ARNOLD

"Ready Lila?"

"I'm ever so ready!" Lila said excitedly with a big smile as she came out of her house. She's been waiting for this moment for a long time and finally got accepted into this advanced ballet class that happens on Saturdays. She really wanted me to join her, and I had no objections to it.

Sitting on the bus next to Lila, I kept checking my phone for notifications. Amidst all of the notifications I've been getting, the one I was anxiously waiting for was a text back from Helga. Ever since this morning when Oskar mentioned that he saw "Lila" climbing down my ladder, I had been feeling a tight mix of excitement and nervousness in my stomach. Confusion is also added to the mix because of the excitement. Why would I have this exciting feeling that me and Helga almost got caught? My life barely has drama besides algebra class.

But thankfully Oskar didn't look out the window to see that it wasn't actually Lila. The tight feeling in my stomach had become a permanent fixture as I hadn't heard anything from Helga at all. I've been wondering what she would say and how she would react to my text message saying that we really need to talk asap. Downtown is not that far yet the ride felt very long, and I found myself constantly checking my phone for any updates but no luck at all.

The inside of the studio was filled with a diverse group of teenagers and adult dancers as they were coming together to prepare for their classes. The atmosphere was kind of electric with the walls echoed with the sounds of music and rhythmic footsteps. Lila went to the front desk and introduced herself as the newly accepted student for the Saturday class. Just as Lila was getting settled in, a woman and introduced herself as Ms. Biggie, her studio teacher. Lila couldn't help but express her excitement and gratefulness for being accepted to the program.

Ms. Biggie asked Lila if she still wanted to have a student tutor who could help her a couple of times a week after school and Lila agreed and explained when from her few year's experience in ballet, she felt the need for extra help on weekdays. We made our way into the big main studio and were greeted by the sight of dozens of young girls all around the same age as us. I don't think none of them goes to our high school, or I just hadn't noticed them before.

"Has anyone seen Helga?" Ms. Biggie asked.

Suddenly the feeling of shiver running down my spine with a bone chilling wave was running through my veins. I think my body was trying to shake but it couldn't because my spine felt paralyzed. The only sign of life in me is the pounding of my heart and it feels like my heart's racing against itself.

"I'm right here Ms. Biggie…" a familiar voice said. My body finally snapped out of the paralyzed state and my body was finally able to allow me to turn around, and only to end up with my eyes locking with her piercing blue eyes.

"Oh my goodness! Helga?! You're going to be my tutor?!" Lila said with excitement. She eagerly ran towards Helga for a huge hug as if they were long-lost best friends.

"Whoa, wait. Lila was the girl you were talking about? I'm going to be...her tutor?" Helga said. Her looked face twisted with a mix of confusion and awkwardness.

"I assume you two know each other? I should've known. I've mentioned to you that she goes to your high school."

"I've known Helga since fourth grade! Both me and Arnold!" Lila shouted loudly. The awkwardness between me and Helga was indescribable.

"Hey Arnold."

"Hey um. Helga." I replied back awkwardly. "It's been a while."

"So, how is this schedule going to work again?" Helga asked.

"Well since you two go to the same school and off at the same time, Mondays and Wednesdays. Helga said she can tutor in her home. Right Helga?"

"Yes. That is correct."

"I'm looking forward to this Helga! It's been so long since we hung out!"

"Looks like I'm stealing your girlfriend, Football-Head."

After they discussed their plans, Helga and Lila went in for a big huge hug. Then me and Helga hugged. The hug felt forced and there was a strange sensation between us. Time felt like it was slowing down as we held each other for those couple of seconds.

Lila's worried tone snapped me out of my daze as we rode the bus back home. My thoughts were still in spins from what happened at the ballet studio. It felt like a bizarre dream that I couldn't wake up from, yet I was stuck in some twisted version of reality.

Lila and Helga were about to become ballet partners. Helga, the person I've been having sex with for months. It's been a challenge for me to pretend that everything was normal since we left the studio.

"I'm fine. I'm just…surprised that you and Helga are partners. I didn't even know she did ballet."

"Me either. I was ever so shocked as well. But I'm glad. I know she…used to be a menace to us. But I'm looking forward to getting to know Helga again!"

I've known Helga since pre-school. Lila's assessment of Helga being a menace was accurate. Helga used to consistently torment us in grade school and I was always her primary target. We have had a couple of heat in the moments.

In sixth grade, I made efforts to get more close to with Helga after the jungle trip, but she only rejected me. I knew she had a sensitive side and I tried many times to get her to open up but she just didn't want to. She said that saving my parents was merely just a favor and didn't want to get involved with me at all. Eventually I moved on, but I always still considered her as a friend.

Lila asked me if I wanted to stay over and hang out and watch a movie, but I told her that I have a couple of errands to run.

"Text me when you get home?"

"Always. I'll text you when I'm home."

After a kiss goodbye and Lila entered her house, I looked into my phone but still notification from Helga at all.

I seriously have to see Helga now and I'm heading to her house.