The Patakis

Welcome home party

"Welcome home Arnold!!!" Everyone had shouted once we ran further inside.
The look on Arnold's face was enough to make everyone smile. His face looked like a Christmas tree that had been lit up. I tried to hold back a smile but his smile was so contagious that it was hard not to.

"Oh my gosh you guys thanks so much!!" Arnold yelled happily.

"Man we missed you Arnold it's been forever." Sid said.

"I wish I could go to the jungle again they had some really good food, right Arnold?!" Harold asked while a little drool came down the side of his mouth.

"No. What Arnold really enjoyed was all the different kinds of insects that inhabit the jungle! Right Arnold?" Nadine chirped.

"Uh..." Arnold said while looking around nervously.

"Ew Nadine quit trying to make Arnold suffer. You know no one wants to talk about bugs!" Rhonda shrieked as if Nadine had committed a sin.

"Hey they're not bugs they are special insects that help contribute to our world!" Nadine protested.

"Humph if you count them being the bottom of the food chain! Than yeah I totally agree." Rhonda scoffed.

Nadine glared at Rhonda while crossing her arms. Stinky ran up to Arnold while holding a yahoo soda.

"Well howdy Arnold, it's been a while huh?" Stinky said while placing an arm around Arnold.

"Yeah it sure has, you guys sure haven't changed a bit." Arnold replied while laughing.

"Well you sure have Arnold, your tall- !" Eugene said as he tripped over his own shoe string.

"I'm okay..." Eugene said as he groaned in pain.

"Gee wilikers! Arnold you have grown over the years, another 3 inches and you'd be as tall as me!" Stinky yelled.

"Ah ha ha yeah." Arnold replied while smiling.

"Yeah now we all know who the shortest one is in our group." Curly replied snidely.

All the guys turned to look at Sid.

"Ah come on! Why do I have to be the only one cursed with this height!" Sid screamed while raising his fists in the air.

Everyone started to laugh all together. Harold ended up falling on the ground holding his stomach. Stinky was doubled over in laughter with tears in his eyes. All of the girls were giggling.

"Hey it's not funny! I'm serious!" Sid retorted.

"Yeah it's kinda hard to see that when your all the way down there!" Curly snorted.

Sid started to chase Curly around the house, taking off his boots to throw it at him.

"Hi Helga I'm so glad you made it!"

I heard a female voice shout before hugging me from behind.

"Hey no one touches - !" I was about to shout when I realized it was just Lila.

"Oh hey what's up. You do realize you shouldn't sneak up on me?" I replied cooly.

"Oh yeah sorry about that I was just ever so excited to see you!" Lila chirped happily.

I just rolled my eyes but smiled anyways. We had our differences in the past but we ended up sorting it all out. Not only has she always been kind to me but she even made sure to end those things with Arnold. She didn't just do it for his sake but for me as well.

She knew I had feelings for Arnold and told me she never forgot that. Also that she wanted us to be the best of friends. I was so flattered and impressed that of course I decided to be her friend.

"Arnold is that you?" Lila questioned while looking past my shoulder.

Arnold's shoulders tensed as he slowly turned to look at her. The look in his eyes was a mix of confusion and happiness.

"Hey Lila long time no see." Arnold replied.

Lila skipped over and gave Arnold a huge hug.

"Oh Arnold I missed you ever so much!" Lila replied happily.

"Y-yeah." Arnold replied nervously.

Arnold looked so uncomfortable but tried his best to smile back anyway.

"Hello darling!" Stinky said as he waved his hands in the air.

Lila looked towards him then her eyes seemed to brighten ten times more as she looked at him. She broke free from Arnold then practically floated over towards Stinky. Giving him a loving embrace.

"Oh hello hon I missed you!" Lila cooed as she kissed his cheek.

Arnold looked shocked, he continued to stare at them.

Noooo!! Does Arnold still happen to have feelings for Lila! I just can't believe that after all these years he still likes her! After everything we had went through before he left, I can't believe this. Does my feelings mean nothing to him?!

I continue to torment myself with these questions until I hear him say...

"I didn't know you and Lila were a couple, congrats you guys." Arnold said with a wide smile.

I was astonished by his reaction, did that mean that he had gotten over Lila?

I looked him in the eyes and saw what everyone else didn't. I could see that he was indeed happy for them. Though deep down was a hidden sadness. My heart ached for him. Then suddenly I felt a little guilty.

I mean how could I come to the conclusion that Arnold had no respect for my feelings. He would never do that to anyone. He was just a little hurt after seeing his childhood crush after so long. No wonder he was acting nervous. He was just having a hard time trying to get over his feelings for her.

How utterly stupid I was to think that of him. My precious angel is just too good for me.

I sighed then started to walk away into the kitchen. I went to the freezer and pulled out an ice cream. Then I headed upstairs since most of the family and boarding house members were in there.

I sat on the first step to Arnold's room and began to lick my ice cream in silence. I kept day dreaming about Arnold's face. How I wish I could just kiss those lushes lips of his. I smiled really goofily, and started to giggle to myself.

"Helga?"

I looked up so quickly from shock and realized it was Arnold. I swear I could hear the bone in my neck crack a little from doing it so fast.

"What are you doing up here all by yourself?" Arnold asked me while looking down at me.

I blushed and continued to lick my ice cream.

"Because I wanted to Football head. It's a free country!" I replied sarcastically.

"I know but I just thought we could have some fun downstairs, and hang with the rest of the gang." Arnold said .

"Well I just want to be alone. I'm not in the mood." I responded not even looking at him.

"Why are you so upset Helga?" Arnold asked with a frown.

"I'm not upset I just don't want to be bothered!" I said as I raised my voice at him.

Arnold continued to stare at me with those intense eyes again. Why must he make me suffer! Then he reached for my hand than smiled.

"Hey I got an idea. Why don't we go to my room." Arnold said softly.

So thanks for reading my story you guys! Feel free to leave a comment if you like, it will mean a lot. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! See you next time! 😆💙