Year 2 (10th Grade)
Chapter 12
A Celebration and the approaching Trip
Arnold's excitement about the coming trip had grown exponentially since Big Bob told Helga she could go with him and his family. One by one he marked the days off of his calendar till that day was well within his grasp. But before then, Arnold and Helga would have to celebrate one more time before they left for San Lorenzo. It was a rather important date, especially for Arnold. "HEY ARNOLD HEY ARNOLD HEY…" said his alarm clock as he quickly reached to shut it off. He glanced over at his calendar; it was the last day of school. Only two more days left before they would all leave for vacation. A sudden thought popped into his head.
*It was a year ago today I told Helga my true feelings. I can't believe it's been a year.* Arnold thought as a smile crawled across his face.
*I gotta do something special…but what.* Arnold thought as he lay in his bed.
Thinking back on all of his dates with Helga he suddenly realized something.
"I know what I'll do." Arnold said as he figured out the one thing he hasn't done for her yet.
"I'll make her dinner. Yeah, well have a candlelight dinner on the roof, music, and everything. That's what I'll do." He said as he sat up on his bed.
"Then we'll just take it from there, we'll do whatever she wants to do after that." Arnold said as he made his way through his usual morning routine.
Out of the shower and fully dressed he grabbed his stuff and slowly started downstairs for breakfast. As he entered the kitchen he found his Mom and Grandma sitting at the table talking.
"Morning Mom, morning Grandma." Arnold said as he set his bag down and grabbed some cereal from the cabinet.
"Morning Arnold." They both said at the same time.
"So Arnold, are you excited about leaving for San Lorenzo on Monday?" His mother asked him.
"I am Mom. I can't wait for Helga to come with us." Arnold said sounding excited.
"I can't wait either Arnold." Stella said to him.
"So Arnold what are you and Helga going to do when you're there?" His grandmother asked.
"I thought I'd take her to see as much as we can while we're there. Hiking through the jungle, maybe see some of the ancient ruins there. And probably do some swimming." Arnold told her.
Stella hearing Arnold say the word swimming; she quickly gives him a look. Arnold sees the look on his mother's face and doesn't know what to make of it.
"What is it Mom?" He asked her.
"It's nothing Arnold." She told him.
"Hey Mom, can I ask you something?" Arnold said to her.
"Sure honey what is it?" Stella asked him.
"I wanna make dinner for Helga tonight, I was wondering if you and Grandma could help me out with it?" Arnold asked the two of them.
"Sure sweetie, what's the special occasion?" Stella asked him.
"It's kind of our one year anniversary today." Arnold told her as he smiled.
"That's wonderful Arnold…what do you mean by "kind of"?" She asked sounding confused.
"Well it was a year ago today that I confessed my feelings to Helga, out first date was week later." Arnold admitted.
"I remember now, you were very happy when you came home that night." Stella said to him.
"Yeah, I was." Arnold said remembering that night in front of P.S. 118 a year ago.
"So what do you think you two would like for dinner?" His mother asked him.
"I'm not sure yet. I'll think it over today and let you know when I get home." Arnold told her.
"Okay honey you decide what you want to make and we'll help you out." Stella told him.
"You can count on my help as well Arnold." His grandma said to him.
"Thanks Mom, Thanks Grandma." Arnold said as he finished his breakfast.
He cleared his place at the table and went upstairs to brush his teeth. His mother and Grandma were still talking in the kitchen.
"That's very sweet of Arnold to want to make dinner for her." His grandmother said.
"Yes it is." Stella said remembering what Arnold said about him and Helga going swimming.
*I hope he's not rushing into anything.* Stella thought to herself.
"Are you okay dear?" Gertie asked her.
"Yes I'm fine Mom." Stella told her.
"Don't worry Stella, Arnold may be a teenager, but he isn't the type to force anything on anyone. And you know that." Gertie said to her.
Stella had a surprised look on her face. But she clearly understood that her mother in law was thinking the same thing she was.
"I know, I know. I just worry about him is all." Stella told her.
"And you always will dear, but you need to let him get out on his own every now and then. Let him enjoy his trip with Helga." Gertie said to her.
"I guess you're right Mom." Stella said to her.
Just as she said that Arnold reappeared in the kitchen.
"Alright, I'm off to school. Is 6 o'clock okay for Helga to come over Mom?" He asked her as he picked up his bag.
"That sounds fine sweetie. Have a good day at school." Stella said to him.
"I will Mom, bye Grandma I'll be back later." Arnold said as he left the house.
"Bye Arnold." She said to him.
Hearing the door shut Gertie gets up from the table and walks over to Stella.
"Have faith in Arnold Stella, he knows what he's doing." She said to her.
"I will Mom. He has grown into quite the young man hasn't he." Stella said thinking of her son.
"Yes he has Stella, and he also knows how to be a gentleman. Don't worry about him." Gertie said as she laid her hand on Stella's shoulder.
"Because the next thing you know, he'll be leaving for college." Gertie said to her.
"I sincerely hope not, I don't want him to grow up too fast." Stella said to her mother in law with a kind of worried laughter.
"Well I'm going to the grocery store to get some things for Arnold." Gertie said as she started to leave the kitchen.
"You need me to go with you?" Stella asked.
"No thank you dear I'm only going to get a few things. I'll be back later." Gertie said as she walked out the back door headed toward the garage.
"Okay Mom, see you when you get back." She said to her.
Alone in the kitchen Stella looked at a family picture on the wall. It was a picture of Arnold's first birthday. In it was Phil, Gertie, Miles, herself, and of course Arnold. Seeing a picture of her one year old son brings a tear to her eye.
*My baby boy is growing up.* She thought to herself.
Her concentration was suddenly broken by the sound of screeching tires and her mother in law's usual laughter which sounded a little insane as she sped off down the street. Hearing this she can't help but laugh as she wipes away the tears. Still looking at Arnold's picture she gets up from the table to start her day. Arnold's day was just truly beginning as well as he arrived at school. Somehow he had to find out what Helga would like for dinner that night.
Arnold and Gerald stepped off the bus to find Helga and Phoebe waiting for them.
"Morning Helga, morning Phoebe." They both said.
"Good morning Arnold, morning Gerald." Phoebe said as she kissed Gerald.
"Hey Gerald…hey you." Helga said as she kissed Arnold.
"Hey Helga, do you know what today is?" He asked her.
"I do Arnold. It was a year ago today you told me your true feelings for me… Happy anniversary Arnold." Helga said very tenderly.
"Happy anniversary to you too Helga." Arnold said sweetly.
"Has it really been a year for you two?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes it has Phoebe, and it's been an amazing year." Helga told her.
"Congratulations man." Gerald said to him.
"Thanks Gerald." Arnold replied.
"So Arnold…what do you want to do tonight?" Helga asked wondering if he had something planned.
"Actually Helga…I have a surprise for you." Arnold told her.
"Really Arnold, what is it?" she asked.
"Come by my house at 6 o'clock tonight and I'll show you." Arnold said to her.
"Do I need to be dressed up for it?" she asked remembering their night out on Valentine's Day.
Arnold thought about this for a minute.
"Umm…yeah something nice but nothing too fancy." Arnold said to her.
"Okay Arnold, I'll be over at 6 then." Helga said feeling excited about that night.
"Alright then Helga, my family will be expecting you so just come on over." Arnold told her.
After that the conversation turned to mostly what everyone was going to do over the coming break. Gerald and Phoebe both talked about their coming vacations. Arnold and Helga were both excited about leaving for San Lorenzo the following Monday. Both Gerald and Phoebe were excited as well as surprised to hear that Helga's Dad had agreed to let her go. Their mutual excitement was interrupted by the ringing of the first bell of the last day of school. Since it was the last day of school, everyone was anxious to enter the building to get the day over with. The first few classes of the day went by slowly to the students of P.H.S. 209. The combined anticipation of the ever approaching summer break soon became unbearable. Luckily lunch arrived much to the relief of the entire student body. Arnold and Gerald sat at their usual table in the cafeteria to find Helga and Phoebe hadn't arrived yet.
"So whatchya got planned for Helga tonight Arnold?" Gerald asked.
"I'm making her dinner tonight Gerald." Arnold told him.
"Man Arnold, you must really be into her huh." Gerald stated.
"You have no idea Gerald." Arnold said to him thinking of Helga.
"Oh and Gerald." Arnold said.
"Yeah man." Gerald asked.
"This conversation…never happened." Arnold said.
"What conversation?" Gerald replied.
"Thanks Gerald." Arnold told him.
A minute later, Arnold heard something behind him.
"Hey boys." Arnold looked up to see Helga and Phoebe sitting down with their lunches.
"Hey Helga, hey Phoebe." Arnold said as they sat down.
"Hello Arnold, hello Gerald." Phoebe said to them as she kissed Gerald on the cheek.
"Hey Phoebe." Gerald said to her as his face blushes.
"So Arnold what's this surprise you've got planned?" Helga asked him.
"I can't tell you that Helga…but I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it." Arnold said.
"I'm sure I will too Arnold, I just can't wait." Helga said as she takes his hand.
"I know, I can't wait either." Arnold told her.
As they gaze into each other's eye's Arnold's concentration is broken by someone calling him.
"Hey Arnold, can you come here a minute." Stinky shouted to him.
"Yeah Stinky what do you need?" Arnold asked him as he got up from the table.
"I just need some help with our math homework; I don't understand a word of it." Stinky told him.
"Well what you got to do is…" Arnold voice trails off as he walks over to Stinky, Sid, and Harold's table.
"What a guy." Helga said under her breath.
"So Phoebe, you and Gerald have anything planned for the weekend?" Helga asked her.
"Yes Helga, Gerald and I were planning on going to the museum on Saturday." Phoebe explained.
"Gerald…in a museum, I never would have guessed." Helga said almost laughing.
"Believe it or not Helga, I am more sophisticated than you know." Gerald said in a sort "Shows what you know" manner.
"You could have fooled me, so what does Arnold have planned for us tonight?" Helga asked Gerald.
"I don't what you're talking about Helga. He hasn't said anything about it." Gerald told her.
"Come on Geraldo, I know he would have said something to you. What's he got planned." Helga said almost interrogating him.
"He's told me nothing Helga." Gerald said very coolly.
Helga clearly saw that Gerald was going to talk even if he did know something.
"Whatever you say Geraldo." Helga said to him.
As soon as she said that Arnold sat back down.
"Sorry, they wouldn't let me leave till I helped out Sid and Harold as well." Arnold explained.
"It's okay Arnold." Helga told him.
"So did I miss anything while I was away?" He asked.
"No we were just talking about the weekend." Gerald told him.
"Alright then." Arnold said as he began to eat his lunch.
The rest of the time they just talked while they ate. Before they knew it lunch was over, only two classes left in the day. They all left the cafeteria and went their separate ways. After Arnold and Helga parted ways, he and Gerald proceeded to their final classes.
"Hey man she tried to get me to tell her what you had planned." Gerald told him when Helga rounded the corner out of sight.
"Did you tell her?" Arnold asked.
"Of course not man. But she is really excited about what you got planned for her." Gerald told him.
"That's good to hear. I hope she likes it too." Arnold said.
"So any idea about what to cook?" Gerald asked him.
"I have no idea Gerald; maybe my Mom can give me an idea." Arnold said to him.
"As long as your grandma doesn't do the cooking I don't think she'll mind." Gerald said.
"I hate to agree with you but you're right." Arnold said as he began to laugh.
"I don't mean to rag on your Grandma…but her cooking leaves a lot to be desired Arnold." Gerald said to him.
"Yeah I know. Anyway, I'll see you after school Gerald." Arnold said as they stopped in the hallway.
"Alright man I'll see ya later." Gerald said as they gave their customary handshake before they went to their respective classes.
The last two courses of the day seemed to go by slow as usual. And just as usual the last bell of the day rang and a collective sigh of relief could be heard and felt throughout the entire student body. Arnold decided to wait in the hallway for a few minutes to let the traffic thin out. A few minutes pass by before he could get some breathing room. Eagerly he began his way for the front door. Once outside he found Gerald, Phoebe, and Helga all waiting on the sidewalk for the bus and Helga's mother. He slowly crept up behind Helga.
"Hey there beautiful." Arnold said as he wraps his arms around her.
"Hey baby." Helga said as she turned to kiss him.
"So what time do you want me to come over?" She asked Arnold.
"6 o'clock." Arnold told her.
"And you said I shouldn't wear anything too fancy…right?" Again she asked.
"Right something nice but not too fancy. Something you're comfortable in." Arnold said to her.
"Okay Arnold I'll be over at 6." Helga said.
A few more minutes went by before both the bus and Miriam pulled up at the same time.
"I'll get the door Helga." Arnold said as he reached for the passenger side door.
"Thank you Arnold, you're so sweet." Helga said as she kissed before she entered the car.
"I'll see you at 6 Arnold." Helga said just as her mother pulled off of the curb.
"See you then Helga." Arnold said as he waved goodbye to her.
Once the big blue sedan was well out of sight Arnold boarded the bus and made his way for home where his real work was just beginning.
Arnold entered his home about 3:30 that afternoon.
"I'm home." He shouted to anyone listening.
"We're in here honey." He heard his mother say.
He walked into the kitchen to find his mother and Grandma putting groceries away, and his dad cleaning the dishes while helping them with the grocery bags.
"Hey everybody." Arnold said as he set his bag down in the hallway.
"Hi sweetie, how was school?" Stella asked him.
"It was fine Mom, I'm glad that school's over, and I can't wait for vacation on Monday." He told her.
"Hey Arnold, Mom told me what you want to do for Helga tonight. I think it's great you want to make her dinner." Miles said to him.
"Yeah Dad, but I still don't know what to make." Arnold admitted.
"Well, what have you thought about?" He asked him.
"I know I would like it to be on the roof if it's alright?" Arnold asked.
"I don't see any problem with that, what about you Miles?" His mother asked Miles.
"I think that sounds great Arnold. Have you given any thought to any kind of setting or anything like that?" his dad asked.
Arnold thought about this for a minute.
"Do we still have those string lights in the attic?" Arnold asked his family.
"I think we do Arnold and I think I know where you're going with this." Miles said to him.
"I'm also gonna need some candles as well." Arnold stated.
"I'll find them as soon we're done here Arnold." Stella said to him.
"Okay Mom, and Grandma could you provide us some music on the piano tonight?" he asked her.
"I'd be happy to Arnold." His Grandma said to him.
"What time is she coming Arnold?" Miles asked him.
"She'll be over at 6 Dad." Arnold told him.
"Well its 3:30 now so you still have some time before she gets here. You, Grandpa, and I will get everything set up on the roof and then you can come down and make dinner ready. Sound good?" His dad told him.
"Sounds great Dad." Arnold said with increased excitement.
"So Arnold, any ideas about what you two might want for dinner?" Stella asked him.
"I'm not sure Mom." Arnold told her.
"Well what does she like?" she asked him.
"She pretty much likes anything, she is however allergic to strawberries." Arnold said.
"Okay then, you guys go get everything set up and we'll think of something. Okay sweetie." Stella said to him.
"Okay Mom, Dad let me go put my stuff up and then I'll be ready." Arnold told his dad as he picked up his backpack and started for the stairs.
"Okay Arnold we'll be on the roof." Miles said to him.
Arnold walked up the stairs, entered his room, and set his stuff down as if a great burden had been lifted from him. Quickly regaining his focus he proceeded to the roof where his Dad and Grandpa were waiting for him.
"Hey there short man how was school?" Phil asked him.
"Hey Grandpa, school was okay. I'm just glad the year's over." Arnold told him.
"I found the lights you wanted Arnold. So how do you want this set up?" Miles asked him.
Arnold took a minute to fully examine the space of the roof. The piano was placed under the water tower. There was a big open space which bordered the piano, the roof entrance, and the roof entrance that led to Arnold's room.
"The table should go over by the piano. And can we run those lights around the table. Like between the entrance here and the water tower and…I guess we could set up a pole or something." Arnold said.
"Arnold let us worry about the lights, go back to the attic and you should find a small round card table. See if that is what you want to use, otherwise I can go into town and find you something better suited to your needs." Miles told him.
"I'll go check it out Dad. I'll be right back." Arnold said as he entered the house again.
"Ah to be young and in love." His dad said as Arnold disappeared from the roof.
Arnold entered the house and eagerly made his way for the attic. He pulled down the ladder and climbed into the attic. Looking around he immediately found the table leaning up against the far wall.
"It's a little dusty…but it's perfect." Arnold said as he wiped some the dust off of it.
It was just the right size for what he needed. He knocked on it to find that it was in fact genuine hardwood and not particle board.
*It's even better than I thought.* He thought to himself.
Carefully he brought it down out of the attic and set down in the hallway before he took it to the roof. Once he had it out of the attic he ran downstairs into the kitchen to find his mother and Grandma sitting at the table looking through some cook books.
"Hey Mom, where's that can of wood shine at? I found the perfect table but it really needs to be cleaned." He asked her.
"Yeah Arnold look on the shelf in the hallway closet." He raced to the closet to find the can of wood cleaner right where she said it was.
"Thanks Mom." Arnold shouted as he went back up stairs.
"You're welcome Arnold." She shouted back to him.
Arnold grabbed the table and took it out to the backyard before he brought it up to the roof. Grabbing the hose the turned it on to properly clean it. Arnold was amazed at how much dust was on this table. Once the table had been cleaned he gave it a good once over with a towel he grabbed from the closet along with the wood shine. He promptly took it up to the roof and used the wood cleaner to give it a grade A shine.
*Yeah that'll do real nice.* Arnold thought to himself admiring the shine of the table.
"I'll be right back Dad; I'm gonna go grab some chairs from the kitchen." Arnold told him as he went back in the house.
"Okay Arnold we'll be here." Miles said to him.
Arnold quickly ran back down to the kitchen where his Mom and Grandma were still sitting at the table.
"Hey Mom can I take these two chairs if you're not using them?" Arnold asked her.
"Sure honey, go ahead." Stella told him.
"Thanks Mom." Arnold said as he took two of the three remaining kitchen chairs up to the roof.
As he walked back onto the roof his Dad grabbed his attention.
"Okay Arnold we've the lights hung…what do you think?" Miles asked him.
"It looks great, thanks Dad, thanks Grandpa." He said to the two of them.
"All I need now is a tablecloth, some candles, and to get the meal ready." Arnold said.
Just at that moment the door to the roof entrance opened up and his mother walked through.
"Hey Arnold, I found these candles for you." Stella said as she handed two candles to him.
"Thanks Mom, do we have an extra tablecloth?" He asked her.
"Right here honey." She said as she handed him a plain white tablecloth.
"Thanks Mom. Thanks for all your help everyone." Arnold said to his family.
"You're welcome dear." Stella said to him.
"Don't mention it Arnold." His grandpa said to him.
"You're welcome Arnold, what else do you need?" Miles asked him.
Arnold thought about this to see if he did need anything else.
"Well…I got the table cleaned and ready, Grandma is gonna play some music on the piano, the lights are hung. I guess all that's left is the get dinner ready." Arnold said to him.
"Well Arnold I think we may have found you a perfect recipe that be made pretty quickly." Stella told him.
"That's great Mom, what is it?" He asked.
"Well it's rather simple…but how does a couple of steaks sound?" She asked him.
Arnold thinks about this for a moment.
"Yeah that could work, it's simple, quick. What else do we have?" He asked her.
"How's about some vegetables and mashed potatoes?" She asked him.
"That sound great Mom. Dad can you teach me how to grill em up?" He asked his dad.
"Sure thing Arnold." His dad said to him.
Miles looks at his watch.
"It's going on fifteen after four; I'll get the grill going about a quarter after five Arnold." He told his son.
"Okay Dad." Arnold said.
"Arnold if you'll come on down to the kitchen we'll get the other stuff ready." Stella said to him.
"I'm coming Mom." Arnold said as he entered the walked in the house behind her.
They both walked into the kitchen to get the side dishes ready for the meal that night.
"Okay Arnold, here's the mashed potatoes. And here are some carrots and peas." Stella said as she handed him a few bags of microwavable vegetables.
Arnold can't help but laugh.
"Thanks Mom, this will give me enough time to take a shower." Arnold said to her.
"I wouldn't cook them until right before you head to the roof Arnold." She told him.
"Yeah, sounds good Mom." Arnold said to her.
"You still got some time sweetie, why don't you go take a nap." Said his mother.
"I think I will Mom." Arnold said as he started to yawn.
"I'm gonna go lie down for about half an hour." Arnold said as he replaced the bags back in the freezer and started for the stairs.
"Alright honey sleep tight." Stella said.
"I will Mom." Arnold said with a yawn.
He climbed the stairs and slowly made his way to his room. As he shut the door behind him he noticed the time on his clock, it was 4:25. He set his alarm to go off at 5 o'clock. As he collapsed on his bed he grew ever more excited to see Helga.
Time seemed to fly by as his alarm clock went off. Only one more hour before Helga would arrive. He couldn't wait to see her as he left his room to take a shower. Feeling revitalized as he stepped out of the shower he went back to his room to get dressed. Luckily he knew exactly what he was gonna wear. A nice pair of jeans, a light blue dress shirt, and his dress shoes he wore on Valentine's Day and of course his little blue hat. He just didn't feel right without it. He made his way to the roof where his dad was getting the grill warmed up for him.
"Hey Arnold, looking sharp son." Miles said to him.
"Thanks Dad, so what do I need to do?" Arnold asked.
"Well Arnold it depends on how well you want your steaks cooked." He said.
"How so Dad?" Arnold asked.
"Well the better you want your steak, the longer it takes. Fortunately even a well done steak doesn't take very long." Miles told him.
"I'll tell you what Arnold, since you've got all of this set up for you and Helga tonight…why don't you let me cook the steaks and you relax. Or you can learn by watching. It would be better if I taught you this another time when you're not so rushed." His said to him.
Arnold thought about this for a minute.
"I guess you're right Dad." Arnold admitted.
"Don't worry Arnold, she's gonna love what you've done for her here tonight." He told him.
"I hope so Dad, I hope so." Arnold said.
Looking at his watch he remembered he still had some vegetables he had to prepare, though he still had a half hour till she would arrive.
"I'm going down to the kitchen; I'll be right back Dad." Arnold said to him.
"Alright Arnold, I'll be here." Miles said to him.
Arnold entered the house through the roof entrance and started for the kitchen. He entered to find his mother sitting at the table reading a book.
"Hey Mom." Arnold said to her.
"Hi sweetie, well don't you look handsome." Stella said as she got up from the table to get a better look at her son.
"Thanks Mom. I just hope Helga likes what I've done tonight." Arnold said to her.
"I know she will Arnold. You really love her…don't you?" Stella asked him.
"I do Mom…I really do." Arnold said with a smile on his face.
"Well don't worry Arnold I know she'll have a good time." Stella told him as she patted him on the shoulder.
"Thanks Mom, hey when she gets here can you just tell her to come straight to the roof?" He asked his mother.
"Sure thing sweetheart." She said.
"I'm gonna go ahead and get the other stuff ready and then head back up to the roof." Arnold told her.
"Alright Arnold, just let me know if you need anything else." Stella said as she went back to reading her book.
"I will Mom." Arnold said.
One by one he cooked the carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes. Once they were all ready he put them in the proper dishes to keep them hot and took everything up to the roof. All he had to do now was wait for Helga. In the kitchen Stella was well into her book when she heard a sudden knock on the door. She got up from the table already knowing who it was. She opened the door to indeed find Helga standing on the stoop.
"Hey Helga, well you look rather nice." She said to her.
"Hi Mrs. Stella, is Arnold here?" She asked.
"Come on in Helga, Arnold's up on the roof." Stella told her as they both proceeded upstairs.
The two of them came to the door leading to the roof. Helga stepped through and couldn't believe what she saw. The roof was all lit up and Arnold's Grandma was playing on the piano. She turned and saw the table all set up, candles lit, dinner was all but ready.
"Hey Helga." Arnold said to her.
Helga saw Arnold as he was standing at the grill.
"Hey Arnold." Helga said as she gazed at her boyfriend.
Arnold took a long look at her. She looked amazing. She was wearing a great looking pair of jeans, the same open toed heels she wore back on Valentine's Day, she wore a red wavy shirt with sleeves that ran down to her elbows, around her neck was the necklace Arnold got for her, and her hair was hanging down over her shoulders.
"You look great Helga." Arnold said feeling ecstatic to see her.
"You don't look so bad yourself handsome." Helga said to him.
"So…you hungry?" Arnold asked her.
"You bet Arnold." Helga said as she walked over to the table.
"Allow me." Arnold said as he pulled out her chair for her.
"Thanks Arnold." Helga said to him as she sat down.
"Have fun you two, we'll be downstairs if you need anything." Stella said as she entered the house again.
"Thanks Mom." Arnold said to her.
"Arnold did you do all this yourself?" Helga asked him.
"Well…I had a little help." Arnold told her as he laid the plates down on the table.
"Thank you Arnold, everything looks great." Helga said to him.
"You think so?" Arnold asked.
"I do. Thank you so much, and Happy anniversary Arnold." Helga said as she took his hand.
"Happy Anniversary Helga. Well let's eat." Arnold said as they both started eating.
All throughout dinner they talked and laughed. The conversation was mostly on their upcoming trip to San Lorenzo. All the while Gertie played some fitting music on the piano. Even when they finished eating they still sat at the table, just talking as the sun began to set.
"I don't know about you Helga but I could go for some ice cream." Arnold said to her.
"That sounds great Arnold." Helga said as they both got up to leave.
"Thanks for the music Grandma." Arnold said.
"You're welcome Kimba." Gertie said to her grandson.
After that they both entered the house and made their way downstairs. As they came to the bottom of the stairs Arnold saw his parent's sitting at the table.
"We're going out for ice cream, and then I'm gonna take Helga home." He said to them.
"Alright honey we'll see you when you get back." Arnold's mother said to him.
"Okay Mom." He replied.
And with that the two of them started in the direction of Slausen's for a milkshake. They walked down the street arm in arm. As they got closer to Slausen's they passed P.S. 118.
"Hang on Arnold." Helga said as she stopped.
"What is it Helga?" He asked.
"Come here." Helga said as she pulled him over in the direction of the old school.
They stopped just at the bottom of the front steps.
"I can still remember how it felt to hear you say that you loved me a year ago." Helga told him.
"Yeah, I can too. That was one of the happiest days of my life." Arnold said to her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I felt and still feel the same way Arnold." Helga told him as she wrapped her arms around him.
Not saying a word they just gaze into each other's eyes.
"I love you Helga." Arnold said very softly.
"I love you too Arnold." Helga said as she leans in for a kiss.
Standing in front of the old school they both share a deep and meaningful kiss, just as they did the year before when their relationship was just blossoming.
"You still want to get a milkshake?" Arnold asked her when they finished.
"You bet bucko." She said to him as she smiled.
They both take one last look at the old building before they begin again for Slausen's. They continue the remainder of their short walk to the ice cream store where they shared a large chocolate milkshake. All the while talking and laughing the whole time. All in all they spent about half an hour at Slausen's before they made their way for Helga's house. Just before she entered the house she stopped at the bottom of the stoop.
"So Arnold, do I need anything in particular for the trip on Monday?" She asked him.
"Well, just be sure to have clothes that are comfortable, a really good pair of shoes. Your boots would probably be the best choice. And you might want to bring a swimsuit…just in case." Arnold told her.
"A swimsuit…really?" She asked in a kind surprised quizzical tone.
"Yeah you know…just in case you wanted to do some swimming. There's pool with a waterfall not far from our house." Arnold said as his face began to slightly blush.
"Okay Arnold. Thanks for dinner. I had a really great time with you tonight." Helga said.
"So did I Helga." Arnold told her.
"I love you Arnold." Helga said to him.
"I love you too Helga." Arnold said as he leaned in to kiss her.
The finish their kiss and enjoy one another's company for a few more minutes.
"Well it's getting late, I better go in. Goodnight Arnold." Helga said as she ascended the steps.
"Goodnight Helga." Arnold said as he stood there.
Once she was in the house Arnold started his walk home. Their anniversary celebration had gone off without a hitch. Now that it was behind him he could focus on what he was especially looking forward to, his first vacation with Helga in San Lorenzo, the place where he and Helga shared their first real kiss of any extent. His impatience grew with each passing minute and each passing day. It would prove to be one of the greatest trips of his life.