This is a very important chapter, it's a bit long and I didn't want to post it till I knew I was 100% sure. So here it is, title "Trusting in her"

Trusting in her

Later that day after volleyball practice Helga was getting her gym bag ready to leave. She remembered she had told Andrew they could meet at the cafeteria after practice.

When Helga walked to the cafeteria Andrew was leaning against the wall looking at his cell.
"Did you waited for me all this time?" Asked Helga since it had been almost almost two hours since school was over.
"I had tutoring today than I worked on my homework." Said Andrew has he was mesmerized by the way Helga looked.

Helga had her hair up in a messy ponytail and was wearing lose pants with a tight pink shirt.
"You look super cute Helga." Said Andrew
"Oh don't start champ I know I'm a mess after practice."
"Not at all you look... nice" Said Andrew with his cheeks blushing.
"Okay enough with making me feel good about my imagine, you wanted us to meet, so what's next?" Asked Helga raising her eye brow.
"I was thinking we could eat burgers, since I still owe you for crashing in to you on the first day of school."
Helga was very hungry and burgers sounded really good.
"Okay champ lets go."

Andrew and Helga walked a couple of blocks to a place nearby. During their walk they talked about upcoming school events.
"Your not planning to do anything for the talent show?" asked Andrew
"No I don't consider to have talent." Said Helga
"You're a wonderful dancer." Said Andrew
"Yes, but it's not like I'm going to dance in front of the school to prove it, besides this last time I dance at Rhonda's Party cause me some unwanted attention."
"Really, What do you mean attention?"
Helga was serious remembering how everyone stared at her at some classes and the that boy Jacob telling her about her moves.
"Nothing, it's not that important." Said Helga looking in a different direction.
They were both quiet for a minute.
"You know Helga when I saw you dance with Arnold there was like a side of you that was revealed...with him."
Helga's was surprised at the comment.
"I don't know what your talking about."
Said Helga acting confused.
"I think you do..." Said Andrew looking at Helga.
"Are we close to the burgers?" Asked Helga trying to talk about something else.
"Yes, it's the next block."
"Good because I'm starving."
"Did you eat well during lunch?" Asked Andrew
"A little I been having some stress at home and it's been affecting my appetite."
"Well you need to take care of yourself no matter the stress." Said Andrew has he placed his hand on her shoulder for a couple of seconds.
Andrew knows more about stress and problems than I do, since he lost his mother he must be very strong and bright to know how to keep on going in life with such a loss. Thought Helga

"Helga are you Okay? You look distracted."
Asked Andrew since Helga was serious and quiet.

"I'll be fine champ don't worry." Replied Helga.

Back in school Arnold was getting off basketball practice with Gerald when he received a text and some photos from Sid.
When Arnold open the text it read:
-Andrew and Helga are walking together. -Sid
And attached three pictures, one phone was when Andrew had placed his hand on her shoulder.
"That bastard has my Helga!" Shouted Arnold as he was looking at the photos.

Gerald saw how jumpy Arnold looked and tried to calm him down.
"Arnold don't do anything stupid maybe there just walking nothing more, it's not like there holding hands."
Arnold was still very angry looking at the photos.
"I can't just seat still and watched how that jerks is taking Helga, somewhere."
Than Arnold texted Sid -Where're they going?-
-I don't know but I'm on them I'll keep you posted - Sid

Gerald looked at Arnold. "Arnold you knew the consequences about hiring Sid to follow Andrew. You knew there was a possibility you were going to see something you didn't approve. So, suck it up man and keep your dignity." Said Gerald.

Arnold sat on a bench outside the school and placed his hand on the locket through his shirt and took a deep breath.
What would Helga do in my position. She did...she said I seen you pour your heart out for the wrong girl, while I watched unable to do a thing. I need to trust in her to do what's right, like she did with me. Thought Arnold.

"So what's the plan?" Asked Gerald as he saw him still seating on the bench with his head down.

"I'm okay Gerald let's just walk home."
" oh right man." Said Gerald as they both walked home.

Helga and Andrew had arrived at the restaurant and were eating having a funny conversation about Rhonda's party.

"So, at what time did you get home after the party Helga?" Asked Andrew
"Oh... late I don't remember the time I was beaten." Replied Helga trying not to show she was lying. "What about you champ?"

"At first, I felt good but by the time I got home, I was burning up with fever, I had to get straight to bed... My Dad had some night medicine once I took it, it knocked me about."

"You were sick that bad, what did the Doctor said?" Asked Helga worried
"Apparently it was just a cold, but I never had it that bad, I guess there's always a first time. I didn't get better till Monday morning."

"Crimity I haven't seen a Doctor in ages, good thing I don't get sick." Said Helga smiling
"That's good, there was a time the only thing I saw were Doctors and hospitals, you never get used to it." Said Andrew as he finished his burgers.
"Was it because your mother was sick?" Asked Helga not sure if to ask that question.
"Yes" Replied Andrew.
Helga was quiet for a couple of seconds. staring at Andrew. There was something about Andrew that she admired and he was very handsome as well.
"You look like you want to ask me something. What's on your mind?" Asked Andrew looking straight to Helga's eyes.
"You have very pretty green eyes." Said Helga with a dreamy look.
"Ugh, thanks. I wasn't expecting that answer." Said Andrew blushing.
Helga was startled. "What... did I say that out loud!" Said Helga.
Andrew smiled, then he grabbed her chin.
"I don't know about my eyes but you have gorgeous blue diamond eyes in the midnight sky." Replied Andrew staring at Helga.
"Ohhh... What time is it??" Asked Helga nervous.
"It's six." Replied Andrew
"Already! I need to work on my homework and then I need to do chores." Helga was still nervous getting up from the table
Andrew nodded smiling, "Okay we can go, I'll walk you home."

As Andrew walked Helga home, he notice she was a bit quiet. "You know Helga, if you tell me what's bothering you I could help you."
Helga was looking down thinking about all the drama she had at home with her father almost leaving the house and then her mother having alcohol addiction that kept getting worse, on top of it all she was in the middle of the house drama.

"Have you ever felt like you wanted to help someone but no matter what you do, you just couldn't?" Asked Helga sad.

"When my mother was sick, I felt like I couldn't do anything to make her ease her pain, for a long time I was mad at myself for feeling so useless to make her better." Said Andrew looking down.

"How did you find the strength to help her?" Asked Helga

"My mother...she told me the best way for me to help her was just being her son...by supporting her, keeping her company and loving her. I was never meant to heal her, I was meant to stay with her until the last day making her feel like she was not alone, she had me, my sister and my father. Who do you want to help?" Asked Andrew

Helga felt those words enter her chest like heated waves, she wanted to help her mother but felt so useless, she didn't want to turn like Olga like getting out of the house one day and pretend like the problem never existed. If she had to walk away from her mother's problems after knowing she did everything to help her at first.

"My mother has an alcohol addiction."
Helga finally said it. It was the first time she had said those words out loud and especially to someone else. Without knowing she had stopped walking and stood still, like her mind was still walking but her heart had stopped.

Helga was still looking down when Andrew wrapped his arms around her embracing her. Helga placed her head and arms on his chest while she closed her eyes to avoid any tears from escaping. She couldn't tell how much time had passed since Andrew embraced her.

"You can't stop your mother from drinking Helga, you can guide her in the right direction and support her to make her feel like she has family around her that cares for her, but you can't stop her addiction, she needs to take that first step by accepting she has a problem and by doing something about it. What is your father doing about it?" Asked Andrew softly

"He...He...." Helga was trying to say the words.
Why is it so hard to open myself to someone? especially if that person is not Arnold. Then again, I never wanted to tell Arnold about my family problems either. I know how much Arnold loves me and I want to protect his heart from aching because of me. Arnold deserves the most perfect girl, one that is beautiful, smart, free of any problems or drama. Thought Helga.

"We better start walking again it's getting dark" Said Helga

Andrew knew Helga was avoiding the conversation but he didn't want to push her to talk about something that she wasn't ready to talk to him about, besides telling him about his mother's addiction was already a lot for Helga.

Meanwhile Arnold was home getting out of the shower when he saw another text from Sid.
It was photos and short video, some photos were of them eating and walking. There was a particular photo when Andrew was embracing her. The short video was when Andrew placed his hand on her chin. Arnold couldn't hear their conversation since the restaurant had a lot of noise, then he saw Helga getting up very quickly nerves.

Arnold sat on is bed as he saw the photos and the video. His heart was out of control, his hands got sweaty when he saw the photo of Andrew hugging Helga. "No...no this can't be!" Said Arnold to himself mad.
Okay calm down and study the photos carefully maybe it's not what it seems.
Okay on the video he did touch her chin and stared at her while he said something...that jerk. But she got up quickly, she didn't like him touching her obviously. That's good, but there's that photo of Andrew hugging Helga. (Arnold exhaled and bit his lip has he was talking to himself in his mind) shit, I can't stand that photo. I'm going to call her.
Thought Arnold has he grabbed his phone.

Andrew and Helga arrived at her house.
"Thank you for everything Champ, I do feel better." Said Helga as she was getting her keys from her backpack.
"That's really good to hear...you know Helga you have an amazing strong but gentle heart." Said Andrew smiling.

"Gentle.... there's nothing gentle about me!" Said Helga crossing her arms with attitude.
Andrew laughed...
"What's so funny champ?" Asked Helga raising her eye brow.
"Nothing, the more I get to know you the more I like you."
"Like me in what form?" asked Helga with a softer expression.
"In the best way." Replied Andrew staring at her. As he was getting closer to Helga her cell rang.
"Crimity, who can it be?" Said Helga has she answer the call very quickly. "Hello"
"Helga it's me Arnold."
"ARNOLD!" Shouted Helga, "I mean, why are calling me Football head. What do you want?!"
Andrew stepped back to give Helga some space.

"Ummm Helga can we talk?" Asked Arnold
"Awwww.... let me call you back."
"But, Helga"
"I'll call you right back. Shish Arnoldo be patient. Bye."

"Sorry about that champ." Said Helga has she put her phone away.
"Mmm... Helga can I ask you a personal question?" Asked Andrew unsure.
"Sure champ since I'm in a good mood."
"Do you like Arnold?" Andrew was very direct with the way he asked.
"Like..like,like you like friends, I mean we're friends." Helga was extremely nervous by that question.
"Okay than, do you love Arnold?" Asked Andrew staring at Helga.

Helga's eyes widened.
Suddenly Bob open the door.
"Where have you been young lady get in the house, you have chores and I need you to help organize some merchandise for the beeper store."
"Yes Bob ." Replied Helga gladly "I'll see you tomorrow Andrew, thanks again bye."
Saved by Bob she thought.
Helga walked inside the house and Bob shut the door.

"I need you to help me sort this merchandise so that I can put it in display tomorrow. Plus, I been calling your mother and she's not answering!" Bob was yelling

"You know Bob I'm right here you don't have to yell. I'll call Miriam and see if she takes my calls."

Helga called her mother while she work on organizing the merchandise and washed the dishes afterwards. It was getting late and she had not heard back from her mother. "Crimity, where can she be?"

As Helga was ready to go to her room to work on her homework her mother open the house door.

"Where you been Miriam!?" Yelled Bob
The woman was drunk and falling down.
"Shit, Miriam look at you, where have you been?" Helga was trying to carry her mother to the sofa.
"You see this crap, this is what I'm talking about!" Yelled Bob as he was heading to the living room to watch TV.
"We can't just leave her here Bob you have to help me get her to bed!" Yelled Helga trying to help her mother.
Then she saw another call from Arnold, Crimity I haven't call him yet, I'll just call him later. She thought.
"BOB HELP ME HERE!" Yelled Helga even launder. Finally, Bob got up pick up Miriam like a rag doll and when upstairs to his room to drop her on the bed.
"THERE!!" He Yelled back. He grabbed his keys and left the house.

Helga took her mother's shoes off and placed a bucket near her bed in case if she throws up and cover her with a blanket since it was a cold night.

"I'm sooo tired." Said Helga as she walked to her bedroom to try to relax. As she looked at her phone she saw 9:00pm she was so busy with her chores she didn't realize how late it was. She saw two missed calls from Arnold. She decided to call him since he sounded desperate to talk to her.

"Hello" answer Arnold
"Hey Arnoldo how are you?"
"Wondering when you were going to call me, I guess you been busy."
"Yes, I have and I haven't done my homework yet."
"It's that bad ugh." Replied Arnold sounding melancholy
"Are you sad Football head?"
"Uhhh no"
"Yes you are, you're such a baby just tell me what's wrong?" Helga Insisted
"I..." Arnold was trying to open up to Helga
"Crimity Arnoldo if you don't want to talk I'm hanging up."
"Wait Helga I'm sorry it's just that, I been thinking about us and I was wondering if you been thinking about what you told me at the VIP room." Asked Arnold
"I can't lie to you Arnold. I haven't been thinking about it, not yet."
"Oh so, what about Andrew have you been thinking about him?" he Asked unsure
"Thinking about what?" Asked Helga confused.
"I don't know just thinking." Ask Arnold again.
"Okay Arnoldo I have to work on my homework and you're not making since so. I guess we can just talk tomorrow. Bye."
Helga hang up.

After a while Helga was finishing her homework. It was already 10:30 and she felt it was too late to call Phoebe. She wanted to talk to her best friends about all her problems.
I guess I'll just talk to her tomorrow.
Helga thought.

As she was going to bed a text came through, it was Arnold.

-Helga don't be mad at me, sometimes I find it so difficult to talk to you. I just want you to know, you're always in my heart. Goodnight. Love Arnold -

Helga smiled when she saw the text
Oh my poor Football head His always so concern and caring, my attitude is always getting on the way when he tries to express his feelings to me though Helga with her hands in her chest. She walked inside her closet and there it was his shrine full of photos Phoebe took of them in the restaurant and while they were dancing tango. "I may not have my locket anymore, because my sweet gentle Arnold is wearing it, but I still have my shrine." Said Helga to herself. She kneels in front of it and with a broken voice she prayed.

"Oh, my heart aches for everything that's surrounds me, but you my tender heart enchanting Arnold can never suffer, not because of me... I can stand the cold winds blowing my way, I can stand it all because I'm Helga G Pataki. But my gorgeous sweet Football head I must protect you at all cost from my problems, from this storm that surrounds me and I must protect you from even....myself." She sighs

Tears run through her face like dangerous waterfalls but Helga's face was firm staring at the shrine the hall time, seeing all the beautiful photos of Arnold smiling holding her gave her strength for another day.