A/N: Didn't think I'll get it done today, but I did! Chapter 7 is now live! :D


"I tried to tell you man." Gerald said, for the tenth time. "But you just had to believe she was different."

"She's just upset Gerald," Arnold said, playing with his food. He was miserable and Gerald wasn't helping.

"According to you she had no reason to do…this." Gerald motioned to the tapioca pudding stains that covered Arnold. Helga had dowsed him in the desert as they stood next to each other in the lunch line. To be fair she had told him not to talk to her and he had continued to try…three times. Arnold shrugged. He hadn't filled Gerald in on all the details and he wasn't going to do so now.

"You know what? Sitting here and doing nothing isn't making me feel better. I'm going to go and talk to her."

"Arnold, man. Are you serious?"

"Yes…I really like her."

Gerald stared at Arnold and Arnold stared back. "Are you sure you're serious?"

"Yes, Gerald. I am."

Gerald shook his head. "I'm sorry man, but I just don't get it. For most of our lives, especially yours, Helga has been our personal tormentor. Even now she's still doing it. I mean look at you! The butt of one of her schemes again. And you like her? It's dizzying to think about."

Arnold just smiled hesitantly. "She grew on me?"

"Helga doesn't grow on people. She haunts their every waking thought and dreams."

"I think that's going a little bit too far."

Gerald shook his head. "What's gone too far are your feelings for Helga, but whatever man."

Arnold gave a small smile to that. If anyone had ever told him he'd actually like Helga he'd have laughed and laughed again, but now? He looked over at her and could feel his heart race as he remembered actually initiating a kiss. The question now was, if he liked her what was he going to do about it?

Arnold stood up and walked over to Helga's table. She was laughing at something Phoebe was telling her. "Really Pheebs, next time there's a shindig like that remember to invite me."

"Okay Helga. Remembering!"

Arnold said nothing as he pulled out a chair from a nearby table and pulled it over to Helga and Phoebe's. Then he sat down and folded his arms on the table. "What the heck football head? I don't remember saying you could sit at my table."

"You didn't. I invited myself." He was tired of the games. It was amazing how Helga was the only one who could really get under his skin. He was sad yesterday sure, but then he grew angry. She hadn't wanted to listen to him explain. She didn't want him too.

Helga was shocked. She was sure Arnold just told her off in a way. There was no apology like the old Arnold would have done. Just a straight, 'yeah I'm sitting here, so what are you going to do about it?' Arnold was freaking challenging her. Helga G. Pataki. She felt insulted.

"Arnoldo, move it." She glared at him.

"Make me." He leaned back in his chair and shot her a half lidded glance.

She hated to admit it, but she was impressed. He wasn't afraid of her anymore. She wasn't sure if he was very brave or very stupid. They were in school after all. If push came to shove, she'd have to rough him up a bit. "Trust me, I want to, but I'm giving you a chance to make the wise decision here."

He glanced at her, then turned to Phoebe. Oh, so now he was ignoring her? "Phoebe, I think Gerald wants to talk to you."

Phoebe had been watching the exchange between Arnold and Helga since the beginning and a part of her wanted to watch until the end. She was sure she had never seen Arnold act like this, besides maybe April Fools. She wasn't stupid, she knew Arnold wanted to talk to Helga alone, but she couldn't help but look at her best friend. To leave her seemed like betraying her, but Helga only shrugged.

"Okay, then. I'll go and see what he wants…I'll be back Helga."

After Phoebe left, Arnold looked back at Helga and grinned. "What?" Helga asked, annoyed.

"You could have told Phoebe to stay. Wasn't your main goal to kick me from the table, not your best friend?"

Helga blinked. She realized he was right. She had been going by his flow. How had she let that happen? She couldn't help but look at him with a bit of awe. Then she realized she was supposed to be mad at him, probably even more so for getting the better hand.

"Look Helga we need to talk."

"…There's nothing to talk about Arnold. You said more than enough yesterday."

"Helga…"

"No football head, I don't want to talk to you."

"Fine." He placed his hand over hers and gently entangled his fingers through hers. "We don't have to talk if you don't want to."

She looked down at their hands in shock. She could feel herself slipping, but then she remembered they were in the cafeteria! At school! She snatched her hand away and scowled. "What on EARTH do you think you're doing?" She hissed at him.

"Not talking. I mean there's the easy way, or there's the, you can talk to me way. Your choice Helga."

Helga glowered. He was actually going to manipulate her emotions. She didn't realize Arnold could be so cruel. It seemed dark Arnold had come out to play. "Fine. We'll talk."

She stood up and marched out of the cafeteria. She leaned back against a set of lockers and caught sight of Arnold racing out after a few moments. "Why'd you do that Helga?"

"Criminy, Arnold. You think we could actually talk in there?"

He thought about it and realized she was right. "I guess not."

"So what did you want to talk about? And it better be important football head."

"…You have pretty eyes."

"WHAT?" She turned towards him, blushing hard.

He blushed in return. "Um…well that's not what I wanted to talk about…but it is true."

"Oh, Arnold! You adorable little-" She smacked both of her cheeks. Not today. She was not going to go there today.

Arnold cleared his throat. "Helga there's something I just need to come right out and tell you. I-"

The cafeteria door swung open and Gerald with Phoebe trailing a bit behind came out. "Hey, Arnold. Is everything okay? I saw you and Helga storm off and I was worried she was beating you to a pulp."

"Tall hairboy. Does it look like I'm doing that?" Helga asked, still leaned back against the lockers.

"Well…no, but you could have been. That's why me and Phoebe came to check on you two."

"We were just talking Gerald." Arnold said, annoyed that he was interrupted before he actually got the chance to confess. He was so close too.

"Yeah, I can see that now, but how was I to know that? It's not like it's that much of a stretch."

Helga chuckled. "In that case I'm not complaining."

"See? She's even implying it."

"Whatever," Arnold sighed. "Just forget it."

"While I can't say my time wasn't completely wasted, it's been interesting, so I won't complain about it too much." Helga slapped Arnold on the back. "I'll catch ya later football head. Come on Pheebs."

"Coming!"

As the girls walked off Gerald turned and looked at his best friend. "Everything okay man?"

Arnold's anger dissipated and he groaned. "I was about to confess and then you had to go and ruin it."

"Whoa, whoa. You were seriously going to tell her you like her?"

"Gerald!"

"Sorry man, that's that denial in me talking."

"I don't know if I'll get another chance, and getting that opportunity had me doing things I wouldn't do normally." He blushed as he thought back to how bold he was in the cafeteria.

Gerald was quiet, and then he sighed. "Man, it was my fault so I'll help you get another chance to…well, ya know?"

"Confess?"

"Yeah, that. It's the least I can do. I may not be Helga's biggest fan, but if you like her there must be something there right? Plus, we're like brothers. If you want to win Helga over I'll support you one hundred percent."

Arnold smiled. "Thanks Gerald."

"I still think you're completely crazy though." Arnold raised an eyebrow. "Hey, one step at a time my man. One step at a time."

They did their secret handshake and walked to Mr. Simmons class. Lunch was nearly over and it would have been pointless to walk back in. Arnold was just glad he had his best friend to help him.


"Pheebs, I'm pretty sure he was going to confess." Helga said. She and Phoebe had gone outside for their last few minutes of lunch. They were leaning on the brick building watching the second graders play.

Phoebe's mouth turned into an 'o' at the news Helga just gave. "Oh, my gosh! Really? I'm so sorry Helga! If me and Gerald hadn't interrupted…"

"I'm not."

"Why?"

"I guess…I'm scared. I've never thought about him actually liking me back you know? At least not where it hasn't been just a dream."

"Aren't you ready for it to happen in reality? You've liked…ice cream for a very long time now."

"Yeah…I just don't know how I'll act. Maybe he only likes the me who monologs to him. There's more to me than that. That's a part of me sure, but that part of me was only made really active thanks to brain damage. I'm still Helga G. Pataki darn it."

"I'm sure ice cream knows that more than anyone." The lunch bell signaled that it was time to go back to class. "I guess…you can always wonder what if or you can give him the chance you've wanted for nearly all of your life. You're my best friend Helga, I'll support you either way. I just want you to be happy."

Helga smiled. "Thanks Pheebs. I know I don't say it a lot, but…I'm really glad you're my best friend."

Phoebe gave her a bright smile in return. "Thanks Helga." The two walked back to class, both with big grins on their faces.

Best friends really were irreplaceable.


A/N: Aww! I like this chapter. I probably say that a lot, but it's true! Honest! I realized that I hardly ever actually showed any Helga/Phoebe moments, so I thought to actually do that for once. I really like Helga and Phoebe's friendship, so why hasn't it been shown until now? Mainly because they have such a unique friendship. I wasn't sure how exactly I wanted to go about actual conversations between them. I didn't want it to seem unlike how they might converse, but I'm happy with the outcome. ^^ Thanks for reading! Chapter 8 is a toss up. It might be a few days before I get around to it, but I thank all loyal readers for your patience. I promise to try and make it reeeeeally good in return! (: