Helga stormed home, rain soaking through her jacket, each drop adding to the growing weight pressing against her chest. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, knuckles white. Water splashed up with every step, but she barely noticed. She could feel her heartbeat in her ears, matching the steady rhythm of the rain. By the time she reached her door, she wasn't sure if the wetness on her cheeks was rain or something else entirely. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the closer she got to her destination, the more she began to question why she was so angry—at the rain, at herself, or something deeper.
By the time she reached her door, Helga couldn't tell if it was rain trickling down her face or her tears. Her chest ached a hollow pit where her heart used to be. His handsome smile and dark features flashed before her eyes—her heart swelled. Her chest twisted at the pained look on his face, covered with flickering red lights while lying on a stretcher.
She threw herself onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling. No tough exterior, no snarky remarks—just silence. Her mask was completely off.
After a few minutes, the numbness began to settle in again. Helga pushed herself off the couch and changed into her lounge clothes. She took out some kernels to make homemade popcorn on the stove, her movements mechanical, as if going through the motions would drown out the noise in her head.
The aroma of popcorn filled the room, and Helga caught a glimpse of a framed photo sitting on the shelf. She hesitated, her hand trembling, as she picked it up—a photo of her and her boyfriend taken a year ago. They looked happy and carefree—like a distant dream.
Helga's throat tightened. She knew she needed to move on, but at the thought of Arnold getting too close, she felt a strange warmth. Maybe if she let her guard down—no. She couldn't. The thought flickered for a moment before she shoved it deep inside, burying it beneath the weight of old wounds. She wasn't ready. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Helga turned on something on Netflix, anything to fill the room. She poured the popcorn into a bowl and began popping them one by one in her mouth with a detached look on her face.
When Arnold returned home, he didn't even bother taking off his jacket before heading straight to his office. His home office had become his sanctuary, the one place where the chaos of his mind could be organized into neat little tasks.
He immediately pulled out lesson plans and papers to grade, his eyes scanning the words but his thoughts drifting elsewhere. His last relationship had ended badly, leaving a bad taste that he refused to dwell on. Work was safer, and it didn't ask him to feel a much. Arnold tried to focus on lesson plans, but his mind kept floating away. He accidentally knocked over a pastel book, its pink cover triggering a sharp memory from high school.
He thought of Helga—snarky and bold but always clutching that pink diary. He'd noticed it a few times; she held it like it contained her deepest secrets but never asked about it. "Just Helga being Helga," he used to think. But now, with the benefit of time and hindsight, he wondered what he had missed. Who had she really been beneath the surface layer?
Arnold sighed, rubbing his temples. He'd realized too late that Helga had layers he'd never explored. Now, as he struggled to find meaningful connections in his adult life, he couldn't help but reflect on how things might have been different if he'd paid more attention to her back then.
He shook his head, thinking about their date and how he caught her looking at him. But his relationships had been a mixed bag, so it was hard to stay cheery. I should just forget about dating and relationships.
Daisy and Finn were cozy, enjoying the rainy day. The music filled the room with upbeat rhythms. Finn watched as Daisy danced, his blue eyes tracking her every move. A few songs went by, and Daisy eventually stopped, breathing lightly. She smiled, but something had shifted.
"I need to check on my girl," Daisy said, reaching for her phone.
Finn's long arms allowed him to grab hold of her phone before she could. "Helga's a big girl. Wait for her to call you. Remember how you got caught all in her life over the last year?" Daisy frowned. "I understand why..." he said quickly before she could protest. "But I just want you to let her handle things more on her own."
Daisy's shoulders slumped, her conflict evident in the way she fiddled with her necklace, though she remained silent. Finn watched her, his eyes narrowing. After a beat, his arm slipped around her waist, the movement slow, deliberate. Daisy's breath caught, and for a split second, her eyes darted to his hand. She stiffened—just enough for Finn to notice—but she forced a small smile, her fingers grazing her phone, a silent plea hovering between them. She forced a smile, but her fingers brushed the edge of her phone as if debating whether to grab it. He pressed his lips against her neck, whispering into her ear, "I'm sure she's fine. You'll have plenty of time with her later." His voice was smooth, but his grip on her waist tightened. "Right now, let's enjoy our time together."
Daisy wavered, her smile faltering for a moment before she nodded. "Yeah, okay, " she replied, though a shadow of doubt remained in her eyes.
Finn finally let her go when his phone buzzed. "God damnit!" He tossed his phone on the rug, and she looked at him, questioning. "These incompetent morons at my job didn't make their deadlines again." He grabbed his laptop and began typing away while Daisy bit her lip and silently watched him from a fetal position on the couch.
One week later…
Helga goggled in disbelief at the familiar figure loading luggage into the back of Finn's SUV. "You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, dropping her bags.
Arnold looked up, his expression mirroring her shock. What are the odds... "Helga? What are you doing here?"
Before either could say more, Daisy bounced over, her smile faltering as she sensed the tension. "Hey, you two!" She batted her eyes. "How was the date the other night? We've been dying to hear about it!"
Helga and Arnold exchanged a look, realizing their friends had no idea about their history.
It was a wreck. "It was... interesting," Helga answered dryly.
Daisy's brow furrowed, picking up on the undercurrent between them. Both Helga and Arnold were awkwardly avoiding eye contact. "Wait a minute. There's something you're not telling us." She looked Helga over again, who was biting her lip, a habit she did when nervous or hiding something. Daisy's eyes narrowed. "Spill it now..."
Helga huffed and folded her arms, but Arnold cleared his throat. "We, uh, grew up together, went to school through high school actually."
Daisy's eyes widened. "What? No way! How did we not know this?"
Finn joined them, confusion clear on his face. "Know what?"
"Apparently, our brilliant matchmaking wasn't so brilliant after all," Daisy explained. "These two are old classmates."
"Oh crap, man," Finn chuckled as he checked his phone for a second, "That's... unexpected." Daisy pulled Helga away from the guys. The dark-haired, late twenty-something leaned over to Arnold while setting down a bag. "She's pretty hot, though, right?" His elbow connected to Arnold's arm. "Are you going to make a move on her?"
Arnold sighed, putting his things inside, his eyes jogging over to Helga, who was animatedly conversing with Daisy. "She's definitely attractive, but Helga and I have never really seen eye to eye." He shrugged. "I'm not sure we'll get along long enough to have fun."
Finn smiled while rubbing his eyes. "Oh, we're going to have fun, I guarantee that!" He emphasized and took some steps away to take a phone call.
As Finn joined them, with a clear, worn-out look on his face, his tall, muscular frame towered over the group.
Helga and Arnold found themselves trapped in a situation neither had anticipated: a four-day vacation with the very person they'd been trying to avoid.
Now hitting the payment, Daisy, who hated complete silence, turned on her choice of music. Everyone slightly bobbed their heads except the driver, who glimpsed over at Daisy. "This playlist feels more fitting for the drive," Finn remarked, scrolling through her phone before setting his selection.
Aside from the music and the hum of the engine, the first hour of the six-hour road trip was painfully quiet. Finn drove, his tall frame making the SUV feel slightly cramped, even though he had his seat pushed back. His sharp blue eyes stayed concentrated on the road, his grip tight on the wheel, while his dark hair fell into his face from time to time, making him look even more haggard. Daisy sat beside him, her skinny frame leaning casually against the door, one hand playing with her dark hair streaked with blonde, which fell just past her shoulders.
In the back seat, Helga sat tall, with creamy skin and striking blue eyes, staring out the window as if to avoid Arnold. Her long blonde hair, tied back, caught the sunlight through the window, and despite her casual appearance, her dancer-like physique from years of ballet and her current yoga routine gave her a graceful, poised presence.
Daisy, ever the optimist, tried to break the silence. "So, how about someone else pick music?" Her eyes darted to Finn, expecting him to say something, but when he did not, she continued. "Helga, you want to be our DJ?"
Helga shrugged, her fingers hovering over her phone, pausing as if second-guessing the decision. The silence between them stretched thick with unsaid words. She finally clicked on a song but still refused to meet Arnold's gaze. Out of the corner of her eye, she could feel him watching her, the weight of his attention unmistakable. The strain between them wasn't new—it was familiar, simmering, always there since their teen years. But today, it felt heavier, and neither seemed ready to break the quiet. She scrolled through her playlist, settling on a melancholic indie track that filled the car with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics.
Arnold, sitting beside her, found himself tapping along to the beat. His once-boyish face had matured, with a stronger jawline and the same green eyes that had always drawn attention, though now they seemed more thoughtful and reflective.
His gaze drifted to Helga's hands, noticing how tightly she gripped her phone. A quick, fleeting glance passed between them, but it was charged with unspoken words. Helga caught him gaping and moved slightly, breaking the silence without saying a word.
After he tuned back into the music, Arnold turned to Helga, surprised by her music choice. "I didn't peg you for an indie fan, Helga. This is... actually really good."
Helga looked at him, a touch of surprise in her eyes, the same intense blue he remembered from their teenage years but now more wary. "There's a lot you don't know about me, sir." She felt this sinking feeling. The last thing she wanted was for Arnold to see different sides of her and be able to judge them. And as much as I can control it, you won't know much.
"Clearly," Arnold murmured, more to himself but his tone had a trace of excitement that he was finding out something new about Helga.
Arnold's excitement dwindled as the car made twists and turns without anyone talking. How did I get stuck in this situation with a couple... I mean, I'm happy for them, but I'm sure there will be a major PDA. And with a woman who seems to hate me.
As the miles rolled by, Helga pulled out a worn notebook from her bag and began scribbling. Curiosity got the better of Arnold, and he couldn't help but peek over.
"Are you... writing?" he asked, genuinely interested.
Helga instinctively angled the notebook away. "Just... jotting down some thoughts."
"Poetry?" Arnold pressed gently.
Oh, no, I'm not about to confess my inner thoughts and bare my soul like we're in some girly rom-com, football head.
Helga rolled her window down, immediately getting a strong whiff of grass and feeling the breeze. Just as the thought came and went, the smell of the car's leather seats and the muffled hum of the road faded into the background, replaced by the warm summer air of Freshman year:
Helga was standing next to her best friend Phoebe, who gave her an encouraging push when they found Arnold sitting alone, leaning against a tree, reading a book. Helga's heart was a drum in her ears as she walked through the tall grass, her palms damp around the edge of her notebook. What if he says no? What if he thinks she's ridiculous? Still, she couldn't stop herself from moving forward, one step at a time. Arnold looked up, his frown softening into that familiar warm smile, the one that always made her stomach flip. But today, that smile made her want to turn around and run. "Hey, Helga." His eyes went from her eyes down and then back up. Helga shifted in her weight. "Um, hey, foot—I mean Arnold. I was, uh, wondering." She cleared her throat, and Arnold nodded, still smiling. "You know the dance that's coming up?"
"Mmmhmm, the winter dance..."
Helga smiled a little despite her nerves. "Right, well, I was wondering if you, I mean, we could maybe go together?" Her eyes immediately moved to the ground, and the silence gave her chills up and down her spine.
Arnold stood up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm really sorry, Helga." He glanced down before meeting her eyes again, his voice almost apologetic. "I already asked Lila."
Helga felt like someone slapped her in the face and went back into her hard shell. "Oh, of course..." She turned and used her long legs to get away as fast as she could while ignoring Arnold calling after her.
"Helga?" Arnold's voice was faint, but it still startled her out of the memory. She blinked, snapping her notebook shut, her fingers gripping it tighter than necessary, then tossing it in her bag. Her fingers ran over her jeans a few times. Writing is supposed to be private, she thought bitterly, trying to ignore the heat rising to her face. "Hey, Dais. Got any snacks for the road?" she asked, her voice flat, trying to redirect the conversation before he could ask more questions.
Why does it seem like I can never get anywhere with Helga? Arnold inwardly questioned with a mild head shake. Seems like I can't do anything right as far as women are concerned.
Daisy craned her neck to peek at Helga but also saw Arnold deep in thought. Her gaze darted toward Finn for a second before she spoke, as though checking if her words would meet his silent approval. "You know I do," Daisy grinned, her green eyes flicking between the two. She tossed Helga a small bag of trail mix. "That should be a good start." Her gaze drifted to Arnold. "Want anything, Arnold?"
He simply shook his head, 'no,' and gazed out the window to see the water dripping down the colorful leaves, which blew gently in the wind.
Daisy looked at Finn knowingly, as if concerned about the two blondes in the back, but Finn seemed oblivious. His hands gripped the wheel tighter, his eyes glued to the road ahead. His pale complexion appeared even more worn, and the dark circles under his eyes highlighted his exhaustion. "Hey," Daisy reached over and softly touched his arm.
His mind was too preoccupied with his job. Finn moved his arm away. "I need to focus, okay babe?"
Daisy's eyes dwelled on him for a moment, and then she declined into her seat. She felt worried, but she knew of his inner demons from his past and his current stressors. So, without pressing more, she began peering out and finding herself lost in the beautiful scenery.
Finn's tiredness was starting to bleed through when the vehicle shook followed by a loud bang noise. They gradually came to a stop on the side of the road. "Shit!" he exclaimed, hitting the wheel.
Helga was the first one out, and without saying a word, she went to take the spare out. Arnold hopped out, taking in the smell of rain, and watched Helga take charge without hesitation. It made him feel a level of admiration but also sadness because he wondered how many times she did things on her own, not because she always wanted to, but because she had to.
Arnold kneeled to examine the flat and walked back to help Helga by grabbing the necessary equipment. "Can I help?"
A part of Helga was screaming for her to push him away because of his offer of help literally. But something about Arnold's soft gaze softened most of her built-up anger, and she blew out a sigh. Helga came to her feet with crossed arms, a defensive gesture she did subconsciously. "Oh, no, just continue standing there like a mannequin."
Arnold understood sarcasm; he heard it a lot from her, but now, at the age of twenty-seven, he sensed there was more to it.
What is she really trying to say? Does she want my help more? He reflected on typical wisecracks while assisting her.
Daisy peeked out the window with a part grin as she watched the two of them work together. She looked over at her boyfriend, who had opened a document on his tablet and was typing away.
When they were done and both on their feet, Finn finally came out looking paler. "Thanks, guys,"
Helga shrugged and hopped back inside. But Arnold lingered as he noticed the tension in his friend. "Hey, is everything okay?"
Finn sighed but smiled. "Everything's cool. I just had a long work week, and stuff is still crazy, but nothing I can't handle." Arnold was going to suggest that he help drive there, but something in Finn's eyes and expression stopped him, and both went back to their usual seats.
As the drive continued, Helga kept her gaze fixed on the passing trees, each mile only amplifying the tension knotting in her chest. Why does being near him still bother me so much? We were kids... It shouldn't still matter. But it did, and no matter how much she tried to shake it off, the unease clung to her like the shower from earlier.
Meanwhile, Arnold couldn't shake the growing realization that Helga's resilient and intriguing presence was beginning to stir something within him that was starting to overshadow his thoughts on a past tragic relationship.
Their hands brushed against each other when Helga shared her trail mix with Arnold. She turned her head away and rested against her pillow, propped up on the door so he wouldn't see her rosy cheeks.
The sound of rain hitting the windows reminded Helga of the night of his accident. Her eyes became moist. "Oh, Jake, " she softly mumbled to herself.
Helga's body shuddered a bit forward, lounging her out of her head, when Finn stopped at a red light, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. Daisy observed the way his hands clenched when she offered to drive made her rethink the suggestion. "No, we have to keep to the schedule," he said, the edge in his voice sharper. Daisy nodded, her lips parting as if to say something else, but she kept quiet. Everyone agreed that a stop was the next best thing.
The bright blue and red lights flashing from off the highway made Finn turn to exit.
They pulled into a roadside diner. Helga and Arnold both turned and looked at each other with small grins when they read the name 'Sid's Diner.' Arnold, who had kept in touch with mostly everyone from school, informed her that Sid owned a string of diners.
Helga followed behind Arnold as Daisy and Finn headed inside.
After they all ate some, Finn and Daisy wandered off, and Arnold's brow furrowed when he watched Finn's hand on Daisy's waist and the way he subtly guided her steps. It wasn't forceful, but something about it felt... off.
For a moment, Arnold's mind flashed back to Helga and all the times he'd let things slip through the cracks between them. He glanced at Helga, her rigid posture betraying the storm of emotions she refused to show. Why did it always have to be so complicated between them?
Arnold caught her eye again. There was something unreadable there, a flicker of something she'd never let him see before. She looked away first, but he wasn't sure if it was out of frustration or something else.
The other two rejoined them at the table, and they found themselves all engrossed in a tension-breaking game of 'Would you rather?'
Little did any of them know the real challenges of their journey were only just beginning.