Thanks, Vanessa for the encouragement. I hope you're home to read this now:P

Make sure you guys check out her story If We Had Been Together. You'll love it!


He stood in the mirror and finger combed his locks. He looked at his reflection bewildered. Why am I fixing my hair?

A heavy knock echoed in his room and made the pictures on his wall shake. He opened his door to reveal a spitfire.

"Hey, Helga." He observed her again; she was wearing something different from her usual boyish clothes. Slightly more feminine, while still fitting Helga's persona.

"Arnold." She observed his less messy hair and the absence of his usual 'kilt.' Instead, he wore a simple boring T-shirt and jeans. His good looks still shined through. Helga hated to admit it, but it was a fact.

Why is he just standing there? "Well," Her jaw clenched as she scowled. "Are you going to stare like a creep or let me in?"

Okay, stop being weird. Arnold shook his head as he moved aside.

For a few minutes, the only thing heard was the rustling of papers. But there was less tension compared to the previous day. "Helga," She flinched at his voice breaking the silence. "Could I ask what you do after school every day? And why you never play baseball with us?"

"You just did." She remarked attitudinally. Still, he seemed to be patiently waiting, a glee of hope in his eyes.

I won't tell ... Her shoulders slouched. I know it's silly, they'll find out soon. Her facial muscles stiffened. I'm holding on to my dignity for as long as I can.

"It's none of your football headed business." Upon hearing that, he smothered a laugh at her predictable comment. It's best not to laugh; she won't take that well. She clicked her pen. "Now can we get this on with this."

"S-Sure..." I had a feeling she wouldn't tell me, and that's fine. I hope one day she will trust me ...

Helga flipped over the paper and began to read aloud. "What emotions did you experience throughout the film?" Arnold and Helga stared at each other to decide who will go first. Helga huffed. "I'll start I guess ... since you're too chicken." Arnold rolled his eyes. "Alright, so, I can't just pick one. I felt anger, sadness, c-compassion, even intrigue. A lot of the scenes elicited those emotions all at once. I thought this movie touched on the harsh effects of neglect and poverty. These kids came from broken homes and weren't given the moral guidance most kids from working families receive. So, mainly, I felt angry at the adults and sympathize with these guys. But, I love how they weren't one-dimensional thugs. It showed how everyone is layered and how the environment plays a key role. In spite of their surroundings, Ponyboy proved some have a natural sense of right and wrong. He seemed to use his dreams as a way to escape from his reality, even if it was only for a moment."

She gave Arnold a look over. "Then there's the idea of conformity. Not just conforming to the gang lifestyle, but the culture of high school and being a teenager. For example, when the popular rich girl Cherry tells Ponyboy she won't speak when she sees him in school. You feel how much that hurt her, but she was surrendering to the unwritten rules of her social clique. No matter what, there's always pressure to succumb to what society expects; to blend in with the crowd. But, still, there's always a choice." Helga sighed and shook her head. "A decision to stand alone and decide what you want to do with your life regardless of outside opinions. It takes a lot of courage and a boat load of strength."

Arnold nodded as he continued to type. "I agree, it did bring out a lot of emotions. Mainly, I felt a sense of happiness witnessing a group of guys creating a family even if it was a gang. I think at heart it was a family. None had a proper one, so they became a support system for each other." He paused and his forehead creased. "I also felt incredibly helpless watching this. I wanted to jump through the screen and offer resources, advice, something. I was waiting the entire time to see an adult figure provide some form of intervention. But that never happened. As frustrating as that was, I suppose I appreciate it because life isn't only a happy ending. In the aftermath, I feel less judgmental of kids who've gone down the wrong path. That could have been any of us." He glanced at Helga. "And I think like the characters in the movie, we would be there for each other in spite of our differences. Because even in the midst of darkness, true friendship and love will always prevail."

Helga got lost in emerald and put her eyes elsewhere. Oh, Arnold. Her mouth curved dreamily.


With every question and response, Helga's walls seemed to budge a little; while Arnold's intrigue deepened. Now on the last part, he finished typing and printed out the glossy paper from the day before.

"So," He beamed when he pulled it out of the printer and handed it over to her. "I think we got an A book reaction and-

She took it from him. "Doi."

"Hopefully, an A film reaction." Replied Arnold as he shifted back to face his computer.

"Hopefully?" She stuck up her nose. "You're working with Helga G. Pataki I get A's in my sleep." Her eyes went up and down him. "You should feel grateful about being partnered with me."

Arnold huffed, but the corners of his mouth still turned up. I'll admit I like working with her more than expected. A lot more. When he peeked at her, he smirked. I won't say that, though. "Sure, Helga."

Helga organized her things. "Okay, well, times up-"

"Hold on," He stood up abruptly with his hands up. "Wait a second. I'll be right back." Helga shrugged and watched him vacate.

Her eyes rounded when he entered with plates. "Did you make this?" He nodded. "For me? Why?"

He shrugged and put her plate in front of her. "I don't know," He scratched the back of his neck. "You seemed so hungry yesterday, so I thought." Arnold trailed off, swallowed and looked away. I just wanted to, I guess.

Stop making it hard to be angry at you. Helga looked back and forth between a visibly flushed Arnold and the food. "Oh ... Well, thanks."

"No problem." He released a sigh and watched as she took out a notebook and pen to jot something down while chewing. He observed how her face softened as she continued. "I couldn't help but notice you write a lot. Is that one of your hobbies?"

A hobby passes the time; it doesn't fill most of it. "More than a hobby Arnoldo."

"Oh, so it's your passion," Helga blank stared. "What is it about writing that you like so much?"

In a blink of an eye, she went from impassive to exasperated. "Criminy, what is this an interrogation?!"

Arnold sighed. Bad idea. If she wants to open up, she'll do it on her own. I won't push her. "Sorry, I was only curious. It's not a big deal. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He shifted and began to eat his food.

Helga put her pen down and cracked her knuckles while staring out of his skylight. Her hands reached towards the food but froze. I suppose it wouldn't kill me to answer his question. He did reveal some personal stuff himself. And he went through the trouble of fixing this. And I'd like to finish eating. I'm freaking' starving!

She drummed her fingers on the desk. Her eyes darted from left to right. "Writing is a way of fleshing out everything's that's going on inside me." Arnold turned to her intently. "Because you know there are many things I-I have a hard time verbalizing." She paused and frowned more thoughtful way. "The majority of the time, I don't have anyone I trust around who can offer an ear. So I use writing to vent or else I'll end up biting everyone's heads off. I've grown attached to it because along the way; I've gained a better understanding of me." She tapped her pen against his desk. "In a strange way, writing it keeps me from believing everything I hear, see and read. Keeps me a little skeptical and questioning. In some way, it keeps me sane and forces me to become more trusting of my instincts." Helga bit her tongue.

She reached to grip the food and took a few short bites.

Wow, impressive. I wasn't expecting her to answer, especially not in such details. "I wish I had something so specific I felt that passionate about." Helga refused to look at him, but she could hear and not see that he was smiling. She seems open; maybe I can't ask something else. "Is that what you want to do with your life?"

Upon swallowing, she then took a second to ponder. "Maybe.." There was laughter in her voice. "That is if the hail ruler of the world is filled." He chuckled at that, and she flicked him a smirk."Don't know if I'll pick it as a career. I do know it'll always be something I'll want to do with my spare time. It just comes naturally." She shrugged once making eye contact. He was smiling in an appealing kind way he does when he's happy or impressed. She didn't know how he managed to get her to open up so much. "Yeah." Her eyebrows raised as she stood up. "We're done here. Better get two A's or." She pushed a tight fist near his face.

An unfrazzled Arnold's smile didn't falter. "Don't worry; I'm sure we will." She opened his door about to leave. "Hey, um," He rubbed his arm when Helga turned with an air of indifference. "I couldn't help, but notice you've been like..." He scratched his head. "Talking to me."

Her eyebrows moved together. The heck is this dude trying to say? "Uh, duh, hair boy, I have to."

Arnold looked at her skeptically. "Yeah, but, you've talked to me about more than school stuff. Like just a minute ago." He paused, looking at his feet as he shuffled them. "And well, I was hoping that meant you'd forgiven me for what happened?"

Yes. Helga folded her arms. "No." You liar. She stared him down, and he looked hurt. "If you explain to me why you acted like a pompous jerk." She beheld him with smugness. "I just might."

"Oh, well, okay." That seems fair. He sighed. "Right before you walked in Lila told me she was breaking up with me to date Stinky."

Helga waited for more, but nerves seem to be getting the best of him. "I figured it was something like that. Everyone kind of knew she had a thing for Stinky." He shrugged his eyes everywhere, but on her. "It's not the first time the girl dropped you for another guy if I remember right?" She cringed at her words. "But I'm sure that wasn't easy to deal with."

Arnold stepped back and sat down on his couch. His mouth opened, eyes softened, but remained thoughtful. "I was mad 'cause I put my all into making things right and at the end, it felt like it was all for nothing." His eyes met hers and he held contact for a moment. "Still, I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You had nothing to do with my relationship with Lila. Like I said before when I heard your voice all I could remember were the times you made fun of me. But," He shook his head. "You didn't even laugh at me when she told me she didn't like me back in the fourth grade." There was a long silence. "To be honest, I got over the break up relatively quickly. I don't even hold any grudges. What I've had a hard time with is the fact that I hurt you and we spent all this time hardly speaking."

Helga's eyes bugged. "Wait a second; you are trying to convince me that you've been more upset about Helga G. Pataki ignoring you? Then, the girl you chased for years breaking things off?"

For second, he appeared as stunned as she did. Is that what I'm saying? There was a rather long pause. "Yeah," He said slowly. "I suppose that's what I'm saying." His gaze is lifted as he continued to reflect. "I-I've known you my whole life. And even if we haven't always seen eye to eye we've been through a lot together and shared some good times." His eyes dropped. "I've always been hopeful that one day you and I could become close. It seemed like to me we started to last year, but then for some reason, you stopped and held me at a distance."

Helga slowly shook her head. That reason is adorned in red, green and freckles.

"I guess that's part of the reason I got so pissed at you. Some bitterness slipped out after trying to be your friend and it never happened." He breathed in and out. "I shouldn't have reacted that way, and I'm sorry."

Helga studied him trying to decipher his expression. I guess once again Senorita Heyerdahl's right.

"That day I was honestly trying to find out what was wrong, in my way." She sucked her teeth and sighed. Her eyes shut and kept them closed as she spoke. "And I-I guess it's cool that you told me, what was bugging you. I can understand how you must have felt. I know what it's like to have your heart smashed, so you blow up on the first person you see. And who better to blow up on then the girl that tortured you since urban tots. I guess," She bit at her nails momentarily. "I'll accept your apology." Helga opened her eyes.

Viewing his signature smile, wow, she felt tremors in her heart. And could no longer ignore or wrestle with her feelings. Uh... "Okay, gotta run."

Arnold squinted. Is she nervous? Why? "So does that mean you and I can be friends or are we at least cool, I mean," He paused, frowning his wheels spinning. "I'd like to be an ear if you'd let me."

You're killing me Arnold. She shook off the swoon that was rising. "We'll see. It takes a lot to get into those rankings. Many never make it. Ask Phoebe." She smirked, and her voice reflected humor. "You can't just slide on in without earning your spot, hair boy. And feeding me isn't going to cut it. But..." She smiled a little. "You're no longer on my shit list."

Okay. Wait, what? "You have a shit list?"

Doesn't everyone? Helga's eyebrows raised. "Did you just swear?!" A short, loud bark of laughter poured out of her. "Oh, my!" She paused and guffawed. "Only you could make a profane word sound..." She batted her eyelashes dramatically. "Delicate."

He laughed more in a silent way and nodded. "Okay, Helga," He smirked. "It's not that shocking or funny."

"Yeah, it is. It is."

He regarded her as she continued giggling and collecting her items. He was taken aback by her sudden girlish sounding giggling. See I like when it's like this between us even if she is teasing me a little. "Do you think I could walk you home?"

Er, this was all overwhelming enough. "Nah," She pulled her bag up on her shoulder. "I've had my proper dosage of buttinski for the day." She gave him a playful salute and grabbed her plate. "I'll put this up before I go, see ya football head."

"Bye, Helga."

Helga frowned momentarily at the sound of her name on his lips. There was something hidden in his voice she couldn't figure out. But Helga made a choice to clear her mind as she resumed her travels on home, not thinking too deeply but enjoying her carefree mood.

Back at sunset arms, Arnold exhaled, while replaying the happenings. He gazed outside and flashed some teeth. Well, that's a start.