Helga and Arnold chapter one

Helga sighed, staring at the picture taped to the inside of her favorite book. It was a picture of Arnold of course, like it would actually be anyone else. Helga has been in love with Arnold since she was in kindergarten, ever since he was the only one to notice she was standing outside the preschool in the pouring rain. Yeah it seems silly but Helga couldn't help herself. So as everyone got older or moved away in some cases Helga changed herself and her ways, hoping to get Arnold's attention. Helga was much nicer and her hair finally grew out to long blond hair that flowed down her back. She also got rid of the pink dress in exchange for normal jeans, shorts, and shirts. The change worked, getting his attention, but not the way she was truly hoping. Arnold, who was always nice to her but always a little distant, finally took notice. And now as the result, they were the best of friends, besides Phoebe of course.

"Helga! Dinners ready dear. Come eat." Closing the book Helga placed it on the bookshelf in the exact middle, and went downstairs to eat dinner. Smiling warmly at her youngest daughter Miriam placed the plate of steak potatoes and green beans down on the table. "Are you ready for senior year Helga?" Helga grimaced slightly but didn't bother pointing out that she had asked her his just a few hours ago.

"Kind of not really. Everything is gonna be weird since Harold, Stinky, and Eugene moved away. I don't know. I guess we will find out tomorrow." Harold had moved to somewhere in Indiana, Stinky had moved to the west coast and believe it or not Eugene graduated early and is in college somewhere overseas.

"Oh that's right, they moved at the beginning of the summer right? That's too bad. I'm sure you'll miss them dear." Helga didn't bother correcting her. She hasn't actually spoken to those three in years. Three at least. After dinner Helga finished the dishes, as she does every night before finally getting ready for bed.

…...

Helga grimaced and slammed her hand down on the alarm clock blaring in her ear. School, gross. After a long hot shower to wake herself up, Helga brushed and dried her hair. Staring into her closet Helga decided on a casual outfit of jean shorts, converse and a pink v-neck shirt with a tiny useless pocket. Finally to top it off Helga pulled her hair back into a ponytail and put on some basic foundation, lip gloss and eyeliner. Helga grabbed her pullover and her backpack before going down to eat a quick breakfast.

Miriam grimaced at Helga's choice of a simple bagel but she didn't have time for anything else. Phoebe and Arnold would be there soon to pick her up for school. Helga had taken longer in the shower this morning than she normally would have. For the most part it was to wake up, Helga hadn't exactly had to wake up this early in the morning for a few months now. Another small part of her though was nervous to see Arnold. Arnold and his grandparents had gone on vacation for the summer, having only gotten back a few days ago. "Bye dear. Have a good day at school."

Helga's heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him again. Has he changed? She sure hoped not. Helga didn't want him to change one bit. A car honked startling her out of her thoughts. Helga nearly fainted on the spot when she saw Arnold grinning at her from the passenger seat of Phoebes car. Arnold had grown into his head and it didn't look as large as it used to but just right. Helga stilled like to tease him occasionally though. "Football head. Your back from vacation." Helga commented as she climbed into the backseat. Arnold grinned at her through the mirror

"Sure am. How was your summer Helga?"

"Eh. Could have been better, could have been worse. Can't complain though." Helga's heart finally settled into place, knowing Football Head was back where he belonged. Home.

"So Arnold. How was your vacation? Did you see anything cool?" Phoebe asked from the drivers seat. Phoebe was much of he same, short pixy like black hair, and a sweet innocent attitude.

Arnold grinned at Helga again making her heart flutter. "Eh. Could have been better, could have been worse. Can't complain though." Arnold shifted, leaning forward to dig something out of his backpack. "Helga, I got something for you. While I was on vacation. Here." Arnold passed Helga a simple white gift-bag about the size of the palm of her hand.

"Arnold? What is it?"

Blushing, he shook his head. "Just open it." Sighing with nervousness Helga lifted a small gray velvet like box. Helga's heart-rate sped up even though common sense told her I wasn't anything expensive or particularly special. He was just being a good friend is all. Opening the box with a snap, Helga's breath caught. It was a necklace. A thins silver chain held a small Irish dream catcher with a Celtic knot in the center. Helga didn't know what to say, but by that time they were at the school and phoebe was parking her car in the spot nearest to her.

"Ok, Helga, give it here. I wanna see it. Please?" I passed her the gray box still in shock. It was beautiful. Phoebe gasped. "This is gorgeous!"

" I..uh..found it in a small shop while I was we were on tour. Its handmade. Non other like it. If you look closely you can see a small inscription on the back in the bottom." Arnold was blushing furiously which confused Helga. What could he possibly be embarrassed about? Glancing down at the necklace she noticed the inscription Arnold was talking about. It wasn't just at the bottom though. It was all around the back of the dream catcher. It read "Let me be the one that dances through your dreams"

Arnold is back from vacation and apparently has done a lot of thinking about Helga. What kind of thinking? And does the gift mean anything? Or was it just a friendly gesture?