Hello, I would like to announce this as my second story and I hope everyone enjoys it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold.

Chapter 1: A Curious Promise

Laying in the comforts of her bed, Helga basked in the overwhelming joy of her life. Since childhood things had come a long way; friends had been made, secrets revealed, and love found. The gift of time had brought many unexpected prizes through the years, prizes that could only be labeled as priceless. It seemed not so much that Helga was a new woman; it was the fact that she had willed herself to adjust. She had accomplished things in her life that would make her happy by opening herself just enough to let others in. Obviously, it had not happened overnight. As above it had taken the skillful management of time.

Still, Helga was herself even with the help from others she could never change herself fully. Life meant nothing if you did not live it as who you were. So, Helga still proved as stubborn, obnoxious, rude, and secretive, but now with the aid of friends and counselors she had come to possess a certain irrational charm along with those qualities.

Helga was a happy girl. Right now her life appeared to be maneuvering without flaw. Soon, as a senior at Hillwood High School, she would be graduating. This offered the open door of vacating from her miserable home and away from her miserable parents. Unknowing to them, she planned to attend the same college and move in with her boyfriend of two years, Arnold Parker. Nobody but Helga or Arnold knew of this plan and nobody would know until the day arrived.

At the thought of Arnold Helga began to grin uncontrollably to her self. It sounded cliché, but with all her heart Helga loved him. So many desirable qualities came to mind when thinking of him. To Helga, he seemed perfect. He was everything a man should be: generous, understanding, kind, hopeful, appreciative, loving, caring, responsible, and the list could run on forever. But most of all Helga appreciated his love for her. Lucky was all she could explain to her self when she wondered how she had ended up with Arnold; some were just lucky and she fortunately was one of those. Helga understood she had struck gold with capturing Arnold's heart in the unrealistic world of love. No other man could compare to what Arnold gave Helga. With him, she was given a sense of security that she had never felt before. She only had to be herself for him to love her. No one had ever loved Helga in that unconditional way before.

To conclude, Helga held such impatience to the idea of spending her life with Arnold. Waiting was just too antagonizing an option, even though it would only be another five months till she graduated. When they did move in, Helga knew there would be objections from people because of their youth. The only response she had for those who objected was true love has no age boundary. It arrives young or old. All you can do is embrace it when it does knock on your door. Fighting it could only lead to deep regrets. Embracing it proved as exactly what Helga planned to do.

Rolling to her stomach, Helga laid her head onto her folded arms. Oh, wonderful heavens, how I do love my football headed Arnold. From her bed, Helga lifted her body so she could walk to her dresser at the opposite side of the room. On top of the dresser sat a golden-framed photograph. In the picture, Arnold smiled triumphantly as if he had just passed a test. Helga smiled back at him and met her blue eyes with his hazel ones. Tracing the outline of Arnold's silhouette, Helga's fingers glided gently over every curve in his face. Helga's smile enlarged as she noticed how wet Arnold appeared. In her mind, she began to remember vividly of the day the picture had been taken. It was the same day Arnold had bestowed upon Helga the magical gift of her promise ring, which as far as Helga was concerned confirmed their future together. Images of the day continued to flash through her mind causing her feel as if she were reliving it.

Flashback

The day had begun horrible as rain poured from the darkening sky and the traumatic sound of thunder echoed through the city of Hillwood. Nonetheless, it was a special day.

In her room Helga waited impatiently. Glancing at her alarm clock, she observed three fifteen had just passed. Urgh! Arnold was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. Where the heck is he? From the floor, the sounds of unmerciful foot tapping could be heard exceeding an alarming rate.

Standing, Helga began to pace her room from wall to wall with her arms folded against her chest. Calling Arnold's cell phone did not even serve as an option anymore because it was not turned on. Darn that football head. Beneath her anger Helga felt worry congest her body. It was unlike Arnold to be late without calling. And the weather is so bad outside…what if he… Helga would not even allow her mind to finish the thought. Still, even with her disapproval thoughts of the worst began to force their presence in her head. What would she do without him? How could she live? Surely, she could not. A part of herself would be lost if she lost him. Suddenly, as the most ungodly thought entered her mind, Helga heard a faint knocking at her home's front door. It was barely heard over the pounding rain that invaded Helga's ears.

Running to the top of the stairs, a sigh of relied escaped Helga's lips as she witnessed her father, Bob, open the door to a drenched Arnold.

"You again?" Bob greeted rudely. Nothing against Arnold, but Big Bob hated any visitor in his house or castle, as he would prefer to call it.

"Yes, Mr. Pataki, I've come to pick up Helga," Arnold responded respectfully. Without an umbrella, Arnold was slowly becoming more soaked by the storm's out lash as he still stood on the stoop outside the front door.

"Whatever," Big Bob grumbled, turning away from the door. He had yet to invite Arnold inside. Instead, he walked towards the living room ignoring Arnold's silent plead to be allowed in. As Bob walked away, he shouted towards the stairs, "Helga, the boy's here again!"

Not responding, Helga ran down the stairs, to the front door, and pushed Arnold to his grandfather's grungy Volkswagen, which Arnold had driven to Helga's. When both were settled inside the car, Helga began to unleash her wrath to the shivering young man sitting in the driver's seat.

"I can't believe you Hairboy. You weren't on time. You didn't call. In fact, you're phone wasn't even on so I could call you."

Arnold began to open his mouth in defense, but Helga raised her hand in defiance.

"Don't say one word, Arnold. I am so ticked off right now. I can't believe you didn't call. You always call. And don't even give me—"

"Helga," Arnold tried, eyeing her with amusement.

"No! Don't even give me any of your Boy Scout bull that you were helping some old lady across a busy street," Helga raved, paying no attention to Arnold's request for her to stop. Frustration overcoming her she began to flail her arms in the air. All rational thoughts had seized in her mind.

"Helga," Arnold stated once more, this time with a firmer tone.

"I told you no. You are not getting yourself out of this one that easy. I just don't' under—"

"HELGA!" Arnold yelled suddenly.

At his powerful voice, Helga halted her ranting immediately. An incredulous expression became present on her face. No one, not even Arnold had the privilege of shouting at her. A scowl quickly replaced her last expression.

Noticing the scowl, Arnold concluded he did not care. Once he told her his surprise she would be completely his again.

"Thank you," he said calmly, hurriedly regaining his composure.

Non-attentive, Helga stared blankly outside the windshield, watching the rain pierce the glass and the splash off the car. No one yells at me. How dare that football head?

From the corner of her eyes, Helga watched Arnold pull a small object from his coat pocket. Still refusing to speak, Helga returned her focus to the rain. Reluctantly, she allowed her body to succumb to the excitement of wanting to know what the object was. Finally, after what seemed like ages Arnold spoke cautiously, careful not to arouse Helga's anger again.

"Helga, please look at me," he requested, peering at her eagerly.

"Why should I?" Helga countered stubbornly. Oh, but how she longed to look, but her pride kept her from doing the impossible. I am not letting him get away with everything so easily.

"Because I want to show you this," Arnold replied, persuasiveness lining his voice.

"Show me what?" Helga questioned, curiosity controlling her voice as she turned to Arnold forgetting her stubbornness.

Smiling at her, Arnold opened his hand to reveal a detailed silver ring. There were no diamonds accenting it or any jewels on it at all. It was a simple ring that held a mysterious, magnetic charm.

Gasping, Helga's body began to quiver. This is too much. Oh, what am I saying of course it isn't. Joyful tears began to make their presence in her blue eyes.

"The reason I was late was because I had to pick this up at the jewelry store," Arnold explained. He shifted the ring in his hand provocatively to allow Helga a better view. The reaction from Helga proved as more than Arnold expected. Seeing her elation overwhelmed Arnold's heart. Making people happy was something Arnold loved to accomplish, but seeing his own girlfriend speechless was something special.

"Oh, Arnold, why are you even still talking about that? I don't even care anymore," Helga affirmed, wiping tears from her eyes. They had yet to grace her cheek, and she intended for them not to. A question arose in her mind, "Arnold, what is this ring for? Don't you think we're still a little young to get married?"

"No, no, no, this isn't an engagement ring. It's a promise ring," Arnold clarified, chuckling to himself at the thought of being a junior married in high school.

"A promise ring," Helga inquired, raising her eyebrow, "What am I promising?

"Well, first, give me your left hand," he requested. Slowly, Helga lifted her hand for him to grasp. Confusion awaited on top of curiosity in her mind.

"Helga," Arnold began, holding her clammy hand tightly, "I love you and although we've only been together almost a year I want to make a promise to you and this relationship."

Helga gulped.

"I promise through all the years we're together I will love you. No matter how rude or stubborn you grow to be I'll love you unconditionally because those are the things I love most about you. For this relationship, I promise everyday I'll work to make this the best relationship it can be. I'll listen to your needs and make myself the best man I can be for you."

Pausing, Arnold stared deeply into Helga's eyes causing her to hold her breath. It seemed as if they could see every emotion unfolding in her mind, which caused Helga to feel naked.

"Now, here's the catch," Arnold continued.

Oh, here we go, Helga thought as she exhaled.

"Since I've made that promise to you I want you to make a promise to me."

"Alright," Helga agreed, biting her bottom lip.

"Promise me you'll always love me and never want to leave me. Promise me no matter what happens I'll always stay in your mind," Arnold concluded, his voice unusually firm.

A giant grin unfolded across Helga's face. Oh, how I do love my football head.

"Of course, why not? But seriously Arnold, you didn't even have to have me promise those things. I was already going to do them," Helga squeezed Arnold's hand, attempting to invite his lips to hers.

All the anxiety Arnold had held in throughout the entire ordeal began to release itself in beads of sweat that trickled down his head. He wrapped his arms around Helga, missing her lips, and kissing her flushed cheeks.

The warmth of Arnold's arms caused Helga to melt. Arnold holding her was one thing she would never tire of.

Then, as suddenly as Arnold had grasped Helga he pulled himself back. In his right hand the ring still sat patiently, waiting for a finger to be placed on. Before Arnold placed it on Helga's finger he showed her the inscription he had had engraved on the inside of the ring.

In her chest, Helga's heart pounded violently as she read the graven words.

To Helga

I promise my heart to you.

Love,

Arnold

"Oh, Arnold," Helga whispered. Arnold was the first person to ever love her with such compassion and sincerity. Although she loved it, at times it still caught her by surprise.

"Don't say anything," Arnold hushed her softly. Gently, he slid the ring down her fourth finger and kissed her just as gently on her lips.

End Flashback

That incident happened a year ago, but Helga still remembered every word as if it had occurred yesterday. A serene look enchanted Helga's features as she viewed the ring on her left hand. It had become such a huge part of her. Never did she part with it. If she did she felt a part of her soul went missing. The ring symbolized the ongoing love she and Arnold would always have and Helga could never slip away from that.

As Helga continued to gaze in adoration at the ring, her telephone began to ring. Abruptly, Helga dropped her hand to her side and ran to the pink nightstand beside her bed. Picking it up, she knew already who it was.

"Hello," she chimed.

"Hey," Arnold greeted in return.

"What are you doing?" Helga asked.

"I'm just waiting outside your front door to pick you up, so we can go mail our college applications."

"Well, geesh, Hairboy, could you give a girl a little more notice next time," Helga responded, irritation brimming her voice, "Stay there. I'll be down in a minute."

"I'll be waiting," Arnold answered without hesitation.

"You better be. Bye." Before he could respond, Helga hung up. Hurriedly, she ran again to her dresser where her college applications sat scattered across its surface. Five applications awaited her, one of the five Arnold did not know about. One to the local college, Hillwood University, another to Pennington College, located approximately fifty miles north of Hillwood, a third to Iowa State University, which was the state Hillwood was located in, a fourth to Rockmore College in Indiana, and the last one unknowing to Arnold was an application to Luther College of Fine Arts located in New York City. For college, Helga and Arnold planned to apply to the same schools and whichever school both accepted them they would enroll together. They did not want to suffer the same fate as other couples leaving high school that were forced to be separated because of attendance at different colleges. Even with that notion, Helga still decided to apply to a fine arts school. For her, it seemed strictly out of curiosity to see if she would be accepted; she had no intention of enrolling if she did at the slim chance was accepted. Telling Arnold her plan was not an option because she knew it would devastate him. Her love for Arnold ran so deep she could not bear the thought of hurting him.

Rushing, Helga piled all the applications with their envelopes into her arms and ran out her bedroom door, down the stairs to greet Arnold.

A/N: Except for Iowa State University, I made up all the names of the colleges. Okay, so what do you think of the first chapter, do you like it? Tell me whatever. Give me your opinions. Should I continue? I'm a little nervous about this story, but I'm sure everyone gets that way when they post a new story. Okay, thanks for reading, and don't be shy to leave a review. I need all the help I can get.