There was one thought that would not leave Arnold's mind. Every time he tried to put it away it kept crawling in, returning, gnawing at the back of his head growing and feeding off his imagination. Growing to the point of no return.
It left him restless, at least emotionally. Because, physically he didn't do much that day, the luggage Arnold had carried from Helgas' to Sunset Arms wasn't much, only the suitcase with his clothes and a backpack with all the trinkets and gifts he bought. And the welcome he had received from his grandparents and the boarders had been cut short by asking them to continue later.
Even after laying on his bed for some time he felt spent, with thoughts going a mile a minute while his body was left behind to drown in his own misery. Funny how normally he never minded this much when Helga was left alone. But she's not actually alone right now she's with Stinky, he's the one keeping her company and had for God knows how long. This really bothered him. To add to that he's bothered that it bothers him in the first place, but he had a small, well, tiny insignificant secret. He's greedy for the attention and love from those around him. No, he wouldn't call himself 'jealous', that's a truth he hid and with Helga, there was never a time he felt forgotten. Helga truly gave him all the attention of the world and he took it covetously. Perhaps, it may somehow seem selfish, but by God at some point, she became a necessity, some addictive attachment. Or maybe he was just clingy. Good thing their best friends were… something and could all be together without actually hurting her social life. That's something else he appreciated, Helga kept everyone at arm's length and made it easier to keep her attention on him without him actively seeking it. She was also somewhat unapproachable by most guys which made it perfect because then there was no need to let that greediness out. It could then stay locked away in his subconscious for the rest of eternity.
Except now it's coming out.
And now, he can't technically do anything about it. Guess that's what happens after leaving her alone for too long.
Which is when it dawned on him.
He left her alone.
For months when he'd been her 'only' true company.
She didn't actually like Stinky.
This was just her being lonely. Which he couldn't blame. He could still fix it. Make her see he won't leave her alone anymore.
Not in his life!
She definitely still loves him and only feels somewhat comfortable with Stinky.
She must know she doesn't feel anything more than something akin to friendship towards him.
She might even be doing this to bug him.
Yeah, she does that often, getting under his skin.
She might have succeeded, but it's fine. That only meant he could definitely get her back. At this, the nagging feeling that was eating at him dwindled. Enough to close his eyes as the orange and blue hues combined and filtered in through his skylight.
When Helga opened her locker on the Monday after her conflicting weekend, she found a flower and a small note.
I Love you
And I will make it up to you
-Your beloved
She looked at the flower, a blue cornflower. If it hadn't been obvious from the note, she was confident it had been Arnold as soon as she saw the flower. It left her feeling conflicted, on one side she was ready to fall into a monologue on how Arnold was once again righting wrong, and on the other side felt guilty. She was with Stinky and she shouldn't accept this... gift, however, she was unsure as to whether or not Arnold knew and also felt terrible for not telling him. Maybe… maybe she should talk with him.
The weekend had been a busy one for Arnold. He wasn't known for asking for favors, but rather his giving nature so that's what he did. He offered to do favors which allowed him to do what he needed for his plan. A win-win situation. He'd been so proud when he came up with that plan, it's somewhat cunning, but spending time with Helga must have rubbed off on him.
Arnold had essentially been 'homeschooled' for the 10th grade and now had plans to continue on campus for the rest of his high school experience. So he went and shared his plans with the principal of the school and after such a meeting, he selflessly offered to be a volunteer in the school to show his commitment. Something the administration readily welcomed. That's how Arnold gained access to Helgas' locker, or well Helga in a neutral space where he wouldn't be thrown out. It was perfect, well maybe devious but having Helga listen was always a struggle and required some level of craft.
When Arnold approached her locker to place the note he was anxious to find if her lock kept the combination from when they were together. Easily he found the pink lock with a blue heart sticker on the back and tried the combination 09-04-00 it was the day they met. Helga had changed the 1990 to a 00 as the numbers did not go as far as 90, and was so relieved it worked, otherwise… He refused to think of the possible implications of that and rather relished the fact that it worked and how the number was still important to her. Forgetting that it had been he, who changed the predetermined lock combination when she bought it before the start of the 9th grade. When they were very much a couple. Something she asked him to do since in her own words had said
"Criminy! How am I supposed to remember yours AND my combination? They should be the same!"
Which is when he offered to change both their combinations asking her what they should be. She gave him the number without hesitation. Arnold, surprised at this, asked why, and he learned how that number held a greater significance to her than their anniversary. It was when she fell in love and learned that everyone isn't cruel in this messed up world, the birth of hope in her heart. The day they met.
Arnold's plan was working magnificently, the note was small enough that it could be read unwillingly by Helga with just a glance. Purposefully concise if she didn't want to hear him and only read it accidentally just before throwing it away. The flower however he wasn't sure if she would be able to see that it was a symbol of his hope, hope to reunite. Because, coincidentally it was also the way she referred to him in her early poems of which, after much coaxing she shared with him. Nonetheless, it sent the message that he WILL make up for whatever stubbornness possessed him to hang up that day.
A/N Don't be shy to leave feedback. I want to learn, I'll still love you all even if it's a critique rather than a compliment.
Shoutout to the reader (Clau calcetin) who went and supported this story across platforms. I believe her work is mostly in Spanish so if you can go check it out (I still remember it from my crazy HA! binge a few months back and plan to go back because yes i loved it and it's that memorable)
Also i know i said two week and right now i'm definitely procrastinating
So I'll leave this here and walk away.
Love
-kat
P.S. had this chapter since yesterday but kind of twisted my ankle (when i ran to get my phone in the middle of publishing to wish my friend a Happy birthday) and when i laid down to stop putting weight on it i might have forgotten all about it... lol sorry
