Helga awoke, to the birds chirping. Helga had forgotten everything from the night before, so like she did every morning she pulled the blankets over her head. Waking up started to become dreadful for Helga the day after the class got back from San Lorenzo. As she continued to pull her blankets up Helga heard the "thud" of phone hitting the cool floor. Helga turned over to ignore it until it suddenly began to vibrate.

"You have 1 new text message." the phone said.

"Criminy what does Phoebe want now?" she groaned rolling over, she leaned out of her bed to check what the text said. "Hey Helga, meet me by the two oak trees in the park at 3?" she read aloud, Helga smiled. Getting up, she made her bed, and picked out her nicest clothes. Helga did her make up and went downstairs to find some food to eat. Miriam was still passed out at the counter holding her drink, Helga rolled her eyes. While looking for something for breakfast Helga realized she was running late, "Late again? Man my picking my clothes took a lot long than I thought" Helga thought as she ran out the door forgetting breakfast and her lunch. Catching the bus just in time, Helga took a seat next to her friend Phoebe.

"Running late again Helga?" Phoebe asked concerned, "Might I suggest an alarm clock?" Helga growled at her.

"Ew it's Hellllgaaa!" Someone called out from the back, "Ew Helga you're so sweaty, try taking a shower!" the voice called out again. Helga's head whipped around.

"Yeah almost as sweaty as you when you reach for the last Mr. Fudgeffggg..y Harold!." She glared at him. Harold's silence didn't last for long,
"Helga you're so ugly no one on this bus would date you, no one in Hillwood would date you Helga eww, you and your ugly hairy caterpillar eyebrow! Ew Helga." Harold taunted her while Rhonda giggled sitting next to him. Helga rolled her eyes. The bus jerked to a stop.

"I autta sock ya, if you don't shut your-" Helga stopped. "Arnold!" she gasped, as Arnold took a seat next to his pal Gerald, just a few before Harold and Rhonda.

"Hey guys, what are we talking about?" Arnold asked politely. He smiled, looking at Helga. Helga turned around, feeling like a fool. "First day back and I'm already looking like a big fat jerk, I'm hopeless!" Helga thought to herself putting her head down.

"Arnold when did you get back? Oh and we're were just talking about how ugly Helga is, am I right Arnold? Haha Helga's so ugly even Curly wouldn't go near her. Ahaha." Harold was laughing harder at his own joke, than anyone on the bus. Arnold frowned.

"That's not very nice Harold." Arnold said coldly. Harold looked at Rhonda for some back up, but she simply shrugged.

"So Arnold, Nadine and I were talking about you while you were gone, did you meet a special girl while you were there?" Rhonda smiled. "Wouldn't it be so romantic if Arnold met his dream girl in San Lorenzo, just like his dad did Nadine?" Nadine smiled and nodded, a skill she learned to use very well when it came to time with Rhonda. "So Arnold you meet anyone special?" Arnold smiled a bit, the thought of that did sound sort of sweet. Arnold shook his head. Arnold remembered tell everyone the stories about his parents while they flew to San Lorenzo.

"Nope." he said looking over at Helga. Her head still hung low, with embarrassment. Rhonda gave Nadine a look and they both shrugged, "I mean they people there were very nice and all, but like Lila says 'They just didn't have that 'oh so special something.'" he laughed, scratching his head. "What about you girls? Find anyone? Nobody has caught me up on you two." Rhonda smiled, linking onto Harold's arm and cuddled up to him. Nadine rolled her eyes. "You two really? But last time I saw you two, you fought like cats and dogs. Rhonda, I always thought you'd end up with the rich kid Lorenzo, you two seemed like the perfect match." Arnold's tone was surprise, "What about you Nadine?" Rhonda's grip loosened on Harold's arm, she blushed, Nadine opened her mouth but before she could speak, Rhonda took the words out of her mouth.

"I've been trying to set her up with Peapod but she keeps refusing." Rhonda said, frustrated, rolling her eyes at Nadine. Arnold tilted his head in confusion."You know Nadine, Peapod is a very nice guy and, he's really into you Nadine, the least you could do is give him a chance." Rhonda said, frustrated with her friend.

"Peapod is still sticking with the nickname? He's still around? Nadine why don't you like him, he's a pretty nice guy." Nadine shrugged, turning to look out the window. The bus jerked to another stop, everyone stood up and, began exiting the bus.

"Phoebe what class do I got?" Helga asked, nudging Phoebe as they walked into the school.

"I believe you have English first Helga, then we have phys. ed." Phoebe responded, "so what are you doing for lunch Helga?" she smiled.

"The football face asked me to eat lunch with him, poor sap." Helga said, trying to keep her cool. Phoebe grinned, looking at her, "Knock it off Phebes." Helga smirked, nudging her friend.

"Hey Helga, wait up!" Arnold shouted after her, running up to her. " Hey Helga, uh haha could you show me to my classes? I'm gonna have some trouble getting this school down." Arnold smiled, handing her his schedule.

"Hey football head, how do you already have a schedule? You just got back." Helga asked, studying his schedule. "English room 152, math room 287, History room 118." She read in her head.

"Grandpa and I made arrangements during the summer. So could you help me out?" Arnold asked, looking at Helga. He watched her ocean blue eyes scan over the paper, Arnold could almost see the waves. Helga looked up.

"Whattya looking at now Football head? We have English and History together." Helga said, handing back the schedule. Arnold smiled.

"Really? That's great." Helga nodded and shrugged walking off. "Hey wait up," Arnold said catching back up to her, "You walk fast you know that?" Helga weaved through the crowds of people, increasing her speed. Arnold struggled to keep up and be as polite as possible while passing through the groups. "Helga could you slow down?" he shouted up to her. Helga skidded to a stop, rolling her eye. "Thank you." They continued their journey at a slower, when suddenly.

*CRASH*

Harold and the football team laughed, as Helga gathered her things from the dusty floor. Arnold looked up at him frowning.

"Harold why'd you trip Helga? That wasn't nice, Helga was just showing me to class, she wasn't bothering you or these guys." Arnold said, helping Helga up to her feet.

"I'm fine Football Head. I can take care of myself just fine." Helga said dusting herself off. Arnold looked over to her, concerned. Harold and the guy chuckled. Arnold turned his head, he wasn't happy.

"I don't know if you heard me the first time, I asked why you tripped her." Arnold said, his tone of voice more aggressive, taking a step closer to Harold, poking his finger into Harold's strong chest. Helga looked over at Arnold, she had rarely seen Arnold get this aggressive about anything, she blushed a little. "Arnold is protecting me? I must be dreaming." Helga thought to herself, she looked over and saw a teacher coming. Harold's fists were clenched, he was becoming irritated. "But I can't let him get in trouble on the first day, I better do something." Helga could see a fight coming on, she jumped in front of Arnold.

"Wait don't touch him!" Helga said, stretching her arms out like she did back when they were 9. Arnold stepped back surprised.

"Helga what are you doing?" He asked whispering into Helga's ear.

"Saving your skin." She whispered back. "Alright bucko, forget this goof, he couldn't take you even if he tried. Why bother? Why not pick on someone who actually deserves it or at least someone your size. Someone that really gets under your skin. I hear Wolfgang has been getting a few chuckles out of your throw, eh Blimpo? Is that right? Has your throwing skills gone down the drain?" Helga said, leaning in closer to Harold.

"What!? What is that lousy 11th grader saying about me?! Why I atta pound him!" Harold said, his voice filled with rage, "Come on guys." The gang took off in a rush, looking for Harold's old bully, who had dropped out of school a year ago. Arnold and Helga looked at each other.

"Wow thanks Helga," He smiled, "You saved me again haha." Arnold hinted to the time Helga saved Arnold back in the jungle. Helga smiled, rubbing her arm.

"Nothing to it football head, come on." Helga said, grabbing Arnold's wrist, dragging him through the halls. Helga and Arnold walked into the room just in time. Helga took a seat in the back corner of the class, leaving Arnold searching for a seat.

"Problem newbie?" The teacher asked, walking into the room holding a coffee. He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote his name on the board. Arnold turned and looked at him.

"No sir, I just uh." Arnold was dumbfounded. The teacher turned and looked at Arnold over his half glasses. A nervous Arnold found his way to a seat in the front row.

"Very well then." the teacher said, walking over to his seat. "Shall we begin with some poetry then class?" Arnold smiled, remembering Helga's poetry back in elementary. "Smiling newbie? Something funny? Or do you just really love poetry?"

"What?! Uh no, um but my friend over there is a real poet when it comes to words, go ahead Helga, throw em' one of your lines." Arnold said, pointing over to Helga. Helga glared at Arnold for pointing her on the spot.

"Is that right? Well pigtails go on." The teacher turning his attention to a nervous Helga in the corner. Helga groaned standing up to speak.

"With eyes like the deepest forest in the midst of summer, and the grace of the common house cat. You-" Helga was interrupted, her head lifted in surprise.

"Very well." The teacher said, waving his hand as if he were brushing the words away. Confused, Helga sunk back down to her seat. Her and Arnold exchanged looks as the teacher began his lesson. Helga raised her hand.

"Yes Pigtails?" The teacher asked. Helga scowled at her teacher.

"May I use the washroom?" She asked, standing up. She was going to go whether she had permission or not. The teacher did that waving thing again and nodded,

"Make it quick Pigtails." He said, fixing a few papers. Helga stopped in the doorway and turned around, walking up to the man's desk. Helga slammed her fist on the desk.

"My name is Helga. Got it? Helga G. Pataki, you call me Pigtails one more time, I will make this class a living Hell for you. Understand?" Helga said sternly, looking the man in the eyes. The teacher did nothing but wave his arm again, dismissing Helga's presence. The class sat there shocked. As Helga walked out of the class. The teacher slammed fist on the desk.

"Back to work people."

Helga roamed the empty halls, heading to the washroom. Entering the girlsroom, Helga made sure she was alone.

"Oh Arnold, why must you kill me with your kindness, you torture this soul with your gentle presence. How could someone as unquie and merciful as yourself ever return these feeling? Back in the jungle," Helga pulled out her locket from her bra. "It was only because I saved you. You were only caught up in the moment, weren't you my darling? You'll never return this feeling. I don't think you'll ever love a girl like me, will you Football Head." Helga turned to look in the mirror, she looked in disgust. Harold's voice played in her head. "You're so ugly Helga, no one would ever date you Helga." Helga sighed, splashed some water on her face and decided to return to class. Helga entered the room and took her seat in the back. There was a note folded up, sitting plainly on her desk. Helga looked around confused, grabbing it. She opened it under her desk.

"Would've liked to hear the rest of your poem Helga. Could I maybe hear it after class? -Arnold" Helga looked over at Arnold, who was working quietly in the front. Helga's re-read the note over and over, that was it, Helga didn't have anymore to the poem. She had made it up on the spot. Helga picked up her pencil and began to do her assignment, when the bell rang. All the students packed up their things and left the room, heading to their next classes.

"Hey Helga, you get my note?" Helga looked up from her work, to see Arnold looked down at her smiling.

"I got it Football head. But that was it Bucko, that was all of it, made it up on the spot." Helga said, starting to pack up. Arnold's smile faded.

"Oh, well maybe you could finish it, I thought it was pretty good." Arnold rubbed his arm awkwardly. "So what do you have now? Can you show me to my next class possibly?" Helga stood up, swinging her backpack around onto her back.

"Sure Football head but keep up this time." Helga said.