Chapter 2: Me And My Big Mouth

Arnold's Basement

The next morning, Helga awoke from a terrible night's sleep. After seeing herself surrounded by doll heads, she thought to herself….

How the heck did I….on no!

After doing her best to repress her terror, she quickly jumped out of the chest and slipped through the basement window.

Once she had finished running down the street to a close alley, away from the boarding house, she said to herself…

"I can't believe he opened that stupid that! Why?! Why did I put my freakin' name in it! Now I've got to come up with a plan to make him think that it WAS just some stupid joke. But how?"

Arnold's Kitchen

Phil sat at the table, watching his crazy cowgirl wife pass out the flapjacks. "Eat up Slim!"

Just as she was preparing the table, Arnold entered the room. "Mornin' Tex! I saved the biggest helping for you. A growing cowpoke like you needs his strength."

Rather than taking a seat, the perturbed boy replied "Thanks, but I've got to get to school."

Phil looked at his troubled grandson and said "Still thinking about that locket huh?"

After listening to the conversation, Pookie asked "Locket...or the actual heart heart of gold stolen by those crazy western robbers!"

Phil glared at his wife and snapped "No...a locket with our wonderful grandson's picture in it, that I thought was an anniversary present from you!"

"Anniversary huh?" Pookie thought to herself, while Arnold sighed and said "I'm leaving for school now."

Waiting outside for him was Gerald "Hey man, ready for school?"

"I guess so." Arnold replied, unsure of whether or not he should tell his friend about the locket. Gerald wasn't exactly Helga's number one fan, so there was no telling what his reaction would be.

"You guess? I know school's no Dino Land, but I don't think I've ever seen you with your head hanging so low." Gerald felt the need to point out.

Arnold took a deep breath, knowing he was no actor and said "It's just that...SLAM!"

Arnold and Helga had once again bumped into one another. The two sat with their eyes frozen, until Gerald finally said "Not that I approve, but isn't this normally the time when he helps you up, only so you CAN'T accept his apology?"

Without saying anything Arnold stood to lend Helga a hand and said "Sorry Helga."

Rather than taking it, Helga stood to dust herself off and replied "Uhh don't mention it."

Gerald then watched the now 'polite' girl rush off, as he turned to his best friend and asked "What the heck was that about?"

P.S.118

Helga stood hiding behind a set of lockers, where she could keep an eye on her beloved. That is, until she heard a small voice from behind "Helga?"

The nervous girl jumped and turned to say "Phoebe! Sheesh! Don't scare me like that!"

The small Asian girl felt a bit of guilt as she explained "Forgive my intrusion Helga, I just found it a bit awkward you weren't on the bus this morning."

Helga dropped her shoulders in a guilty manner, knowing she and her best friend always walked to school together.

Flashback

Helga's House

After not seeing her friend waiting on the porch for her, Phoebe was tempted to knock on the door. Why would Helga spend any extra time that she was required inside with her family however? Just as Phoebe was about to knock on the door, she heard…

"Oh for crying out loud Miriam! Can't you do anything right?!"

"Huh? What?"

"How in the heck am I supposed to go to work without my big white belt! We're shooting a new commercial! I need that belt Miriam!"

Bob's screams were loud enough to imply Phoebe disturbing them would just add to their frustration. It only made since Helga left for the bus as quickly as possible.

End of Flashback

"Sorry Pheebs. I just had a rough night." Helga replied, not knowing what else to say. Knowing the bell was about to ring, the small girl began heading for class as she said "Aren't you coming Helga?"

The pigtailed girl glanced to see Arnold still at his locker and said "I'll catch up with you Pheebs.

"Well alright then."

While Helga was getting her thoughts together, Arnold stood at his locker, reminiscing about his conversation with Gerald…

Flashback

Bus

"Come on man! We tell each other everything. You and Pataki bump into every corner in town, then out of nowhere, she practically admits fault to it. You can't expect me to believe something didn't happen recently."

Arnold sat twiddling his thumbs, glancing back and forth at his backpack. Should he just show the locket to Gerald and get his opinion? Just because Gerald was his best friend didn't mean he wasn't allowed to have his own personal life.

After taking this into consideration, Arnold replied "Maybe she was just having a bad morning?"

Gerald lifted an eyebrow and said "Arnold, she's a Pataki. What makes you think she's ever had a good one."

Knowing no one in their class was a fan of Bob and his evil schemes, Arnold still felt content keeping that as his excuse.

"It's possible Gerald. We don't know everything that goes on in her life."

Saying this out loud really made Arnold began to think. He may not have any parents, but that didn't necessarily mean it was a bad thing. Looking at Helga, she had parents, but they acted as though she didn't exist. She had to have something good in her life. Was is really him?

End of Flashback

P.S. 118

Hallway

After seeing her best friend head towards the classroom, Helga held her hands to her chest (where her locket no longer sat) and said…

Oh Arnold! How could I allow this to happen? How could I continue to be so bold as to sign my name at the end of my written work, only to express my true feelings for you. My dreaming that you might possibly return my feelings. Only for it to lead to a disaster like this! Oh Arnold I….AHHH!

Helga's monologue was once again interrupted, but not by her usual stalker.

"Practicing for Simmons' next Poetry assignment Pataki?" Gerald starred as he crossed his arms, beginning to put the pieces together.