A/N: (Hey everyone! HoshiAM here writing another story about our favorite Hey Arnold characters. I wanted to give this story a try since it's been developing in my mind for the past two years. Hope you enjoy reading it and don't forget to leave a review in the end!)
Summary: Phoebe applies to a private boarding school and leaves Helga to join Blue Ridge Academy. Not having her best friend around, Helga decides to enroll in the boarding school. Once both girls are in they meet the exclusive clique in school called the Foxy Foxes. Can Phoebe and Helga succeed in a new school and what happens when both meet Arnold and Gerald? Will they be able to survive the school filled with gossip, mystery, and drama?
The Foxy Foxes Motto:
If they say you're in, you're in.
If you break the rules, you're in.
If you mess with them, kiss your life goodbye.
The Not So "Perfect" Life
Chapter 1: A Sour Goodbye
It was the first week of September meaning school was going to begin in two weeks. Another whole year of cranky teachers, reading, homework, and school gossip. There was a good thing about getting the school year started because once finished, there were only two years left. Oh well, there was no time to think about school. It was time to enjoy the last few days left of vacation.
In the small blue painted room laughter bounced off the walls. Helga skimmed through the pages of her wrestling magazine and continued to chuckle. Barely going to start her sophomore year Helga was already tired of school.
She assumed everyone was except for her friend Phoebe who was furiously typing on her computer. It was Monday in the afternoon and Helga was over at Phoebe's house hanging out. Ever since, preschool the two girls have been inseparable and always tried to do everything together.
Helga was five feet and six inches tall with long blond hair and had bangs to cover her unibrow. Helga's personality was completely the opposite from her friend Phoebe. She was bossy, rebellious, and didn't like to show affection to others. Although, deep down she knew there was a little shy girl inside of her who rarely showed her face.
Helga sighed taking a bite of a Mr. Nutty candy bar she had in her hands. She glanced at Phoebe who was entranced by something on the computer. Phoebe was short, standing at five feet and three inches with black shoulder-length hair and she wore black framed glasses.
The one unique trait of Phoebe was she is Asian but to add to that trait she was also brilliant. It was amazing how fast she was able to solve problems from school. Phoebe was very shy, quiet, and helpful especially when it came to helping her friend Helga. Mostly because Helga bossed her around. Even so, both girls have remained best friends even when one bosses the other.
Helga closed her magazine and glanced at her friend, "Hey Phoebs what are you typing so crazily on your computer?"
"It's a letter," Phoebe replied turning in her desk chair to look at Helga.
"Letter? Who are you writing a letter to?" Helga asked taking another bite of her candy bar.
Phoebe looked back at her computer, "I'm writing a letter to Blue Ridge Academy."
"Blue Ridge what?" Helga asked standing up from the beanbag chair she was sitting on. "Hey whatever…um…school starts in two weeks how about we go shop for school supplies, you love that kind of thing."
"I can't Helga I have to finish writing this letter."
"Oh you can finish that later come on Phoebe," Helga said walking to the door. "We only have two weeks left of vacation might as well enjoy it now."
"I know that Helga!" Phoebe shouted abruptly. "I start school in two weeks."
"Doi, I start school in two weeks too," Helga said crossing her arms. "We both start school in two weeks at Hillwood High what's the big deal?"
"I can't believe you forgot already," Phoebe stated glancing at Helga. "Don't you remember that I told you my parents wanted me to apply to this private school?"
Helga rattled her brain for the memory but there were no records of such incident.
Phoebe continued, "I showed you the brochure of the school."
Once again, Helga jogged through memory lane but no image came to mind.
Phoebe sighed shaking her head, "You went with me to the post office to drop off the application during June."
"I did?" Helga wondered scratching her head. "But that was a long time ago."
"Helga where have you been all summer?" Phoebe asked trying not to giggle.
Helga gave Phoebe an annoyed look, "Here but are you telling me that you're leaving?"
"I…" Phoebe stammered not looking at her best friend.
Helga gasped cutting Phoebe's sentence short, "Why Phoebe? What's wrong with the school we're going in now?"
"Nothing is wrong with the school," Phoebe sighed clutching her hands together. "It's my parents Helga. They want me to be more academically challenged, and Blue Ridge Academy is one of the top schools with the best faculty, and any college is wiling to accept any student graduating from that school."
Helga scoffed as she rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry to tell you this Phoebe but your parents are nuts!"
"My parents only want what's best for me."
"Listen Phoebe whatever reason you give isn't going to make any sense to me," Helga argued walking up to Phoebe. "Sure the school we're in now sucks and the teachers aren't the "greatest" and whatever but I'm quite positive you can get into any college because you're super intelligent."
Phoebe smiled but it quickly faded away, "I know that and I know it's going to be hard on both of us but I admit deep down I want to go to this school."
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Helga said turning away from Phoebe. "What am I supposed to do when you're gone?"
"I don't know," Phoebe replied shrugging her shoulders. "I will come and visit when I get the chance and I won't stop being your best friend."
"That's not good enough," Helga muttered looking back at Phoebe. "I mean, how far away is this school?"
"Five hours away."
"Five! I can't bike five hours to go see you," Helga stammered quickly turning to look at Phoebe. "So is your whole family moving to this new city or what?"
"No just me," Phoebe declared. "Blue Ridge Academy is a boarding school."
"You're going to be living in the school?" Helga asked chuckling sarcastically. "Wow Phoebe it sounds like a dream come true for you."
"I'm so sorry Helga," Phoebe said grabbing Helga's hands. "I hate to do this."
"Then don't go," Helga pleaded gripping Phoebe's hands. "You've been my best friend since preschool and I can't bear to watch you leave from my life."
"But Helga I'm not leaving from your life," Phoebe corrected shaking her head. "I promise I'll keep contact with you, and who knows maybe during junior year you can join me there."
"You know Phoebs sophomore year isn't going to be the same without you."
"I know it's not going to be the same without you either Helga."
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"I did," Phoebe stated, "I presume you didn't pay must attention to it or -"
"I just didn't listen," Helga finished pulling her hands away. "We better make these two last weeks together worth it."
"Not exactly," Phoebe said looking back at her computer.
"What do you mean?"
"Well the application deadline was back in February but Blue Ridge Academy extended it to June," Phoebe explained. "I mailed the application on the last day and I still haven't received any word that I have been accepted to the school."
Helga couldn't help but smile and feel somewhat relieved to know that there was still a chance Phoebe wasn't going anywhere. She didn't want her best friend to leave to a school she never heard of, and have to spend weekends moping by herself without Phoebe to be there.
Even if it was selfish of her to keep Phoebe from pursuing a goal she wanted to accomplish. She noticed that Phoebe was lucky to have parents who cared about her education, unlike her parents who didn't even know their daughter was already in high school.
"My mother told me to write this letter to show some interest in Blue Ridge Academy although from the hundreds of applicants I doubt they'll choose me."
"They'll be stupid not to take you Phoebe," Helga pointed out smirking. "I still don't want you to go and I don't want you to think it's selfish of me for trying to keep you by my side."
"But Helga -"
"No Phoebe, I said don't think about it."
"Not thinking."
"It's okay Phoebe," Helga said clearing her throat. "I should stop thinking of myself and think about you for once so whatever happens just know that I'll -"
Suddenly the door burst open and Phoebe's mother Reba walked in with a big smile on her face. Helga looked away not wanting to look at one of the persons who wanted Phoebe to go to a different school. Even though, they are Phoebe's parents who were only looking out for their daughter's best interest.
"Phoebe dear!" Reba cried excitedly. "Guess what just came in the mail?"
Phoebe looked at her mother surprised but glanced at Helga anxiously. Immediately Helga got a sick feeling insider her stomach already predicting what was going to come. It looked like the misfortune of having Phoebe leave wasn't going to be easy to overcome. There might be a solution to keep Phoebe from leaving, but Helga couldn't think of one. Except begging her not to leave but maybe Helga could order her friend not to go away.
Reba sighed noticing Helga staring at the floor, "Hello Helga I didn't know you were still here."
"Hey Mrs. Hyerdahl," Helga greeted with a forced smile. "Just hanging around."
"Well it's going to be a party here, after I announce the good news," Reba said tapping Helga's shoulder. "We finally got word of Phoebe's acceptance to Blue Ridge Academy."
"Really?" Phoebe asked standing up from her chair.
"Yes dear," Reba confirmed showing her daughter the letter in her hands. "Congratulations."
Phoebe grabbed the letter with trembling hands not wanting to make eye contact with her best friend. Three hearts were beating at a steady rate, but someone's was breaking as she tried to deal with the news. It might be good news for Phoebe and her parents but Helga wasn't too thrilled about it.
The one person who kept her company and also kept her sane was going to leave. Helga pondered deeply, who was she to stop her friend from going to another school? She was only the best friend who didn't have authority over Phoebe. Even though, she bossed Phoebe around to do her errands like getting her lunch and sometimes in the morning getting her donuts with heart-shaped sprinkles.
The ones with the major authority were Phoebe's parents. From the reaction that Phoebe's mother got from the letter, there was no doubt that her parents were determined to send Phoebe to this school. It caused Helga pain to see a tiny smile trying to form on Phoebe's lips. She wanted this, Phoebe wanted to go to this private school.
"I can't believe it," Phoebe said skimming through the letter.
"Yeah I can't believe it either," Helga muttered crossing her arms.
Phoebe looked up at Helga apologetically, "I'm sorry Helga. I never thought my application was going to make it through even when I mailed it on the last day."
"It's a sign Phoebe," Reba reckoned placing her arm around Phoebe. "It shows that this school is right for you."
Phoebe grinned weakly at her mother then sighed glancing at Helga. Helga figured what was going inside Phoebe's mind. In what way could Phoebe tell Helga "Sayonara!" During the years they hanged out together Phoebe had been a loyal friend and also sometimes a good "helper."
It was time for Helga to do something nice for her best friend. Phoebe wanted to go to this school and Helga wasn't going to withhold Phoebe's wishes to come true. Helga hated to do this but it was time to let go.
"This is exceptional news mother but I think I'll be better in the school I'm -"
"No Phoebe!" Helga shouted slowly taking a deep breath afterward. "Take the advantage of this opportunity. Don't think of me but think about yourself."
"Helga I can wait for -"
"No! You aren't going to wait you're going to go," Helga ordered signaling to the door. "Don't worry about me Phoebs, I promise you I'm going to be okay."
Phoebe swallowed a sob walking up to Helga to hug her. Helga didn't want to cry but a few tears escaped from her eyes. She quickly wiped them away telling herself that she didn't like people watching her cry.
"Oh you girls are going to make me cry," Reba said placing her hand over her heart.
"You better not forget about me," Helga said pulling away from Phoebe.
"I can never forget you Helga."
"It's nice to see you being supportive of Phoebe," Reba commented wrapping her arm around Helga. "Maybe next year you can join Phoebe at Blue Ridge Academy if you talk to your parents."
Helga wanted to roll her eyes already picturing her parents agreeing to let her go to a private school. Not bloody likely but as Helga processed the idea of her best friend going to another school, she was already working on an idea of her own.
"Oh my Phoebe looks like we got lots of work to do," Reba said walking towards to the door. "We only got two weeks to get you ready."
"This is so exhilarating," Phoebe stated smiling proudly.
"How about we go buy school supplies?" Reba proposed opening the door. "Helga you can come to I'll get you anything you need."
"Wow no more taking paper from my classmates," Helga mumbled trying not to sound sarcastic.
"Helga please come along," Phoebe said heading to the door.
"Sure thing let me get my stuff," Helga said grabbing her magazines.
"We'll wait for you downstairs," Reba said leaving the room with Phoebe trailing behind her mother.
Helga sighed nodding slowly waiting for them to leave the room. She gradually made her way to Phoebe's desk, keeping her gaze fixated on the Blue Ridge Academy brochure. She grabbed it wanting to shred it to pieces and make confetti but an idea flashed in her mind. Without wasting another second she quickly placed the brochure under her magazines.
She might be letting her friend think she was letting her go but deep down inside, she was thinking of joining Phoebe in this new school. Helga smirked knowing the battle of convincing her parents was going to be tough, but if she was persistent she would win. She didn't care what it was going to take but Helga was going to enroll at Blue Ridge Academy too.
Here we go again! Helga and Phoebe going on a crazy adventure. Well it looks like Phoebe is going on the adventure. But will Helga be able to join her? What should Helga's next step be? If she wants to join her friend Phoebe at Blue Ridge Academy, then Helga's going to have to get to work.
Well wonderful readers, I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter to this new story. Now that you're done reading, let's leave a review. There is going to be more drama, chaos, and loads of fun in the upcoming chapters. This is HoshiAM saying, thanks for reading :).
Stay tuned for Chapter Two: A Heartfelt Plea!