Chapter 13: Lighthouse
Arnold and Helga ran after the star that seemed to be a beacon through the night. Calling them to it. But when they got closer to the light, they noticed a change in the landscape. The trees were much less abundant, but the land was no less alive. And they found what looked like a beach near by.
"What is this place?" Helga asked.
"I don't know but we are almost to the light. Come on!"
Helga was getting really miserable at this point, she needed her sleep. Fatigue was really setting in. It was no different for Arnold, but he was not ready to give up yet. That was when they found it.
"It's a lighthouse." Arnold said aloud.
They stared up at for a few minutes. Until they decided to go inside for shelter. The place was musty and dark but it felt safe, they found some beds and finally got a good night's rest.
The next morning it was a beautiful day. Arnold and Helga woke up about thirty minutes before sunrise.
"Hey Helga, got enough rest?"
"Not really, after all that happened last night." She said as she rubbed her eyes.
"Same here." Arnold Agreed. It was a really rough night. I'm really sorry about all this." Arnold said apologetically.
"Seriously, quite apologizing Football head." Helga said annoyed.
Arnold smiled. But then his smile went away and he looked into his backpack. "Helga, I got to ask you something." He said with hesitation.
"What?"
Arnold then pulled out a brown sandal out of his backpack. "Do you recognize this?"
Helga looked a bit confused. "It's just a shoe." Helga Said.
"Yeah, I sort of a have this weir d attachment to it." Arnold stared at the shoe for a moment. "Helga, would you put this on for minute?" Arnold asked politely.
Helga's feet hurt and she really was not sure what Arnold was up to, but something compelled her to say…
"Alright, but your sure acting weird Arnold." She said as she slipped it on.
Arnold looked at the shoe on her foot and smiled. "A perfect fit, Cecile."
It right then hit her, that was her shoe that she had left with Arnold when she pretended to be Arnold's pen pal. She kicked it off, terrified and tried to think of an explanation, but none came.
Helga after a few minutes relaxed and looked back at Arnold straight in the eyes. "Yes Arnold, I am the fake Cecile. How long have you known?"
"Last night. At the waterfall. Your hair was straight and I could realize it. It's kinda of embarrassing that it took me this long. How dense am I?"
"Hey, I can be a pretty good master of disguise." Helga said kiddingly.
"But that only leaves one question. Why did you do it?" Arnold asks.
"Isn't it obvious. I was lying when I said I didn't love you."
Arnold sighed with the official confirmation. It did not surprise him to much. After what happened at the FTY building, Arnold just sort of denied it.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Why did I not tell you sooner? Simple, getting hurt. Do you know what it's like to not be loved in your own family Arnold. No of course you don't, though you never really knew your parents you still had your grandparents." She said sadly.
Arnold nodded.
"Arnold, I love my mom and dad. Even Olga. But I never really felt that way from my own parents. They were to busy ignoring me."
"I am so sorry Helga."
Helga looked away. "You don't know the half of it." She sighed. "When I was little going to my first day of pre school, my mom and dad were more interested in listening to Olga on our piano. I ended up walking to school on my own."
"The day we met." Arnold realized.
"Yeah, there was no one who really wanted to care. Because I'm not pretty, smart or "Special" enough for them to really care.
"Helga-" Arnold protested.
"Except for you, Football head."
Those words struck Arnold hard. He had somehow with a simple act of kindness. Made her feel special.
"I love you Arnold, but I need to know. Do you love me?"
Arnold was quiet. He did not have a clue what to say. He was only ten after all. But he needed to tell her how he felt. She deserved the truth.
"I don't know if I love you. I'm just so confused."
Helga put her head down in disappointment.
"But I do know you are really important to me, and that you somehow make happy when I'm around you, my heart starts to beat really fast." Arnold said sincerely. Helga began to look up with hope.
"I like how smart you are, and how always make me laugh. Even when I really don't want to. You don't know it, but when I don't feel like pushing on, you help me believe. Like right now, because of you I know that I will find my parents. Because of you Helga." With all the feelings Arnold was expressing, Arnold's heart was pounding. "I just need some time to figure this out. Okay?
Helga smiled. "Okay Arnold."
They both just sat there for a few minutes.
"Hey Helga, would you like to see the sunrise I heard it looks amazing in San Lorenzo? Arnold asked politely.
"Sure, I'd like that." Helga said
They both walked out and saw the sunrise.
They almost held each others hands.