Ok, so this chapter had alignment problems too, so again, apologies! I hope you enjoy this chapter anyway.
Disclaimer: Hey Arnold belongs to Craig.
Chapter 14
"You really don't have to do this, Stella," Helga said while Stella rummaged through her closet, "I can just go buy something."
"Oh Helga, save your money. I'm happy to help you. Ah, here it is!" Stella produced an elegant pale pink dress from the closet. Despite the years Stella and Miles had been gone the dress looked almost new, thanks to Phil and Gertie, who kept the room in order.
"Oh Stella, that's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. Are you sure?"
"Of course, Helga. Here, go try it on."
Helga took the dress and stepped behind the folding screen that stood in the corner. Moments later she emerged, the dress fitting her perfectly.
"Helga, you look beautiful!" Stella smiled. Helga could only blush; the dress had taken away all her words. The skirt fell just below her knees, and a sash adorned with a fabric flower in a slightly darker shade of pink than the dress. The neckline was decorated with thin lines of crystals that ended just under the thin straps.
"Stella...thank you. So much. I love it." she whispered.
"It's yours." Stella said, hugging Helga.
"What?"
"Keep it. Think of it as a thank you for all you did in San Lorenzo."
"Stella, I can keep this!" Helga exclaimed.
"Of course you can. Besides, it looks better on you than it ever did on me." Stella helped Helga into some low heels and did her hair and makeup.
"Well, what do you think?" Stella asked, gesturing to the mirror.
Helga looked at her reflection and gasped.
"I look...amazing. Beautiful. Thank you, Stella!"
"You're welcome, Helga. Say, you like stories, don't you?"
Helga nodded. "Let me tell you the story behind that dress; I think you'll like it.
"It was about a year after I met Miles. We had come back from San Lorenzo, and he told me he wanted to take me out on a real date now that we were back in the city. Well, I had no idea what to expect, because he wouldn't tell me anything about what he had planned. So I went out and bought that dress, did my hair and makeup, and when he came to pick me up you'll never guess what he said..."
"What?" Helga asked excitedly.
"He says to me "Oh, um, I guess I should have told you...we, um, we're going mini golfing..."."
"No!" Helga laughed.
"Yes! So I said "Well, if I can set a trap with nothing but some wet leaves, a hair clip, and some vines, then I can certainly mini golf in a dress!" So off we went; we went mini golfing and I had a wonderful time, and then he took me out for ice cream to apologize for not at least giving me a hint about what we were doing."
"That's so romantic!" Helga smiled.
"Yes, it was. And forever after that he always told me where we were going so I could dress accordingly!" Helga and Stella shared a laugh.
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Arnold stood at the end of the stairs waiting for Helga. He still couldn't believe he was taking Helga out on a real date, even though they had been out to dinner together before. Arnold smiled thinking of the times he and Helga had shared at restaurants.
"Hey Hair Boy, you daydreaming again?" Helga chuckled as she carefully walked down the stairs.
"Yeah..." Arnold began. But the rest of his answer was lost at the sight of Helga. If he had thought she was beautiful before, it was nothing compared to now. She almost seemed to radiate light in every direction, casting a soft glow over everything she touched.
"Arnold? You okay?" Helga asked.
"Yeah, I'm...wow, Helga, you look beautiful."
"Oh, um, well, it was your mom, really. She did all this; I can't style my hair to save my life, much less apply makeup." Helga looked down at her shoes.
Arnold stepped closer to her so they were only inches apart, and gently lifted her chin with a finger.
"I love you, my angel," he whispered before kissing her lightly.
Helga's mind exploded. 'His...his...a-angel?! I'm Arnold's a-angel? He...and I...and...woah...'
"So, shall we?" Arnold asked, taking Helga's hand in his.
"Uh...um, y-yeah, okay..."
Arnold called goodbye to his parents and led Helga out to where the Packard was parked.
"Phil let you use the Packard?" Helga asked while Arnold opened her door.
"Yeah, he said a special night called for a special ride."
Arnold walked around to the driver's side and climbed in. The engine rumbled to life a little unsteadily, but after a moment it smoothed out, and they were on their way.