Princess of Thieves
Another school play, another lead role for Arnold and Helga. How will it turn out this time around?

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.
The 'interpretation' and the basis for the 'script' I have used for the Robin Hood play is based very strongly on the Robin Hood TV Series from the BBC (circa 2006-2009). If you haven't ever watched it, you totally should. However, I would like to point out that I also do not own Robin Hood.

FanArt: midnight-sun-dancer on Deviantart has done some artwork for this story which is fantastic! You can check it out at the link below (minus spaces of course)

browse . deviantart/ # / d5oss2d


March 27th – Phoebe Comes Knocking

"Arnold, one of your little friends is here t-" Grandpa's voice hollered up the stairs, interrupted by the sound of my bedroom door crashing open.

I sprang from my bed quickly to see Phoebe storm toward me, shooting me a look of seething anger.

"I could kill you!" Phoebe shouted, backing me up against my bed.

I gulped, I had never heard Phoebe raise her voice, "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice strained.

"You!" Phoebe screeched, pointing her finger at my chest, "You made my best friend upset!"

My eyes grew wide, "I made Helga upset?" I asked nervously.

Phoebe reached for the script behind me on the bed and waved it angrily in my face, "Of course you made her upset, you idiot!" she scolded, throwing the script at the wall.

"I didn't mean ... I don't mean to... I-I... I'm n-" I stuttered.

Phoebe lowered her hand and, with a menacing glare, stepped backward to free me from the corner she'd backed me into, "What the heck happened at the auditorium." she enquired icily.

I breathed heavily as the memories of my visit to the auditorium two hours prior to Phoebe's entry, played once again in my mind...

Absent mindedly, I pushed open the auditorium doors, my mind riddled with nervous thoughts about opening night, and the chance to kiss Helga... even if it was just acting.

I sighed as my gaze wandered from the set to the dressing room corridors and back again, I couldn't even fathom why I was standing in the auditorium right now. I had taken a walk, to calm my nerves, and somehow my feet had taken me here.

Walking toward the dressing room corridor I glanced at my watch, it was 3 o'clock, three hours before everybody would begin to arrive.

I stopped suddenly as my eyes focussed on a beam of unexpected light, coming from Helga's dressing room, accompanied by faint humming sounds.

Without thinking I slowly pushed her dressing room door open, "What are you doing here so early?" I asked as I stepped inside.

Helga jumped, spinning around to face me with wide eyes, as I spoke. I watched her carefully as she began to speak, her long blonde hair dropping to her waist in curls and her elegant costume setting off the blue in her eyes.

"I just wanted to be prepared." Helga explained as she finished coating her lips in sparkling gloss, putting the tube down on the bench beside her, "I needed to practice changing in and out of these dresses."

Noticing the calm in her tone, and the absence of a scowl on her face, I breathed deeply and decided to enquire about something, "Why don't we talk much?"

Helga's eyes darted around the room "Why do you care?" she asked, a frown on her face.

"It would be nice if... if we could at least try to be friends." I suggested.

Helga's frown intensified, "Yeah right Football Head!" she shot back.

I winced, shuffling forward a little, "Uh, how is your writing going?" I asked, hoping a change of subject would lighten the mood.

Helga stared at me for a moment, "How do you know I write?" she asked slowly.

"I heard about the poems you had published..." I responded nervously.

Helga's eyes grew wide, her fists clenching at her sides, "Which ones?" she demanded.

"One was called... The Locket and another was called Waiting..." I told her honestly, watching her reaction carefully.

Helga's expression relaxed slightly, "So, you've never happened to read one called The Rain?"

"No, should I?" I asked, slightly confused.

Helga shook her head fiercely "No! Never read it! And, forget I mentioned it!" she insisted.

I blinked, taking in the fearful expression on her face, "What's it about?"

"Listen up bucko, I told you to forget about it, okay?" Helga snarled, crossing her arms and glaring.

I nodded slowly in agreement, as Helga continued to speak, "And what the heck are you doing here so early, Football Head?"

"I was just a... little nervous about opening night so I just... came by..." I revealed.

Helga scoffed, "What are you so nervous about Arnoldo, we know our lines perfectly."

I laughed uneasily, "Yeah, I guess I'm freaking out for nothing."

Helga pursed her lips together, looking intently at me for a moment before averting her gaze down to the corset of her dress. Wrapping the ribbons through her fingers she sighed, muttering something about stupid medieval clothes.

"Um, are you okay?" I asked, watching her tug at the ribbons.

"Yeah." Helga muttered, "Just these stupid ribbons. They're so difficult to get right."

"But Phoebe will help you out on the night, right?" I said, offering her a smile.

"Yeah, but I don't want to be needy of her time... she's assistant director, she's busy." Helga said, angrily sliding her fingers through a twisted section of ribbon.

"I could always help you out... if... if you needed." I offered, my voice shaking.

Helga's face dropped, her expression blank, "Arnold, to help me get dressed you would have to see me naked." she firmly informed me.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat, my eyes flying wide open and a tingling blush come to my cheeks, "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I apologised, my hands flying to my mouth.

Helga shrugged, "Not like I care, but, I'm sure that's not an experience you'd like to have."

I averted my gaze, attempting to resume a normal breathing pattern, "I, um, no... I-... Uh, you look beautiful in your costume." I blurted.

Helga raised an eyebrow at me, "Beautiful? Me?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, I mean... you always are, but, it's just... the costume just, makes it more obvious." I gulped nervously as she took in my words.

Helga shifted uncomfortably, "Uh, thanks." she muttered, her shuffling feet tripping over the chair beside her as she attempted to turn back to face the mirror.

Lurching forward, her body collided into mine as I reached to catch her, sending us crashing into the couch behind us. Helga's eyes met mine, my heart thumping rapidly in my chest, I ran my eyes over her glossy lips as I felt Helga's body shiver against mine.

I felt her breath against my skin as our lips touched, faintly brushing against each other, neither of us game to move. Slowly, I pushed forward, connecting our lips properly, causing Helga to twitch a little beneath me. I shut my eyes hard as I felt Helga slowly returning the kiss, her lips responding and her tongue lightly brushing against mine.

Helga pulled back quickly, "W-what... What was that?" she breathed.

"Um, I don't know." I whispered, my hands shaking against the fabric of the arm rest.

Helga stood, brushing the creases from her dress as she watched me lift myself from the couch to stand before her.

"What was that?" Helga repeated, this time her tone strong and demanding.

I wanted to tell her I loved her, more than anything, but fear washed over me at that exact moment. She didn't feel the same in return, I knew that, so it would only serve to make things painfully awkward during the performance tonight. I didn't exactly have a good excuse, so the diluted truth would have to do, "I, uh, well, I... I... You look pretty."

Helga froze momentarily, "Is that it? That I happen to look nice in this artificial get-up?" she asked, her tone icy, her fingers clenched at her sides.

"Uh, yes.. No?" I stuttered, she seemed angry, but then again, she was always angry, "I-I.. um..."

Helga gathered the lengths of her dress in her hands, "I have to go." she said, her voice wavering, as she disappeared down the corridor.

After the shock wore off, I searched the corridors, the auditorium and backstage but I couldn't find her anywhere. Filled with confusion and regret, I gave up and went home.

"I kissed her." I admitted to Phoebe, "and I shouldn't have."

Phoebe clenched her fists, "What! Why not? You shouldn't have? What, is she not good enough for you? No, she's too good for you! So, tell me, WHY should you NOT have kissed my best friend?" she bellowed.

"Phoebe, calm down." I urged, "I know Helga doesn't like me, and she has every right to be annoyed at me for what I did."

Phoebe dropped her arms, looking at me with confusion, "You think Helga left because she was annoyed at you for kissing her?"

"I'm sorry, I will apologise I promise, it's just th-" I began.

Phoebe's arms waved frantically, "You idiot! She's not upset that you kissed her!"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "She's not?"

Phoebe crossed her arms, "I'm certain the reason she's upset has a lot to do with your motive for doing so." she said irritably, "You cannot simply take advantage of my best friend because she happens to look pretty!"

"Woah!" I said defensively, "I never tried to take advantage of her."

Phoebe gritted her teeth, letting out a pained sigh, "You just don't get it do you?"

"What don't I get?" I asked.

Phoebe's face softened slightly, a look of concern in her eyes, "Arnold, you do realise that Helga is in love with you, right?"

I struggled to regain my breath, it felt like all the air in the room had been sucked out, "SHE WHAT?" I managed to splutter between gasps.

Phoebe frowned, "I honestly cannot believe you're so... so... dense!" she said in exasperation, "So, let's lay a few ground rules here Arnold. First off, never tell Helga that I told you. Second, never play with her feelings again, you got me? Third, you need to g-"

"Helga loves me?" I breathed, standing motionless.

Phoebe glared, "Yes, that's what I just said! Now, don't you d-"

Phoebe stopped abruptly as I took her by the arms and pulled her into a vice-grip hug, "Where is she?" I asked, still crushing Phoebe in my arms.

Phoebe looked up at me, "I don't think I should reveal that information."

"I need to speak to her!" I urged, stepping backward and releasing her from my hold.

Phoebe watched me cautiously, "What are you going to say to her?"

"That I love her too." I said, my heart beating faster as I said the words out loud.

Phoebe stopped, froze for a moment, before letting out a shrill scream of excitement. Clasping her hand to her mouth, she jumped on the spot, muffling the 'oh oh oh eeee aaahhh' squeals escaping from her lips.

"Auditorium!" Phoebe shrieked, "Helga! Auditorium! Go, go quick!"

Dashing toward the door and swinging it open, I paused and looked back toward Phoebe, "Hey, Phoebe, how do you feel about Gerald?"

Phoebe stopped jumping, a slight blush forming on her cheeks, "Oh... I like him, quite a lot." she admitted nervously.

"You should tell him." I urged, shooting her a smile, "He's head over heels... He just thinks he's not smart enough for you."

Without waiting for her reaction, I flew down the staircase and out of the Boarding House doors, toward the school auditorium.