When they arrived at the hotel where the silent auction was held, Helga got out of the car with her mom and gave her a big hug. "Thanks mom for everything."

"You're welcome honey. Anytime. Now go with your friends and have fun." As Miriam was entering the building, she turned back to her daughter and said, "Chin up Helga. Things will be better than they seem." She gave Helga an encouraging smile before she went inside.

What the heck is that supposed to mean? Helga wondered when she got back in the car.

xxxxxxxxx

A couple minutes later, Gerald parked across the street from the restaurant. As they were getting out of the car, Helga couldn't help but question, "We're eating at Chez Paris?"

"Yeah," said Gerald. "Why, is there a problem?"

Helga unexpectedly came out sounding offended. "Who said there was a problem Geraldo? I just didn't expect we would be eating at a restaurant as fancy as this."

Gerald rolled his eyes. "Well it is prom night after all. I figure this special occasion calls for a special restaurant. Come on, let's go inside."

When they reached the entrance, Helga stopped. "Why don't you two lovebirds go ahead. I need a moment to think."

"Helga, are you ok? Is there anything wrong?" asked Phoebe.

"Yeah I'll be fine. Go ahead. I'll be right there by that water fountain that's next to the restaurant."

Phoebe gently held her wrist. "Ok Helga, take your time. You know where to find us if you need us." Then Helga watched the two of them go inside to their reserved table.

Finally, after all this commotion, I have some time alone to clear my head. Helga walked to the water fountain and watched the calming water trickle its way down and form ripples at the base of the fountain. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. I love the sound of water. It's really soothing for me. I guess it's because it reminds me of the day I met him in preschool, when I was all alone in the rain and he sheltered me under his umbrella. Oh my love, my darling, how I miss you so. She then held her heart necklace in her hand, which had his picture inside. I'll never forget the first words you said to me…

"I like your bow because it's pink like your dress."

No, I was wearing pants, not a dress. Then Helga's eyes suddenly widened. Wait what? That didn't come from me…. I'm not alone anymore, am I? Helga slowly turned around and froze at whom she saw. There, right in front of her, stood a handsome and dashing young man with his hair neatly done and wearing a tuxedo with a dark pink tie and a tiny blue hat. He had a very familiar face, one Helga never forgets. Then again, who would forget someone with a football-shaped head?

"Hi Helga," Arnold said with a nervous smile on his face. "It's wonderful to see you again after all these years."

Helga was stunned! More than anything she wants Arnold there, but she never expected he would actually show up. She suddenly found herself at a loss for words as she felt her heart beating like mad. How long had he been standing there?

After what felt like an eternity, Helga finally managed to string some words together. "Arnold? What…. what are you doing here?"

"What does it look like? I'm here to take one of my closest friends to her senior prom. That is, if she'll let me," Arnold responded as he took out the corsage with dark pink roses that he was hiding behind his back. He could feel his heart racing and his face getting warm.

"How….How did you know?"

"Does it matter how I know? The point is I'm here right now and I would like to spend this special night with you. So what do you say Helga? Can I be your date to prom?"

Helga's face was so red. What else is there to say? "Of course you can be my date Arnold. You don't have to get all mushy with me or anything." Great way to turn the charm on.

"Whatever you say, Helga," smiled Arnold. He then walked closer to Helga and took her right hand as he put the corsage on her wrist, with his heart still skipping a few beats. When he finished, they looked at each other and smiled. Arnold could tell from looking at her that she wasn't too happy a moment ago before they saw each other. I'm here now Helga; you don't have to be sad anymore.

Then Arnold noticed how close they were. Not to mention they were still holding hands! He was surprised that Helga didn't back her hand away or yell at him, especially after she said no mushy stuff. Is it possible she's feeling what I'm feeling right now – that tingly sense of warmth and comfort? Nah, she's probably still too much in shock to say anything. Still holding her hand he said, "Come on. Let's go inside and join our friends for dinner."

"Alright. Sounds good to me," smiled Helga. Someone pinch me I must be dreaming!

When Gerald and Phoebe saw their friends walking towards them hand in hand, they couldn't help but give each other a low high five under the table.

"Hey guys how's it going?" asked Gerald.

"Everything's going well," said Arnold.

Helga was confused. "Wait, you guys haven't seen each other in almost a decade and all you can say to each other is 'How are you'?"

"Actually Helga, Gerald and I already saw each other yesterday. We'll explain everything."

Arnold pulled out Helga's chair for her before he sat down next to her. After they ordered their food, Helga asked Arnold again, "So tell me football head, how exactly did you find out about prom and how did you get here?"

"Well, Gerald called me back that day the three of us talked on the phone and told me about prom. He told me all about the surprise you two had planned for Phoebe. I asked him if you were going and he said no."

"Did he say why?" asked Helga glancing at Gerald.

"No, not really, just that you didn't want to. So…"

"So..." continued Gerald. "With the help of his family, Arnold and I came up with a plan to bring them all over here so that my man can make it on time for tonight and surprise you."

Helga raised her eyebrow at Arnold. "You brought your family here?"

Arnold shrugged. "Well yeah. It's no big deal really. My parents saw it as an opportunity to take a family vacation and take care of some things here before we move back."

Helga, still in a state of shock (and doing her best to hide her excitement), looked at her best friend, who replied, "Helga, don't look at me. I was just about as much in the dark about all this as you. It wasn't until earlier this evening when Gerald explained the situation to me while you were talking with your mom."

"Ah yes. And I supposed my parents know you're here too?" she asked Arnold.

"Of course," smiled Arnold. "How else was I going to ask their permission to escort you tonight?"

Oh my beloved, you're such a gentleman. So that answers my "how" question pretty much. As to the why, well I'll figure it out later. Realizing that everyone was waiting for her to say something, she looked away from Arnold and said calmly, "Arnold, you really didn't have to go through all this trouble for me."

She felt Arnold's hand on her shoulder, which somehow made her turn to face him. "I know I didn't have to Helga, I wanted to. I wanted to be here for you." Crap, I hope that wasn't too much.

But Helga smiled and said, "Thanks football head."

There was an awkward silence for a moment until Gerald cleared his throat. "Ok. Now that we've gotten that straightened out, let's fill Arnold in on all that he's been missing out, shall we?"

Soon, before they knew it, the four of them were talking and laughing together and exchanging stories. The stories seemed to go on forever – from the time Arnold hiked in the jungle to the time Helga and Phoebe caught Rhonda and Curly making out in the park. It definitely helped Helga and Arnold get rid of the jitters they had earlier. Throughout the dinner, it really amazed Arnold how comfortable he was around them. He felt right at home – as if he never left Hillwood in the first place.

When they finished eating, Helga said, "That was a good dinner. I'm glad they finally wrote their menus in English. I don't want to end up eating cat's brain and eggs again. Last time I ate that stuff I got sick to my stomach."

This caught Arnold's attention. He knew someone else who ate the same thing and also got sick. Now that I think about it, with Helga's hair down, she does look a lot like Cecile. "Um Helga? When did you eat that?"

Helga was caught off guard. Oh nice going Helga, that's when you went to dinner with him as Cecile. Quick think of something! "Ummm… I had it once by accident when I came here with Olga."

"Oh…ok," said Arnold, still suspicious. But he let it go – at least for now. Maybe it'll come up again some other time.

"I need to go freshen up before we leave. Helga, will you come with me to the ladies room?" asked Phoebe.

"Sure Pheebs. If you'll excuse us, we'll be right back."

"You go on ahead ladies. Arnold and I will take care of the bill," said Gerald.

After the girls left, Gerald asked, "How you holding up there Arnold?"

"I'm ok I guess, but I still feel like my stomach is in knots. I'm actually surprised that I was able to eat. I haven't eaten much all day because I've been feeling little nauseous from being nervous." Just like my dad said I would.

"Well that's probably because we were so busy catching up that your nerves settled. Stop worrying Arnold and cool out. Everything will be fine. "

Arnold takes in a few deep breaths hoping that the knots will go away. "You're right Gerald. Thanks for the reassurance."

In the restroom, even though Phoebe already knew the answer, she asked, "How are you feeling Helga?"

"Are you kidding Pheebs? I feel like I'm on cloud 9 right now! It's too good to be true. One minute I was standing in front of the water fountain feeling sad and alone the next minute there was Arnold giving me this beautiful corsage and holding my hand." Helga paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm still a bit nervous though."

"Why is that?"

"Well, I know I've been nice to him while he was gone, but it's different now. He's actually here. I only hope I don't slip and be mean to him like I did the last time he was here."

"Helga, the last time he was here we were all nine years old. That was a long time ago; a lot of things have changed since then. You're doing just fine. Remember, you've been waiting for a moment like this for so long. Just relax and enjoy the time you have with him. "

"You're right Phoebe, as always. I can do this."

When the girls exited the bathroom, they could see their dates standing by the entrance waiting for them. "Alright ladies. Let's go. Prom awaits us," said Gerald.

As they were driving, Helga remembered something and knew it was really important that she talk to Arnold about it before anything else happens. So when they arrived in front of the hotel, she spoke up. "Hey Arnold? Before we go in, can you and I talk to alone for a moment?"

Arnold exchanged confused glances with his friends. Boy I hope everything's ok. She doesn't look too happy. I wonder if I did anything to upset her. "Sure Helga."

"We'll go ahead," said Gerald tossing Arnold his keys. "Don't forget to lock the car on your way out."

Arnold and Helga nodded and then Gerald and Phoebe left. Once they were alone, Arnold asked, "Ok Helga, what do you need to talk to me about?"