A/N: Just a heads up: a schedule for story updates is now on my profile. Feel free to check it out if you're curious!

Also, I just want to say, the thing about time is that you may forget exactly what you had planned when you mention them being in school in the previous chapter. They aren't in school here, but they will be next chapter. Just wanted to point that out since it's not consistent.

Thanks as well for all of the beautiful reviews! I love reading your thoughts, and instead of making personal mention as I normally would, just know that I've read each and every one and it warms my heart that you guys actually really like this crazy story. lol

Anyways, I know it's been a long time coming so I'll let you guys get into the chapter! ;)


Helga sighed as she dragged herself into the boarding house, feeling defeated. She was beyond exhausted and felt mentally tired. What she wouldn't give for a nice relaxing bath to put an end to the aches of defeat, but that was a boundary of being Arnold she wasn't sure she was ready to cross into yet. Not that she was against doing so. It just seemed like way too much temptation. Considering what little willpower she had while watching Arnold undress from behind his couch back in the fourth grade…well, she was sure she wouldn't be able to make it through a bath as the love of her life without fainting, and thus, drowning to death. She had no self-control when it came to Arnold, and she wasn't afraid to admit that.

She began her trek up the first flight of stairs to the second floor, wanting nothing more than to lie down and put a layer of sleep between her and what had been a very bizarre day. If they had to be stuck as each other for at least another day, which most likely would be the semi-unfortunate case, she was going to need her rest. More rest meant less stress, and she needed to be in tip top form tomorrow. Today had been a train wreck full of too many slip ups and awkward moments. Curly already knew the truth of the situation, and the only reason she didn't think to bound and gag him until this...experience ended was because Curly was insane. Who would believe him even if he did tell the truth? But...She stopped walking as a chill ran down her spine. There was a chance it could be his words against theirs should they continue to blunder about in what should be their own bodies. In that case, Curly's words would make a strange sort of sense. That thought bothered her immensely.

"Ah! There you are, Arnold," A voice said from somewhere behind her breaking her from her semi-meltdown. Helga begrudgingly turned to see Mr. Hyunh standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling as he waved to her. "I've been looking for you."

"Oh, um, have you really?" Helga asked, flustered. Why did they have to signal out Arnold now of all times? She was so close to hopping into Arnold's bed and just basking in the scent of him still upon his pillow for the rest of the night. Possibly writing a poem or two about their whole ordeal. Heck, she was used to her alone time. Here in the boarding house, however, she was beginning to realize there was barely any such thing as peace, quiet, or alone time. Sheesh, it was any wonder anybody got anything done around here.

"Of course. Did you forget you promised to help me tonight?"

"Me? Forget a promise? Never." She said. "Of course I'll help you. It's what I do after all. Heh."

"Great! Come with me!" He said, quickly fanning at her to come back down. "Mr. Kokoshka will never stand a chance!"

Helga groaned inwardly as she walked back whence she just came. Hopefully this wasn't a promise she would live to regret.


Arnold returned to the Pataki household with an ache still in his heart that he couldn't place. It was such a strong feeling that he had placed a hand to his chest to try and quell the pain, only to get a very soft and squishy reminder that he wasn't in his own body anymore. He blushed deeply scarlet, recoiling his hand fast. It was amazing how often he got reminded of the fact that Helga was, in fact, a girl now that he was her. Not that he didn't already know that. It was just more pronounced in nearly every way. In so many ways that it was nearly suffocating.

"I'm back," Arnold said, once he walked into Helga's home. It was dark in the hall and nobody came to greet him as would have been the norm at the boarding house. He wasn't met with complete silence, however. A soft melody came from a nearby room filling his ears. He closed the front door and walked into the den. Olga was playing the piano as she, Bob, and Miriam sang a tune he wasn't quite familiar with. It was probably the happiest he had ever seen the Pataki's. The trio each had big smiles on their faces as they belted out the words to sing along with the tune. "Hey, guys," Arnold said, again, walking into the den. "I'm-"

"Oh, that was just so wonderful, Olga," Miriam said, clasping her hands together as Olga ceased playing. "You've become such a marvelous player."

"Hey, hey, hey, just as long as you know she gets her talent from my side of the family," Big Bob said, poking a thumb into his chest, proudly. "The girl's a natural."

"Oh, thank you mommy and daddy," Olga said, turning around on the stool she sat on beaming at her parents. "You're just simply the best."

"We really couldn't have asked for a better daughter," Miriam said, wiping a tear from her eye.

Arnold cleared his throat, deciding to try once more to let them know he was back, safe and sound. "Um, excuse me? I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm-."

The rest of what he wanted to say got caught in his throat as he watched, slightly stunned, as they lumped together in the form of a hug, ignoring him completely. He couldn't have been more than ten feet away, yet they gave no show over being aware of his presence. Helga's presence. He took a step back feeling slightly ill. He knew thanks to her own words life in her home wasn't roses, but he didn't realize she had to go through...through this. Watching this. Feeling like nothing more than an outsider within her own family. It cut though him like a knife.

He left the den feeling disgusted and headed up the stairs to Helga's room. The photos on the wall, most absent of Helga, took on a far deeper meaning now than it had the first time he had seen them. It's amazing the things you can believe when you don't have the full story.

Arnold threw himself onto Helga's bed and stared up at her ceiling. The do-gooder in him wanted to, well, do something, but he knew Helga wouldn't approve. The goal wasn't to fix anything more than the end goal required and that was returning to his body and vice versa. Everything in between...well, that didn't matter. He needed to blend in, not let his natural tendencies take over. Become her, not do things as himself.

He glanced at Helga's diary, still where he had placed it on her dresser. Looking at it reminded him that he didn't really know who Helga was. The past few days opened his eyes to so many different facets of her that he blushed slightly. The more he learned the more he wanted to continue to learn. It was one of the reasons the forbidden diary enticed him so much. How did she really feel about the things happening in her life? Did she really like his cousin Arnie? How did she feel about him, Arnold, if he was even worthy enough to get a mention at all in her day to day life? The last question made him flip the pillow over his head. He wasn't sure he was ready for that answer, but that didn't stop him from wanting to know.