek. "I'm sorry…"
After the big production downstairs and my blazing convictions on the way over to the frat house, I felt my will slipping away. I was going to crack… I was going to let him get away with this. His beautiful eyes were looking into mine like an innocent puppy dog… I was a goner. My hand reached up and covered the hand that was currently resting on my cheek and I let out a small sigh and closed my eyes. "I'm done." I opened my eyes and removed his hands from me.
"What?"
"We were never meant to be friends… I was trying far too hard Arnold. Look where we ended up? I'm not going to do this anymore." I unlocked the door and started to open it.
"This is just like you Helga! Go ahead and walk away so you'll never have to face anything!" I froze in the doorway and looked back at him. "You heard me Helga. Go ahead and run! Isn't that what we always end up doing? We get too close for your liking, or we fight and you get angry! You ALWAYS run! What are you so afraid of? I've done nothing but try and be your friend for the past 19 YEARS but you keep pushing me away and then stringing me along." he sat down on the edge of the bed and shook his head. "Finish something you start for once Helga. Walk away and don't come back… I dare you to try."
"You're right." I sniffed back a few tears threatening to form in my eyes. I closed the door again and went back over to where Arnold was sitting and tugged his hair so his face was tilted back before leaning down and kissing him. His mouth stiffened in shock and he inhaled sharply. I released him roughly and backed away. "Goodbye Arnold."
I didn't bother looking for Phoebe at the party… I didn't want to have to face her scrutiny just yet. After all, I only just made a scene. I didn't want to start another one with her. I just wanted to go back to my dorm room and die. My feet couldn't carry me fast enough away from that godforsaken frat house. I didn't want Arnold to try and confront me about my actions, I was done with this. I can't pretend anymore. This little game I've created was a bad idea from the start. It just took me far too long to realize it. Who was I trying to fool more? Him or me?
When I got back to my dorm the first thing I did was remove those ungodly skinny jeans in exchange for some comfy pajama bottoms before crawling under my covers and weeping into my pillow. I felt like the biggest tool in the world. Everything I worked so hard to keep seemed so insignificant now. I truly believed I meant something to Arnold, Gerald and the frat. I lost everything in the span of a week without so much as a goodbye from any of them. I really was a social leper…
Just as I was starting to fall asleep there was a soft knock on my door. I glanced at my clock; it was almost two in the morning and I was still waiting to hear from Phoebe. "Hang on a sec Phoebe" I crawled out of bed and sleepily opened the door. A five foot eight blonde boy stood where Phoebe was supposed to be. "Arnold? What-?" I was cut off by both his hands reaching up and pulling my mouth to his. I got lost in the moment when his arms snaked around my waist to pull me flush against him before I vaguely realized he was carrying me back inside my dorm room and slamming the door shut with his foot. The springs of my mattress popped underneath me when we landed in my bed. I couldn't quite fathom what on earth was going on, but I couldn't find the strength to stop him from slipping his hand underneath my shirt. Everything was happening so fast. I didn't know up from down! All I knew was I wanted more. I was fumbling with the button of his jeans and furiously tugging them down at an embarrassingly quick rate before Arnold pulled away from me slightly to admire my body underneath his.
"You're so beautiful.." his eyes met mine before he kissed a trail down my stomach and coming back up to meet my already waiting mouth.
"I appreciate the sentiment Arnold.." I leaned forward and sunk my teeth into his neck "But if you don't get naked for me in the next five seconds I'm going to rip an appendage off."
He took my hands in his and set them at the waist of his boxers. "We wouldn't want that" he grinned.