The same disclaimers apply. Hey Arnold! is not mine.

Italics are Arnold's thoughts. I think I want to keep this in Arnold's point of view, at least for a bit. Lemme know of anything is confusing. Onward!

The next day, Arnold had a vague idea on how he intended to pursue Helga. He had already conceded to the fact that she was correct: they were merely acquaintances, knowing each through reputation alone.

But how do you get to know a person who is more well guarded than Fort Knox?

He supposed persistence would be key. Without overstepping any boundaries she may set, perhaps just being around her more would be a good start. And the only time to be around her that seemed natural would be at lunch.

After 4th period, he walked to the cafeteria and quickly scanned the tables and the lunch line looking for a head of golden hair. Not spotting her, he decided that maybe he should look for a tiny brunette instead. He spied Phoebe talking to Brainy, heading towards the back of the cafeteria and made his way to them.

Plunking himself in one of the available seats at their table, he grinned at the two surprised faces.

"Arnold! How are you?" Phoebe flashed him a genuine smile, though it changed to one of confusion right afterward.

"Hey guys! I'm good. Haven't spoken to either of you in a while. How are things?"

Phoebe and Brainy exchanged a look before Phoebe answered.

"We're both quite well. We were just discussing our college plans and creating a strategy to have our applications completed in a timely manner. What brings you here?"

Brainy seemed to perk up at the inquiry, directing his intense gaze to Arnold.

The boy in question quickly decided that being honest was the best route. He was never particularly good at dodging probing questions anyway.

"I just wanted to speak to Helga. See how she is. Catch up. Ya know."

"Oh! I'm sorry, Arnold. Helga isn't at school today. She was feeling a bit under the weather this morning so she stayed home to rest."

"Shoot! I hope she's alright. She seemed to be feeling okay yesterday." The unasked question seemed to reach Phoebe and she answered in true best friend fashion.

"It's just a cold. I'm sure she will be back to school on Monday."

Arnold slumped in his chair at this. He had completely overlooked the fact that it was Friday. He'd be forced to endure two full days without implementing his plan. But his disappointment disappeared just as quickly as it arrived when an idea came to him.

"Yeah. I'm sure you're right. Good luck with the applications. I'm sure anything you two come up with will be genius. I'll see you guys later!"

He scrambled out of his seat, thinking he should really take up martial arts again - his body language was getting quite sloppy - and made his way to the student parking lot. There were only 2 classes left for the day and if he hurried, he could make it back in time to be present for his exam in his last period.

He ran to the Packard that his grandfather gifted him on his 18th birthday, and quickly climbed inside. Before starting the engine, he scrolled through his phone, tapping on the screen multiple times before making his decision. After several minutes, he smiled to himself and started the engine.

The Pataki residence hadn't changed much on the outside since the gangs' days at PS 118. Perhaps a new coat of paint was in order, but all in all, it was almost exactly the same.

Arnold knocked on the door, his hesitation evident. He waited several beats, straining to hear any movement from inside. Shuffling from foot to foot, he knocked again and muttered to himself, "Shave and a haircut…"

The door opened.

Helga raised an eyebrow at him before she leaned on the doorframe. "Two bits."

He smiled at her then. "Hey! Hi. Sorry, I didn't think you were going to answer."

She just continued to look at him, her gaze revealing little.

"Uh, I heard you were sick. So…" he revealed two bags to her, his palm gingerly holding the contents of one at the bottom. "I brought soup and medicine to, ya know, help you feel better."

She eyed the two bags before meeting his nervous eyes again. He heard her sigh before she stepped back, opening the door wider to let him in. Arnold walked into the foyer and noticed immediately a large black bookshelf full of trophies and awards in the living room. He heard the door close behind him and turned his attention back to Helga.

Making her way to the kitchen, he followed closely behind her giving one last look to the wall of accolades.

He heard her sneeze and she quickly wiped her nose with a tissue before taking a seat at the kitchen table. She buried her face in her hands then pushed her hair away from her eyes. Her gaze locked onto Arnold who was watching her movements with interest.

Again, she didn't say anything and seemed to be content to stare at him.

"Uh...soup, where are the…"

Helga gestured vaguely to the cabinets behind him and promptly began coughing into her tissue.

Arnold felt awkward going through her kitchen but decided to push it aside. She gave you permission. Just, find the bowls and spoons.

The first cabinet he opened was almost entirely bare except for a few cans of green beans on the bottom shelf. From the dust he could see collected, it hadn't been stocked in a while. He tried the cabinet next to it, finding the plates and bowls stacked neatly. He grabbed one and noticed that, it too, was covered in a fine layer of dust.

He wanted to turn around and ask Helga why her cabinets hadn't been opened in some time, but decided against it. He remembered that questions regarding her home life always seemed to make her defensive. What is this? The Spanish Inquisition?! Mind your own business, Hair Boy! He could almost hear her 9 year old self telling him.

Instead, he opened a drawer and found the spoons, seemingly clean. He decided to wash both items anyway, and put them in the kitchen sink to give them a quick scrub.

"So…" he drew out the vowel, unsure how to begin a conversation with her. "I, uh, talked to Phoebe and Brainy. They're both working on a plan for world domination." He gave a dry chuckle then. "Well, strategizing on college applications, but with those two, I'm sure world domination isn't far off."

No reply came from behind him.

He dried the bowl and spoon with a paper towel he found on the counter and turned around. Her hand was under her chin but her eyes were closed. She seemed to be sleeping, but he wasn't sure. Walking as quietly as he could, he placed the bowl and spoon down in front of her.

"Helga", he whispered her name softly, not sure if he should wake her. His dilemma was resolved when she opened her eyes finally, crystal blue meeting emerald.

She still didn't respond; she just stared at him, her eyes unblinking.

Rather than try again to make conversation that she wasn't keen on attempting, Arnold opened the container of soup and poured it into the waiting bowl.

I'm glad I got a large container. From the looks of things, there might not be any food in the house.

As Helga began to eat her meal, he walked back to the cupboard to grab a glass and fill it with water. He placed it next to the bowl and opened the box of medicine before placing the tablets on the table.

Helga continued to eat her soup, but this time her penetrating eyes were not on Arnold. She seemed to be regarding the food and medicine as if these were foreign objects to her.

"Well, I...uh, hope you feel better. Should I drop by later on, make sure you're okay? Maybe bring you some more soup?"

Helga stopped eating then. She placed her spoon on the table, leaned back in her chair, and locked her eyes on his. He continued to maintain eye contact with her, refusing to back down from the infamous Pataki glare.

If I want there to be something between us, I can't be scared off!

After what seemed like several minutes, he could literally see Helga's body deflate.

"Look, Arnold, I don't know what your angle is, but I don't think checking up on me again is such a good idea. I'm grateful for the grub and the meds, you didn't have to skip school to bring them to me. But my answer is still the same: taking me out on a date is a waste of your time."

Despite her words, Arnold found himself smiling at her.

"Okay, you caught me. I still want a date. But like I said yesterday, you've got a point. We're basically strangers. That doesn't mean that we can't start by being friends. I think I'd really like to, ya know, hang out with you. So, if you'd let me, I think I want to start there. Be your friend, but...yeah. That's all I wanted to say, I guess." He laughed at his own rambling. He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping he didn't make a complete ass of himself.

Helga continued to eye him. She seemed to be thinking this over, not giving away her thoughts or trepidations.

"Is this some sort of misplaced need to be friends with everyone you have going on here? I mean, you're such a social butterfly. I seriously don't understand your motives."

This wasn't the first time he'd been accused of being a social butterfly. While his relationship with Gerald was solid, they never seemed to hang out during school days. Arnold was everywhere and nowhere, preferring to speak to everyone, playing a bit of catch up with practically the entire student population.

Probably why he dated so much.

His smile only got bigger, though.

"Helga. I think you're interesting. No, it's not some misplaced need to be friends with everyone. I just...want to be your friend and maybe more than that at some point."

She blinked. A slow, deliberate action that seemed to require all her mental faculties.

"Look, I gotta get back to school. I have an exam 6th period, but I'll be back with more soup and tea, if you want?"

She didn't answer him. Just continued to stare as if he had three football shaped heads instead of the one.

"I'll take your silence as a 'whatever floats your boat, Football Head" and see you around 4. I'll let myself out."

Arnold trotted out the kitchen making for the front door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, he thought he heard his name.

Turning around, he saw Helga in the kitchen doorway.

"Could you bring me some of that medicine ball tea they have at Tea N' Things? I hear it works great on a cold."

"Sure thing, Helga."

"Thanks, Football Head." She smiled at him, the first genuine emotion he'd seen on her face since they started high school.

Arnold vacated the Pataki residence, pleased that his plan didn't blow up in his face.

He checked his watch, cursing under his breath, before breaking out in a full blown run to the Packard. He had exactly 15 minutes to get back to school before his exam began.

Totally worth it.