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Not exactly the ugly duckling	By : DancingBear Category: +G through L > Hey, Arnold! Views: 5459 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold, nor any of the characters. I do not, and will not make any money from this story. (Original creator: Craig Bartlett)

Chapter List
- 1-Not exactly the ugly duckling
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 27-27
- 28-28
- 29-29
- 30-30
- 31-31
- 32-32
- 33-Epilouge
- 11
- 12
- 13
Helga stood on the pavement outside a corner bar. The neon sign humming steadily overhead read THE TATUM, and the comforting rumble of voices and low jazz music flowed out onto the street.
It was drizzling, a warm, light rain that Helga had always loved. It made the glow of the streetlights fuzz around the edges, it hung instead of falling, collected into dew drops on her hair and eyelashes. It smelt clean and fresh. She took a deep breath and pressed the heavy door open.
Instantly the warmth and the deep, musky smell of whiskey and leather washed over her. She liked this place already. Small groups of old velvety armchairs were clustered around low tables, the bar was a long, thick wooden slab. There was a stage at the back, but it was empty, the music playing was from old recordings, with the telltale 'pop' noises marring the singer's voices. The room was lit from wall sconces, making the whole place warm and cozy, and incredibly sexy.
"Man, I'll have to bring Arnold here." She mumbled to herself as she scanned around the room for Eugene. They caught sight of each other at the same time, he grinned and waved as she approached, grasping her in a quick hug before introducing her to the barman (Samuel) and buying her a drink (a Belgian blonde beer).
"You look fantastic!" Eugene gushed as he led her to the table he had claimed. Helga blushed. She was wearing skintight black jodhpurs and black ankle boots under a long bright turquoise shirt, under her soft leather biker jacket.
She eyeballed Eugene "Not too shabby yourself! Who knew redheads could pull off purple?"
Eugene preened, he looked great and he knew it. The deep purple suit jacket he had on over dark jeans and a dark grey T shirt, made his red, perfectly styled hair look fiery.
"Thanks for meeting up." Helga smiled as she lowered herself into one of the armchairs.
Eugene just waved a hand dismissively at her "Say no more. I figured Stinky would be pursuing you, after how he was talking at Arnolds." He took a small sip of his whiskey, and leaned back into his chair, the picture of elegance. "But, we have a whole hour before he's due to show up, so tell me what's new in your world, and then I'll ask a favor of you." Helga went to speak, but he held up his hand again "No questions yet… tell me… what are you doing now?"
She sighed, playing along. "Not much. Working as a PA slash admin slash girl Friday for a chauvinist."
Eugene nodded "That cellphone place, in the beautiful building with the fantastic florists on the ground floor?"
Helga laughed, "Yes, that place. Now, what were you going to ask me?"
But Eugene shook his head. "Oh no… not yet. There are things that I must know!"
Helga raised an eyebrow, suddenly sure of what he was going to ask about. "Oh yeah? Like what, exactly?"
He grinned. "Mr. Shortman and yourself." He leaned forward in his chair. "Tell me I was seeing what I think I was seeing."
Helga dropped her gaze and stared into the top of her glass. She nodded, biting her bottom lip.
"Oh that is just FANTASTIC!" Helga started at Eugene's exclamation. "Poor Stinky doesn't have a chance! Aren't you excited? After all this time?"
At that, someone could have belted Helga across the head and she wouldn't have blinked. She felt her mouth fall open, but couldn't care enough to close it. He knew? "W-what?" she asked weakly.
"Oh. Don't worry, I never told anyone!" Eugene was grinning from ear to ear "But I could always see how much you liked him, and I always hoped you would get together. You would make such gorgeous children!"
Helga stared. He knew! Who else knew! Shit. She tried to calm herself down. She took a deep gulp of her beer, leaned back and closed her eyes. Fuck fuck fuck.
"Helga, what's the matter?" Eugene's voice was full of concern.
Helga sighed heavily. "Argh. Nothing. Not really. It's just that I didn't think anyone knew…"
"Well, it is just me, and as I said, I never told anyone!"
"But if you figured it out, did anyone else?"
"But… what would that matter?"
Helga paused. She supposed it wouldn't really make much difference. It's not like Eugene knew just how creepily obsessive she had been… "I dunno. I figure I'll end up telling him one day that I had a crush on him at school… but it would be nice to tell him myself."
Eugene laughed. "If anyone else knows, and they haven't told yet… why would they say anything now? Stop worrying!" he took another sip of his drink and grinned "Ok, now tell me how it happened! Are you two 'official' yet? Is he still the charming gentleman he once was?"
So Helga started telling Eugene how everything came about. Broadly at first, but he wanted to know every detail, stopping her to ask questions, until she was saying things out loud that she never thought she would say.
After she was done, Eugene sat back, utterly satisfied. "Well, I suppose I should ask my favor now, Stinky's due soon." He noted her sudden, scared expression, and scoffed "Don't worry! I won't tell a soul." He finished the last sip of his drink and placed the empty glass in the dead center of the table.
"Miss Pataki, would you consider modeling for me?"
It was Helga's turn to scoff. "What? Are you nuts?" She laughed, sure he was joking.
"I swear I am in sound mental health, in full possession of my mental faculties." He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and his fingers clasped. "Last year I did the calendar for KMS hair care. It was, if I say so myself, fucking beautiful, and I have managed to swindle the job again this year. I showed my assistant some shots of you from the party, and he agrees with me, that you are perfect for what we have been planning." He looked her straight in the eye, perfectly serious. "What do you think?"
"I am NOT a model!" Helga was incredulous "I mean, why me?"
"Because you're stunning." Eugene stated simply.
Helga was quiet. Stunning? She gaped at him, and he sighed, exasperated "Why don't you come into my studio on Monday evening? You can meet my assistant, Paul, see the last calendar, and look over some of our concept drawings. If you like the idea, then we can take a few test shots, nothing formal. Oh, and you'll be paid. Not sure what exactly, but the last girl got over a grand."
Well, that last bit was definitely tempting. "FINE! I'll come in Monday… You'll have to give me the address."
. . .
"Ahh, Helga!" Eugene tapped at the screen of his Mac, a satisfied grin on his face. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Helga craned over him, gawking. She looked so different in the photos.
The shots were basic. A few head shots, and some simples sitting poses against a white backdrop. Eugene has made her change her top, and the soft grey/blue singlet he had put her in made her eyes look brighter, her skin look smoother.
Eugene held one of his concept drawings up to the screen.
"You'll look like a goddamn mermaid!" he grinned. "Please, PLEASE say you'll do it!" His hands were clasped.
Helga groaned, uncomfortable, but exhilarated. "Yeah… Okay Eugene… I'll do it…" she rolled her eyes as Eugene cheered. "Can I get dressed now?" she asked, plucking at the borrowed top as she tried to change the subject.
"Argh. No." He sneered in distaste. "Keep the top, it suits you." He waved a hand at Helga as she tried to object. "Anything to stop you from putting that vile shirt back on." He eyeballed her. "Why on earth do you wear that Condoleezza Rice uniform crap?"
Helga stood still, feeling suddenly very stupid. Her mouth opened, but she had no idea what to say, so she closed it again.
"You're a gorgeous woman." Eugene's voice was soft. "It's easy to see that you aren't comfortable in that stuff… why don't you wear nice tops, or skirts, or something?"
Helga shrugged. "Unprofessional I suppose." She paused, then sighed. "I'm a chick working in a man's world. No one takes me seriously. The last thing I want is to emphasise my girly-ness."
Eugene laughed at that. "Honey… fuck that. I know exactly where you are coming from, and Tomming it does not work."
Huh? "Tomming it?"
"Uncle Tom's Cabin… trying to fit in with with your oppressors in order to get ahead." Eugene pointed at her. "You need to stop doing it."
Helga gaped.
"I'm not having it." He stated firmly. "Come with me." He stood up and made his way across the crowded studio. "PAUL!" he called.
"Oh god no." Helga whispered. Paul, Eugene's assistant, was gorgeous. A solid block of perfect African American male. No way did she want him to see her be humiliated… whatever Eugene had in mind.
Paul stuck his head out from a small office.
"I don't think Gavin will be back for the stock from the last shoot, do you?" Eugene winked.
"Hell no." Paul grinned back, raising an appreciative eyebrow at Helga. "There's that sample stock from Toni's shoot, too."
"Yes!" Eugene bounced up on his toes. "You're a genius!"
"Uh…" Helga stuttered. "Um… what…"
"Shush." Eugene turned to her. "We're going to do the world a favour, and get rid of your work clothes."
"But… uh… Shit Eugene… I'm not your make-over pity project!"
Eugene, to his credit, just rolled his eyes. "Do you trust me?"
"What?"
"Do. You. Trust. Me? It's my job to make people look good, and feel comfortable. I know what I am doing." His voice was stern, but his eyes were gleaming.
She pondered for a moment. He was right, she supposed. She hated what she wore to work. It made her feel scratchy and uncomfortable. She always felt at once conspicuous, and part of the furnishings. Other women at work dressed 'nicely'…
"Ah, fuck it." She sighed. "I have nothing else to do tonight."
Eugene laughed. "I suppose that'll do."
- 11
- 12
- 13
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Not exactly the ugly duckling