Chapter 1: You Don't Have To Do This

The summer before high school had finally arrived. Arnold and Helga had been together for three years. What better way to celebrate their love for one another than by throwing a party with all their friends? Not just any party however….

Arnold's House

"Did you get your invitation for Rhonda's fourth of July party, buddy?"

"Yea, I'll go if Helga wants to. If not, I'm not going to worry about it." Arnold shrugged his shoulders, sitting on his red flip out couch.

"Why not?"

"Every year grandma confuses Thanksgiving with it. It's not like I won't be celebrating it in a few months anyway."

"Whatever you say Arnold."

Pier

"We'll take some MBO's, a handful of Cherry bombs, twelve reloadables, a few defectives and all the M1000's you got! Nothing on the cheap side! None of those crappy sparklers or roman candles. Got it!"

"Actually Helga. Sparklers have been known to cause up to 20% of all firework injuries."

While the boys were debating the excitement of Rhonda's party in Arnold's bedroom, the girls were preparing for it down by the pier.

"M1000's start at $50 each." The college student in the black jacket informed her.

"Criminy! We don't have that kind of money! How the heck do you expect to sell those things with that being your starting price?!" Helga scowled, leaning over the fireworks stand to imply her rage.

"Perhaps we should go Helga. I'm sure Rhonda has other amusing activities planned for the party." Phoebe said, trying to pull her friend along.

Ignoring her friend's suggestion, Helga pointed a finger at the student and scoffed "Look bucko, you can either take what I've got and give me what I'm asking for or answer to Ol' Betsy!"

The Corner Store

"Nadine, what are you doing?" Rhonda smirked, as she watched her friend grab a handful of paper plates and cups.

"Just getting some supplies for the party."

"We didn't come here for cheap dishes Nadine. We simply came to pick up the cake I called to have ready for it."

"By the way, are you going to have any fireworks there? Seeing as how it's the fourth of July, I'm sure that's what everyone will be expecting."

"No need! Every year my neighbor puts on the most outre fireworks show!" Rhonda exclaimed.

Arnold's Kitchen

After finishing his conversation with his best friend, Arnold walked Gerald downstairs and out the door.

"So I'll see you tomorrow then."

"See ya buddy." Gerald said, giving his best friend their secret handshake.

On the way back inside, Phil couldn't help but notice Arnold passing by the kitchen.

"Hey there shortman!"

"Hey grandpa." Arnold sighed, taking a seat at the table.

"Hey, what's eatin' ya? Tomorrow's the fourth? The REAL fourth! Not that crazy charade your grandma puts on every year on Sacagawea day...or whatever it was that happened." Phil began to drift off as Arnold lifted his head.

"Well, Helga and I kind of had a fight last night….

Memory (Helga's Porch)

"I had a lot of fun tonight Helga." Arnold said, holding his girlfriend's hand on her porch steps.

"Me too football head."

"So, is there anything you'd like to do on Saturday or do you just want me to come pick you up before the party?" Arnold asked, lacing their fingers together. He was so happy with the way things were between them. Their relationship was steady, high school was on the verge of beginning, nothing could go wrong…

"Pttss...I would hardly consider a night spent eating cucumber sandwiches while listening to Princess brag about deserving to be on the cover of Pre-Teen miss a fourth of July party, but whatever."

Rolling his eyes at the remark, Arnold began to stroke her hands with his thumbs as he said "We can still go and have a good time with everyone else. We're not just going to see her."

"Whatever. See ya then." Helga scoffed, walking away from her beloved.

Arnold's Kitchen

"Doesn't sound like a fight to me. Just sounds like she wasn't interested in what ya had to say hehe." Phil laughed, while Arnold placed his head in his hand, rolling his eyes at Phil's remark.

"I just want her to have fun."

"Well, if you need any fireworks you know where your grandma's stash is. While you're out celebrating America's birthday, I'll be here helping your grandma put up the tree for Jesus' birthday."

Pier

"Look kid, I like your moxy, so here's what I'm gonna do…"

"It better end in me walking away with a stack of explosives." Helga smirked, with her hands on her hips, while Phoebe stood looking concerned.

"I'll tell you what. You go out with me tomorrow, and I'll give you all the fireworks you want! I need a date for my fourth of July party." The tall brunette with the black leather jacket said.

Helga's eyes widened as she uncrossed her arms. Less than a minute later, she cocked her brow, pointed a finger and suspiciously said "Wait a minute! You seem familiar?"

Phoebe then whispered close to her friend. "He bears a strong resemblance to Frankie G."

"Frankie G? The lamebrain who tried to take advantage of football head?"

Arnold's Bedroom

While Phil didn't seem to see a reason for his grandson to be concerned about the way his night with his girlfriend ended, Arnold couldn't help but lay on his bed and wonder what thoughts may be going through her mind…

Maybe I should call her and apologize? What would I be apologizing for though? All I did was ask if she wanted to hang out before the party. Maybe she just doesn't want to go? I guess there's only one way to find out…

RING...RING...RING…

"Hello?"

"Oh umm hi Olga. It's Arnold."

"Arnold! How are you?!"

"Fine, thanks. Is Helga there?"

"I'm afraid not. She went to get some fun fireworks for your party!" Olga explained, as Arnold's eyes lit with surprise.

"Oh umm okay. Well thanks."

"Bye!"

Phoebe's Bedroom

"You don't have to do this Helga. No one's expecting you to bring anything." Phoebe reminded her friend, while the two of them sat on her bedroom floor.

"Criminy Pheebs! I wasn't wasting my afternoon on those explosives to help Princess liven up her party."

"What do you mean?"

"After I blew off Arnold, I realized the guilt trip I'd be sending him on whether we went to the party or not. He's just going to be spending the entire night worrying about whether or not I'm having a good time. Sheesh!" Helga scoffed with her hands in the air.

"I believe you've proven these past few years, having him near you to simply enjoy his company is more than enough to create a satisfying evening for the two of you." Phoebe explained, while Helga rolled her eyes at her friend's inability to see her point.

"Pheebs, it doesn't matter if that's true. He already knows how much I hate her parties, which is why he'll be spending the whole night worrying about how much fun I'm having."

"Perhaps you could make a gesture, implying the fun you anticipate on having, without it requiring as much effort." Phoebe suggested as her aggressive friend cocked her brow.

"What's that in English?"

"Simply buy a dessert to bring to the party. Perhaps a camera to take a few pictures. Show him you weren't dreading the thought of it as much as you may have made it seem."

A weak smile came to Helga's face as she sat there considering her friend's advice.

Rhonda's Kitchen

"We've got the cake! I arranged for a professional photographer to come take some pictures of us all when the fireworks show is taking place. Nothing can go wrong!" Rhonda said proudly, while watching Nadine set the cake in the fridge.

"Do your neighbors know we'll all be there to see their show?" Nadine couldn't help but ask.

"Oh Nadine. When you're as rich as my family, you don't need permission for something like that to be okay. It's simply implied." Rhonda smirked, while Nadine rolled her eyes at her best friend's snobbish attitude.

Helga's Bedroom

After Helga's logical discussion with her best friend, she began her lonely walk home, wondering how the party would go the next day. Making her way inside her house, she saw her mom drooling on the counter, showing she hadn't hesitated to take advantage of the drinks her sister bought to celebrate the party with.

Guess she got her celebrating in! Sheesh!

Making it up the stairs, Helga fell onto her bed, spreading her arms across, staring sadly at the ceiling. After letting out a depressing sigh, she pulled her locket out of her shirt to stare at her beloved's face, whom she hadn't had a chance to see that day…

Oh Arnold! Forgive my aggressive behavior which yet again has implied your ways aren't good enough for me. If anything, tis I who is not worthy of your tender loving care. Your sensitive nature. Your….

"Helga!"

"What?!" Helga scowled, tucking her locket back into her shirt.

"Do you want to see all the fireworks I bought for tomorrow night?!"

Sitting up, cocking her brow a moment, Helga thought to herself…

Maybe I could steal some...or all of them...for Princess' party?

As the vexed young lady stood up to open the door, with her hand on her waist, she sighed "What kind did ya get?"

"Well, I've got some pretty sparklers and….SLAM!"

What Olga found to be an exciting description was soon interrupted by her younger sister slamming the door in her face.

Helga fell face down onto her bed, just hoping the next night would go as planned.