Chapter 10: Let Me Guess
"Alright! Pitch it over here Pink boy!" Helga eagerly shouted, while kneeling at the catcher's plate.
As Harold was eyeing the plate with his tongue sticking out to imply how seriously he was taking this, he began to dramatically swing his arm.
Before pitching the ball, the group heard…
"One for you, one for you, one for you…"
Helga stood to remove her mask, placing her hands on her hips, and scowled at the disruptor "What's the big idea Princess?"
The chic girl held out an invitation to the girl in the pink dress and said "I'm passing out invitations for my New Year's Eve Party. Here you go."
After snatching the card, Helga waved off her classmate and said "Yeah thanks. Now move along would ya?"
"Ingrate!"
The group refrained from practicing, while watching Rhonda walk around the field to hand them each an invitation.
"Boy howdy! A New Year's Eve party!" Sid exclaimed.
"I reckon I don't have anything too snazzy to wear." Stinky thought to himself.
While Rhonda was continuing to pass out the invites, she heard "Excuse me, but what's this about us having to have a resolution picked out by the time the party starts?" Gerald insisted on knowing.
"Thank you for pointing that out. We will be playing a game called 'That was my idea.' Each person is going to decide on a New Year's resolution. They will write it down, without mentioning their name. After everyone has placed their ideas into the bowl, we will all draw one and guess who's resolution it was." Rhonda explained.
"Aww why are you giving us homework? Our vacation's not over yet!" Harold pouted.
Rhonda placed a hand on her waist and sneered "Harold, it is not homework. We're simply getting to know one another."
"You say that like we haven't been friends our whole lives." Gerald said wittily, while passing his classmate a dull look.
"Actually, it's quite common for games such as these to be played at New Year's Eve parties. A New Year's resolution is an exceedingly popular tradition that most people choose to attempt at one point or another." Phoebe explained, in the hopes of settling her classmates' dispute.
Once the invitations had been handed out, Rhonda headed for the store to buy all the necessary supplies for the party.
Helga stood staring at her invitation, thinking to herself…
Oh Arnold, my beloved. If there was ever a perfect resolution I could fulfill, it would be showing you my kinder, gentler side. Fighting the urge to show you cruelty whenever you are near me. Oh my darling if only…
"Helga? Helga? Helga?" Arnold continued to wave a hand at her, as he stepped up to the plate.
The lovesick girl stood holding the invitation close to her chest, with her mask pulled back. Everyone could see the dreamy look in her eyes as she was mumbling the sweet words to herself.
While most of the boys stood with perplexed looks, Gerald placed a hand on his waist with a pitiful expression on his face. He was beginning to believe the truth about Helga. The more he saw, the more it amazed him he hadn't seen it before. She never had a reason to be mean to Arnold. Why would she bother paying him so much attention (even if it was negative)?
After a few more waves of his hand, Arnold managed to snap the dazed girl out of her fantasy land.
"What?! What do you want football head?!" Helga scowled, as she pointed a finger at her beloved.
Arnold carefully stepped back, holding up his hands in defense, and replied "I was just going to say we're ready to start practice again."
"Yeah, yeah. Just watch where you're swinging that thing hariboy!" Helga warned him, kicking herself inside for once again blowing her chance to show some compassion.
If she did decide to make being nicer to Arnold her resolution, she would have to overcome her fear of what the others would think of it. Being moderately nice to him wasn't such a big deal when they were alone. She was at least able to manage controlling her temper enough to show Arnold he was right about her being softer than she seemed. If only she could bring herself to do it in front of others.
Walk
After practice had ended, Arnold began walking towards the boarding house with Gerald. What was his resolution going to be? What would make him happier than anything would be to see Helga open up to him. How was he supposed to decide how he felt about her if she was going to continue blowing him off?
Gerald looked at his quiet friend staring at the sidewalk and asked "So, did you have a good Christmas buddy?"
"Yeah. I got my dad's journal back." Arnold smiled, thinking about the nice person who found it for him.
"Really? Where'd you find it?" Gerald asked, not wanting Arnold to get wise to what had happened.
"Helga found it!" Arnold said excitedly.
Gerald rolled his eyes, assuming that meant Phil spilled the beans. That or Helga came to her senses, and showed up to talk to Arnold about it.
"I'm guessing she told you then."
A perplexed look formed on Arnold's face as he asked "Told me what?"
The Corner Store
Rhonda was at the store, picking out all the necessary items she felt she would need to make the party perfect.
"Let's see, we'll need candles, snacks, flowers, and...AHH! What in the world are you doing here?!" Rhonda screamed.
Curly grinned widely at his crush and said "I came to find YOU, dear. I heard about the party!"
"You were not given an invitation you creep!" Rhonda sneered, waving him off.
"I shall make it my mission to win you over, and we will free the animals together! Hahaha!" Curly shouted, as he ran past the disgusted pre-teen.
Rhonda watched the service clerks chase the eccentric boy across the store and said "Creep!"
Arnold's Room
Arnold sat back on his couch with his arms folded in his lap, repeating everything Gerald had told him. "So you're saying Helga found it after Harold had it, then gave it to you to give to me?"
"Pretty much. I can tell that girl has feelings for you. I don't know why you of all people would be so hard to confront about it?" Gerald said, shrugging his shoulders.
Arnold thought to himself a moment. Helga didn't enjoy appearing weak to anyone. Even when he could tell something was upsetting her, she wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her.
"I guess I understand how she feels. Our class isn't always understanding when new information is brought up." Arnold pointed out to his friend.
Phoebe's House
After deciding she wasn't in the mood to deal with her family, Helga went to spend the afternoon with her best friend.
"Are you looking forward to the party Helga?" Phoebe asked her friend who was laying on her bed, reading a wrestling magazine.
Helga tossed it aside and sat up to answer. "Let's see, I'll be playing a game that encourages me to follow through on my most desired accomplishment, only to risk being mocked and ridiculed in front of the entire class! Oh yeah Pheebs! It sounds just peachy!"
The overly dramatic girl was standing with her hands on her hips by the end of the description. Her innocent friend stared with concerned eyes, knowing how much it meant to Helga to show Arnold her kind side.
"Perhaps you could use this to your advantage?"
Helga crossed her arms at what seemed to be an absurd idea and scoffed "Pttss yeah? How do you figure?"
"Well, the answers are meant to be confidential. If Arnold truly sees some good in you, he'll be willing to believe it was you who wrote it."
Helga rolled her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips and said "Pheebs, we're not just reading them. We're guessing who wrote them. Even if by some miracle he's willing to believe I would/COULD convert to treating him right, that doesn't mean the rest of the group won't get a good laugh out of it."
"The choice is yours to make Helga." Phoebe pointed out, as a serious look came to her friend's face. This was going to take some thinking.
The Next Day
New Year's Party
Rhonda was setting up for the party. The finger sandwiches were made, the punch was set out, there were candles ready to be lit when New Year's was on the verge of happening. All that was missing was the guests.
The Beeper Emporium
Bob looked around at everything he and Olga had done to brighten the place up, in the hopes of attracting some customers. The floors had been swept, everyone's personal items were no longer in the front room, Christmas lights were still hanging to celebrate New Year's, and Olga had just come up with another idea…
"Daddy! Let's get a banner to hang outside the store! It can say Christmas Clearance!"
Bob thought for a moment. Now that no one wanted the beepers anymore, the only way to sell any would be to dramatically lower the prices of everything.
"Alright then."
Clapping her hands with glee, Olga screeched "Yay! I'll be back!"
As she headed towards the door, she noticed Helga entering the emporium. "Where have you been baby sister?"
"Thought I'd take a stroll around town. See a movie, grab something to eat, ya know...anything that doesn't involve being here." Helga replied, not caring how blunt she sounded.
"Silly sister. Come with me to pick out a new banner for the store!" Olga insisted.
"Yeah. I don't think...WHOA!" Helga shouted, after being yanked out the door by her older sibling.
Rhonda's House
"Alright chips!" Harold exclaimed, the moment he saw the snacks awaiting them on the table.
While the husky boy was digging into the dish, he looked to see a small sheet of paper being handed to him.
"What's this for?"
"It's for the game. Write down your resolution. In a little while, I'll bring the bowl around for everyone to place their sheets into." Rhonda explained.
"Okay…." Harold moaned, still considering it to be homework given to him at a party.
Porch
Arnold was standing with Gerald drinking some punch on the back porch. Neither of them had heard from Helga since baseball practice the previous day. Arnold stood staring over the side of the porch wondering what Helga would be willing to change about herself if she was still this insecure about opening up to their classmates.
"So what's your resolution going to be buddy?" Gerald asked his best friend.
"I'm not sure."
Before having a chance to think it over, the boys looked to see Rhonda addressing them. "Here you go boys. Be sure to write down your resolutions, and have them ready for the game later tonight."
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" Gerald couldn't help but ask.
"It's a popular New Year's party activity, and my party's are always the best."
After watching the stuck up girl wander back into the house, Gerald shook his head and said "Mm, mm, mmm. Something tells me her resolution won't be anything modest."
The Corner Store
"Let's see. We need something big enough to hang across the front of the store. Then you can help me paint it baby sister. Won't that be fun?!" Olga exclaimed, while pushing the cart down the aisle.
Helga slowly dragged her feet behind her sister. The only reason she hadn't fought to stay home was because this gave her an excuse to avoid writing her resolution at the party.
"I'd rather watch the paint dry."
The Boarding House
The boarders were sitting in the dining room, eating the spaghetti Pookie cooked for all of them. Phil was trying to enjoy himself, but wasn't having the easiest time while listening to the usual bickering of the boarders.
"That's my party hat Kakoshka! Give it here ya bum!" Ernie snapped, as he leaned across the table to reach for his party favor.
"What do you mean? I found it in the kitchen. That makes it mine." Oscar insisted, not wanting to return the stolen item.
"You are just an idiot!" Mr. Hyunh shouted, not being anymore fond of Oscar than Ernie was.
"Will you be quiet!" Phil snapped, as he stood from his seat to lean over the table.
A moment of silence occurred until someone came marching through the door. Dressed as a leprechaun, carrying a plate of green four leaf clover cookies, Pookie said "Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!"
The Corner Store
Olga was standing in line with her younger sibling who looked as though her New Year's resolution was going to be finding a way to kill herself.
While their items were being rung up, Helga heard "Why aren't you at the party Helga?"
The blonde girl uncrossed her arms and turned to face Mrs. Johanson. "Huh?"
"Everyone's at Rhonda's New Year's Eve party. Did you not want to go?"
"Oh well I…" Helga began to tug at her collar. Before she could come up with an excuse, Olga butted in.
"A party! Oh dear, I'll get you there baby sister!"
"Perfect." the pre-teen muttered to herself. Rather than being torn between being humiliated at the party or miserable shopping with Olga, she would be experiencing both.
Rhonda's House
"Okay everyone! It's time to play. Pass in your sheets." Rhonda instructed.
Arnold looked around the room, and couldn't help but notice Helga still hadn't shown up.
Everyone took their seats in the living room. Just as Rhonda was ready to pass the bowl around, they heard a knock at the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Uhh! Who could that be?" the chic girl sneered. She wasn't a fan of tardy guests.
Rhonda opened the door to see an unwelcome guest…
"I'm here dear!" the animal loving boy screamed, as he held out a bouquet of roses for the girl he had long admired.
"You! Get out of here now!" Rhonda demanded, while pointing him in the other direction.
"Come on. Give daddy some sugar!" Curly insisted, as he leaned in for a kiss.
Rhonda slammed the door in his face, only to turn and see the horrified looks the group was wearing.
"Looks like he forgave you." Gerald said amusingly, thinking back to the harsh break up that was performed in the cafeteria the previous year.
Rhonda's Front Yard
"You'll be sorry!" Curly snapped.
The hyper boy turned in time to see a lifeless classmate of his approaching the door.
Helga stood with her arms crossed and asked "What are you doing here geek bait?"
"I came to make amends with the one I love. She couldn't speak the truth to me in front of that large crowd of people. I'll approach her again when the time is right." Curly dramatically explained before marching past Helga.
The blonde girl rolled her eyes at the abnormal boy and scoffed "Poor twisted little freak."
Rhonda's Living Room
"Okay everyone. Let's…"
KNOCK KNOCK
"Uhhh! What now?" Rhonda complained, not approving of the interruptions.
The annoyed girl stood to again answer the door. Her frustrated look turned to an intrigued one when she saw the missing guest standing in the doorway.
"Well, well. You decided to come after all." Rhonda grinned, having a good idea as to what (or who) Helga was hoping to see.
"Gee ya think?" the blonde girl rolled her eyes at the senseless remark and began to head towards the living room.
The Boarding House
While the boarders were fighting over the last of Pookie's cookies, the crazy lady was busy decorating the living room.
Phil walked in to see his wife placing a rainbow over the fireplace and a pot of chocolate gold coins beside it.
"Pookie! If that's not real gold, I don't want it in here." Phil said irritably.
After hanging the rainbow, Pookie jumped down from the fireplace to hand her husband a four leaf clover necklace. "Wear this Pat! You'll need something to protect you from the pinchers!"
Phil glared at the necklace Pookie handed him. He then watched his colorful wife (who was wearing a green coat and top hat) march past him and said "Crazy old coot."
Rhonda's House
Finally, everyone had taken a seat in the living room. After not hearing anymore interruptions, they were ready to proceed with the game.
"We'll go in a circle starting with you Sid. Go ahead and draw a sheet." Rhonda instructed.
Sid looked at the resolution he had drawn to read aloud, already having a good idea of who it belonged to. "I promise to be more careful….I'm going to say Eugene."
"Gosh! How did you know? How did...Whoa! I'm okay!" the clumsy boy assured them, after falling out of his seat.
"Pttss...yeah, who would have guessed?" Helga scoffed, with her chin resting in her hand, propped against her knee. She sat beside Arnold on the couch, hoping the night wouldn't end as badly as she predicted. Once her resolution was read aloud, everyone could either laugh at her for thinking she was capable of being nicer, or showing a sign of weakness for wanting to do it.
After the group had gotten it's laughs in, Sid passed the bowl over to Nadine. The nature loving girl drew a resolution and began to read it aloud. "I promise to try new foods. You know Sheena…"
"Criminy. We're supposed to be guessing who wrote it, but you're just flat out accusing people."
Helga felt the need to point out, as she crossed her arms and leaned back against the couch.
The group laughed at the remark, while Nadine felt the need to explain. "Well, Sheena sometimes helps me search for insects, thanks to the protein different types of bugs have. So, we've talked about her diet before."
"That is disgusting!" Rhonda felt the need to comment.
After rolling her eyes at her unsupportive friend's remark, Nadine sighed and said "Whatever. It's your turn Gerald."
The serene boy reached for a resolution to read to the group. "I promise to cool out." The group all turned to look at who was known to be the class over-reactor. "My man Sid. Good luck with that."
"Pttss...you said a mouthful there pal." Helga leered, as she propped her head in her hand, leaning her elbow against the arm of the couch. She wasn't having the easiest time sitting still, knowing each answer read brought another chance of hers being read.
Everyone had been made fun of so far though, so there wasn't too much to fear.
"Your turn babe." Gerald happily passed the bowl to Phoebe.
The sweet girl drew a piece of paper that read "I promise to be more open to new ideas." Phoebe tilted her glasses as she looked around the room and thought to herself…
As extreme as Helga's desire to change her ways is, this doesn't quite seem to fit her.
"Was it you Arnold?"
Nadine butted in after hearing the guess and said "It was mine. As annoying as it is to hear everyone insult my interests in insects, it wouldn't hurt to find something else to enjoy doing too."
"Finally! You've come to your senses Nadine! We'll hit the mall first thing tomorrow." Rhonda exclaimed.
Nadine rolled her eyes at her friend, wondering if she should have thought of another resolution to come up with. She then passed the bowl along to Eugene, who anxiously reached for it.
"Here I go you guys! Let's see...It says 'I promise to stop eating in class...unless I'm really, really hungry."
Complete silence took over the room, knowing who had written it. Eugene kept a curious look on his face as he looked at Harold and said "Was it you Harold?"
Helga smacked her face at the question and scowled "Well doi! Who else in here gets threatened to have their lunch taken away by Simmons?"
The students began to chuckle at the fair point until the angry boy stood and said "Stop laughing or I'll pound all of ya!"
"Harold sit down! You're ruining the party!" Rhonda demanded, with a harsh tone.
The husky boy then plopped down on the floor with his arms crossed and a grumpy facial expression.
Once the chaos had died down, Eugene looked to the next person in line and said "Here you go Sheena."
"Thank you Eugene! This person promises to share more of their styling tips. Oh how kind of them." Sheena said, while looking around the room.
After seeing the difficult time she was having choosing a person, Rhonda spoke up. "Your inability to point out who has the best sense of style in this room proves just how much you need my help. Lucky for you, I'm willing to share what I know."
"Oh how sweet of you!"
"Don't mention it. Now it's my turn…" Rhonda anxiously dug into the bowl.
"Okay. I promise to try to get along with my family." A wide grin formed on the snooty girl's face, as she eyed the girl in the pink dress and said "I wish you the best of luck Helga."
The blonde girl cocked her brow as she turned to face Rhonda and said "Excuse me?"
"While your sister shows no end to her accomplishments, your family in general is not the best definition of teamwork."
Helga clenched her fists as she began to stand from the couch. Before having the chance to go off on Rhonda, the group heard "It was mine."
Everyone looked over to see Gerald lifting his hand to draw the attention towards himself. "As unlikely as I know it is to change, I don't exactly enjoy the daily family feuds I have to put up with."
As full of herself as she was, Rhonda wasn't sure what to say in this situation. Helga then sat back down on the couch, and the bowl was passed onto the next person.
Having gotten over the insult, Harold pulled out a sheet to attempt to read. "Okay let's see. I promise to help who-whoever is in need of my assi-assist-assi oh you're confusing me!"
"I don't reckon he can guess who wrote it if he can't even read it." Stinky felt the need to point out.
Feeling she had no choice, Phoebe spoke up to help Harold "I believe you've drawn my resolution, in which I promised to help whoever is in need of my assistance."
"I thought we were supposed to start doing things we don't already do?" Sid questioned.
Ignoring the response, Stinky reached for the bowl. "I reckon I'm next. It says, I promise to be nicer.
Helga could feel her heart pounding after hearing those vulnerable words being read aloud. She couldn't set herself up even further by appearing nervous to everyone. Therefore, she continued to lean her head in her hand, with her elbow propped on the arm of the couch. She could only pray the boring position being displayed was enough to fool everyone into thinking she didn't care about what their opinions of her were.
"Was it you Ms. Lila?"
Helga's tension was turned to annoyance as she thought to herself…
Oh brother. How the heck could she be any nicer?
"I'm ever so certain it wasn't me Stinky." the redheaded girl assured her classmate.
"Well, I reckon it could have been you Helga. You don't seem to like being too nice though."
The group erupted with laughter, as the blonde girl did her best not to let her anger get the best of her.
Arnold looked to see the distressed look on his friend's face and asked "What's so weird about that?"
"You're kidding right Arnold?" Rhonda asked, with a dull look on her face.
"No. You guys are always complaining about the way she bullies you. Why would you make fun of her for wanting to change?"
A sweet smile and dreamy eyes appeared on Helga's face as she listened to her beloved stand up for her. She was awaken from her daze when she heard a perky classmate say…
"Well I think it's just ever so sweet of you Helga! It's just like when I gave you advice on how to be like me last year."
Arnold turned to give Helga a puzzled look as he listened to her gulp at the memory. "Uhh yeah. Who's next?"
"I believe it's my turn, and I'm just ever so excited!" Lila exclaimed, while reaching for the bowl.
Only a few names remained, which meant there wasn't much left to pick from. "I promise to help you be happy. Oh that's just ever so dear! Was it you Stinky?"
"I don't reckon I recall writing that. I suppose I could have?" Stinky began to scratch his head, until the group heard the owner speak up.
"Actually, it was me."
"That's so sweet Arnold! Who were you referring to?" Lila eagerly wished to know.
The blonde boy began to blush, not expecting any additional questions. "Well, all of you guys I guess. I mean, I enjoy doing whatever I can to help you all."
Arnold leaned back on the couch, content they accepted his answer. Only Helga noticed the look of relief in his eyes. Who could he have been referring to?
"Well, I guess I'm next." Arnold said, as he grabbed one of the two remaining sheets. "I promise to be as smart as my pa."
Before the caring boy could point out who it was, Helga scoffed "You've got your work cut out for you there."
"Aww gee." the country boy moaned at the class' constant laughter of his poorly worded resolution.
"You're the last one Helga." Arnold said, handing her the remaining sheet.
The now calm girl glared at the resolution with her head still propped in her hand, leaning against the arm of the couch.
"I promise to invite you all over for a sleepover….no need."
"Do us guys get to go too?" Stinky wondered.
Helga smacked her face at his ignorance and said "So much for your resolution."
Five Minutes 'Til Midnight
"Okay everyone! I'm lighting the beautiful, incredibly expensive, candles I got just for the occasion. I've lit one for each of you. When Midnight comes, we'll each blow ours out and shout 'Happy New Year' Got it?"
"So that's how New Year's works. Thanks for clearing that one up." Gerald said wittily.
Helga stood with her pink carnation candle, wondering what Arnold meant by his resolution. He not only knew, but made it clear to everyone how appreciative he was of her attempt to change. What was he planning?
"Five...Four...Three...Two…"
"Oh no! My candle went out! I need a new one! I…" Sid cried out in fear.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
After everyone said their cheers, the group looked at the nervous boy holding his hat. Gerald shook his head and said "Well, you tried Sid."
After The Party
The group headed home in separate directions. Helga was heading down the sidewalk staring at the ground with her hands in her pockets. She then heard a voice from behind…
"Hey Helga."
"Arnold! I mean...stop creeping up on me!"
"Sorry. I just wanted to know if I could walk you home?"
"If by home you mean that sorry excuse for a business, then sure." she leered.
The walk was quiet the first few minutes. Arnold really was hurt knowing Helga had to live where she did, with the unsupportive family that she had.
"Hey Helga?"
The blonde girl turned to face her friend with her hands in her pockets and asked "Yeah football head?"
"You were the one I was talking about, when I said I promise to make you happy."
The pigtailed girl's eyes widened in disbelief. She stood still a moment, feeling she had to have misheard him. That or this was all just a crazy dream.
After shaking her head harshly, she said "Pttss...what makes you think I need anyone's help being happy?"
"Well, just because you don't need me for something doesn't mean I don't want to be there for you. You've done a lot for me over the years, even though you're not willing to admit you did everything to make me happy."
Helga could feel sweat forming on her face. Was she that predictable, or had she just opened up to him that much recently?
"What's your point?" she asked, attempting to keep her cool.
"My point is, I've thought about the times I was able to do something to make things better for you."
Crossing her arms at his excuse, Helga glared at the boy and asked "Such as?"
"When you were the It Girl. You said it was driving you crazy, so I told you to act nice. It made me happy to see you so happy to be let out of your contract. Then when you were blind on April Fool's Day…"
Helga began to rub her neck, blushing at the memory.
"It felt good doing whatever I could to help you, considering how awful I felt for blinding you."
"Uhhh yeah. I guess it does feel good to lend a hand to someone every once in awhile. Why do you think I'm always warning you not to tell anyone I never did you any favors?"
Arnold looked at his friend with half lidded eyes and the smile that always made her go weak at the knees. Holding her hand in his, he walked her the rest of the way to the emporium.
"That's a nice banner." Arnold pointed at the decorative sign the Patakis had hanging above the store.
Helga gave a dull look after hearing the complement and smirked "Pttss...yeah, and this is a nice store."
Disregarding the harsh remark, Arnold took his friend's hand in his and said "I'm really glad you came tonight. I've enjoyed the holidays with you."
Helga did her best to hold back her swoon as she replied "Yeah, they didn't suck as much as they normally do."
"Well good night." the sweet boy waved, as he headed towards the boarding house.
"Night football head."
The Boarding House
Arnold opened the door, waiting for the pets to pour out. When he didn't see them, he went to see if anyone was awake.
Arnold found his grandpa in the kitchen eating a roast beef sandwich. "Hey grandpa."
"Hey shortman. How was the party?"
"Umm pretty good. Where are all the pets?" the curious boy asked, taking a seat at the table.
"Your crazy grandma's been trying to paint them green all night. They ran out a few hours ago and I haven't seen 'em since...or her for that matter."
Not feeling there was much he could do, Arnold stood from the table and sighed "I guess I'm going to sleep. Night grandpa."
"Night shortman. Happy New Year."