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Chapter 6
"Hey, Helga! Wait up!" someone called from behind her.
She didn't bother to turn around and look for the source of the sound. She already knew whom that voice belonged to. She would recognize it anywhere. Instead, she continued on as if she never heard anything. She knew that he would have no trouble catching up with her. Feeling the presence of someone walking beside her a few moments later, proved that her assumption was correct.
"G'morning, Helga." Arnold greeted her cheerfully.
Her pace never faltering, Helga offered Arnold a curt nod and a glance as a reply.
"So, do you mind if I walk with you to school?" asked Arnold.
Helga pointedly rolled her eyes at Arnold and continued her steady pace.
"Well?" pressed Arnold when Helga didn't reply after a minute.
She shrugged and hoped that it would satisfy him. She had never been a morning person and she certainly wasn't going to start now.
Apparently though, Arnold wasn't contented with it.
"Helga, I thought we had a deal." Arnold sighed. "You agreed you'd try to be friendlier and actually give me a chance. You can't back out now."
"I'm not backing up on anything, Arnoldo. I just don't feel like acting like one of your perky happy friends, all right?" snapped Helga looking clearly irritated.
"You don't have to be mad about it. I just thought you suddenly went back to ignoring me again." said Arnold.
"Ignoring you? You think I'm suddenly ignoring you just because I'm not acting all sunshine and daises? Well, I'm sorry that I'm not perfect." Helga spat, quickening her pace.
"This isn't about that and you know it, Helga. I would've just appreciated it if you just answered me every once in a while, you know. Just so I know I'm not talking to myself." replied Arnold hiding his annoyance but matching her stride perfectly with his own.
"Oh, well then, it's entirely my fault. I apologize that I don't feel the need to come at your beck and call. That I don't worship Hillwood's golden boy. Shame on me." retorted Helga mockingly giving him a leering look.
"That's not what I meant. I just- argh!" Arnold let out a frustrated sigh. "Could you just try to be civil? You promised that you would."
"So, I'm not being civil, am I?" asked Helga, her temper flaring up. She stopped dead in her tracks, spinning around to look at him with a glint in her eyes.
"You're not when you keep on insulting me like that." replied Arnold barely hiding his irritation.
"I'm acting like a barbarian, is that it? Not good enough for goody-goodies, am I?" sneered Helga.
"Helga, I-"
"Well, I should've known." interrupted Helga. "You're just too good to associate with bullies like me. And here I thought you believed in equality or some such nonsense."
"I just thought that you could act like a normal person." said Arnold, his exasperation getting the better of him.
"Normal? You don't think I'm normal? Oh, I get it. I'm just too lowly for you to be considered normal. I should've accepted that I could never measure up to wonder boy's high standards. It was foolish of me to think so." said Helga her words dripping with venom and her shoulders squared.
"What's you problem?" asked Arnold irately.
"What's your problem?" she tossed back.
"I'm trying to be your friend, Helga." gritted Arnold.
"I never asked you to be my friend, Football head. You did that all on your own." scoffed Helga.
"Well, you don't have to go and make it any more difficult. You agreed that you would at least give it a go. You're not even trying." he said steadily.
"What should I do then? Since you're the expert in this." snapped Helga caustically.
"Stop acting like this." answered Arnold.
"Like what? Like me?" asked Helga infuriated.
"Well, I'm sorry that I can't change my personality to fit your mood. I'm sorry that I'm not like your friends." She continued her voice laced with sarcasm.
"I neve-" he started.
"Let me get this through that thick skull of yours, football head. If you want to be my friend then accept me as I am. Don't try to change me into one of your fans. If you want a follower, you better look someplace else." threatened Helga her fists clenched.
"That's not my intention at all, Helga. I –"
"What do you want?! Either say it or just leave me alone." she snapped loudly.
"I just want you to stop jumping at my throat first thing in the morning. All I did was try to be friendly, Helga. I wasn't provoking you by any means." said Arnold, his anger dissipating.
"That's my point exactly. Morning. It's too damn early and if you think I'm going to act all chipper, well it's not bloody likely. So you can ju-"
She looked at Arnold and saw that he was red in the face clutching his stomach.
"That's what this is about?" choked Arnold.
"What?" asked Helga dumbfounded.
It took her a moment before she realized that Arnold was laughing. Not just a chuckle but a full-out laughter. He wasn't angered by her retort rather he looked like he found it amusing.
She rounded at him, glare in place to mask her confusion. "Are you laughing at me?" asked Helga indignantly.
She didn't appreciate being made fun of.
"I just- well, it's just… I found it funny tha-" noticing that the glare on Helga's face wasn't softening he tried to contain his laughter.
"I'm sorry if I annoyed you and for the laughing part." apologized Arnold sincerely. "I didn't- I mean, I'm not making fun of you or anything. I just… I should've known you weren't a morning person." he finished sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
Narrowing her eyes, she decided that she didn't want to worsen the situation and decided to let it go. The reason being that she was just still half-awake so she couldn't be bothered to try and put up a fight. She was too bloody tired and it was too bloody early. No, it had nothing to do with the fact that Arnold had an amazing laughter that seemed to make her anger disappear.
"What gave you that idea?" asked Helga sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"I don't know. Must be the fact that you nearly bit my head off a few seconds ago." he answered jokily jamming his fist in his pockets.
"It would probably be best if you keep your mouth shut, then. Bad things tend to happen when you open them." said Helga half-heartedly resuming her walk.
Arnold let out a chuckle following her without missing a stride. "Whatever you say, Helga."
A comfortable silence enveloped them. Arnold kept silent knowing that it would probably be best if he did. Obviously, Helga wasn't in the mood to talk and he found that he didn't mind it all that much. He figured that he could always try to talk to her later.
Besides, if nothing else, walking side by side with Helga without insults, teasing or any taunting involved could be considered as a vast improvement.
Unknowingly, a grin started forming in his face.
A/N: Well, that's chapter 6. I'm starting to loose interest in this story and the fact that they did nothing but banter ridiculously for the whole chapter certainly proves this. I'm sure a lot of you are probably disappointed by it and would not wish for me to continue. I fully understand that and wouldn't dream of blaming you.
On a lighter note, if you still are interested in this fic, which I highly doubt anyone would be, please review and say so. Constructive criticisms are best. So, are your opinions. Who knows? A single review might motivate me to update.
My muse is gone… Please give it back…
Thanks for those who reviewed. I am indebted to you lot without end.
Cheerio!