A/N I know, I know! I am so sorry it has literally been forever since I updated! I will try to update more regularly. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story! I have some big plans coming up for this story, so stay tuned

Chapter 6

"What are we doing Arnold?" Gerald asked. The rest of the P.S 118 4th graders, minus Phoebe who hadn't hung out with any of them since hearing the news about Helga, were following Arnold as he walked around town randomly stopping to stare at things.

"Looking for clues" Arnold replied off-handedly, not stopping in his search.

"Arnold this is ridiculous, the police are going to find her, there's no way a bunch of 4th graders are going to find her if the police can't." Gerard said trying to stop Arnold in his search.

"Well I have to do something Gerald!"

"Why Arnold? You're not her friend, you're not responsible, you didn't make her go missing. it's not your job to do this." Gerald tried to convince Arnold.

"Yeah Arnold," Sid added "this is what police are for, to look for clues and stuff. Besides were all bored, we've been at this for hours!"

"Sid it's been 20 minutes" Arnold replied flatly. Turning to Gerald, Arnold confined what he has been worrying about since he heard Helga was missing "What if I did make her go missing Gerald?"

"Oh no. don't start thinking like that Arnold! How many times do I have to tell you it wasn't your wish that made her go missing." Gerald said consolingly.

"I know Gerald, but what if what I said did? I was mean to her and hurt her feelings and she probably ran away because of it."

"Helga Pataki hurt? No man, Helga doesn't feel! She's tough as nails. Besides she deserved it after what she said to you!"

"I don't know Gerald, maybe there's a reason Helga was always so mean. I should have been the bigger person and ignored her like I always did." Arnold said.

"I for one think she deserved it. "

Arnold shot her a glare though Rhonda didn't see it as she was looking at herself in her hand-held mirror.

"Oh Arnold! I'm ever so sure she'll turn up." Lila said saying a hand on Arnold's shoulder. Arnold normally would have been over the moon with the fact, but he was too focused on Helga at the moment to really care.

"Don't beat yourself up Arnold." Stinky chimed in "Your only nine. Come on let's go get some ice cream, I'm sure the police will find her and she will be back in school by Monday."

"Alright" Arnold finally gave in and walked with his friends to get ice-cream.

At the ice cream shop Arnold looked around at his fellow classmates happily eating their ice-cream, as if there was nothing wrong and their classmate hadn't just gone missing. Arnold looked down at his own chocolate sundae grimly. The ice-cream tasted off to Arnold, as if it wasn't as sweet as it usually was, and Arnold couldn't quite place why.

Helga's POV

It was Sunday morning and Helga had spent the last four nights and three days with Melanie. Originally Helga was thinking she would be back by the end of the school day Friday, so she could be back in time for the weekend to do her big reappearance outside P.S 118. But Helga was having so much fun with Melanie, she felt like she could let all her cares go and just be herself, and Melanie told her she could stay as long as she wanted.

Besides it's not like she was missing anything, it was the weekend, Melanie had reminded her. Now it was Sunday and Helga knew it was time to leave. She remembered how she was so eager to leave that first night, now that time had passed, her courage from that night left her. 'What if I go back, and no one cared I was gone. That would be sooooo embarrassing!' Everyone would laugh at her. 'Oh, you thought we missed you Helga? We were dreading the day you would come back!' Helga imagined Ronda would sneer. Helga outwardly growled at the thought.

Melanie came down the stairs and saw Helga deep in thought sitting at the kitchen table.

"Helga what's wrong?" Meanie asked her voice filled with concern.

"What?' Helga shook her head to clear it "Oh nothing."

"Are you worried about heading back to Hillwood today?" She guessed and by the look Helga shot her, she guessed correctly.

"I am going to be in so much trouble for running away." Helga groaned, she dreaded going home and hearing Bob giving her a lecture. She mimicked "What were you thinking girl! Olga never would have run away! Olga never would have pulled a stunt like this!" She didn't know what was worse that or the very real possibility they didn't even know she was gone.

She suddenly recalled that dream she had a few nights ago, her parents didn't even remember her or care she was gone. In fact, they were happier without her. What if they didn't even care? 'Get ahold of yourself Helga, your thinking crazy thoughts because you don't want to go home. Yeah that's it. Who cares if my parents don't miss me? I don't miss them!'

"How about I call your parents? I'll explain everything assure them you are safe and are going to be home soon. I think it would come better coming from me." Helga nodded along liking this plan, she would do anything to get out of trouble.

"Here" Melanie handed her some money "go up the street to the drug store and buy me some hair dye if you wouldn't mind."

Helga grabbed the money nonchalantly, not even asking what the hair dye was for. Her and Melanie had built a friendship over these past few days and Helga accepted that Melanie was very spontaneous. Helga had never felt this comfortable around an adult before, the adults in her life always treated her like a nuisance, or seemed to live to make her life miserable. Melanie was fun, and always listened to Helga like she was the most interesting person in the world. Helga almost smiled as she turned to leave…almost, Helga had a reputation to protect after all.

Melanie picked up the phone and Helga headed outside. Melanie looked out the window and saw Helga heading toward the drug store, and without a care hung up the phone.

To be continued…..

A/N Thank you for all the people who kept reviewing and reading the story. I will try to update at least once a month now that I'm done with school, but I am going to be working intensely the rest of this month. My goal is to have another chapter posted before the end of July.