Authors Note: So I was watching Hey Arnold the other day and I thought about what Helga and Phoebe and some other characters might be like in high school. I have the same policy for all my stories, give constructive criticism and I'll take it into account. Reviews telling me how much my story sucks won't change the plot like that. I hope to be adding more to the story and will check over chapters for mistakes. Any you find, please tell. It'll make the story better if what I write makes sense!
DISCLAIMER-I don't own the Hey Arnold universe nor did I make it. All credit goes to Craig Bartlett, I just work with the characters.
"Hey Arnold, what are you doing? And why are you on the floor." Gerald had walked into school that morning with hope for a normal day but it looked like that was about as unlikely as Curly not taking part in his favorite pastime; stalking Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. Arnold sighed in response, his face set in an irritated frown.
Gerald's brow raised and he crouched down to eye level. "I'm not fluent in sighing Arnold, please translate." Arnold rolled his eyes and turned back to the locker.
"My school picture is missing and grandma and grandpa have been expecting it! Grandpa thinks I have a large wart that I'm hiding with cover-up and I just forgot it on picture day."
Gerald tried to hide his snickers at Arnold's frustration but it didn't work. Arnold's scowl deepened.
"Oh you're a bunch of help, now get down here and look!" He commented and Gerald huffed but set to work. Phoebe passed by them, staring curiously at the two. She'd heard enough and already had an idea as to where Arnold's picture was.
Further down the hall one Helga G. Pataki was staring dreamily at the inside of her locker. If she had allowed anyone to see the insides they would spot the very picture Arnold was looking for.
Oh Arnold, how I love thee! I cannot express it though for fear you shall reject me! Oh Arnold, one day we shall be together. One day!
Helga's mind may have continued skipping around in Lala Land but Phoebe arrived. The still small girl poked Helga's arm.
"Helga, Helga! Are you in there?" The blonde's head shot up.
"Where's the fire?!" Phoebe smiled amusedly, from the looks of Helga's locker her friend had been swooning over Arnold again. She dearly hoped that Helga would show some bravery and own up to her confession but even the bravest people have weaknesses. Plus Arnold was looking for his picture.
"Helga, Arnold is wondering where his picture is…" Helga flushed red; she'd not taken Arnold needing the picture into account. She looked around for the boy himself. There he was, crouching down and rooting for it in his locker, frustrated.
"Oh fine, I'll give it to him! I wish the copy machine was still working …" Helga muttered to Phoebe, dejected and her friend smiled and shook her head at her best friend's antics. The bell rang though and Arnold wasn't in English class, a surprise considering his attendance record.
It was in study hall that Arnold got his picture back from Helga who walked over to his desk and handed him his school photo.
"That weird yearbook kid found your photo, don't know why he gave it to me though." Helga said, looking confused. Her acting skills had improved over the years if she did say so herself. Arnold looked at the picture and then back at Helga. He smiled slowly, Helga honestly didn't know how to react and found herself actually puzzled.
"What is it Football Head, Something on my face?" She asked slowly and Arnold dug his hand into his pocket. Helga stared at Arnold as he brought out a newer looking picture and smiled warmly. Holy shit, Helga could feel her heart speeding up. Why was she freaking out? This was okay, nothing weird was happening. It was nerves, Helga knew that but she looked around to see if the world had turned different colors anyways.
"Thank you Helga but I got a new one." Helga only nodded slightly, caught up in the moment. Both Arnold and Helga looked at the other, the situation was getting awkward, Helga felt like a deer or some other helpless woodland creature. Luck though was on her side and Sheena was in the back of the room, they had been paired for a project in art class. Helga made her escape, saying something vague about Sheena and finger painting.
Helga got to the seat next to Sheena and plopped down next to her. Sheena herself craned her head over and whispered.
"Are you alright Helga, you look kind of, lost!" Sheena asked, bless her. Helga straightened up and smiled at her art partner.
"Yeah Sheena, I'm fine, just a bit tired today, you know…" Sheena "ahed" and went back to her music sheet, humming a song as she worked.
For the rest of the period Helga was immersed in a book about karate. A warning sign to somebody annoying or stupid enough to bother her, like Harold.
The bell rang thankfully and for once Helga was glad she was not near Arnold. He was so confusing today, strange and kind of scary.
Helga was the last one out of the classroom and she stopped near the trashcan and stared down at it. No, she wouldn't do it today, she'd go to lunch. But just as Helga exited the room she sighed. Who was she kidding, the photo would plague her for a while and plus Arnold was so darned cute in that one. Well, cuter than he usually was anyways. She ran back into the room and stuffed her hand into the trashcan.
With the crinkled photo in her hand, Helga went to lunch. Looked like today wasn't that bad, she kept her photo and Arnold had his new, not-as-nice one (In her opinion at least).
Unbeknownst to Helga, the object of her affections was standing a few feet down the hall, as if he expected her to get the picture. A heavy breathing sound started to make itself known and Arnold saw Brainy up ahead staring in the same direction at Lila who was walking out of the room they held student council in. She was secretary if Arnold was correct in remembering the voting day held the previous year. It certainly seemed that Brainy had moved on, at least he wasn't getting punched in the face as often as before...
Arnold turned around to go to the lunch room but stopped. Helga had headed in the wrong direction and Arnold was far too nice sometimes. Looked like he'd be spending more time with Helga then expected. A prospect that was nerve-wracking and exciting all at the same time.
FINI
Thank you for reading. And yes, I just went there! The temptation was too great and plus I just really liked that ending. Don't really know where Brainy crushing on Lila came from but it works so there!
