It was the day Olga was coming home. Helga talked to her father several times about the issue but he kept ignoring her. It had been a long time since she saw her sister Olga, almost four years ago. Olga loved being in college and now she was preparing for a Master Degree. She was still single and had a lot of attention from guys. Well it was the last thing Helga knew about her.

It was almost time for school to be out, Helga kept looking at the clock. The last bell of the day rang and the students run out of the class. Helga kept thinking about seeing her sister that day, once she gets home.

"Is there something wrong Helga?" Asked Arnold.

"My sister is home and I honestly don't want to see her."

"I know your relationship with your sister has never been good but, she's still family."Said Arnold as he placed his hand on her shoulder. Helga was walking out of class looking unhappy.

"Yeah family, is hard for me to feel a bond with that word." She said melancholy.

Arnold followed Helga to her locker and left some of his books there. Since they became a couple they began sharing lockers, they knew each other's combinations.

"Why is it so hard Helga?"

"To start with, my mother was never the motherly type, the only memories I have of her is her drinking. My Dad well now his slightly improving but he was always angry at us and working all the time to avoid the house. And than there's Olga, the perfect sister that got all of my parents attention and love, the sister that got away the first chance she got and now she's coming back because my Dad is forcing her....she never care about Miriam or me. She was older and knew my mother had an alcohol problem and still did nothing, she saw how Bob and Miriam treated me less because I wasn't her and still she did nothing. I don't need her in my life and I don't want to see her. The word Family, it's still unknown to me. Not in till I have a family of my own, I'll be able to know it's true meaning of the word...till then."
Said Helga thoughtful.

Arnold gazed at his lovely Helga looking sad with her head down. She was seating on a bench outside the school, Arnold sat next to her listening to her sad memories.

"I can't relate to your pain when it comes to your parents but, I can relate with the term of not knowing, family. My grandparents have always been there for me and I always received their attention. But they are not my parents and leaving in a border house is not exactly your dream family home. But my grandparents did the best they could with me and I can't complain about that. But leaving without my parents and not feeling the warmth of a home and their love is in a way, not knowing the meaning of family to me. But like you said, one day I too wish to have a large family of my own, to feel the true meaning of the word, family."

"Large family football head?" Asked Helga thinking.

"Yes large... I'm an only child, so one day I wish to have well....children." Said Arnold blushing has he scratched the back of his head.

"Children?" Asked Helga with her cheeks red staring at him.

Gerald and Phoebe catch up to them. "So do you guys want to hang out a bit?" Asked Gerald.

"We can have some coffee, I have violin lessons today by six. I can have my parents pick me up by the start bucks?" Suggested Phoebe.

"Sounds good I could use a cup of joe." Said Helga.

"Alright let's go." Said Arnold as they began to walk over to the local Starbucks.

The gang order and sat in a table to chat.
"So what are you'll plans for the New Years?" Asked Gerald.

"Grandma is going to cook hotdogs in the ceiling and will have tons of fireworks like always I guess." Said Arnold.

"My parents are driving over to spend the New Years at my grandparents house, apparently all my uncles and cousins will meet there." Said Phoebe taking a sip of her latte.

"I don't know what Bob has plan yet. I mean my mother is still in rehab and it's just Bob and me so who knows, I hope Olga doesn't spend the New Years with us."

"You can always spend the New Years with me Helga, I can have my grandpa give you a room to spend the night." Suggested Arnold.

"An extra room or your room Arnold."
Said Gerald smiling.

"And why not Gerald, is not like we haven't spend the night together." Said Helga.

Gerald and Phoebe's eye widened.

"Crimity you'll have dirty minds, I meant in separate beds." Helga finished explaining.
Gerald and Phoebe looked at each other.

"Helga!" said Arnold staring at her.

"What Football head? Is the truth, besides they already know we spend a night together long ago."

"I was just kidding Helga, I mean it's you'll business anyways if you and Arnold want to get cozy." Added Gerald.

"Gerald, can we change the conversation!" Said Arnold has he was feeling uncomfortable with the topic.

"All young couples should be aware of the consequences of having too much physical contact, it's best to keep it at a minimum level to avoid an activity teens our age are not ready for." Suggested Phoebe.

"You mean sex. Phoebe" Said Helga smiling has she was drinking her coffee.

"Oh my, but yes." Said Phoebe stunned by the word Helga use.

Gerald began laughing. "All this is rich, look at Arnold's face." Said Gerald still laughing.

Arnold kept looking the other way with his cheeks red. "Had enough fun Gerald?" Asked Arnold since Gerald couldn't stop laughing.

Helga was smiling at the scenario. "I needed to relax, thank you guys for this chat." Said Helga has she looked at her beloved Arnold and her friends.

"You were feeling stress Helga?" Asked Phoebe
"My sister is home and who knows what's waiting for me once I get home."
"How long will she be staying with you." Asked Phoebe.
"I guess a week I'm not sure. But Bob will be gone for a week so, it will be hell."
"A lot of years passed since you last saw her, maybe she's different." stated Phoebe.
"Yeah, like if that will ever happen."
Said Helga has she sip her coffee.

"So what happen with those guys that kept bothering you'll at the skating ring the other day?" Asked Helga.

"We bit their ass on our last game this past Tuesday."  Answered Gerald.

"We won by 10 points, so I doubt they will talk to us again much less bother us." Said Arnold

"That's great congratulations you guys. When is your next game?" Asked Phoebe

"We're done with the season Phoeeb, till next year once we're in high school... and we better grow this summer a lot to be able to stay in the basket ball team. You know how tall those dudes at the high school are?" Asked Gerald ad he gazed at Arnold.

"Will make the cut Gerald I know we will." Said Arnold with confidence.

"Man, your always looking at the bright side bro." Said Gerald drinking his coffee.

"So, how tall are you two now?" Asked Phoebe.

"Well I'm taller than Arnold."Said Gerald raising his eyebrow.

"Not by much Gerald"  Arnold answered crossing his arms.

"So, how told are you Football head?"

"I'm 5ft.10 inch" Said Arnold.

"Yeah man but I'm 5.11 so I'll probably be taller than you once were adults."

"We're not there yet Gerald." Said Arnold.

"5.10 Football head, I remember when I was taller than you." Said Helga laughing.

"What about your shoe size?" Asked Helga.

"I'm 9 in tennis shoes" Said Gerald.

"Really, you have a big foot Gerald." Said Phoebe.

"But I'm 9 in a half." said Arnold.

"Nah that's not true Arnold, last time we shop for shoes you were 9 too."

"Yeah that was a year ago Gerald." Said Arnold smiling.

"Damn I need to catch up." answered Gerald looking at Arnold's shoes.

Helga laughed at Gerald.

The gang continue to talk till Phoebe was pick up, than Gerald, Arnold and Helga walked home.

"Thanks for walking me home Football head."
Helga gave Arnold a warm hug.... a minute later she was still embracing him.

"Mmmm...Helga, you don't want to go home ugh."

"No I don't, I have a bad feeling about this."
Said Helga still embracing him.

"Do you want me to accompany you till you feel better?" Asked Arnold.

"No that's okay Football head I have to face her sooner or later."

Helga gave Arnold a kiss on his lips.
"I'll call you later Helga."

Helga open the door and walked in to the house. There was a man sitting in the living room.

"Who are you!?" Asked Helga raising an eye brow.

As the man stood up from the sofa, Helga felt someone hug her from behind.

"It's so good to see you baby-sister, I been thinking about you for weeks and weeks."

Helga turn to look at Olga, her older sister look the same except older and more annoying.
"Who is that Olga?" Asked Helga.

"Oh yes how silly of me, this is my fiancé John."

"Hi Helga Sorry if I scared you."

Helga turn to look at Olga. "Does Dad knows?"

"Well not yet but I will call him tomorrow. But look at you baby sister, you look so tall and beautiful."

"I'll give you two some time to talk." Said John as he continue to watch TV."

Helga and Olga walked upstairs to Helga's room.

"Why are you really here Olga?"

"To take care of you sister."

"But all this time why didn't you visit me at the Hospital."

Olga began weeping "I couldn't see you hurt baby sister it was oh, so painful for me to see you in that condition. I called Daddy every day and asked for you."

"That's not enough Olga, why didn't you call me at least."

"I don't know, I just kept praying for you."

"So you expected God to communicate your messages to me. I just don't get you Olga and than there's that guy your fiancé John. Why is he here in the first place."

"Well the truth is we been living together for a year now, but mom and dad don't know that yet and well he wanted to come with me to meet you."

Helga raised her eyebrow. "I don't know Olga there's something about him that I don't like."

"But Helga we been together for a year and his been really nice with me, always wanting to know what I'm doing and where I am."

"Mmmm... he sounds insecure and possessive to me."

"He's not like that, but I'm here to talk about us not him."

Helga walked around her room "Have you seen mom at the rehab?"
"I did talk to her the other day and she misses you terribly" Said Olga has she sat on Helga's bed.

"I missed her too I guess, what I don't missed is having her drunk all the time. I tried to help her several times, I even had her enroll in a rehab center and approved for a free program before the accident, too bad Bob didn't help by walking out of the house that day." Than Helga stared at her sister. "You never did anything to help Miriam and you're the oldest"
Olga's eyes began to water again "I tried to help mommy too, but it was helpless."
"Was it Olga, how much did you try to help her?"
"What are you saying babysitter?"
Helga thought for a minute. Is it really worth it for me to spend so much energy explained to Olga why she wasn't a good sister to me or a daughter to Miriam. She will know one day, besides my head hurts. Thought Helga.

"Nothing Olga just forget about it, I'm tired and I still need to take a shower and work on some homework."

"Yes baby-sister, I'll give you some space, I'll be sleeping in my old room with my fiancé if you need anything, during the evening."

Later that evening Helga was taking a shower when she walked out of the bathroom she saw John staring at her with a strange look in his eyes, it made Helga feel very uncomfortable.
She had on a bathrobe and walked to her room and shut the door.
"Crimity, that guy looks creepy staring at me like that." Said Helga to herself.

Later at the boarder house Arnold was reading a book, he had to do a report on. He hated reading unless if it was Helga's poems.
He kept thinking about Helga and how unease she felt for having her sister at her house.
He decided to call her, Helga's phone rang...

"Hello" Helga Answered
"Helga how are you?"
"Not good Football head."
"I guess the meeting with your sister didn't turn out well."
"Well so,so,...Olga doesn't understand why she fell as a sister and I honestly didn't have the energy to explain that to her."
"You will have your chance to express your feelings to her, when the time is right."
"I guess, Football head."
"And you two will be alone all week so you'll have enough time for that." Suggested Arnold
"About that Football head, we're not alone."
"What do you mean?"
"She brought her fiancé with her, apparently they been living together for a year and...I don't like him."
" What happen Helga?!" Asked Arnold concern
"Nothing, I just don't like him."
"Helga!..I know that tone in your voice, tell me, what happen?" Insisted Arnold
"Crimity! Football head why do you think something is wrong, by just hearing the tone of my..."
"Helga! Just tell me!" Arnold raised his voice over the phone.
Helga was serious for a couple of seconds.
"When I got out of the shower, he was just standing there by the hallway staring. Like if he was waiting for me, he... looked at me very strangely. Than a couple of minutes later I went to the kitchen for a cup of water and a sandwich and he walked out of his room and followed me to the kitchen and....acted like if he was getting a glass of water as well. But he continue to stared at me, I felt so...I don't know how to describe it.  His stared reminded me when I got mugged.

Helga could heard Arnold's accelerated breathing through the phone.

"What were you wearing when you came out of the shower?" He asked
"My bathrobe."
"Is it a long or short robe?"
"Does it matter?" Asked Helga
"Just answer my question!"
"Geez Arnoldo, it was down to my knees."
"And when you when to the kitchen, what were you wearing?" Asked Arnold again.
"Shorts and a T-shirt, why?"

Arnold was quite for a couple of seconds.

"Don't be so mysterious Football head."
"Football head?"
"I'm thinking Helga about what you just told me. Do you have a lock on your door?"
"No I don't, why?" Asked Helga.

Than Helga's door open...
"Sorry For disturbing you, I just wanted to let you know your sister is asleep all ready, she was tired from the trip, if you need anything just ask... well Good night."

"Don't you know how to knock before opening someone else's bedroom!" Yelled Helga upset while she raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, I'm so tired from the trip, I apologies again." He smiled and winked as he closed the door.

Arnold heard everything on the phone.
"What was that all about!!" Asked Arnold upset.
"I don't know the ass just open my door without knocking and than he...smiled and winks at me as he closes the door!" Said Helga.

"He what!!!" yelled Arnold on the phone.
"I'm on my way! I'll be there in fifteen minutes!"

"What! You can't just walk by the front door and why are you coming!?" Asked Helga confused.

"I have a bad feeling Helga, I'll feel much better if I spend the night with you, I'll bring a sleeping bag and clothing for tomorrow, I'll knock on your window."

"Football head are you sure? You don't have to do this?" Asked Helga worry, since it was late for Arnold to walk to her house.

"I'm getting ready, I'll be there soon my love, bye." Arnold hanged up.

A couple of minutes later Arnold arrived.
The cold wind burst in has she open the window quietly.
"Crimity it's getting cold! You're not suppose to spend the night here Arnoldo."
"His not suppose to be here either Helga."
"You got a point there."

Helga wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a steamy kiss. Arnold dropped all his stuff on the bed as soon as Helga embraced him. She continued giving him small kisses all over his cheeks and chin.
"I thought you didn't want me to come." Said Arnold smiling.
"I always want you to come, it's the walk to my house what I'm afraid off."
"I'm more afraid of him, being here with you than any other thug out there." Said Arnold embracing her.

Arnold grabbed his stuff and placed his sleeping bag on the floor, Helga was putting her homework inside her backpack and looking at some assignments.

Arnold took out his change of clothing for the next day from his gym bag and open her closet and turned on the lights.

The first thing he saw was a large shrine base on his image, seating deep inside the closet. His eye were widened in surprised.

"Arnold!" Shouted Helga.
"Shhh..." Arnold turned to face Helga. "Keep it low Helga, remember I'm not suppose to be here." Whispered Arnold.
Helga run to her closet and extended her arms.
Arnold was serious looking at her. "Helga I already saw it, what are you trying to hide?"

Helga exhaled looking down. "Fine you saw it." she was nervous.
"Helga, I knew about your shrine, I read about it on your diary but, I didn't know you still had it after we became a couple."

Helga crosses her arms "I'm not ready to just take it down. I'll keep it up till I decide." Said Helga lifting an eyebrow. Arnold smiled and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips.
"What was that for?" asked Helga
"Because I love you and because your...very artistic." Said Arnold smiling.
"Now don't speak loud, we don't want anyone to hear us." Arnold reminded her again.

He hanged his change of clothing and prepared his sleeping bag.
"You know what this reminds me off, Football head?"
Arnold looked up at her from kneeling on the floor. "I don't know, what?" he asked.
Helga smiled "I can't believe you already forgot, that day when I ate your project."
"My potato!" said Arnold remembering how upset he was when he saw Helga eating it.
"Yep that one...that was the first time we spend the night together." She reminded him.
Arnold laughed in silence. "What are you laughing at Football head?"
"I was remembering how your fancy inflatable bed exploded and you had to sleep on the floor, just like me."
Helga laugh as well. "We were at each other's throats Arnoldo."
"Yeah, your attitude was intolerable." Added Arnold smiling.
"Well, I liked to be comfortable and sleeping on the floor with no dinner and hearing that water dripping sound was driving me crazy."
Arnold was quiet remembering that day smiling.  "You know Helga, I was nervous about spending the night with you." Said Arnold has he was laying down on the sleeping bag.

Helga stood up from her bed to turn off the bedroom lights, the night light was illuminating part of the room. As Arnold was trying to zip his sleeping bag up, Helga lay down next to him inside the sleeping bag.
"Helga...what are you doing?" Arnold gulp.
She wrapped her arms around his chest and leaned her head on him.

"I'm so glad you're here with me tonight, I was probably going to spend the night agitated just thinking about that guy, he really reminded me of that night when I was attacked. The way those thugs ripped my shirt and how they were looking at me...I felt so alone before." Helga's eyes began to water. Arnold extended one arm underneath her and began caressing her hair with his other hand, embracing her has he kissed her forehead.

"You're not alone Helga, you have me and I will always be there for you. You know tomorrow after school, I want to start teaching you basic self defense techniques." Whispered Arnold.

"Really tomorrow already?" Asked Helga staring closely at him.
"Well yes, basketball season is over, unless your busy tomorrow?"
"No I'm not."
"Good your training starts tomorrow, will take it slow."
"Where are we going to practice?" She asked.
"At the boarder house baseman, it's private and it's clean."
"Where do you usually trained football head?"
"Sometimes in the back yard, but grandpa has been dumping a lot of debri there from the basement."
"So, the basement is ready?" Asked Helga with a soft voice.
"Yes, it just needs some paint...but it's done and it has a lot of space."

Helga was quiet leaning against his chest.
Arnold continue caressing her hair pressing his lips on her forehead, embracing her till she started snoring quietly. He felt in paradise holding his sleeping beauty. He breathe her in with every breath and felt the warmth of her body so pleasant. His heart was full of love for her, he wanted to continue embracing her the entire night but he knew it was best for Helga to sleep in her bed.

He grabbed her legs and pick her up like his future bride and lay her down gently on her bed. He tucked her in and gave her a tender kiss on her lips has he whispered.
"Sleep my Sunshine, I'll be here" 

The moon was high and the cold night continued has both teens were sound asleep. Helga in her bed and Arnold in his sleeping bag.

Notes:
I really liked the conversation Arnold and Helga had after school about the meaning of family. Now spoilers alert for my next sequel book ***************************************

Arnold and Helga will discover another meaning for the word family :) it will take place the summer after their high school graduation, Arnold will also find out what happen to his parents in San Lorenzo, that book will be for adults only 😉

Now Back to this chapter:

Olga is known for falling for the wrong guy, I'll say that much. About Arnold who can blame him for wanting to be with Helga :) knowing that guy is around and Arnold is a sweetheart with Helga I just loved how this chapter ended.

Till next chapter :)