Let's Be 'Friends'
Chapter Four: Learning Experience
To Arnold, Helga's body spoke a complicated, confusing and foreign language. Her lips were sweet and he always had this fleeting memory of strawberry ice cream when he kissed her, but her mouth spoke violent words. At school. In his room. Through the airwaves of telephones and text messages. Her hands were tense around his shoulders but her hips willingly pushed forwards. She'd tremble when he touched her first and always tried hard to stifle her moans.
He felt badly about that. He didn't know why. It was like she was hiding how she truly felt, how much she enjoyed it. At this point, he didn't care if she started barking, as long as she was having fun. Plus it was always nice to hear how well he was doing.
"I promise you no one can hear anything," he whispered and nipped at her shoulder. She didn't respond, but instead pulled his lips back to hers. He removed his again. "You could be screaming at the top of your lungs and my grandparents still wouldn't hear it. They're half deaf from this distance."
Helga pressed her lips together tightly. "Prove it."
He grinned, hearing those two words that got him into this entire situation in the first place.
Arnold took a deep breath and screamed as loud as he could.
Helga jumped back in surprise, falling off of the bed.
They waited in silence for sixty seconds, then there was a knock on the door. Helga jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain in her back and scrambled up the ladder. Arnold laughed and followed her. When she ran towards the fire escape, he lunged for her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back with all the force he could manage. She screamed and kicked her legs, every moveable body part flailing in the air.
"Put me down Football Head!"
Arnold walked over to the old piano his grandma had put up on the roof in fourth grade. He laid Helga down on the body, despite the fact that it was covered in a layer of dirt and grime from rain storms and windy days. Helga laughed as Arnold climbed on top as well. The two wrestled against the piano top.
It escalated quickly after that, becoming a tickle fight as the screams and laughter grew louder. Helga tickled Arnold's sides, knowing he was pretty sensitive, while Arnold hooked his hands on the back of Helga's knees. She suddenly regretted wearing shorts.
"No, ah, stop!" Arnold was laughing and struggling to keep Helga still.
The low rumble of thunder made the teens looks up to the sky. "Shit! We gotta get inside!"
Arnold laughed and pressed his weight on Helga, "No! You gotta learn to enjoy the little things!"
"Like being crushed by my FWB?"
He smiled, despite the little pang he felt in his chest. Part of him had hoped she'd slip and call him her boyfriend.
And that idea didn't bother him like it used to. They had almost six weeks dedicated to this 'relationship', six weeks of sneaking around after school and on weekends, avoiding their best friend's questionings with more lies. Six weeks of kissing and talking in between kissing.
And of course, Lila was still offering advice to Arnold about how to handle his 'secret relationship.'
Helga would always send Lila glares from across the hallway. Gerald didn't like the sight of Lila either, so he'd usually whisk Arnold off to anywhere but there. And Arnold would always be grateful to Gerald for that. But then he'd start tying to convince Arnold to start dating again. Gerald even asked the secret Hillwood informant Fuzzy Slippers for a list of girls from all high schools who were available.
But Arnold would shake his head and tell his best friend he was enjoying the single life.
Gerald always noticed that little smile Arnold tried to hide when he said 'single life'. He knew something was up. Especially since Arnold was a horrible lair, even though texts. Gerald knew he was hiding something. He'd been planning tons of surprise visits, dropping by the boarding house unannounced after school, hoping to catch him doing. . .something. And every other time he did Arnold would come down stairs all flustered and a little annoyed.
Arnold had to tell Helga Gerald was onto them, or at least suspicious of his behavior. Maybe then she'd finally agree to go somewhere besides the Sunset Arms.
There was another roar of thunder. He kissed her just as the rain began coming down.
It started out light, a few drizzles hitting the back of Arnold's shirt. Then it was as if they Gods themselves were crying because the water began pouring, drenching Arnold and part of Helga in less than a minute.
Helga shrieked again, this time due to the cold temperature.
"Get off me!" Helga wiggled her way out from under Arnold, only to groan again as he picked her up. "You have to stop doing that!"
He gently sunk his teeth against her skin, only allowing a slight amount of pressure, "If you'd stop running I wouldn't have to use force."
Finally, Helga let out a low moan from the back of her throat.
"Success," Arnold whispered.
Helga rolled her eyes and tried to push some wet hair off her face. Shortly after starting being friends with benefits, Arnold said he preferred her with her hair down and she'd always kept it that way when they were together.
"It's freezing out now, can we get inside?"
Arnold kept his gripped locked on Helga and spun her around, laughing. It wasn't until the dangerous flash of lightning less than a mile away that Arnold decided to bring Helga inside.
She looked like a sad, wet puppy standing in his room. Her tried to stay focused on her face and ignore the fact that her yellow t-shirt was now see through. He had to ignore the fact that her lace bra was visible.
They still hadn't crossed that boundary.
He didn't want to push, didn't want to force her. It was all going to be up to her. If he got to pick the times, she got to pick the bases. "Let me go get us some towels." Arnold shrugged out of his wet shirt and socks, watching Helga trying to avoid looking at him. "Helga?"
She lifted her head, but quickly averted her gaze. Her skin had paled from being outside in the cold rain and he could see the blush spread across her cheeks.
"You can look at me. You know it's okay, right? I mean, isn't that one of the benefits?"
She was a shade of fuchsia now. He wasn't sure if he'd heard her whimper or not.
Arnold opened the door, "Am I making you uncomfortable, should I just-?" He turned to leave, but suddenly felt a force behind him closing his door with a slam. Seconds later, cold hands were on his damp chest, holding her up as she leaned in to kiss him. Her face was covered in rain drops and it made him think of tears. His hand cupped her face, feeling the warmth from her blush, and wiped away the rain.
Her hands were caressing his skin, roaming against his back as he lifted off the door. He was focused on kissing her, holding her as close as he could. He shivered as her wet t-shirt met with his warming body.
And then suddenly the cold was gone.
Arnold didn't know if he should have been that impressed by the fact she had shimmied out of her t-shirt without breaking the kiss. He pulled back to see it pooled around her feet and stared at her, unmoving.
Helga pulled him away from the door and together they collapsed onto the couch. Helga tried to stop herself from crushing him as they fell, but Arnold's grip against her was strong. They almost knocked heads.
Helga sat up and Arnold rolled around so her back was to the edge and her legs wrapped around his waist. He ran his fingers along her cuves, up from her hips and around her waist. She was trembling, kissing him with the most passion he'd felt since he was nine.
Oh yeah, he remembered. And part of him considered what she said to be the main reason this was happening.
But he couldn't think about FTi right now because Helga's hand was locked around his wrist and pulling his hand to her chest. Her hand then returned to his hair, a moan greeting his mouth as he massaged her breasts through the fabric.
When they pulled apart for air, Helga worked quickly to unhook her bra and toss it aside, not caring where it landed. One of his hands gently caressed her stomach, tracing circles up around her ribs.
Her heart was pouding and she knew this time he could feel it.
His tongue met with the curve of her jaw before he pulled back, kissing the spot. His hands continued his ministrations as Helga pressed her lips to his. Arnold groaned as he nails skirted along his back, he felt himself melting against her touch.
"Oh God," Helga gasped.
Arnold hummed against her quickening pulse, grazing the hollow of her throat with butterfly kisses.
Arnold was a fast learner. A few "study sessions" with Helga and he knew what made her tick. She'd always get a chill when he kissed her behind the ear. She liked giving him hickeys on his chest and playing with his hair while they talked. She'd always take a deep breath after they stopped kissing for the day and look at him with a hint of fear in her eyes, like if she stopped watching him he'd disappear into thin air.
She hated talking about her family and always kept a strong face when she had to leave. Her favorite song to play on the guitar was a Taylor Swift song ("No judging! They're easy to learn and so fucking catchy!") and she had a habit of eating ice cream instead of real food for dinner. She preferred playing her guitar, but didn't mind strumming Arnold's in between make out sessions.
She was willing to push Arnold to his limits. With his patience and with his. . .breathing.
Helga laughed into their kiss as Arnold lifted her into the air and carried her to the bed. Arnold met his mattress with a quiet thud, Helga leaning over him with her hands on her hips, smirking triumphantly. He admired her half naked body, his hands running over her smooth skin. She pressed her palms against his pecks, preventing him from sitting up and kissing her.
"I think I need to shower."
Arnold wiggled under her, trying to stand up, but she was strong. Much stronger than she looked. "You're evil," he teased.
"Payback's a bitch for making me stay in the rain, Football Head. Maybe I'll just sit on you until your legs go numb." She wiggled against his lap and he felt himself hold back a growl.
Damn it.
Helga knew exactly what she was doing, that gleam in her eye said she did.
Arnold flashed her a helpless look and she sighed, leaning down to press bare chest against bare chest. "You're no fun, Arnold."
"I resent that," he said before scooping her up and spinning her around.
A sudden crack of lightning made Helga scream because the power went out. Arnold slowly lowered Helga to the ground, holding her close. "Think you can get dressed in the dark? I know Grandpa's gonna want to come get us." He found his way to the closet.
"Well my shirt's still wet."
She was pretty sure it was almost dry. But when would she ever get the chance to wear one of Arnold's shirts again? Probably never, so she was going to milk this scene for as long as she could.
"Okay, here," Arnold disappeared into his closet and pulled out two of his button ups, the first things he could grab. His eyes were adjusting to the dark, but that still didn't stop him from calling out to Helga. "You there?"
"I'm on your bed." She was sitting crossed legged, bra and t-shirt in hand.
He handed her a shirt. "Are you hungry?"
"Always."
"We should go to Salusen's when it lets up. You know, get some ice cream for dinner."
Helga smirked as she buttoned up the shirt, rubbing the ends in between her fingers. It was softer than she expected, like it was worn often. The sleeves fell far down past her hands, so she focused on rolling them back instead of answering. Maybe she could act like she didn't hear him. . .
"Helga, don't you want to go get food?"
She sighed, "I don't know if that's a good idea."
"Look, Gerald's getting suspicious. And my Grandpa can only lie so many times before he forgets things. Gerald's been dropping by every day before you sneak over. I think we should tell him."
"I. . . I don't know."
"Jack! Don't let go!"
Helga and Arnold turned their heads to see Gertie standing in the doorway in a sailor's uniform, a swinging glass lantern in her hand. The soft glow from the candle illuminated the space between them. "Quick, Rose, there's no need to be selfish with the door! The rescue boats are here for both of you!"
"Jack? Rose?" she whispered.
"Titanic," Arnold replied, pulling Helga towards the door. He put one hand on his grandmother's shoulder and started to follow her down the stairs. He never realized how dangerous it was to not have a railing to hold on to.
"Never seen it."
"How have you not seen Titanic?" Helga shrugged, trying to ignore the jolt of excitement she felt when Arnold reached behind him and held her hand, squeezing her fingers. "We'll watch it later."
Gertie continued banging on everyone of the boarder's doors, asking for everyone to sound off. Ernie Potts answered her with a brick being tossed at the door in frustration, while Mr. Hyunnh offered to carry her lamp. Susie and Oskar Kokoshka were busy arguing about the power outage, so Gertie did not disturb them.
They made it to the kitchen to see Phil sitting at the table with a small candle, holding the newspaper up over it. "We're all accounted for, Captain Edward Smith!"
"At ease, Pookie," Phil replied, saluting his loveable and slightly insane wife. "How are you two?"
Arnold pulled out a chair, nudging Helga into it. "Fine. We were caught in the beginning of the storm, but we're okay now."
"That's good. The power should return soon and if it doesn't the generator will kick on within the hour."
"So what should we do until then?"
Phil lowered his newspapers and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then an idea struck him. He picked up the candle and searched the drawers in the kitchen for an old deck of cards. "Who wants to play poker?"
Helga grinned, "I'm down for it."
Phil shuffled the cards, picking up a bag of Chex Mix to act as chips. "I tried teaching Arnold once, but he wasn't too into it."
Arnold rolled his eyes when he saw Helga chuckle.
"What are we gonna play?"
"I know 'em all. Tell me your favorite."
"How about Texas Hold 'Em?"
Grandpa smiled, handing Arnold the shuffled deck. "You be the dealer."
Arnold took the deck and mixed them up one more time, "Okay, walk me through it."
Arnold dealt both players two cards face down. Helga and his grandfather discussed the monetary value of each snack, then tossed in the appropriate amounts for their blind bets. Arnold had never seen his grandfather so serious before. He knew Phil understood that the game was just a game, and the fact that he was putting on a poker face made Arnold want to laugh.
Once the first bets were placed, Arnold was told to deal three cards into the middle. There was more betting, and another card turned over into the center of the kitchen table.
Arnold had dealt a four, the king of spades, an eight and a seven onto the midde.
Phil had an ace of spades and a nine. He knew he could make an ace high-flush (meaning he had numbers in numerical order, 9, 8, 7), and that was pretty good. Helga had a very solid poker face, her eyes were calm and relaxed and her face seemed to be emotionless.
He stared at her intently, trying to make her crack. He wondered how high their betting would go before she'd give up.
Helga had been dealt two kings. Looks like her FWB was a pretty bad shuffler. She could make a Full House with three kings and the two fours. She knew Phil didn't have anything to beat that. But she liked playing with him, so she continued to up the ante. She started making faces of doubt and confusion at her cards, giving him a bit of confidence in his hand.
Arnold had no idea what was going on, other than the silence. He could hear the rain hitting the rusted gutter outside the kitchen window, and occasionally Helga would tap a mini pretzel against the table as she stared at her cards.
"You gonna give up, Pataki?"
Helga smirked, "In your dreams, old man."
"Old man?"
"You heard me, grandpa. You're gonna lose to a teenaged girl." Helga quirked her eyebrow, holding back a laugh as Arnold covered his mouth to hide his smile.
"Steely" Phil laughed, "I've been losing to a girl all my life." He winked at Arnold, whose face immediately became horrified. "Yeah, there was this girl my class who always beat me at everything and never let me forget it."
Helga kept her face passive, despite the curiosity creeping into her voice, "Really?"
"Mhmm. Picked on me mercilessly for years. And if I tried to get her back she was two steps ahead, getting me in trouble for something I never did."
"So what happened?"
"She kept picking on me until I finally I asked her why. Why me? What had I ever done to deserve such horrible tormenting? I was nice and I tried to be friends with everyone, but she just always seemed to hate me."
Helga bit her lip. Somehow this was hitting a little too close to home. She cleared her throat, tossing in another pretzel to encourage the focus to go back onto the game. The pot was up to $35 now, not that it mattered. She just had to think about something else. Anything else.
"What did she say?"
Phil shrugged, sporting a very knowing smile. Helga felt like he was staring into her soul. "That she was in love with me and acted out to hide her feelings."
Okay, now this was getting ridiculous. He was definitely playing something else besides poker.
But Helga couldn't find her voice. It just got lost on the way out, her mouth opening and closing as if she was going to say something. But she didn't.
Arnold's look of horror only increased with every question Helga asked. He knew what his grandpa was doing, damn it. For an old guy, he was certainly quick and observant. And he just loved making Arnold's life a living hell.
Helga cleared her throat, putting her cards down on the table. Suddenly the game no longer had any appeal. "So then what happened?"
Phil flipped his cards over, grinning as he said, "I married her."
Arnold didn't know what scared him more, the lights flickering on and the wild shout from his grandmother or the look of shock on Hegla's face as she bolted to her feet, trying to run away.
Before Phil could even blink, Arnold was in the hallway, grabbing her hand. Phil heard her yell, and then it got eerily quiet for a few minutes.
Then the sounds of four feet slamming against the stairs carried away to Arnold's room.
Phil rose to his feet, shaking his head back and forth. "I'm a crazy ol' coot," he smirked and brushed the 'chips' back into the bag, folding it shut and putting it away. He picked up the cards, and was ready to put Helga's back in the deck, but curiosity got the better of him. Phil flipped over Helga's cards and laughed.
She'd won.
