Chapter 1: Let's Get This Party Started
It was the last day of eighth grade at PS 118. There was talk amongst the kids in the halls about summer approaching, high school starting, and the exciting things that would be awaiting them there. The biggest thing on everyone's mind that day however, was the end of the year dance PS 118 was throwing.
Arnold and Gerald were standing by their lockers, gathering their books for class that morning.
"Well Arnold, here it is. The last day of middle school!" Gerald exclaimed, while leaning against the locker, watching his best friend grab the last of his books.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool." Arnold replied, not sounding overwhelmed.
"Cool? Man, it's amazing! We finally get to start high school and get out of this dump!" Gerald exclaimed, while Arnold closed his locker.
"Oh come on Gerald. It hasn't been THAT bad." Arnold insisted, feeling his friend was over-exaggerating.
Suddenly, the two of them heard a familiar noise approaching their end of the hallway…
"Out of my way geek bait! One side moron I'm walkin' here! Shove off toots!"
While watching this familiar performance that took place every day of the week, Gerald turned to Arnold with his arms crossed and asked "You were saying?"
The two boys then grabbed their things and headed in the direction of the pigtailed girl with the pink dress causing the everyday commotion.
Once they all made it to class, Arnold took a seat in front of who Gerald and most of the class considered to be a school yard bully. Turning around to face the pigtailed girl doodling in her notebook, Arnold asked "How are you this morning Helga?"
"What do you care football head?" she scoffed, covering up the drawings of her beloved she made consistently throughout the year.
Keeping the smile on his face, Arnold replied "I was just wondering if you were going to the dance tonight?"
Leaning back with her arms crossed, she scoffed "Pttss...why? Just so I can watch Pinkboy over there stuff himself at the snack table and Princess compare her (what she considers to be) high class outfit to everyone else's?"
Before Arnold could respond, the bell rang and Mr. Simmons entered the room.
"Hello class! What a special day this is for us all!"
Shaking his head, Gerald said "I cannot believe he followed us all the way from fourth grade."
"I wreckin' he leads an even sadder life than I do." Stinky said, while scratching his head.
The class sat there anxiously awaiting to get through the day, not caring about Mr. Simmons announcement...most of them anyway.
"Class as you all know, tonight is the school dance we will be throwing to celebrate the end of the year. It's going to end with a special slideshow Rhonda has agreed to put together with pictures of you all throughout the years."
"Only the best pictures of course!" Rhonda exclaimed.
"I'm assuming that means only if they have you in them?" Helga scoffed, while the rest of the class couldn't help but laugh.
"Class. Class. Settle down. Now as I was saying, tonight is the end of the year dance…" Mr. Simmons began before once again being interrupted.
"It can't come soon enough!" Sid exclaimed, while the rest nodded in agreement.
"Well, maybe you could put that enthusiasm of yours to good use Sid. We need some people to come help us set up for tonight. Principal Wartz and I will be running late, so if a couple of you wouldn't mind staying after school to help set up, that would be very helpful." Mr. Simmons smiled, while the rest of the class frowned looking uninterested.
As Helga continued doodling in her notebook, she noticed a note being passed back to her.
Whipping her head back and forth to make sure no one was watching, she reached for the folded sheet of paper.
After carefully opening it, she read a note from her beloved that said...
Maybe you and I should help out?
Helga leaned back in her seat, holding the note close to her chest. Her eyes fluttered while she fell into one of her lovesick fantasies.
After a moment or so, she shook her head and quietly wrote down her response. She couldn't just tap Arnold on the shoulder and hand it to him. Eventually, someone would notice them passing notes back and forth. With that, she shot a spitball at him.
Arnold sat there rolling his eyes, wondering if that was her way of saying no, or if she was just trying to get his attention. Only one way to find out…
He turned to see Helga glaring to keep up appearances. As he was about to turn back around, he saw her motion her head towards the note she was hiding below her desk.
A soft smile formed on his face before reaching for it, while Helga began to grow impatient. If he took too much longer, someone would eventually notice something going on between them.
Once Arnold grabbed it, he turned around to read…
And let one of these losers catch us? I don't think so!
Mr. Simmons went on with his lecture, while half the class' attention by that point remained solely on the clock.
Not Helga's however. She sat there with her eyes wide open, hunched over in her seat, doing her best to quietly tap her fingers against her desk. Anxiously waiting her beloved's response, she continued flashing her eyes from him to the rest of the room.
Finally, she noticed him casually passing the sheet back to her, while she thought to herself Crimity! Does he WANT us to get caught?!
After opening it up, she read…
It's a dance for the whole school Helga. It's not like people won't expect to see us both there anyway.
Rolling her eyes at his reasonable remark, she began to think more about their conversation than about being caught passing the note back and forth.
That doesn't mean they expect us to voluntarily spend anymore time together than required to, football head.
While the notes were being passed, Gerald couldn't help but glance over at his best friend. Lifting an eyebrow, he thought to himself Pataki doesn't realize how obvious she is!
Helga felt terrible about blowing Arnold off. All she wanted was to be near him. She just wasn't ready to risk the possibility of having her reputation destroyed by showing she had a soft side. While this guilt trip was going through her mind, she saw a note land on her desk.
Sweat began to pour on her face at the idea of someone possibly have seen that landing. She opened it to read…
Helga, you're the one who always tortures me in front of everyone. I think more people would laugh at me for going out with you than they would you for going out with me.
No notes were passed for a few minutes. Arnold sat there anxiously awaiting a response, wondering if he had taken that last remark too far. The last thing he meant to do was hurt her. He was just trying to assure her she had nothing to worry about.
Ten minutes had passed and Arnold still hadn't received a note. When he was getting ready to pull out another sheet of paper to write an apology, he heard…
"Arnold! Could you come up to the board and solve this math problem?"
Arnold's eyes lit up, not having been expected to be called. "Huh? Oh sure."
He did his best to focus while working out the problem, but all that was going through his mind was how much he must have hurt Helga. Once he put the chalk down and stood out of the way of the problem, Mr. Simmons said "Well, that's very close Arnold. You made one mistake however."
Arnold looked back at the board, trying not to think about Helga "Uhhh…."
Someone ended up taking care of it for him when he heard "You forgot the decimal point dingus!"
He turned around to see his secret admirer grinning widely at the helpful hint she had given him, while the rest of the class laughed uncontrollably.
"Oh, yeah I guess I did." Arnold blushed.
After making his correction, Arnold made his way back to his desk to see a note sitting on it. He was more anxious to open it than Helga had been to grab them.
Alright, we can help. If we get caught though, I'll shove your math book up your butt!
Arnold didn't care about her threat. He was just happy she wasn't angry with him. Passing the note back to her, Helga opened it to read…
Whatever you say Helga.
Helga rolled her eyes at the thought of him finding it necessary to risk getting caught passing notes, just to say that.
Class finally ended however, and all the kids stormed out except for four of them. Gerald looked over at Arnold and asked "Well buddy, summer's finally here! Wanna hang out until the dance starts?"
Arnold began to rub his neck as he replied "Actually, I was thinking of staying late and helping set things up."
"You're kidding right?" Gerald asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"No. It could be fun." Arnold insisted, knowing it didn't sound that way.
"Whatever you say Arnold." Gerald sighed, shaking his head.
While Arnold anxiously approached Mr. Simmons desk, Helga was gathering her things.
"I take it you'll be heading home until the dance tonight?" Phoebe asked, while standing beside Helga.
"Actually Pheebs, football head wants to set up for the dance. I'll see you here tonight." Helga replied, only feeling comfortable mentioning her relationship to her best friend.
While Phoebe was exiting the classroom with Gerald, Helga was approaching Mr. Simmons' desk to hear Arnold say "Helga and I would like to stay and help set up for the dance."
The teacher's eyes then lit up as he replied "Wonderful! Oh this will help so much! Let me show you what needs to be done."
Arnold casually followed their teacher down the hallways. Helga kept a safe distance behind them, holding her books tight; praying no one would suspect anything.
They then entered the gym to find folded tables and chairs, unwrapped table covers, balloons that needed to be filled, a banner that hadn't been hung, and unopened plastic silverware.
Helga looked at the untouched merchandise and scowled "Crimity! How long will this take us?"
Mr. Simmons scratched his head as he replied "It shouldn't take too long. The teachers are bringing the food. If you two could just open and hang everything, that would be an excellent amount of help."
Helga stood there with her hands on her hips while Arnold replied "I'm sure we can get it done in time."
"Great! I'll leave you two to it then!" Mr. Simmons replied, leaving them alone with the supplies.
While Arnold headed for the tables and chairs, Helga scoffed "Oh brother! Everyone's at home getting ready for the party that we're getting ready FOR them. Sheesh!"
"Come on Helga. You know you like doing things for other people." Arnold insisted, while the two of them began unfolding the tables together.
"Where in the world did you get that idea?" she scoffed, while having half a mind to drop the table.
"What about San Lorenzo?" he asked casually, while seeing her reach for the chairs. Her eyes began to widen as she scowled "What about it football head?"
"You won us the trip, helped us escape La Sombra, and gave me your locket to wake up my parents!" he reminded her, while she continued placing the chairs around the tables.
"What's your point?"
"I don't think you would do something like that for someone if you didn't really want to." Arnold said, smiling at her.
"I was in a good mood. Don't get used to it!" she scowled, reaching for the table covers.
"Whatever you say Helga." he sighed, while grabbing the balloons and helium.
While handing Helga the balloons to fill, Arnold listened to her say "Man, they should have given Geraldo some of this stuff to fix his voice during the Moonlight Bay Performance. Talk about helping someone."
Rolling his eyes, he replied "You know it turned out well, unlike your 'special' night with Olga and Lila."
"Hey! I told you never to mention that to anyone!" she scowled, while filling the last balloon.
"We're the only two here. It's okay to talk about it." Arnold smiled, while watching her grab the plastic silverware.
"Yeah well...it better stay between us." she scoffed, as he began to walk towards her.
"I wish you'd let me tell people about us. It's been three years." Arnold asked, while seeing her hands shake as she tried opening the plastic forks.
After not receiving a response, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and asked "Aren't you tired of hiding your feelings?"
Still struggling with the forks, Arnold took the bag to open in one second what seemed like an hour for Helga. "Pttss...show off!" she scoffed.
"That was easy to fix. I'm still waiting for your answer about the other problem." he said, while watching her pass them around the table.
Sighing at him, she replied "Arnold, have you thought for a second what would happen if we were to walk down the hallway holding hands? I mean crimity! Those idiot classmates of ours are no more mature now than they were the day we met! Pinkboy's number one priority is his stomach, Princess feeds on fashion, what makes you think immature freaks like that would pass off a chance to mock us?!"
Helga took a seat at the table, feeling defeated after pouring her emotions out. She didn't want to hurt Arnold and could only hope he knew that. She wasn't looking for an opportunity to let their classmates hurt them either however.
Seeing her lean her head in her hand on the table, Arnold took a seat beside her. As he placed his hand on her thigh, he replied "Helga, it doesn't matter what they think of us. We're going into high school; everyone's maturing."
"Pttss...how do you figure?" Helga scoffed.
"We're going to a new school with new people. Don't you think our friends will be more concerned about that than what's going on between you and me?" he asked, rubbing her leg.
Feeling a chill go through herself as his soft hands ran up and down her thigh, she sat up straight. "I guess so."
"So, does that mean we can tell people about our relationship?" Arnold asked anxiously.
"Crimity. I agree with you about one thing and you jump to the finish line!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes at his enthusiasm.
"Uhh sorry." he replied, rubbing his neck. A moment of silence took then took place. The two stared into each other's eyes, leaning closer towards one another. Helga's heart was being fast, not knowing if it was the time or place to be acting on their feelings. When their lips were about to meet, she looked out of the corner of her eye and said "We forgot to hang the banner."
Arnold then sighed with a bit of disappointment. "You're right. Let's get it done, so we have time to go home and get ready for the dance."
While the two of them were hanging it across the stage, Helga looked across the gym at everything that had been set up. "Kind of reminds me of the April Fool's Dance."
Pinning his side of the banner to the wall, Arnold replied "Only there's no pool to throw you into."
After putting up her side, Helga pointed a finger at him as she scowled "That was not cool Arnoldo!"
"If I'm remembering the temperature of the water correctly, it was." he laughed, while seeing her roll her eyes.
"Oh HAHA. Don't flatter yourself." she scoffed, stepping off the stage.
As she was heading for the doorway, she felt a tug on her wrist. Turning around to see Arnold holding her, she cocked her brow "Unless you plan on this being our dress attire for the dance, we'll be needing to head in that direction."
Arnold stood there scratching his head, not letting go of his loved one's hand.
"Uhhh…"
Growing impatient, she scowled "Spit it out! I haven't got all night. Sheesh!"
"I understand if you're not ready to tell everyone you're my girlfriend. Will you at least come to the dance with me...you know... as my...date?" Arnold gulped.
Helga's eyes widened. How would that give her classmates any less of a chance to pick on her. As long as she and Arnold were appearing together in any way, shape or form, her reputation was in trouble. On the other hand, it was Arnold! The boy of her dreams was willing to be seen with the least liked girl in school.
Looking down at his hand, back up to his pleading eyes, she replied "I..I guess so. Don't say I never did you any favors though Arnoldo!"
After scowling at him, she turned around to head out, only to once again feel herself being tugged on. "Crimity football head. At this rate I…"
Her negativity was then interrupted by a set of soft lips being pressed firmly against hers. After feeling the passion grow behind it along with the length of it, the kiss began to remind her of FTi.
Once Arnold realized he had made his point of how grateful he was, he released both his lips and her hand. "Thanks Helga. I'll pick you up at seven."
All she could do was nod slowly in return, feeling her quivering lips and wide eyed expression.
Arnold realized how unexpected that must have been for her. Much like the times she had done it to him. "Do you want me to walk you home?" he offered.
Still not having found her voice, Helga shook her head intensely. Before she knew it, she was racing home.
On her way home, she thought to herself What am I going to do? I'm Arnold's date! He's picking me up! People are going to see us walking in together, possibly holding hands...dancing together! Just a few hours ago I was shooting spitballs at him. What are they going to think when they see us getting all mushy and touchy feely with each other?!
By the time Helga had finished her thoughts, she made it home to hear "Baby Sister!"
Being wrapped in her sisters arms, Helga clenched her fists as she scowled "Crimity! They can hear you in China!"
"Oh baby sister! I'm just so excited you're finally out of the beeper emporium!" Olga screeched, while Helga scoffed with her hands on her hips. "Yeah, who would have thought switching the company from beepers to cell phones would do the trick?"
"You're back home and going into high school! We'll have to celebrate tonight! Olga exclaimed, while Helga began heading for the staircase.
"Uhh thanks but I've already got plans...ones that don't involve you." she muttered.
"Hmm...well I guess we could do it another time." Olga frowned, while Helga had already made it up the stairs.
Stomping into her bedroom, throwing herself on her bed, Helga slapped her face with her hands and scowled "Crimity! Why can't she go back to the other side of the country?!"
After taking a deep breath, she pulled out her locket which looking at always seemed to be able to easily erase any chaotic stress that maybe going through her mind.
Oh Arnold! Tonight is my chance to prove to the world I am more than what I make myself out to be. That I am more than a fowl tormenter who has harshly singled you out to thrust my anger upon. Take pity on my weak insecurities and know my harsh behavior is no more than a guise. Oh Arnold I…
"Helga!" Miriam called out, bringing Helga back to reality.
"What?!" she scowled.
"Have you seen my umm...umm…?" Miriam hesitated to ask, as Helga rolled her eyes.
"Your vodka for your smoothies? No!" Helga snapped, pitying herself for having parents who would ask a child such a thing.