The next morning at school during their break time, Phoebe approached Helga at her locker.
"Helga, do you have a moment? I need to speak with you."
"Sure Pheebs, you can talk to me about anything. What's up?"
"Well, our classmates are all getting ready for prom and some of the guys already asked the girls they want to escort. From what I hear, Harold is going with Patty, Brainy is going with Lila, and I think Rhonda and Curly might be going together."
"Rhonda and Curly? Now that's a good one. So what I'm guessing is you're wondering when Geraldo is going to ask you?"
"Yes Helga, that's correct."
Helga put her hand on Phoebe's shoulder. "Don't worry Pheebs, the guy is crazy about you. Just be patient. He'll ask you. He's just waiting for the right time."
"Well Helga, I hope your right."
"Trust me on this one Pheebs. He won't let you down. I'll make sure it." She replied as she jokingly made a fist, which made Phoebe laugh a little.
Just then, someone came towards them and leaned against the locker that was next to Helga's. It was Stanley, the captain of the varsity soccer team. "Hey ladies. You're both looking lovely this morning."
"What the hell do you want Stanley?" Helga asked him irritatingly.
"Relax Helga, I just want to talk to you. Alone. That is if you don't mind Phoebe."
"Oh no, no trouble at all," responded Phoebe. "If you will both excuse me, I need to go look for something in the library." Then as she left them, she thought to herself, I have to find Gerald and the boys. Stanley wanting to talk to Helga alone cannot be good.
Stanley started the conversation. "So Helga rumor has it that you're not going to prom this year."
"Yeah, so? What's it to you?"
"Well I was wondering…you know… if it's because you don't have a date. And if that's the case babe, I'll be more than happy to take you again this year. If memory serves me right, we had a lot a fun last year."
Helga stared him down. "Look bukko first of all, I can get a date if I want to. I'm not going just because I don't feel like it. Second of all, what kind of lame excuse for a memory do you have? I didn't have fun with you at all, especially since you humiliated me in front of the whole class."
Stanley scoffed at that remark. "Don't you remember Helga? That was your fault. You're the one who made a scene. You're the one who started the fight."
"Yeah only because you were in complete denial of being my prom date in the first place!" shouted Helga. Her hands were already in a fist ready to punch his eyes out.
But that didn't bother Stanley one bit. "Helga, you'd better watch that temper of yours. It can cause you to get in trouble again."
Suddenly, Helga heard a voice right behind her. "Is there a problem here?" asked Gerald. Helga turned to see that Phoebe came back with their friends Gerald, Sid, Stinky, and Harold.
"Hey guys," said Stanley in a nonchalant manner. "Well, there's no problem really. Helga and I were just talking about prom that's all."
"Well, it looks like you're trying to do more than just that," said Sid.
Stanley just waved his hands in front of him and responded, "Really, that's all I came to Helga to talk about. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding guys."
"Well, you'd better be," started Harold. "Because the next time you bother Helga like that you're gonna have to answer to all of us."
"Ok, chill out I'm leaving. See you later Helga. Hope to see you at the prom," said Stanley as he winked at Helga. With that, he left to join his friends.
Helga just rolled her eyes. "Crimeny! What a douchbag! Just because he's the principal's son he thinks he can easily walk all over us," Helga said. The boys and Phoebe all nodded their heads in agreement. Then Helga turned to Phoebe and said, "Pheebs, you didn't have to get the guys, I can take care of myself."
"I know that Helga, but given your unfortunate history with Stanley I figure you can use the extra help this time."
"Thanks. You all didn't have to do this for me."
"Of course we don't have to," said Stinky. "We want to do it, on a count-a you're our friend."
"Yeah, what he said," said Gerald. "So just cool out Pataki, as your friends, we always got your back, especially when you're up against someone as obnoxious and annoying as Stanley." Not to mention I promised Arnold that I would look out for you, he thought to himself.
Then the school bell rang. "Well, time to head to class," said Phoebe.
"Yup. Thanks again guys," said Helga. With that, they all parted ways.
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Later that afternoon, Phoebe and Helga were at the public library studying for their Physics test which will be in a few days. After about two and a half hours of studying, Helga says to Phoebe, "Crimeny! I don't think my brain can take much in much more of this electromagnetism stuff. I need a break. Hey Pheebs, let's go get some ice cream."
"Yeah Helga, ice cream does sound good right about now. I'm starting to get tired of studying myself."
Soon, the two girls were in the car on their way to get ice cream. As Helga was driving, Phoebe noticed that her best friend isn't taking their usual route to the ice cream parlor.
"Helga, the ice cream parlor is back that way. Where are we going?"
"Oh sorry Pheebs. I almost forgot that I have to show you something first."
"Ok Helga, if you insist."
After a couple more minutes, Helga parked at a corner in front of what look like an apartment building. "Well, we're here Pheebs. Let's go."
Phoebe was really confused at this point, not to mention a little scared because it was already nighttime. "Helga, I don't understand. Why did you bring me here?"
Helga sighed. "Look Phoebe, just trust me, ok? I would never put you in any danger." She then walked Phoebe around the corner to Gerald field. And when they arrived there, Phoebe was in awe with what she saw.
There were red rose petals and lit tea candles scattered everywhere around the field. And right in front of her were two rows of tea candles forming a walkway onto the pitcher's mount, where Mr. Gerald Johansen himself was standing there with a nice red collared shirt and black pants and holding a single red rose in his hand. He smiled sweetly the moment he saw Phoebe.
Phoebe continued to stare at the sight in amazement. She then turned to Helga, who simply said, "I told you so."
Phoebe then walks toward Gerald with a big smile on her face and on the verge of tears.
When she reached the mount, Gerald took her hand and said, "My beautiful Phoebe. Our relationship never ceases to amaze me as it continues to grow and bloom like this red rose. You have changed my life in so many ways that I can't even begin to thank you. But there is one place I can start." He then looked into Phoebe's watery eyes as he asked gently, "Will you go to our senior prom with me?"
Phoebe could no longer hold back her tears as she responded, "Yes Gerald, of course I'll go with you." Gerald was so elated with this that he picked up and spun her around a few times. They were both laughing as he was bringing her back down. Gerald then whispered in her ear, "I love you Phoebe."
Phoebe whispered back in his ear, "I love you too, Gerald."
Meanwhile, Helga has been sitting down on the sidewalk leaning against the wall and looking into the night sky. All she could see was the moon and no stars. Oh Arnold my beloved, I'll never forget that time years ago when you wanted to see Sally's Comet so much that you were able to persuade the city to turn off all the lights so we could all witness the enchantment of the flying comet. That was the first time I've seen that many bright stars in the night sky. It would be wonderful to see that wonderful sight again. It would be even better if you were at my side Arnold as we gaze at the stars.
After Phoebe and Gerald were done talking on the field, they blew out all the candles and cleaned them and the rose petals up. (Gerald told Phoebe he'll take care of it but Phoebe insisted). Then they went to meet Helga at her car. When they saw her, they noticed how calm and contented she was as she looked looking at the sky, even though there was nothing to see because of all the city lights. Gerald cleared his throat to get her attention, which made Helga shake her head a little and look their way. "So what's the deal lovebirds? You going to prom or what?" she asked them.
"Of course we are Helga," Phoebe giggled.
Then Gerald said to her, "Thanks again Helga for helping me with this."
Helga responded, "Hey anything for my best friend."
Phoebe then asked, "Helga, Gerald and I were wondering what have you decided on about prom."
"Prom? Me? Yeah I decided not to go anymore, especially after what happened this morning."
Gerald looked worried. "You sure you'll be ok Helga, with what Stanley put you through and all?"
Helga shrugged it off. "Pfft. Of course I'm going to be ok. You're talking to the one and only Helga G. Pataki here remember? It's settled. I will not going to prom unless you two give me a really good reason. Besides, My dad was able to get us tickets to the Wrestlemania championship match that night. I wouldn't miss it, especially if it means spending time with my dad."
"Ok, Helga we're going to head out. I'll bring Phoebe home. We'll see you later," said Gerald.
Before they left, Phoebe went over to her friend and gave her a big hug. "Thanks again Helga for everything."
"Alright you two. I'm gonna head home too. I need some sleep. See you lovebirds in school." With that, they all went home.
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That night, Helga lay in her bed and thought about prom. I really do want to go to prom. I don't care if Stanley's there and he torments me again like last year. I guess this time I don't want to go with someone just because he seems nice and looks cute. I want to go with someone special, someone who means a lot to me. Before she dozed off to sleep she thought to herself, oh my football-headed love god, when are you coming home?
