A/N: This was supposed to be a one shot but will probably be a two or three shot to end things properly. It's just an idea I had floating around in the back of my head. I wanted to try writing a different personality Arnold and this is what I came up with. I'd say he's about 17 here. Anyway, it is here if you wish to read it, if not, it'll still be here anyway. :P Not sure if I'll extend it past two more chapters at the most. I'll leave that up to how I feel about working on three stories at once. Plus, I kind of want to write for a different show as well. I'll see I guess. *shrugs*

*I do not own any Hey Arnold characters! Nor do I claim them.*

It all went horribly wrong when Arnold punched Stinky in the face at Rhonda's New Years Party. Everyone who was standing around could scarcely believe it. Even the DJ stopped playing songs when the taller boy went crashing into a nearby table, tipping the punch bowl on top of his head.

"Don't chu eva talk about 'er that way," Arnold said, his words partially slurred. His head was pounding, and he was grateful that the music had ceased to add further to it. He shook his hand. A searing pain ebbed through it thanks to his little stunt. It had also felt good to get some pent up frustration out. Unfortunately for Stinky, he picked the wrong day to talk about Helga's breasts.

Stinky stared at his friend wide-eyed, having taken the punch bowl from off of his head. He never would have thought Arnold would seriously punch him over his declaration. To say he was shocked would be putting it nicely. He was so darn confused he began questioning if he were not in fact dreaming.

Arnold stumbled away, gawkers moving to avoid perhaps any remaining anger the blond boy may have had. There was only one moving toward him and she was flaming mad.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Rhonda hissed at him. "Just look at yourself. You shouldn't even be drinking. Where did you get the alcohol anyway?"

"Top left 'n the cabnet," he told her.

"Geez, you reek," she wrinkled her nose. "Let's get you to a room."

He didn't protest as she led him past all the teens that had pressed themselves together again as the music resumed. He took a glance in the kitchen and noticed that a game of beer pong was being played. There were a few couples busy discovering each other's tongues in the hallways. It all served to make him feel nauseous. Why did he come? He avoided parties if she wasn't going to be there with him. They laughed at things like this, but at this point, laughing was the last thing he wanted to do.

At long last Rhonda led him inside of her bedroom. It was too girly for his tastes. Pink covered the walls and stuffed animals littered her bed and dressers. When he was in her room, what greeted him were walls filled with poetry, photos that she took from time to time, and posters of wrestlers from Wrestle Mania. He smiled at the thought.

"Nobody should bother you here as this room is off limits," Rhonda said. "Sober up. I'll bring you a glass of water in a moment."

He nodded, or did something he thought was a nod. He wasn't too sure. She left shaking her head, but otherwise kept any other comments to herself. He sat down on her bed and bounced on it a few times. It was too firm. It kind of reminded him of the person who used it. Groaning, he fell backwards and thought about the events that led up to his current state.

His girl of the month, Nora, had wanted to take things to the next level, and normally he welcomed that with open arms, but the past few days made him realize something he didn't notice about her before. She was too clingy, and he had made a promise to himself that he wouldn't sleep with another girl like that. He was a firm no strings attached believer. When he had turned her down, she left in a huff of tears. He couldn't care any less even if he wanted to. That alone told him quite a bit.

Rhonda had returned with his water. He took it and began drinking it immediately. "You should tell her how you feel."

"Tell who what?" He asked.

"I'm not playing this game with you Arnold. Your best friend. Tell her that you love her."

"I don't love Helga that way." He said, feeling the growing hangover subside just a little. "Plus, she's with Jason or whatever his name is."

"It's Justin, and yes you do Arnold. It's the reason you just punched Stinky. Any other friend would probably have laughed it off." She stared at him. "Not only that you've been moping ever since you got here. If you're going to act like this just because she decided to spend New Years with her boyfriend, then you obviously like her more than you're letting on."

"It's not just because she's spending New Years with her boyfriend. It's because of what she plans to do with her boyfriend," he said, growing grumpy. "She's too young."

Rhonda raised an eyebrow at him. "You sleep around, a lot I may add, and yet you have the nerve to throw a tantrum about this? Are you serious?"

He shrugged. "I just don't like thinking about another guy touching her that way. It kind of pisses me off."

Rhonda shook her head. "You don't own her. She can do whatever she likes."

He frowned. "I know that. I don't need you reminding me. It's the one reason why I didn't do anything to stop her this time."

"At least you—wait, did you say this time?"

"Don't worry about it." He said quickly. Apparently, he still had to watch his tongue. "Thanks Rhonda, but I think I can walk home and not get myself run over or something."

She wanted to stop him. She didn't trust him not to do something drastic, but at least he wasn't going to drive. Perhaps walking would be good for him. "Very well. Just be safe okay?"

He nodded and left. It was drizzling, but he didn't really mind. It actually felt pretty good. He did his best to stop his thoughts from wandering, but eventually they all went back to Helga. Did he love her? Of course he did. They had been best friends since before he could walk, but the kind of love Rhonda was speaking about was of the romantic variety, and he denied that vehemently. Helga was…Helga. He adored their friendship. It was only when she did the whole dating thing did he would get upset and hard to be around. When she dated, their time together dwindled and he hated that.

Without realizing it he had walked to a familiar house that was not his own. It was dark on the inside, which he figured meant that the Pataki's had went to bed. He debated with himself for a moment before he let himself in with the key they gave him in the sixth grade. He was pretty much like a mosquito by that point and would visit everyday. Helga also had a key to the boarding house.

It was quiet. He was sure his breathing would be considered loud. He walked quietly up to Helga's room. Would she hate him for being in her room without her being there? Maybe, but he'd deal with the consequences later, if she even ever found out.

Her room was just as he remembered. He took in his surroundings and smiled. This was almost like a second home to him. Her parents were like his aunts and uncles at the very least. They welcomed him into their home and his parents were the same with Helga. It also helped that their parents were also friends. It was how they became friends so early on in the first place.

He flopped down on her bed, and grabbed the nearest picture from off of her vanity. It was a picture of both of them, maybe when they were about nine years old. He had done the signature bunny ear fingers behind her head, and she did the same to him. Both had wide honest smiles on their faces. He missed the days when it used to be just the two of them. Before dating became such an interference.

He closed his eyes. His head really did hurt. What was she doing now with Jason? No Justin. He knew he shouldn't think about it too much. All it would do is make him mad, but he couldn't help himself. Was he touching her? Kissing her? He wasn't sure why that in particular would bother him, but it did. He decided to think about something that would make him happy. She would be back sometime in the next few days. He missed her as she been gone for nearly a week. Talking on the phone just wasn't the same, and Jason, no Justin, would tell her to hang up often in a sensual whisper. This was why he hated her dating. He was her friend long before this guy was anything to her. Who did he think he was to tell her whom she could and couldn't talk to?

"I'm driving myself crazy," he said to himself and covered his face with an arm. He held the picture in the other hand close to his chest. "I miss you Helga." Before long the silence, and his hangover, made him tired, and not long after sleep took him into its clutches.

A/N: Well, that's part one. Part two should come in the next few days as long as nothing major comes up. Until then feel free to review! Or a favorite, or even a follow. I love them all. x3