From unspoken feelings, to mended hearts: A Hey Arnold High School Love Story.

By ryokofan21

Disclaimer: All characters you are about to read about were created by Craig Bartlett, this story is purely fan made. I do not own Hey Arnold.

Author's Notes:

The story of which I am about to tell is one of personal growth, self realization, teenage angst, and a most unlikely love from an unlikely person. This is a Hey Arnold Fan Fiction. The events take place after the events of San Lorenzo, and throughout all four years of High School (this is only the first year), with the main focus being on Arnold and Helga's relationship. Arnold has found his parents, kissed Helga and has since returned home to the old neighborhood with his Mom, Dad, and the rest of his class. Home once again; Arnold can resume his calm and peaceful life.

-Prologue-

Life has continued much as it always has for the past few years. Most of the kids of the neighborhood have gotten older and a lot of them have found part time jobs. But they still manage to get together whenever they can for a good game of baseball at Gerald Field. Harold is still working part time as an apprentice for Mr. Green at Green's Meats. Rhonda has found a job at a clothing store close to downtown. Eugene has become an understudy for Mr. Leichliter at the local theatre company. Gerald got a job at a local record store just down the street from Arnold's house. Sid and Stinky both have paper routes, its easy work and it keeps them out of trouble. Phoebe is still a Straight A student, competing in every scholastic competition that comes her way. Yeah, life in the city is pretty good. Especially since Arnold's family is once again complete.

Being away for so long, Arnold's mother and father feel like they need to make up for lost time. As a result, Arnold spends a lot of his free time with them when he's not with his friends. An unintended result of this is that Miles and Stella take Arnold with them whenever they leave for an expedition over his summer break, Traveling all over Central and South America. Places like San Lorenzo, Machu Picchu, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and so many other places. However, this doesn't come without it consequences.

While his friends are happy for him, not everyone is taking it as a good thing. Whenever Arnold is away, Helga starts to feel this strange sensation. The sensation of an encroaching darkness, the pain of solitude, and a sense of longing that aches her to her core. No matter how hard she tries she just can't shake it. The only thing that seems to alleviate it is the return of the one she loves most in the world. The return of her football headed companion. Even though they may have kissed in San Lorenzo, the two of them haven't really talked about or resolved any unsettled emotions they may have for each other. And yet, Helga is not the only one who is silently suffering. One of his routine summer trips with his parents unintentionally lasts for the whole summer. And the whole time Arnold keeps looking over his shoulder. Almost like he has forgotten something, he feels that same unshakable darkness that plagues Helga whenever Arnold leaves.

Arnold (now a few inches taller than his mother) and his family return home with only a few days left before his first day of High School. While he was away some major changes had been going on, not necessarily changes in the neighborhood, but to the people who occupy it. Before school starts Arnold mostly spends his last few days of summer vacation at home. Talking to Gerald on only a few occasions, he spends most of his time either in his room or on the roof of the old Boarding house. He spends his time contemplating these strange emotions that won't leave him alone.

With some advice from his parents and grandparents, Arnold hopes to understand why he feels like this. He hopes to figure what it is he is missing in his life. After all, he had found his parents and had traveled the world with them. What more could a high school kid ask for, except maybe…someone to share it with. And this is where our story begins.

Chapter 1

Back Home Again

The Plane ride back from San Lorenzo was a bumpy one. The turbulence was enough to prevent anyone from getting any much needed rest. All the while Arnold kept thinking about this feeling that had bothered him the whole summer. He thought that maybe the coming school year would provide him with the answers he needed. Or maybe his parents or grandparents could endow him with their knowledge and wisdom. Either way he felt that he needed to figure it out. After a long and grueling flight the plane touched down at the airport about 7 o'clock in the evening local time. Finally, after a long trip Arnold and his Mother and Father were home at last. The cab ride back to the old brick house was a short one. Pulling to a complete stop at the front steps, Arnold and his family exited the cab and began unloading their luggage where they were greeted by some very familiar and friendly faces.

As Arnold unloaded the last of his luggage, the big green door to the old boarding house opened up as his Grandparents and his longtime friend Gerald came out to welcome them home.

"Welcome home short man." His Grandpa said with his usual jolly and loud voice.

"It's good to have you back home Arnold." His grandma said.

"It's good to be back home Grandma." Arnold said as he hugged his grandparents.

Arnold's parents also being ecstatic to be home uttered at the same time, "Hi Mom, Hi Dad." Realizing what they had just said, they both just looked at each other and laughed.

"Welcome back Arnold." Gerald said as he greeted Arnold with their customary handshake.

"Thanks Gerald, it's good to be back, especially before school starts." Arnold replied.

"Yeah I can imagine, got home with only a week left, but you know what, we got a lot of the same classes this year man." Gerald said to him.

"That's great Gerald." Arnold replied back happy to hear this news.

"Well what's everyone standing out here for, come on in and tell us all about your trip" Grandpa blurted out as he helped his Grandson and parents into the house with their luggage.

Once everything and everyone was inside and things started to settle down, stories of the trip were begging to be told.

"Gerald and I will be upstairs if you need us." Arnold said to his family as they both started up the stairs.

"Alright honey let us know if you need anything." his mother told him as the rest of them headed for the kitchen.

"Thanks Mom we will." Arnold said at the top of the stairs. Then they both started in the way of Arnold's room.

The path to Arnold's room was well worn, a visible trench started to develop in the hallway of the old house over the years and now it was starting to be even more noticeable. Arnold pulled on the string that lowered the steps to his room.

"Well how was your trip?" Gerald asked his best friend.

All that Arnold could manage to say as he ascended the stairs to his room was, "It was okay."

Arnold's room, the same room where he played host to many of his friends over the years hadn't changed one bit. The carpet was still that same combination of orange and yellow with designs that looked like a combination of stars and wavy lines. The wallpaper still had little green aliens and spaceships on top of a light blue background. The remote controlled couch was still there even though age and use had started to affect the wiring which controlled it. The ceiling to his room was still one giant window built like that of a greenhouse. As they entered his room Arnold shut the door, turned on the lights and traded his dirty and dusty jacket for a clean t-shirt.

"Okay, what do you mean just okay?" Gerald asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"It…it was just okay." Arnold said, except now the tone of his voice had lessened. As if he was lost or confused.

"Alright man what's eating ya?" Gerald asked him getting straight to the point.

Realizing there was no fooling Gerald Arnold simply said, "I can't quite explain it Gerald…its like the whole time I was there, I felt like I was…missing something." Arnold explained as he sat down on his bed. Gerald pulled up a chair so that he could easily talk with his troubled friend.

"Missing what?" Gerald asked feeling concerned for his best friend. "I…I just don't know…maybe I'll figure it out in school this year." He said to Gerald trying to feel a little more optimistic than a minute ago.

Gerald sensing his friend might be more troubled than he was letting on said to him, "Man I've never seen you like this, must serious…you wanna talk about it?"

Arnold who normally helped out his friends with their problems now saw that it was he who needed to be helped. He sat there for a few minutes trying to think of a proper response so as not to worry Gerald. However, something inside him told him that there was nothing he could have said that wouldn't worry him.

"Not right now, thanks for offering anyway Gerald. I think this is something I need figure out for myself." he said to Gerald with a tone of gratitude in his voice.

"Alright man, listen I gotta run home. My dad wants me to help him out with some work around the house." he said as he got up to leave.

"Alright Gerald, thanks for coming over." Arnold said as he got up from the bed.

"Hey what are friends for. You want to go down the field tomorrow and play some baseball?" He asked just before he left.

"Yeah, that might be fun…at least it'll take my mind off of whatever this is." he said as he saw Gerald out. Just as they reached the front door Arnold stopped Gerald to say one last thing to him,

"Hey Gerald," Gerald turned and looked at his friend, "Yeah,"

Arnold paused for a second, "Thanks for listening." Arnold said as Gerald started for the door.

"Don't worry about it man, and hey, don't worry about whatever this is. You'll figure it out…you always do." Gerald said to him trying to cheer him up.

"You're a pal Gerald." Arnold said to his longtime friend as they gave their ritual handshake just as Gerald walked out the door.

With Gerald gone, he walked into the kitchen and bid goodnight to his family.

"Goodnight honey, sleep well." His mother said to him as she kissed him goodnight.

"Thanks Mom, I will." he said as he made his way back up to his room.

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Arnold climbed into bed and stared out of the window above his bed until he just couldn't stay awake any longer. Just as the sun went down he thought maybe that tomorrow would be better. And with that one singular thought, he fell to sleep dreaming of nothing in particular, except that feeling he had so uncomfortably come to know over his trip. That night would prove to be a restless one.

Arnold awoke the next morning to the familiar sound of his alarm clock. That same potato powered alarm clock which has remained on the same shelf since the fourth grade, chanting the same tune every day. The same wakeup call of "HEY ARNOLD" over and over was starting to get annoying. But he just calmly unplugged it, looked at the time, and left to take a shower.

As he walked the halls of the old boarding house, he noticed that all of the other boarders were already up and quite active. He thought this was a little unusual but didn't think much of it beyond that. He was greeted by all the familiar faces. Ernie Potts, Mr. Huynh, Oskar and Suzie Kokoschka all greeted him and welcomed him home.

Arnold thanked them for welcoming him home with a yawning, "Thank you." and "It's good to be home."

While in the shower Arnold had discovered that feeling was still there. Not even a long night's sleep could shake it from him. He started to wonder if it would ever leave him. After a hot shower he headed back up to his room to get dressed. Arnold's look had evolved as he has gotten older. Now his look mainly consists of a t-shirt, a plaid dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up, a pair of jeans, and a pair of old sneakers. One thing about his look that has never changed was his little blue hat that his father bought for him when he was a baby. As he walked down stairs to the kitchen he could hear a lot of commotion going on in the kitchen. He walked inside to see his Dad and Grandpa sitting at the table both reading the morning paper. His Mother and Grandma were busy making breakfast.

As he pulled up a chair he said good morning to his family.

His Grandpa gave his traditional, "Morning short man." His Grandma dressed in her safari gear lovingly proclaimed, "Good morning Kimba."

His father put the paper down and addressed his son, "Morning Arnold, did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah I slept fine I guess." he replied to his Dad.

His Mother taking a break from preparing breakfast walked over and kissed her son on the head, and simply said "Good morning sweetie, how did you sleep last night?"

Very sleepily he answered, "Morning Mom, I'm still a little tired."

"Well this should fix that." she said as she laid a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of him. He thanked his Mother and Grandma for breakfast and started eating.

He had just started into his eggs when his dad asked him, "Whatchya got planned for today son?"

"I thought I would go down to Gerald field and play some baseball with my friends." he said before he continued eating.

His Grandpa asked, "Oh you mean that vacant lot that you and your little friends cleared out so you would have somewhere to play?"

"Yes Grandpa it's still there, and it's still our field." Arnold said with a little laughter in his voice.

"Well okay have fun short man." Grandpa said as he went back to reading his paper.

As his Mother and Grandma sat down to eat their breakfast she asked him, "Are you nervous about starting school next week honey?" his mother asked.

"No not really, Gerald and I have a lot of the same classes this year, plus all of my old friends will be there as well, so it'll be just like old times." Arnold replied as he continued his breakfast.

Just then his Grandpa asked a question that Arnold was not prepared for, "Even your little friend with the one eyebrow?"

This sudden and strange question made Arnold stop just as he was about to take another bite. Helga G. Pataki. He hadn't seen her since they were let out of school last year. The one girl, who had tormented him for so much of his childhood, the one girl who he had shared a rather beautiful moment within the jungles of San Lorenzo. Memories of a kiss so long ago start to surface after lying dormant for so many years.

"Arnold?" he heard his Grandpa say as he came back to reality.

"Huh?" was all he could think of to say, having been surprised by this question. "Yeah…Helga should be there." he said as he finished his breakfast.

As he stood up to take his dishes to the sink, he said to his family, "I'm gonna get my bat and glove and go get Gerald." and then went to his room. A few minutes went by before he came back downstairs with bat and glove in hand. He stopped at the entrance to the kitchen to say to his family, "Bye everybody, I'll be back later."

"Just be back before supper." he heard his mother say as he walked out the door. His response was a simple one, "I will don't worry." And with that he headed down the street towards Gerald's house for what would probably be the last baseball game of the summer before school started.

The route to the Johanssen home had been burned into Arnold's memory since they first met. It was one of those walks he could do either blindfolded or in his sleep. Before he knew it he was standing on the front steps knocking on the door. While he waited for Gerald to join him he thought about what his Grandpa had asked him. What surprised him the most wasn't what he had been asked; it was what it made him think of. Why had such a simple and innocent question made him think so much of Helga? Why had he thought about that kiss, which although at the time he enjoyed it, seemed so unreal?

"Arnold?" he heard someone say. Why was he focusing on so much on Helga so suddenly?

Again he heard someone call his name louder this time, "Arnold?" Did this sudden thought of Helga have something to do with this feeling he had acquired over his trip? Arnold wasn't sure at first but he felt that maybe he had somewhere to start.

"HEY ARNOLD!" this time the voice shook him back to reality. It was none other than Gerald standing in front of him. "Huh, oh hey Gerald." was all he could think of to say at the moment.

"Hey Arnold…you okay?" he asked with a kind confused tone.

Arnold came back with a simple, "Yeah I'm fine." which had a bit of a laugh to it. Gerald replied with his usual, "Whatever you say Arnold. Come on we're keeping the others waiting." Arnold seeing that they were late for the game shouted, "Right behind you Gerald." Chasing after Gerald they both headed in the direction of the baseball field where the others were waiting for them.

The baseball games at Gerald field have continued much as they have since the lot was cleaned out back in the fourth grade. But with Arnold and his friends growing older and having part time jobs, the lot has more frequently been occupied by the current generation of fourth graders.

When Arnold and Gerald arrived the whole gang was there to greet them and welcome Arnold back home, well everyone with one exception. Helga wasn't there. Arnold had expected Helga to be playing catcher like she always did. But in her place was Torvald, the biggest kid from their fourth grade class. When Arnold asked where Helga was. He learned that her family had also taken a late vacation to South Dakota and that she arrived back home a few days ago. He also learned that she hadn't been out much. Not even Phoebe, Helga's best friend since forever could shed some light on the subject. Arnold wasn't sure why, but he felt that familiar feeling wash over him after hearing this news. He thought he better just try to play the game and not think about it too much.

Other than Arnold's inner confliction, the baseball game went off without a hitch ending about an hour or two after lunch due to all his friends having to leave for their part time jobs. Gerald was the last one who left for his job, leaving Arnold to his walk home alone. When he arrived home he greeted his family, told them how the game went, and then walked upstairs to take a shower.

As he stepped out of the shower, he noticed that the sun was starting to go down. Noticing this he spent a few minutes looking at his reflection in the mirror. His little blue hat was still wet as he often cleaned it while in the shower. While looking at his reflection he began to ponder when exactly he started to feel this way. Taking into account his remembering of the kiss he and Helga shared in San Lorenzo so many years ago. He started to think that maybe, just maybe, this strange feeling he had was something in his life that he left unresolved, something unanswered. After he entered his room, he put on a simple t-shirt and a pair of shorts and collapsed on his bed. Staring out of his ceiling window, he became a slave to his thoughts. A sudden knock on his door snapped him back to reality.

"Come in." he said.

"Hey short man, just wanted to let you know dinner will be ready in a few minutes." said his Grandpa as he entered Arnold's room.

He said to his Grandpa, "No thanks Grandpa, I'm not really hungry. I think I'm just gonna go to bed."

"Well okay if you say so Arnold, I'll save some for you just in case you change your mind" he said as he started to leave. Arnold getting ready to go to sleep quietly told his Grandfather, "Thanks…Goodnight Grandpa."

"Goodnight Arnold." his Grandpa said as he closed the door. Arnold fell asleep that night once again facing that agonizing feeling that had been plaguing him for so long. It would turn out to be another restless night.

The remaining few days of Arnold's summer vacation turned out to be somewhat uneventful. He mostly spent his time at home in his room or on the roof of the old boarding house. On the last day of summer vacation before school started, Arnold had been on the roof for a couple of hours, alone with his thoughts. Until he heard the door to the roof entrance open. He turned to see his Mom and Dad standing there.

"What's the matter sweetheart?" his mother said in the way that mothers know when something is wrong. All he could bring himself to say was, "I'm…not sure."

"Come on Arnold, you know you tell us if something is bothering you." his Father said as they approached him. "I can't really explain it, it's like…something is…missing, or not there at all." he said with a saddened tone in his voice.

"What do mean missing honey?" his Mom said trying to comfort her only son.

"I don't know, it's like I'm…incomplete." Arnold said trying his best to explain his feelings to his parents.

His Dad, starting to get an idea of what was going on walked over next to Arnold and said to him, "Arnold…I believe what you're experiencing is just a part of growing up. A man can travel the world; experience a thousand different things, return home and still be unhappy and empty inside. This is something that only you can figure out for yourself. We can't do it for you…we can only provide love and support. Though as complicated as life is, it's not meant to miserable. It is meant to be enjoyed, whether by doing something you enjoy. Or simply by living life with someone you love (Arnold's Father turns and looks at his wife who gives him a loving smile and then returns his attention to his son). Just know that your Mother and I will always be here to support and comfort you."

"That's right honey, we will always be here if you need someone to talk to." his Mother said with her usual kindness. As Arnold thought about what his father had said he turned to them and asked, "Where do I start…where do I go from here?"

"I'll tell you what, after dinner why don't you go for a walk, don't go anywhere just walk through the city. Who knows, you may find what you're looking for." as his Father said this to him Arnold began to understand what he was getting at. That happiness is something for everyone to find for themselves, no matter what it may be.

"Okay, I guess I'll start there and just see what happens." Arnold said facing his Mom and Dad.

"Well if that doesn't work out you could always run away and join the circus." hearing this Arnold looks at the rooftop doorway to find his Grandpa standing there. He can't help but crack a smile at what his Grandfather said. "Arnold you can always count on your Grandma and me to help you out whenever you need it as well. Okay short man."

"Thanks Grandpa. Thanks Mom and Dad." Arnold said as he hugged his Mom and Dad.

"Now come on downstairs, Pookie's got supper ready". And so with Arnold having an idea about where to start, he headed downstairs with his parents and Grandpa for dinner.

After a rather talkative supper with all the boarders in the house, Arnold did as his father suggested. He left the old brick house about 8 o'clock in the evening and just started walking. All the while thinking about what his parents had told him on the roof a few hours earlier. He had no idea what he would find on this walk he was taking. He didn't even know if he would recognize it if he saw it. But he figured he had to start somewhere so he was just gonna go with the flow. While he was walking through the city, that all too familiar feeling came back. It consumed his every thought, making him completely oblivious to his surroundings. It even got to the point where he just stared at the sidewalk as he moved through the city. Just weaving through the city, not paying attention to wherever he was at any given moment. Then…nothing, his mind was a complete blank. He thought this was even worse than what he felt in San Lorenzo. At least then he felt something. He continued walking for what seemed an eternity when the clock tower Big Barney started ringing. 10 o'clock. Hearing this snapped Arnold back to the real world. He realized that he had been walking the streets for 2 hours. Suddenly aware of his surroundings he couldn't believe where he was. Arnold had traversed the city streets for 2 hours, covered a lot of ground trying to figure out what ails him. When he looked up he was in front of none other than his old elementary school. P.S. 118.

P.S. 118. Another destination he could walk to in his sleep. After all, most of his education has happened here so far. Arnold stared at the old building like he hadn't seen it in twenty years. Looking at the old school brought back a flood of memories. Memories of teacher strikes, playing hooky with Gerald, being in a play as a banana, and the fourth grade production of Romeo and Juliet in which Helga kissed him on stage.

Helga.

Many, many memories of being bullied and tormented by Helga kept coming back. How many times had he been called "football head" by her? Too many times to count, and he wouldn't even begin to try. And yet in spite of all the tormenting that Helga had brought upon him, he kept coming back to that kiss in San Lorenzo.

Helga.

His thoughts once again turn to her. He wasn't sure what this meant. In the week that has gone by since his return home, he has thought of Helga on multiple occasions. Yet he hasn't seen her at all in that time. He didn't even think to go by her house to see her. He even thought back to that dream he had where he and Helga were married. It started out like a nightmare, but toward the end of the dream she became nice and started to show her true self to him. Arnold being a smart kid knew this was no coincidence. He knew how to get rid of the feeling that started back in San Lorenzo. And Helga was the starting point. He did not know what she would say to him or how she would react. But he realized if he didn't try, this darkness would eat away at him. Never letting him rest or know any real peace. Firm in his beliefs and comfortable with his conclusion he started for home.

As he made his way up the steps he started to go through his thoughts again. He started going over the conclusion that he had come to in his head over and over again.

Helga.

As he stepped inside the big green door, he quietly closed it, and leaned against it for a few minutes. Needless to say, for Arnold this was a very surprising thought. And the first step was someone he never would have guessed who could help him.

His mother appeared from the kitchen, his Dad right behind her. "Well…did you find what you were looking for son?" his father curiously asked him. Arnold had been staring at the floor when his father asked him this. He very slowly raised his head to reveal a sly and slightly subdued smile on his face.

"Yeah…I think I did Dad." he said with a slight sense of joy in his voice.

"That good to hear dear." his mother said with sigh of relief.

"I think I know what I have to do. But for now I'm just gonna go to bed." Arnold said as he started for the stairs.

"Just know that were here for you son. Goodnight Arnold." said his father as he patted him on the shoulder. His Mother leaned in to kiss her son on the forehead and said with a very motherly tone, "Goodnight honey. Sleep well."

"Thanks Mom, I think I will tonight." Arnold said as he approached the stairs. With his mind set he bid his parents goodnight, then went to his room to get ready for bed. Arnold changed out of his street clothes and into a night shirt and a pair shorts.

Before Arnold climbed into bed he got all his stuff ready for the next day. After all it was his first day of High School tomorrow. He made sure his backpack had all the necessary items he would need for school. After making sure everything was where it needed to be, he climbed into bed, set his alarm clock, and turned out the lights. But before he fell asleep, he went over his rather surprising realization one more time. The road to recovery would start with the one girl who has tormented him all his life, the one girl who always called him names, the one girl he couldn't get out of his head. Helga G. Pataki. His final thought before falling asleep was, "It's going to be an interesting year".