Okay, so we all loved the episode "Arnold's Valentine", yes? :D Despite the sadder circumstances, it was undoubtedly the first episode that told us very much so, "Yes. Arnold and Helga are meant for each other." Helga showed Arnold the real her, though through the guise of Cecile. And well, though he thought it was Cecile, he actually fell in love with Helga. OwO Awwww... It's too bad it ended that way.
Well, let us roll. Time for another Valentine's Day special!
I hope you all enjoy this. This is dedicated to all the ArnoldxHelga lovers. :D Then again, all my fics of these two are. So this is no different!
Happy Valentine's Day!
--
"Boys and girls! Can I have your attention please?" Mr. Simmons called out to the class, raising his hands for attention. Once everyone quieted down, he smiled and got right to it. "As we all know, Valentine's Day is just this week in three days! So don't forget to show your loved ones, your crush, your parents, your friends, your pets, your family members, all the special people your life, just how much you love them!"
At this, Helga cast a lovesick gaze toward Arnold.
Gerald and Phoebe, who sat next to each other holding hands, glanced at each other with soft smiles.
"So this year, we're going to be doing something extra special!" Mr. Simmons went on. "The school has organized for all of you to send secret cards and candy grams to any student in the entire school! Up to Valentine's Day, they will be set up in the cafeteria, where you can send someone, anyone, a special card and a candygram! You can make them anonymous if you choose to." He cast a secretive glance toward Helga, who looked at him with shock.
"Really? Well that sounds interesting, Mr. Simmons!" Eugene said enthusiastically with a grin.
"No need to be secretive in sending one to my darling love!" Curly declared, leaning across his desk toward Rhonda.
"Ewww! Get away from me, you freak!" Rhonda recoiled.
"And that's not all!" Mr. Simmons then said. "Today, also set up in the cafeteria, will be a group of sixth graders who have put together interesting questionnaires in which you can answer, and then on Valentine's Day, you will get results as to who you are most compatible with in the entire school! A matchmaking bit of special fun!"
Oh please, I don't need some stupid piece of paper telling me that Arnold is the perfect boy for me. Helga thought, doodling little hearts, Arnold's name, and football-shaped heads in her notebook. She looked once more at her beloved, and sighed dreamily. "Oh, Arnold my love... At least I now can send you a lovely little gift of my love to you..."
The bell rang, and everyone gathered their belongings and piled out of the class, heading to their lockers for recess.
Gerald caught up with Arnold, who seemed lost in thought about this whole thing, or so he assumed.
"Hey Arnold, what's with you, man? You've barely said a word all morning!"
"Well Gerald, with Valentine's Day coming up...I don't know, it just got me to thinking of what happened last year." Arnold said, a bit of a sad look coming to his face.
"You mean with Cecile...er...that girl?" Gerald asked.
Arnold nodded, and they headed outside, unknowingly being followed by Helga, who was eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Yeah." Arnold said, and sat on a swing, while Gerald took the one next to his. "I don't know, Gerald...but something happened to me that night, and ever since then I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. I really want to see her again. But I don't even know who she is or where she lives, or even her real name."
"Well obviously she must know you, if she's goin' out of her way to go out with you on a date and keep it a secret." Gerald said. "Soooo, I take it Lila's got competition?"
"No!" Arnold burst, and then sighed, looking down at his lap. "You don't get it Gerald. There wouldn't be a competition. Cecile was such a great girl. I felt I could really be myself with her, she was very sweet and yet didn't take lip from anyone, very confident, creative, and had this...I don't know, spark about her. She was beautiful, too." He blushed a little. "And yet, there was something familiar about her, like I knew her from somewhere. It gave me comfort, and yet mystery all at once. I think I'm in love with her, Gerald. I'd give anything to see her again."
From behind a row of trashcans that Helga was hiding behind, her eyes widened and she clapped her hands over her mouth, unable to believe what she was really hearing. But it was true, in plain black and white.
"Arnold fell in love with me...! I mean, not me me, but Cecile...wait...no, he fell in love with the real me, but he didn't know it was me, he thought...oh, criminy!" Helga groaned, and took out her locket. "Arnold, my darling angel...I knew you would see through my rough exterior and come to love me! But alas, you knew not that it was me. I only gave you an illusionary image...oh, what a delirium! Why, oh why, must the fates be so cruel to you?"
Behind her, heavy wheezing was heard, and she scowled, whirling around.
"Give it up, Brainy! I love Arnold! When will you get that through your thick skull, huh?!"
"...I know...Helga..." Brainy wheezed. "You should....tell him..."
"And let my secret out?! I don't think so!" Helga huffed.
Brainy shrugged. "Just saying..."
"Whatever. Got any other bright ideas, Einstein?"
"Why not....go see Arnold....on Valentine's Day...as...Cecile...?"
Considering that idea, Helga sat back and thought about it. Could that work? Again? Well, she would get to spend time with him, show him her real self, and he would definitely enjoy her company. That was a perfect plan! The only flaw was that she would have to be someone she wasn't. Or rather, who Arnold believed was someone else. Then what? Totally change her name and identity completely? No, that was crazy. Not unless she told him the truth.
"I could do that. But I can't just tell him the truth! It would crush him."
"Then...don't." Brainy said.
"Yeah, whatever." Helga stood and then walked off to find Phoebe. "Man, he's like the estranged love child of Harry Warden and Darth Vader."
She had something to do now, and she knew just the thing.
(A/N: XD There's quite an irony in that. Harry Warden is the killer in the movie My Bloody Valentine (along with the re-make), and he was a miner. So he wore a heavy-duty gas mask. And we all know Darth Vader, of course. My friend has this silly joke that Harry Warden and Darth Vader got married. XD So I added to the joke by making it a silly thing that Brainy was the estranged love child of the two of them. With his heavy breathing and deep voice. XD And now here we are with a Valentine's Day thing, the movie takes place during Valentine's Day...very weird. XD)
--
~Valentine's Day~
"Well man, so what are you going to do?" Gerald asked Arnold.
Arnold shrugged. "I don't really know, Gerald. I tried asking Lila, but she said it would seem too much like a date and turned me down."
"Man Arnold, either you gotta stop chasing her or Lila's gotta be more assertive." Gerald said, shaking his head.
"All right class, today is the very special holiday, Valentine's Day!" Mr. Simmons announced, as if everyone needed to know. "And now I have some special candy grams to hand out!" He went around the class to hand out some candy grams attached to little notes from a basket.
"Are you and Phoebe doing something tonight?" Arnold asked.
Gerald grinned. "Yep! We're goin' to eat dinner at Chez Pierre and then going to see a movie! Sure it'll be a mushy romantic chick flick, but hey, at least I get to be with Phoebe!"
Arnold smiled. "That's great, Gerald. I'm glad you guys are finally going to have your first Valentine's date."
"You bet, man!" Gerald said in excitement, and then he faltered. "...You sure you'll be all right, man?"
"I'll be okay." Arnold said. "I mean, it's not a big deal being single on Valentine's Day. After all, there'll be more Valentine's Days in the future. If I can't share it with someone now, I know I definitely will in the future sometime."
Gerald snickered. "Always looking on the bright side, Arnold."
"Someone has to." Arnold said with a toothy grin, shrugging.
"Ah, and Arnold! Here's one for you!" Mr. Simmons suddenly said as he came up to Arnold's desk. "Whoever wrote this has such an amazing talent for poetry! You're quite a lucky boy!"
"Really? For me?" Arnold said, astonished. He took the candy gram and studied it curiously.
He took the heart-shaped card, which had his name written across it in big letters, and he opened it to read what was inside.
Arnold,
With your hair like that of spun gold
Your eyes like that of glittering emeralds
Your sweet smile like that of the brightness of the sun
It is you, sweet angel
My heart leaps and flies
When you are near
My love, my Valentine
Your wondrous touch
How it sends shivers up and down my spine
Your voice
How it is lyrical and that of the strum of a flute
Your lips
How they will forever intoxicate my own
Arnold, my love
Won't you be mine?
Arnold, my love
Please be my Valentine
Arnold, I want so much to see you. Come tonight, meet me at Chez Paris at 7:00 PM. I forever look upon you from afar. But now I wish to see you up close once more under the stars.
I love you, Arnold. Be my Valentine.
Signed,
Your secret admirer
Arnold gaped at the very forward, but essentially sweet and loving little Valentine. He had a secret admirer? Was it the same person who had written all those beautiful poems in the little pink book? It had to be, the handwriting he could see now looked similar, and the one who had written the poem here was obviously very talented. It was beautiful.
"...Or maybe it's Cecile?" Arnold murmured to himself.
"You say something, Arnold?" Gerald questioned, looking up from his own card, which was from Phoebe.
"Gerald, this card...it's from some secret admirer of mine." Arnold said. "I think it might even be the same person who owns the little pink book. You know, that book with all those really amazing poems...directed at me..." He blushed a bit bashfully.
"Wouldn't be surprised!" Gerald said, taking the card from him and reading it over.
"Well dang! It just might be. Either way, that girl clearly has it bad for you!"
"Tell me about it." Arnold agreed. "And now I'm going to meet her tonight at Chez Paris. Maybe it won't be Cecile...but at least I can interact with someone who does seem to be interested in me."
"Well there you go, man! You got something to do on Valentine's Day!" Gerald grinned, and slapped him a high five. "So, any idea who it might be?"
"No idea. But the handwriting on the card is the same as the handwriting in the little pink book, so it might be the same person." Arnold said, reading it over. "...I think maybe it could be Cecile."
Gerald shook his head. "I don't know, man, but maybe. It's possible."
"Hey football head." Came a new voice.
Arnold looked up, seeing Helga standing a foot away from his desk, holding something out to him. It was a Valentine card. "...Helga?"
"Happy Valentine's Day. Just...take it, okay?" She said, blushing and looking away.
Taking the card, he studied it. It was pink, with a big red heart on it, surrounded by smaller red hearts. He opened it, and came to find a simple message.
Happy Valentine's Day
From, Helga
Despite the simplicity, and that it was from Helga, Arnold smiled up at her. "Gosh, thanks very much, Helga. That was really sweet of you. Thanks!"
"Yeah...sure. Just...just don't get used to it, okay?! I'm just being nice because it's freaking Valentine's Day!"
He just smiled knowingly. "Whatever you say, Helga."
The blonde girl gave a faint smile and then walked off back to her desk. Arnold watched after her with a warm smile and then placed her card along with the other one and began to eat some of the candygram.
He didn't even notice that both cards had the same handwriting.
--
Later on that evening at the boarding house, specifically in Arnold's room, Arnold was getting ready for the little rendez-vous, while Gerald supervised and helped him out.
"Do I look okay, Gerald?" Arnold asked, turning back from the mirror.
"Mmmm mmm mmm. You look just fine, Arnold." Gerald said, placing both index fingers and thumbs in a square shape. "Ah yeah, perfect GQ!"
"Well I hope so." Arnold looked at himself in the mirror again, the nervousness yet excitement rising from within him. "I don't know what to expect this evening."
"At least you won't have to run back and forth between both restaurants again!" Gerald laughed.
Arnold cracked a smile. "I learned my lesson, Gerald."
"Good to know, man. Good to know. And hey man, anything goes wrong, I'll be right across at Chez Pierre if you need anything!"
"No no, I won't butt in during your date, Gerald. I couldn't do that."
"Whatever you say, Arnold. So you ready to get going?"
The blonde boy took a deep breath. "I'm ready, Gerald."
Gerald grinned and patted his shoulder before they trooped out the door, ready to face the evening of Valentine's Day. It was 6:40, perfect timing to get going.
--
Major deja-vu.
Arnold was sitting at the very same table in Chez Paris, the very same seat, just like last year, waiting for his apparent secret admirer blind date who he hoped was Cecile. The fake Cecile, that is.
But of course, he would vow to be nice and give the girl a chance if she didn't turn out to be that Cecile. No, he could never turn someone down just because they didn't turn out to be who he hoped it would be. Heck, even if HELGA of all people were to show up, he would be surprised, a little miffed, thinking it was a trick, and then demand to know why she did it.
Still, the idea of them having some kind of a date together wasn't such a bad idea. For some odd reason, it didn't seem bad at all. Who knows, they might actually get along, like they did on that one Thanksgiving when they aimlessly wandered around the pier and the city, down in the dumps about not having a normal Thanksgiving. He smiled a bit at the memory. It had been one of the best days he'd had, and he had spent it with Helga of all people. Surely, he didn't mind the idea of them spending time together and bonding, get along again.
Arnold had been so lost in thought, that he didn't even notice his date coming up to the restaurant, looking in at him through the window, and then coming inside.
"Well, bon jewer, Arnold." Came a familiar voice, along with a pathetic but funny mispronunciation of the French greeting.
His heart leaped, and he turned quickly to see...
"Cecile? ...Cecile, is that really you?"
Cecile, or rather, Helga, smiled sweetly at him and approached his table. She was wearing the same outfit from last year, her hair done down and smooth, part of it hiding the left side of her face, and the adorable tiny pink bow on top of her head. Arnold was entranced, unable to take his eyes off her.
She's as beautiful as I remember her... Arnold thought, his gaze becoming a lovesick, half-lidded smile.
"Yep, it's me." Helga said, and went over to the chair she had sat in last year, but was stopped by Arnold before she could sit down.
"Um...h-here." Arnold smiled and pulled out her chair for her.
"Oh, thank you, Arnold." Helga smiled at him sweetly, and sat down, giggling as he pushed her chair in for her. "I guess you weren't expecting me, huh?"
"Well, um...I was hoping I'd see you again." Arnold admitted. He smiled at her lovingly, his heart beating like a jackhammer. "Um, can I still call you Cecile?"
"Whatever floats your boat, Arnold." Helga smiled. "That's fine by me."
Arnold's eyes widened as she said that, having heard that several times before. And not to mention, that voice...she seemed so much more familiar than when he'd first met her. Still, he shook off the feeling and reached his hand out to touch her hand.
"Okay then. Um, listen, Cecile...I wanted to say I'm really sorry about what happened last year. Me going back and forth between here and Chez Pierre. That was really stupid of me." He looked down at the table cloth guiltily.
"Arnold, relax, I forgave you a long time ago." Helga chided gently, holding his hand. "We're here now, so we can make up for it."
His eyes met hers, and he felt a warm feeling come to his heart, as he gazed at her sweet, smiling face. There was still something so familiar about her, like he knew her, but he didn't, did he?
"Okay, Cecile." Arnold murmured in a lovesick tone. "...Cecile, you were the one who sent me that candy gram, right?"
Helga smiled. "Well of course it was me, you silly goose."
Arnold snickered at the silly affectionate nickname. "Well, thanks a lot. It was really sweet. And...well, you're really good at poetry."
"Thanks Arnold, I'm glad you like my poetry...it makes me happy." And she meant that. Knowing he liked her poetry made her want to jump around with joy like a little tot.
"It really is amazing. You have a great talent for it." Arnold smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "I never imagined someone would write such a nice poem directed at me."
Helga blushed a bit, looking away shyly. "W-Well, you know, that's just what I do, I guess! Um...so Arnold, I guess I may as well tell you. That little pink book, yeah, it's mine."
"Really?" Arnold looked at her with surprise. "Wow, Cecile...that's really..."
"Um, if it makes you uncomfortable, I'm sorry!" Helga began to regret saying that, mentally slapping herself. "Er, well, I mean..."
"No, no! Cecile, that's not it all!" Arnold cut her off, and softened. "Cecile, it's okay. I understand how you feel. I have to say, it's really flattering to know that someone likes me that much." He blushed more. "And you know, I remember last year when you said you liked me...I...I never gave you an answer, did I?"
"No, you left to go to the other restaurant." Helga said, a sour look coming to her before she softened. "Well, Arnold...could you tell me? Do you like me too?"
Arnold gulped a bit, but looking into her single visible blue eye, he felt so drawn to her, and found himself reaching to hold her hand again. He wanted to give her his answer, to show her how he felt.
"Cecile, I like you too. In fact, I think I'm-"
"Monsieur and Mademoiselle." Interrupted a waiter. "I am Jean-Pierre, I will serve you tonight."
Helga suppressed a glare, but looked at her menu quickly. "Just give me a pasta dish, J.P. Anything goes."
The waiter laughed, taking her menu before turning to Arnold. "And you?"
"Um, I'll just have a steak... A small one." Arnold said sheepishly. "And some water, please?"
"Why of course, Monsieur." Jean-Pierre winked at him and then walked off to the kitchen.
"Someone doesn't like to live dangerously." Helga teased affectionately.
Arnold blushed in embarrassment. "Well, um...I guess not, when it comes to some things."
Helga smiled and giggled a little. Her beloved was just adorable when he was all nervous and sheepish, and yet still such a sweetie. Though she hated having to be someone she wasn't, it was really nice to be able to express herself freely, as the real Helga, to him like this. Still, she wondered what would happen. Of course she knew he liked her too, well, as Cecile, but what would happen? She couldn't just pretend to be Cecile on a regular basis? Wouldn't that cause a "Anytime Cecile is around, Helga just disappears..." kind of situation? What if she got caught? Or worse?
She sighed, shaking her head. This was one big jumbled mess. As much as she wanted to keep hiding from him, she also didn't want to break his heart again. Especially not now. But she had to do something!
Just, what? What could she do?
"Cecile?"
"Huh?" Helga snapped out of her reverie. "Y-Yeah?"
"Listen um, about what I was saying earlier, I want to tell you the truth." Arnold said, and held her hand again. "Cecile, when I first met you, I was pretty surprised at how much fun we had together. It really was the best Valentine's Day I ever had. And over the past year, every now and then, I just couldn't stop thinking about you. Sure, I did like another girl for a while, but, she just can't compare to you, you know? You're a really sweet person, and very strong about standing up for yourself with great confidence, you have an amazing talent for poetry, you're passionate, and...well, I just really like you a lot. I like everything about you. I really like being with you, and I feel that I can be myself with you. Cecile, what I'm trying to say is...well...I...I..."
"Yes, Arnold?" Helga said in a soft, passionate voice, leaning closer to him over the table, their hands still joined. Her heart pounded vigorously with anticipation.
Arnold could feel the nervousness sweeping through him, and he nearly faltered, thinking this was a silly idea. But he couldn't back down now, not when he came this far. No. He couldn't back down. She liked him too, so there was little to no chance for a rejection. What was there to be afraid of?
It was likely the uncertainty and mystery between them. Who was she, really? Where did she live? Did she go to his school? How come he hadn't seen her until now?
He would find out.
"Cecile...I'm in love with you." Arnold uttered, and looked her in the eye. "Would you...be my girlfriend?" His hand squeezed hers harder as he looked at her hopefully.
Helga gasped with light surprise, unable to comprehend what he had just said. And right to her face. She knew he was falling in love with her, Cecile that is, but to hear it come from his mouth was just something else. She couldn't describe it. It was the most beautiful thing he'd said in his sweet voice. It made her want to cry, squeal for joy, and yet, also, feel dread at the same time.
He was in love with her, but not with Helga. It was the real Helga, who was known as Cecile.
Misery and joy coursed at her heart, and she wasn't sure what to do then. All that happened was what came out of her mouth on pure, unknown instinct.
"Arnold....I-I love you so much, and I want to be your girlfriend more than anything. But...I can't do that to you."
His green eyes widened with utmost sadness and confusion. "...Why not?"
"Because, I...I'm not who you think I am!"
Helga couldn't take it anymore. Tears ran down her face like a waterfall, and she stood, running out of the restaurant as quick as she could, not looking back. Arnold was taken aback, but before he could think straight, he stood up and ran out after her.
He wasn't letting her get away again. He'd lost her once, and he wouldn't lose her again.
"Cecile! Wait! Wait! Cecile! Please! Wait!"
Arnold caught sight of her, and hurried after her as quick as he could, hoping against all hope he would catch up with her. He had to. He didn't want to let her go again, at least not without finding who she really was.
But then she stopped, near an alleyway, giving him enough time to catch up to her. As he approached, he saw her shoulders trembling, and soft sobs were coming from her. Arnold felt his heart wrench with guilt and sympathy, walking over to her to comfort her. Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Cecile? Cecile, are you all right?"
"Arnold, I..." Helga uttered, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Why?"
"I haven't been honest with you!" Helga cried, turning around to face him. "But it's the only way I can show you how much I really love you!"
Arnold was once again taken aback by her outburst, but didn't have time to dwell on it. He gently held her by the shoulders to calm her down, looking her right in the eye.
"Cecile...if that is your real name, it's okay. Just calm down. Please, tell me the truth. Who are you? Please tell me."
"I-I can't." Helga's voice trembled, more tears going down her face.
"Why not? Cecile, please tell me who you are. I want to know! I love you, and I want to know who you really are." Arnold said, and his voice grew firm, but still gentle and kind. "Cecile, if you really love me, tell me the truth."
Helga stiffened, and knew, she couldn't turn away from that. He had to know, he had the right to know. He had just said straight out that he loved her, and wanted to know who she was. ...To go forward with this? Would he want to?
"...Arnold, you might want to take back the fact you love me." She said.
"What? Why would I do that? I can't just take it back!"
"You have to, football head!"
"But why do I-"
Arnold froze then.
Football head?
Football head?
That voice...that hair...those eyes...
Football head...
Realization struck him then, and he looked up at her with shock.
"Helga?!"
--
Okay people, there will be a part two to this! BUT! I want to hear y'alls opinion. How should Arnold react? What could happen? What will Helga do?
I want to know what you guys think I should do with part two. :D