Helga had slammed the phone down loudly causing Olga to run out to see what was going.

She looked like she was full of anxiety as if she was expecting the worse. She came out of the kitchen to see Helga with one hand pressing up against the wall staring down at the telephone mumbling obscenities. "Helga, what's going on? Who was that on the phone?"

Helga didn't move from her position. "It was him."

Olga took a second to figure out who 'him' was and when it clicked she nearly dropped the glass she was holding and ran over to pulled her into dramatically into a hug.

Helga hugged her back and patted her back. "It's okay Olga, I'll be alright, I just have no interested in talking to that beast. What the hell would he want anyway? Hasn't he done enough…?"

"I know mommy wouldn't want to talk to him either I'm sure, especially now that she is healthy and clean. We have to make sure she doesn't talk to him."

Helga nodded, but then felt herself getting steaming mad at the audacity of Bob calling her mother after everything he's put them through. "Fuck that bastard. I hate him he is a filthy piece of shit, he ruins everything!" Helga yelled.

"Helga please watch your language young lady." Olga scolded Helga.

Helga slowly relaxed her angry expression and tense body to look at Olga. "Oh sorry Olga…I just-"

"I know you're angry at him, and so am I, but don't stoop to his level."Olga walked back into the kitchen and Helga went to sit down on the couch, but then eventually went upstairs to get migraine medicine.

After taking some medicine and putting cold water on her face she went into her bedroom and flopped down on her bed to text Phoebe.

Helga – 'Hey Pheebs guess who just called over at Miriam's.'

Phoebe – 'Who'?

Helga – 'Big Bastard Pataki'

Phoebe – 'What in the hell? Why is he calling?'

Helga – 'I don't know I just hung up while the operator thing was still talking'

Phoebe – 'Good he is just going to open up old wounds for all three of you...I'm sorry Helga.'

Helga – 'Yeah don't worry about it...but oh yeah I have some actual good news.'

Phoebe – 'What?'

Helga – 'Miriam is coming home in a few days.'

Phoebe – ':) Helga that's terrific! I'm so happy!'

Helga – 'I know, Olga and I are gonna throw her a party.

Phoebe – 'Let me know if you need help.'

Helga – 'oh you know I will;)

After Helga finished texting Helga she started to write a bit, let out all of her feelings that had come up as a result of the phone call.

The talent show kind of shook up the social hierarchy a bit; temporarily at least. The in crowd started to notice Curly more and people talked about how talented Helga was and how cute she and her boyfriend were; which drove Rhonda nuts. She didn't seem to think much of Curly being around though. She was more concerned about the Helga and Jesse talk. She had many guys that liked her, but it was something about Jesse that she wanted, he didn't have the money other guys had, but he had something special she liked and wanted. Helga actually was annoyed by all the attention she was getting. Sure she liked being acknowledged positively for her talent, but she much rather float through the halls effortlessly going to and from her classes with little to no petty interruptions. Curly on the other hand being a bit of a 'ham' was basking in the spotlight; sure he knew it was insincere and that things would quickly go back to the usual in a matter of time, but he thought why not enjoy it while it lasts.

Lila on the other hand was lying low; she is now a loner who didn't even have Rhonda to run to anymore. Lila feeling really low she decided to go to the computer lab to confront Brainy.

She opened the door to see him hard at work with a pensive expression on his face; she felt a little intimidated.

"Um…Brainy?" she said in a small voice.

"Yes…?" He didn't look up but he could still recognize who it was by her voice.

"Yeah I talk to you about something?"

He looked up at her but didn't change his expression. "What?"

"The pictures of me that were leaked and then taken down."

"Oh…I see." was his only reply.

"Could we maybe go somewhere more private?" Lila eyeballed the room seeing there were several people at computers, even though they didn't seem to care about Lila's presence or conversation.

Brainy in silence took a few more minutes to finish typing something and then got up. "Alright…but this is my only free period….so this cannot take long."

Lila shook her head agreeing with him. They walked out in the hallway away from any classroom to speak privately. When they stopped and face each other he just glared at her without saying a word. Lila was a little surprised at his less than awkward appearance and the fact that he didn't breathe heavy anymore.

She leaned up against a wall trying to avoid eye contact with him. "So do you know who put the pictures up?"

Brainy shook his head. "No…"

"But you are in charge of what goes on the website?"

He had a poker face and simply blinked at her at first before responding. "Yes, but that doesn't mean mistakes can't happened."

"So is there any way you can find out who did it?"

"No…Lila it's completely anonymous." he said dryly.

Lila sighed a little. "Oh well….I-I…just thought I would ask."

Brainy started to glare at her again and narrowed his eyes. "Why would you do that to Arnold anyway?" He was about to mention Helga but stopped himself.

Lila looked down at her shoes with a small sigh. "I was being selfish and stupid." She replied honestly, completely surprising herself and Brainy. But Brainy's expression and demeanor had that effect on her.

He relaxed his expression subtly, due to her honesty, but he still wasn't feeling exactly sympathetic towards her. "So is that all?" He asked as he looked as his watch. "I have a lot of work to get done."

Lila shook her head and looked up with him and smiles slightly. "Yeah that's it…thanks for at least listening to me."

"Yeah…okay...bye." He turned and walked back to the lab. While Lila just stood there for a second then sat down ungratefully on the floor. Lila decided to just forget the whole thing and move on; she didn't want to bring attention to her embarrassing exposure.

Gerald noticed that Arnold was acting strangely for the past few days, especially when he would see Helga. Gerald already had his mind made up that Arnold more than just simply liked Helga as a friend and was just concerned; he could see that his feelings were much deeper.

Helga walked up to them giving Gerald a handshake then briefly acknowledging Arnold's presence who was waiting for Gerald at his locker. Arnold looked her over feeling relieved that she was wearing a baggy t-shirt and sweats and her hair up in a messy bun with no makeup to bring even more attention to her eyes or her full lips; though he thought she still managed to look very cute.

After briefly joking around with Gerald, she turned to face Arnold with a grin. "Hey football head, I forgot to congratulate you on your new job; here." She gave him a small box and then started to walk away before he could respond, but then turn back to glare at him. "But you better not open it until you get home bucko." She demanded while shaking a fist.

Arnold watched her walk away with a puzzled expression and then glanced at the box. Helga's not making this any easier for me. Gerald just watched everything with an amused expression, but said nothing.

But as the day went all Arnold was distracted, nearly running into an open locker and he almost called one of his teachers 'Mrs. Pataki'."

"Hey Arnold, is there anything you want to talk about?" Gerald gave a knowing look. "Anything you want to get off your chest, because you know saying it out loud is the first step." In his last sentence, his voice full of humor as he was clearly amused by Arnold's behavior.

Arnold didn't seem to notice Gerald's tone of voice or he chose to ignore it because his expression remained thoughtful. "I don't know, I guess…" He looked around at their surroundings; they were in the boy's gym locker room. "But not here…"

Gerald looked around and then nodded in response. "We can talk after school at your place or whatever." He stated as he closed his locker. "But we are going to talk, you're not getting away from this." He said before exiting the locker room.

In Algebra class, Arnold still couldn't focus and kept eyeing Helga's hair which she had taken down during class. The teacher was about to call on another student to come to the board, but then noticed Arnold's daydreaming.

"Mr. Shortman, please resume your daydreaming on your own time and get up here to the board and solve this problem."

"Huh?" Arnold looked up at his teacher and then back at Helga who had turned around and was looking at him. He heard a couple of kids snickering and Helga turned around to glare at them and they stopped.

He got up to attempt to solve the problem, but since he wasn't paying attention to the lesson he couldn't figure it out. Next period was both Arnold and Helga's lunch period. Helga practically dragged Arnold to the library with her.

"Helga what are you doing?" Why is she so strong gees? He was surprised she was able to pull him like that because Arnold was not only taller than Helga but he was also on the muscular side, while Helga was toned and in shape was very slim.

Helga glared at him as she pulled him. "Look hair boy, I got second-hand embarrassment watching you up there making a fool of yourself... all because you're too proud to ask for help!" She stated loudly.

"But Helga I'm not-"

"No buts football head, we're going to the library and you're gonna learn this crap whether you like it or not!"

Arnold gave in finally. "Alright Helga just stop pulling me."

"Promise that you won't try to run away."

He chuckled. "I won't run away."

"Okay...sorry...come on." She let go of his arm and he rubbed it a little as they walked to the library.

When they got there they found a table and Helga immediately started showing him how to solve the particular problem that was on the board. As Helga was showing and him how to do the problem and get him to understand Arnold found himself distracted. He kept finding himself staring at her bright eyes which he saw were full of passion and concern, loving whatever scent she was wearing and enjoying listening to her speak. He was surprised that she still looked so attractive even in a somewhat baggy attire and messy hair, but he also noticed how calming and soothing the sound of her voice is when she isn't being sarcastic or yelling. I shouldn't be staring at her...she's my friend and she has a boyfriend.

Helga made him attempt to solve a few problems that were similar to the one on the board by himself. She watched him as he focused intensely on the algebra, this was right time she really took a good look at Arnold. She finally noticed that he was no longer that scrawny short odd headed boy she knew from middle school and junior high; she noticed that he was a young man now. She looked his body, Arnold hadn't changed out of his gym uniform; which was nothing special, but she could clearly see his arms and legs which were sculpted to muscular perfection in her eyes. She stared at his skin which was extremely clear, smooth and his hair that was wild and messy but somehow perfect at the same time. Two things that hadn't really changed about Arnold's physical appearance were his eyes and smile; which were both always her favorite features of his. As Helga skimmed him subtly from his eyes to his body, Arnold suddenly looked up at her from his work and their eyes were locked for a moment, but then Helga looked away with a small eye roll. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Arnold's cheeks were slightly red. Is he blushing? Is it because of me?...No that couldn't be that's nearly impossible and besides Helga you shouldn't be gawking at the boy...you have a boyfriend...and this is football head.

"So hair boy are you starting to get this?"

"Yeah, you're a good tutor."

"Oh well good ...just please don't make a damn ass of yourself in front of the whole algebra class again. Thanks."

Arnold chuckled. "Alright Helga...I'll keep that in mind."

The bell rang and Arnold gave Helga quick hug thanking her again and headed quickly to her class; while Helga went to her locker to leave to get to her after school job.

Gerald sat down on Arnold's couch making himself comfortable. "So Arnold tell me what has been bugging you the last few days."

Arnold nervously fidgeted with his hair. "Um...it's about Helga."

"Pakaki? Okay go on..." Gerald nodded with a knowing expression on his face.

"Well she told me something really horrible that happened to her."

"About her father?" Gerald said in a softer tone of voice.

"Yeah, did Phoebe tell you what happened or did Helga tell you?"

"Neither, I just figured it out...read between the lines."

"Oh...well after she told me that I couldn't stop thinking about her...I feel guilty for being a self-righteous know it all towards her when she was literally going through hell." Arnold looked at Gerald and sighed. "And I had a dream that I kept hearing her voice calling for help and a large figure that resemble was attacking her and I tried to save her, but I just couldn't..."

Gerald stared at his friend for a several seconds. "So the moral of the story is Arnold that you can't save everyone...and Helga doesn't want to be saved not at this present point, she wants her all of us as her friends to just you know be there...that's all."

Arnold held his hand down. "I know..."

Gerald studied his body language. "Okay that was a good start to this conversation, but keep going."

"Keep going about what? That was what was bugging me."

Gerald crossed his arms and shook his head.

"I know what you're referring to but I'm-"

"Oh please you were salivating all over baby girl before the talent show right in front of me and you were practically drooling while she was performing. Don't lie I notice everything and you made it plain as day."

"I already admitted that Helga is attractive, that doesn't mean I'm attracted to her.."

Gerald stood up and shrugged. "Alright...whatever you say Arnold." He said with his usual smooth sarcasm.

Arnold chuckled and smiled. "Stop saying that."

"I'll stop saying that when you stop being in denial...you can keep lying to me about her, but you can't go on lying to yourself about it."

Arnold's slight smiled faded and he took a deep breath. "Well...yeah...I guess...I do have feelings for her." Quickly a blush formed on Arnold's face.

Gerald nodded. "Thank you, hallelujah, Arnold finally realized his own feelings." He blurted out sort of obnoxiously.

"What?"

"Oh please I've known this for a while but I'm glad you finally came around...I thought you were gonna have to break up her wedding." Gerald finished with a laugh.

Arnold did a mocking laugh at Gerald's statement. "Well there's no point in me admitting this now, Helga has a boyfriend and it's clear she only sees me as a friend now...things are different now than when we were younger..."

Gerald shook his head in frustration at Arnold inability to see things clearly, but decided not to spell it out for him."Arnold we're teenagers, I like Jesse he's a good guy and I'm happy for Helga; but there is no guarantee that they'll last forever..." His voice trailed off at the last part.

Arnold perked up for a second, but then his face dropped little. "No... I can tell they really like each other, Helga deserves to be happy...I mean I don't think I'm in the right place for a relationship anyway and I wouldn't want her waiting around for me."

Gerald shrugged. "Aye that's cool man... I understand, just as long as you aren't denying that you want to jump Pataki's bones... then it's okay."

"Gerald!" Arnold exclaim with a blush.

Gerald laughed hysterically at Arnold's behavior. "Sorry, sorry...well I'm glad you got to this out...that was the first step...second step is to...go place a big wet one on her in the middle of the hallway at school."

Arnold sighed and groaned slightly.

"Okay on that note I'll be going." He stated while chuckling. "I know this will go in one ear and out the other, but don't worry so much Arnold...sometimes it's okay to just relax and let things happen. He stated as he grabbed his items and headed out the door.

After Gerald left Arnold laid down on this bed for few minutes, then he remembered Helga's gift and went over to open it. It was a simple black tie and a note.

'Congratulations on your new job, I noticed the day of your interview that you didn't have a tie on and every guy needs a decent one. But hey you little geek bait don't get any ideas or anything I didn't go out of my way to get this, I was shopping for Jesse's birthday gift and felt sorry for you okay? Anyway, enjoy your job.' – Your friend Helga G. Pataki – P.s. pay me back when you get your first big pay check; I take cash, checks or credit cards lol.'

Arnold smiled and laughed initially at the note, due to the fact that he read it with her snarky voice in his head, but then his smile faded as he reread it. His mind wondered back to something he said to Helga years ago; 'It's funny when you like someone and they don't really like you back, it's not so bad, but when you really 'like' them like them, but you find out they just like you, it hurts.'

Arnold's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knock on he door, he sighed a little as he expected to be his grandfather cracking jokes but when the door opened he was surprised to see his cousin.

"Arnie?"

Arnie stood there snorting and chewing gum with his usual blank emotionless expression. "Hey Arnold."

Arnold fidgeted nervously. "Um...come in...make yourself at home."

Arnie walked inside his room. "Thanks, I hope I'm not intruding. I could ask your grandfather to let me stay in a separate room."

"No it's fine Arnie you're family you can stay...that is unless you feel that you need your own space."

Arnie shook his head. "No I'm don't have much..." He went to seat down on the couch and stared blankly at Arnold.

Arnold rubbed his hands together anxiously. "So...Arnie how have you been?"

"Okay...nothing special has happened, but I'm okay. What about you?"

Arnold frowned slightly. "About the same I guess..."

"Oh." Arnie replied plainly.

Arnold scratched and rubbed the back of his head. "Actually Arnie there is something I want to talk to you about."

Arnie's expression changed to perk up a little, but it was so slight that one would hardly notice unless they were paying very close attention. "What is it?"

Arnold looked away with his hands on his hips. "Lila..."

"Lila?"

Arnold turned to look at him with a frown. "Yeah Lila...I found out that you were going out with her."

"I was."

"And it was same time she was in a relationship with me."

Arnie's eyes widen somewhat. "Oh no Arnold I didn't realize-." He was still speaking in a monotone voice, but for him it was a little more dramatic.

"Yeah I know...but I thought that you should know that in case you still had feelings for her."

Arnie blinked a few times. "Lila's okay...but I always been in love with Helga."

Arnold's eyes got huge. "Helga? Pataki?"

"Yeah that's why I broke up with Lila back in the 4th grade...I was in love with Helga and I still am."

Arnold expression was pure shock. "But...how did I not know this?"

Arnie shrugged a bit. "You were too busy with Lila I guess..."

Arnold relaxed and sat down. "Yeah I guess I was...well anyway how long are you staying."

"Just for this weekend."

"Well Gerald and some of my basketball teammates have plans...but you can come along if you want."

"Okay...are you gonna see Helga anytime this weekend?"

"Uh...I'm honestly not sure Arnie..." God I hope Helga doesn't fall in love with Arnie too...or I'm gonna lose my mind.

Jesse's parents decided to throw him and 18th birthday bash at their house. They stayed for a while, but then eventually they left to let him and his friends have a good time on their own. All of his friends were invited and of course Helga. Phoebe, Sam and Steven were also there. Gerald, Arnold, along with Arnie and some of the other guys on their basketball team had already made other plans way before finding out about his party so they didn't attend.

When Helga arrived she immediately rush over to Jesse after putting down his gift with the other and gave him a bear hug. "Happy birthday!" And then she kissed him on the cheek and he returned a kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you, I'm glad you're here."

She frowned slightly. "Like I would miss my boyfriend's b-day."

He moved her hair behind her ear like he usually did before he kissed her, but instead just stared into her eyes. "You look happy." He replied.

"Don't I always?" She said purposefully being oblivious.

He stood back and paused looking down. "No..." He replied softly. "But you do now."

"Well it's your b-day...and I forgot to tell that my mother is better. She's coming home."

His eyes got big and he immediately picked her up spinning her around slightly and pulling her into a hug. "That's great!"

"We're having a party for her and you Sr. of course are invited."

"I'll be there." He stated with enthusiasm.

She gave him a cheeky grin. "So you're 18... how does it feel to be a old man?"

He returned her expression. "It feels...you're gonna laugh...but I feel like Jake in Titanic, not my favorite movie, but I can relate to how he felt in that one scene."

She looked at him with a confused expression at first, but then a huge grin appeared. "Oh like you're king of the world?" He shrugged with an humorous smile. "Ha that's corny Jess...and I'm pretty sure his name is Jack." He shrugged semi dramatically. "But from the looks of things and what I've heard...at your school you already were king." She finished with playfully poking him in the chest.

He grabbed her finger she was using to poke him and took her hand and just held it as his smile slowly faded. "King? No not at all, but even if that was true to a certain degree...this is high school...not the real world." His mood shifted to a more serious one as he stood in a thoughtful pose.

Helga nudged him trying to snap him out of it. "Come on let's go mingle."

Unbeknownst to both Jesse and Helga there was a certain uninvited guest who got alcohol from the older kids partying out back. She was wearing a very tight short red dress with her long raven hair cascading down her back.

Helga went their separate ways for a while, Helga was talking to Sam, Steven and Phoebe and some of Jesse's other friends when suddenly she looked over to her right to Princess Rhonda Lloyd herself hanging on to Jesse. She looked closer to see his arm around her waist and she was immediately filled with anger and sadness. She darted towards them like a football player ready to tackle. Her friends followed behind her.

"What the hell is this!" She yelled stomping her foot loudly on the floor. To everyone else it was obvious that Rhonda was completely wasted and throwing herself and Jesse.

Jesse quickly put Rhonda up against a chair. "She's drunk I was just-"

"I saw your arms around this tramps waist." She said with fiery eyes.

"No Helga, Rhonda is drunk I was trying to stop her from falling, she came to me not the all way around."

Rhonda drunkenly stood up and sashayed over to Jesse and starting ungracefully running her fingers through his hair as he tried to get away from her.

"Rhonda get your stubbly fingers off!"

Rhonda looked at her with an glazed over expression. "Excuse me stubby? Why he's clearly enjoying it, I mean look at me and look at you."

Jesse moved over towards Helga letting Rhonda fall to the ground. "Rhonda I don't know why you're here, I didn't invite you so I guess you should call someone so you can get a ride home." Jesse put his arm around Helga shaking his head at Rhonda's obnoxious behavior. "You really don't think that I would go for that do you?"

"Well you did before."

He smirked. "Yeah...everyone makes mistakes." He said with a laugh.

The couple started to walk away when Rhonda managed to get up from the floor. She was completely unaware that she had a crowd around her who were pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Jesse you know you want me, I mean I am Rhonda Lloyd after all the most popular and beautiful girl in Hillwood city. While Helga Pataki is a she-beast who lost her virginity-"

"Rhonda...Shut the hell up! I'm not gonna let you disrespect Helga in my house now get out!" He yelled.

Helga was once again filled with intense anger and she slowly balled up her fist as Rhonda and Jesse went back and forth with him telling her to leave.

"I don't want to physically make you leave Rhonda so I'm asking you once again to act your age and do it on your own." He leaned over and picked up her purse. "Here are your things, now go please."

Rhonda took her purse and looked at Helga with a smug expression. "Fine, I'll leave, I have better places to be and a better crowd of people to be surrounded by, but Jesse just know you made the wrong decision...you're regret it when you end up at the free clinic."

With that comment with her fist still balled up Helga started to move towards Rhonda, but was blocked by her friend Sam who quickly punched Rhonda right in the nose.

"Ugh my nose!" she screamed while holding it.

Sam stood over her looking down at Rhonda. "You never learn do you red devil?" She looked back at her friends with a innocent smile and shrugged. "You learn a thing or two from hanging out with Helga Pataki."

Parker walked over peering down at Rhonda. "Oh wow that looks really bad..." He said in his raspy voice before taking another hit of his joint and moved over to Jesse placing a hand on his shoulder. "See Sam is a dope... dope, lady man."

Jesse looked her somewhat sympathetically but then rolled his eyes. "Shit...what a nice way to celebrate my 18th." He said softly with a sarcastic tone.

"Nah Jesse you know it ain't a party until someone gets knocked out." Parker stated with a husky laugh.

Jesse playfully pushed him out of the way silently made an agreement with Helga to help Rhonda despite everything.

Some people felt bad for Rhonda due to not knowing who she was, the few who did felt that she got what she deserved. Although Jesse and Helga still decided to leave the party to take her home, making sure she got inside alright since she was intoxicated. Neither of them wanted things to end like that, but they still couldn't help but feel a little good that she got shut down.

Back at the party Sam leaned up against a wall talking to Steven with her hand held camera now around her neck and a very smug expression on her face. "Come Monday everyone is going to hear about this." She said and Steven looked at her devilishly letting out a wicked laugh.