I wish this was longer...I was sort of stuck on what to add to it. Arnold reciting poetry might seem a bit out of character, but I thought it might make a nice touch (I'm too much of a romantic....). I made it up, in case you wonder. ^_^
Disclaimer's on the first chapter, if you're looking for someone to sue. ^^;
There are some things
I'll live without
But I want you to know
That I need you right now
Suffer my desire for you
- In the Arms of Sleep
I sit on the roof again that night, watching the sky again. It's so unusual to see the night sky so clear in the city these past few days. Instantly, I see Andromeda, and remember her. Running my fingers over the soft fabric again, I realize I haven't really let go of the pink ribbon. Just for a laugh, I sniff it.
It smells like roses.
I've never felt this warm before. It's not like the warmth I felt with Lila, definately not.With Lila, I felt cold. Shut out.
But with Helga, it's difficult to describe it. I feel like I've entered paradise.
I trace Andromeda with my finger. I feel so accustomed to this.
Smiling, I climb back down to my room, and quickly grab a notebook. Monday was Poetry Day (Mr. Simmon's idea, as you should know). Maybe I'll write one about her...even though I'm never good at writing.
Monday morning. Every kid hates it, even me. But today, I feel....this sounds corny...lighter than a feather. I practically run to class, simply happy.
"Arnold, are you feeling alright?" asks Gerald.
"Yeah....." He blinks.
"I KNEW it, man! You have a crush on He--" My eyes widen.
"Gerald! Not so loud!"
"Right....You really like her, don't you?"
"Yeah...."
"Arnold, WHY?"
"I don't know...she's different than what we thought...."
At that moment, Mr. Simmons walks in, a huge smile on his face.
"Hello everyone! Now, today is Monday, and that means that it's Poetry Day! Does anyone have a poem they found that they would like to share?"
I instantly raise my hand.
"Okay, Arnold, you first."
I stand up, a bit nervous about having to recite a poem to Helga (without the class knowing except Phoebe, Gerald, and Lila), but I smile and try to do the best I can.
"....this...is....I call this....'Lapis'" I take a deep breath, and focus my eyes on Helga.
The sea
A pure, deep blue
Such as your eyes
Dance with me
And never leave my side
I close my eyes
To reach to you
And yours slowly open
The color...of lapis.
"That...that was wonderful, Arnold. A wonderful job...you did." He seems to be wiping a tear from his eyes. He's so emotional.
Helga look at me in shock. I'm shocked too. Was it me who wrote this? I never was good at things like this.
"Well...anyone else?" Mr. Simmons looks disappointed after nobody raised their hands.
"Well, the last day for permission slips is tomorrow. Did anyone bring theirs?"
Because of all that's happened, I completely forgot to turn in mine.
"Arnold, do you have yours? You're usually the first to turn it in."
"Well....a lot's been going on, so I...kind of forgot."
"That's okay, Arnold. Just turn it in tomorrow. I'm sure you don't want to miss out on all the special fun we'll be having!"
Half the class groans.
Everyone thinks I've lost it. Not only have I been acting "strange", I also wrote a poem.
Though everyone just guessed I'm still pursuing Lila.
"Arnold, your presentation was excellent. Such emotion." Phoebe.
"Thanks, Phoebe."
She smiles. "Helga?"
"Yes."
"I never would've thought you would come to your senses so quickly. Then again, I just might be wrong in my observations."
Gerald walks over, and Phoebe suddenly blushes.
"Hey, Phoebe." he says, smiling.
"Hello, Gerald......"
I wink at her, amused at the situation. "I'm going to go get some water. I'll be right back."
Walking to the water fountain, I can't help but laugh. They're too shy to even speak to each other. Once I sort out everything, I think I'll help them...I'll leave them to decide for now.
"They're sweet together." mumbles someone behind me. I turn to see Helga.
"What?" she asks, a bit annoyed.
"I'd never think that you would agree with Gerald and Phoebe." She smirks.
"Tall Hair Boy isn't exactly someone I'd pick for PHOEBE to like, but that doesn't mean I won't SUPPORT her, Arnoldo."
"But still...you hate Gerald. I think it's pretty nice."
"Whatever floats your boat, Football Head."
I shake my head. "You know, Helga, I let you stay over at my house for the night. The least you could do is try to be nicer. This ISN'T you."
"What are you TALKING about? This IS me, Arnoldo."
"No it isn't. Look, I know you act like this for a reason. I want to help you, Helga."
"I already told you. You CAN'T help me."
"If I can't, then I'll try anyway."
She stares off towards Phoebe and Gerald for a second, then focuses her attention on me.
"Leave me alone, Arnold. There's nothing you can do...can't you get that through your FOOTBALL-SHAPED HEAD?! Leave me ALONE!"
"Helga..."
"You ruined everything...you know that?"
But before I could say anything, she runs from me again.
What am I supposed to do now?
Phoebe and Lila both agree that I should just confront Helga with it. And it won't be hard because she already loves me.
But what will happen when I tell her?
I'm just afraid that once I tell her, it'll be over. We'll be together or something, and then one day in middle school, it'll end. I don't ever want to hurt Helga, or leave her. They say that most relationships starting in fourth, fifth, even sixth grade never work out.
I want us to be different, though. But sometimes, you just can't help but be normal.
This is all too confusing....too...
She stares at me, as though she lost in some sick game the fates played with her. But Helga doesn't know it's still playing. I've been trying to act like I used to, playing baseball, going to the arcade, things like that. But I can't help that I'm an entirely different person now. Even now, as I'm playing baseball with the other kids, I feel...not myself anymore.
"FOOTBALL HEAD!" I jump.
"Uh...."
"I said YOU'RE UP!" says Helga, a certain pain in her voice.
I even forgot that I was playing.
The day of the field trip. Maybe the museum might take my mind off things.
We board the school bus, with Helga and Phoebe sitting right behind me and Gerald. He's still blushing after that encounter with Phoebe.
"Are you okay, Gerald?"
"Yeah, man, I'm fine." He's shaking.
"Are you sure? ...you're shaking."
"Just...nervous about the field trip." he says, faking a laugh. I shake my head.
"It's Phoebe, isn't it?" I whisper. His eyes widen.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"....NO! No....no..." Gerald plays with a broken thread on his sleeve. "It...it's not...Phoebe...."
"Gerald, can't you at least tell me?"
"What is SO PRIVATE that you have to WHISPER, Football Head?" says Helga.
"Nothing, Helga. And it IS private, so can you just BUTT OUT?" says Gerald.
"Whatever, Geraldo." She sits back down.
I think she was trying to say something to me, but failed.
".....okay, so it's Phoebe. But can we call her....Selene* or something?"
"Sure. What about Selene is making you so nervous?"
"I don't know! I mean....I feel weird around her....like I..."
"Like her, like her?"
"Yeah. She makes me feel...weird. I can't look at her without feeling really...warm."
"Gerald, why don't you tell her you like her?"
"Because...I'm too...afraid." He closes his eyes. "Man, I'm stupid."
"No, it's natural. Look, all you have to do is...." I stop. I have nothing to say. No advice or anything.
I'm going through the same thing he is.
"Is what, Arnold?" He's confused. I honestly don't know.
"....confront her about it. I know for a fact she likes you, Gerald."
"...she does?" I laugh.
"It's OBVIOUS."
I love the museum. I always find things in there that are really interesting. We pass an old Chinese armor made entirely of jade. Everyone was expecting it to be boring, but they find it to be the opposite.
As I walk, I stop at a statue inside a glass case.
It was a small statue of a young woman chained to a rock. Above her was a giant monster lifting from the waves of the ocean. Beside her was a man on a horse, looking at her with desire.
"Andromeda." says Helga.
"This is Andromeda?" I say, smiling.
Andromeda's eyes were made of some sort of gem...one that was a deep, beautiful blue. Lapis lazuli. I found a necklace in the attic for my mother made out of lapis.
They look like the color of Helga's eyes.
Phoebe was grinning. "I believe Andromeda was a princess, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia. They were the rulers of Ethiopia in Greek mythology. Supposedly, Cassiopeia loved to boast about how she was beautiful than even the Nereids themselves."
"Who were the Nereids?" I ask.
"The Nereids were a group of fifty daughters that lived in the Mediterranean Sea. They were known for helping sailors."
Helga smirks. "So they punished Cassiopeia or something?"
"Precisely. They were associated with Poseidon, the god of the sea. Apparently, Poseidon was furious at Cassiopeia's egotistical remark, and sent Cetus, the sea monster, to plague the land. Cepheus was afraid, and asked the oracles on what he could do. The only way was to sacrifice his only daughter, Andromeda, to the monster. The townspeople forced him to agree, and he ended up chaining her to the rock, as you can see."
"Man, all that just because his wife claimed she was beautiful?" says Helga. "Sounds like it's all her mom's fault."
"It was. But Perseus, who was on a journey to claim the head of Medusa, came across her. He slayed Cetus, and married Andromeda."
I never knew there was such a huge story in that one constellation. Looking at the lapis eyes, I smile.
Helga's eyes.
~~~
* = If anyone knows mythology or watches Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, you know the Selene story. ^_^ She was a goddess of the moon who was in love with Endymion, a shepherd. Selene is connected to Artemis, another moon goddess. Another name for Artemis was "Phoebe". Oh, I love puns. ^^; But then again....does Gerald even read mythology? ^_^; I suppose he liked her so much, he even researched her name.
~~~
Yami Dragoness - Yep. ^_^ And I'm planning a sequel to this....you'll know why when I post the last chapter. :P
jacki - I really want them to make the second movie. I'm...PRAYING they will. This is my speculation. ^^; I actually wrote this before I found out about the second movie, so I might twist it around if it comes out.
Aishiteru Tenshi - I'm aware of that. ^^; At first it was a mistake (I had mistaken it with "Phoebe Breaks A Leg"....was that the episode?), but after I noticed it, I didn't want to use Eleanor Roosevelt. I thought the Queen Elizabeth thing would be...stranger, I suppose. ^^; But I can change it, that is, if you want me to. ^_^
puppiescute- I LOVE "Dinner for Four". Even more proof that Arnold likes Helga more than a friend. ^_^ And the way his pupils shrunk during that scene in the movie. I'm not sure if it's shock or he just LOVED the fact that Helga was kissing him...it might not be the latter...but it was cute. But I could go on and on about Arnold's hints....I'm sure Helga still loves him. ^_~ When you're THAT devoted to the guy you love, it doesn't disappear so easily.
Amanda - Thanks. I really do wish they'd make a whole episode dedicated to Arnold's feelings on Helga. They say that he might discover them in the Jungle Movie, but that's IF they make it...
hopeless romantic2aT - I thought I made them act TOO mature. ^_^; I can't remember what I was like at nine, but I know they act too mature for 4th graders. Especially Arnold...
Flower Powerer - The whole of Hey Arnold is addicting. ^_^ I could sit for hours watching the episodes I have on tape and reading Arnold/Helga fics. But it's a good addiction. XD
pokey - I think Helga would act the same in any case, written or verbal. I'm starting to wonder if part of the entire series is dedicated to Arnold trying to figure out Helga in a subtle way. ^_^ He's almost there, with that confession and all....Helga let out a huge chunk that makes up who she is, and Arnold knows it, I'm sure. Oh, one could go into deep discussions about Hey Arnold. ^_^
QueenAngel - Sorry about that. ^_^; If anything, it's "silent_hikari@yahoo.com". Wasn't The Patakis a spin-off? I think they turned the idea down...one where Arnold moves away and Helga's older. As for the "Old Betsy", I don't think I've heard of them.
Disclaimer's on the first chapter, if you're looking for someone to sue. ^^;
There are some things
I'll live without
But I want you to know
That I need you right now
Suffer my desire for you
- In the Arms of Sleep
I sit on the roof again that night, watching the sky again. It's so unusual to see the night sky so clear in the city these past few days. Instantly, I see Andromeda, and remember her. Running my fingers over the soft fabric again, I realize I haven't really let go of the pink ribbon. Just for a laugh, I sniff it.
It smells like roses.
I've never felt this warm before. It's not like the warmth I felt with Lila, definately not.With Lila, I felt cold. Shut out.
But with Helga, it's difficult to describe it. I feel like I've entered paradise.
I trace Andromeda with my finger. I feel so accustomed to this.
Smiling, I climb back down to my room, and quickly grab a notebook. Monday was Poetry Day (Mr. Simmon's idea, as you should know). Maybe I'll write one about her...even though I'm never good at writing.
Monday morning. Every kid hates it, even me. But today, I feel....this sounds corny...lighter than a feather. I practically run to class, simply happy.
"Arnold, are you feeling alright?" asks Gerald.
"Yeah....." He blinks.
"I KNEW it, man! You have a crush on He--" My eyes widen.
"Gerald! Not so loud!"
"Right....You really like her, don't you?"
"Yeah...."
"Arnold, WHY?"
"I don't know...she's different than what we thought...."
At that moment, Mr. Simmons walks in, a huge smile on his face.
"Hello everyone! Now, today is Monday, and that means that it's Poetry Day! Does anyone have a poem they found that they would like to share?"
I instantly raise my hand.
"Okay, Arnold, you first."
I stand up, a bit nervous about having to recite a poem to Helga (without the class knowing except Phoebe, Gerald, and Lila), but I smile and try to do the best I can.
"....this...is....I call this....'Lapis'" I take a deep breath, and focus my eyes on Helga.
The sea
A pure, deep blue
Such as your eyes
Dance with me
And never leave my side
I close my eyes
To reach to you
And yours slowly open
The color...of lapis.
"That...that was wonderful, Arnold. A wonderful job...you did." He seems to be wiping a tear from his eyes. He's so emotional.
Helga look at me in shock. I'm shocked too. Was it me who wrote this? I never was good at things like this.
"Well...anyone else?" Mr. Simmons looks disappointed after nobody raised their hands.
"Well, the last day for permission slips is tomorrow. Did anyone bring theirs?"
Because of all that's happened, I completely forgot to turn in mine.
"Arnold, do you have yours? You're usually the first to turn it in."
"Well....a lot's been going on, so I...kind of forgot."
"That's okay, Arnold. Just turn it in tomorrow. I'm sure you don't want to miss out on all the special fun we'll be having!"
Half the class groans.
Everyone thinks I've lost it. Not only have I been acting "strange", I also wrote a poem.
Though everyone just guessed I'm still pursuing Lila.
"Arnold, your presentation was excellent. Such emotion." Phoebe.
"Thanks, Phoebe."
She smiles. "Helga?"
"Yes."
"I never would've thought you would come to your senses so quickly. Then again, I just might be wrong in my observations."
Gerald walks over, and Phoebe suddenly blushes.
"Hey, Phoebe." he says, smiling.
"Hello, Gerald......"
I wink at her, amused at the situation. "I'm going to go get some water. I'll be right back."
Walking to the water fountain, I can't help but laugh. They're too shy to even speak to each other. Once I sort out everything, I think I'll help them...I'll leave them to decide for now.
"They're sweet together." mumbles someone behind me. I turn to see Helga.
"What?" she asks, a bit annoyed.
"I'd never think that you would agree with Gerald and Phoebe." She smirks.
"Tall Hair Boy isn't exactly someone I'd pick for PHOEBE to like, but that doesn't mean I won't SUPPORT her, Arnoldo."
"But still...you hate Gerald. I think it's pretty nice."
"Whatever floats your boat, Football Head."
I shake my head. "You know, Helga, I let you stay over at my house for the night. The least you could do is try to be nicer. This ISN'T you."
"What are you TALKING about? This IS me, Arnoldo."
"No it isn't. Look, I know you act like this for a reason. I want to help you, Helga."
"I already told you. You CAN'T help me."
"If I can't, then I'll try anyway."
She stares off towards Phoebe and Gerald for a second, then focuses her attention on me.
"Leave me alone, Arnold. There's nothing you can do...can't you get that through your FOOTBALL-SHAPED HEAD?! Leave me ALONE!"
"Helga..."
"You ruined everything...you know that?"
But before I could say anything, she runs from me again.
What am I supposed to do now?
Phoebe and Lila both agree that I should just confront Helga with it. And it won't be hard because she already loves me.
But what will happen when I tell her?
I'm just afraid that once I tell her, it'll be over. We'll be together or something, and then one day in middle school, it'll end. I don't ever want to hurt Helga, or leave her. They say that most relationships starting in fourth, fifth, even sixth grade never work out.
I want us to be different, though. But sometimes, you just can't help but be normal.
This is all too confusing....too...
She stares at me, as though she lost in some sick game the fates played with her. But Helga doesn't know it's still playing. I've been trying to act like I used to, playing baseball, going to the arcade, things like that. But I can't help that I'm an entirely different person now. Even now, as I'm playing baseball with the other kids, I feel...not myself anymore.
"FOOTBALL HEAD!" I jump.
"Uh...."
"I said YOU'RE UP!" says Helga, a certain pain in her voice.
I even forgot that I was playing.
The day of the field trip. Maybe the museum might take my mind off things.
We board the school bus, with Helga and Phoebe sitting right behind me and Gerald. He's still blushing after that encounter with Phoebe.
"Are you okay, Gerald?"
"Yeah, man, I'm fine." He's shaking.
"Are you sure? ...you're shaking."
"Just...nervous about the field trip." he says, faking a laugh. I shake my head.
"It's Phoebe, isn't it?" I whisper. His eyes widen.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"....NO! No....no..." Gerald plays with a broken thread on his sleeve. "It...it's not...Phoebe...."
"Gerald, can't you at least tell me?"
"What is SO PRIVATE that you have to WHISPER, Football Head?" says Helga.
"Nothing, Helga. And it IS private, so can you just BUTT OUT?" says Gerald.
"Whatever, Geraldo." She sits back down.
I think she was trying to say something to me, but failed.
".....okay, so it's Phoebe. But can we call her....Selene* or something?"
"Sure. What about Selene is making you so nervous?"
"I don't know! I mean....I feel weird around her....like I..."
"Like her, like her?"
"Yeah. She makes me feel...weird. I can't look at her without feeling really...warm."
"Gerald, why don't you tell her you like her?"
"Because...I'm too...afraid." He closes his eyes. "Man, I'm stupid."
"No, it's natural. Look, all you have to do is...." I stop. I have nothing to say. No advice or anything.
I'm going through the same thing he is.
"Is what, Arnold?" He's confused. I honestly don't know.
"....confront her about it. I know for a fact she likes you, Gerald."
"...she does?" I laugh.
"It's OBVIOUS."
I love the museum. I always find things in there that are really interesting. We pass an old Chinese armor made entirely of jade. Everyone was expecting it to be boring, but they find it to be the opposite.
As I walk, I stop at a statue inside a glass case.
It was a small statue of a young woman chained to a rock. Above her was a giant monster lifting from the waves of the ocean. Beside her was a man on a horse, looking at her with desire.
"Andromeda." says Helga.
"This is Andromeda?" I say, smiling.
Andromeda's eyes were made of some sort of gem...one that was a deep, beautiful blue. Lapis lazuli. I found a necklace in the attic for my mother made out of lapis.
They look like the color of Helga's eyes.
Phoebe was grinning. "I believe Andromeda was a princess, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia. They were the rulers of Ethiopia in Greek mythology. Supposedly, Cassiopeia loved to boast about how she was beautiful than even the Nereids themselves."
"Who were the Nereids?" I ask.
"The Nereids were a group of fifty daughters that lived in the Mediterranean Sea. They were known for helping sailors."
Helga smirks. "So they punished Cassiopeia or something?"
"Precisely. They were associated with Poseidon, the god of the sea. Apparently, Poseidon was furious at Cassiopeia's egotistical remark, and sent Cetus, the sea monster, to plague the land. Cepheus was afraid, and asked the oracles on what he could do. The only way was to sacrifice his only daughter, Andromeda, to the monster. The townspeople forced him to agree, and he ended up chaining her to the rock, as you can see."
"Man, all that just because his wife claimed she was beautiful?" says Helga. "Sounds like it's all her mom's fault."
"It was. But Perseus, who was on a journey to claim the head of Medusa, came across her. He slayed Cetus, and married Andromeda."
I never knew there was such a huge story in that one constellation. Looking at the lapis eyes, I smile.
Helga's eyes.
~~~
* = If anyone knows mythology or watches Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, you know the Selene story. ^_^ She was a goddess of the moon who was in love with Endymion, a shepherd. Selene is connected to Artemis, another moon goddess. Another name for Artemis was "Phoebe". Oh, I love puns. ^^; But then again....does Gerald even read mythology? ^_^; I suppose he liked her so much, he even researched her name.
~~~
Yami Dragoness - Yep. ^_^ And I'm planning a sequel to this....you'll know why when I post the last chapter. :P
jacki - I really want them to make the second movie. I'm...PRAYING they will. This is my speculation. ^^; I actually wrote this before I found out about the second movie, so I might twist it around if it comes out.
Aishiteru Tenshi - I'm aware of that. ^^; At first it was a mistake (I had mistaken it with "Phoebe Breaks A Leg"....was that the episode?), but after I noticed it, I didn't want to use Eleanor Roosevelt. I thought the Queen Elizabeth thing would be...stranger, I suppose. ^^; But I can change it, that is, if you want me to. ^_^
puppiescute- I LOVE "Dinner for Four". Even more proof that Arnold likes Helga more than a friend. ^_^ And the way his pupils shrunk during that scene in the movie. I'm not sure if it's shock or he just LOVED the fact that Helga was kissing him...it might not be the latter...but it was cute. But I could go on and on about Arnold's hints....I'm sure Helga still loves him. ^_~ When you're THAT devoted to the guy you love, it doesn't disappear so easily.
Amanda - Thanks. I really do wish they'd make a whole episode dedicated to Arnold's feelings on Helga. They say that he might discover them in the Jungle Movie, but that's IF they make it...
hopeless romantic2aT - I thought I made them act TOO mature. ^_^; I can't remember what I was like at nine, but I know they act too mature for 4th graders. Especially Arnold...
Flower Powerer - The whole of Hey Arnold is addicting. ^_^ I could sit for hours watching the episodes I have on tape and reading Arnold/Helga fics. But it's a good addiction. XD
pokey - I think Helga would act the same in any case, written or verbal. I'm starting to wonder if part of the entire series is dedicated to Arnold trying to figure out Helga in a subtle way. ^_^ He's almost there, with that confession and all....Helga let out a huge chunk that makes up who she is, and Arnold knows it, I'm sure. Oh, one could go into deep discussions about Hey Arnold. ^_^
QueenAngel - Sorry about that. ^_^; If anything, it's "silent_hikari@yahoo.com". Wasn't The Patakis a spin-off? I think they turned the idea down...one where Arnold moves away and Helga's older. As for the "Old Betsy", I don't think I've heard of them.