I know it's hard to understand a non-busybody Arnold but people grow up. People evolve. They're not going to be the same as when they were nine years old. Especially when they're teenagers going through puberty. If you want an uptight morally superior Arnold, look elsewhere. I'm trying to have a real guy that just happened to make mistakes.
Anyway, I forgot the flower shop owner's name so I went with Vatelli. I'm pretty sure I'm wrong but I don't care enough to look it up.
Enjoy!
NJPNJPNJP
January, Senior Year
"Did you have a good break?"
Arnold looked at Gerald. "What?"
"Did you have a good break?" He repeated.
"I saw you most of those days."
"I know but was it a good time?"
"It was okay. Gerald, what's wrong with you?"
Gerald took a deep breath. "He got her a Christmas gift."
"Who got who a Christmas gift?" Arnold was so confused.
"That secret admirer guy, Sunset or Daylight or something. He got Helga a Christmas present."
Arnold frowned. "What? What did he get her?"
"A charm bracelet. She hasn't taken it off since she got it."
"Who is this guy?!" Arnold almost tore at his hair.
Gerald closed his locker. "I don't know, man but she's falling for him. She said she's trying to figure out who he is."
"Who do you think it could be?" Arnold closed his locker, too & they set off down the hall. "We gotta find this guy before she does!"
"Why?" Gerald frowned.
"He could be a stalker!"
Gerald didn't think so but keep silent as Arnold gathered steam.
"He could be a freak! What if he doesn't even go to school with us?! What if he doesn't go to school at all?! He could be a grown man! A serial killer!"
"Arnold, my man?" Gerald took his shoulders & shook him. "I doubt that severely."
"You never know, Gerald! My mom watches all those crime shows & there are some sick people out there!"
Gerald rolled his eyes. "My mom watches that junk, too but it's all crap."
"Gerald,-"
"Arnold."
Arnold groaned. "Why is this happening to me?"
"Freaking out or someone moving in on your territory?"
"She's not territory."
"Arnold." Gerald gave him a look as he dropped his hands.
Arnold blinked slowly. "The last one."
"Because you're not telling her how you feel."
Arnold sighed. "I'm not ready."
"You better get ready before she marries this guy." Gerald walked off.
Arnold stared after him. Was he right? Would he miss his chance?
~WLY~
"Okay, ladies, here's the name of the game!" Helga threw last year's yearbook on the table at Slausen's. "We need to find this chump & we need to find him now."
"Who?" Rhonda asked.
"Helga has a secret admirer." Lila smiled.
Rhonda's jaw dropped. "What?!"
"No way!" Nadine lit up.
Sheena grinned & clapped happily. "Who do you think it is?"
"I have no idea." Helga shrugged.
"Why didn't you tell me?! This is something you share, Pataki!" Rhonda snapped.
"I'm sharing it now." Helga rolled her eyes.
"How long have you had this secret admirer?!"
"Almost three months."
"& you're just now telling us?!" Rhonda felt faint.
Nadine rolled her eyes. "Cut the crap, Rhonda. It's not about you."
Rhonda pouted.
Sheena rubbed her back. "What can you tell us about this admirer, Helga?"
"He gives me six red roses every couple of days with poetry written on the card." Helga ran her locket along its chain. She stuck her arm out. "& he gave me this for Christmas."
"Whoa baby!" Nadine's eyes widened.
Sheena was in shock. "Oh my!"
Rhonda took her arm & inspected the jewelry intently. "It's real. Wow. It's real."
Helga smiled. "I wouldn't care if it was spray-painted. It's nice."
"I believe you may be developing feelings for this Midnight, Helga." Phoebe adjusted her glasses.
"No way." Helga scoffed.
"Yes way!" Lila hugged her shoulders tightly. "He is ever so slowly stealing your heart!"
Helga blushed. "No. My heart is safe. I just think I should meet him. Just in case he thinks this is going somewhere. I should let him down in person."
"Why can't you date him?" Phoebe demanded. "Are you waiting for Arnold?"
"No!" Helga frowned.
"Then why not take the chance on someone who clearly appreciates you?"
Helga tapped her fingers against the table & stared at them as if they were tapping out the meaning to life in morse code. "I'll think about it."
Phoebe smiled. "What is the yearbook for?"
"To check everyone's end of the year quotes & see how poetic they are. Whoever's is the most poetic is obviously Midnight."
The girls smiled & got to work.
~WLY~
"Has she found him yet?" Arnold asked.
"Nope." Gerald shook his head. "Phoebe told me that they've gone over the yearbook to see who it could be but they came up empty. Helga said she was going to the flower shop this week to see who has been buying red roses."
"This week? Not today?"
"I don't think so. I think she's getting together with the soccer girls & setting up a schedule."
"Good. That means we get to go to the flower shop & see who's been buying red roses."
"Dude. I don't know if this is such a good idea." Gerald was worried about his best friend.
"It's the perfect idea! Come on, Gerald. Please?"
"We're going to get creamed for missing basketball practice." He was bending & they both knew it.
"Blame it on me. Come on!" Arnold ran off.
Gerald ran after him. "Wait for me!"
~WLY~
"Hi, Mrs. V!" Arnold was out of breath from running from the bus stop all the way to the flower shop without breaks.
"Hello, Arnold. Gerald." The elderly shop keeper smiled at both out of breath boys. "Do you need flowers for your mothers?"
"No. We need information." Arnold breathed deeply. "We need to know who sends Helga Pataki flowers."
"Why?" She cocked her head.
Arnold never thought up an excuse. "Uh…"
"Helga wants to know." Gerald replied smoothly.
The florist smiled. "I'd love to tell you but I can't. It's against store policy."
"That you made up. Can't you bend the rules?" Arnold begged.
"I'm sorry but I have to have integrity. I can't bend the rules for you & not everyone else. It wouldn't be fair."
Arnold's eyes narrowed but Gerald beat him to the punch. "Thank you anyway, Mrs. V!"
"I'm really sorry, boys." She waved as Gerald pulled Arnold out.
"Have a good day!" He waved back. He pulled Arnold out onto the icy sidewalks. "You gotta get a grip! You were about to tell off an old lady!"
"Why can't she just tell me?! It's not like she's breaking the law!" Arnold paced.
"It's her rule. We have to abide by it." Gerald grinned suddenly.
"What?" Arnold noticed his sinister look.
"That doesn't mean you can't come by & see who all buys red roses."
Arnold smiled smugly when he realized what his best friend was saying. "I could get a job here after school. But I would have to quit basketball."
"What's more important? Helga or basketball?"
Arnold nodded with a grin before going back inside to ask for a job.