I do not own the characters, places, or phrases from Hey Arnold! They are the property of Craig Bartlett…lucky dog :)

Helga looked up at the flyer on the bulletin board and studied it with interest.

'Hillwood High Beauty Pageant.

First Prize will receive a full scholarship and $1,000 cash.

Sign up before noon on Monday the 25th.'

Today was the last day to sign up and Helga had been contemplating the idea of entering for a week now. 'What am I thinking? Helga G. Pataki a beauty queen? Ha! Why would I even think that I would have a chance of winning!' The prize was what was reeling her in though. In her eyes it was a win-win situation, she could finally achieve something that her parents would be proud of, and plus she could win a scholarship so she could get away from her home after graduation. 'Alright Helga, this is it just sign up. You can do this!' Right before she signed her name, she could hear someone approaching. It was Rhonda Lloyd a.k.a. Princess.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Honestly Helga, you of all people are signing up for the beauty pageant! You do know who your competition is don't you?"

Helga rolled her eyes, "Gee Princess, I haven't the faintest idea."

"Well me of course, and don't forget our good friends Lila and Nadine." Rhonda said with a smug.

Lila and Nadine tried to avoid the tension that was building between Rhonda and Helga; after all they really were all friends.

"I think that I'm ever so certain, that everyone will be a good competitor, girls," Lila said with a smile. She was always so cheerful.

"I agree with Lila, I think everyone has a fair chance Rhonda," piped Nadine.

"Well certainly girls, I was just stating that I didn't realize Helga would ever want to be a beauty queen. After all she has never really been girly," Rhonda stated.

"Criminy Princess, I'm just doing it for the scholarship and the mullah! Helga G. Pataki might not be a prissy little priss like yourself, but I CAN and WILL beat you! You just wait and see!"

"Well, we will just have to leave it up to the judges now won't we? Oh and by the way Mrs. Viola Worthington is my godmother. Just in case you didn't know who she is, she is the one who runs the pageant!" And with that Rhonda stormed away with Nadine and Lila close behind.

'Nice going Helga, there's no turning back now! Who does Rhonda think she is? Royalty I imagine, well I will show her dumbass!' And with that Helga signed the flyer.

"YOU DID WHAT!" asked Phoebe shocked.

"I signed up for the Beauty Pageant! Honestly Pheebs I have already repeated myself fifty times, Criminy!" spat Helga.

"But, you have hardly worn makeup your entire life! You haven't even worn a dress since we were fourth graders! Honestly Helga what gave you the idea to do this?"

"I told you, I need the scholarship, and the $1,000 cash wouldn't be bad either. Plus, I figured if I won I could get Big Bob and Miriam off my back, well Bob mostly. You know how he is Phoebe! He is always comparing me to Olga and I'm tired of never being acknowledged!" Helga snapped. Then another thought hit her. If she was being completely honest with her friend, she would have also mentioned her desire to be noticed as more than just a fiery tomboy. She would give anything to be able to have the confidence that the other girls had.

"Look Pheebs, I just really want to show everybody that there is more to me than what meets the eye. Can you please help me with this? I need someone who can show me how to act more "girly" and teach me some manners. I want to win this so bad."

Phoebe stared at her best friend for a moment. She knew how difficult of a time Helga had always had with her father. She longed to be in the spotlight just once, just so she could show her parents that she wasn't a screw up.

"Alright I will help you," Phoebe said.

"Help her with what?" asked Gerald, who was approaching with Arnold.

"Promise not to give me a hard time?" asked Helga.

"Of course not," said the boys with increasing interest.

"Well Pheebs here is going to coach me for the Beauty Pageant," said Helga.

Both boys looked at one another, and seemed to be thinking the same thing. 'Helga, in a beauty pageant?'

"You're kidding right? I mean in all honesty Helga I never even dreamed you would even be interested in watching a beauty pageant. Let alone be in one," Gerald said with caution. Helga's temper was starting to show.

"But, we will support you in this Helga," Arnold said quickly for fear that his friend was about to meet Ole Betsy and the Five Avengers.

"Thanks you guys. I really need all the help I can get!" Helga said calmingly. She really was grateful that she would have their support. After all, they all have been close since middle school when Helga's temper became more manageable.

"Well that settles it! So what should we do first? What all do you need help with Helga?" asked Arnold.

"Well let's see, I need help with mannerisms, makeup, my hair, my outfits, my talent, and pretty much just everything Arnoldo."

"And how long do we have until the pageant?" asked Gerald.

"Umm, two weeks…"

"Damn girl! Then we need to get started right away! No offense Helga, but seeing as how you have never really been girly, we are going to need all the time we can spare," stated Gerald.

"I know Tall-Hair boy! When can we get this beauty teaching cracking?" asked Helga starting to feel irritated.

"Well I'm free after school. What about you boys?" asked Phoebe.

"Yeah we can meet up after school. How about at the boarding house?" suggested Arnold.

"Sounds good to me Football Head, just hope you guys know that you have your work cut out for you," smiled Helga.

And with that they all decided to meet at Arnold's house after school. Little did they know that teaching Helga to be a beauty queen is going to be a lot harder than they think!

This is my first FanFic and I really hope you guys like it! Please R&R, and I'm open to suggestions!