Author's Note: This chapter (entire story really) is based off of THIS! http:/ bloochikin. deviantart .com/art/No-Point-in-Single-Deviations-128640259 Bottom right picture. Go.

"Baby sister!" Helga sat up with a start and checked her clock. It was seven thirty in the morning. She flopped back down and covered her head with her pillow. "Helga! Get up and come see what Santa brought you!" She sat back up and quirked half a unibrow at her sister.

"Santa?"

"Yes Santa, silly! The big jolly man who leaves presents on Christmas morning for all the good little boys and girls of the world."

"Olga." She hesitated. Santa hadn't brought her presents since her parents decided that at fifteen Olga, and therefore Helga, should know the truth about Santa Claus. Looking at her sister's overly starry eyes she wondered if that little tidbit of information ever sunk into Olga's head. "You know what? Never mind. I'll be right down."

"Goodie!" Olga squealed as she skipped out of her room. Sometimes she found it hard to believe that her sister was twenty seven. Helga reluctantly followed her sister downstairs and sat down on the couch next to her mom.

"Morning Helga. How . . . how did you sleep sweetie?" Helga glanced at her mother out of the corner of her eye and raised an eyebrow at the mug she held in her hands.

"Fine. You?"

Miriam took a sip. Then turned to Helga and smiled. "Good." Helga leaned over to see what exactly her mother was drinking. "Olga made hot cocoa. It's wonderful, I could go get some for you."

"No, that's okay. I'm good." She settled back against the cushions as Olga handed out presents. There weren't very many, for Helga at least, and the majority of them were clothes ranging from socks to a new beanie. A not so subtle hint that hers looked like crap, not that she cared.

"This last one is from Mummy and Daddy!" Olga handed her a small box and stood in front of her, camera poised for action. She glanced at each of her family members. Even Bob was kind of smiling at her. She eyed the box with suspicion. This was either going to be really good or really bad. She lifted the lid and peeked inside the box to find a little pink cell phone. She couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face, even with the annoyance of Olga's picture snapping. She was one of the few people in the entire school who didn't have a cell phone, until now, which was ridiculous considering her father owned an electronics store.

"You got me a cellphone? Wait." She grabbed it, tossed the box aside and flipped it open. A tiny screen lit up her face. "It really works?" She looked at Bob for confirmation. He nodded.

"YES!" She jumped of the couch, nearly knocking Olga over. "This is boss! I . . . I gotta call someone!" She immediately began dialing Phoebe's number.

"Helga, honey, it's eight in the morning. Don't you think it's a little early to call?"

"Oh," she sat back down, "yeah, it probably is."

"It's okay baby sister. Come have some pancakes! That'll cheer you up." Olga grabbed Helga by the hand and practically danced into the kitchen. For once Helga really didn't mind.

Christmas morning at the boarding house was a blast. Arnold watched the boarder's open up their gifts that he had picked out for them in Mexico. After that Grandma started playing Dino Spumoni and he watched with a huge grin as his dad began serenading his mom. It wasn't long before he whisked her across the room and under the mistletoe. He sat down on the couch and watched his family dance around, and for the first time since he'd left he felt at home.

Things back "home" were far from ideal. Bakersfield was a nice place. He'd made a few new acquaintances and been to a few dances at his mother's request, but it wasn't Hillwood. The transition from Jr. High to High School had been like taking a baseball to the head. The kids weren't mean, but he couldn't seem to find anyone he really fit in with, no matter how hard he tried. He'd finally given up and decided it would be better to focus on his schooling. He had no social life, but he did have straight A's.

He checked his watch and wondered if it was too early to go visit people. His parents sat down on either side of him.

"No, it's not too early to start knocking down people's doors." He raised an eyebrow at his mother and her uncanny ability to read his mind. She shrugged. "It's almost noon, but you really should call first."

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be so anxious, it's just been so long since I've seen everyone."

"I know son." His dad patted his knee. "Why don't you go call her?"

"And if she's not doing anything with her family, maybe you could bring her back here. I miss that girl."

"Um . . ." He hesitated a moment debating whether or not he should feign innocence. He quickly realized it was useless. "I . . . yeah, I guess I'll call her." He walked slowly but deliberately to the phone and dialed Helga's number. The phone had barely rung when an overly pleasant voice answered.

"Hello, Pataki Residence."

"Olga?"

"This is she."

"Hi, this is Arnold, I . . . I used to go to school with Helga."

"Oh my goodness Arnold! It's so wonderful to hear from you! How are things down in California? Oh, but you don't want to talk to me, you're calling for Helga!"

"Um yeah, actually –"

"Baby sister!" Arnold winced as Olga yelled for Helga.

He grinned when he heard her snap back. "What Olga? I'm busy!"

"I'm afraid she's busy at the moment, that's too bad really. Maybe you could call back later."

"Actually, I'm in town and I was wondering if I could stop by. But I don't want to intrude so if you're doing things with your family I can wait."

"Oh, no. It's no trouble at all! We're all just playing with our new Christmas toys! Come over anytime! Oh, it'll be so good to see you! I'm sure Helga will be just . . . what's that smell? OH! My soufflé!" Arnold heard the phone clatter to the floor.

"Olga?" He listened to Olga's shouting, which was quickly followed by Helga's.

"Crimeny Olga! What is your problem? I can't even get some peace and quiet in my own house! And what's so important that you didn't even have time to hang up the phone?" A loud click sounded in his ear and Arnold stared down at the receiver in his hand. He sighed and hung up the phone.

"Well, from the sound of things you really haven't changed much Helga." Arnold stood in the doorway of the living room not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Well, I'm off." He paused not sure what to say. "I'll be back . . . um soon probably."

"Take your time." His dad called as he grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

Helga marched back up the stairs to change her shirt after being cried on by Olga over her stupid burnt soufflé. She pulled off her pink sweater and tossed it on the floor. Then opened her closet and pulled out the first shirt she saw. A pink shirt with white three quarter length sleeves, she had about a million of them. She walked over to her bed as she pulled the shirt over her head. Once again dressed she flopped stomach first onto her unmade bed and picked her phone back up. She had spent the morning transferring songs from Olga's hand-me-down laptop, hey it was better than nothing, onto her phone. Now came the task of choosing customized ring tones. Not that anyone other than Phoebe and Lila would ever call her, but if someone did she would be prepared.

"Let's see, Lila, Lila, Lila. Ah! Spoonful of Sugar! The perfect song for Miss Practically Perfect in every way." She laughed to herself. She and Lila had become sort of friends in Jr. High. Helga had started letting Lila hang out with her and Phoebe sometime in eighth grade. Lila had toned down the pep at Helga's request. She was still a bit too "Mary Poppins" every now and then, but over all things were working out pretty nicely.

She wasn't privy to all Helga and Phoebe's deep dark secrets, but she got her fair share of the dirt. And thanks to being Lila's partner Helga now had an A in home ec. There was also the added bonus of not feeling like a total jerk if she had to bail on Phoebe for some reason, and those extremely rare occasions when Phoebe couldn't come to her rescue she could call her number two.

"Now for Phoebe. That's a little harder." As she scrolled through her songs she heard the doorbell ring. She didn't bother getting up, she knew it was Phoebe for their annual post Christmas recovery session. Phoebe would come over, they'd exchange gifts, then Phoebe would bust out the chocolate and Helga would rant about her stupid family and their stupid non-Christmas. She set her phone down and tilted her head to the side.

I don't actually have anything to complain about this year. That's a first. She shrugged. Who am I to turn down chocolate? Besides Pheebs will be excited to hear I finally had a decent holiday. She rested her chin in her hands and stared at Arnold's shirt that was hanging on her bed post. I wonder what Arnold's doing for Christmas. Probably sitting around his house with his awesome parents and having the time of his life without me.

"Helga Sweetie!" Miriam called from downstairs. "Your little friend is here. Where are you?"

"I'm in my room!" She put her phone in her pocket, stood up, and surveyed the room. I better clean up a bit before Phoebe gets up here and starts lecturing me on the importance of cleanliness. She picked up her clothes and threw them into the empty basket by her door. She was attempting to put her comforter back on the bed when she heard a timid knock on the door.

"Come on in." She called. "Man Pheebs, you will not believe what's been going on around here."

"Um . . . it's me Helga." She spun around with the comforter still in her arms. There standing in her doorway was a young man. He was dressed in jeans and a blue long sleeved shirt covered by a collared button down plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. If not for his odd shaped head and the ridiculously tiny hat nestled in his cornflower hair she wouldn't have recognized him.

"A . . . Arnold?" She took a step forward, slipped on her blanket, tripped over her phone cord and landed face first on the floor. "Ow."

Arnold took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack by the front door.

"Go on up . . . What did you say your name was?" Mrs. Pataki asked.

"Arnold."

"That's right. Arnold. Well it's nice to meet you." She walked toward the slightly smoky kitchen. He took a deep breath and walked up the stairs. He stopped in front of a closed door and stared at the little sign that said Helga's Room. Taking another deep breath he knocked.

"Come on in." He slowly turned the door knob and pushed the door open. She was standing with her back to him making her bed. "Man Pheebs, you will not believe what's been going on around here." He froze. Was Phoebe coming over too?

"Um . . . it's me Helga." She spun around with the blanket still in her arms. She stared at him for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"A . . . Arnold?" He watched as she slipped on her blanket, tripped over her phone cord and landed face first on the floor. "Ow."

"Helga!" He ran forward and grabbed her by the arms helping her stand back up. "Are you okay?" She stared wide eyed at him for a few seconds before shoving his hands off of her arms.

"Crimeny football-head! How many times have I told you not to creep up on me you . . . you little creep!"

He dropped his arms to his sides and sighed. "It's good to see you too Helga."

"Well what do you expect?" She shouted stepping closer with a menacing glare on her face. Arnold began stepping backwards attempting to get out of her way. "You show up in my room after a year and a half without so much as a phone call?" His back hit the still open door and Helga slammed it shut. He continued his retreat until he was plastered against it.

"No indication what-so-ever that you were gonna be here and you expect anything else! I'm not psychic." She slammed her hands on the door, and glared. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Sorry? I didn't mean to startle you. I called and talked to Olga. I assumed she would tell you I was coming over."

"Well that's what you get for assuming my sister is capable of coherent thought!" Arnold sighed. This really wasn't going how he'd planned at all.

"Look Helga, I don't want to fight with you." She scoffed.

"Man you are still the same stupid, optimistic, conflict avoiding, little dork." She smirked. "You haven't changed a bit." This is getting ridiculous. He thought. Oh well, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"I hate you when you're like this." He said calmly. Her smirk faltered for a second as she huffed and stuttered trying to think of a good come back. Arnold didn't wait for it. He stepped forward, surprising Helga into grabbing his arms for support. She stumbled a bit, then regained her footing and took a step back. He grabbed her by the waist, pulled her against him, and held her there.

"I didn't spend twelve hours in a car to get yelled at." She leaned back as a blush lit up her cheeks. He grabbed her chin and leaned forward until their noses were touching. Her eyes went wide and she tightened her grip.

"I missed you Helga." He heard her take a small sharp breath and watched as she closed her eyes. He leaned slightly to the right and kissed her cheek. Arnold then released her chin, stood up straight and watched with a smile as her eyes fluttered open. She blinked a few times, then looked up at him with a lopsided smile.

"There's the girl I fell in love with." She stepped away from him as her blush deepened.

"W . . . well, yeah well . . . " She sighed as she flopped onto her bed. He stared at her for a moment then noticed a very familiar clothing item hanging on the post of her bed. Arnold beamed and sat down beside her as if nothing had ever happened.

"So . . . what's been going on here that Phoebe wont believe?"

"This for starters." She waved her hand at him and he laughed.

"And what else?"

"Never mind."

"Oh come on Helga!"

"You wouldn't get it!"

"I would if you ever wrote!" She winced and he immediately softened his tone. "Or called."

"You're one to talk."

He shrugged. "I just never know what to write. Besides that's your thing."

"Well you never call either! What's your excuse?"

"I . . . I just wasn't sure what to say after . . . after the way I left." He watched as she traced a hole in the knee of her jeans with her finger.

"Yeah, you were pretty much an asshole."

"Hey!"

"What?" She snapped tearing her attention from her pants and directing her fury solely at him. "I obviously broke your heart when I dumped you, but waiting until you were on your way out of town in a moving van to stop by tell me the big news was just a little inconsiderate. I think I deserved better than that, considering our history."

"You're right Helga, you did deserve better." The pair sat quietly on her bed for a few minutes before she finally said something.

"So, how long are you in town?"

"Until New Years. We're leaving first thing in the morning on the First."

"Oh. So you've been to Gerald's already, I assume."

"Um . . . no. I came here first."

"Oh. Get anything good for Christmas?"

He shrugged. "Not really. You?"

She held up a little pink phone. "I finally got a phone form my cheapskate dad."

"That's good."

"Um . . . How are you parents?"

"Good. Oh that reminds me! Um, well if you aren't busy, I'm supposed to take you over to the boarding house. My mom wants to give you a present."

"She . . . she got me a present?" The adoration in her voice was impossible to miss.

"Yeah, the one I have for you is back at the house too."

"That's not fair! I didn't even know you were coming!"

"I didn't even know I was coming until last week." He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "So . . . do you think you can stop by sometime." He watched a smile take over her face.

"I need to make a quick phone call. I'll meet you in the trophy room in five." She pushed him off the bed and waved her hand at the door. With a smirk and an eye roll he left. When he walked into the the Trophy room he was greeted by the familiar sight of Bob in his recliner channel surfing. He sat down on the couch and quietly waited for Helga.

"Yeah, and then he just walks through my bedroom door like nothing ever happened!"

"Wow Helga. It appears you have had quite an eventful Christmas."

She snorted. "That's putting it mildly. There's more though, the real reason I called. Arnold invited me over to the boarding house to open presents, so I was hoping we could reschedule for tomorrow."

"Well I suppose Gerald and I could find something to do."

"I'm sure you will."

"Helga!" She smiled at the blush that she knew was covering her best friend's face.

"Just don't do anything I would do."

"Helga!"

"Alright, alright, I'll stop. So we're good?"

"Yes. Tomorrow, eleven, your house."

"Perfect. You're the best Pheebs, don't forget it."

"Remembering." Helga stuck her phone in her pocket, slipped on her sneakers and ran down the stairs. Once at the bottom she took a few deep breaths and calmly walked into the trophy room.

"Hey Dad?" He grunted in response. "I'm going over to Arnold's for a while." He changed the channel. "Bob?" She glanced over at Arnold who shrugged. "I'll probably be back late." Nothing. "Or not at all. In fact Arnold and I might just hop a plane to Vegas for the weekend."

"Mmhmm. That's nice Olga. Be a good girl and go get me a soda." Well the new and improved Pataki's didn't last long. She thought as she walked back into the hallway.

"MIRIAM!"

"Pipe down Olga!" Bob called from his chair. "I'm trying to watch the tube in here! And where's that soda?" Helga rolled her eyes and marched into the kitchen, Arnold following closely. She held up her hand signaling for him to wait as she poked her head around the corner. Olga was still sniffling as she mixed something in a bowl.

"Where's mom?"

"Oh, don't bother mummy, baby sister, she's upstairs meditating."

"Right. I'm going to Arnold's house. I'll be back later."

"Okay! Have fun!"

"Mmhmm." She grabbed Arnold by the wrist and dragged him out the door, stopping only to snatch her coat, and let him grab his. She slammed the door behind her and took a deep breath.

"Let's go." She put on her coat and shoved her hand in her pockets knowing that was the only way she was going to be able to stop them from trying to grab Arnold's. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him do the same. They had walked in silence for a few minutes when Arnold finally spoke.

"So . . . I don't know if Phoebe told you or not, but my parents and I are hopefully going to Africa this summer."

"Yeah, she told me." Phoebe even went so far as to let Helga read the letters Arnold sent, always asking why she didn't just write one herself. After all this time she still couldn't think of a good reason her letters to him never made it past the mailbox.

"I heard that you took first place in the school's poetry contest."

"She told you that?"

He nodded. "She also says you're doing really well in school."

Helga shrugged. "I do alright, especially thanks to Phoebe and Lila."

"Phoebe told me that you and Lila started hanging out together."

"Yeah, I needed someone to be my source of perpetual optimism after you left." He smiled warmly at her and she nearly stopped breathing. It was all she could do to keep herself from tackling him to the ground right then and there. She took a deep steadying breath, and did her best to remain calm.

"Well here we are." He smile never faltered. "Home sweet home." He hurried up the steps and opened the door for her. As several animals scurried past her she shoved visions Arnold carrying her through the very same doorway from her mind. She stepped through the door and waited in the hallway. She was feeling more than slightly awkward, despite the fact the she had been here hundreds of times, even after Arnold and his parents had moved away.

"I can take your coat." With a slight blush she allowed him to remove it and hang it on a nearby coat rack. Such a gentlemen.

"Helga? Is that you?" She spun around just in time to see Stella come running at her. "Oh, good heavens. What did I tell you Miles!" She called over her shoulder as her husband walked into the hallway. She took Helga's face in her hands and smiled. "You just get more beautiful every time I see you." Helga blushed slightly at the compliment as Arnold's mother pulled her into a hug.

"Um . . . thanks." Stella let go long enough for Miles to give her a hug then grabbed her by the arm, pulled her into the living room, and sat her down on the couch.

"So," she said patting Helga on the knee, "tell us what you've been up to. How's high school?"

"Um . . . it's okay I guess. Its high school." She shrugged. Arnold smiled at her.

"That's goo. Are you hungry? I made those triple chocolate fudge cookies you always loved." Helga's eyes went wide. Stella was good at everything, and cooking was no exception. Those cookies were like heaven on a plate. She nodded vigorously. Both Stella and Miles laughed as Stella sent Arnold into the kitchen.

Once Stella's barrage of questions had been answered, and Helga was stuffed full of chocolaty goodness, Miles pulled a box out from under the tree. Helga ran her fingers over the shimmering pink wrapping paper and looked from Stella to Arnold. Something about his huge grin made her nervous.

"I wish I had known you were coming. I would have gotten you something." She said timidly.

"Oh, please. Christmas isn't about presents, it's about friends and family. Miles and I consider you both. So open it up already." As she began to tear away the wrapping paper Miles spoke up.

"We got it for you when we were in Mexico." He told her. "Stella saw them and she just had to get one for you." She pulled the lid of the box off and stared down at the mass of blue fabric within. She carefully pulled out the most beautiful sun dress she had ever seen. She stared at it in silence until Arnold spoke.

"Do you like it?" He asked. She pulled her eyes from the dress long enough to look at Arnold.

"Of course I like it." She practically whispered.

"I know it's not pink –" She didn't wait for him to finish.

"It's beautiful!" She dropped it back into the box and threw her arms around the woman sitting beside her. "Thank you."

"Go try it on, I guessed on the size." She jumped off the couch and ran up the stairs. Once in the bathroom she tore off her clothes as quickly as she could, then carefully pulled the dress over her head. She stared in awe at how it accentuated curves she didn't know she possessed. She glanced down at her legs and saw that the fabric stopped a good four inches above her knee, making it shorter than anything she'd ever pick on her own. Who cares. As she spun around in a quick circle the dress twirled around her. If Stella and Miles bought me a potato sack I'd wear it every chance I got.

She left the bathroom and walked as gracefully down the stairs as she could manage. She peeked her head around the corner and saw her three favorite people huddled together on the couch. Stella saw her and nudged the other two who sat up quickly. With three sets of eyes on her she suddenly felt self conscious. Maybe I should have left my jeans on. Stella, seemingly reading her mind, called her out.

"It can't be that bad. Lets see it." She slowly stepped into the room and smoothed the dress down over her legs. When she looked back up she couldn't resist smiling at the huge grins plastered on everyone's faces.

"Helga," Miles said quietly, "you look absolutely beautiful."

"You were right Arnold." She looked over at Arnold wondering what he was right about. She didn't miss the sudden tint in his cheeks. "I wanted to get you the pink one," Stella clarified, once again reading her mind, "since it's your favorite color. But when Arnold saw that one he insisted it was the exact color of your eyes. And he was right." Before Helga had time to ponder her feelings over that bit of information Stella motioned her over.

"Give us a little twirl." With a slight blush she did as she was asked. "What do you think?"

"I love it Stella."

"Its a little short." Stella said tugging on the hem of the dress. "You're taller than I remembered."

"I'm sure Arnold doesn't mind the view."

"Miles!" "Dad!" Arnold and his mother called out together. Helga blushed at the thought of Arnold "enjoying the view", but took solace in the fact that his entire face was as red as hers.

"Well," Helga cleared her throat, "it's still a bit too cold to be wearing just this, so I'm just gonna go put my clothes back on. Thanks again." She quickly spun around and ran back up the stairs.

rnold was still blushing from his father's incredibly inappropriate comment, so the blush that lit up his face now was hardly noticeable. The entire time Helga was changing Arnold was trying to forget the glimpse she had unknowingly given him of her pink polka-dotted panties. He blushed even harder when she walked back into the room fully clothed again.

She stopped in the doorway and placed her hand on her hip.

"What's your problem?"

"Nothing!" He said a bit too loudly. He heard his dad choke back a laugh. He watched his mom playfully slap his dad.

"Arnold, why don't you go give Helga the gift you brought while your father and I go clean up that cookie mess. Come on Miles." Her tone of voice was a little unsettling. She dragged him out of the room by his arm then stopped next to Helga. After giving her husband a shove in the direction of the kitchen she leaned over, whispered something in Helga's ear, and followed after him.

Arnold watched as Helga's eyes traveled slowly upwards and stared at the mistletoe directly over her head. She took a couple large deliberate steps to the left then glanced over at him. He felt slightly less silly about his intense blush when he noticed hers.

"Wow." She said finally breaking the silence. "Your parents sure know how to embarrass a person."

"I think they took lessons from Grandpa." He stood and walked over to her. "Your present is up in my room, my old room," he quickly corrected, "you can just wait here or . . . " He shrugged. She leaned back slightly and looked toward the kitchen.

"I think I'll just go with you."

"Right." He walked quickly under the mistletoe, deciding it was best if he pretended he never even saw it. Arnold was abnormally aware of her presence as he pulled the stairs down from the ceiling. He motioned toward them.

"Ladies first." She snorted but rapidly ascended the stairs. He followed and shut the door behind him. When he turned around she was sitting on his bed relaxing as if she were in her room. He smiled as he went over to his suitcase and pulled out her gift.

He handed it to her then sat beside her, leaning forward so he could see her face. She tore away the wrapping paper as slowly as possible. Judging by the smirk on her face she was doing it solely to annoy him. He smiled and waited patiently, he'd learned that when it came to Helga that's all you really could do. His grin widened when she stared down at the pink beaded journal and her smirk disappeared.

"Arnold." She stared down at the notebook in her hands for several seconds before looking back up at him with a grin of her own. "Should I take this as a hint to write to you every once in a while?"

"No," he held up his hands in defense, "well, I'd love it if you wrote to me, but I know you like to write poetry and when saw this I just thought you'd like it. You do like it right?"

"Doi. Of course I like it Arnaldo. It's perfect." He shrugged.

"What can I say? I'm just that good." She shoved him playfully then set the notebook on the bed next to her.

"It's really good to see you again. Sorry I don't have anything for you." He shrugged again.

"I'm just glad I got to see you. I don't really need anything other than that." Her entire expression softened and she leaned slightly closer.

"Do you really mean that Arnold?"

"Yeah," he reached over and grabbed her hands, "I've really missed you Helga." He thought he saw a few tears forming in her eyes before she closed them.

"I really missed you too." His heart started beating faster as he realized how close they were, that he was slowly leaning closer. He'd only kissed her a handful of times, they never could seem to find a moment alone, and it still made him nervous. He took a deep breath and put his hand against her cheek.

"Arnold!" His mother called. Helga jumped so far back she actually fell on the floor. With a sigh he stood up and opened the door.

"Yes mother?" He tried to keep the edge out of his voice.

"You two aren't upstairs, in your room, alone, with the door closed are you?" He ran a hand through his hair.

"No Mom! The door's wide open!" Thanks for killing the moment. When he turned around Helga was picking herself up. He hurried over and offered her his hand. She took it and pulled her to her feet. He gave a little extra tug and she stopped just inches from his face. Arnold quickly captured her other hand.

"Sorry." He whispered. "Where were we?"

"Um . . ." she stuttered. "I was just leaving." She untangled herself from him and grabbed the journal he had just given her off the bed.

"You don't have to go." He told her quietly. I really don't want you to go.

"I really do. Olga needs my help getting dinner ready." She was halfway out the door by the time she finished her sentence. He followed her down the hall and waited outside the bathroom as she stepped in to grab the dress his mother had given her.

"Helga, it's only two. She can't be making dinner already."

"Oh, trust me she is. And if I don't get back to help her we wont eat until ten." She dashed out of the bathroom and was down the stairs before he could catch up with her.

"Helga–"

"Yeah, it's been great. Thanks for everything and all," she struggled to hold all her things and get her coat on, "but I really have to go." He took the large dress box from her, put her notebook inside and closed it. "And Olga probably has a ton of stuff planned for us to do this week so," with her coat on she grabbed the box from him and headed for the door, "I probably wont see you for a while." He grabbed the back of her coat forcing her to stop just inches from the door knob.

"Helga." Arnold pulled her toward him. She turned and he released her coat from his grasp. The moment he did she slipped out the door.

"Later." She said as she waved at him without even turning around.

"Yeah, later." He called as he watched her practically run down the sidewalk. He closed the door and leaned against it with a sigh.

"Arnold?" His mom called as she walked toward him. "Did Helga leave already?"

"Yeah." He replied curtly. "She had to help Olga with dinner or something." He pushed against the door and trudged toward the stairs.

"She didn't even say goodbye?" His dad asked.

"No." He said angrily. "She didn't."

"Pheebs! You've gotta help me!" Helga wailed desperately into her phone as she hurried back to her house. "I thought I could do this but I really can't do this."

"Helga? What happened?"

"Nothing, nothing happened, it's what almost happened. Pheebs! I–I think I just need to talk." She slowed down and took several deep breaths. "Are you already at Gerald's?"

"Yes." Phoebe's tone of voice implied that she wasn't exactly thrilled at Helga's interruption.

"I'm sorry Pheebs, just forget it. I'm sure I'll be just as crazy and freaked out tomorrow." She hung up her phone and continued her journey home. Stupid football-head. He thinks he can just waltz back into my life and act like he never left. Well I've got news for you Bucko! I broke up with you and it's gonna take more than a stupid notebook to make things right again.

She stormed into her house and up the stairs without even stopping to take off her coat. She dropped the large white box on the floor and tossed her coat on top of it. After kicking off her shoes she flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. She'd only been lying there for a few minutes when there was a soft knock on her door.

"No, I don't want to talk about it, and no I'm not helping with dinner." She watched in annoyance as her bedroom door slowly opened.

"What on Earth happened Helga?" Phoebe steeped into her room, closed the door and sat down beside her. "I don't think I've ever heard Arnold so upset."

"He called you?" She asked suddenly sitting up.

"He called Gerald, who kept telling him to calm down. From what I could hear he seemed . . . well annoyed to say the least. Gerald and I decided that it would be beneficial to all parties if he and I rescheduled." Helga flopped back down onto her mattress.

"I can't do this again Phoebe."

"Do what again Helga?"

"He tried to kiss me! He invites me over where his parents are waiting with presents and cookies! You know, the triple chocolate fudge ones I love so much?" Phoebe nodded. "He gives me one of the most wonderful heartfelt gift I've ever gotten and then he tries to kiss me. Like those awful three months before he left never even happened! And then . . . when he left . . . " She stopped when her voice cracked.

"He broke your heart." Phoebe finished quietly.

"No!" Helga sat up and continued to fight back tears. "I gave that stupid football head my heart when I was ten years old, and never had the common sense to ask for it back!" She sighed into her hands. "When he left, he took it with him, leaving me with nothing but an empty longing that nothing could fill, nothing but him."

"Helga." Phoebe whispered as she placed her hand on top of her friend's.

"I missed him so much, and when he walked through that door I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. But he's leaving in a week and I–" she ran her hands down her face then growled in frustration, "I can't do this again Pheebs. I'll never live up to his ridiculous idea of what he thinks I should be. And no, I can't just give it another try because I'll just end up getting hurt again and– and what the hell is he upset about?"

Phoebe shrugged. "I really couldn't hear much."

"Yeah, well I think I'm just going to "have plans" for the rest of the week."

"Helga, I don't think lying to him is going to solve anything."

"Yeah?" She shouted sitting up again. "Well I don't think this can be solved! What do you say to that Miss Smartypants!" Phoebe flinched away from her. "Sorry. I'm frustrated. I wanted so bad to just stay there and let him kiss me, but I couldn't Pheebs. You understand don't you?"

She nodded. "It's alright Helga. But as far as resolving impossible situations go, you do have a pretty good track record."

"And she just takes off?"

"Yes!" Arnold threw his hands up in the air causing a few other patrons of Slausen's to shoot them strange looks. "She didn't even slow down long enough to say goodbye!"

"I don't know what to tell you man. Helga Pataki is one strange girl."

"I guess I thought that some time apart would smooth things over between us, but obviously it didn't." Arnold sighed heavily and plopped his head onto the table.

"Mm mm mm."

"And my parents!" He lifted his head off the table and frowned. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad to have them back, but I don't think they could have done anything more to embarrass the hell out of us. I probably would have run off too." He paused as his best friend blinked at him. "Oh, who am I kidding, no I wouldn't."

"Maybe she's still mad about whatever you did to make her break up with you. I don't remember what it was, but I do remember the three months of awkward silences that followed."

"That's just it Gerald. I'm not even sure what I did to make her break up with me. Sure we were fighting, but we always fought. One day she just comes up to me and tells me it's over."

"Harsh."

"She just seemed so happy to see me, happy to be with my family again. Giggling and blushing and just being so damn cute."

Gerald began choking on his milkshake. Arnold raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sorry." He coughed. "It's just . . . cute is the last word I would use to describe Helga. No offense!" He said as Arnold glared at him. "She's just . . . well she's Helga." Arnold leaned back against the booth.

"I don't think she wants to see me again. She said something about Olga having a bunch of stuff for her to do, but I'm pretty sure she was lying."

"You think?" Gerald mumbled sarcastically. "Relax man. Phoebe and I have this covered. We're all going to get together and hang out. And she'll be dragging Helga to Rhonda's New Year's Party too."

"I think that's just going to make her even more angry."

"Probably, but what do you have to lose?"