Sorry the chapters are short, but this story is supposed to last only one day. I'm trying to stretch it as much as I can. Then again, I suppose I could have made it one of my one-shot stories. Oh well, hope you continue to read and enjoy :)
Chapter 2: It's Like Looking In A Mirror
While Stella anxiously reached out her hand to shake Hilda's, Helga and Arnold stood frozen. Arnold stared at his cousin's girlfriend, thinking to himself…
It's the girl from the nightmare I had the night before I visited Arnie.
Helga as well stood astonished as she laid eyes on the never before seen girl. Blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, pink earrings, and an outfit similar to her dress, but modeled as a set of pink overalls.
The kids welcomed themselves inside as they began to follow Miles and Stella to the dining room for breakfast. Helga stood behind, wondering if it was just another crazy dream she was having. Although she hadn't seen anyone like herself in the nightmare she had, she remembered the story Arnold told her about his.
Was it all a dream as he had said, or did he actually meet and acquire feelings for a girl similar to her?
Now here Arnold was with his eyes glued to Hilda. Was it because he was just as overwhelmed as Helga, or because he really was feeling something for her?
Helga followed behind everyone, already wishing the day was over. It took years for Arnold to see the most beautiful gift can come in the plainest box. For him to look far enough past her rough exterior to believe that not only was she a good person, but one who acquired unbelievably strong feelings for him.
Now here he was with a dolled up version of herself which he already seemed to be having a hard time keeping his eyes off of. Helga hadn't spoken two words to Hilda yet. No information was revealed for her to know how similar their interests were. Would Helga's loyalty and brave attitude still be enough to keep Arnold's attention when he seemed so easily impressed by intuitive women?
The Dining Room
Everyone took their seats at the table, while Hilda watched Stella place a plate of pancakes in front of her and Arnie.
"Thank you. This looks great!" the polite girl said to her boyfriend's aunt.
"You're welcome sweetie. We're happy you could join us!" Stella said excitedly.
The family glared at Stella's response, feeling she should be speaking for herself. Phil was never anxious to see (let alone deal with) her side of the family. Although Miles wasn't one to complain, he hadn't exactly grown close with the eccentric boy. Whild Arnold did his best to make Arnie feel welcome whenever he was around, Hilda's presence was just too coincidental. Finally, the fact that Arnold couldn't take his eyes off the new girl was beginning to get on Helga's nerves.
"Where's the rest of your family?" the sweet girl wondered, having been told about her boyfriend's cousin's large group of people living with him.
"They agreed to let us have breakfast just the family." Miles replied.
"More like forced them to." Phil corrected his son, knowing how upset the boarders became when they had to fend for themselves.
As the family began digging into their hot meals, Stella anxiously asked "So Hilda, what type of things are you interested in?"
Helga sat picking at her plate, not expecting anything amusing. After all, this was a girl dating Arnie. Lila may have taken an interest in him, but she was the nicest girl in school. Since when did she NOT compliment someone for something?
"Well, I like reciting poetry from time to time. You know, finding inspirational things that lead me to reach deep inside myself. It's just a hobby."
"Poetry eh? Maybe you could give Pookie a few pointers on how to make those crazy housework songs of hers bearable." Phil wondered.
Arnie didn't hesitate to interrupt the conversation and give his opinion on the matter. "I like to count the words in the poems she recites." the plain boy snorted.
The family rolled their eyes, not knowing how such an intelligent girl could be so impressed by such a plain boy. It was like watching Arnold fall for Lila all over again.
While Phil was finding a use for her, Helga cocked her brow at her doppelganger and thought…
She looks like me, she thinks like me, she's stealing the attention of the boy of my dreams! Criminy, what now!
As Helga sat gazing at this perfect version of herself, Arnold was having a hard time staying focused on his meal as well. Non only was his nightmare based on reality, but once again, all it took to impress Arnie's date, was his list of boring activities.
Helga watched the smile grow on Arnold's face as he listened to the stranger reveal new information about herself. If she was going to be certain of how Arnold felt about her, she had to act fast. In this case, perform some sort of crazy switch. The only problem was, how easy would it be getting Hilda to go along with it?