Sorry for the short chapter and late update. I've had a few things going on recently. I haven't forgotten about the story though.

Chapter 7: What's The Point?

After noticing the quiet taking place between him and his friend on the way to the park, Arnold finally decided now was as good a time as any to tell his friend what had been on his mind.

"Hey Gerald?"

The placid boy looked over at his best friend and asked "Yeah buddy?"

Arnold stared at the ground. Although he and Gerald shared everything with each other, that didn't mean they never judged each other for anything. What he was about to tell his friend he felt was the biggest thing he had ever kept from him.

The Park

Phoebe was sitting on the bench near the fountain, waiting for Helga's arrival. As she sat forward with her hands on her knees, it was as if Helga's tension had been passed over to her…

Is it right of me to interfere with Helga's feelings like this?

What if Arnold is no more ready than she seemed to be all this time?

What if he rejects her?

Phoebe was questioning her decision to move her friend along until she heard "Hey Pheebs."

Walk

Gerald stared at the locket his friend had found the courage to show him, but was having a hard time showing any surprise. After hearing Helga shouting her beloved's name in the hall (not to mention the discussion they had at lunch), a locket didn't seem to be a surprise.

Not caring about Gerald's lack of enthusiasm, Arnold said "It has to be some stupid prank."

Gerald then lifted an eyebrow at the assumption and asked "Why do you say that?"

Arnold's eyes widened at would should have been an obvious question "Because she hates me! Why would she spend all these years torturing me, just to have something like this made?

Now that Arnold was unloading his thoughts, Gerald felt as though he hadn't been fair to his friend.

Placing his arm around his best friend, Gerald sighed and said "Trust me man. It's not a prank."

Arnold noticed Gerald directing him away from the park and asked "Uhh where are we going?"

Knowing even if Helga did somehow find the guts to confess her feelings, that didn't mean Arnold was ready to hear it. How would he respond to such a surprising piece of information that turned out to be true?

The Park

Helga took a seat beside what still appeared to be her nervous friend and asked "So Pheebs, why'd you want to meet here?"

Phoebe wasn't one to get worked up, but the idea of Helga feeling as though she had betrayed her was beginning to form in her head. She only wanted the best for her friend, but what good would it do without knowing Arnold's opinion first?

"Well it's just such a lovely day. I thought you might enjoy taking a walk around the park together?"

Walk

After explaining his experience with Helga and her outspoken monologue, Gerald did his best to reassure his friend their rough classmate's behavior towards him was not meant to be taken in a harsh way.

Arnold stopped in bewilderment as he thought about all the times he felt someone liked him.

"So this means, the locket, the poems, the float, the parrot…"

"I don't know anyone else whose name rhymes with wacky." Gerald shrugged his shoulders, not believing he didn't see it before either.

Arnold looked down at the locket, thinking back to the memories he'd had with Helga and said "You know what Gerald? I think I need to go home and think about all this."

"I understand man."

Just as Arnold was turning around, he bumped into Helga and Phoebe.

"Oh I'm terribly sorry Arnold!" Phoebe apologized, as she began straightening her glasses.

Gerald looked over at Phoebe, and gave a look that implied Arnold wasn't ready yet.

Helga stood frozen, wondering if it was the right time to address Arnold about her feelings.

Arnold watched his confused friend stare continuously with wide eyes as he began to wave his hand in front of her "Helga? Helga are you alright?"

Helga then shook her head and scoffed "Of course I'm alright. At least I would be if you morons would start watching where you're going! Sheesh! Come on Pheebs."

Helga headed towards home while Gerald rolled his eyes at what was now considered to be a pathetic cover.

The Boarding House

Phil was sitting in the kitchen when he looked to see his grandson making an entrance. "Hey there shortman! Your girl confess yet?" he winked.

Arnold began tapping his fingers against the table and sighed "No, I wish she'd just be nicer to me."

Phil lifted an eyebrow and asked "What the heck does her behavior have to do with anything now that you finally got evidence of how she feels?!"

Arnold stared at his crazy relative and said "How am I supposed to decide how I feel about her, if she keeps treating me like this?"

Phil chuckled and replied "I told you everything your grandma did to me. Then one day she decided to leave me alone and pick on another kid. It was the worst day of my life! Quit the game, flunk the test, there's only one rule to remember...She's been claimed, and YOU have too."

Arnold stood from the table as he watched Phil point what seemed like a serious finger at him and said "Uhh right grandpa."