Chapter 1. The Assignment
It was a regular school day, with the same routine. Nothing changed, nothing different. Mr. Simmons had already been in the class when the children walked in from lunchtime recess. One by one they made it to their individual desks. The children were talking and cracking jokes, as they moved swiftly to their desk and got out their English books.
Mr. Simmons stood up from his chair behind his desk, tucked in his chair and said "Children, settle down now, I have a new poetry project for you all. I would like this project done by Friday and I will be picking for you partners."
Mr. Simmons counted out the amount of children in the first row. Gave a little bundle of papers to the head of that row, and then did the same with the rest.
Some of the kids began to talk to one another in hopes they get their friends. Helga turned around to her friend Phoebe who was in front of her and said "Hey Phoeb's since we will probably get together lets go over to your house tonight to do this thing." Helga was just stubborn and hurting on the inside, her callused skin that she lived with was someone else she didn't even like. Phoebe was understanding of this and enjoyed to be bosses around so with her cheerful self she answered with a simple "Of course."
Arnold another student in this class turned around to his friend Gerald "Hey Gerald, do you think we will get to be partners?" Arnold was a soft hearts boy who was shorter than most, but what he lacked in height he gained in his heart. Arnold was completely selfless and always tried to help others. Gerald who was his friend was calm, cool and collected, he was a legend among his peers.
Gerald answered Arnold with "Who knows really, it would be cool. But as long as I don't get…" Gerald whispered the next few words so others could hear. "…Helga Pataki as a partner, I'm okay." Arnold just chuckled and nodded his head in agreement. Although he wasn't even sure what he thought of her. He knew her to be a trapped soul who was merely trying to protect her self against others. But he also knew from that thought, that she was kind and sweet on the inside.
The truth was he did like like her he just doesn't believe it. He was still in denial about himself possibly like liking the meanest girl in class. He didn't think there was anyway possible she would ever like him as a friend let alone more than a friend. Gerald turned around because Mr. Simmons was going to put them with their partners now.
"Alright so lets see, how about Rhonda and Herald together?" Mr. Simmons although was the teacher he also sometimes stated things as if the students had any say in the matter. Herald looked and Rhonda, Rhonda looked at Herald back and she smiled. Herald turned redder than as usual he let out a whine "No, Mr. Simmons please don't put me with her. Please!" Rhonda how ever was not the type of girl to take rejection so she added to Mr. Simmons "Oh Mr. Simmons never mind him, he's glad we're partners."
Mr. Simmons just scratched his head and continued.
"Alright Eugene with Sheena."
Eugene and Sheena sat across from each other Sheena looked delightfully at Eugene and Eugene smiled back, but when he turned away he sighed in grief.
"Stinky and Lila."
Stinky and Lila looked at each other and beamed at each other.
"Nadine and Curly."
Curly rubbed his palms together and roared with an evil laugh. Nadine just sat there with a blank stare; she had no idea how to respond.
"Gerald and Phoebe."
Gerald and Phoebe were also sitting next to each other, Phoebe shyly grinned at him and Gerald gave Phoebe a charming smirk. Arnold then looked around the room to see who was left. Including himself there was Park, Brainy, Iggy, Lorenzo, Torvald, Gloria, Billy, Joey, Sid, Peapod Kid, Robert and Helga. "Please give me Park to work with." Arnold thought to himself, hoping Mr. Simmons would read his mind.
It came to only five people left including himself there was Gloria, Torvalt, Sid and Helga. "No, please don't give me Helga! Give me Gloria, Torvalt or even Sid, anyone less but her." Arnold yelled inside his head with worry and doubt. There was nothing wrong with Helga or anything he just knew she could be hard to work with sometimes.
Helga was anticipated with excitement; only on the inside of course she loved the idea of possibly being partners with Arnold. Helga had a reputation to uphold and was not going to show that she cared. Gerald and Phoebe were both unsure of what might happen. Both didn't know if Arnold and Helga being partners would be a good idea.
Mr. Simmons named the second last group of partners out loud "How about Arnold and Glor… No actually instead lets have Gloria, Torvalt and Sid together and Arnold and Helga." Arnold couldn't believe that Mr. Simmons almost paired him with Gloria and then changed his mind. Now he was with Helga, but he also knew sometimes she surprised him so he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Alright I know Helga can be difficult but maybe this time she will surprise me like she often times does." Arnold convinced him self by those thoughts and put on a face that didn't show how sour he was a few moments before.
Helga on the other hand practically screamed from the inside out, however she kept her tongue behind her teeth. Arnold and Helga looked at each other Helga gave Arnold an evil grin and said, "Well, well, well, football head, it looks like it will be just you and me." Helga almost giggles out loud in enthusiasm, but she stopped her self because she knows that's not her outside self. Arnold narrowed his eyes and tried to ignore Helga's sentence that somehow bothered him. He replied with "Yes I guess so Helga." Helga felt all warm inside with those words; everyone else was talking to their partners so they didn't notice the conversation between the two.
Mr. Simmons began to speak "Alright kids, now I want you to sit near your partner. Turn your desks near each other or even switch desks with someone." Everyone in the room moved around, Arnold and Phoebe switched places.
"Now if you notice on the rubric I have provided you, will be grade on four things, Literature, Performance, Design and Teamwork. I want you and your partner to create a poem and some form of drawing. Whether the drawing is paint, a sketch, a sculpture or just anything you create to represent the poem. The creation you come up with I expect to be presented on Friday right about this time. Are there any questions?"
Mr. Simmons finished and Herald had a question for him, "Mr. Simmons can I switch my partner for someone else?" Before Mr. Simmons answered Rhonda had something to say, "Herald, why are you complaining? You know you want to be my partner, don't worry Mr. Simmons he doesn't want to switch his partner." Mr. Simmons sighed and nodded and he then tried again. "Are there anymore questions?" No one answered him, "Great, get to work everyone and don't hesitate to ask me anything as you go." Mr. Simmons said and then headed back to his desk and began to mark the Math test the children did before lunch.
Helga turned around to face Arnold and stated "Alright hair boy, you're going to do the poem and I'm going to draw something."
"Now wait a minute Helga, that's not fair I want to draw. Why can't you just do the poem and I draw, or maybe we could both work together on the poem and the art like the teacher wants." Arnold wasn't in the mood to let Helga get him down or tare him down. He made sure he would take a stand against her demanding tendencies.
"Well what if I don't want to write a poem? I'm not good at them."
Helga knew that she had just told a terrible lie. She didn't consider herself a great poet above most but she did know she wasn't a novice either. Arnold wasn't sure he believed her, although he had never heard he write poetry but he could tell she was no illiterate. Arnold also didn't want conflict to start off right off the bat so he just replied, "Helga I don't know much about poetry but clearly you don't want anything to do with it. So how about you draw the picture I will help you with the coloring or anything else you might need help with. I will write the poem and while I'm writing if you come up with a good idea or you would know how to improve in some areas I want to you to help me also, does this sound fair?"
Helga was amused by the way her beloved was taking control of the situation to avoid conflict. Helga however was not going to show her satisfaction in this situation so she kept her face looking stern. She rolled her eyes for effect and answered, "Whatever Football Head." Arnold knew that was her way of agreeing in probably the nicest way she could share at that moment.
The spent for a good hour discussing what kind of poem Arnold should write. They couldn't seem to decide, Arnold wanted to write a love poem. Helga didn't like that and suggested a nature poem; Arnold didn't like that because he knew he would rhyme trees with grass. Helga suggested to Arnold for him to write a dark poem, Arnold of course didn't go for it. In the end Arnold said, "Helga, I'm the one writing the poem let me decide what kind of poem it is. Look around the room everyone has already started their poems. Some people are already done their poems and moved to the art part or vise versa."
Helga was remaining calm but inside she was sad, she knew he was right. However she also knew that when he wrote the love poem it would be about Ruth or Lila not Helga. "Yeah I guess your right football head, it better be the best poem ever though, and I hate those stupid love poems." Helga threw back at Arnold, with another thought in her mind calling her a "liar". She tried her hardest to ignore the pesky voice. Arnold nodded and then he started to discuss with Helga about what would be best for her to draw.
"Don't tell me what to draw football head, I'll create what I want to." Helga didn't like others trying to tell her what to do. However Arnold was also the only person she would ever listen to for advice or anything in general except for Phoebe. What Helga didn't like here was the situation in general, she felt like the things she would draw would be more of what Arnold would want to match his love poem to some other broad. If she was going to draw a picture to match his poem, she wanted Arnolds poem to be for her and her picture for Arnold. She didn't like drawing a love picture for some girl she could careless for.
"Helga be reasonable, if you won't let me help you, you at the very least need to decide soon because Friday is in two days." Arnold was tried from a long day and just wanted the project to be done already. Helga however wanted to be safe and secure from being hurt.
"Arnoldo don't worry about it, I will have the picture done by Friday. You just need to write the poem and I'll draw my picture, okay?" Helga didn't mean to talk her anger out on Arnold but she just didn't know how to properly show her affections without scaring him, without being rejected and letting someone see that side of her. Arnold didn't say a word began to write down on the paper a sentence and that sentence turned into three more.
Arnold looked up at Helga and said "Here what do you think of this?
A pretty soul
A tender heart
Something they hide from me
Bites like a shark"
Helga looked it over and said "Hair boy you have completely lost it this time. First of all how can someone have a pretty soul but bite like a shark? None of the sentences really rhyme and the ones that do are not even near each other. Plus poems are normally put into beats, like a song." Arnold looked back at his page he then looked at Helga and answered back "You know what you're right Helga, thanks for pointing that out. Are you sure you don't want to do the poetry part? It looks like you know a little more about it than I do."
Helga knew he was right and not that she didn't want to because she did, she just couldn't live with her self if he found out the poem is about him. She knew the only poems she could make were love poems about him.
"No thanks bucko, I don't think I would be able to write a love poem, that stuff is too sappy for me." Helga told Arnold meanwhile she says to herself "Yeah right!" "Okay Helga if you insist." Arnold replied but somehow thought she would be a better person for the job.
"Class time to rap things up, there's only a few moments left of today so I have a few things I would like to go through first." Mr. Simmons announced to the children. The kids started to move to grab their things and then go back to their regular desks. Before Arnold switched places with Phoebe again he suggested to Helga, "Maybe after school you could come over so we could work on this project? Would that be okay with your mom?" Helga couldn't believe what she had just heard, she had a million thoughts racing through her head and she was worried she might droll. Not because Arnold was so attractive to her, but because she felt like her brain had just turned into mush. Helga made her self come back from her trip to Venus she had just taken. "I guess that would be okay, football head. Miriam won't care if I come over and Bob won't be home till later so it doesn't matter." Helga tried to explain while sounding cool, she didn't want Arnold to hear anything else in her voice.
Arnold then switched places with Phoebe and Mr. Simmons began to talk about the Math test and how some people were going to have re-take the test. He handed the tests back. He then gave the children a review of what the next day might look like. The bell rang and the kids walked out of the class and towards their individual lockers.
Helga went to her locker and told Phoebe the exciting news. "So I'm going to Arnolds house tonight to work on our project." Helga explained in a matter-of-fact tone that clearly showed she was bragging. "That's great Helga, out of all of those years that you weren't invited to his house, but you manage to somehow go in his room. This time you're actually aloud." Phoebe replied with hush tones so no one would hear this conversation.
"I'm also going to journey to my partners home tonight to work on this project."
Phoebe smiled. Helga knew how much Phoebe enjoyed Gerald's company, Helga smiled back.
"Well Phoebe I hope things go good for you and Geraldo."
"Me too, I also hope your trip to Arnolds turns out like you want."
"Thanks Phoeb's good luck." Helga smiled and winked back at her friend.
Arnold walked over to Helga with his bag on his left shoulder and said to her, "Let's go Helga." Helga nodded her head, closed her locker, threw her backpack over her back and walked away with the oval shaped boy towards the front door. Gerald met up with Phoebe and they also walked in that direction the other two before them had gone.
Although on the bus Arnold and Helga sat together, neither on of them spoke. Helga couldn't' think of anything to say about the project and Arnold was daydreaming. As the got to Arnold's house they got off the bus, and went inside. "Grandma, Grandpa? I'm home!" Arnold shouted for this grandparents who were somewhere in the large boarding house.
"Eh Short Man, you home already?" Phil responded with, while walking out of the living room. "Grandpa, I come home everyday at this time." Arnold said back to his grandfather. Phil smiled and answered with a matter of fact tone, "Well I knew that Arnold, so you brought you friend over. What your name again?" Helga who stood beside Arnold answered back "My names Helga." Phil nodded his head and replied, "That's right, darn I forgot. Well enjoy yourselves; I'm going to go back to my book. At the end of the book there's a big twist where Meg betrays her twin sister." Phil left the room and went into the room he was in before.
"So Helga are you going to call and tell your mom you're here?" Arnold turned towards Helga and asked as she began to walk away. Helga turned around and answered, "Nah, Miriam won't even notice I'm not there. Come on Football head lets get to work." Arnold however wouldn't move and replied with, "Helga your mother does love you and she will notice if you're not there. You should call her before we start." Helga rolled her eyes and as she walked over to the public phone in the front entrance she said, "Alright Hair Boy, but honestly it doesn't matter either way."
Helga called her mom and explained the situation, Miriam understood and they both hung up. Arnold and Helga then walked up the stairs and towards his room. None of the board tenants seemed to be insight so they peaceful made it to Arnold's room.
Arnold put his bag on his computer desk and then pulled out his remote and turned on the music and flipped his chair to come out from hiding. Meanwhile Helga was taking a moment to realize out of all the times she had been in this room without permission; she was now allowed and took a moment to soak in the experience by full. After Arnold had pulled out the couch she made herself at home without saying a word and placing herself on the couch with her beg right next to her by her feet. Arnold joined her on the couch with a book he had pulled out of his backpack and a pencil from his desk.
Helga had pulled her English out from her beg along with her lucky purple pen. Arnold and Helga both sat on an angle to face each other. Arnold flipped to one page in his book and broke the silence, "Okay I had some idea's on the way over here and I want to know what you think." Arnold said and then didn't leave time for Helga to respond so he started to recite his poem aloud.
"A tree without leaves
a song without lyrics
an aimless being
is how I feel when
you're not there?"
And again before Helga could state her opinion, Arnold spoke again.
"My favorite things
an ice cream bowl
and sugar too
I like like you
do you like like
me too?"
Helga sat there in silence to figure out what he just said. "Calm down Helga, this isn't about you. These poems are about Lila or Ruth, don't get your hopes up high." Helga had to tell herself because she felt for a moment that he liked her back.
Meanwhile Arnold was confused by his own words and thought to him self, "Why did I just say that last part? That wasn't in the poem originally. I don't understand either originally these poems were supposed to be for Lila. Why do I feel like it's not for her than? … Did I just tell Helga G. Pataki I liked her? That's crazy I don't like her! … Or do I?" Arnold had finally admitted to himself that he liked her and found himself at a loss of what to do next.
Fortunately Helga broke the silence with, "The first poem feels a bit empty, it's almost if it's lacking something. The second makes no sense, you started off saying by 'My favorite things' so then you list them 'ice cream' and 'sugar' but you don't say how 'like liking' someone is a favorite thing. If you're going to throw something out there like that you need a build in. I'm going to say you don't know much about poetry so you're going to write your poem in the form of a song. Alright Arnoldo?" Helga tried to remain cool about this project, as if it were no big deal. But she knew she was starting to sound like more intermediate level.
So they went on like that for an hour, Arnold would randomly put words together and Helga would explain why it was a preposterous poem. Arnold was getting frustrated that he could seem to make words in a sentence go together. Helga was upset because she couldn't stand Arnolds lack of knowledge on this subject. She knew in her heart she truly did want to write the poem but she couldn't bare to think of the possibility someone finding out her poem was about the Football Head she secretly adored.
"Listen Helga maybe I should just do the drawing and you should write the poem, you know more about this than me."
Helga shook her head in disagreement. "No I don't write poems let alone sappy gag me ones."
"You know Helga some how I don't believe you, but whatever you say Helga."
"That's right Football Head whatever I say." Helga fell back on the couch and crossed her arms.
Arnold took a look at Helga, trying to figure her out. He didn't like the person she pretends to be. "Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Pretend you don't care about things you clearly do and then brush it off with one of your sarcastic remarks. I know I've said this before and I'll say it again. Helga I know you're just a nice girl who is trying to protect yourself. You don't have to push everyone away; you don't have to pretend to be someone else with me. I know who you are and it's only us here, no one here is going to hurt you."
Helga sat there for a second not knowing what to say. "Oh dear sweet Arnold, you know me. You truly understand, and I wish I could share my complete soul to you. Tell you how my thoughts and feelings work together like clockwork. I'm completely and utterly helpless in love with you. You and your wonderfully oblong head of yours I could stay in your embrace for eternity. I should tell you exactly how I feel!"
"Listen Football head you may think you got me figured out, but you don't!" "Stop" "Who do you think you are?" "Stop it!" "You think just because your name is Arnold you can say what you want when you want." "Please stop it!" "Well I got news for you bucko I'm not someone different than the way I'm acting I'm me. I'm mean and crude. Don't try to understand cause you don't, you never will Paste-for-brains!" "Why did you say all that Helga?"
Arnold looked angry, he put his paper and pen down on the couch and walked a few paces forward and then turned around. He raised his arm and pointed his index finger at Helga G. Pataki.
"Helga, I was just trying to help, help you; and all you did was yell at me. You do this all the time, not just today. You always push everyone away from you and like it. You like pushing others away; do you honest hate people that much? Do you honestly hate me that much?"
Arnold put his arm down. Helga was shocked at Arnold's rage being directed to her. She in fact forgot for a second he asked her a question. "Oh Arnold, forgive me for my unthinkable behavior that causes you to be so bothered."
"Listen Yuts I don't hate you and I don't hate the world like you may think. I just want this stupid project done so I can get out of here."
"Why? Is it really that hard to be around me? Are you really that disgusted by me?"
"No, not discussed. Jeez, these are some tough questions he's throwing at me." "Never said I was disgusted did I bucko?"
"No but your actions speak louder than your words."
"I don't hate you, no matter how I act. I don't hate you and never will Geek bait."
"Then can you show a little respect to me in my home and not call me names or talk to me rudely?"
"I want to Arnold, I truly do. I just can't seem to get my words out. Every time I plan to say something good, something else comes out instead. They're not even my words, but that of a cold-blooded monster." "I'll treat you with respect if you try to not help me. I don't need your help nor do I want it."
"If you don't want my help that's fine, I can't force you to do anything. But this is hindering our project this. We need to stop fighting."
"I didn't start the fighting did I though? You were the one who spoke first. I just made sure you knew how it actually was, instead of your fantasy you live in called life." "Oh really Helga? 'Fantasy you live in called life, real mature.'"
"Why is it so wrong to be as you say, living in a fantasy? The world isn't that bad we have so much compared to others. I don't know where my parents are and maybe my family isn't rich but I have lots to be thankful for."
"Yeah well I don't have as much as you do. At least your family loves you." Helga realized what she said after and wanted to take her words back. "What's the matter with me? It's because it's him. Shut up!"
"Your family loves you Helga, maybe all they need is some trust from you to let them prove you wrong."
"Whatever, I don't want to talk about it Spit Wad."
Arnold's anger grew again. "Don't call me names, Helga." He stepped closer to where Helga was sitting.
"What are you going to do, twerp?"
"Stop it Helga!" He moved another step closer.
"Make me Geek bait."
"Helga!" He stepped another step, their noses were practically touching
"What Zygote?"
Arnold and Helga stared at each other for a few long moments when Grandpa's voice interrupted their thoughts from outside the room and down Arnold's stairs.
"Arnold is your little friend staying for dinner?"
Before Helga could even decide if she was, Arnold decided for her. "No Grandpa, she was just about to leave." Helga became discouraged but understood. Arnold stepped back a few steps and turned around. He crossed his arms and stared at the nothingness that lay before him. Helga nodded her head, stood up, put away her things in her backpack and left without a word.
On the way home Helga began to talk to herself, "Now you've done it ole girl. You really messed it up this time. Wasn't it really so bad if you talked about your wants and needs with Arnold? Was it really so wrong for you to trust him? He was only trying to help, only trying to be there for you."
"Oh Arnold if only I could share my admiration for you.
If only I was as strong as you are.
If only I could tell you all that I am, that I love you.
That my parents are crude to me and I'm scared others, including yourself will never accept me for who I am.
Oh Arnold."
Helga stopped in her track due to excessive breathing behind her back; she didn't need to look for she knew who it was. Her face became cross and she gave Brainy a backhand sucker punch. She then began walking home once more.
Helga arrived home, said hello to her parents. She then walked slowly and heavily up the stairs into her room. She put her backpack in the corner of her room near her bed and window. Helga walked over to her closet, turned on the light inside the closet and began to talk to the statue she had build out of toothpicks and toothpaste.
"Oh my dearest,
Must I be forever enslaved to my own cruel words that fall off of my tongue?
The words that betray me from my thought patterns
My own unfortunate unwanted words that lie every time my lips depart.
For I alone are a Jekle and Hyld
I cannot seem to separate the evil from the outside
From my kind and soft hearted inside
A person who I don't even think I've met yet
I yearn to search for the real me, the person whom I want to be
Oh lovely soul, come show me the way."
"Oh man that's good I need to write it down." Helga crawled over to the open hard covered book in front of her glorious shrine. She pulled her out purple pen that was in her shirt and picked up the book. She took it with her as she turned off the light in the closet, and closed the door behind her. Helga began writing as she walked.
Once Helga had finished, she placed the hard covered book on her nightstand and proceeded to getting ready for bed. Once she was done she made her way over to her bed to lie down. Before falling asleep she once more reminded herself of how she had treated Arnold. She fell asleep angry.