This is my first Hey Arnold story, after hearing that the jungle movie will happen in 2017 I started reading a some (very good) stories. I heard this song that actually made me think of Arnold always getting turned down by girls (even by Helga in a dream in one episode, kid can't catch a break) so I got this idea for a story. honestly my Hey Arnold knowledge is a bit rusty. I've been binge watching the cartoon on a website since I'm on a bit of a Hey Arnold obsession at the moment. Anyways I always ramble on with author notes SO enjoy the first chapter.
I DO NOT OWN HEY ARNOLD. This note is for all chapters.
"Arnold, you're ever so kind to take me though."
Arnold put the movie ticket stubs back into his pockets, he crumpled the stubs in his pockets out of frustration. He sighed deeply as Lila went on about how ever so kind it was to take her to a date at the movie theater, except it wasn't a date. It wasn't a date, Lila wasn't his girlfriend, and they weren't in love like the nine year old him wanted them to be. This was a misunderstanding and embarrassing moment for the fifteen year old Arnold; when he asked Lila to the movies he asked as a date while she just thought this to be a ever so friendly offer by Arnold. When Lila overheard Arnold confess to Timberly he was just using her to spend more time with Lila, of course she was disappointed in him, even though Arnold apologized to Timberly and felt guilty about it. Since then football head focused on playing baseball more with the boys then winning girls hearts. But now he was fifteen years old and like any other sophomore in high school, Arnold was noticing girls left to right; one particular girl caught his attention once again. If Arnold would have thought more the past month he wouldn't be in the same place he was before with Lila. The two shared a chemistry class, which gave Arnold the idea that the two actually had chemistry. He would help Lila with her chemistry homework, partnered up with her for lab days, even shared cheesy chemistry jokes.
"But my feelings are still the same as before. I do love spending time with you, you're such a good friend." Lila put her hand on Arnold's shoulder to make this let down gentle; it only made this let down worst. It was a classic friend zone move. Arnold sighed, he didn't want to hear this by the same girl that always rejected him. The same girl he always chased after no matter how many times she said no. "I know Lila, I know."
Lila gave Arnold a sympathetic smile, it always came down to this. She didn't mean to lead the poor boy on, it just seemed to happened. The red haired girl knew Arnold was sweet, really sweet! And pleasant to be with, he always offers to help their classmates, and he always complimented her on the way she dots her i's with hearts. He was the perfect boy for the perfect girl she was, the only problem was Lila knew they weren't perfect for each other. She knew as much as they had fun together, they just couldn't be together the way Arnold wanted. Lila looked at the way Arnold's smile faded into the hurt face she has seen so many times.
"Oh my, it's ever so dark now." Lila tried to pretend to look bothered by the dark sky; it was close to 8:30 p.m. "Would you mind walking me home? It would be ever so kind." Arnold looked at the pity smile Lila gave him, it was a familiar smile.
Arnold tried to look happy, "Sure, let's go."
The night was barley lit with the few stars that came out. The dingy street lights didn't help light the way for the two teenagers, the buildings and houses seemed to age with the kids that use to play baseball or football in the streets, a few houses let the paint chips fall on the ground and gave them a spotty look; the whole neighborhood grew older. The walk to Lila's house was quiet, she tried making small talk with Arnold but only got a "Uh huh", or "Sure". Lila decided to keep her eyes forward instead. She let the slight wind and musk smell of trash cans they were about to pass distract her. Finally they got to her home.
"Thank you Arnold. This night was...fun." Lila gave a small smile, hoping to look over the awkward ending to their evening. "Arnold?"
"I just don't understand why we cant-"Arnold." Lila interrupted him, a first time that she ever interrupted anyone. "You know why we can't be together. You know we're not meant for each other."
"Yeah...I know. Goodnight Lila."
Arnold turned to walk home. He mentally kicked himself to think Lila would change her feelings, he shouldn't have taken all those nice gestures of hers as a sign of interest. Lila gave everyone nice gestures, she was the nicest sophomore in school, heck maybe even the nicest girl in Hillwood. Arnold looked at the time on his watch; it was already 9:00 p.m. Everyone in the boarding house was asleep by this time, hopefully even Osker's and Susie's baby girl would be asleep already. The boarding house was happy to welcome a new family member, especially a new baby. But it's been so long since there was a baby in the house that they forgot the late night crying that came with a new child. Arnold quietly walked in the house, the lights were off which made it hard to find the stairs for Arnold's room. He finally made it to his room without making any noise. He sighed with relief. He kicked off his shoes next to his blue covered bed. His plaid shirt joined his shoes as he looked for a plain grey shirt to put on to sleep in, he also grabbed plain red pajama pants.
Arnold laid on his bed while thinking of tonight, it wasn't just about Lila; it was about Ruth, Summer, even the two 6th grade girls Gerald and him took to the dance. They all left Arnold disappointed in the love department. Arnold knew he wasn't focused on love all the time, he had other interests. But the few times he liked a girl she would always turn him down or just turn out different then he thought she was. It was getting tiring for Shortman; he was starting to think of just giving up. He would get hurt less that's for sure. "Why must I be a teenager in love?"He thought. Arnold felt his eyes slowly close, they were filling up with sleep. Now Arnold stepped into dreamland and he was done for the day.
Somewhere in a pink bedroom was a blonde girl with a pink over sized T-shirt that reached for knees; she was writing in her pink diary that had white writing on the cover. The girly bedroom that was covered in frills and stuffed animals was her private space where she could be herself; which was poetic, sensitive, and sometimes as sweet as how the color pink looked on her. These were unusual traits for a girl that was said to be tough as nails and would snap anyone out in a minute if you said the wrong word to her. Helga liked her reputation of being a tough girl at school. She liked being able to walk through the halls of school and know everyone had a slight fear of her. But right she was in her own bubble so she was able to let her feminine side come out.
Dear diary, how my heart aches at the moment! Yes I have become somewhat of a friend of my beloved Arnold, yet the past has repeated again. He is on a date with that harridan of a girl Lila. Lila, how that girl irks me! The way she denies having any feelings for Arnold yet is seen with him a lot makes me boiling mad. How she has Arnold wrapped around her little pinky drives me nuts especially with how easy it is for her. Oh what cruel luck to be only friends with the one you love. Yes Arnold and I do talk more and even hang out, but that's not enough. There are times I feel I should give up my pursue on that wonderful football head, then there are moments when we talk and it feels like we're connecting in our own way; till Lila shows up and takes away his attention. Oh my darling there are times when you are really just a donut hole to let Lila have your attention. But then there are "Helga where's my TV remote!"
Helga sighed with annoyance, "It's on the coffee table Bob!"
"I can't find it!"
Helga slammed her diary closed then got up from her frilly bed. She opened the door and stomped downstairs to help Bob find the remote or she would never get back to her writing. The Pataki home was filled with yelling from Bob and Helga, with the help of Miriam's blender making her bedtime "smoothie". The same pattern every night at Helga's home.