Arnold and his classmates took a trip to San Lorenzo, sort of as a class field trip. Though the class was excited, Arnold had one thing on his mind: to find his parents. With the help of Gerald, Helga, and the rest of the gang, they were able to help Arnold make it happen.
"Well, this has been one crazy trip, hasn't it?" said Arnold.
"You said it man," responded Gerald.
"Yeah, if you're referring to getting lost and starving to death in the jungle and almost getting killed by that crazy buffoon La Sombra," said a very exhausted Helga.
"But despite all that, we were able to find my parents alive and well, save the Green Eyed People and defeat La Sombra," defended Arnold. That was his purpose for coming to San Lorenzo after all. And he was finally able to reunite with his parents. Everything in life seems to be falling into place. Except for one thing…or one person that is.
Helga let out a sigh. I have to stop arguing with him if I want us to get along. "Well, whatever floats your boat, football head. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some sleep to catch up on before we head home since I practically wasn't able to sleep this entire stinking trip." With that, she went back to the hut where the rest of the girls of the class stayed.
"That might explain why she's grumpy all the time," Gerald whispered to his best friend. Arnold couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, I'm gonna get our stuff together since we'll be going home soon. You coming Arnold?"
"Gerald, you know I've decided to stay here with my parents in San Lorenzo."
"Yeah I know, but Arnold, are you sure about that? I mean staying here means that you're going to be leaving your friends – including yours truly – and your grandparents back in Hillwood. That also means you'll be away from Helga."
Arnold stared at Gerald with a confused expression on his face. He knows that the last person on earth I want to be around with is Helga G. Pataki. Unless he saw…
"That's right Arnold. Back in the jungle, I found you two well before I called your names. I saw what you and Helga did."
"You mean, you saw us kiss?!" Arnold could feel his face getting warm.
"Yup. But don't worry; your secret is safe with me. So I don't get it. Before that, I thought you couldn't stand being around Helga."
"I thought so too. But now I'm not so sure. One minute, she's my worst nightmare – always calling me names and pulling pranks on me. The next, she's… a good friend who helps me. I don't know what to think of her now."
"Well man, you better figure it out soon and talk to her before we leave," warned Gerald.
A few hours later, there was hustle and bustle around San Lorenzo as Mr. Simmons and his students prepare to go back to Hillwood. Everyone, except for Arnold that is.
Arnold saw this as the perfect time to talk to Helga alone. I have to know how she feels about me. This might be the last time I see her…for good.
After much thought, Arnold built enough courage to talk to his arch nemesis. "Helga, can I talk to you for a minute? It's kind of important."
Oh my beloved wants to talk to me in private? I bet it's about that kiss we had the other night in the jungle. Keep it together Helga, don't let your guard down.
"Sure, football head, but it better be quick. I don't want the bus to leave without me."
"It won't take long, I promise."
He took her to the other side the village where there wasn't much commotion going on.
"So Helga," Arnold said as he scratched the back of his head. "What happened back there in the jungle…when we were sitting together by the fire and we…you know…kissed? Was that also heat of the moment like with what happened with us on the top of the FTi building or do you still… hate me?"
Helga was silent for a moment. This is your chance to tell him how you feel. Who knows if you're going to see each other again? But somewhere in her heart is telling her to do otherwise.
Coming off annoyed, Helga responded, "Look Arnold. I don't hate you, ok? I mean how can you hate someone who always looked on the bright side? Who saved the neighborhood from Sheck? Who would go at great lengths to see his parents again? I told you once before bukko," her voice trailed off as she started to calm down. "….I think you're….okay. I mean, you're right, that was just a heat of the moment back there in the jungle. So, what I'm trying to say is…" Helga did her very best not to be sad and have her words come out strong. She looked at Arnold in the eye, "…I like you but I don't like you like you."
For some reason, Arnold felt disappointed at her answer. Then again, it's Helga; she's not the type of person to fall in love. But why is it that when Lila said the same thing to me in the past, it didn't hurt me as much as it does now with Helga saying it?
Arnold did his best to hide his disappointment. "Well, ok Helga. If that's how you feel." There's no use telling her what that kiss meant to me. I don't want this feeling to get worse than it already is. But for some reason, I don't want us to drift apart. I need do something so that this won't happen.
"Well Helga, since that's how you feel, maybe we can…you know…not fight anymore and be friends?" Arnold never thought in his life he would be asking Helga G. Pataki to be friends.
"Nice going football head. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm going home and your staying here with your parents, remember?"
What a way to ruin the moment Helga. "What I mean is, we can write to each other, sort of like pen pals?"
Helga was surprised by the gesture. Arnold my beloved wants to keep in touch with me? Oohh I'm going to faint. "I don't get Arnoldo, why out of everyone in our class would you want to be friends with me, let alone write to me? What about tall hair boy over there?"
"Who, Gerald? Of course I'm going to keep in touch with him. He's my best friend. The reason I was thinking of also staying in touch with you as also is…well…even though sometimes you pull all those pranks on me and call me names, I know that deep deep down you're a nice person. And I really like it when you do show it, like when helped me save the neighborhood and just now helping me find my parents. What I'm trying to say is…" Arnold could feel his cheeks getting red. "I would like to know more about the nice side of you. If that's ok."
Helga was speechless, something that rarely happens. Oh my handsome football headed lug, I can't believe you're really up for this. There's nothing more in this world that I would rather have.
Realizing that Arnold was still waiting for an answer, Helga slapped herself to get out of her trance and responded. "Sure, sure Arnold, we can try this pen pal thing of yours but on one condition."
"What's that?"
She stared at Arnold in the eye and said sternly, "not ONE soul must know about this football head, not even Geraldo over there. Got it?" I hope Arnold understands that I still have a reputation to keep. If word gets out that I'm staying in touch with him, rumors will fly about and then it would be the end of the fearsome Helga G. Pataki.
"Of course, Helga. It will just be between you and me…and Phoebe." Arnold winked at Helga. He knew she is going to tell someone about this, and who else but none other than her best friend? Helga just rolled her eyes and raised her eyebrow.
"Helga! Helga, where are you? The bus is about to leave!" shouted Phoebe, who was waiting for Helga by the bus.
"Well, you'd better go out there and say your goodbyes to your little friends football head."
"Of course Helga."
Then they walked together towards the bus as the rest of the class was waiting for them.
Mr. Simmons spoke first. "There you two are. I was afraid we were going to have to warrant another search party. " Then he turned to Arnold. "Arnold, I'm going to miss you. You are one of the most inspirational students I've ever taught. I'll never forget you."
"Thanks Mr. Simmons. You're an amazing teacher yourself." Arnold said as he gave him a hug.
Then one by one, the students said their good-byes to Arnold as they entered the bus.
"Don't forget to write to me man, ok?" Gerald told his best friend.
"Don't worry Gerald, I will," he responded as they did their secret handshake and hugged.
Helga was the last one to say her farewell. "Well, it's been nice knowing you football head. I'm sure we'll see each other again eventually. And when we do, you'd better watch out for good ol' Betsy and the 5 avengers," she said as she shook her fists Arnold.
Arnold just smiled at her. "Whatever you say, Helga."
And Arnold watched and waved good-bye to them as they left the village for the airport.
Back at home in Hillwood, with Helga and Phoebe locked in Helga's room, she told Phoebe the whole story about Arnold.
"Helga, when Arnold asked you how you felt about that kiss, that would have been the perfect opportunity to tell him your feelings to him, especially since you two might never see each other again. Why didn't you say anything?"
Helga sighed and just stared at the floor. "Because Pheebs, I can't do that to him. I helped him find his parents. I've seen how much he longs to be with them. If I tell him how I feel, he might have a second thought about staying with his parents. Who am I to take it away from him?"
"But Helga, nevertheless, the decision of whether to stay in San Lorenzo with his parents or go home with us was still up to him."
"Yeah I know, but there's something else. It didn't feel like it was the right time to say it. While I was laying on the floor in the hut, I got to thinking about Arnold and my feelings towards him and thinking I realized…" she said as she looked up at Phoebe. "That we're only nine years old. We have our whole lives ahead of us. And if it really is meant to be, we will see each other again someday and hopefully, maybe someday I'll tell him that I love him and that it won't be in 'the heat of the moment.'"
"Helga, this isn't like you to let your guard down so easily. What happened to the Helga I know, the fighter, the fearless Helga?"
Helga gave her best friend a small, hopeful smile and patted her shoulder. "She's still here, Pheebs. She's just doing the right thing for once so that one of the most important people in her life can be happy. He deserves it after all that he has done for all of us here in Hillwood."
"That's so sweet of you Helga, I don't think I've ever seen you do something this selfless before. I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks, Phoebe. Now remember, not one soul must know about this, got it?"
"You bet, Helga. Anything for my best friend."