Hey, Arnold

Ch 5: 'Realization'

(Helga POV)
"Oh my gosh Helga! All of that happened all on Friday, what did you do?"
It's Sunday evening, I'm over at Phoebes house to hangout for the day. I told her about the incident I had with Arnold on that Friday. To my surprise she was really excised.
"Come on Phoebs, you know my reasons why I avoided him. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me. I had to get away." I explained
"But Helga, maybe he wants know why you shut down for three years." She said.
"No, i won't let that happen. I don't want my emotions get the best of me, if I did something bad may happen." I stated. I can never go back to my past, I just..
"What are you afraid of?" She asked. Now this caught by surprise. I looked at her, I felt something wet on my cheek. I wiped it off find out it's a tear. I'm crying.... I haven't cried in years. I knew what I was afraid of. It wasn't the fact that he had a girlfriend, but "I'm afraid I would convert back to my past self. I don't want to hurt him. I refuse to open up this shell of mine." My tears continuously fall from my eyes.
"Oh Helga. I know you you're afraid, but you should tell him how you feel. Tell him why you kept avoiding him so long. Maybe not now but when you feel it's the right time." She said with a consulting smile.
"I know Phoebe, but that's probably gonna be forever from now." She pulled me into a hug then handed me a tissue. "Just give it time Helga. But in the mean time let's watch a movie and eat some popcorn."
"Sure, that sounds fun." We curled up into her bed and watch the Conjuring. I wonder, will I ever open up to Arnold, will he accept me? I decided not to worry about it and turned to my attention towards the T.V.
Monday rolled around, and I'm at bus stop waiting for the bus to get here. Phoebe took a head start for finishing a project in literature, so she's there now. After the bus came and dropped me off, I see Arnold's car already parked near the school. I walk ahead to meet Phoebe. But then I caught Lila talking to Sid near the teachers bathroom. I watch as the two were giggling with each other. Lila had her hands on his chest while Sid's hands were on her hips. I can't believe I'm watching this, I need to go. I get to the library in time but bumped into someone. I look to see it's Gerald.
"Oh hey Helga, sorry I didn't see you. You good?" He asked
"Yea I'm fine sorry that was sudden." I apologized. "You're good Helga, you have a nice day." With that he left out the library. Wow he cut his hair, it looks nice. I go in, immediately seeking Phoebe siting in the lounging area. "Hey Phoebes, how's goes the project, did you get it done." I asked
"Yes. And got excellent comments from Mr. Wegmen. I can't wait to get my results back." She said happily
"Awesome job girl, I'm sure you're gonna get great results."
"Yea. And Gerald wanted to meet with me too." She looked down at the floor blushing. "Oooh so that's why he was coming out if the library. What did he say?"
"Well. He asked if I wanted to go out after to catch up and to hangout." She said so happily. Phoebes had a huge crush on Gerald sense the 6th grade. This is great for her, now she can spend some time with him alone. "That's awesome, tell me everything about it after. This is so great for you." I said. I'm so happy for her she deserve it. The morning bell rung, so we gathered our books and went our separate ways. I'm already in 3rd period which is Italian. I see Arnold walk into the room with a stern look on his face. I wonder what's bugging him. I pulled out my locket, and observed the picture of Arnold in it, I look up to see his handsome features, his eyes, his hair, his muscles. I compared the picture from three years till now. He's eyes fell on me, I quickly turned my eyes back to my text book. My heart won't stop pounding, I can't believed he looked at me.
"Class I happy to say that I would be taking all Jr Italian classes on a trip to Italy for three weeks. All I need are permissions from you're parents they will be due on Friday." My teacher announced. Oh wow, that sounds amazing. Maybe we mite go into Rome, see the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and Best of all The Grand Canal. This trip is going to be so enchanting. Oh and possibly visit John Cabot university. One of my dream colleges for when I graduate. Just thinking about this trip gets me excited! Now all I have to do is get permission from my parents. That's gonna be difficult to convincing them. I'll find away, besides it's a one in a life time opportunity, three weeks in Italy. Arnold is gonna be there too. How am I going to deal with that? I'll just stay out of site for him, that shouldn't hard right? Through out the whole day I came up with a way to convince my parents to letting me go on this trip. I tell them about the university, perhaps let Olga tag along. I know it's gonna kill me later, but if she comes along it will get me a chance to go anyway. I can just hang with Phoebe while she goes shopping. I get home seeing my parents sitting at the dinning room table. Here's my chance.
"Mom, dad. My school Italian teacher is welling to take every Jr on a trip to Italy for 3weeks." I said they looked at me shocked." I know it seems long but, one of my dreams college are there John Cabot university, so I'll be able to take a tour there, and one adult can come along on this trip as well, so I thought Olga can come along with me." I finished. After I said the part where my sister can come along, they relaxed on that. "I would feel better if you're sister came along on the trip with you." My dad said I smiled when he said that." I agree of course you can go honey." My mom said. Wow that went better than I thought. "Thank you guys so much, this is a one time only chance to see a whole new world!" I said cheesing. "I'll give you my credit card for safe keeping." My dad said pulling out his credit card. "Oh dad you don't need to do that."
"No I have too, other wise you're sister would just take you're money and spend it all on shopping. This way you can deposited you're share."
"Thanks dad." I smiled at him, sometimes he has his moments then other times he can be a great dad. Just hard head like me. I give them the permission slip to sign, after that I go up to my room and finish up my homework. 2 hours later Olga bursts into my room, giving me a hug. I am so confuse in so many levels. When she pulls away from me she says
"I am so happy you choose me to go on this trip with you Helga." I smiled
" You're welcome Olga I can't wait to go too."
"Oh, in need to go shopping for some new outfits, why don't you come with me." She asked, this I was surprise, but I really don't need anything new in a outfit, it won't hurt to go with her.
"Sure I'll go with you." I agreed
"Awesome!!" With that left right out the door.
Good things are starting to happen around here.
"I like it." I smiled, then graded my book 'Holding on to Sam' and began reading.