Arnold had just been tripped by Helga.
Again. As she towered over her secret muse, she noticed the pan of brownies that had fell onto the floor. It had landed upright, so the brownies themselves were fine. When Arnold lifted his head up with a groan, he saw her hands take the 'special' pan from his reach. "Thanks, football head," She thanked with malice while she stepped over his body to be the first one out the door. 'What am I'm doing, what am I doing!' Helga's heart was pounding. 'Go back and help him up!' She pleaded herself. But her boots just kept stomping away. Once again, Arnold felt small. Even smaller than he felt before. Microscopic. But he was determined to make that change. He narrowed his eyes, pushed himself up, and swung the door back open.
"It's. Arnold." He mumbled. Helga stopped movement with wide eyes. She put on her best 'I don't fucking care' face and turned around. "What?" "It's Arnold, Helga! That's my name, call me by my name!" The boy yelled as he marched over to her. Helga just scoffed. "And why would I do that?" "Because you- just- I cant understand why- for once why can't you..." he was fumbling with his words. There was so much he wanted to say. The anger boiling inside him made him sound hysterical. So he closed his eyes and took a breath. "You... are acting like a child." Helga raised her eyebrow. "Pretty sure you are, with the way you just fell over your words like that." "Stop! This is what I'm talking about! You're trying to turn it on me as if you hadn't been yelling at me all day! We are 17! You're acting like we are in the forth grade again!" Helga blushed. Because she knew it was true. She was embarrassed. She knew she was acting ruthless. But she was having extreme trouble concealing her affections every time they encountered each other which had been a lot more lately, and it made her need for defense even stronger. But in that instance a lump in her throat had formed. "Who do you think your talking to?!" Arnold blinked. "News flash, I don't like you! That's just the way it is! Of course I'm not gonna be nice to you! Get over it!" She yelled. Helga could see that her words were affecting Arnold. Because he got all quiet. But she didn't actually know why. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. She walked even closer into his personal space. "Which is why I love to call you football head. Because I know you hate it. Because I want you to hate it. Football head." What Helga didn't realize until now, was the sound of her voice. It had cracked at the beginning of her speech. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. And Arnold could see them. He didn't know what to do. The things she had said to him were cruel. But the way she said it was... painful for her? She was on the verge of crying. He was confused. But couldn't find the urge to ask her why she sounded like that. He noticed the girl was shaking. He didn't want her to cry. At this point it was obvious she was going through something he wasn't aware of. "Ok." He didn't really know what else to say. He moved around her, and just started to walk home. But so did Helga. She walked ahead of him, and avoided eye contact. "Where are you going?" He heard him self quietly ask. "Home, stupid!" Arnold would usually get annoyed by something like that. But he couldn't hear Helga anymore. He heard a girl who was trying really hard not to cry. What was happening? "Helga?" "..." He knew he shouldn't be interfering with her emotions, but this person in front of him was completely new. She was even trying to stomp in her natural Helga-ish way, but kept fumbling over her feet trying to make sure she was at least faster then him. Arnold didn't feel huge. But he at least sort of felt like an equal. It was weird. "Helga, just stop." She continued to walk faster. But Arnold caught up. "Helga just-" he ran in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Just...stop." Helga stopped. But she wouldn't look him in the eye. Arnold was definitely looking Her's though. He knew she had this side. But she kept trying to pretend it wasn't there. She started to push him away but he wouldn't let go. "Let go of me! I'm serious! I hate you!" "I don't care!" He screamed back. He was genuinely concerned. Finally, she looked up at him. A tear rolled down her cheek. He wanted to wipe it away. But he didn't want to get slapped in the face. 'Fuck it' He took the chance and hesitantly wiped her tear away with his thumb. "You need to calm down. I don't know what's wrong but you are having a breakdown." He explained. "I know you don't like me. That's fine. Just let me help you though." She didn't respond. So he grabbed her arm and continued. "Here, let's just sit. Let's just sit, and breath. Okay?" He pulled her down to the ground.
This was so weird. She was cooperating. He noticed she still had the brownie pan in her hand. "Hey, let's have a brownie. Eating naturally makes the body feel calmer." That was the mistake Arnold made. He hadn't even heard of the term edible before. He just thought they were normal brownies. He grabbed two, and handed one to Helga. She paused. What were they doing? Eating brownies on a side walk? "This is ridiculous." She protested. "Helga. Trust me, I'm just trying to help you. You can even call me names if you want." He smiled good heartedly. That broke her. He was willing to put up with her insults for the sake of helping her. She took the brownie. A couple minutes passed by, and no one had said a word. Helga looked at the flowers she surprisingly never looked at before. And Arnold looked at the girl he surprisingly never looked at before. She was calm. Her hair was up in a ponytail like always. He quietly chuckled when he remembered what her hair used to look like when they were younger. Her pigtails used to stick out from the sides. It was so goofy. But her bow. That was his favorite part. It was pink like the dress she used to wear. Now she just wore jean shorts, a white cropped shirt, and an oversized flannel. It was cute. But he wished she kept the bow. Regardless, she was beautiful without it. He watched her take another bite. But when he did, he noticed a bruise on her wrist. As her hand came back down to rest on her knee, it lead his eyes to find even more bruises on her leg. 'I wonder what happened' As interested he was in wanting to find out where they came from, he decided against it. For once, Helga wasn't yelling at him. Why ruin a good thing.
"He should be here any minute now." Rhonda reassured herself and Nadine. "Right." Nadine agreed. She agreed with anything Rhonda said. But this time, she wasn't so sure if this one was true.
"So what are you gonna do when he comes?" "Everything," She smiled with crazy eyes. The whole school knew who Rhonda was. She was popular. She was gorgeous. But she was depressed. She basically had a new boyfriend every 1-2 weeks. It's not that she was shallow. Ok maybe a little shallow, but she just couldn't find the right guy. She had never gone farther than 2nd base in any relationship. It was killing her. Why couldn't she do it? What was wrong with her? Then it hit her. The most popular girl, should be with the most popular guy. It all made sense. Jack Meyers. He was the one. He had to be. It was her last resource. Even if she had to get shit faced to make it happen. She was gonna do it. "Oh I'm just so excited!" She jumped up and down. Nadine wasn't as perky. But if Jack made Rhonda happy, that's all that mattered. Then all of a sudden, a butterfly appeared on a tree branch right next to them. Nadine's eyes lit up. "Look, a morpho!" "Ew Nadine, I told you I'm not into bugs they freak me out-" "This one you'll, like I promise," The girl laughed as she leaned closer to Rhonda to get a sense of her eye level, and pointed. "See, it's a butterfly. What the heck is it doing flying at night?" Once Rhonda spotted it, she had to admit, it was nice to admire. "Awe, it's actually really cute." "Told ya," Nadine smirked. Rhonda gasped. "And it's blue! Our favorite color!" "Yknow, around the world people view the butterfly as a symbol of life, hope, and change." Surprisingly, Rhonda became really interested in this butterfly. "You mean something is going to change?" Nadine glanced into Rhonda's eyes. "...it could." "This is perfect!" Nadine could feel her heart start to pick up its pace. "Really?" "Yes! It means I'm going to change and finally find the right guy- I knew it was jack!" ...that's not exactly what nadine wanted to hear. "are you sure-" "It's going to be like the titanic! Jack and Rhonda. Rhonda kinda sounds like rose right?" "I guess," nadine sighed as she looked away trying her best to be a good friend. But Rhonda could see her face. "What?" Rhonda questioned with offense taken. Nadine looked back at her with worry. "...nothing-" "Well you just don't get it." Nadine put on a skeptical face. "What don't I get?" "Let's just say you aren't as popular so you just don't understand that I-" "-you've barely even talked to the guy." Nadine interrupted trying to keep her cool. But Rhonda's stubbornness inside pretended she didn't hear that and continued. "So, you can't possibly understand the pressure of having to be with the right guy when everyone is constantly staring at you the whole time," She finished sticking her nose in the air. But she quickly snapped her eyelids open when she felt something light and crawly on the top of her nose. It was the butterfly. She stood like a statue. "Ahhh! Get it off! Shit!" Although nadine was annoyed she wasn't being listened to, she couldn't hide her series of chuckles escape her mouth. Which automatically got Rhonda to let out a fearful laugh herself. "Nadine I'm serious, what do I do?!" "I thought you said you liked it-" "I do but- personal space! It's still a bug!" Nadine shook her head and lifted her finger as a bridge for the blue angel, to carefully remove it away from Rhonda's nose. "Technically, it's an insect actually." "I don't care..." Rhonda said while wiping her nose. But after a few more seconds of staring at it she gave in. "We should definitely name it though." "Bob." Nadine Joked. "No." "Stacy." "No." "...hope?" Rhonda smiled. "Hope," She accepted as she wondered how her night would turn out with Jack. Little did she know, Nadine was hoping the same thing. Except it was about her and Rhonda instead.
As time passed they both ate about 3 brownies. As soon as Helga finished her last brownie she snuck a glance at Arnold. He was trying to get crumbs out of his fingernails. Helga smiled.
They were now high. Arnold looked up and to his shock, caught her smiling. Which got him to grin back. "Why are you smiling at me?" He laughed. Helga blinked. She didn't realize what she had been doing. "Uh, no I wasn't- I wasn't even looking at you," She tried to scowl. Arnold could see right through it though. But he figured he'd let her think she got away with it. "Are you feeling ok now Helga?" He asked. Helga felt amazing. Besides the awkwardness of it all, she was just so calm. She didn't need to worry about anything. Besides, she was with the most sweetest guy in the world.
"I guess," she replied. "Good," he stood up and reached his hand out. "I can walk you home... if you want." Helga took his hand with out hesitation. "No," she answered as she stood up. Arnold frowned. "Oh, ok I just-" "-No I'm just not going home right now. I lied. I'm probably just gonna go walk around till I know my dad is asleep." She explained. Arnold looked at his phone. "It's 8 Helga." "Yeah, so?" Helga started to walk a few steps away. "You're gonna walk around alone?" Helga turned around. "Wow. You really are lame. If your so worried just come with me football head." Arnold couldn't tell if that was an insult or an invite. Maybe both. She didn't seem angry. Just mellow. But Helga had... smiled at him. He knew it was a silly reason to tag along, but for once he actually felt like he had helped her. Helga had already started walking and Arnold decided to catch up with her. Everything seemed strange. But they didn't really mind it. Arnold spoke first. "So... I think I might have anxiety." "Psh well duh that's obvious. You were pretty much sweating bullets back at Rhonda's." "But, I love people. Meeting and learning about them. I mean, I think I'm pretty outgoing. Or at least I used to be." This is where Helga realized who she was talking to. Arnold. And he was... talking. To her. About feelings. Why? She was about to impulsively shoot an 'I don't care' but she didn't want to. She wanted to have a real conversation. Something they have never actually done. It was scary, but for some reason she felt she could do it. She was just in a different state of mind. "I don't like party's either. Trust me, you are way better at talking to people then me. I just roar like a monster and watch them run away, it's great," Helga joked causing a chuckle out of Arnold. "Hey, at least you get what you want. Every one keeps crowding around me asking me to either be their chauffeur or therapist." "Ha. You'd be a great therapist." Arnold blinked. It kinda sounded like a genuine complement. And Helga was so distracted by his hair to even catch herself. 'It looks so soft. If we were together I'd be able to touch it all the time.'
Arnold was planning on thanking her but couldn't seem to move his lips. It's probably because he wasn't exactly sure if she meant it. It was just, so unlike her. He didn't want to thank her just to have her laugh in his face cause he didn't get the joke. Before he had time to figure out what to say, they both spotted slausen's across the street. Even after eating brownies, they had this weird hunger that just wasn't satisfied. Arnold turned to Helga. "Hey, wanna go get a milkshake or something?" "You read my mind. But I have no money." "Don't worry, I can pay for us." And at that moment, Helga figured it out. Or at least she thought she did. She was dreaming. This was a dream. How did she not see this earlier!So she gave him a smile he would have never expected to come from his tormentor. It was loving. "Thanks. I really appreciate it." She replied sweetly. The boy blinked. "Wait, you-" but like lightning, Helga had already snatched his hand and proceeded to pull him across the street. "Come on I'm hungry!" She giggled. Arnold felt his cheeks turn a shade of pink. What the hell was happening? Why did he like it? This was too weird.
Helga and Arnold we're sitting in a booth waiting for their milkshakes. And Helga was... definitely not glaring at him. There was no need to hide her grin now that she understood what was going on. Arnold on the the other hand, felt... confused. He could have sworn this girl hated him 5 minutes ago. "I'm kinda glad we left that stupid party." Helga expressed while looking into his eyes. "Yeah I think my ears are broken now." He joked. But he wasn't expecting her to laugh. At least not a lot. But she did. A lot. At this point, Arnold didn't know who this foreign girl was and why she was in helga's body, but it kinda scared him. 'Maybe she's just trying to mess with me or something.' "Helga... what are you doing?" "What do you mean?" "I don't know, you're just acting different." "Oh. That's cause I get it." She smirked. Arnold looked around then back at her. "Get what?" Helga leaned in close to him and lifted her hand to cup her mouth. "This is a dream," she whispered. "A dream?" "Uh duh, why else would we be getting along right now?" Normally Arnold wouldn't be dumb enough to believe that he was dreaming. But this wasn't normal Arnold. At the time it actually made a lot of sense. The puzzle pieces were finally connected. This made Arnold a lot more comfortable. "Ohhhh!" "Right?!" They both found themselves bursting with laughter. And once they looked back up at each other, everything was different. They felt so free. Like they could tell each other anything. Because it wasn't real. Suddenly feelings of excitement rushed into Arnold's body. He could really say... anything. "Helga I-" "Alright one cookies n cream, and one double chocolate." The employee said as she gave each their milkshakes. "Oh thanks," Arnold said quickly so he could return back to Helga who was all ready sucking on the straw. "Helga-" "Wow, this is really good for a dream milkshake." Arnold couldn't help but chuckle once more. This is what his mind thought Helga was like? Cute and bubbly? Or was it what he secretly hoped she'd act like? What ever it was, he decided he loved it. Because all of a sudden a specific memory from 7th grade popped into his head. The thought he had been pushing far FAR away into the back of his mind for a years now. It finally came back into the light. The fact that Arnold had once, sorta had... a crush on Helga. Oh god how he wished it wasn't true. How stupid he felt when he thought Helga rejected him. And after all of that, she still couldn't respect him enough to call him by his own name. All those feelings came rushing back. "Helga, you know I used to have a crush on you right?" Helgas eyes widened and she looked up from her drink. "You what?" "Yeah. I guess this was the kind of person I thought I'd see once I told you but... I't wasn't." "What do you mean, you never told me anything. But I wish you did." She smiled. Arnold raised an eyebrow. 'Oh so this is the scenario where she doesn't know.' "Well I used to. It was small, but it- I... it was stupid." Arnold began to blush when he felt helga's hand cover his. "It's not stupid." She promised. Still thinking she was speaking to her dream Arnold. "It's what I wished you'd say all along. But Yknow, I never gave you a chance to even consider it." Arnold just stared at her. "Let's be honest I'm a full on bitch to you." She bluntly explained. "Helga you're not a bitch. Don't call yourself that. You just... like to make my life a little harder. For some reason." "Well come on, its pretty obvious why I'm so mean to you. It's cause I'm in love with you." Arnold couldn't believe what his mind was telling him. "Yeah, I wish. Good one." "I'd obviously never tell you. You'd laugh in my face." "No I wouldn't." "No really, the real you would." "Well the real you would probably punch me in the face." "No I wouldn't. I know I act like it, but I literally don't think I'm capable of severely hurting you. That's why I grab your hair and shirt so much." "Yeah, I hate it when you do that. It's like you're claiming your stupid bully dominance." Even though she thought he was just dream Arnold, she really did feel bad. "Yeah. I can tell every time you flinch. It's kinda heartbreaking. I've been especially touchy lately, sorry. My dad is just... he just really sucks. And I know that's not an excuse, but I think I should run away or something. Maybe move in with Pheebs." Arnold blinked. "What, why?" "Cause, he keeps- He just-"she grabbed her wrist and found herself shaking. Arnold looked and remembered it was the bruise. "Helga is he actually hurting you?" She looked back up. Tears started to form once again. Which scared Arnold. "No, please don't cry again. Please don't." But she started to cry anyways. He quickly got up from his seat and over to her side of the booth. Helga felt Arnold hug her and she immediately grabbed him tightly. 'God I wish you were real,' They both wished. He felt like he could hold her forever. She was so warm. She was so- RINGGGG. Someone was calling Arnold. Helga looked up. "It's ok you can take it." "Are you sure?" She nodded. Arnold got his phone from his pocket. It was Gerald. He answered the call. "Hello?" "Hey buddy, did you leave the party?" Arnold rolled his eyes. "Well, yeah you ditched me." "I know I know. I'm sorry. I understand if you wanna give me a silent treatment for a couple weeks I deserve it. But... maybe you should tell me where you are right now cause Sid just gave me some interesting news." "What do you mean?" "He told me he gave you some brownies. You didn't eat any did you?" "They are just brownies Gerald, it's not really a big deal." "Bro, just... okay- they... bro you ate pot brownies." "What's a pot?" "Oh my god Arnold. There was weed in the brownies man! Marijuana dude! So just tell me where you are, I will find you and walk you home it's all going to be fi-"
Arnold hung up the phone.
He looked at the girl whose head was resting on his shoulder.
Still holding onto him.
With her beautiful eyes closed.
They opened as soon as Arnold spoke, "Helga."
"Yeah?"
'Oh god' he thought. 'OH GOD'
"We... aren't in a dream."
Helga's heart began to pound harder then ever before.
"What do you mean?"
"Those brownies... had weed in them."
Helga looked up at Arnold slowly.
"... WE'RE HIGH?!" She screamed for all the employees to hear.
Arnold flinched. He knew she was gonna yell.
