Chapter One: Life is great, but…
After the adventure of finding his parents, Arnold and his classmates came back along with his parents. Miles and Stella returned home after nine long years, and caught up with everyone at the boarding house. They spent more time with Phil and Gertie, who missed them terribly. Arnold spent a lot of time with his parents, cherishing every moment, learning more about them, and coming to love them more and more.
Once things got settled, he decided to walk over to Helga's house one day. He remembered his confession in the jungle, and figured it was time to try and talk things over; make sure they don't just agree that it was only "the heat of the moment."
He stood in front of her steps nervously gripping his hands. He looked down to his feet, swallowed hard, and knocked twice on the door.
"Criminy! Who the heck is it now-?" Helga stopped with wide eyes after realizing who was in front of her door step. "A-Arnold! W-what're you doing here, Football Head?" she exclaimed raising her left hand to her hip.
Arnold looked down with a smile, "I just wanted to talk to you, Helga." He looked up at her with half lidded eyes and a gentle smile, "you know, about what I said to you in the jungle."
Helga's hand dropped to her sides while her eyes widened with surprise. Arnold continued to smile. Helga walked outside and closed the door behind her. She sat down on her stoop as Arnold followed after, his smile fading now. Helga was looking away from him as Arnold stared at her intently.
"I know it may come as a surprise to you, but I really did mean what I said back then, I mean," Arnold began nervously rubbing the back of his neck, "I know you didn't believe me, but I really do have feelings for you, Helga."
Helga turned her gaze to meet his. "R-really?" she asked, sheepishly. Arnold smiled and nodded. Helga had to immediately turn away to hide the girlish smile on her face.
"Helga, I really don't want to look the other way this time."
Helga looked back to Arnold who had a blush burning to his cheeks now as he continued, "So, I was wondering if he could hang out this weekend?" Arnold asked, almost stuttering.
"Y-you mean… like a-a date?" Helga asked with glowing red cheeks.
"Well, yeah," Arnold replied, taking in the warmth of the thought. Helga stayed quiet for a while. Neither one breaking the silence; as seconds felt like long minutes, Helga finally answered: "Ok, Football Head, whatever tickles your fancy"
Arnold smiled at Helga's sarcasm, and then reverted to a suspicious look. "You know, Helga, you've been unusually…agreeable this whole time, is everything ok?" Helga frowned at this question.
"Of course everything's ok, Football Head! What? You want me to clobber you instead?"
"That's better," Arnold smiled. Helga immediately blushed and turned away from his gaze.
"Stupid Football Head." She muttered.
They dated for two years after that, getting along better with each passing day. Helga became congenial towards everyone, and even looked prettier somehow. Everyone believed that it was because of her beaming happiness; the one boy who she adored for so long was finally hers! Arnold grew to love her as well, finally understanding the woman behind the mask, as Stinky once put it. Helga is a very intelligent an insightful young girl, he just needed time to get it out of her. They sometimes had disagreements about meaningless things, but never stayed too mad at each other. Helga loved him too much to let her pride destroy what they had. Arnold, being the more reasonable person, could never hold a grudge. They were happy, and that's all that mattered.
Until his parents had to leave again.
"B-but, why?" Arnold exclaimed.
"Oh sweetheart, we really need to help them, they've become like family to us, and we've never backed out on them before," Stella paused at the sight of her son lowering his gaze on his lap, "We'll only be there until the hospital is finished," she said sweetly, in an attempt to comfort him. Arnold and his parents were all gathered at the kitchen table, and Phil stood by the doorway listening. Arnold folded his hands on his lap, staring down worriedly.
"But I don't want to leave again! I mean, you just got back, and I'm still getting to know you and spend time with you." Stella smiled with worried eyes, and placed a loving hand to her son's shoulder. "Sweetheart, nothing will ever stop us from being with you. We may have been separated for a while, and it nearly killed us, but we will never leave you behind again." Tears began to swell up in her eyes as she reached her other arm around to hold her son. Miles followed after.
"Son, this is hard for us too. We don't want to leave you, but we owe our lives to the Green Eyes, we can't turn our back on them." Arnold wasn't convinced with his father's words. Guilt washed over Miles as he continued, "We won't disappear this time, I promise, we'll only be gone for five, maybe six months." Arnold swallowed this realization, and looked at his parents more seriously.
"Then I'm going with you." His parents stared at him with wide eyes; they then looked at one another, unsure of how it could turn out. But, Arnold was set on going with them. He knew deep down that he had to do it. Or else he'd regret it for the rest of his life, should something happen to them.
The plane tickets were bought, and the plan was set: they'd arrive the next week and settle in their new home, and help the Green Eyes get back on their feet.
Arnold couldn't sleep the whole night, because the thought of how to tell all his friends, and how to tell Helga, had sunk in, and his heart hurt throughout the night. He tossed and turned until he could finally fall asleep.
How will she react when I tell her?
The next morning, he called Gerald and asked him to meet up at Gerald Field (a.k.a. the vacant lot). "Sure man, I'll meet you there in five."
Gerald waited by the bleachers, and raised an eyebrow after seeing his best friend walk towards him with a frown. "Man, what's eating you?" Gerald asked. Arnold sighed, and took a seat on the bench.
"Gerald, my parents are moving to San Lorenzo." Gerald's eyes popped at the surprising news. "Oh man! You serious? But-they just got back!" Gerald said quizzically.
"I know, but the Green Eyes need their help, and since they can't trust anyone else, my parents are their only hope." Arnold stayed focused on the ground.
"Mm mm mm! I can't believe this is happening to you, man! After all that trouble we went through just to find them? And now they're going back?" Gerald leaned back against the wall, remembering the adventure.
"Gerald…" Arnold reprimanded.
"Sorry man, but it's the truth." Arnold sighed again, and finally said: "I'm going with them."
Gerald jumped up, "You're-what?"
"I'm going with them, Gerald, I don't want to be separated from them ever again, and-"
"Wait wait wait a minute! What if the same thing happens again, Arnold?" Gerald said waving his hands to his friend.
"That's what I was going to say, Gerald. If anything should happen, I want to be with them this time. I know it sounds crazy, but I just can't bear the thought of the regret I'd have if I didn't go with them." Gerald lowered his gaze and stood silently, understanding everything Arnold was saying. He sighed in defeat. "Alright man, I understand." Arnold smiled slightly as Gerald took a seat next to him, and looked as if he might cry any moment.
"Just keep in touch, alright?"
"Of course," Arnold replied. They performed they're friendly handshake, and began walking down to Slausen's.
Later that day, Arnold walked over to Helga's house, contemplating how to break the news to her. He had gotten used to knocking on her door without hesitating, and Helga was always the first to answer the door; each time hoping that it was her beloved. Yet, to Arnold's surprise, Helga was not home.
Arnold was running home now, remembering what Bob Pataki had just told him; repeating in his head like a broken record.
"Helga? She just left to that orphan kid's house a few minutes ago." Arnold shot Bob a sour look, and asked if he knew why. "Huh? Something about a gift, I don't know! Look kid, I don't have time for this, alright?" Bob dismissed Arnold like a hand shooing a fly.
Arnold turned left at Greens Meats, nearly stumbling and falling. "Helga!" he shouted as Helga reached Arnold's steps. She stopped with wide eyes looking at him. Arnold leaned his hands on his knees while catching up with his breath.
"Geez, Football Head! What's with the dramatic entrance?" Helga asked raising her brow.
"I just-don't want- you to be- surprised-, "Arnold said between breaths. Helga looked confused now. "What're you talking about, Hair Boy?" Arnold knew that if Helga had gone inside, she would bear witness to Miles and Stella packing all their things. He didn't want her to find out like that.
"Helga, before we go inside, I need to tell you something," Arnold looked down, and walked over to his stoop, sat down, and kept his eyes focused on Helga's dainty feet, "something really important."
Helga took a seat next to him, "Sure, shoot, Football Head."
As Arnold began explaining the situation to her, Helga's eyes fell as she folded her hands and stretched out her thin legs across the steps. She didn't give so much as a shake of her head as Arnold told her the sad news. Arnold paused for a moment, and swallowed hard at the next thing he knew he had to tell her.
"I know you and I have a relationship, and I love it, but now, since I'm not sure how long I'll be gone-," Helga shot her eyes back up at Arnold, with a look of fury.
"What are you saying, Football Head? That we're over?" Helga snapped. Arnold was looking at her sorrowfully; she must be so heartbroken by these words.
"Well-," Arnold started. But Helga jumped out of her place on the stoop, and placed her hands to her hips. "Cuz if you think you're leaving me, you'll be sourly disappointed, bucko!" Helga exclaimed as she pointed an accused finger at him.
But, Helga I-," Arnold tried to explain.
"No! If anyone's leaving, it's gonna be me!" Helga cried; tears swelling up.
"Helga, please, I'm trying to-," Arnold pleaded.
"Forget it, Arnoldo! As far as we're concerned, it's ov-," Helga was pulled in by Arnold's hand; a desperate attempt to calm her down.
A kiss; a forced, but somehow gentle kiss.
Helga's nerves reverted back to calm, and she kissed him back. When Arnold felt that she would not try to fight back again, he let go. A smile crept its way across Helga's face with a dazed look on her eyes. Arnold was satisfied with this and continued.
"Helga, I'm not saying I want to end it, but I just don't know how long I'll be gone, and I don't think it's fair to keep you tied down to me." Arnold kept his hands from shaking at the thought of Helga with someone else. Helga looked down, feeling guilty now at what she had told him minutes before. Arnold raised his hands to hold Helga's arms as he continued.
"I…I-I love you too much to do that to you." Helga looked up at him now with sad eyes.
But, we're meant to be, you stupid Football Head. Yet the words could not come out of her mouth. She looked down again, ashamed at her cowardice.
"Helga, I want you to be happy. I don't want you to be tied to this relationship, never being able to hold each other or watch each other grow." Arnold finally let go of her thin arms, and sighed. "It kills me to do this to you, but, I want you to live your life happily." Arnold stared down again, resting his arms on his legs. Helga watched him as his eyes looked away from her. Slowly, she reached in for a kiss. Arnold blushed as their lips met. Warm, soft, and kind of wet, but still nice, Arnold thought. Being only twelve years old, the thought of kissing still gave Arnold butterflies. Although their relationship was labeled as boyfriend and girlfriend, they were too young to understand what to do with the hormonal feelings they had for times such as these. Kissing was a rare event, and both of them savored the last.
As Helga released, she smiled at him. "Come back in one piece, Football Head."
