Chapter 11: You Never Know
Once Eric had left, Arnold continued to stare at Helga who was waiting for him to return. If he went up to her, he knew all she would be waiting to hear was his true opinion of her.
Rather than approaching her, Arnold returned to his side of the beach house.
Arnold's Side
Pookie was in her karate outfit chopping watermelon, while Stella was pointing the bacon into the oven.
Phil glared at his daughter in law and mumbled "There better not be any stomach disturbing fruit in that thing."
"It's bacon dad?" Miles lifted an eyebrow while sitting beside his father.
Phil then turned to face his excitable wife as he replied "You clearly don't know what your mother is capable of."
The four of them then heard the door opening as they saw Arnold moping at the floor.
Phil turned towards his grandson in his chair as he asked "Hey! What seems to be the problem there short man?"
"Is everything alright sweetie?" Stella asked, noticing the somber look on her son's face.
Arnold began to rub his neck as he replied "Uhh yeah. Do you guys think I could talk to grandpa. You know, alone for a minute."
Miles and Stella shrugged their shoulders as they exited the room, while Phil pointed and said "Hot Diggity! Who's the better parent now!"
"Grandpa…"
Arnold took a seat, ignoring his grandma's karate chopping as he listened to Phil say "I sense another boyhood problem. Fess up shortman."
The pre-teen began to rub his crossed arm on the table as he replied "I don't know what to do about Helga."
"Yeah, she is a handful isn't she." Phil agreed, thinking about that attitude of hers.
"I mean, now that I know how she feels about me, she has to be waiting for an answer from me. I'm not sure yet if my feelings are as extreme as hers. Eventually, she's going to lose patience with me isn't she?"
Phil began to chuckle at his grandson's worriedness and replied "Shortman, did I ever tell you about the time I first saw my friend Jimmy Kafka with a soda?"
"Uhhh no?"
"Ho boy! I was so jealous after seeing the content look on his face, I ran home and asked my parents why WE never bought those things."
"She said 'Simple. They're bad for you.'"
"Eventually I saw ALL my friends drinking them, while I was stuck with a bottle of water. Years went by until finally, My mom let me try one."
"What'd you think?"
"It was the most disgusting thing I'd ever tasted! Probably because it was Diet Coke. All the others were hard to resist."
Arnold sighed and said "I don't get it. What's the point?"
"The point it, you never know how things are going to work out. You may want to see a movie you've been waiting months to see. Then walk out saying 'That was the worst thing I've ever seen in my entire life!' I can only assume there's something special about you that's kept her interest this long, and judging by the way you put up with her shenanigans, your feelings can't be that different from hers."
Arnold sat and stared as he listened to his grandpa to on…
"Women tend to be more impatient when it comes to relationships. Men know as long as you're together, what's the problem? Why label it? Pookie over there for instance. Just because she can chop some fruit doesn't mean she has to wear that crazy outfit every time she does it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my office before she offers me a piece."
The Shore
Helga was sitting alone by the water, waiting for Arnold to return.
Maybe I'm getting my hopes up for nothing. Just because he likes me now doesn't mean he wants to marry me.
The troubled girl then pulled out her locket of her beloved to pour her out to as she said…
Oh Arnold! If only you knew the feelings I've shared with you now will never match up to what truly lies inside of me. If only you knew the strength of my witty behavior is no match for that of the love and care I feel for you. I you could find it in your heart to forgive me. At least believe…
"Helga?"
"Arnold!" the poetic girl gasped as she stood from her place; tucking her locket back into her shirt.
Arnold stood staring at his close friend, still trying to figure out how to start the conversation. While Helga stood with her hands on her hips and asked "So, what'd airhead over there want? To ask for Olga's number? Sheesh!"
The nervous boy took his friend's hand in his as he replied "Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about."
Hearing these words didn't exactly comfort Helga. For all she knew, he could be ready to tell her the kiss meant nothing. It was no more than a thank you for the extraordinary thing she did for him.
Helga's Side
As Miriam and Susie were approaching the beach house, the huge smiles on their faces were more than enough to imply that while they may not be running the business, they were huge advertisers of it.
After saying good-bye to Susie, Miriam entered the house to see Bob with a few fully loaded suitcases.
"What's going on B?"
"I've had it with this place Miriam! I'm a salesman, not some sort of self-loathing pity freak."
Had Helga been there, it would have been the perfect opportunity to point out at the moment, he was neither. No one wanted his merchandise anymore than he wanted to give up on it.
The Shore
Helga sat silently, waiting for Arnold to continue. After letting out a deep breath, he said "Helga, I know how hard it was to tell me the truth after all these years. The people in our class are pretty immature, so there's no telling how they would have reacted. All that really matters is what I think of you though."
Helga's eyes widened as she awaited his answer.
"I think it's admirable you show your tough side when you feel threatened, but it's not always 're together now, and if it's something you'd want, I'd like you to be my...girlfriend.
Halga sighed at the request as he took her hand his hand and said "You are such a football head."
The two sat there,sharing a sweet, passionate kiss that Helga couldn't believe was happening. Yes, they had kissed before, but it wasn't hard to see how much both of them were enjoying this.
When they let go of each other, Helga heard her sister scream "Let's go baby sister!"
Helga cocked her brow until Arnold noticed his family packed up as well.
"I guess the vacation's over." he sighed, while rubbing his girlfriend's hands.
Sighing at the ground, Helga replied "Guess so football head. Don't expect me to be nice to you in front of everyone just because things are different between us now."
"Whatever you say Helga." Arnold said, as the two stood, dusting themselves off, preparing for the long drive home.
On their way to the cars, Helga said "Criminy. A long trip back with Ollggaaa."
Arnold wanted to invite her in his car for the ride back, but it was full enough as it was. A smile then appeared on his face as he said "Hey, I've got an idea!"
Helga's Car
"Well that's the last of it Miriam. Now get the girl and let's go!" Bob insisted.
When turning around, he saw Ernie and Mr. Hyunh standing beside Olga. "Who the heck are you?" Bob asked.
"Your daughter said we could ride with this pretty lady of yours, while she rode in the car with Arnold." Ernie smiled, while taking Olga's hand in his.
"Yes. Hello pretty lady!" Mr. Hyunh waved.
Bob rolled his eyes and growled "Whatever. Let's get going."
Arnold's Car
Helga sat in the back seat of the packard, trying to hide the fact that Arnold was holding her hand. "So, you two lovebirds enjoy yourselves? Hehe" Phil chuckled.
Arnold and Helga's faces turned red, wondering if it was the best idea to be riding together after all.
Before Arnold could answer, Miles said "Don't mind him."
Although she wasn't saying anything, Stella looked at the sweetness going on between her son and his friend, knowing something must have happened between the two of them on the trip.
"You're welcome to stay with us anytime you like Helga." the sweet lady offered.
"And you're welcome to take away the boarders any time you want." Phil added.
"Grandpa…" Arnold sighed.
"Thanks. I'll uhh keep that in mind." Helga smiled, thinking about how different things would be once they returned, and how hard it would be to keep up appearances in front of everyone to maintain her reputation.
THE END
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