***

Let my love open the Door

Chapter 2... Arnold's Realizations

***

As the weeks drew on, Arnold and Helga spent a lot of time together. Even if it was mostly with Gerald in Phoebe there.

It truly was great having Helga back. Especially since she wasn't mean and bossy when as she was. Arnold always knew that Helga had a good side, and he was glad that she was showing it. Maybe having her live down in Louisiana was a good thing.

Though, even though he would never admit it, he did feel terrible when she moved. He also started to think he had a slight crush on her. But then when his grandmother died of a sudden cat hair allergy attack that summer, he felt that he had no feelings left.

Until Lila started to show interest in him.

Sure, Arnold thought that he loved Lila at one time. Hell, he solely believed that you shouldn't do the art of love unless you were in love. Well, he thought he was in love so he had sex with her. Then suddenly, she became miss 'I'm perfect, I'm better then you' and dumped him before school got out in junior year. Gerald would tease him about it. He would say "isn't the GUY suppose to pull the 'fuck 'n' dump' routine?"

But oh-well, all that was over now and Helga was back. And capturing his heart yet again.

"Why don't we go to the movies tonight?" Gerald asked sitting in Arnold's room on the couch.

"What movie do you want too see?" he asked.

"I dunno. How about that new one with Brad Pitt?"

"The CSI one?"

"Yeah."

"Oh...Alright, let me call Helga-"

"Acutally man, I was thinkin of it just being us tonight," Gerald said. "We've been hanging out with the girls so much lately, I haven't gotten to spend some time with my main man." Arnold was sad on the inside, but put a smile on for Gerald.

"Of course man, let me go get my jacket," he said and soon the guys were out.

On the way to the movies, Arnold and Gerald barely spoke. Actually. they didn't speak at all.

"Arnold," Gerald said breaking the ice. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Arnold replied.

"Look, if you really wanted Helga to come, you should have just told me." Gerald pressed. Arnold stopped.

"I don't care if she's not coming," he said trembling. Gerald rolled his eyes and grabbed Arnold by the shoulders.

"Arnold, I know your crushing on Helga," he said. "And it's alright! Hell, if I wasn't dating Phoebe I would go for her also...Holy Shit, did I just say I would go for Helga G. Pataki?"

Arnold laughed, "Yeah."

"Oh fuck," was all Gerald said letting go of Arnold's shoulders and they began walking to the theater again. "But anyway's, she's smart, funny, nice, pretty-"

"'Pretty' is an understatement, Gerald, she's god's gift to men." Gerald rolled his eyes, and nodded.

"Fine, whatever," he said. "Just ask her out man, the worse she could say is 'no' or 'go to hell' or 'fuck off' or laugh in your-"

"I GET THE POINT GERALD!" Arnold exclaimed. "Besides, I really don't think that I have a crush on Helga."

Gerald nearly fell over.

"WHAT!? You've got to be kidding me! The way you look at her...The way you ALWAYS insist that she come along with us somewhere. Not that I don't mind, but Arnold, face it man, you like her!" Gerald shouted.

After Gerald's outburst Arnold didn't say a word, and decided it was time to change the subject. Which they did, to the next football game.

The movie was good, but Arnold had a tough time concentrating on it. His mind seemed to wonder off on what Gerald said and thoughts of Helga.

Sure she was beautiful, and had a great personality, and-well, she was just perfect...But he didn't really have feelings for her, did he?

Arnold got home that night and quickly changed his cloths and got into bed. He started to think about when Helga left Seattle.

Yeah, she showed him her 'good' side before that, but that night before she left, and when she left, he saw something that he had never seen before, and he felt something that he'd never felt before. And he wasn't sure if those feelings were coming back.

Arnold looked over at his shelf wall and up at the pink bow that Helga gave him all those years ago.

Well, if he did like her, he wasn't going to tell her just yet.

~***~

The next Monday at school, while Arnold was walking down the hall with Sid, he noticed that all the girls were in an uproar about something, or someone.

"Did you see how he smiled at me! I thought I would just die on the spot!" A girl with a long brown braid said.

"He's the only guy in this school who can wear glasses and get away with it," another girl with short bleached blonde hair said.

"Who the hell are they talking about?" Sid asked Arnold, who shrugged in response.

The two kept walking to the cafeteria where Gerald, Phoebe, Helga and her new friends named Daphne Summers, and Kit Rodriguez. Daphne had long loosely curled dark blonde hair, and big greenish brown eyes. She was 5'3, and was pretty thin, but had curves. Kit was a tall skinny black girl with long black hair that she usually kept in a ponytail, and had bright brown eyes. She was dating a guy named Dylan who was attending UW (University of Washington...GO HUSKIES!). Besides Rhonda, she was one of the most popular girls in the school. They were both very nice.

"Hey guys," Arnold said as he pulled up a chair next to Helga.

"'Sup man?" Gerald asked with his arm around Phoebe's shoulder.

"Nothing...except for," he paused looking over at a crowd of girls gathered around a guy who he saw had curly blonde hair. "What's the crowd for?"

"Don't you know?" Kit asked. Arnold shook his head.

"Well, you might have to tell me as well..." Helga said. Kit rolled her eyes, and looked at Arnold.

"That kid who left back in 10th grade for a special training in Paris...Brian Hoffman...he's back, and good lookin' too," she said with a 'mmm-mm-mmm-mm'.

Helga turned to Arnold with a frown and waved her finger at him.

"Wasn't that Brain-"

"Helga! Is that you?" a voice said from behind her. Helga slowly turned her head up and saw the most beautiful face she's ever seen...well, besides Arnold's.

This guy had golden brownish blonde hair. His eyes, which were framed with glasses, were the most sparking green she'd ever seen. He had a sexy smile, which looked almost evil.

"Yes, but who are you?" Helga finally managed to choke out.

"It's me! Brain...Brainy!"

If Helga thought that she was going to fall over with shock, she wasn't the only one...Arnold was doubled over with it.

When Helga didn't say anything, Brainy kept going on to remind her of who he was.

"Brainy? You know, the little twirp who used to sneak up behind you breathing...I got that fixed by the way...and then you'd knock me out,"

All the girls at the table shot daggers at her.

"And then that time I gave you a ring, and you kissed me...well, on the cheek-"

"YES! I remember!" Helga shouted, she didn't want to loose all her girlfriends. "Hiya, Brainy! How ya doin?"

Brainy smiled big when she finally seemed to remember who he was.

"I'm doing great. I got back from Paris about 3 days ago," he said. "I was studying the French Revolution...and what better way to do it then go to where it took place!"

All the girls, except for Helga, laughed along with Brainy's attempt at a joke. The guys and Helga just sat there with no expression's on their faces.

"So anyways, where have you been all these years?"

"Oh, I've been living in Louisiana since 6th grade. But, I got tired of my rents, and so I'm living up here with Olga now."

"That's smashing," Brainy said, giving Helga another heart melting smile. "We should get together sometime, to catch up."

"Uh, sure...I'm not busy tomorrow night. Maybe we can go and catch a movie...I want to see that one with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt."

"Oh really? As do I! They were showing it in Paris, but, I hate subtitles, so I wanted to wait until I got back."

Helga smiled, and then the two exchanged phone numbers. He then said that he would call her tonight, and she said that it would be okay. He then said goodbye to the guys, ladies, and then Helga...with a kiss on her hand.

"Oh my god!" Daphne shouted. "You've got a date with the hottest guy in the school!"

Helga shook her head from side to side.

"It's not a date...it's a friendly get together. Like when I go out with Arnold." Phoebe, Kit, and Daphne all rolled their eyes.

"That maybe, Helga, but I wouldn't be surprised if he wants it to be more...he's liked you since...oh hell, I can't remember...but for over 10 years!"

"Well, I don't know..." Helga said, rubbing her cheek. "I have to go get some notes from Sheena. I'll see you all later."

She gathered her books and tray and left the table. Arnold just silently sat there playing with his fork and mashpotato's. He wanted to throw his fork full of it at Gerald for not letting him invite Helga to see that EXCACT same movie with him. Now, Helga's going to be alone in a theater with Brian Hoffman tomorrow evening.

Sorry guys! I know it's been awhile since I've updated. I'll try and get the next chapter out sometime next week! I Promise. Just hang in there with me! And thanks for all your wonderful reviews! They mean so much to me! - CD