It's About Us

A Step Towards Her Own Happiness

Helga stirred thanks to the rising sun. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep. However, when she looked out her window, she saw the morning peeking through. Sitting up, she slowly tries to wake up. Memories flooded back of the previous night that made her curl back up under her covers. Helga didn't want to greet the day, so she pulled her covers over her head. She didn't want to do anything.

Helga phone chimed. Which forced her back out in the sunlight. Still not wanting to leave the comfort of her covers, she pulled the phone under with her. The bright light of the screen forces her to turn away until her eyes adjust. She saw that she had missed several phone calls and texts from last night. 

Helga scrolled through to see who wanted her so bad. First person on the list was her sister, Olga. The first message asked her to come out of the house. It told her that they were heading home, and their parents were taking them out for dinner. Helga deleted the texts. It was already morning, so it was too late even if she wanted to go.

The next person on Helga's missed call list was Phoebe. Apparently, the text message from Pheebs said that Arnold called Gerald. Then called her to let her know what had happened. She wanted Helga to call her to talk when she got up. That is, if she wanted too. Helga wasn't ready to deal with it at the moment. She made a note to call later before she moved on to the last person on the missed call list.

Last, Helga saw ten missed calls from Arnold. All of his calls were back-to-back. It must have been immediately after he got home last night. Seeing how much he wanted to talk made Helga smile a little. It almost tempted her to call him. Just to hear his voice and to tell him it was all okay. She knew better. Opening up that can would hurt more than help. 

Helga's phone chimed again. A second text message from the person who sent her one just a moment ago. When she clicked on who it was, she couldn't help but feel a slight sting in her chest. Stella had texted, wanting to meet up with her today. It said she wanted to talk about what happened. Helga almost didn't want to answer. Afraid that she has disappointed Stella. The only woman who's ever treated Helga like she was worth something and Helga goes and breaks her only son's heart.

Helga couldn't help it and texted back. You want to meet me? 

Stella: of course, I just want to make sure you are okay.

Helga: I am but is it okay to meet you?

Stella: Yes. I still care about you. Do you think you can meet me, now? At the ice cream shop we went to earlier in the week.

Helga: okay I'll meet you there.

Helga got up and sat on the edge of her bed. Aches all over her body stopped her from really moving. It was like a physical reminder of her suffering. If it wasn't Stella that wanted to see her, she wouldn't even get out of bed to eat. The comfort of her comforter was all she craved.

Helga stretched her sore muscles before sauntering over to her closet. She opened it and searched for something to wear. When she moved a sweater over, she caught sight of the empty shelves. After crying most of the night, looking at the shelves shouldn't hurt anymore. Yet, a pain like a knife slowly turning in the center of her chest still made itself known while looking at those hidden shelves.

Covering back up the pain, Helga grabbed what she needed and closed the door. She changed quickly and checked her reflection. She looked terrible. Puffy, red eyes and pale skin. Figuring the best thing to do is to get some concealer and blush to cover up. Helga didn't want to alarm Stella with her appearance.

Helga rushed to the bathroom to fix herself. First, she washed her face with cold water. Hoping that might bring some color back into her cheeks. Maybe even reduce the swelling around her eyes. When she looked back into the mirror, she saw that it helped a little. She still needed a little concealer. Once finished, she rushed down the stairs. Grabbing her keys, Helga was heading out the door when she heard someone calling her.