Disclaimer: Lyrics from Tangled below to their respective owners, along with all Hey Arnold! characters as well. I'm in a very song ficcy mood it seems. Hah. Thanks to all who have reviewed so far. Very appreciative!

Guide You Home

-1-

I didn't write that essay.

He shot up in bed, drenched in sweat and breathing heavy for probably the millionth time that month alone. That was an over estimate, but realistically, it was probably every single night that month.

It had been the same dream each night; his mother and father racing through a thick, dense jungle, outrunning some ominous shadow. There was an additional shadow that made a guest appearance each night, but it just stood off to the side, like an outsider, simply observing.

Arnold mused over it for a moment, deciding to himself that shadow was probably the freakiest thing about his constant nightmares, since he could make sense of everything else. The desire to save his parents, the fear that they couldn't be saved, the jungle obviously, where they were lost. This strange, watching shadow, however, he could not.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his head, he leaned back and stared up through his skylight. A dark stretch of sky overhead indicated it was still very much night, with very much time left to sleep. But even as he laid back with a sigh in an attempt to relax himself, he wouldn't find sleep for sometime; such was how it was each night of that month.

When the time came for school the next morning, he tried his best to put on a normal face, one that wasn't wrought with exhaustion, with bags under each eye. In the bathroom, he splashed icy water on his face, and that would do it for a while, at least the first hour of the day. It was just a shame there was another six to go. He was thankful; however, it was the day before Thanksgiving break, and days before holidays were usually minimal work, with classroom parties. That was something he could handle.

With his best friend at his side, Arnold stalked into the classroom; shoulders slouched, riding the small high of the icy water at his face.

"Are you sure you're alright man? You're looking a little pale, and—tired"

Arnold looked up from his desk which he had taken to staring at, just to meet his friend's concerned gaze.

"I'm sure. I told you, I just haven't been sleeping well."

As he finished speaking, a very familiar, very annoying THWAP was felt at the back of his head. Turning, he shot a death glare at the sight which he expected to see upon turning around; his constant tormentor sat behind him, scowl present, though eyes were averted for the moment, until she felt that glare upon her. Then she returned the look with one of her own.

"What?" She barked, feigning innocence.

Arnold's eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed tightly.

"I am so not in the mood for your crud today, Helga. So back off. Or I swear—"

"Or you'll what?" Helga quickly retorted, cutting him off before he even had a chance to make his threat. But the realization that he was threatening a girl did dawn on him, and he backed down only slightly with a small, frustrated sigh.

"Just stop. Leave me alone. I really can't deal with you today."

Helga snickered darkly, even though inside she felt her small heart twisting at his words. Criminey! Shut up, Helga! Why are you so blasted dumb!?

"Aww, Poor baby. Wassamatta, Baby Arnold needs a nappy, wappy?" She mocked in a fake baby voice.

"Lay off, Pataki. Can't you see he's actually troubled? For once in your miserable life have some pity." Gerald chimed in, but Helga only 'tch'd' at that, and rolled her eyes while slouching in her chair. She would've came back at him then, had Mr. Simmons not come onto the scene at that point.

He was beaming, and clutching a paper tightly in one hand while waving with the other and ushering the kids to their seats.

The softly buzzing class died down as everyone found their respective desks. Arnold forced his eyes up to the front of the room, though he could feel them burning with his lack of sleep.

"Class! Class, please quiet down. Curly, please, your desk is not a stage. Please sit in your seat. Thank you."

When everyone had indeed settled, Mr. Simmons finally addressed them.

"Good morning, my special students and welcome to the day before Thanksgiving break! I know you're all eager to get this day over with, so we can all go home to enjoy some delicious turkey, am I right?"

A few half hearted murmurs of approval sounded among them, indicating him to go on already.

"But just so you know, everyone, this day is extremely special. I have a very, very special announcement to make, that I'll make at the very end of the day! Also as you know, we'll only have half a day. The rest of the day I dedicated to a movie and treats for you kids."

The half hearted murmur of approval grew tenfold at this new. In class movies were always appreciated.

"But for now, let the learning begin!"

And learn they did, for half the day.

But that half a day passed agonizingly slow for a troup of kids who were counting down the seconds to Thanksgiving break.

Arnold, normally an attentive, hard working student, slouched in his seat, and fought to keep his eyes open. He really couldn't care less about whatever war took place in the past that Mr. Simmons was going on out.

Numerous more annoying THWAPS were felt throughout the half a day as well. But he was so out of energy that he didn't even acknowledge her any further. This only further fueled her fury. The amount of spitballs grew, and the length of time between each shot lessened considerably as a result

Finally around 1pm, Mr. Simmons slammed the math book closed, and put it to the side. The slam drew those who were completely zoned out back to reality. Arnold snapped awake, since he had just started to doze off.

"Ok children, were now officially two hours until break. As promised I have a very special movie planned, as well as that very, VERY special surprise! But first—the movie!"

The kids cheered.

Movie time was a privilege that every elementary school kid loved. If you liked the movie, you were happy. If you didn't, you weren't learning, and thus could zone out. It was the perfect reward to end a long week before a vacation, and everyone appreciated it in their own sense.

Arnold both enjoyed the idea of the movie, and putting his head down on his arms folded over his desk to relax.

Mr. Simmons's had chosen Tangled, to which each and every girl voiced their adamant approval while the boys groaned.

Half way through the opening credits though, Helga of course had something to say about it.

"Pfft, why is Simmon's making us watch a baby movie?"

Although her inner muse slash child swooned and melted as Mandy Moore started belting out the opening When Will My Life Begin.

When indeed, Thought Helga, as one of her infamous dreamy looks slipped across her face. In the darkness of the room she had let her guard down a little, content to relax and not worry about others seeing her. Her eyes became fixated on the back of Arnold's head while propping her cheek on one hand, the elbow of which perched on the desk. Quietly, she hummed along to the music.

In front of her, Arnold also had a small, dreamy look on his face as he gave way to the movies gentle tunes. It relaxed him, having a similar affect to a lullaby, not that he would ever admit that to his friends.

Then a strange thing happened, or rather, Arnold thought he might have drifted off, and was dreaming. But in addition to the music coming from the movie, he thought he heard a pleasant little hum behind him.

Blinking himself into alertness, he glanced over his shoulder rather bewildered, just in time to catch Helga with that whimsical smile on her face.

Her eyes half lidded, and had moved back and forth from his head to the movie when they were on their way back to his head again. She met his confused stare, but once blue met green, it snapped her instantly back to defense mode.

"What are you staring at, geek bait?!" She hissed in a whisper.

Thinking it was his imagination then; Arnold scowled himself and turned back around.

I'm dumb for thinking she'd be into this movie. Like she's into anything creative..

Arnold sighed, finding himself actually disappointed at that realization. He folded his arms across his desk and tried to focus on the movie again. But his thoughts kept drifting to Helga and how he wished desperately that she could be just a little nicer. Ever since the summer things had been—well awkward to say the least. Helga had tried to go back to normal, and succeeded really. Arnold tried, but the fact was, ever since she confessed atop the FTi building, things were just—different. So different.

It wasn't even that Arnold was horribly repulsed by the idea. It was quite the opposite actually. But how she was now, how she always was, Arnold convinced himself it was impossible to like her. That didn't mean he wasn't willing to accept all aspects of her personality, but it was hard to grow closer to someone that continuously called you names, and shot spitballs at you, wasn't it?

But as he thought, he could see her face in his mind. Her scowl-less, gentle face. Her eyes were so wide. He had never seen her like that, as she poured her heart out to him and frankly, he thought she was pretty, when she wanted to be. Hell, when she wasn't looking so mean all the time.

Then again, even that thought was kind of weird. Arnold blinked. Maybe I'm just over exhausted, that I keep thinking about Helga like this.

But he knew that wasn't true. She was pretty, and sweet, and caring. She had helped him save the neighborhood after all, hadn't she? He just wished, with all that he was, that she would show that side a little more, then maybe it would make it easier to feel the same about her that she felt about him. He dared a look over his shoulder at her again, and thankfully, her attention was fixed to the movie this time. But she had on that soft, scowl-less face that he did so enjoy, and he couldn't help but let a small smile cross his face as he watched her for a moment longer. He didn't chance any longer however, lest she realize she was being stared at, and then lash out again.

His eyes returned to the movie; the characters were in a boat, engaged in a magical duet with each other. Arnold sighed softly and leaned his own head on his hand, relaxing in the soft melodies and musing over the idea of developing a little crush on his bully.

"And the world has somehow shifted…"

When the movie was over, Mr. Simmons had to round up his rowdy class again for his one last surprise of the day.

He fished around on his desk for the pieces of paper he had earlier that morning, and when he found them, he moved around to the front of his desk, where he leaned back against it.

"Okay, class, I hope you all enjoyed that movie. It's one of my absolute favorites! But anyway, just one more very very special announcements, and then you are all free to go!"

More affirmative cheers.

"Now I'm sure you remember the flyers that were floating around school for the last month about that very special essay contest to win an all expenses paid, educational trip to Central America for sixth graders?"

All fifth graders nodded, shared looks of confusion across each face since they weren't six graders. Arnold looked down at his desk with a look of immense sadness. He remembered seeing that flyer, but had convinced himself he would have been disqualified had he entered it, so he didn't. He had tuned Mr. Simmons out at that point, very much not willing to hear his announcement regarding it out of sheer jealousy.

"Well, it looks like the committee holding the contest has decided to make an exception for one very, very special essay that was submitted by one of our own students!"

Helga sat unmoving, her arms crossed, bored, disinterested look still plastered on her face while inside—she was squealing with excitement. She obviously knew who submitted that essay. Mr. Simmons continued once he got everyone's diverted attention, now obviously curious.

"Yes, it looks like we're going on vacation thanks to our very own Arnold! Congratulations, Arnold!"

"What?!" If there was anything to wake up the sleepy kid, that did it. Bloodshot eyes widened at the mention of his name. It caught him completely off guard considering he never entered that contest. "But I—"

The cheers of the classmates fizzled ever so slightly when Arnold seemed to voice a sort of protest. Even Mr. Simmons cast him a curious look.

"What is it, Arnold?"

But, but…Central America. That was where San Lorenzo was, and San Lorenzo? That was where his parents were! Ah, such a moral dilemma. Did he admit to writing that essay? Since as it would seem, someone clearly wanted him to take the credit. But could he really take the credit for something that wasn't his?

He didn't feel the eyes burning into his back, eagerly anticipating his response. Helga narrowed her eyes at him, feeling her aggravation grow.

Come on, stupid football head. Don't be a goody two shoes moron now.

Arnold bit back the sigh that was pushing to get out, and offered a weak smile.

"I mean—I can't believe my essay actually won.."

The class resumed cheering, Helga smirked faintly, and to say that his statement came guilt free would have been a lie. Underneath it, Arnold felt a jab in his chest. But he dispelled it quickly, reasoning that everything happened for a reason. Maybe this was going to be the way to his parents.

He barely listened when Mr. Simmons started prattling on about what the trip entailed. From what he heard it would be a weeklong early December, and they would be camping out in the jungles of San Lorenzo, accompanied by a guide. He passed out permission slips, which he said were all due back the first day back from break; bid them all a farewell, and then the final bell of the day rang.

They all clamored outside, and congregated on the steps of the school, all eager to congratulate the supposed essay winner.

"Boy howdy, Arnold. Central America. This is going to be one crazy trip." Sid stated.

"Yeah, and we don't have to go to school for a week! What beats that!" Harold pointed out excitedly.

"Well actually Harold, we will be learning, only outside of the classroom. I'm assuming the education will center on the jungles of Central America, its foliage and animals and whatnot." Phoebe then pointed out, drawing a groan from the larger boy.

Arnold was mostly silent, his mind too absorbed in the fact that he didn't actually write it that essay. Actually, now that the realization they were actually going was finally sinking in, his attention was now focused on just who it was that did write it. He hadn't the slightest. And he had absolutely no idea who it even could have been.

Wanting to escape unnoticed, he waited for a more heated discussion to arise among his group of friends, and then wordlessly slipped away. Gerald, who was close by, noticed him go, and quickly followed after.

The two best friends walked in silence for a few moments upon leaving the school and their friends behind. Gerald was excited about the contest, but he could tell that Arnold was deeply troubled by it. Excited, yes, but also troubled.

"I just don't get it" He finally stated. Gerald cocked a brow in his directly.

"Get what? You won a contest, and now we're going to San Lorenzo! Way to go, Man!"

"But that's just it, Gerald." Arnold started, he slowed to a stop during their walk, and Gerald turned to face him.

"What's it, Arnold?"

"I didn't write that essay."