Hello everyone. This is actually my second Hey Arnold Fanfic. First I want to apologize for not updating on a Pataki Christmas Carol. I was so busy with the work and the holidays. A pataki christmas carol is completely finished and on my computer. I will do my best to update this story every chance I get. Disclaimer: All characters belong to Craig Bartlett and Rights to Hey Arnold Belong to nickelodeon/viacom. Now Enjoy.

The Other Side of… Me.

Hi. My name is Arnold Shortman. Yes. Shortman. You may think my last name is funny, lots of people do…once they finally had found out of course. Well, let me tell you about myself. I'm a junior in high school; I live with my grandparents in a boarding house with about 7 other boarders. I don't have a typical, everyday, normal, family. My grandma, she's… eccentric yet absolutely amazing. My grandpa is my best friend actually he's a lot more…he's my grandpa. He's not the typical grandpa he always there for me when I need him for advice. He's not particularly good with giving it though. The one thing I did for sure learn from him is to never eat raspberries. It's obvious he has a problem with digesting raspberries, but yet he still continues to eat my grandma's raspberry cobbler.

My best friend's name is Gerald. Last name Johansen. We had known each other ever since we've been in preschool. We've been best friends ever since. He's loyal, and funny, smart and a possible successful business man. Though I could never work with him, he takes his position way to seriously sometimes, but we try not to let the affect our friendship. So here I am standing by my locker and taking out my textbooks that I need for my homework assignment when Gerald comes up.

"Hey Arnold."

"Hey Gerald, what's up"

"Well…I am assured I'll be on the basketball team. How come you didn't try out?"

"I don't know guess I just don't care for it that much anymore."

"Really? But you love basketball."

"Yea I do. But I have a new interest now."

"And what is that."

"Well I started painting again."

"Painting?"

"Yeah. I think I got it from my dad."

"I thought you said your dad was an explorer."

"He is. He also has an artistic side."

"So you're saying he was an artist."

"No his true passion is being an explorer. I think being an artist was something he loved to do on the side. You should see his journal. I've decided to take Mrs. Daniel's art class this semester as an elective."

"Hmm. Well if it's what you want to do I say go for it."

"Oh I will." The one thing I always liked about Gerald was that he was a good listener. I would've had expected a jock like him to think it was corny that I wanted to take an art class, but no. He always listens to me when my family drives me up the wall, when I need help with school, and…my love life. Speaking of my love life…I'm kind of a dork when it comes to being romantic. Gerald tells me all the time. The last person I liked she didn't like me back she just wanted to be friends…just friends…nothing more. It took me a while but I finally got over her, and I found someone new, someone amazing. She's absolutely beautiful, everything I wanted in a girl-no woman. I guess you can say I'm kind of obsessed with her in way. I fell in love with her and there's no turning back. The only thing about it is she doesn't even know I exist.

She's popular has tons of friends and she somewhat of a rebel. I have a slight fetish for rebels. They do what they please and they don't care what anyone thinks. She doesn't take shit from anybody and I love that about her. She's like this wild crazy animal that I want to tame. Even though she's pretty good at protecting herself, I always imagine myself as the lion and she is my lioness, beautiful, strong, and taking on the world together.

"Oh crap what time is it?"

"Uh it's 3:15."

"3:15? I'm 5 minutes late!"

"Oh come on man you can't go one day without seeing-"

"Come ON MAN!" I grabbed Gerald's arm and start running out the door. I can't believe I'm five minutes late. She's about to leave on her Harley Davidson! I- I- got to see her one last time before the day ends. I will not rest until my eyes on the one they call Helga G-"

"Arnold! I'm coming let go of my arm!" I burst opened the door ran my eyes across the campus grounds and spotted her. The spotlight was on her. He long beautiful golden hair flowing down her back. Her leather jacket, mini skirt, fishnet leggings, boots and to top it all off her pink bow. Oh how I loooovvveeedd that bow. Pink suits her really well. There she was strutting down school campus to the parking lot. I watched her hips sway left and right, her hair swing from side to side. I was melting. I literally felt like my body was becoming a puddle on the steps of my school.

"Man you are hopeless."

"Yes…hopelessly in love. Hopelessly devoted to her."

"Why don't you just go up to her and tell her how you feel?"

"I CAN'T DO THAT! ARE YOUR CRAZY?"

"Why not?"

"Gerald look at me, and look at her. I'm a dork! And she…she…she's a seductive, lustful, beautiful goddess."

"Arnold Come on man! You're not that bad." Gerald eyed me up and down. I was wearing denim jeans, black shoes a white t and to top It off my signature red plaid shirt. Which everyone in the beginning thought it was a kilt because I would wear it under my t-shirt. So I decided to ditch the over shirt and just stick with the plaid.

"Uh on second thought you could use a little work." said Gerald. My alarm on my watch started to beep. It was 3:30.

"Sorry man got to go to work." I jumped over the stairs and landed effortlessly on my feet.

"Oh and lose the watch man!"

"See ya Gerald."

I worked at an advice hotline. Despite the fact that my grandpa wasn't particularly good with giving advice, I was actually pretty good at it. Out of all my friends I feel that I'm the sane one. Everyone seems to have so many problems with their lives but me, I think I'm pretty ok except when it comes to the love department but you already know about that.

"Arnold. Hi!"

"Hi Miss Peterson, Sorry I'm a little late."

"Oh that's fine sweetie you one of my best employees. Just don't let it happen again."

"I promise I won't." I went to my station and waited for the phone to ring. At least half of my entire class at my school has called me with their issues and I've helped them all. Some had problems with weight, some had problems with bullies and sadly some had even thought about committing suicide. But I always know the right things to say to make people feel better. The only person I had never had a call from was Helga G. Pataki. It's obvious though. A girl as perfect as her would never have a problems. She's a rebel. She has no worries and no cares. She's a strong girl and can take care of herself. I started to write her name on a blank piece of paper and circle it with a heart. If only you knew I existed. The phone rang and it startled me. Why did it have to ring now? When I was thinking beautiful thoughts about her.

"Hi thank you for calling teen central hotline how may I help you?"

"Hi. Before you say anything, are you sure that I'll remain anonymous?" No way! Could it be? Her calling me? Arnold? On the phone? I know this is her voice. I'd recognize it anywhere. Oh her voice was hypnotizing even over the phone.

"Hello? Are you there?"

"Yes I'm here. What can I help you with?"

"Will you hold on just one second? "

"Yea sure I'll hold." It went silent. My heart was pounding. My breath started to become staggered. It was her on the other line talking to me, getting advice from me. Spilling her heart out to me, I couldn't believe it. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure she could hear it on the other line. Helga? Have problems. Why would she have problems she's perfect. Absolutely perfect….

"Hello? Are you there?"

"Yes. I'm here. What can I help you with today?"