This is a short chapter. Hopefully, it's just as enjoyable. Thanks in advance for reading and reviewing. :)
Chapter 6: Flip A Coin
P.S.118
Auditorium
"Thank you so much for deciding to help with the costumes Eugene!" Sheena said excitedly.
"No problem Sheena. These should turn out great!" Eugene said, as he held up his soldier costume.
Between the yellow soldier jackets and blue bullfighter suit for Escamillo, the students could already picture their class looking just as amazing (if not more) than they did in 'Romeo and Juliet.'
The Boarding House
Arnold grabbed his notebook to take downstairs on his way to breakfast. Although he had finished the assignment, he felt it wouldn't hurt to get someone's opinion on the matter. Phil now knew his secret. What was the worst that could happen?
The blonde boy then entered the kitchen to see Pookie making pancakes in her cowgirl hat. "Morning Tex! How's Eleanor doing?"
Arnold took a seat at the table, and sighed "She's not here grandma. Where's grandpa?"
"Why, he's in his office Tex!" the eccentric lady said, placing the meal in front of her grandson.
Arnold began to start on his meal just as Phil entered the room
Fixing his suspenders after flushing the toilet, the elderly man took a seat with his grandson and said "Hey! Whatcha got there shortman?"
Arnold looked to see Phil glancing over at his notebook. Pushing it towards him, he replied "I finished my English paper. I thought maybe you could tell me if there's anything I should change?"
"Hmmm...let me see that thing." Phil picked up the notebook, and instantly began to chuckle.
Arnold watched the huge smile forming on his grandpa's face and asked "What's so funny?"
Phoebe's House
"Oh dear! How do you suppose this happened?" Phoebe asked, after hearing about Helga finding she had the wrong notebook.
Standing in frustration, Helga waved her hands in the air and scowled "I ran into Einstein on the way to class, just like I manage to do every day in practically every other area of this city!"
"Well, from what we've read, it appears as though he shares similar feelings towards you, which is what you've always hoped for."
Helga took a seat on the bed and sighed at her friend jumping to conclusions. "Pheebs, he said it was overwhelming, he didn't say he loves me. Dealing with Olga's show off qualities is overwhelming, but it's the last thing I enjoy. Sheesh!"
Arnold's Kitchen
Phil passed the notebook back to his grandson, laughing as he watched Arnold read it. "Well shortman, if you ever needed proof, you're looking right at it!"
As overwhelming as Arnold said this theory had been, sitting there, reading the proof of it wasn't so disturbing…
I sit behind you here each day
Wishing that there was a way
A way to tell you how I feel
My love for you is all too real
Waiting for the day you would say
You've always loved me the same way
The day I would at last admit
You were right about my benignant
Reading these sweet words made him not only realize everything Helga said to him on FTi was true, but answered a few other questions for him…
Who had written that pink book of poems?
Why did she tear out the last page?
Who did the poetic parrot he found belong to?
Why was she about to swing her umbrella at it?
Why did she kiss him so long during Romeo and Juliet (or even want the part)?
Why did she invite him to dinner at Chez Paris?
Why was she in his room when he was discussing a go kart with the boys?
What was she trying to tell him when she thought she was dying?
How could she miss such an easy word at the spelling bee?
What was she doing with his hat?
One Hour Later
Arnold's Room
After finally accepting the truth, Arnold decided there was someone's opinion he should get on the matter before taking things any further.
"Man, you two need to learn to watch where you're going!" Gerald said, shaking his head at Arnold's story.
Sitting on his red couch, Arnold smiled at the memory of running into Helga, now knowing what she must have been trying to say to him.
"Yeah, well the reason I called you…"
Gerald glared at his friend, and bluntly interrupted "Was to tell me Pataki's got the hots for you. Way ahead of you on that one buddy."
Arnold's eyes widened as he sat up straight in his seat and asked "How did you know?!"
Gerald then handed what Arnold assumed was his friend's own notebook of essay topics.
Flashback
Walk
After receiving an invitation to his best friend's house, Gerald started making his way towards the boarding house. The easy going boy was rounding the corner of the nearest building when suddenly...THUMP!
"Watch where you're going Geraldo!"
Gerald glared at his unfriendly classmate and said "Nice running into you too, Pataki."
"Pttss...whatever." Helga scoffed. Before she could get too far, Gerald noticed something in her hand.
"Where'd you get that notebook?"
Helga halted nervously, as if she felt she had just been put on trial. The anxious girl quickly whipped her head around and said "Notebook? What notebook?"
Placing his hands on his hips, Gerald glared and said "Surely not the one you're holding."
Scowling at his wittiness, Helga leaned in angrily and said "None of your beezewax Geraldo!"
"Uh huh? Then why does it have Arnold's name on it?"
Helga flipped the notebook over to see her beloved's name written on the back. Gulping at the evidence, she looked up to see Gerald still eyeing her and said "Well…"
End of Flashback
Arnold's Room
"I'm not going to pretend to understand that girl, but it's no secret how much attention you two have been paying each other since we saved the neighborhood." Gerald pointed out.
Arnold leaned forward, staring at the floor as he sighed "Well, hearing she felt that way about me was one thing. It wasn't exactly easy to believe right away."
"No kidding. I'm assuming she wrote something just as dramatic about you in her notebook?"
The Beeper Emporium
Helga entered the failing store to see an actual customer. Cocking her brow at the sight, she stood in the doorway, and listened to Bob say…
"What you mean you won't pay full price?! These are high quality beepers!"
Turning down the outdated merchandise, the customer said to the uptight salesman "I'm sorry sir. Judging by the sale sign outside your door, I expected a much lower price."
"Yeah, well good riddance!" Bob shouted, pointing the disappointed man out the door.
Helga rolled her eyes at her dad's firm pride. Placing her hands on her hips, she eyed the customer exiting the store and scoffed "Another great negotiation Bob."
Pointing a finger at his daughter who was heading for the attic, the former king snapped "Hey! You watch your mouth! I'm not selling my stock for less than it's worth! Big Bob Pataki's not a settler!"
"So your idea of aiming big is replacing our actual home with this sorry excuse for a business? Great priorities dad!"
Arnold's Room
Arnold leaned back on the couch as he sat patiently, waiting for his friend to finish reading what Helga had written about him.
"Mm, mm, mmm. Well, one thing's for sure…"
"What's that?"
"We now know who those anonymous poems read every other day in class are by." Gerald grinned at his now blushing friend.
"Gerald…"
Setting the notebook aside, the placid boy said "Relax man. Just ask her out. It doesn't have to be an actual date. If she really likes you (judging by this essay, I have no doubts), she won't turn you down."
Arnold smiled at his supportive friend's advice as he replied "Okay, thanks Gerald."
Gerald then stood from the bed to head out. Holding out his thumb for his friend, he said "Later man."
Phoebe's House
The astute girl was sitting at the dinner table, discussing her upcoming school event with her family.
"Phoebe dearest. What role will you be playing in your class performance?" Kyo asked his daughter.
"I'm fulfilling the role of Frasquita. A friend of the main gypsy, Carmen." Phoebe explained.
"We can't wait to see it dear! Who's playing Carmen?" Reba asked curiously.
"Well…."
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"I'll get it." Reba offered, standing from the table.
The sweet lady opened the door to see her daughter's classmate standing there. "Hello Gerald. What brings you here?"
"I needed to talk to Phoebe about something. Is she around?"
Reba turned her head to call inside for her daughter "Phoebe dear! You have a visitor!"
"Coming mother!"
Gerald stood on the porch, hearing the sweet girl approach the front door.
"Good evening Gerald. What brings you here?"
The pre-teen motioned for his favorite girl to join him outside, implying his visit wouldn't take long. "I just spoke with my man about Pataki."
A concerned look formed on the young Asian girl's face, wondering if Gerald had been filled in on all the details yet.
"Arnold's going to ask her out tomorrow…"
A smile then formed on Phoebe's face, feeling joy at last for her friend. Finally, a bit of light was showing in Helga's dark tunnel. That is, until she listened to Gerald continue.
"Do you think she'll say yes, or put on that defensive attitude of hers? It's like flipping a coin with that girl." Gerald glared, knowing if there was one person who could predict Helga, he was looking right at her.
