Discalimer: I don't own Hey, Arnold or its characters!

A/N: Okay I made changes to this chapter to be a bit more detailed. Hope you guys like it!


Summer Love


It was summer time and the gang had all planned to go to the beach for some fun. They would start their ninth grade year when the summer ended. Somehow even though not all of them attended the same junior high, they had kept in contact since elementary school. Arnold had gone traveling with his parents and hardly saw any of his old class mates but this summer his parents had bought him to spend time with his friends. He'd write letters to them and they would write back.

He was glad to be back in his own hometown where he'd grown up. Gerald was still his best friend, even as he had made many friends his own age in his travels with his parents. Arnold was homeschooled and that had been a big change along with constant travel and adventure with his parents, but it was all worth it. He had found his parents and he didn't plan on leaving them anytime soon. Not for anything in the world…

"Take care on the road, shortman."

"Thanks, Grandpa. Sorry, to leave you like this all of the sudden. I just got here, yet-"

Phil raised his hand, "Don't worry about it! I got my son here after all."

"Yeah, dad and mom were excited about staying here as well."

"Well, you take care then. We'll spend time together after your little trip to the beach, Arnold."

You were always like a second son to me.

"Tell Grandma that I left early."

"Of course. I'll tell Pokey."

Arnold couldn't help but worry over his now 87 year old grandpa who seemed more worn than the years before and his grandma's memory failed her more that she hardly remembered anything on occasions. Phil refused to let anyone other than himself take care of his wife, yet Arnold feared that it was just too stressful for his grandparents to run and live at the board house without help at their old age.

Sure the board house residents helped but Arnold couldn't help but want to live with them again. Of course he could never leave his parents and this tore at his heart.

"Where you going with that luggage, young lady?"

"I'm going to the beach, Bob."

"I don't remember hearing anything about it."

"She asked you last week, remember? She wanted hotel reservations and you told her no."

"Oh, yeah. I don't see the problem. She can just go to the beach house with Olga."

"If you don't mind, I'll be heading over to Phoebes house now."

"Just make sure not to get into trouble."

"Sure, sure."

Helga didn't bother in asking for money as she had already asked for it last week. Not that Bob would remember. It surprised Helga that Merriam had even remembered that Helga had even asked to go on the trip. Helga had made sure that Olga hadn't been informed of the beach trip, because she'd probably tag along and ruin it. Her parents were unaware of that fact of course.

What morons.

Arnold, Harold, Gerald, Stinky, Sid, Eugene, Curly, Lorenzo, Iggy, Park, Brainy, Nadine, Rhonda, Phoebe, Helga, Sheena, and Lila were all the ones who made up the group. Arnold hadn't noticed when he was younger, but the boys seemed to outnumber the number of girls.

They had all stopped to buy new swimwear and other things they would need at the beach. Gerald was driving one of the large vans and Helga the other. The boys had been crammed into one while the girls had taken the other.

None of them had an actual license to drive but Helga and Gerald had their driving permits and even though they weren't allowed to drive without a licensed adult in the car they decided to break the rules. It was something they always did, it really didn't bring harm to others and besides none of their guardians or parents had to know they were going unsupervised. All their parents had been tricked even Arnold had lied about it.

Helga had been browsing through the swimsuits and was about to give up and go with her usual choice, but that's when something caught her attention. It was a pink bikini striped with white lines and a small pink bow on the side. Helga stared at it and hesitated in pulling it out of the rack to take a better look.

She took a deep breath and muttered to herself to stop acting like a coward. She pulled it out and felt the soft silky fabric between her fingers. It was bound to be comfortable and would dry easily…

Arnold had a pair of swim trunks over his arm and a shopping basket filled with stuff his friends had left him with, as he walked around looking for Gerald who he'd lost track of.

"I wonder if this is the tan lotion he wanted. It looks like the one he described."

He turned into another aisle to find Helga holding a bikini. She seemed concentrated on the price tag and Arnold wondered if she planned on buying it.

"Hey, Helga, are you going to buy that?"

Helga looked up at him in surprise but quickly hid it and furrowed her brows, "Of course not, it's ridiculous. I'd never fit into it anyway."

"Oh, well, maybe you could find it in another size."

Helga scoffed and crossed her arms, still holding the swimwear in her hand, "Not, that it isn't obvious but since when do you care what I wear or don't wear, football head."

Arnold shrugged, "I was just trying to help."

"Help?"

"Yeah, it seemed like you really liked it and too tell the truth, I think it looks cute."

Helga inhaled slightly.

Cute?

She turned away from him and closed her eyes still acting annoyed, "Like, I'd ever wear something you liked."

Arnold sighed in defeat. Helga hadn't changed much after all the years. Her daily choice of clothing had though. She used like to wear dresses but all she wore were baggy jeans and shirts with a jacket over it. Her hair was always under some beanie hat. She still wore shades of pink that deciphered her to be a girl, but her body remained shapeless with all the layers of clothing.

At the moment, her blond yellow hair was braided into two messy braids behind her back and was dressed in a large thin jacket with a pair of shorts that reached her knees and a large oversized muscle shirt layered with what seemed to be a tight pink shirt underneath. Her face hadn't changed much. Her sharp features had softened and her eyes stood out a bit more than usual as she wore mascara which seemed to be the only make up she wore besides the light pink lip gloss.

He turned to leave, "Okay then, I'm just going to go find the others."

Helga frowned when he left and reached for her locket… She still had it, but she had a new photo inside it. Phoebe had gotten it for her. Arnold had sent a photo to Gerald who had been curious as to how his friend had grown to look like about a year ago. Phoebe and Gerald were a thing now, and she'd made a copy of the photo for Helga, without Gerald finding out about it of course.

Helga traced the contour of the image and sighed, "I still can't admit my feelings towards you. It's stupid how immature I still am."

She'd hugged him at the airport without thinking. No one had made much of it as the group of friends had all had their turn at it. She had hoped to tell him about her feelings but somehow she felt unworthy of him… It wasn't that she thought she wasn't smart and intelligent. No, that wasn't the issue.

When she' been younger, beauty hadn't been an issue. She had never been one to fawn over her looks, but now at her growing age, she couldn't help but be self-conscious. Arnold surely wouldn't like what he saw.

Lila had the voluptuous body, Rhonda had the small thin body with the right curves, Phoebe had the petite frame any boy would want to protect, and all the other girls had developed a nice endowment despite the different weights and body broadness, but Helga barley had any chest at least that matched the 'pretty' girls. She hid her body behind all the clothes to hide that fact.

Her mother bought her girly pink cloths but Helga refused to wear them. She also didn't attend proms or parties in formal wear. Not that it really mattered; Arnold was always millions of miles away.

They made it to the beach and the boys made camp while the girls went to find a place to hang out.

Rhonda wagged her finger at the boys before they split up, "You boys better not look at our stuff. Just set up the tents and put our bags inside."

She gave then a stern glare before flipping her long black hair as she turned to leave with the group of girls.

"Later, Lila."

"See you later, Arnold."

Helga crossed her arms and ignored the friendly exchange. Surely, Arnold didn't still hold a crush on lovable Lila.

Lila was her friend now, and both knew how Helga felt towards Arnold.

The boys got to work, with a few complaining about the labor.

"Come on guys, the sooner we finish the more time we have to enjoy ourselves here."

Gerald nodded, "Arnold's right. Let's put some effort to it."

A while later, after all the tents had been set up, Harold decided to go against Rhonda's orders.

"Hey guys, look at this."

He held out a pair of panties, "Rhonda sure has some good things in her bag."

Gerald walked over and snatched them out of Harold's hold, "Man, that's not cool. She told us to stay out of her things."

Arnold and the others gathered around them.

"What's the big deal? We're not taking anything. It's just looking."

Arnold raised a brow and Gerald tossed Rhonda's white undergarment back into the bag, "Still, man they'd kill us if they found out."

Stinky spoke up, "I don't want them to hurt me."

Curly smirked, "They wouldn't hurt us."

Arnold placed his hands on his hips, "Guys, this isn't right."

Lorenzo nodded, "I agree with Arnold here. It's ungentlemanly to invade a woman's personal belongings."

Harold scoffed, "You're just a bunch of babies."

He picked another bag. It belonged to Helga.

"Harold, don't," Arnold was starting to get worried.

"I bet Helga has some pretty ugly things in here."

Lorenzo shook his head, "It's probably just boy stuff."

Sid laughed, "Yeah, cause she's too ugly to be a girl!"

Park, "She sure dresses ugly."

Harold laughed and shook the bag, "She even acts like a boy."

Brainy remained silent as usual and glanced at Arnold. Arnold didn't seem to find it funny but he wasn't denying it either.

Gerald finally spoke up, "Okay, guys, Helga isn't the prettiest but she's our friend, so leave her stuff alone and let's go join the girls."

"Oh, alright," Harold placed the bag down and then the boys left to meet up with the girls.

Brainy took a seat on a log near the fire pit they'd bought, "I'll watch the stuff here."

During that time, the girls had been to the showers and were now playing volleyball on the beach.

Helga had removed her jacket but still wore her oversized clothing.

Rhonda decided to comment on it after her team had lost against Helga's team, "Helga, dear, you should change into your swimwear."

"I am."

"Well, that's an interesting fashion you have. Wouldn't you agree, Phoebe?"

"Well, everyone has their own style."

"I suppose, but Helga you're never going to get a boy to look at you if you don't change that hideous attire of yours."

Helga glared, "Maybe, I don't want one."

Rhonda lifted a brow, "Don't tell me you're a lesbian."

Helga wasn't insulted. It wasn't the first time someone had told her that. "What, are you scared I'll come on to you?"

Rhonda laughed nervously, she'd made Helga mad, "Of course not. I was simply teasing you. You like boys. I know how you yearn to wear dresses; the thing I don't get is why you don't."

Phoebe bit her lower lip. Helga turned on Phoebe, her best friend, "You told them about that?!"

"I couldn't let them make bad assumptions about you. They are your friends, Helga."

Helga sighed. She couldn't stay mad at her for long. Phoebe was only trying to protect her anyway. Phoebe decided to change the topic, "It was nice of your dad to rent us the vehicles, Helga. I mean, I couldn't even get my parents to get me hotel reservations, due to my expenses in Italy last break we had."

Helga crossed her arms and shrugged, "He only did it because I convinced him that it would be easier without me in the house. Something less to worry about-"

"Your parents aren't doing so well again?"

"Something like that. It's always the same with them anyway."

The gang teamed up again and they went and hanged out. Helga however refused to go into the water. Her clothes would stick to her if she went in. She didn't want that.

The day dragged on and when the sun was going down they all headed back to the camp where Brainy was lighting up the fire. They ate and told stories around the fire. Arnold shared his adventures that he'd partaken with his parents.

Lila decided to ask a question after one of his quests, "Arnold, did you ever find someone you liked liked."

Gerald smirked, "Of course, he's nothing but a ladies' man."

"Gerald."

"Come on man, how many hearts did you break?"

The rest wanted to know as well, "Yeah, Arnold, tell us."

Helga remained silent and so did Brainy. They had nothing to say on the subject. In fact, Brainy hardly said anything to begin with.

"Well, there were several girls who I liked, but it never really worked out. I never really could stay long due to my parents always traveling."

Helga rolled her eyes. Of course, it was only natural that Arnold would attract many females.

He'd been attractive as a boy but he was older now. His body had broadened, muscles tone had formed from all his adventures, his limbs were longer and slender, and his face had matured. He no longer wore his hair up but combed back and his iconic hat was gone.

The hat that had symbolized his parents, but he was with them now, so there had been no need to continue to wear it. That is what he had told his friends when they had asked.

Arnold was more attractive than ever and Helga couldn't help but daydream about them being together. She had never stopped thinking about him, to be truthful. He still filled many of her poetry books at home in her closet. A few had already gotten published under a pen name.

"Oh, then, maybe, you'll find someone soon?" Lila smiled at Arnold sweetly.

They had all planned to stay at the beach for a whole week. The boys had remained entertained for just two days, until they got bored and decided to make it interesting again with a game of truth or dare. They were all sitting around the camp fire as the girls had left to buy dinner for them all.

Everything had been fun and games until Harold decide to dare Arnold to do something inappropriate and out of the ordinary. Streaking? Fine. But what Harold was forcing Arnold to do? It was cruel. At least that was what all the boys were saying.

But was it really cruel to Arnold or was Helga the true victim here?

"I dare you to 'sleep' with Helga Pataki by the end of the trip."

Arnold and the other boys weren't sure why Harold was always the one who always picked on her. If it was due to her bullying him as a child or if he simply didn't like her, they were not sure. Maybe, he just had a silly crush on her and refused to admit it…

"What are you crazy?! She'll pumble him for even trying," Gerald stood up in surprise.

Stinky shook his head, "I doubt it."

Sid agreed, "Yeah, she's a girl, even though she may not seem like it. Girls like affection."

Lorenzo, "That is true. All you would need is to flatter her somehow. My mother says that a girls' only wish is to be loved."

Brainy once again simply watched Arnold's actions and reactions. Brainy loved Helga, but he knew that she loved Arnold. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her. Much less Arnold.

"I'm not so sure about this you guys."

"Oh, come on Arnold, don't be such a goody shoes."

"It's not like it'll be your first time or anything man," Gerald winked at him.

"Gerald, I told you that was a secret!"

Harold seemed jealous, "What, you already took some girl?"

"It wasn't just any girl. I loved her."

"Love!" All the boys seemed surprised except Gerald who simply nodded.

"Yeah, we wrote to each other after I had to leave the village where she lived, but she broke up with me. She said that she had found someone who could be with her physically."

"Harsh." Gerald gave his close friend a pat on the back.

Harold stood up towering over them all, "So, what, are you going to do it?"

"What happens if I refuse?"

Harold had to think it over before replying, "You have to… run naked at the beach."

"That's not so bad."

"It has to be during the day and in front of a whole crowd."

Arnold scrunched up his face, in concern, "I can't do that."

Sid placed a hand on Arnold's shoulder, "I would take Helga. I'd rather face her than have people see me running around naked."

"Come on Arnold, surely Helga isn't that ugly."

"Yeah, just pretend she's someone else, like Lila."

"Yeah, Lila is really pretty."

Arnold looked into the fire, remaining silent, as his friends continued to talk about how pretty other girls were.

Helga being pretty isn't the issue here. Grandpa and father always told me that women should be respected. Still, she would just beat me up. Yeah, she'd reject me and Harold would have nothing else but to call it off.

Arnold smirked darkly at his plan, "Alright, you're on."


A/N: Well, I never imagined writing something for Hey, Arnold, but it was begging to be written. I ran into a fan drawing of Helga and couldn't help but be inspired to write this. I'm not sure if they are in character, due to the fact I haven't seen the series in a long time, but I hope to get reviews for this.

I decided to rewrite this story and add a bit more of personal conflict to it. I thought it would have more meaning this way. They are all in that awkward moment in life and I just felt I should explore that emotion a bit more… don't know if I'll get what I want though.

p.s.

I got another review with complaints about the driving and sex topics in my fanfic Summer Love. It really doesn't bother me much but I decided to post this reply in return to all those who share similar ideals. I hope this will answer questions on why I write what I write. Each author has their background and this is just a glimpse at mine.

First off, thanks for the long review, Junior High; it means a lot to me that you took the time to write your thoughts out. I write based on my own experiences and those that surround me. Of course I add fantasy to it and change them based on how I would like to portray it. I got another complaint similar to yours. About the age and driving… I don't know your backgrounds, but based on mine this story makes a lot of sense to me. Of course a lot of this has to do with the fact that I grew up in a poor neighborhood, but so did the characters from Hey, Arnold. During my childhood, I could strongly relate to the show and the characters. I would like to explain the sense of my writing.

Junior High said: 13 year olds can't be left alone driving cops will pull them over.

A/N: I have a friend who learned to drive around the age of 12. He was taught by his older brother. I didn't try until I was 13, but driving is pretty self taught once you know the rules of the road and where the gas and breaks are. Yes, cops could pull them over, but chances are pretty slim. I mean, I have a friend who starting driving the first year of high school and was never pulled over. She didn't have a driving permit during that time, nor did anyone teach her. She just got in her parents car everyday and drove. I took driving classes for my driving permit at the age of 14 and got the Minor Restricted Driver License at the age of 15. Driving is not a science; if you have common sense then you can drive just fine. Yes, teens can't drive by themselves legally but who's to say it's impossible. It happens. I know tons of people who did it.

Junior Highsaid: This doesn't really make sense. Okay if they're not even in high school yet I doubt how developed the other girls would be or how handsome Arnold and the guys would be. And 13 year olds having sex is just... ew. They are just now going into puberty and they are having sex already? Kids that young aren't that mature (mentally or physically) and shouldn't be sexually active. I don't see why a 13 or 14 year old would want to be sexually active. You don't have anything yet. They're still wearing training bras or at least fresh out of them. It's just not a pretty time.

A/N: You sound like my junior high teacher. She said that starting junior high meant that our bodies were going to change and we were going to start liking boys and girls in a different light and going out… Maybe this is true when you grow up with responsible parents and teachers who care to teach you about all these changes before they happen, but sadly this isn't the case for most, puberty for girls start at the age of 8-13 and boys at age of 9-14 depending on the person and the environment. Girls and boys at these ages can develop figures. I would know. I was a kid once. You said mentally or physically at this age sex is not in our interest… wrong kids are curious and when your body starts to change even just a little we are prone to want answers from somewhere. Sex interest at a young age is possible. I don't approve of sex at a young age but yes it happens. Your opinion of puberty is ideal, but sadly that was not how five hundred students' lives were like where I grew up. Again I grew up in a poor neighborhood and thought this background would fit/relate into the Fanfic of Hey, Arnold. I write what I want and how I want and I stick to what makes sense to me and not to others. Thank you all for reading this.