Author's Note: Welcome back! This chapter is an immediate continuation of the events that happened last time. Like always, All characters mentioned in this story (except Miles Vermicelli) are owned by Craig Bartlett and Nickelodeon.

'thoughts look like this'

Now, ONWARDS!

Chapter 25: Jealousy and Self-Sabotage

Helga exited the dainty "Slausen's Ice Cream" parlor and stared up at the bright afternoon sky as she took a deep breath. She looked down at her broken heel and reached to slip the shoe off. Running three blocks from the subway in a day dress and pointy heels was definitely not amongst the weirdest things she'd done in her life. Nevertheless, she let out a rueful laugh and shook her head.

'If I go to the Sunset Arms, will he be there?' She thought as she looked down the street towards the direction of his house. She inhaled sharply and a determined expression settled on her face.

'Okay, Helga-girl, you've done crazier things for him.' She stood barefoot and tossed both her high-heeled shoes in the sidewalk trashcan. She begun to run down barefoot, ignoring the onlookers stopping as she dashed down the street.

When she arrived near the old, red brick building she froze and launched herself from the main street into the nearby alley adjacent to the Sunset Arms building. She peeked out, observing the strawberry blonde woman talking with Arnold on his stoop. Helga tried to listen in to what he'd said to her. Whatever it was, the woman threw her pretty head back and laughed out loud.

"Oh, you jokester! So is it really okay I come in unannounced?"

Helga observed as the woman flirtatiously swept her hair back and smiled alluringly at Arnold. From her hiding spot, she observed as Arnold opened his door and then made their way inside the old boarding house.

"I guess that's the least I deserve." Helga told herself as she felt the distinct feeling of jealousy settle in her stomach. She looked down at her dirty feet. Who was she to feel jealous after just getting engaged two hours ago? How pathetic was she to come running and expecting him to meet her with open arms?

"Maybe I'm the one who needs to let go. I bet he'd be happier without me." She mumbled audibly and then took a deep breath in. Her heart grew heavier and heavier by the minute. The scene she'd just encountered a few minutes ago resonated with her. It felt strangely…familiar as she recalled memories of long ago where she would observe Arnold with other girls.

Her gloom mood was interrupted when she heard shuffling behind a trash. She yelped and turned towards the noise. A lanky man came out from behind the large sets of trash.

"B-Brainy?! Holy crap you scared the shit out of me. What are you doing over there? How are you still coming out of random places?" She held her hand to her chest.

The tall, skinny man said nothing as he stood in front of her, presenting her with a pair of shiny, white sneakers. He placed the sneakers in front of her on the ground and stood straight again. "Hi. Helga." He smiled in his signature breathy voice.

She stared wide-eyed at the white shiny sneakers and then up at the man smiling at her.

"How the?" she laughed and shook her head in disbelief before slipping her feet inside the shoes. Perfect fit. "You know what, I'm not even gonna ask." She reached and patted his cheek before turning around and walking away.

"Oh my, this is your room? It's amazing!" Lilith gleamed as she twirled around his room, looking up in awe at the glass ceiling.

Arnold rubbed the back of his head and then offered her a seat at the red couch. "Thanks. Would you like something to drink? I'm sorry. I'm completely unprepared."

"No, No. I should be the one apologizing for showing up unannounced." She frowned and then reached inside her purse. "I wanted to thank you for letting me borrow your Jane Goodall collection. I brought the books back…" She pulled out the books from her purse and smiled wide as she offered them back.

"Ah, you didn't have to return them! They are yours to keep, truly." He smiled and pushed them gently back to her.

She gleamed, "Really? But they are so rare!"

"Yes, and I think you should keep them. You are a primatology major after all. I can't imagine anyone better to take care of them." Arnold reiterated as he sat in front of her.

"Gee, thanks Arnold." She blushed and looked down. A short, awkward silence followed as they averted their gaze.

Arnold's head, admittedly, was not in the right place after last night and this afternoon. He felt completely unprepared for guests as his mind still swam around with memories of the night before. Why hadn't Helga shown up at Slausen's? Were they back at square one? There was no way she'd regretted everything again, he thought. Not after last night.

He tried to focus his energy back on his friend sitting in front of him. He wasn't sure what to say as memories of his last encounter with Lilith made their way back into his mind.

"Lilith, I hope we are still alright." Arnold murmured; his gaze downcast as he recalled her confession.

Lilith's head snapped up and the blush on her cheeks deepened, "Ah, I should be the one saying that…but you know, I was serious about what I said. I'm not giving up."

"That-." He hesitated and she laughed out loud, coming to a stand.

"You're so cute when you get nervous like this." She bit her lower lip and walked up to where he was sitting, standing in between his outstretched leg.

He looked up at her, confused and frankly embarrassed.

"My bad, I wont tease you. Want to grab a bite?" She clasped her hands behind her and stepped backwards.

"S-sure." He murmured as he cleared his throat and came to a stand.

"The falafel here is the best! I always order this one." Lilith pointed at the picture on the menu in front of her.

Arnold tilted his head and stared at the picture she pointed out. "Looks good. I'll order one too, then." He smiled at her and then asked, "What? Do I have something on my face?" He asked honestly as she stared critically at him.

Sitting across from him, she crossed her arms and leaned forward slightly, narrowing her eyes, "No, I was just thinking, do you always do that with all the girls?"

"Do what?" Arnold asked, wrinkling his eyebrows.

"You know! Be this nice…this charming." Lilith expressed.

"C-charming? Me?"

"Think about it. Giving me your books? Taking my food recommendation blindly? You do those things all the time. It makes me feel like you hold me in high regards-."

"I do hold you in high regards." He stated earnestly.

"But, you hold everyone in high regards." She frowned.

Silence followed. "I-I hold my friends in high regards and you are-."

"Your friend. I get it." She rolled her eyes and looked back at the menu.

He scratched his head. Was she upset? Disappointed? He couldn't understand. Had he done wrong by trying to keep the peace between them? Had she expected something else?

The rest of their meal was a quiet, light affair. He was grateful that spending time with his friend had kept his mind from wondering about Helga not showing up that afternoon. He'd done his best to conceal his dispirited mood, glad that he could focus his energy on anything other than running back to her house to demand an explanation. As they exited the store, they began to walk down the sidewalk.

"Arnold!" He heard a familiar, feminine voice. Turning around, the pair came face to face with the cheerful red head running full speed to him. She threw her arms around him and gave him a squeeze.

"Lila!" He laughed and returned the hug.

Lilith stood next to them, observing the way the red head comfortably threw herself in his arms. Observing the way his eyes lit up and their overall familiarity with each other. A wave of envy invaded her. Maybe the blonde with the strong eyebrows was not the only competition she had. Just how many girls were in the same position as she, hoping to be his exclusively? It was sobering to observe his affections extending out to someone else.

"So sorry about leaving you at the club last time! Oh, how terribly rude of me. I'm Lila!" Lila stretched her hand out to the strawberry blonde girl standing awkwardly at his side. Lilith blinked a few times before reacting.

"Hi! I'm Lilith! You must be…?"

"This is my childhood friend, Lila. Lila, this is my friend Lilith, we share a few classes together." Arnold introduced, his head moving back and forth between the two petite girls observing each other carefully.

"It is ever so nice to meet you, Lilith. I'm sorry about popping in like this!"

"N-no! I was about to head out anyway. Look, my bus is here!" Lilith smiled nervously, stepping back.

"Wait, I can walk you." Arnold stressed.

"N-no. Don't be silly. It seems you have some catching up to do. Thanks for dinner again!" She waved goodbye and ran to the bus stop.

Arnold and Lila stood staring as Lilith retired inside the bus.

"She's so cute." Lila murmured.

Arnold blushed as he recognized the implication. Lila liked girls. How had he not guessed this before? The intrusive image of Lila and Helga making out made its way into his head. "Ah!" He yelled.

"What?" She asked, observing his reddened face.

"At the club last time. I -I saw y-you and Helga…kissing." He spoke rapidly, tumbling over his words.

"Oh, you saw that." She stated casually and then smirked, leaning her body forward. "And are you jealous? Of who? Of me? Or Helga?" She teased.

"No! I-I mean, it was shocking."

Lila sighed and they began to walk together, "Helga is an amazing girl, and an amazing kisser. When she slid her tongu-."

"Ah! Maybe skip the details, please." Arnold blushed furiously, pulling his cap down. It was too overwhelming to recall the image of his childhood crush making out with Helga, the love of his life, of all people in the world.

Lila threw her head back and laughed loudly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But on a serious tone, Helga was only helping me out."

"Helping you out? By kissing you?" Arnold asked dumbfounded.

"I think you of all people will understand when I say that I once struggled a lot." Lila clasped her hands behind her back as she walked, observing the golden sky above her. "I always felt out of place. I always felt like I was hiding behind a mask, like I was a fraud."

Arnold observed his friend, his heart filling up with compassion for that tiny, braided girl he remembered.

Lila chuckled ruefully, "I tried so hard to fit in. I tried to like you, I tried to be like all the other girls, tried to assimilate. But you know what? I'm tired of hiding who I really am! I don't want to be that girl who pretends to be happy all the time! I want to be my authentic self!"

Arnold smiled down sympathetically, "Did you finally find yourself?"

"I'm trying to. I may not know a whole lot, Arnold. My first experience with a girl was a complete circus show. But I am not giving up! So when I say Helga's helped me, I really do mean it. She doesn't hesitate to be herself! She's amazing really!" Lila gleamed.

"She really is." He stated earnestly.

"You still love her." Lila stated matter-of-factly.

"I do." He didn't deny it.

"I kind of always had a feeling…about you two." Lila narrowed her eyes, gazing thoughtfully.

"I'm not even sure anymore. I just know I love her. I don't know what life has in store for us, but I want her next to me." He explained.

Lila observed her friend as he opened up his heart to her. She reached and wrapped her arm around his.

"You. Out of everyone in this world, you are her match…I'll be cheering for you all the way."

Arnold smiled, "Thank you. And you? Your family, how is everything else going?"

"It's going. Not a smooth sailing but I've come out to my dad. He accepts me and that is all that matters to me; all I care about."

They continued walking in silence all the way to her place. A comfortable, calm serenity came over them. It was as if everything that happened between them finally made sense.

Helga opened the door of her home and exhaustion settled in as soon as she stepped inside. She realized she hadn't gotten much sleep, and she started to make her way up the stairs.

"Helga?" Miles popped his head out of the living room, stepping into the foyer. She mentally cried out and paused, turning around and forcing a smile.

"Hey, Pastrami. Just…um." She was stuck. What could she say at this point?

"What happened to your other shoes?" He asked worryingly.

"Ah, they broke so…I borrowed these from Phoebe." She lied.

"We were worried about you. Why did you leave so suddenly?" He reached for her hand, grabbing it and caressing it affectionately.

"Y-yeah. Sorry about that…I remembered Phoebe forgot her assignment in my room and she had to turn it in today."

Miles narrowed his eyes. She thought she caught sight of something in his eyes that looked very similar to…contempt? Anger? It disappeared as soon as it came and a wide smile replaced it. Perhaps she'd imagined it.

"You look tired. You should take a rest." He said simply, patting her hand before letting it go.

"There's the future bride!" Bob came in and joined them at the foyer. "You got a letter in the mail, girl."

Bob retrieved a white envelope and handed it to her.

Helga received it and turned it over, gasping as she realized it had been opened. "Dad! Did you open my mail?!"

"What! It's from a Stinky Peterson inviting you to his wedding in Arkansas."

Helga glared at her dad and then at Miles. "Neither of you see anything wrong prying into my stuff?"

Miles looked innocently at her while Bob scoffed, "Aw, come on girl! So are you guys going?"

"Us?" Miles asked.

"You cant expect me to let her drive out by herself! She needs protection! Plus, a trip would be a nice way for you two to get comfortable before the wedding. You can even get some ideas from your friend's little country wedding!" Bob elbowed Miles suggestively.

Helga rolled her eyes and turned around, heading towards her bedroom. She threw herself on the bed and held the white invitation in front of her face while she read out loud, "Helga Pataki, You and a guest are cordially invited to the union between Stinky Peterson and Rosey Jones taking place at Stinky Farms on Jan 22nd. To celebrate this special occasion, Stinky Farms will provide lodging at the historical Stinky Bed and Breakfast located at 121 Creek Rd., Arkansas… Huh, looks like the ol' Stinko found love, huh?" She smiled as she fondly remembered her old school mate.

The fond memories of her childhood friend were interrupted by light knocking on her door.

"Helga?" Miriam called out. Helga sat up on her bed as she observed the worried gaze of Miriam and Olga. The pair of women made their way inside her room and stood awkwardly next to each other.

"Yeah? What's up?" She made the effort to sound as casual as possible.

"Baby sister, we wanted to ask you…Are you okay? This whole thing, the engagement with Miles…We thought it was too sudden and considering how happy you used to be with Arnold. We wanted to ask you, is this for real? Do you really have plans of marrying Miles?" Olga asked as she wrinkled her eyebrows. The smudged mascara suggesting she'd already cried more than a few times.

Helga stared at them in silence. Feeling for the first time in a long time like she didn't know what to say. A part of herself screamed for help. 'Yes, I don't love him! I want out of this! I did this all for you! I did this out of spite after a stupid betrayal that I'm doubting it ever happened! Will you hate me if I back out? Will you be alright accepting just me and losing all this money we got along the way?'

Helga gulped. She conjured the image of Arnold laughing alongside the pretty girl with the strawberry blonde hair standing outside his stoop. If she let him go now, then perhaps he would never have to deal with her strong moods, with her problematic family, with her indecision and her distrust. Perhaps he deserved better than to deal with a girl with 'daddy issues' and selfish desires…perhaps…

And then there was his betrayal. As much as she'd once hated him for it, months of reflection had her doubting it ever happened. If there was one thing she'd wished she'd done better, it would be to not become this spiteful and take the most drastic measure every time she got hurt. Classic Helga.

And then there was Miriam. It was the first time in Helga's life that she'd seen her mother this happy. Could she really let her down and watch her sink into depression and alcohol once again?

She'd dug herself in this hole. She deserved it. She deserved to suffer for it…not him…not her dad…not her mom.

"I don't know what you two are talking about…" She stated weakly, crossing her arms defensively.

"Helga…" Miriam spoke, adjusting her glasses. "Your sister and I have been thinking. You really seemed to hit it off with Arthur-."

"Arnold." Olga corrected.

"Right, With Arnold. And well, now you look just so sad with Miles! And I've seen how Arnold treats you and I just think you two are a match made in heaven and -."

"Miriam." Helga scowled, interrupting her mother. "You do not have to worry about me, okay? Whatever I had with Arnold…it's over okay? I'm very happy with Miles!"

"Are you sure daddy is not persuading you into some scheme with them? Are you sure you really want to marry him?"

"I'm sure, Olga." Helga stated coldly. The two women looked helplessly at her and then at each other.

Hillwood Uni:

"Stinky's getting married?" Sid slammed his hands on the picnic table in front of him.

"Looks like it." Gerald murmured, "But I won't be able to attend. Phoebe and I booked a trip to the mountains this weekend."

"I guess the farm is doing fairly well again. They are even accommodating guests with lodging." Arnold added.

"Are you going, dude?" Gerald asked.

"I'm not sure. I have some time off but I don't have a guest to bring. Sid, are you bringing anyone?"

"Maybe." Sid blushed. Gerald and Arnold gave each other a knowing smile. It seemed like things had gone well with the brunette Sid met at the club.

"Arnold!" Lilith called out and waved at Arnold. The blonde man smiled and waved back, "Hey, Lilith."

She neared their table and greeted the two men, "Sorry to interrupt."

"Not at all! Hey Arnold, why don't you bring Lilith with you?" Gerald suggested.

Lilith looked back and forth between the blonde and his friend, "Bring where?"

"Ah.." Arnold tugged at his collar nervously, "You probably won't be interested. An old friend of mine is getting married and he invited us to his farm for the weekend."

"A farm?" Lilith gleamed. "I've never been to a real farm before!"

"Well…" Arnold hesitated, unsure of what to do, "If, If you want to…"

"Oh, I'd love to go!" She jumped slightly in place; her face gleaming.

"You invited Lilith to Stinky's farm on Arnold's behalf?!" Phoebe stood from Gerald's bed and paced around his room while her Fiancé laid on the bed, throwing a baseball in the air and catching it laggardly.

"What? The boy needs to make up his mind, babe."

"If I didn't know any better I would think you're playing matchmaker. Did you forget about Helga?" Phoebe asked, exasperated.

"Helga will probably be there too. And she needs to see Arnold with someone else to finally snap. They both need snappin'!" Gerald cried out as he caught the small ball and then rested his head on his elbow, turning his body sideways as he observed the small woman pacing angrily around his bedroom.

Phoebe shook her head, staring at her fiancé in disbelief. She stopped pacing and looked down at her wristwatch before leaning down to peck her beloved and then reaching for her purse.

"Whatever you say. Speaking of which, Helga is probably waiting for me to pick her up. We are going on a stroll at the park. See ya!"

Grand Park:

"Phoebe, you can't do this to me! Bob and Miles are practically over the moon and thrilled about this 'road trip wedding' using it as an excuse to bring Miles and I closer together! I need you to be there with me!" Helga pleaded with her friend, tugging at her arm.

Phoebe's head snapped to look at Helga, eyeing her blonde friend skeptically, "Helga, shouldn't you be happy to spend time with your 'promised one'?"

"Well…" Helga averted her gaze nervously, "O-of course I am! But I mean, I still need my best friend there with me!"

Phoebe stared sadly at her friend. A part of her felt disappointed that Helga still couldn't trust her enough to share the obvious lie she'd fabricated around her circumstances with Miles. Another part of her respected Helga's decision to keep quiet about it. She knew that Helga was smart enough to know better than to believe she'd been tricking Phoebe altogether, however. It was an untold secret between them. They knew each other too well than to believe Helga's lies were any more than a façade waiting to be exposed between the two. It often came out during their conversations, in the form of hints and hyperboles. Like 'Ice Cream', it was a language amongst the two they understood well.

"You know, for someone so smart you really are hard-headed."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Helga scowled.

Phoebe sighed, resigning to her endless battle, "You know what I mean. Anyway, I can't go because Gerald and I are going to the mountains…"

"Yeah, so? You guys go there all the time!" Helga argued.

Phoebe held her index finger out, signaling her friend to listen to what she had to say. She repeated, "I can't go because Gerald and I are going to the mountains, and we are eloping."

Helga sat on the park bench, her mouth opened slightly, her eyes grew bigger.

"Eloping? You and Gerald?" She scratched her head. "Wait, Why? Your families are not at odds with each other, you have the support of everyone—Wait, Are you pregnant?!" She stood up and Phoebe reached over and covered Helga's mouth.

"Shhh! It's not like that! We just, I don't know. We don't want a ceremony. I'm not into big celebrations. I never fantasized about a grand wedding. Will you comprehend if I tell you that I ardently want to be Mrs. Johanssen?" Phoebe explained, her dark, brown eyes searching her friend's blue ones.

"Phoebe…" Helga stared back before reaching over to encircle her friend in a warm hug. "Criminy, I guess you two really have it bad for each other. Should I be the one going with you then? Do you need a witness?"

"I appreciate it. But Gerald and I will be reciting our vows to the stars. They will be our witness. Do you know of the ancient green-eyed people? According to their legend, two lovers would recite their love to the stars and their union would last forever. Do you think we are crazy?"

"Crazy? No! I mean, Yes! but what's the fun in life if we're not all a little crazy?" Helga exclaimed.

"Of course, there will be an official minister to ordain the whole thing. Oh, that reminds me, I also had a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"Will you help me write my vows? I can't think of anyone who can write as beautifully as you do…and I was hoping you would help me…"

"Of course, Pheebs." Helga embraced her friend once more before the pair sat together at the park bench and started brainstorming words for Phoebe's vows.

Author's Note: The wedding chapter is finally coming up! Join me next week as the group make their way to the countryside for Stinky's wedding! This week's chapter was a build up to this one coming up. Exciting things to come!

Ps: The scene with Lila was inspired by "Eugene Eugene" When she auditions and she looks so sad. Oh, and hurray for platonic relationships between men and women!

Thank you for your continued support! I read everyone's reviews and feedback. I appreciate you!