A/N:

Here's chapter 2! Enjoy!!!

Disclaimer:

Uh, I own Arnold dolls and Arnold VHS tapes and I'm actually pretty sure I have something with CB's autograph around here somewhere that I paid way too much for on eBay, but sadly I do not own the rights to this series. Curse you, Viacom and Nick!

Chapter 2:

Reservations

"So, what were you and Harold fighting about at lunch today, Patty?"

Patty jumped as she closed her locker. She'd been a bit lost in her own thoughts when this question said by a very familiar voice in a suspiciously curious tone had brought her suddenly back to the reality of the halls of PS 118.

"Oh, hi, Rhonda. Uh, I don't know what you're talking about—are you sure you don't have us confused with Arnold and Helga?"

Rhonda scoffed, "Oh please—Arnold trying to be nice to Helga and Helga blowing up in his face? Old news." She made a gesture of waving off the standard piece of gossip. She smiled and continued, "What I'm talking about is what was going on between you and Harold five minutes before that started. There was definitely some yelling going on at your table and then didn't Torvald come over at one point?" She put her hands on her hips, a wry grin on her face.

Patty could tell Rhonda's nosy nature was eating-up this chance for new gossip. She sighed, "Rhonda, wasn't one of the first things Madame Parvenu taught us in charm school that you shouldn't pry into other people's business?"

Rhonda cleared her throat and smiled innocently. "Oh come on Patty, we're not STRANGERS or anything. Besides, nothing exciting's gone on in this place for a while and it's been making school an absolute bore!" She clasped her hands together. "From one girlfriend to another, give me all the juicy details—please!"

Patty sighed to herself again and rolled her eyes. She knew that if she didn't give Rhonda SOMETHING this interrogation would never end. She grabbed her backpack off the floor and began to walk down the hall, Rhonda following eagerly. "We didn't really have a fight. I just forgot I promised to go to his cousin's party on Sunday and already made other plans that I can't break. So we decided to do something Saturday instead." She shrugged and smiled. "No big deal."

Rhonda gave an exasperated sigh and looked disappointed. "That's all?"

Patty nodded, "Mmm Hmm."

Rhonda crossed her arms over her chest. "Well there goes my last chance for any decent gossip in this school." Suddenly though, her eyes lit up and a curious smile came to her face. "Unless what you're doing on Sunday instead has anything to do with Torvald???"

Patty scowled and stopped walking. "Rhonda, don't."

"It does, doesn't it!!!" Rhonda was practically squealing with delight. "Oh, Nadine and the other girls will be absolutely shocked!!! I know a lot of people have seen you two together lately, but I can't believe that—"

Patty grabbed Rhonda by the shoulder and made sure to give her a firm squeeze. Not enough to hurt Rhonda but enough to remind her who she was dealing with and to let her know that she was serious. "Rhonda, what I have to do on Sunday is nobody's business. Don't start spreading some kind of rumor that it has anything to do with Torvald or else…"

Rhonda swallowed hard and tried to smile innocently. "Oh come on Patty—uh, if Madame Parvenu didn't want us spreading gossip, I'm positive she also didn't want us pounding each other."

Patty released her grip. "I would never hit you, Rhonda." Rhonda smiled hopefully. With a smug smile Patty began walking down the hall again. "I'd just tell everyone I saw you making out with Curly."

Rhonda's face lost all color and she tripped forward a few feet to catch up with Patty. "You—you wouldn't spread around a lie like that! Besides, I—I'd deny the whole thing!!!"

Patty shrugged. "Yeah but, Curly wouldn't." She pointed down the hall where Curly just happened to be watching the two girls approach and blowing kisses at Rhonda.

Rhonda visibly cringed and sighed in defeat, "Oh, alright. I wasn't really going to spread a full-blown rumor about you anyway, Patty. I mean, I do love gossip but you are my friend after all. I was just looking for a new conversation topic, but I guess you and Harold is a dead end too."

Patty smiled and absentmindedly added, "Well, there's always Arnold and Helga." Patty gestured with her head to the doors of the school that the girls were now approaching. A few kids were stopping to watch as yet another altercation between the two students in question seemed to be occurring.

"…and don't ever try to touch my books AGAIN, EVER Football Head or I'll rip out your throat and spoon feed it back to you! Got it!!!"

"Helga, I was just trying to see if I could walk with you for a minute to…uh, to talk…"

"What does it take to get you to leave me alone?! I've already cut you a few breaks this week Arnold-o but don't think that's gonna keep up. In case you haven't noticed, patience isn't exactly one of my many virtues!" Helga sighed in frustration and stomped off down one of the hallways and into the girls bathroom with a scowl. As had happened in the lunchroom, Gerald approached Arnold and appeared to say a few words to him, and again Arnold's face remained as listless as ever. He gave a reply to his best friend and then went off by himself down another hallway into the boys room. Patty and Rhonda watched as Gerald just shook his head, seemed to hesitate, then sighed and headed out of the building.

Patty's thoughts and the look of concern on her face were interrupted by a bored sigh from Rhonda, "I told you—old news. Arnold and Helga have been fighting with each other since the dawn of time." She seemed to consider for a moment, "Though I guess he has been pretty determined to get on her bad side lately. Maybe there's some kind of angle there?"

Patty blinked and glanced at Rhonda nervously. Helga had seemed pretty adamant about denying that her and Arnold liked each other even though Patty could see there was at least something small between them—she probably wouldn't be very happy if this conversation with Rhonda suddenly led to their feelings being public knowledge.

Patty was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of Rhonda adding in a more jaded tone, "Still it's probably just Arnold trying to do the right thing and Helga being in one of her usual bad moods." She shook her head. "This school really is dead in terms of gossip."

Patty smiled and mentally breathed a sigh of relief that Rhonda didn't seem interested in pursuing the subject of the two fourth graders much further.

The girls walked out of the doors of PS 118 and into the pleasant spring afternoon outside. Rhonda turned to Patty. "So, are Harold and you doing anything fun on Saturday, then? You know, there's supposed to be marvelous skiing this weekend in Aspen. Mummy and Daddy and I can't go of course because it's the weekend of the big charity fashion show at the country club, but you and Harold could—"

"Actually," Patty cut Rhonda off politely. Rhonda tried sometimes, but Patty didn't think she'd ever be able to control her innate desire to show off to people, "I was thinking I'd make him a nice dinner at my house. You know, something simple."

Rhonda rolled her eyes. "Oh come on Patty, I know you're a great cook but you two have been unofficially together for almost a month now. You should do something special—"

"Rhonda, Aspen's a little out of both of our price ranges." Both girls stopped as they reached the bottom of PS 118's stoop.

Rhonda waved her off. "Well, then what about a nice dinner out for a change. There're a lot of nice restaurants around the neighborhood and one's that aren't too expensive. Oh, what's the name of that one that Arnold and Helga went two a few months ago?" Rhonda appeared to be thinking hard.

Patty blinked. "Arnold and Helga?"

"Hmm?" Rhonda was too busy thinking to really pay attention to Patty's comment, "Oh uh, yeah. They went with Gerald and Phoebe after Helga won some kind of gift card from the school raffle. If PS 118 could afford dinner for four at that place the prices can't be that bad." She snapped her fingers once or twice as she tried to recall the name, "Chez something…Chez Jean? No…uh, Chez Henri? No, that's in Paris. Oh yes, that's it—Chez Paris!" She smiled at Patty. "You two should go there!"

Patty looked unsure. "I don't know Rhonda…I mean, me and Harold like each other… a lot. But that sounds too much like an official date." She couldn't help the slight blush rising into her cheeks. "I mean, we've only ever just hung out before so there hasn't been any pressure, but going to a fancy restaurant might make us feel…uncomfortable."

Rhonda shrugged. "Well, why don't you take another couple along with you then. That way it'll be more of a group thing instead of a regular date?"

Patty considered. "I guess so…but I don't really know anybody I could ask." She turned to Rhonda. "What about you? Is there anyone you could come with?"

Rhonda's eyes widened and she blinked. "Me? Please Patty—I've got far too many social obligations as it is to have a regular boyfriend on top of it all. Besides, in case you haven't noticed it's kind of slim pickins' in the fourth grade." Rhonda jerked her thumb to the right where, less than 100 ft away, Sid and Stinky were screaming 'Chug! Chug!' while Curly funneled an entire gallon jug of Yahoo soda.

Patty couldn't help but grin at the sight. Suddenly, a limo pulled up in front of the two girls and honked its horn.

Rhonda turned back to Patty. "Well, chauffer is here to take me to piano lessons. Do you need a ride anywhere, Patty?"

Patty shook her head. "That's okay Rhonda. I think I'll try and find Harold before he goes home to talk to him."

Rhonda entered the limo. "See you, Patty. And good luck!" she winked.

Patty did her best to hide her blush as waved at the black car now pulling away. "Bye, Rhonda."

Patty sighed and adjusted her backpack on her shoulder. She walked back towards the open doors of PS 118, keeping an eye out for Harold Berman. 'I hope he didn't get on the bus already…'

"Hey, Patty!" Patty turned to see Harold smiling and running towards her from the sidewalk.

Patty smiled. "Hi, Harold."

He reached the top of the stairs and put his hands on his knees, panting a couple of times before standing up to talk to her. "So…" he took some deep breaths, "Did you decide what you wanna do on Saturday?"

Patty was seriously considering just telling him to come over to her house like she had planned originally, but somehow a part of her actually did want to try Rhonda's suggestion of a real, official dinner out together. After all, they were both thirteen—wasn't it getting close to the time for 'date' dates instead of just throwing rocks at dumpsters and goofing on people?

Patty swallowed hard. "Actually, Harold, I was thinking and…well, I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner somewhere. I mean, nothing too expensive or adult-ish. Just some French food at that Chez Paris place that's nearby."

Harold's eyes widened in understandable surprise, "Really?" He scratched his head, "I mean, we've never done something like that. Are you sure?"

"Uh yeah." Patty could feel her nervousness building. "I mean, unless you don't want to…" Suddenly, she found herself channeling Rhonda's words, "Of course, it's not like it would be just us. I mean, I was thinking of inviting another guy and a girl too. You know, like a group thing...I mean, so we could split the cost of appetizers four ways instead of two and junk." She glanced at Harold nervously.

Sure enough, Harold definitely seemed to relax a little at this last statement. "Oh… yeah sure, that would be cool. " Patty raised an eyebrow as a scowl briefly came to his face though. "Torvald's not the guy you're inviting, is he?"

Patty almost laughed, "No, Harold. Torvald's not coming."

Harold smiled again. "Oh, good." There was another awkward moment of silence between the two thirteen-year-olds. Suddenly, Harold cleared his throat, "So, uh, who were you thinking of inviting?"

Patty blinked. She didn't have a clue. "Uh, well…"

"OW!"

"Ow!"

Patty was saved from answering the excellent question by the sound of two people colliding at one of the hallway corners to her and Harold's left. Both thirteen-year-olds turned to stare at the sight.

Helga and Arnold were sprawled on the floor. Helga sat up, rubbed her head and opened her eyes. There was a brief look of terror on her face at the sight of whom she had slammed into. She quickly shook it off though and picked herself up off the floor, resuming her usual scowl. "SHEESH already, Arnold!!! Do I have to start chipping you or something to make sure that you stay away from me once and for all?! This is the third time today I've had to deal with you disrupting my life, for crying out loud!"

Arnold was standing up now as well, and to the surprise of Harold, Patty and Helga (luckily no one else was around to witness the scene since the rest of the kids had cleared out of the school by now), he replied in a low and frustrated voice, "Well, this is about ten thousandth time you've disrupted my life Helga, so I guess we're almost even."

Helga blinked. He never answered her back. Ever. Patty raised an eyebrow, interested to see what her reaction would be to this sudden development. Even Harold couldn't help but whisper to himself, "Wow—he's dead."

Helga's eyes narrowed sharply. Her fists clenched at her sides, fingernails digging into her palms. In a low and acidic voice she slowly asked, "What did you just say to me?"

Patty had never seen Helga stare anyone down that harshly before. "Harold, I'll call you tonight with the details about Saturday, okay? See you." Patty's mind was suddenly so focused on Arnold and Helga that without thinking she gave Harold a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving him to enter their conflict again just like she'd done in the cafeteria.

The action took Harold completely by surprise. Patty was already half way over to Arnold and Helga though by the time he came out of his shock enough to mumble to her, "Okay…talk to you later…Patty…" And with that Harold slowly exited the building occasionally touching the place on his cheek she'd kissed, a noticeable bit of scarlet on his face.

Patty, meanwhile, approached the two ten-year-olds smiling and asked very firmly, "Hey guys, anything the matter?"

Helga ground her fist into her palm. "No but there will be in about five minutes after I beat the stuffing out of Arnold-o here and he needs the paramedics to take him home instead of the bus!"

Patty scowled and cupped the fist Helga was making in one of her own hands, stopping the blonde girl's threatening gesture.

"Hey!" Helga yelled, trying to free her hand.

"Helga, you know I'm not going to let you hit Arnold, right?"

"Oh—oh fine!" Helga had tried once more to free her hand but the grip of Patty was too strong. She finally gave up with a frustrated sigh. "But you know this isn't all my fault or anything—he's the one who won't leave me alone."

"Well, I have a reason." Arnold looked seriously at Helga.

Patty noticed the flash of terror come back to the young girl's face. However, Helga quickly shook it off again. "Oh, just shut up you little—"

"Okay, enough." Patty cut Helga off with her firm tone. Both fourth graders looked to her.

Patty released Helga's hand and sighed. "Helga, can you stay here for a minute. I want to talk to Arnold about something and then I want to talk to you." It was really more of a command than a request, so although Helga didn't say 'yes' it was obvious by the resigned look on her face that she wasn't going anywhere.

Patty grabbed one of Arnold's hands and pulled him around the corner and down the next hallway.

When they reached the end of the hallway, Patty released Arnold's hand and looked at him questioningly.

Arnold put his hands behind his back. "Uh, Patty, thanks for helping me with Helga—I appreciate it." He smiled at her, "If it's okay though I'd just rather work things out with her on our own. I know her and…no matter what she says, she won't hurt me. Not really." He started to blush. "We've just got some things that we—"

Patty couldn't help mentally sighing to herself. 'Sometimes I wish the two of them were thirteen too—it would be so much easier to get them to admit what's going on between them.' "Arnold?" Patty cut him off, rubbing her temples in exasperation, "Would you like to come to dinner with me and Harold Saturday night?"

Arnold blinked. "Huh?"

"We're going to Chez Paris for dinner tomorrow. It's kind of a group thing. Do you want to come?"

"Um, I guess…" Arnold replied, not wanting to be rude by refusing the invitation. Still, he looked seriously confused. "But why?"

Patty sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Let's just say it wouldn't be a party without you. Besides, you seem like you could use a night out. Are you in?"

A look of confusion passed over Arnold's face at this statement. After a second though he just shrugged his shoulders. "Sure."

Patty smiled. "Great, I'll call you tonight with the details."

"Okay," Arnold replied, "Since it's a group thing, should I call anyone else and ask them if they want to come?"

Patty smiled and winked. "Don't worry, Arnold, I'll take care of everything. See you tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye, Patty. Thanks. " With a smile Arnold turned around and headed for the exit of PS 118.

Patty just shook her head as she watched him walk away. She took a deep breath though as she recalled that she had one more person to talk to right now to actually put this plan into motion. So, she headed up the hall to start her conversation with Helga G. Pataki.

"Hey, Helga!" Patty called firmly as she approached the fourth grader. She knew she'd have to put on a bit more of a tough girl act to swing Helga.

"What?" Helga asked acidly. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was leaning against some lockers and glaring at Patty.

"It looks like you and Arnold are having some problems."

"Hey, he's the one who won't leave me alone!" Helga turned away.

Patty got in front of her. "Helga…" she said impatiently.

Helga growled in frustration. "Oh I don't know what's going on—he just keeps bugging me and I have a reputation to maintain in case you've suddenly forgotten what that's like."

Patty considered for a moment before responding, "No, I haven't forgotten, but there's no need to make huge scenes in the hallways and the cafeteria just to prove some kind of point." She lowered her voice a little, "To be honest, I've been talking to some people and it seems a bit more suspicious that you keep building up huge arguments with Arnold instead of just letting him off like usual or just beating him up like you keep threatening to do."

Helga swallowed hard and her eyes went wide. "Wh—what do you mean by 'more suspicious?' There's nothing to be suspicious about. He's just really been bugging me lately and I just—just keep getting interrupted is all. I mean between you and the bell and other stuff, I— "

Patty lowered her voice even more, and scowled at the girl before her. "Helga, I know the only reason you grabbed him in the cafeteria was because I used it as an example in the bathroom. And the only reason you grabbed him when you did was because you looked at the clock and knew the bell was going to ring any second. The fact that I came along was just another excuse for not going through with hitting him."

Helga's eyes went very wide and Patty knew she'd guessed right. Over the years Patty too had used more than her fair share of tricks to maintain her reputation without necessarily pulverizing every single person who'd ever challenged her—as long as the threat was there and something legitimate interrupted it from being carried out, people still took you just as seriously as if you had actually gone through with the pounding.

Patty moved a bit away from the girl and sighed, still scowling. She went back to her normal tone of voice, "Look Helga, the point is that if I keep having to break up your fights it's going to affect my reputation. I start poundings, I don't end them. And also, I'm too busy with my own stuff to be regulating the fourth grade. You need to calm down. Now."

Helga regained some of her attitude and turned away from Patty, a weak scowl on her face. "Whatever."

Patty sighed again and her face changed from angry to sympathetic. She put an arm on Helga's shoulder. "Listen Helga, I know you've probably got a lot on your plate too." She smiled slightly. "So, uh, why don't you come to dinner with me and some other people on Saturday night to relax a little bit."

Helga looked at Patty with a mix of confusion and suspicion. "What are you talking about?"

Patty shrugged and did her best to sound casual. "A few friends and I are going to Chez Paris tomorrow for a nice dinner. Come on, I think you'd enjoy it. Besides, I still feel like I owe you for helping with me with my paper. What do you say?"

Helga glanced away for a second and seemed to be thinking things over. Patty raised an eyebrow as she saw a small smile come to the girl's face for a second as though she were recalling something humorous. Suddenly to Patty's shock Helga mumbled, "Arnold's not going to be there, is he?"

"Huh?" Patty was completely surprised. 'How did she…?'

Helga blinked at the sound of Patty's voice and looked up at her. "Huh? Oh sorry, Patty. I was just talking to myself" she shook her head like she was clearing her mind of something, and continued, "…Uh, sounds good, actually. Thanks, What time should I meet you?"

Patty smiled. 'That was close.' "I'll call you tonight to let you know, but maybe around 7?"

"Okay." for the first time during the conversation, Helga smiled back. She reached out and the two girls shook hands. Helga rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "And, uh, I'm sorry if I snapped at you a few times, Patty. I've just been a little…preoccupied lately."

Patty raised an eyebrow and smiled smugly. "Boy trouble?"

Helga's eyes flew open wide. Her jaw dropped slightly and she stood there, mouth half-agape.

Patty laughed to herself. "Kidding! You need to get a sense of humor, Helga. See you tomorrow." She waved at Helga and walked toward the doors of the school.

Helga cleared her throat and tried to regain her cool. "Uh yeah, see you." She took a few steps away towards the lockers (she still hadn't gotten her backpack yet considering all of the drama with Arnold), but then seemed to remember something and ran back to Patty. "Uh Patty?" she tapped the sixth grader on the shoulder. Patty turned around, an eyebrow raised. Helga continued, hands behind her back. "Listen, I know you don't mean anything by it but along with the writing stuff can you not mention anything about me and Arnold to anyone too?" She blushed slightly and cleared her throat, "I mean, not that any of it's true—I hate that little twerp. The last thing I need though is people going around with the wrong idea, you know?"

Patty smiled. "No problem, Helga."

Helga swallowed and mumbled, "thanks" before making a dash back to the lockers to get her stuff.

Patty, meanwhile, was laughing to herself as she walked down the stoop and away from PS 118 for the day. If she needed something to make this dinner with Harold less awkward, inviting Arnold and Helga along without them knowing was the perfect solution. They were friends with both her and Harold, but not some incredibly lovey-dovey couple who would make the evening romantically awkward. Besides, how could anything be awkward with that much comedy relief right at the table? 'And' she added mentally to herself, 'maybe I'll be able to seriously pay Helga back for her help. Heck, if this works out good enough she'll probably even owe me one...' And with that Patty continued on her way home, ready to put her plans into action the following day.

A/N:
That would be chapter 2!!! Please read on for more crazy hijinks and awkward situations :)