Arnold's greatest treasure

Some time later

For the next couple weeks Helga was trying to avoid having long conversations or too much physical contact with Arnold. She greeted him in the mornings and said goodbye to him after the last class of the day and had small chat over the phone or by text, but that was all, she was trying her hardest to keep Arnold at bay from her problems.

Arnold didn't want to force her to talk to him if she didn't want to. He knew how Helga was and when she had that look in her eyes so overprotective over her space it was best to stay behind. Still he could watch Helga from a distance but watching Andrew trying to make a move on Helga was something completely different. Arnold had all the patience in the world for Helga, but not when another guy was around her.

Andrew talked to Helga every now and then by phone or text but he knew she was going through some hard times because of her mother. Still he was always there for her if she needed to talk to him about anything after all Andrew was really good at giving advise and Helga felt in control over her feelings around him, unlike when she was around Arnold. Andrew did invite Helga to hang out with him during the weekends but she was alway too busy or didn't feel well to go out. But she kept telling him it will happen eventually.

The days passed fast, Helga was busy with ballet and volleyball. Arnold had his basketball season and the team was doing some major competitions that year, it kept Arnold busy everyday after school till seven at night. Andrew had upcoming tournaments for boxing so he was training everyday for it, than his father sometimes work till late and he had to stay home babysitting his sister.
On top of it all the seven teacher they had left a lot of homework, projects and special assignments to work on.

Helga was at Phoebe's house working on an assignment.
"Did you ever found a rehab center for your mother Helga?" Asked Phoebe
"Yes I went online and found a non profit organization that provided help for people in need. I filled out an application for her to see if she qualified and after a couple of days I received a response back by email and she was approved for their program, she just has to check herself in at their center to start the program." Said Helga has she was on the floor writing some notes on her workbook.

"That's great news Helga you did it all for her, how long is the program?"

Helga was disappointed even if she had done good for her mother.
"They have forty five to ninety day programs,
it all depends on her improvement." Explained Helga.

"Then why aren't you happy for her?" Asked Phoebe concern.

Helga was quiet for a minute and had stopped writing.

"What's wrong Helga?" Asked Phoebe again.

"SHE DIDN'T ACCEPT THE PROGRAM OKAY!" Yelled Helga upset

Phoebe was stunned by Helga's reaction.
"Gosh Helga I'm so sorry I didn't know... and you been trying so hard to help her this past couple of weeks."

Helga stood up and sat on the bed while she took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Phoebe for yelling it's just that...every time I do something right...it gets thrown back in my face."

Phoebe sat next to Helga and hugged her.
"Don't be sorry Helga it's only normal for you to be so furious and disappointed by her rejection."
"Thanks Phoebe you're always such a good friend and so understanding. I don't know what I could have done if I didn't have you or...." Helga was thinking by the last words she was going to say.

"Or what Helga?" Asked Phoebe
"Well Arnold has always been part of my life since I first met him but now.... Andrew has been such a good friend as well so understanding and patient with me." Helga was just thinking of all the great conversation she had with Andrew the past couple of weeks.