Arnold finds the truth...

Goodbye to Helga Chapter 6: Life Really Is Good

The boy was starting to stir slowly in his sleep, dreaming about the wondrous girl that stayed with him all night and was so kind to him. Arnold wasn't even sure if that was Helga G. Pataki or the one he knew. This Helga was whispering sweet things in his ear and kissing his face. He also thought about the kiss that they shared last night... that wonderful kiss... that was just too hard to forget. She was just so important to him and she's the one who taught him that life is worth living all in one night.

His nose was buried in his pillow as he could still smell the scent that she left on his bed, that sweet, vanilla tang that just screamed out her name. "Helga..." He sighed dreamily, moving his hand around the spot where she slept and his eyes immediately snapped open as he felt nothing but the softness of his sheets. "Helga?" He asked again, louder. Arnold removed the covers from on top of him and searched his room. "Helga?" She left. There was only one place she could have gone last night.

He ran down the sidewalk to the Pataki household and found his way inside the house. It was quiet and not a soul seemed to be visible. Arnold searched all around the house until he got to the trophy room. He gasped as he saw two little limp arms, hanging from off the ends of the chair. He had a pity smile on his mouth as he thought about how his friend had done everything she wanted to do on her list and the award she got to cross the finish line of life.

Tears were starting to flood his eyes and he sighed. "You did it, Helga... you did it." Arnold walked cautiously closer into the trophy room and around the chair where she was sitting. He knelt down in front of her and saw how her front bangs were covering her eyes. Dare he remove them?

With hesitation causing him to prepare for what he was about to see, Arnold brushed back her silky hair away from her eyes. Helga's eyes were closed shut and had dark circles around them, her face was pale and her mouth looked stiff, but a peaceful smile curved around it.

Arnold covered his mouth and choked a sob. "Oh, Helga..." He sniffled, cupping her face tenderly in his hands. "Helga..." He traced her soft cheek before stroking his finger to her lips. They looked so still, but soft. Leaning in a bit closer, he brushed his lips against hers, making the sweetness of her lips last as he said goodbye in his own way.

'Her lips are so soft and warm.' He thought, his eyes widening as he pulled away, shocked. 'Warm?' Arnold raised his brow and planted several lingering kisses all over her face. He traveled from her cheek, to her nose and to the top of her forehead. Laying the final kiss on the corner of her mouth, his lips wiped off some of the drool, hanging from the side of her mouth. Arnold transferred the saliva to his fingers and rubbed it in between his thumb and pointer finger. "Hmm... her drool, it's warm."

And that means...

His face lit up with smiles and joy as he realized the greatest thing in the world. "She's alive! Helga! Helga, wake up!" Arnold shouted over and over, shaking Helga's shoulders. "You're alive!"

Helga stirred a little and tried to make out a sentence. "Huh, what? Stop it." Helga murmured, shoving Arnold away.

"Wake up, you're alive, you're alive!"

Her eyes finally opened and her heart skipped a beat as she saw her beloved smiling in front of her. "What are you talking about?" She asked.

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" Arnold shouted at the top of his lungs.

Helga's eyes grew even larger as she shot up from her chair, smiling and laughing while touching her face to see if she was corresponding. "I-I'm alive! I'm alive!" She shouted to the heavens... or ceiling. "And I couldn't be happier." She pulled Arnold's hand and grabbed into a hug, giggling that she made it through.

Arnold buried his face in her neck again and laughed along with her. The girl who was now his new best friend was full of life again. "Oh, I'm so glad you're alive, Helga." He said, surprising her by placing little kisses along her neck and around her face, hugging her tighter. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Helga G. Pataki." Arnold half scolded her before bowing his head to lay more kisses on her neck.

Helga's jaw dropped and trembled a little. She couldn't believe it. Her Arnold was kissing her all over her face and neck. She just turned to plain mush as she relished in his soft little kisses against her skin. She gained back her pride a little and smiled. "Sheesh, Football Head. I didn't know you were that pulled into me." She smirked.

Arnold ceased his kisses and stepped calmly away from her, part of him screaming to go back in and kiss the living daylights of her. He rubbed the back of his neck. "S-Sorry, Helga, but I can't help it, I like being affectionate with you." He confessed. "And that I love you, strictly as a friend."

Helga's heart sank a little, knowing that he doesn't feel the same way she does about him. "Oh, well, I love you, too. You know, as a friend." She winked. 'And by love I mean over the moon, loop-de-loop, hook, line and sinker in love with you.'

Arnold smiled in return. Okay, so she wasn't in love with him, but she does love him and anything could happen.

'Did he smile at me? Oh, happy day! From this day forward, I, Helga G. Pataki, vow to live life to its fullest!'

And that she did while sitting on the couch, munching on pork rinds with the TV blasting up loud. Today, she decided to just take it slow, knowing that she wasn't going to die. She received a call from the doctor, explaining to her that the black mark near her bellybutton wasn't her mark of death, but a harmless little birthmark. All that for nothing, well, maybe not completely.

She now had a group of new friends she could depend on and a new guy best friend. Later on tonight, the gang was planning on seeing "Evil Twin 3: Finn Has A Twin" together. Arnold even insisted on sitting with her... j-just to make sure she was alright. Helga agreed if she could practice some more cloud paintings with him later on. Maybe then, they could be even closer than they were before.

You know, life can be a fleeting thing. No matter what how bad or beneficial the situation can be, life always finds a way to take your breath away. That's what they really mean by saying life is not to be wasted. You can always seize the day by just being yourself or the ones you truly love like Helga did.

To those who have just read this, may the past push you towards the future, bringing you the good presents of today along the way. Peace out, man. :)

Thanks for reading!

The End!