( I often fantasize the stars above are watching you. They know my heart and speak to yours like only lovers do. If I could wear your clothes, I'd pretend I was you and lose control.) (Helga's thoughts about Arnold)

The title of this chapter is named after a song by En Vogue

Helga caught the bus and rode it to the closest stop to the Sunset Arms Boarding House. The rain came down heavily as winds whistled through the air and lightning streaked across the sky. Gripping her umbrella tightly, Helga carefully marched up the wet stoop and approached the front door to Arnold's place. She exhaled and then rang the bell. Moments later, short Ernie Potts opened the door.

"Lookin' for Arnold?" he asked.

"Yeah," Helga replied.

"Come on in."

"Thanks."

Ernie let Helga inside of the house and pointed her in the direction of Arnold's room, though she actually knew very well where it was. Helga slowly walked up the stairs leading to his bedroom door. As her heart beat nervously, she knocked. A few seconds later, Arnold opened the door wearing some navy blue pajama bottoms and no shirt. Even though there was no guy in the world that Helga loved or lusted for more than Arnold, she was too upset to ogle his bare chest.

"Hey Helga," Arnold said, surprised." What brings you here?"

"Um…I just thought we could get started on our history project," Helga lied.

"Come on, Helga," Arnold said, disbelievingly." It's already midnight and our project isn't even due for another two weeks."

"Well, I'm not a procrastinator, Football Head," Helga said, rolling her eyes.

"Whatever you say, Helga," Arnold muttered." Come in."

He let Helga inside of his bedroom and shut the door behind them. He took her coat and hung it up to dry in the closet. Using his remote control, Arnold extracted the loveseat out of the wall. As he and Helga sat down side by side, they remained quiet for a few awkward seconds.

"So, if you wanted to get started on the project right away, why didn't you call me ahead of time?" Arnold finally asked.

"Arnold, I'm not really concerned about the project right now," Helga responded, glumly.

"So, what is it?"

Helga just stared down at her lap; tears were suddenly falling from her eyes. She hoped Arnold didn't see her crying but it was just too evident.

"What's wrong, Helga?" Arnold asked.

Helga tried to answer him but the only sounds she can manage to utter were hoarse, grief-stricken sobs. Seeing her obvious pain, Arnold moved closer to her and put his arm around her.

"Helga, you can talk to me," Arnold assured her, gently." What's wrong?"

"My sister could be dying, Arnold," Helga wept.

Arnold was shocked; so he asked." Is she sick or something?"

"Worse," Helga replied, sobbingly." She got into a car accident and now, she's in a coma. She was really drunk and depressed all because of her stupid asshole husband."

"Oh damn," Arnold gasped." I'm so sorry to hear this. What's the deal with her husband?"

"He was cheating on her," Helga told him." I don't know all the details behind it, but it must have been really depressing if she tried to kill herself. Her friend told us that she believes it was suicidal."

Arnold didn't speak just yet, he just comfortingly held Helga close to him as he listened to her.

"When my parents and I heard the news, my first reaction was anger and resentment," Helga continued." Olga was always a happy person, so my mind couldn't fully process what I was hearing. All I could think was 'why'. Why would she do something like that? It just didn't make sense to me. I just got really pissed off and called her an idiot. My dad got really upset with me, so I had to leave before things got out of control. I was always jealous of Olga because she was my parents' favorite; the only one they seemed to notice. But I was so wrong for that, Arnold. Olga really loved me and she tried so hard to get along with me…..but I…I was such a bitch to her."

Helga cried as she struggled to keep speaking." Arnold, she's my only sister. If she doesn't make it, I'll never forgive myself. I am so sorry! Oh God, I'm so sorry!"

Once again, Helga broke down and cried her eyes out on Arnold's shoulder as he held her tightly, hugging her. Arnold has never seen Helga so sad in his life. She was normally so tough and seemingly unfeeling. He felt so bad for her and it hurt him to see her this way, but he stayed strong for her. He let her cry in his arms for a few minutes until he finally decided to say something.

"Helga, look at me," he told her.

Helga looked up at him with her teary eyes.

"Do not feel guilty," Arnold stated." I'm sure Olga knows very well that you love her and care about her. All you have to do is be strong for her and hope for the best. Do everything you can to be there for her. Where are her kids?"

"They're staying with us now," Helga replied.

"Okay, you have to be nicer to your niece and nephew," Arnold told her." They're very young and their mom is in serious condition. They need love and support; not just from their grandparents but from their aunt too. YOU."

"I know," Helga sobbed.

"You shouldn't feel guilty but you should realize that being so mean and bitter all the time can cost you a lot," Arnold continued." I know that you're a good person deep down inside. You aren't heartless at all; I know you have feelings. You just have to learn how to express them better. Helga, I know you're in a sad situation right now, but it will get better in time. At the very least, you have people who care about you that you can talk to like Phoebe and believe it or not, me."

Helga nodded as she wiped her tears away.

"I want to be a good friend to you, Helga," Arnold assured her." You just have to let me."

"Thank you, Arnold," Helga said, full of emotion." Thank you so much."

They hugged each other tightly. Helga was feeling much better as she felt herself melt in Arnold's embrace. There was nothing she ever wanted more than to have his arms around her. Though she didn't think that he had any romantic feelings for her, she was still very happy that he comforted her in a time of crisis. The way Arnold held Helga so firmly yet gently showed that he truly cared. After what seemed like a blissful eternity, they stopped hugging.

Helga stared into the eyes of the one she fell in love with at the age of four. She wanted to tell him something that she's been meaning to say for a long time. So, she opened her mouth and tried to come up with those simple three words.

"Arnold….I..," Helga started to say.

"Yes, Helga?"

"I….I'm kind of hungry; I skipped dinner," Helga lost her confidence.

"Well, Susie made some steak for dinner," Arnold told her." There's more left over."

"I love steak," Helga nodded.

"Okay. Come on."

Arnold took Helga's hand and let her out of the bedroom, all the way downstairs into the kitchen. He heated up some steak and potatoes for her, which she devoured every single piece of. He also gave her some fresh, lemonade to go with it. When Helga was done eating, she and Arnold headed back to his bedroom. She cursed herself for coming so close to confessing her love to him and then fearfully giving up. If she confessed her love and Arnold responded the way she wanted him to, they could have been making tender, sweet love that night. However, instead of making love to Helga, Arnold gave her something even more special that night.

When they got sleepy, Arnold offered to give her his bed while he sleeps on the couch. Helga told him he didn't have to. She insisted that they can share the bed after telling him "it doesn't mean that I want to do it with you, bucko". Arnold assured her that he didn't think anything of the sort. With that, Arnold gave Helga a long T-shirt to sleep in and they shared a bed that night. Arnold even put his arms around Helga while they were sleeping.

The special thing about it was that Arnold held her the entire time. He was such a gentleman and he never once attempted to put his hands in places that they didn't belong. Helga slept so peacefully that night. For her, it couldn't have been more beautiful even if they did make love. Helga grew from a rough, tomboyish little girl to a sexy, alluring young woman. However, being so close to Arnold that night made her feel like a lady; no one has ever made her feel that way.

Author's Note: LOL Don't be mad at me! I know that Helga ALMOST told Arnold that she loved him but I couldn't make her say it just yet. If I did, the story would have had to end there and I have much more to add to the story. So, I won't end it too soon. The story is barely beginning. Thanks a lot for your support and your reviews. I'll update the next chapter as soon as I can. Thank you!