As soon as the faint sound of the animals ran around the corner, Arnold and Helga walked into the house. To Helga, it was the same as when she had sneaked her way in to get her locket and journal back to keep Arnold from reading the last page of her journal - which she immediately ripped out and spit it at Arnold in a form of a spit ball and when to keep Arnold and his grandpa from reading the note inside her locket. They walked down the hallway and as they passed by the rooms, Helga heard the voices of Arnold's grandpa and grandma - otherwise known as Phil and Pookie. Just as they had walked by, Arnold's grandpa called out to him.

"Well if it isn't Shortman returning home from school." Phil said to them.

"Hey grandpa." Arnold replied.

"Whose your friend Shortman?" Phil asked.

"Grandpa, this is Helga. Remember?" Arnold asked laughing a bit.

"Arnold, I'm going to tell you something, I haven't remembered much since last week." Phil said smiling while throwing in few laughs.

"I can't remember anything since breakfast." Pookie said.

"Pookie you're always like that." Phil said to her.

"Well Helga and I are going to my room to work on our school project. Can she use the phone to call her parents?" Arnold asked.

"Of course she can Shortman." Phil said.

They left the room as Phil and Pookie began to have a light argument but only ended in some laughter. Helga picked up the phone as soon as she got to it and dialed her phone number. After the dial tone rang in her ear few times, Miriam's usual groggy drunken voice came over the other line.

"He-hello?"

"Yeah, hey Miriam, I just called to tell you that I'm at Arnold's house and I'll be home in few hours." Helga said to her somewhat impatiently.

"O-oh, that's nice Helga. Have fun with your little friend." Miriam replied.

"Yeah, thanks Miriam." Helga said.

Helga then sighed after she hung up the phone. She looked to her left to see that Arnold was staring at her confused. He didn't really know what to say to Helga but didn't want to bring anything up since there was a chance that others would here. After the phone call, they headed to where Arnold's room was. Arnold pulled the cord to the attic with Helga going up the stairs first then Arnold. He reached around Helga to open his bedroom door. Everything was the same except for few 'teenage' stuff here and there. Arnold sat the project on the floor while Helga and Arnold sat across from each other.

"Okay, let's start back up where we started." Arnold said to Helga.

"Whatever Football Head." Helga responded.

They worked quietly for the next half hour with them almost little less than half way to completing it. Perhaps this was why their teacher paired them up because whenever she did, they worked on it and didn't slack on anything. They would just work coherently until the project was complete and theirs usually did to stand out more with Helga's creative side and Arnold bring his ideas to life as well.

"Um Helga, can I ask you something?" Arnold asked; interrupting the silence in his room.

"Go ahead Football Head." Helga said.

"Back there on the phone, I've always wondered why you called your parents by their names and not mom and dad." Arnold asked her unsure if it was a touchy subject.

"There's nothing much to say really. I relate poorly to Miriam and as for Bob, well let's just say he prefers Olga." Helga replied to Arnold.

"What about Olga?" Arnold asked.

"Olga doesn't seem to understand my relationship with Bob or Miriam." Helga stated.

"I'm sorry." Arnold said to Helga.

"Not your fault Arnold. My so called parents are just negelectful." Helga said before getting up.

"I never realized how bad they were towards you." Arnold said.

"Well we all learn something new everyday." Helga said.

"Yeah, I guess." Arnold simply said.

"Do you mind if I?" Helga asked pulling out a cigarette from her pocket.

"Oh, um no, just hold on." Arnold told her.

Arnold had gotten onto his bed to open his sky view window before extending his hand to help Helga onto his bed. They both took a break and headed up the roof. While up there, Helga lit up her cigarette she had gotten from her backpack. Helga looked much more relaxed than from just few minutes ago. Arnold but couldn't help but feel bad for Helga but knew Helga was the type of person who didn't want sympathy.

He couldn't believe that Helga hid her relationship with her parents and the neglectfulness for this long. To Arnold though, Helga did seem beautiful and strong enough to work through it somehow. He noticed how different Helga had changed.

She didn't where her dress and white shirt anymore. Instead she wore baggy blue jeans, a pink crop top, black shoes, and a black jacket. Her hair was down instead of up which she also sported a pink and black beanie that contrasted her blonde hair. Her attitude remained the same as before but she didn't have many friends which is probably why Phoebe remained her best friend and was the closest to Helga. What Helga told Arnold seemed to be the foundation of a bond and trust.

They went back inside Arnold's room after a 20 minute break. Arnold could see Helga was more relaxed since they came back inside. He looked at the time to see that it was 4:40 p.m. Helga would have to go home in another hour. Instead of working on the project, they hung out in his room. Helga took off her jacket and beanie since there was no need to wear them anymore. They watched tv and some movies. For the first time, Helga felt happy. She had never been this happy beforeand didn't want her happiness to go away.

"Shortman! Time for dinner!" Phil yelled up to Arnold as he helped Pookie.

"Do you want to stay Helga?" Arnold asked.

"I'm not sure. I'll just go home and make myself something but thanks." Helga replied.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" He asked.

"I'm fine Arnold. I think I better go now." She said. She put her jacket and Beanie back on before leaving Arnold's room.

Arnold was behind her and decided that he would leave the project at his house for today. Helga said bye to Arnold and his 'extended family' before leaving the house. She walked back home hoping that Miriam made something this time instead of being passed out on the couch. She already knew that Bob would be in front of the tv watching sports or a game show.

When she got home, it was the same. Miriam was once again passed out and Big Bob was no where to be found. Helga went into the kitchen making herself a sandwhich and grabbed a bag of chips along with a drink and went up to her room. After 2 hours, Bob came home and immediately turned on the tv. Not long after did Miriam get up when Bob questioned her about dinner. Miriam then started to question him back; getting into another fight. Helga sighed as they shouted back and forth before stopping.

They started up again before going through each room of the house forgetting the Helga even came home. Helga went downstairs and they didn't even notice her. It wasn't until she heard a knock at the door that her heart stopped. She didn't want anyone to see how her home life was. When she opened the door, she saw the one person who she didn't want to see and that was Arnold.

"Hey, um sorry to stop by like this but you left your backpack in my room." Arnold said.

"T-thanks." Helga said.

Arnold looked past her and immediately knew that he shouldn't have came. There in the hallway was Big Bob and Miriam seemingly arguing about something before seeing that Arnold was at the door. They stopped and went into another room. Few minutes had passed and Arnold left once again apologizing to her. When Helga went up to her room, Big Bob stopped her.

"Trophy room now." He ordered.

Helga wenbt to the trophy room and there Miriam and Big Bob questioned her - mostly Big Bob. She listened to them but didn't care as they told her not to tell anyone anything. It was just like when she had to see Dr. Bliss. Miriam and Big Bob telling her to just 'leave it under the rug' type of lecture. After the 'lecture', Helga went up to her room not saying a word.