Chapter 1: I Have A Favor To Ask
It was the start of their eighth grade year, and while Arnold and Helga had become open with the class about their relationship, there were still some things Helga preferred keeping to herself...
"I can't believe we're doing another dumb poetry assignment." Sid complained.
"I reckon I won't be doin' too well on it. On account of I failed my last English test." Stinky concluded, as he scratched his head.
"AWWW Poetry! Why can't we just skip to lunch?! Stupid writing assignments!" Harold crossed his arms in disappointment.
"Harold, lunch is not a class. Only you could be graded on eating well." Rhonda sneered as she glared at her husky classmate, who in no way cared about expressing his feelings.
"Class, class settle down please. I know you're all excited about turning in this week's assignment…" Mr. Simmons began, while receiving annoyed looks from most of the students.
Helga however sat in her desk, gazing at the blonde boy who sat in front of her. The boy who had been the inspiration behind her tender, loving words for the past ten years. The only person who gave her a reason to believe life was worth living.
As she sat there propping her head against her hand with half lidded eyes, as if no one else in the room was watching her, she heard…
"Are you looking forward to the assignment Helga?"
"Huh? What?" Helga immediately sat up to look over at her best friend.
"I was simply asking your opinion of our next poetry assignment." Phoebe repeated herself.
"Oh yeah, I'm practically jumping out of my seat." she said scoffed, as she rolled her eyes to keep up appearances.
When she looked away from her best friend, Helga pulled out what appeared to be her math book to stare at a self-made sculpture she had created of her beloved.
Once Mr. Simmons had the class' attention to start their math class, Helga continued smiling at the figure inside her book, while she whispered to herself...
Oh Arnold my love, so sweet and nurturing! As I sit behind you, tortured by the idea of not being able to place my weak hands upon your soft skin. Dying for the chance to wrap my shaking arms around your oblong shaped head. Crying out for the chance to run my fingers through your sweet smelling hair. My soul screams for the chance to…
"Helga? Helga?" a voice whispered, snapping her out of her daze.
"Arnold! I mean, what do you want football head?" she scowled.
"I was just passing back our assignment." Arnold smiled, while handing her the stack of papers to pass down the line of students.
"Yeah, yeah, hand 'em over. Sheesh!" she scoffed, while watching him turn back around.
Once Helga handed back the papers, she faced back in Arnold's direction to once again take another sweet glance at him before making herself focus on the assignment.
Hallway
Before they knew it, lunch time came. When Arnold began following Gerald to the cafeteria, Phoebe turned to Helga to ask "Will you be working on your assignment tonight?"
Helga began to tense at the idea of sharing information about her poetry with Phoebe. Although her best friend had known about her feelings for Arnold for years, Helga's writing was something she liked to keep secret.
"Uhh I'm thinking about it. Wrestlemania comes on later this evening...can't miss that!" Helga tugged at her collar, as she scurried out of the classroom.
While Phoebe made her way towards the class, Helga found a private spot by her locker to gaze a moment at the picture she kept tucked away of her beloved in her shirt.
Oh Arnold! Why must I continue to be so secretive? Why must I continue to hide these feelings of which you already know? Will I forever lurk in the shadows of my cowardly ways? When will I find the strength to…
"Wheeze..wheeze..wheeze!" a familiar voice breathed from behind, bringing an angry glare to Helga's face.
Knowing who it was, Helga whipped her fist in his face without bothering to look back at who she had punched.
Cafeteria
After her tender moment had been ruined, Helga marched into the cafeteria to find her friends. She hadn't even bothered to grab her lunchbox to take on her way out the door with her that morning for school. Some days she decided to humor herself by seeing if Miriam had actually packed her anything edible. Other days, she didn't bother to get her hopes up.
Meanwhile, her friends were sitting at a table together discussing the assignment.
"Mm, mm, mmm! Another poetry assignment! Can you believe this teacher?" Gerald asked in disbelief.
"I believe the purpose of the assignment is to help us learn to become more comfortable with intensifying our emotions." Phoebe explained while receiving a confused look from Gerald.
It was at that moment, Arnold looked over to see Helga heading for the lunchline.
Gerald noticed the distracted look on his best friend's face and asked "What are you looking at man?"
"Uhh I'll be right back." Arnold insisted, as Gerald simply shrugged his shoulders.
Helga was standing in the lunchline with her arms crossed, frustrated by the fact that her sensitive moment had been interrupted once again.
While waiting for the line to move along, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Helga gasped as she turned around and screeched "Arnold!"
"Hey Helga. I already got you some lunch."
The blonde girl's face melted at the thought of him caring so much about her. While her family constantly neglected her, she was surprised more and more by how much her boyfriend thought of her.
After mentally smacking herself, she shook her head and scowled "Pttss...I don't need your charity!"
Not being offended by her ungratefulness, Arnold replied "Actually, I sort of have a favor to ask."
Helga cocked her brow as she replied "What kind of favor?"
"I was kind of hoping you would help me with my poetry assignment this afternoon. I know how good you are at that stuff." Arnold rubbed his neck, hoping she would say yes.
Helga began to blush fiercely, while thinking to herself…
Oh my beloved, so sweet and gentle! Asking for my help in your hour of need! How could I say no to you when you've done so much for me?
"So, will you help me? You can come to my place after school." Arnold asked, not having received a response from her yet.
Helga then shook her head after noticing the daze she had been in. "Uhh I guess that would be okay. Don't say I never did you any favors though Arnoldo." she scoffed, following him out of the lunch line.
"Whatever you say Helga." he sighed, while leading her back to the table.
The four of them then sat together while Arnold gave her his tapioca pudding. Helga's hands shook as she reached for the sweet treat. Gerald shook his head after seeing the loving look in both of their eyes that was soon interrupted by…
"OWW! I'M OKAY!"
"Oh brother! Can you believe that idiot? His poem's probably just going to be a list describing all his trips to the emergency room." Helga sighed as she leaned back in her seat with the pudding.
Arnold smiled at her with his arm wrapped around her. While Helga still had a hard time taking in the thought of everyone around them knowing about their relationship, Arnold couldn't have cared less.
Gerald kept his eyes on Arnold's soft ones that hadn't left Helga's (which hadn't left her pudding). As she continued to stare down at her cup, she felt a warm set of lips on her cheek.
"Thanks for helping me with my assignment." Arnold said softly, while Helga's face blushed heavily.
Gerald's eyes widened almost as much as Helga's, while he shook his head and said "You know they have a janitor's closet for that type of behavior."
Once the bell rang, the girls anxiously left the table, while Gerald looked at Arnold and said "So I take it you won't be coming to baseball practice?"
"I'd rather get this assignment done." Arnold said, while continuing to watch Helga walk away.
"Work on the assignment, or work on her?" Gerald glared with his arms crossed.
"Oh come on, Gerald. She's just coming over to help me."
"Whatever you say Arnold."
Classroom
Back in the classroom, Helga sat back in her desk, daydreaming about what had just happened in the cafeteria…
He kissed me! He actually kissed me! In front of everyone! Oh my beloved, these past few years you've given me the attention I've so long awaited. No longer will I take advantage of your loving grace and merciful attitude.
Once class ended, the students all gathered their things from their desks. Arnold anxiously turned to say to Helga "So, would you like to just come straight to my house?"
Helga swooned on the inside. She had been with Arnold awhile, but the thought of being invited over still brought chills to her each time.
"Eh, why not? It's not like my family will be wondering where I am." she scoffed.
Arnold then took her hand and lead her outside the school. While the two were walking down the street holding hands together, he asked "So, do you know what your poem will be about?"
Sweat began to form on Helga's face, while her grip on Arnold's hand tightened. It was one thing to give him pointers on how to write poetry. She didn't want to reveal what her inspiration behind hers was however.
"Uhhh not yet." she muttered, tugging at her collar with her free hand.
As she looked down, she felt him rubbing her hand with his thumb. Chills went through her body as she heard him ask "Has Mr. Simmons ever read one of your poems out loud? I always hear him reading ones signed by anonymous."
Criminy! What kind of nosey stalker is he?! Why does he have to go butting into my business like this?!
"He may have read a few hehe." Helga admitted, as they reached Arnold's porch.
Boarding House
"I'm guessing you know to stand back by now." Arnold laughed before opening the doorway.
Helga crossed her arms as she scowled "What kind of zoo do you live in?!"
After opening the door and watching the swarm of pets pass, Helga followed Arnold inside. The two of them entered the kitchen where Arnold saw Phil eating a roast beef sandwich.
"Hey grandpa."
"Hey shortman! Shortman's girlfriend! How was school?" Phil asked, while seeing Helga blush.
"Pretty good. We're going upstairs to work on our poetry assignment." Arnold explained.
"Ooohhh poetry! I'm sure your girlfriend knows all about that!" Phil winked while Helga looked away and Arnold began to blush as well.
"Uhh right grandpa. We'll be upstairs." he replied, quickly grabbing her to head for his room.
"See ya shorman!" Phil finished his sandwich, not caring how embarrassed he had made the two younger ones feel.
Arnold's Room
Once Arnold and Helga made it to his bedroom, Helga stood there with her hands on her hips, frowning at Arnold. "Well, that will be easy to live down!"
"Sorry about that. He likes to mess with me." Arnold said, rubbing his neck.
"Gee, I couldn't tell." Helga said sarcastically, crossing her arms.
"Come on, let's get started on the assignment." Arnold insisted, as the two sat down on his bed together.
