Disclaimer: I do NOT own Hey Arnold!
Chapter 2
Arnold's POV
"Short man It's time for you to go to your first day of senior year…oh how I remember when I was your age…-" Arnold's grandpa called from below Arnold's room.
"I'm coming grandpa, I'm coming."
Arnold was too lost in thought to listen to his grandpa's ramble. Why wouldn't Helga want to see me? She's my best friend, she barely spoken to me for 2 months and then she doesn't even want to walk to school with me. That's something we always do. We always walk to school together. Ugh, I shouldn't be this pissed off.
*buzz*
L- I'm oh so certain I'd love to walk to school with you :)
Arnold looked at the message from Lila and instead of responding threw his phone at his bed in frustration. I swear if she says "oh so certain" one for freaking time I'm going to be sick. What wrong with me…I love Lila. I'm just mad at Helga, she's the one being difficult.
Arnold looked in the mirror after he finished getting all his things together. Arnold had really changed over the years; he had developed a well-toned and muscular physique from playing basket ball and baseball, his hair didn't stick out as much anymore, he stood at almost 6 foot and his head was still football shaped, but well suited to his body. Right now he had on fitted dark wash jeans and a stripped t-shirt. Arnold had become extremely popular with all the girls at school, but he was too dense to notice and too nice to really care. Arnold hadn't been feeling like himself for the past few months and he couldn't place why.
"Arnold your little girlfriend is here!"
Ugh, she's here already. Maybe I'm annoyed because she's been with me practically every second since I've be back from my trip with Gerald. "It's oh so hard to not see my oh so perfect boyfriend all the time!" she practically cooed every time I talked to her on the phone. I should be elated that the girl I've been infatuated with for so long is mine, but I guess there is such thing as too much of a good thing.
Arnold made his way down the stairs and saw Lila standing at the bottom looking up at him with her signature grin on. Lila had continued to grow more beautiful with age, but she was merely a conventional beauty. Her red hair stopped at her shoulders and fell in soft curls, she had stopped wearing it in braids in 8th grade. She wore light brown kakis, a green v-neck top with a white cami underneath, she wore chocolate brown Sperry's, and cocktail of makeup to complete her preppy ensemble. She stood at average hight at about 5 foot 4, with a slender figure that gave her the illusion of being taller, her chest was barely an A-cup and she never developed 'real' curves. She was petite and oh-so-sweet and that's what everyone found infatuating about her.
"Are you ready to go to school?" Lila chirped cheerfully.
"I guess so." Arnold managed a smile, but couldn't shake the annoyance that had been overtaking him for the past months.
"You seem to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed…is there something wrong Arnold?" Lila said this as they walked out the door and headed to school.
"I'm just tired is all and not prepared to give up summer just yet. I'm fine." I can't let her know I'm annoyed. I don't want to upset her. Plus, it'll probably go away once we can't spend all our time together.
"Oh, well if that's the case there is some I would really like to talk about with you Arnold. I know we've talked about it in the past, but you never seem to respond to me…"
Oh no not this again.
"Now Arnold, I know I told you to think about us…you know…becoming intimate. It is something I'm ready for and I think we're ready for. We have been together for almost four years now…"
Flashback - September of 9th grade - during Lila and Arnold's first date right before he saw Helga on the steps
I can't believe I'm finally on a date with Lila! I'm the luckiest man on Earth!
"…and then the farmer said that's the biggest chicken I've ever seen!" Lila had just finished one of her famous jokes.
"How do you always come up with the funniest jokes, Lila? You're so funny." Arnold laughed as he picked up his fork to eat some of his pasta he had order at Chez Paris.
"I'm oh so certain they just come to me! You're ever so sweet Arnold." Lila picked at her salad as she smiled warmly at Arnold.
"I'm really happy you agreed to come out with me tonight." Ask her out…ask her out.
"You know Arnold I think I may be starting to like like you instead of just like you."
Arnold smiled at her awestruck by the fact that he might actually have a chance with her. I've liked this girl on and off since 4th grade and now I might actually have a chance to call her mine.
They finished they're dinner, ordered desert and continued talking and laughing throughout the evening. Once they got their check Arnold offered to walk Lila home which she eagerly accepted.
Okay we're almost to her house I just need to ask her out already…time to get this over with. Arnold took in a deep breath before saying the five words that would change the next 4 years of his life completely.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" He spat out barely coherent.
At first Lila looked shocked, but that look soon turned into excitement as she squealed and grabbed Arnold's hand, "I'd would love to be Arnold. I'm oh so certain that would be the greatest!"
They walked hand in hand until they reached Lila's house.
"Well, goodnight Lila. I had a great ti-" Arnold was soon cut off by Lila's lips on his. It was a quick peck and then she backed away, giggled, and muttered a goodnight before going into her house. Those moments all went in slow motion for Arnold.
Where was the spark…? It just felt like lips. I don't know how to describe it, but it wasn't what I was expecting when I kissed Lila. I guess that was my first 'real' kiss as a grown boy, but something felt weird. The only other person I've ever kissed is Helga and I definitely felt something…different than that. Maybe that's what a normal kiss feels like. It has to be because Lila's my dream girl. I was probably just shocked.
End Flashback
As Lila continued to talk, Arnold drifted off into thought. I can't believe she's bringing to this up again. How many times do I have to repeat myself to her, I'm not ready. Every person who knows I haven't slept with Lila, except for Helga, thinks I'm an idiot to not sleep with my 'hot' girlfriend. It just doesn't feel right to do that with her yet. I don't feel like we're connected on the level where being that close to someone is…special? I mean I'd love to have sex. I just feel like it wouldn't feel right with her, yet. I think as we get older our connection will grow and then I'll be ready…just not right now.
"Lila, I know I've always given you the same answer and that hasn't changed. I don't think that now is the time for us to get involved like that. With sex comes responsibility Lila..we need to be prepared for all the consequences that come with sex and I don't think we are. I'll let you know if that changes. You know I love you, but I'm not ready for that responsibility at…this time."
Arnold caught a slight glimpse of annoyance grace Lila's face before she faked and smile, "Oh Arnold, I'm oh-so-certain that that is fine with me."
"Great."
The two finished their walk to school in silence, both seemingly deep in thought. After about 5 minutes of walking like they arrived in front of Hillwood High School.
"Oh look there's Stinky! I haven't seen him since he went on his fishing trip two weeks ago! I'm going to go say hi!" Lila then scampered off toward Stinky. Lila and Stinky had been best friends since 7th grade when they had been partnered up on a science fair project and spent a lot of time getting to know one another. Phew, now that Stinky's back I'll get some space from Lila and then my feelings can go back to normal.
Arnold glanced around looking for Gerald so he could dump his recent annoyances about Lila and bitch about how Helga had ignored him for the past few months. Finally he spotted him. Gerald had morphed into a really good looking guy; he had cut his hair down short and wore sporty clothes that clung to his muscular physique, he was on the same sports teams as Arnold, and was just as popular with the ladies, but he obviously had his sights set on Phoebe. Ugh, he's not alone he's talking to Phoebe and some blonde girl. Arnold want to talk to Gerald alone. Holy shit, is that Helga?
Arnold took in the way Helga looked with complete shock. Arnold had always thought Helga was beautiful, but he was seriously thrown by how much she had changed over that summer. Helga's hadn't had a unibrow since 7th grade, but her eyebrows were still thick and messy, but now they were thinned causing he large blue eyes to pop. She wore very little makeup; some eyeliner and a little chap stick, but she didn't need anything else because he skin and eyelashes were flawless. Arnold took in the way her body had changed. She was curvy as ever, but her hips had widened a little as he butt was no longer flat and her boobs were noticeably larger. They're probably four times the size of Lila's…maybe bigger. The only thing that remained the same were her eyes and hair; her hair was as blonde and healthy looking as it had always been. There is something seriously wrong with me.
