See? It was only about a month this time. I'm getting better, right? Right? Ok, to the story…

Still not mine

Helga POV

Over the next few weeks I practiced my song. Arnold was still being strange, and he stared at me more, with a really red face. I mean, I have a certain hope as to what it all means, but why now, after all this time? I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment AGAIN. I've had a lifetime's worth of it, and I'm only 17. Crimeny, my parents gave me enough as a kid, I'm not even going to think about how the rest of the world made me feel at that time. So I just don't want things to go wrong for me, where Arnold is concerned. We're in a good place, and I'd be happy to stay this way for the rest of my life. I'm only taking this chance because of a conversation with Phoebe over the summer….

Flashback

"…..I just don't know what to do about it, Phoebe. I mean, I trust what you're telling me, but I have no clue as to what I should do with this information," I say as I plop down on her bed. Phoebe has just told me that Arnold and Lila have been arguing a lot, after only going out for a short time. She then followed up with saying that Gerald told her that Arnold is thinking of breaking up with her. "I mean, yea, I still love….'ice cream', but…"

"Precisely," she said, interrupting me. "You are STILL in love with 'ice cream', Helga. You have loved 'ice cream' for 11 damn years. And I bet your inner 9 year old is jumping at this chance. Listen to her. Based on my observations, and some other research I've performed, this is, indubitably, the perfect time to tell Arnold how you feel. Trust me on that, ok?"

"I guess I will….but are him and Lila breaking up for sure? I mean, didn't Gerald only tell you it was a possibility? I just don't want to get in the way of them being together…." Phoebe looked at me like I've grown another head. "What?" I snapped defensively.

"Don't want to get in the…. what happened to the Helga who would threaten Lila within an inch of her life for just mentioning Arnold? Where's Ol' Betsy and the Five Avengers? The fight, the fire, that's fueled by your love for Arnold? You know, the boy who was your 'only light in a world of darkness' as I've heard you say over the years. C'mon Helga, we're going to be seniors. Sure, there's a possibility you'll end up at the same college as him, but now is a certain. And you and I both know that it's only a 'possibility' because Arnold doesn't want to be the bad guy, and has had a huge crush on the girl for years, and possibly doesn't want to come to terms with the fact that she's not as perfect as he thought. It's going to happen. So, for the love of all that is above, below, and everything else in between, GO. FOR. IT. Got it?" she finished with her chest heaving and her hands on her hips, glaring at me. I couldn't help but just sit there, gaping back at her. I recovered and nodded.

"O – okay, Pheebs. I can tell this important….to both of us. I'll do it." I could feel the "fire" that she was referring to flare up in my heart. "That little football headed weirdo is going to be mine!" I declared, standing up, pumping my fist in the air.

"That's what I like to hear!" she responded, grinning wildly, giving me a high five.

Present Day

I chuckled as I thought about it. I came up with the plan later that night, and called Olga the next day. I remember thinking I wanted a change, but still be me, and I knew my older sister would be prefect for the job. I followed with picking the song I would sing for the talent show. Things fell into place, and now here we are. Tomorrow is the talent show, and it's all come down to that. I'm so unbelievably nervous. Things are going to change, for better or worse. Either way, I'll know. Either way, this almost life – long question of does he or doesn't he will get an answer. And you know what? It'll be enough, to know, no matter what. I fell asleep with that in my head; it'll be enough.

THE NEXT DAY

So the day passed up relatively painlessly…unless you count the 3 panic attacks I almost had, ha. Thank god for Phoebe, she helped me through it all. Now we're sitting in my room, getting ready for tonight. Well, I'm getting ready, Phoebe's making sure I don't run and hide in my closet. Speaking of, that place is a lot roomier without the shrine.

"Thanks so much for all that you've done guys. I couldn't have done this without you," I said to Phoebe and Olga, who just walked into the room. Gerald was outside waiting in the car with Arnold, strangely enough they seemed all too keen to stay out there, instead of questioning why they couldn't come in. Ah well, they must've not wanted to get involved in all this "girly crap".

"You're so welcome baby sister. You deserve him, so we're going to do everything we can so you can get him." I smiled at this. I DID deserve happiness, and for as long as I can remember, that's what Arnold was to me, happiness. I took a deep breathe.

"Ok, I'm ready. Let's do this." I grabbed my guitar, and we were on our way.

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I was backstage, waiting. The talent show was being held in the school auditorium. There were good acoustics, but that didn't help a fair bit of the acts. Not that I'm judging, but…well, ok, I'm judging. I mean, yea, I'm not the best singer in the world, but I'm decent and I'm not trying something that's fucking ridiculous. This one kid tried juggling on a mini tight rope, guess who that was. If you guessed Curly, you guessed right. He can sure still be a crazy ass, at times. Ok, Helga ol' girl, focus. I was up next, as soon as Eugene was done his magic act. He was actually pretty good, and didn't get hurt. He walked off without incident, and I clapped with everyone else. Then they announced my name. I took a deep breathe, and then gave the announcer the signal that I was good to go. I grabbed my guitar and walked on stage. I looked up at the lights, and closed my eyes with another deep breathe. I opened my eyes, looked down to the audience and parted my lips to start singing. Then my eyes locked on to an empty seat in the front row. I froze.

Where. The. Hell. Was. Arnold?

HAHA! Cliffhanger XD And I know exactly where I'm going with this. Do you want to know too? Good, then review review review, mwa ha ha ha. Ok, well, love you guys, please review. – K :D