This is my first FF, so please read & review, but don't shoot me down in flames.

I don't own Hey Arnold; they are all Craig Bartlett's.

Points of view will switch with the font. Here is the key for the whole story.

Arnold

Helga

Chapter 1: Helga

Miriam, Big Bob, and Olga were downstairs, talking about Olga, Olga's MANY trophies as Bob always points out to her, Olga's degrees in college, Olga's teaching in Alaska, Olga, Olga, Olga. It drove her CRAZY to hear them always talk about her ALL THE TIME! Why couldn't they just shut up, or at the very least leave her alone in her room so she can at least think about Arnold.

Arnold. Her love, angel, secret sweetheart, the real reason she put up with anything in this miserable world, her miserable family, their constant obliviousness to how she felt. It was her only vent, her only release from the world. She pulled out her locket and traced his features, knowing every one of them by heart. His emerald eyes, his loving attitude, his little blue hat. Thinking about Arnold brought back that memory. She could still hear his questions probing her as she tried to evade the real reason she wanted to save the neighborhood, because she loved him.

It had only been one week since they saved the neighborhood, all the damage was fixed again, the town went back to normal, even how Helga had treated Arnold. She had agreed that it was "in the heat of the moment" with Arnold, but she knew better. She knew that it was real; she knew that she had meant every word on the top of the FTi building. She just hoped Arnold wouldn't try to probe her again, or she might actually spill her secret again. She shivered at the thought of what he might say. She only allowed herself to think of if he said that he loved her too, but every now & then she would think, "What if he doesn't?" That was the real reason she never revealed herself. What if… What if…?

Helga woke up to the smell of pancakes & bacon. She had fallen asleep, so now she had to get away from her family before they dragged her all around town to spend "quantity time" with her sister. Blech! As soon as she was done getting dressed, she snuck out the front door, her parents busy congratulating Olga about breakfast. She had managed to take some money for the day from Miriam's purse. Only $10, enough for a light breakfast and bus fare. As she walked to the grocery store, she bumped into someone. Even without looking up, she knew who it was.

"Hey Helga, what are you doing up and about so early?" Arnold asked.

"None of your business, football head." she answered curtly. "I can walk around anytime I want, all I want. Why don't you just watch where you're going?"

"Whatever you say, Helga." Arnold said with a slight smile.

As she walked away from Arnold, Helga was confused. Why would he smile? She had just insulted him and basically told him to buzz off, but he had not done or said anything rude back to her. In fact, he had SMILED at her. She briefly went behind a trash-can and pulled out her locket.

"Oh Arnold my love, how I wish I could stop this charade and just tell you how I feel. Yet, even now, after I confessed to you, I still act horrible to you, like a bully. But why would you smile? Do you too think about that fateful night, that kiss? How I wish I could truly tell you how I feel. How I love you, how I always have loved you, and how I will forever keep you in my heart." Just then, she heard a familiar breathing. It was Brainy, listening to her again. The kid didn't know when to leave her alone. She socked him, and continued down the street.

Arnold continued down the street, wondering what Helga was doing. She wasn't usually going around during the morning. He shrugged it off, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to get information from Helga. Besides, he was late for his visit to Gerald's. Gerald had called to tell him he needed to head down to the Johanssen's place to show him something he finally bought the day before. Arnold didn't know what it was, but he was excited, because Gerald was talking a mile a minute on the phone.

When Arnold got there, he rang the doorbell. Opening the door was none other than his best friend since Pre-K.

"Hey man. Glad you could come. Sorry it had to be so early, but I just wanted to show you before anyone else." Gerald said while giving Arnold their signature handshake.

"It's okay Gerald, just show me what it is." said Arnold.

"Okay, but it's out back. We'll just need to be quiet, Jamie-O is still asleep." whispered Gerald.

"Okay." whispered Arnold back.

They tip-toed through the house, and went out the back door. Gerald was practically shaking with excitement as they closed the door.

"Okay man, let me go get it. Wait here" said Gerald.

Arnold nodded, watching Gerald go around a corner to his house. Arnold took a second to think about his accident with Helga earlier that day. She had seemed agitated for some reason and when Arnold had gotten up, she had run away from him. Normally he wouldn't question this, she normally did this in school, but he had always thought of it as her going to class.

"She didn't seem to be in a hurry before I collided with her, cause I hadn't heard any running." he thought to himself. He resolved to think about it later as Gerald rounded the corner with a brand new bike.

"What do you think, Arnold?" Gerald said. It was a darker blue than his older one, it had new all-terrain tires, and had the handlebars like a chopper. Basically, it was cooler and more stylish.

"Very much like Gerald." Arnold thought to himself. "It looks awesome Gerald. Where did you get the money to buy this?" asked Arnold.

"I saved up from Mrs. Vitello's shop, when we worked there, and from allowance." said Gerald very proudly. "Want to try it out real quick?"

"Sure Gerald, thanks." Arnold said, borrowing Gerald's helmet.

It was kind of awkward for Arnold, but he knew Gerald loved it. He did a few laps, weaving between some holes in the yard, braking and accelerating. He stopped in front of Gerald and got off.

"It's very smooth, no matter what I do with it, but I'm not sure about the handlebars. It doesn't feel me, but that's good because it's not mine." Arnold said as he handed the Gerald's helmet back. "Let me see you on it. You can ride it to my house so I can get my bike, then we can show it off."

"Awesome. I can't wait to see the look on Harold's face when he sees it." grinned Gerald as he got on it.

They walked to Arnold's house, Gerald telling Arnold everything about the bike, from the tires to the chain to the decal on the side. Arnold was happy to see Gerald happy, and watching Gerald on the bike confirmed that it was made for him. When they got there, Arnold grabbed his bike, and they raced off to find the other members of the gang.

Two hours later:

Everyone was admiring Gerald's bike, asking him about it, where he got it, how much it was, if they could try it out. Arnold just hung back and watched as Gerald enjoyed the spotlight. He hadn't gotten too much credit for helping Arnold save the neighborhood, although Arnold always said how Gerald was by his side through everything. Nobody would leave Arnold alone, just to ask how he did it or where he got the gadgets he told them about. Arnold was a little sick of the attention, so he was more than glad to let Gerald take some for a while. He saw Helga come up the street, wondering what was going on. He knew there might be trouble, so he followed her into the circle.

"Alright, move out of the way, one side, coming through. Move it Pig-boy, what's going on here?" sneered Helga while looking around.

"I got a new bike Helga. Everyone was just checking it out, before you paraded yourself in at least." said Gerald with a smile. Helga's eyes narrowed, then she turned her attention to the bike.

"It's alright, but it looks too grown up for you, Tall Hair-boy. Who did you steal it from? Frankie G? Is it his kiddy bike or something?" smirked Helga.

"Helga, just stop." said Arnold, coming to Gerald's defense. "I know it's Gerald's. I know Gerald wouldn't take anything, especially from Frankie G."

"Whatever you say, Hair-boy. I didn't like it anyways." sneered Helga as she stomped away, daring anyone to get in her way.

"Mmm mm mm. That Helga Pataki is one mean girl right there." said Gerald.

"Hmmm." pondered Arnold.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out and riding around Hilwood. Arnold for the most part stayed in the background. He was thinking about Helga. Why would she be so horrible to Gerald, even though he hadn't done anything to her? What was really going on with her? Arnold didn't know, but somehow he would figure it out.

Helga was upset. She didn't want to go home to her ridiculous family just to have to deal with them. She wanted to stay with Phoebe for a few days, but she knew Phoebe was away for a family reunion. She could ask someone else if she could stay with them, but her pride wouldn't allow her. At least, not yet.

As she walked up the stairs to her house, she quietly opened the door. Peeping inside, she found Bob in his usual chair, watching TV. Miriam was asleep in the kitchen, one arm hanging off the edge and one under her head. Olga came down from the stairs and said, "Oh my gosh, BABY SISTER!" running to hug her little sister. Helga couldn't breathe, but Olga let her down and continued, "Where were you, baby sister? I missed you today, you didn't get breakfast and you were gone for lunch and dinner. I was sooo worried, but I'm so glad you're okay."

"Whatever, I just want to go to my room." Helga said while pushing Olga away.

"Hmm, is Helga home?" slurred Miriam in the kitchen.

"Good, she can bring me some snacks. Olga, bring me my chips!" shouted Bob.

"It's Helga DAD! And get your own chips!" shouted Helga as she rushed into her room.

"It's okay daddy, I'll get you some fruit." Helga heard Olga say sweetly from downstairs, "Chips are very unhealthy."

Helga almost tore her hair out, she HAD to get out of here. She couldn't wait the rest of week for Olga to go back to college. She asked herself who she could stay with.

"Not Rhonda, she wouldn't want me to scuff up anything. Not Nadine either, cause I'd rather not be surrounded by bugs. Pig-boy, Stinky, and Sid are out. Geraldo is a definite N-O. How about Arnold?"

Helga grabbed her phone, but hesitated before dialing. What if he said no and she was forced to stay? "No," thought Helga, "he won't turn me down, he's too nice and generous, but I will have to sell it to him." She dialed and waited.

Arnold was in his room, listening to jazz when suddenly he heard his grandfather.

"Shortman, your little friend is on the phone for you! The one with the one eyebrow and pink dress!"

"One second Grandpa!" shouted Arnold. "What would Helga want? Why would she be calling me for?" thought Arnold

He walked down his stairs and walked up to the phone where Grandpa had left it. He picked it up, "Hello?"

"Hey Hair-booo, I mean Arnold, I was wondering if you could let me spend a few nights at your place?"

Arnold was surprised. Why would Helga want to stay at his place? "Why?"

"Because I need to get away from my family. They are driving me crazy. I just need a few days. Please Arnold?" asked Helga, almost pleading.

Arnold stood and thought about it for a second. He thought back to that night, in the wind and rain, when she confessed herself to him. He wondered what to do. He knew he should help her out, but he wasn't sure if it was a good idea. "Maybe I can learn more about how she still managed to help me that night." thought Arnold.

"Okay Helga, you can stay for a few days."

What do you think will happen? Will Arnold find out more about Helga? Will she be able to stay even one night? What will happen? Why am I asking all these questions? R&R please. I will have the next chapter sometime in a week to answer your questions.