Part 1: Welcome Back
The junior students of PS118 were running through the entire spectrum of emotions. The cliques had reformed into six groups. Most were typical, but the goth/emo group was the weirdest.
The seven members had formed a band called "Sullied Conscience". Sid and Stinky provided the rhythm, both dressed from head to toe in black. Stinky had even dyed his hair black and purple to get away from his country side. Brainy played keyboard and his biggest change was a dark shirt draped with small chains that created little webs. Harold and Patty went full goth. The lady wore platform, knee-high boots under a deep violet skirt, a bustier with intricate designs in lavender on an amethyst background, and a total of 12 studs in both ears combined. The tips of her brown hair was tipped in black as well. Harold chose low shoes, ripped dark blue jeans, and a "Sullied Conscience" tank top that showed off his henna tattoos. Curly was mostly behind the scenes, the stage manager and co-writer for most of the songs. He wore a simple black outfit that allowed him to fade into the background.
The band leader, co-writer, and bass guitarist was the one and only Helga Geraldine Pataki. She dressed in mismatched boots (one black, one purple), striped tights of the same colors, a short and tattered lacy skirt, and a tie-dye hoodie of dark colors that highlights the band's name. Helga's hair was cut in a blunt pixie cut that was dyed in three colors: violet, indigo, and flat black. She had blossomed in the goth culture and it became a healthier outlet for her frustrations. Even Dr. Bliss had informed her parents to not try to force her to change back or conform to their expectations.
Gerald had told Arnold that the best way to reconnect with the old crowd was the party to celebrate the new school year. "I don't know about that. It might be odd after this time."
"Dude, do you know how many people are going to show up just to see you?"
"That was what I was worried about. You know I have to go back in a week, so…"
"So? It wouldn't be a surprise."
Arnold sighed. It wasn't people he was reluctant to see, it was her. It was Helga G. Pataki, former bully, part-time friend, and confessor of long-time affection that made him want to avoid this party. They had only touched on her confession once after returning from the jungle and this was only because he was returning there with his parents. She had reacted in her typical fashion, face red with anger and fists clenched. Her last words said were: "Yeah, it was just a matter of time that you would leave too." She stomped away. He had two more days at PS118 after that meeting, but he wasn't surprised that Helga had decided to skip.
"Yo, Arnold, are you alright?"
"Yeah, just thinking."
"Well?"
"Why not," he acquiesced.
That night…
He was all right until the DJ took a break. The setup was pushed aside and to his surprise Harold and Patty sat up a drum set and amps for a band. "Gerald, I didn't-"
"Yeah, they got special permission to do a set so the DJ could take a break. They're actually not too bad, a little dark for my tastes but…" He shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh." Arnold was about to ask more questions when his eyes found the only other girl on stage. She seemed familiar, but wasn't sure there had been a girl like her in the class before he left. It wasn't until she flipped her hair back that he recognized Helga's face. "Wha…"
"We're Sullied Conscience." They broke into their first song which resembled a fast-paced dirge with dark poetry sprinkled in.
Gerald looked at his friend. Arnold was in awe, unaware of his surroundings. *Damn, my man's smitten.* He grabbed his friend's arm. "Yeah, that's Helga! Just as outspoken as ever." Arnold only nodded. "You should talk to her. It might be-"
"She hates me, Gerald. I wrote her after I left and only got one response. 'Stop writing me. I hate you.' Nothing else."
"Then maybe it's time to make her listen."
Helga recognized the blonde tufts of hair and wanted to run away. However, she was determined to stick it out because she was dedicated to her band. They were her friends, her chosen family, the people who would actually care if something happened to her. She did her due diligence, performing their few pieces with her usual vigor. When they finished, she just walked off the stage, quickly securing her guitar before escaping the building. *Nice one, Pataki. Don't forget-*
"Helga?"
"Uh?" She turned around to find herself eye to eye with Arnold. "What the hell, football head?"
"I wanted to say hi…and apologize for how I left things."
"Fine." She moved to walk away and he grabbed her arm. "I said it's fine, so there's nothing else we have to say to each other. So let me go!"
"No." He pulled her against him and gently pressed his lips to hers. "Helga?"
"Why are you doing this?" she asked with tears in her eyes.
"I didn't want to leave. I had to go with my parents. That's why I told you personally-" He was cut off as she pushed him away.
"I confessed my feelings to your dense ass and gave you time to think about it. When we finally talk about it and all you say is: 'I'm going back with my parents'. That made everything crystal clear to me. Now let me go!"
"Not until you listen to me! You never let me finish what I wanted to say, you've just went nuclear!"
Surprised, she looked around, counting to ten before she replied. "Ugh, fine, but not here. If we're going to do this, I don't want to be interrupted."
"All right." He released her arm and shot Gerald a message that he was leaving. "Do you have any place in mind?"
"What about the treehouse?" He nodded and took her hand. They didn't speak until they arrived at their destination. "No one really uses it anymore and most of the parents don't think it's safe." She dropped his hand and began to climb
He glanced up to watch her progress and inadvertently caught a glimpse of her panties. Arnold blushed. *Damn it, that wasn't…*
"C'mon, football head."
"Ah, coming." He scrambled up, surprised at the memories that came to him. After pulling up the ladder, Arnold went into the main part of the treehouse. The room was clean, well-kept, and had a mattress set up in one corner. There was even a small supply of snacks. "I thought you said-"
"I never said I didn't use it. It's much more peaceful than…" She shook her head as she sat on the bed. "Anyway, you wanted to talk."
He sighed and sat across from her. "You never let me tell you how I felt. After I told you we were leaving you just-"
"Yeah, I was a bitch; I'm still one and will probably always be one. So, I'm sorry I didn't let you explain."
"Don't say that. You're a product of your environment. It's amazing that you have the empathy you do. Despite what you think, you're really kind, thoughtful, creative, and a fantastic leader. Most of us were jealous at how easily that stuff came to you."
"That's me, Miss Popularity," sbe muttered as she rolled her eyes. "Yeah right."
"Well, I was worried about how you'd react to me confessing to you and I guess I thought telling you the bad news first…"
"Yeah, bad move."
"I still…Helga, I know you want to keep up your, um, tough demeanor, but I want you to be my girlfriend. It'll be tough at first, but if you really want to try a relationship with me I will do my best to get my parents to change their minds."
It was Helga's turn to blush. "Like a long distance relationship? So we'll start sort of like pen pals?"
"Yeah. We can also text, chat, and email each other. That way we can be open and honest with each other."
"And keep it on the down low," she sighed. "That feels alright."
"Then once I can get my parents to move back, we can be officially official."
"Eh? You really think you can do that?" When Arnold nodded, she blushed furiously. "You really want that?"
"I do. I mean, I meant to ask you before I left…I just didn't think you'd take my leaving so hard."
Helga shook her head. "You were the best thing in my life at the time. My parents were…well, you know. Olga was off being Miss Perfect. Phoebe and Gerald were starting to get serious. It was just the last straw."
"Oh, Helga." He moved over and took her in his arms. "I'm sorry."
"Same kind-hearted, optimistic-" He cut her off with a kiss. Her eyes went wide, but then she returned the kiss intensely. He moved one of his arms, rubbing her back. "That was…amazing," she breathed.
"You weren't so bad yourself."
"Yeah right, hair boy."
"I wouldn't lie about something this serious."
"Good." She took his hand. "Let's do that again."
He willing complied and began running his hands over her body. When he slid his hand under her shirt, she gave a small sound of approval. "You're so…"
She pushed him away and saw disappointment in his green eyes. "Take off your shirt," Helga ordered as she pulled off her own. "It's only fair."
He blushed as he removed his shirt. Her skin was pale, almost milky against his tanned hand. "I never realized…"
"Me and the sun don't get along. The hair also makes it look brighter." She gave a little shudder when he traced the line of her bra. "That's…that's not fair…"
"Do you want me to stop?"
"I didn't say that." She pulled him close and started kissing his chest. When she reached his collarbone, Arnold lifted her face.
"It's my turn now." He gently pushed her down as he kissed her. Arnold was pressed against her as he moved down her body. "Um, Helga?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want to stop."
She took his face in her hands. "Then don't." So they didn't.
Arnold extracted himself from Helga when his phone began to ring. "Hello?" he whispered.
"Arnold, where are you?" His mother's voice was full of worry.
"Um, I got caught up visiting friends and I thought it would be better just to stay over. I'm sorry I didn't call and let you know."
"Well, if you're safe, I guess that's fine. Your father and I want you here at ten o'clock tomorrow, got it?"
"Okay. Thanks mom." He let out a deep sigh once he hung up.
"Hey, Arnold," she said softly as she rubbed his back. "Are you in trouble?"
"No." He leaned down for a kiss. "I don't want you thinking I would-"
"I know." Helga smiled. "Besides, if you really wanted to you could have already left. I appreciate that." She sighed, "If you need to go, I'll be alright."
"Nope, I'm good. Right where I want to be." He set the alarm on his phone before sliding in next to her.
"Okay." She wrapped her arms around him. It wasn't long before she felt him growing hard against her. "It looks like you're not totally ready to go to sleep," Helga smirked.
He blushed. "I can-"
"Shut up and do me, football head."
They spent the next few days together, almost the full day up until school started. After the first day of classes, Arnold and Helga met one last time. He kissed her gently. "I'm going to miss this."
"You're going to miss these crappy treehouse rendezvous? I-"
"I'll miss those too, but I'll miss you the most." Arnold watched her blush. "I love how you are with me."
"Ah…Arnold, that's…"
"It's just another part of who you are. You shouldn't be embarrassed, but I still feel special that only share it with me."
"Doi, I'm not that dumb." To release the tension between them, she said, "Come over here." Helga moved over to the far wall. "Press right there."
"Like this?" A small door popped open. "That's cool."
"Well, if you get through here and we can't get together, you can leave me a note here. I might leave something here once in awhile." She ran a hand through his hair. "Just don't get all sappy with me, alright?"
"Alright." They sat together, not talking, just enjoying being with each other.
