CHAPTER 10: BEING HONEST

Note: Long update again. I know...I'm sorry.

Can't believe it's almost been a year since The Jungle Movie was released! Isn't that funny? It took so long to get here, but time still flies fast!

Happy Thanksgiving!

KNOCK KNOCK

Arnold walked to the front door and opened it. To his surprise, it was none other than Helga.

"Hey, Arnold. Can I talk to you in private?"

The fifth-grader was a bit taken aback. After all, he had just told Helga goodbye after they had goe there separate ways minutes earlier. And now she wanted to talk to him?! In private?! Arnold was nervous. What on Earth could Helga want to talk to him about? Arnie and his parents were still in the kitchen conversing, but Arnold couldn't just turn Helga away. So, he motioned her to come inside with his hand. Once Helga was inside, the two young ones stared at one another awkwardly.

"Oh! Why don't we go someplace quieter?" Arnold said realizing that it was getting a bit loud downstairs.

"Okay," Helga replied with a slight smile.

As Arnold began his ascent up the stairs, he noticed Helga lagging behind him. He could tell that she was nervous due to the fact that she was rubbing her hands together with anxiety. Arnold, himself, was nervous as well. I mean...Helga coming upstairs with him. The two of them? Alone? Together? Arnold had known Helga practically his whole life, but she was still a mystery to him at times. Finally, they reached the top of the stairs. As Arnold came to the first step of stairs leading up to his bedroom he turned around to warn Helga.

"Careful on the stairs here," he said.

"Yeah...okay," Helga replied back in a shy voice; which was very unusual for her.

Arnold took notice of the tone of her voice but decided it would be best to ignore it. One problem and question at a time. Helga stepped inside the bedroom and shut the door behind her.

"What I have to say is...it's important."

"Sure, Helga you can tell me anything," Arnold said giving her the confidence to speak freely.

Helga exhaled with nervous energy and agitation. Why in the world was she so nervous? Of course, she had to admit that she was a bit distraction due to the fact that was in none other than her beloved's room. I'm in his bedroom! Me and Arnold! Alone! Okay, keep it together Helga, she thought to herself. Then, she cleared her throat.

"Um...first I just want to apologize," she began.

"Apologize? For what," Arnold asked.

"Well...for not being completely honest with you today at Slausens. And for wanting to leave so early."

Arnold shook his head in confusion.

"The science project thing? The truth is, my project has been completed for days now. I just said that so I could leave."

That last statement hit Arnold right in the chest. Was their outing together really that bad? Did Arnold embarrass her somehow? Despite being a little hurt, Arnold didn't think too much of it. Who could blame Helga for wanting to leave because of the third wheel...A.K.A. Arnie. However, Helga noticed the look on Arnold's face. She could tell that he looked forlorn and out of sorts.

"I was a bit uncomfortable with the whole situation," she said trying desperately to remedy her previous words.

"What situation?"

Helga walked over to Arnold's red fold out couch and sat down. Arnold followed suit and sat down next to her.

"Well...look...I don't know how to tell you this but-"

KNOCK KNOCK

Arnold looked at Helga as if to say, "hold that thought." He then glanced toward the door.

"Who is it," Arnold said not taking his eyes off of Helga.

"It's Arnie"

Suddenly, Helga's eyes went wide-eyed. This subtle, yet very noticeable reaction made Arnold have a realization. It was Arnie. He was the one that had made things uncomfortable for Helga. Whatever he had said to her or maybe just his strange presence had caused all of this. Now, what was he to do? He could either ask Arnie to come in or...not. Fortunately, he chose the later.

"Hold on Arnie. I'm uh...doing my homework," Arnold said trying to come up with an excuse. "Give me a few minutes."

Arnie responded with a quiet "okay" and his signature snort. Helga and Arnold were quiet for a moment until they were sure they heard Arnie's footsteps descend the attic stairs.

"It's Arnie isn't it?"

Helga looked down.

"Look, Helga, I know he's annoying and weird," Arnold said standing up from the couch. "But he's my cousin and there's really nothing I can do about-"

"He loves me," Helga blurted out interrupting Arnold.

Arnold stopped talking and moving. He then turned around to face Helga.

"What did you just say?"

Helga now had both hands covering her mouth. Should she continue?

"He loves me," she said again with the same nervous tone.

Arnold's head started to spin. First Lila. Now Helga. Was it going to be like this with every girl he liked?