While it's snowing,hold me tight

Hot cocoa and projects

Helga trudges through the snow,muttering curses under her breath because of Miriam,she missed the bus."S-so cold.."she mumbles as she arrives to her school. She heads to the cafeteria for breakfast since she missed it at home. After grabbing just a cup of cocoa for three dollars,she sits alone at a table.'Huh,who knew that breakfast was this nice? I haven't been here since he first day of school!'she thinks to herself. She takes small sips until she finishes halfway and goes to throw it out. A force slams into her halfway to the trash an,causing her to spill the cocoa on her coat. She turns around with catlike reflexes and gives the unknown force a death glare. Surprisingly,she saw the boy she has loved for many years,Arnold Shortman. He has a shocked look on his face."I-I'm so sorry Helga,I really didn't mean to,I got pushed-"Helga puts one finger up and interrupts him."I don't give a hell Football head,it better not happen again!"she exclaims. She really didn't care,but she had a reputation to keep up."It's too damn early for this.."she mumbles,adding effect. She walks out without giving Arnold or his friends a second glance. She stop by the bathroom,and wipes her coat,thankful that it was easy to get he stain out the fabric. After she stuffs it in her locker and goes to her first period and favorite class,English. She takes a seat by a window,hoping to see something exciting while there. Her best friend Phoebe soon arrives and greets her."Hello Helga!" "Sup Pheebs."she greets."Are you okay?"Phoebe asks."Yea,beside the fact that Miriam had projectile vomit from drinking too much and having the flu,Bob giving me a bruise on my am from hitting it and telling me to help Miriam,and Arnold accidentally spilling cocoa on me."Helga replies."Oh..I'm sorry."she replies."And did I mention I missed the bus?"Helga adds as their teacher walks in."Okay class,open your books to page 38,there is a project I'm giving you all to complete during your Christmas break. And I'm choosing Partners."the class groans and complies,opening their books."The assignment is to read a book of my choice and write a two page report on it,not so hard. Especially since you all are honors. Oh,and two pages each. No loopholes." Some students groan even louder."That's enough! Not the first pair is Sheens and Eugene, Sid and Nadine,Park and Peapod kid,-" "I seriously can't believe we don't have partners!"Hrlga complains to Phoebe."I know,it's because some student who don't complete their assignments and pay attention!"Phoebe replies. The pairing drool on as students chat until it was the final three groups."Rhonda and Curly, Gerald and Phoebe,and finally Arnold and Helga."The teacher says and shuts her books."I object!"Rhonda exclaims,standing out her seat."I cannot be partners with this freak! He has been stalking me since kindergarten! Please don't do this to me!"She pleads."Don't say that,and I'm sorry,but it's a,ready confirmed in the grading system. Sorry."she explains."But-" "Now go read the story on pages 58-62 and answer the questions okay?"the teacher commends,ignoring Rhonda. Rhonda grumbles and sits in her seat."Can I sniff you hair?"Curly asks,holding Rhonda's hair as she sits down. A shiver goes down her spine."No Curly,leave me alone you freak!" The teacher passes out he books. When one finally reaches Helga,it reads'In this life,Hold me tight.' Helga raises her eyebrow at this."You're not shocked about your partner?"Phoebe asks her."Huh?"Helga says,snapping out her daydream."Arnold. Arnold is your partner. You aren't surprised?"Phoebe asks."Meh,not really. I mean, he's probably trying to get it done and over its because he doesn't want to work with me,or has something else important."She shrugs. Phoebe gives her a glance,but ignores her gut feeling. She turns to read the back of the book. Helga sits the book in her bag and starts on her work.
"You aren't upset with your partner?"Gerald asks Arnold."Not really,I mean she probably wants to get this over with,and I don't hold any grudges against her."he replies."Arnold,you are one bold kid."Gerald says,using the iconic phrase,and turns to start his work. Arnold stares out the window and daydreams.'How do I feel about Helga? I mean it's been a while since we spoke. When was the last time? Somewhere around Junior year? And we drifted apart way before that. Maybe I want to be her friend again.'he ponders.
The bell rings just as Helga finishes her paper and she tiredly hands up her paper,slowly walking out to go to her locker. Life has just been so bland. Especially school."I'll see you in third period,okay Helga?"Phoebe says to her and walks off to her locker. Helga stares in her locker and presses her head against it. She was exhausted and did not want to go home today. Especially since today was her last day of school before break. She hadn't told either of her parents about break because Bob would find that a better reason to beat her and Miriam to drink even more. She decided that she would just go out everyday to avoid home and do some jobs while at it(nothing wrong with making a bit of money) and just stay home Christmas eve and day even though thats a lot of working for two weeks,adding the fact that it was a break. Helga goes to her second period,gym and spend most of her time running and having a terrible time. After second period,Helga goes to her locker to grab her books for her next two classes,when Arnold walks up."H-hey Helga,I just wanted to apologize again about the hot cocoa this morning,and wanted to know when you wanted to start that project?"Arnold asks.'Damn it,I forgot about that! I'm gonna have to stay at home one day because I can't always go to his house,but my family may chase him away!'Helga thinks."Whenever you want."she sighs tiredly. Arnold eyes her."Are you okay?"he ask. Helga closes herbed and nods a bit."That has no concern with you,now we can start that project whenever you want."She replies. Arnold still eyes her,"Okay,then we'll start today. At my place."he says slowly.,looking for an reaction. Helga doesn't give him the satisfaction of one."Okay."she sighs and walks off with her books. In actuality,her heat was pounding fast and she knew people in the hall could see her blush.'At least it's cold,they could think that's why I'm blushing.'she thinks to herself and goes to her third period,Science.
After school,Helga runs straight home to her house,ignoring the people giving her looks and the fact that she skipped the bus. As she looks for her key on the doorstep,she slips,almost falling,but causing her to slam into the door. She manages to get it open,but falls on the floor,bringing ice in with her."Girl wait till I get my hand on you!"Nob exclaims,exiting the living room,to see the ice mess. He grumbles angrily to himself,red in his face as her picks her up by her jacket collar and slams the front door shut."You think it's funny to make messes in you own house?! Who do you think pays bills here,missy! It's damn sure not you!"Bob says angrily."I know it's not me,but I didn't do it on purpose!"Helga gasps back,grabbing at her neck because he was choking her. He lifts her high in the air."Don't back-sass me! I'm not afraid to punish you!"he shouts. Helga knew exactly what 'punishment' meant. It meant he was going to beat her if she didn't escape."What's going on here?"Miriam slurs,leaving the kitchen with drool coming out her mouth."Now get out my face!"Bob shouts and throws Helga at the stairs. Hard."Oh my." Miriam says for the thousandth time seeing Helga get abused. Helga lays there for a few moments."Well? I said get out my face!"Bob shouts and Helga slowly crawls up the steps,dragging her book bag on top of her. She collapses on the floor in her room.'Don't cry...'she thinks to herself repeatedly as she slowly grabs her things to go to Arnold's house."I can just use makeup to hide these bruises."she says to herself. She stumbles into her bathroom and sloppily,but quickly,applies makeup that was her skin tone to her arms. She had bruises all over her arms and one on her face,but hopefully Arnold,nor anyone else,would notice it. Besides,she had been hiding her bruises since eighth grade. She grabs her book bag,purse,and other belongings and sneaks out her room window. She climbs down a tree,but on the last branch,I've made her slip and fall to the ground below her.'Damn,what else could it be today?!'she thinks to herself angrily. She gets up and sneaks of to Arnold's boarding house.
She shivers as she stands on his doorstep. She hesitates,her hand up to the wood,thinking on whether to knock or not.'Just do it! You've snuck into his house before,just knock on the door!'she scolds herself. She knocks on the door lightly. She waits two minutes,thinking no one heard her,and gets ready to knock loudly and annoyed until the door opens to see Arnold's grandmother,Gertie."Why hello Eleanor! It's been a while,caught up with professional president business? Come right in,Kimba told me you may be paying a visit!"She greets and hugs Helga. Helga winces from Gertie squeezing her bruises,and awkwardly follows her inside to the living room."Wait here,I'll let him know you're here."Gertie says,sitting the blonde girl down. Helga sits on the couch awkwardly,picking at her clothes and such. She wore a pink sweater with a purple logo,light blue jeans,pink mittens,and pink and light blue sneakers. Gertie hangs Helga's coat and hat up,turns to the stairs and screams"Kimba! You have company!!" The other borders complain loudly from their rooms and says to stop screaming,as Helga blushes."Coming!"Arnold calls back,not as loud. Helga's heart starts racing as she hears his footsteps get closer. Finally he turns the corner to see her sitting awkwardly on the couch and blushing. Arnold smiles."Hi Helga,I'm glad to see you kept your promise and actually came. I thought I would have to come hunt you down!"he laughs. Helga slowly gets up and walks next to him."Well how anatomy we get started on this project?"she says,her back turned to him,looking at the stairs. Gertie smiles and walks off. Arnold eyes her."Okay..."he says slowly and follows her up the stairs.
Once they arrive in his room, Helga suggests that they first read about a quarter of the book and discuss it. Arnold agrees,and they both sit on opposite sides of the room while reading. Mainly because Helga didn't want to get too close so that Arnold realized she was wearing a ton of makeup,and make her tell him why. All to soon for Helga,they both reach a quarter of the book and have to discuss it. Arnold sits in front of her,making her nervous."So...what interested you about the book?"He asks. Helga's sighs with relief and explains."What really fascinates me if if the man and woman will get together. I mean,it's been years since they've seen each other,and has gone through so much. She just got a divorce and in an accident,and his wife died from cancer and he's a single father raising his son off Chef Boyardee."Helga explains. Arnold's a little surprised that she actually cares about the book,and goes into a daze."Well? What's your favorite part?"Helga asks him."Huh?"he grunts,snapping out his daze."Criminy Football head,can you get your head out the clouds for anything?"Helga laughs.Arnold blushes a bit and surprisingly his heart flutters at the old childhood name.'Why do I feel this way?'he questions himself,but snaps out of it before gazing off again."Well I couldn't have said it better. Surprisingly it's very interesting. I thought it was going to boring like the other books she picks out."Arnold says. Helga nods her head. She starts to pack up."Well I better get going,we'll finish the book soon."she says. With quick reflexes,Arnold grabs her hand and stops her."Wait! Why are you going so soon? Please stay a bit longer? Have dinner with us."he pleads. Helga looks down at their hands intertwined and blushes more. Arnold looks in her face for a long time. He almost notices something on her cheek,but Helga quickly turns away and agrees. As Arnold walks down the steps behind her, he wonders what was on her cheek and why she was acting so suspicious. "Eleanor,Kimba! I was just going to call you two down for dinner!"Gertie exclaims,hugging Helga."Thank you for letting me stay and eat,I thought I was being a bother.."she trails off."Of course not!"Both Arnold and Gertie exclaim. Helga sits on the opposite side of the table from Arnold so he wouldn't be suspicious of her face,but he soon moves next to her. Helga sighs as she eats her food,while the borders eat,argue,and act messy. She knew Bob would be furious she didn't make him dinner,but she had a project to do,and she was quite used to the abuse anyway."You okay?"Arnold whispers in her ear. Helga nods her head slowly and eats some mashed potato.
"B-bye Helga. I'm so sorry for my...eccentric family,and are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"Arnold questions,eyeing her."Y-yea,and no your family is amazing."she replies."Ok,"Arnold says."Bye."both blondes breathe in the cold wind,whisking their voices away. Helga walks off and Arnold shuts his door. He leans against it as his heart pumps in his chest.'Why do I feel this way?'he thinks. Outside, Helga trudges through the wind.'At least you have a good family. They're better than mine ever could be...'she thinks to herself as the coldness of the winds consumes her.
Author's notes:
So here I am,writing a winter story when it feels like the Devil's armpit where I live. I know it's about to be summer,but writing winter stories are so much more detailed,and personally,easier. So I'm going to try to write chapter two A.S.A.P,but I have a life to live too. Anyway I hoped you liked it and like,comment,follow,and ARNOLDXHELGA FOREVER!!! ~Brooklyndiva02