Several months after the class went to San Lorenzo, Arnold goes back with his parents for just the summer. Everyone is at the airport wishing Arnold and his parents save travels. Helga is not taking this too well, especially finally hearing Arnold tell her his feelings.
I don't own the characters of Hey Arnold! They belong to Craig Bartlett, Nickelodeon, and Viacom.
Prologue- The Goodbye
"Are you sure you have to go?"
"Yes, but it won't be long. I'll be back before the summer ends. I promise."
Helga and Arnold were in a sitting area away from everyone in the class, far enough to be alone and have a chat. But with the summer tourist all over the airport, everything was loud and their classmates just made things even louder. Harold, Sid, and Stinky were laughing at Rhonda as she freaked out about having gum on her shoe. "Ew, gross." Arnold and Helga heard Eugene fall as he was walking back from the bathroom. "I'm ok," he responded.
Everyone was there to say goodbye to Arnold and his parents at the airport as they were returning to San Lorenzo for the summer for medicine work. Miles and Stella wanted Arnold to come along so they can catch up with their son.
"You'll miss out on so much this summer, Arnold. Everything is changing, even our friends since we're starting middle school once you get back."
"And I got you to help me catch up with everything and help me get ready for middle school."
Then Arnold stretches out his arm, wraps it around Helga, and pulls her in towards him. She looks into his green eyes and he looks into her blue eyes.
"Hey look! Arnold and Helga are having a lovey dovey moment," Harold shouts from across the check in area. Surprised from the sudden shouts, Arnold releases Helga from his arms and she turns her head towards Harold, mad. She sees him laughing with the other guys in the group and marches over to Harold and grabs him by the shirt, startling everyone in the group.
"Hey Pink Boy," Helga telling Harold, "You need to learn how to stay out of people's business or I'll get Betsy and the avengers to teach you that." She then shows Harold her fist, informing him that she means business.
"Ok ok ok, let me go," Harold responds. Helga lets go of Harold. "You better not be all mean and such all summer," Harold said.
"I doubt that Harold," Stinky say, "On the count that she and Arnold are a thing now."
"Yea," Sid said, "Maybe she could go soft on us."
Helga growls at Sid's response.
After that encounterment, Arnold joins up with everyone. "Helga's not going soft Sid," Arnold said. "That's right. Thank you Football Head," Helga replied. Arnold rolls his eyes and wraps his arm around Helga, causing her to smile.
"I still can't believe that you're going back to that gross jungle again Arnold," Rhonda said, "That was a nightmare with all those bugs and animals."
"It wasn't that bad Rhonda. Besides encountering La Sombra."
"Mmmm, he is bad news," Gerald said, "Just be careful brother."
"Thanks. Can I talk to you for a minute alone, Gerald?"
Arnold unwraps his arm from Helga, and walks back to the seating area with Gerald. Everyone wonders what they're talking about.
"I wonder what Arnold has to say to Gerald," Phoebe asks Helga. "Beats me Pheebs. It must be a guy thing. I mean, they've been best buds for as long as we all can remember." Helga then takes a seat in a chair that was right next to Eugene, causing him to be knocked down to the ground again. "I'm ok," he responds.
When Helga sat down, she turned her head away from the group and let out a big sigh. Phoebe stands next to Helga and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Are you ok Helga?" Phoebe asks. "I'm just peachy Pheebs," Helga responds, not looking at her. Phoebe knew Helga wasn't telling her something but she doesn't ask.
"How about we all go get some ice cream after we leave here?" Phoebe asks everyone, doing whatever it takes to make Helga happy.
"I could go for some ice cream," Sid said.
"Alright!" Harold shouts.
"Okie dokie," Stinky replies.
"Ice cream sounds wonderful," Eugene said.
"I simply agree," Rhonda replied.
Moments later, Lila, Nadine, Sheena, Curly, and Brainy join in with everyone else all out of breath as they rushed to meet up with everyone.
"We're ever so sorry we're late," Lila said, "The buses were crowded with summer travelers."
"Um…...yea," Brainy said.
"It would have been here on time if I drove," Curly said.
"I hope we're not too late," Nadine said.
"I don't think so because I see Arnold over there with Gerald," Sheena replies and points her finger toward the seating area. Everyone then turns their heads toward the seating area where they see Arnold and Gerald talking to each other and wrapping up the conversation with their thumb wiggle before proceeding back to the group.
Once they had arrived, Arnold checks his watch: 11:52am. He knew his plane would be boarding very shortly. He had a good time hanging out with everyone, sharing laughs, tears, hopes and dreams. After awhile, everyone heard the announcement: "Flight 437 to San Lorenzo at Gate 3 will be ready for boarding shortly." Arnold sighed. "I guess this is it," he said as he picked up his backpack, "My parents should be here shortly with my grandparents."
"You guessed right Shortman."
Arnold turned his head when he heard Grandpa's voice. He smiled at Arnold as Arnold gave him a big hug. Grandpa then hugged Arnold. "Where's Grandma?" Arnold asked. Then everyone heard Grandma's laugh. "Oh no," Grandpa said, turning his head towards the noise, "Pookie!"
Grandma is running around the check in area, with Miles and Stella chasing after her. When she was near Arnold and the gang, Grandpa grabbed Grandma so she wouldn't go anywhere. Miles and Stella then caught up. "Do I even want to know what happened?" Grandpa asked. "No Dad," Miles responded.
Catching her breath, Stella turns to Arnold, "Ok Arnold, it's time to say goodbye to everyone. Our gate should be ready to board soon." Arnold turns to his grandparents and gave them both a hug. "We'll miss you Kimba," Grandma said. After getting released by his grandparents, Arnold then head over to his classmates.
"Dang it Arnold," Stinky said sobbing, "We're gonna miss you." He then gave Arnold a big bear hug, causing Arnold to struggle breathing. "Why do you have to go," Sid sobbed. "Yea," Harold sobbed also, "Who will help us this summer?" The gang then all joined in around Arnold for a group hug. Except for Helga.
After being released from the gang, Arnold walks over to where Helga was sitting, looking out the window watching the planes leave. He took her hand into his and held it. Arnold then pulled Helga out of her seat, making her stand right in front of him, and kissed Helga on the lips. He didn't care if his parents and his friends were watching him kissing Helga, he just wanted to kiss Helga. As they parted lips, Arnold said, "I want to give you something." "I don't want-," Helga said.
But before Helga could finish her sentence, Arnold pulled a picture out of his pocket. Helga looked at the picture and she remember it clearly. It was taken right after the class returned from San Lorenzo. After Arnold confessed to Helga his feelings about her. She never smiled so good in her life and Arnold took a good picture of themselves. "Oh Arnold, I love it," Helga said, "Now I must give you something." Then Helga untied her bow and wrapped it around Arnold's arm. "Helga," Arnold said shocked, "You're bow. Why?"
"Because when we first met, you told me you liked my bow because it matched my pants."
Arnold smiled, and then hugged Helga tight.
"Flight 437 to San Lorenzo now boarding at Gate 3."
"We better get to our plane Arnold," Miles say, interrupting the moment between Helga and Arnold.
"I'll write to you, everyday," Helga said.
"So will I," Arnold replied.
"I will wait for you."
"And I will return."
"I love you Arnold."
"Love you too Helga."
After he gave Helga one more kiss, Arnold walks to his parents. "Ok, see everyone before school starts," Stella said, and the family of three walked towards the security area, still waving goodbye to everyone. Once they checked through security, they walked to their gate to board and they were gone.
With tears still rolling down her cheeks, Helga stares into the direction Arnold and his parents went. She just couldn't get the image of Arnold walking away out of her mind, and was hoping this was all just a bad dream. She hoped Arnold would come running back into her arms saying he just can't bare to leave her behind, but she knew he was on the plane with his parents heading back to San Lorenzo.
"Helga," Phoebe said to Helga, "Are you ok?"
"Yea Pheebs. I just miss the love of my life."
"I know you do. And I know he want you to be happy while he's gone."
"I know."
Harold then came over, placed one arm on Helga's shoulder and his other arm on Phoebe's shoulder. "I'm sorry to interrupt your girl talk, but I was told we were all going for ice cream."
"Ok Pink Boy," Helga responded.
After everyone settled down, everyone proceed to the exit door. When the door opened, a huge breeze blew through while everyone stepped outside. This helped Helga a little bit since it was a wake up call that Arnold was gone all summer, but she didn't like that one bit.
While waiting for the bus, Phoebe and Lila both sat next to Helga while everyone else was worried when the bus will show up. "Helga, are you ok?" Lila asked. Helga just sat on the bench, looking up in the sky. "I'll be fine," Helga told Lila, but Lila knew she wasn't telling her the truth. "I'm ever so sure you're not ok."
"And so what that I'm not ok."
"Helga," Phoebe said, "We just don't want anything to happen to you. Ever since your fling in San Lorenzo, you two were inseparable. When Arnold gets back and you guys want to be together in the future, this is a test for you guys."
"Phoebe is ever so right Helga. True love conquers all things."
After while, Grandma and Grandpa joins in on the conversation. "Oh Eleanor," Grandma said, "You can come over to the boarding house anytime. You're always welcome."
"Yea," Grandpa said looking at Grandma, "She can help make something other than raspberries for dinner." That made Helga chuckle a little.
"And if there is anything that you need to talk about, let me or Phoebe know," Lila said. "We care for you Helga," Phoebe said.
"Thanks guys."
What seemed like forever for the bus to arrive, everyone got on board. Helga sat near the window, looking out as she watched Arnold's plane take off to the sky to San Lorenzo.
"Be careful my love," Helga whispers to herself.
