Hey! It's Jedy again and I got the next part of Changed. Whew! This was so hard to make but I hope you like how it turned out. I tried to make it like the show and I hope it bears even a slight resemblance.
Oh, and this is a dream/memory sequence of Arnold. Only a part of it is the actual memory/dream of Arnold. I just added a few scenes to make it easier to understand and it adds up to the plot. The words that are underlined are from Shakespeare that I got from this website: http://tech-two.mit.edu/Shakespeare/taming_shrew/index.html. Oh and if you read Taming of the Shrew you would see the resemblance between the two.
I decided to replace this part because Amara spotted the wrong casting so I changed it. Thanks, Amara!
DISCLAIMER: I've forgotten to put the disclaimer on the last part. Eheheheh. I remembered this time! Hey Arnold is not mine!
Interlude
To Sleep Perchance to Dream
Arnold leaned on the tree and settled on the branch then opened his book. He'll just ignore them, even though he could still see them.
He took a quick look at the two and noted their distance to each other. He went back to his book again. Suddenly, the myths and legend of Eurasia didn't seem as interesting as it was before.
'I am not jealous. I am not jealous. I am NOT jealous.' He chanted in his mind. The book was beginning to be torn by his hands. He took another quick look at the pair. 'Darn it! I am jealous!"
He placed his book on his chest and covered his hands. This wasn't all that he planned. He was suppose to just help her heal, become close friends, joke about good times then leave to go to the next site. He wasn't supposed to feel this way now. He could brood about her when he is on another continent, not now.
Arnold took a deep breath. He could handle this. The only thing that should matter now is Helga. He opened his book and tried to force himself to focus on the book.
He was successful. Perhaps he was too successful because later on he fell asleep…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A fifth grade Arnold is seen carrying a tower of books along the halls of P.S. 118. It was weird but during the end of fourth grade Principal Wartz announced than to promote closeness with their peers everyone will have the same classmates and teacher until they graduate grade school. So once again, Arnold still has the most mismatched classmates and even worse: Helga G. Pataki.
It wasn't really bad to have her as a classmate until sixth grade. He could ignore her as always, and besides, something tells him there was more to Helga Pataki than meets the eye. But this year he finds himself a bit angry with her. School life has been much harder since they were nearing sixth grade and graduation. He now gets very infuriated as she pulls more pranks and insults to him.
It was after school but Helga was still walking along the halls. She just talked to Mr. Simmons about one of her poetry. It was a little strange but later in the morning before recess he was anxious and was still his little creampuff self but now when she did approach him he was kind of distracted. It took her nearly half an hour to prod what he was going to say to her. He just wanted her to submit her poem in some contest but to do that she had to write her name. Even though here was a chance of showing her beloved sister off, she refused.
She scoffed, 'He was so out of it, he smiled and just nodded. No usual pleading.' She was worried but pushed it away. 'I don't care what problems that creampuff has. It's not my life!'
She was about to go straight when she saw the familiar back of her love carrying a stack of books. 'Oh my studious little love angel. How you carry those heavy books with your strong arms.'
She ducked behind the corner and leaned on that wall as she continued. 'And how I long to have those same strong arms around me as you whisper your undying love to my ears.'
Her heart fluttered. Every time she goes into one of her worship-the-love-god-Arnold moods her brain always tells her to confess her love for him but today as usual her heart told the same answer: no. And so like always she gave a wicked grin as she stealthily approached him.
She walked beside him and glanced at his stack of books. "Oh what's this book? Is that the…" She reads the title on bind, "…'Life story of William Shakespeare'. Great! Could I borrow it, football head? Thanks!" Without waiting for an answer, she took the book, which was conveniently placed near the bottom of the stack and pulled it out.
Arnold seeing this, "No, Helga! Don't!"
But too late. The stack that Arnold held began to wobble when Helga removed the book. Then it crashed on top of Arnold. Helga neatly sidestepped the falling books and began to laugh.
Mr. Simmons was on the way walking to the faculty parking lot. He was also worrying about the play that Principal Wartz wanted to be done. Since last year his class gave the most touching play in the whole school he was asked again to do another play for this year. The problem was that he didn't know what play to put on. There were so many plays but he have to choose that was perfect for his class. But what play…?
He unconsciously turned a corner to where Helga and Arnold where.
"What were you thinking, Helga? I was carrying a stack of books. You could have just waited for me to put them down and give the book to you!" Arnold yelled.
Mr. Simmons was surprised. Arnold never blew up on anybody before.
Helga too, was surprised but she quickly hid it. "Oops!" was all she said.
This seemed to infuriate Arnold a bit more. "'Oops' you say. OOPS!" he responded.
Helga smiled an innocent smile. "Look, Arnold, you should cool down. You're too high strung. You're not the only one who has to work their butts off, every fifth grader does, okay? Just calm down."
Arnold looked at her oddly then gave a shaky smile. "Thanks, Helga. I guess I needed that. In some twisted way, I needed that." He looked at the forgotten litter of books. "Uh, could you help me with these?"
Helga folded her arms and grinned, "I wasn't the one holding the books."
Arnold was about to give a reply when Mr. Simmons exclaimed suddenly, "Taming of the Shrew! It's perfect!"
Helga and Arnold were shocked because they didn't notice he was there. Arnold forgot about the argument and worriedly looked at Mr. Simmons. "Perfect for what, Mr. Simmons?"
Mr. Simmons smiled. "Principal Wartz has asked our class to do another play this year and I got the perfect choice: The Taming of the Shrew."
"Isn't that another one of Shakespeare's plays?" Arnold asked.
"Why yes, Arnold. And you and Helga would be perfect for the role of Katherine and Petruchio. The shrew and the man who tamed her."
Helga secretly smiled. 'Beloved, how the Fates seem to make us grow closer. Once again we are cast as lovers in a play. Oh how my heart seems to beat erratically at the thought of kissing your sweet lips again. And this time I don't have to push anybody around to be your leading lady.'
She was jolted out of her thoughts when Arnold said, "But, Mr. Simmons, can't there be another person who'd be perfect for the part. Gerald? Stinky? Sid?"
Mr. Simmons shook his head. "No, you and Helga are perfect for the parts. You two got the leading parts down in a pat. Please, Arnold, say yes."
Once again, Mr. Simmons bended down on his knees and pleaded. "Please, Arnold."
Arnold gave a weary sigh. "What about Helga? She hasn't agreed yet."
Mr. Simmons smiled, stood up and looked at Helga. "Would you like to have the leading role, Helga?"
Helga frowned then looked at Arnold. "It isn't going to be a picnic, but what the hey! I need to relieve the pressure somewhere and a play is good enough for that." She mockingly grinned at Arnold. "Can't take the heat, Arnoldo? I guess, Romeo is all that you can do right."
For unknown reasons, that riled Arnold. "I could do it, Helga. Anything you could do I could do better."
"What a cliché!" Helga scoffed.
Another argument was about to erupt so Mr. Simmons decided to leave. "Thank you so much both of you. Tomorrow, I'll tell the whole class about the play then we'll start auditions for the other casts. See you tomorrow!"
He might as well have talked to a brick wall because neither Helga nor Arnold noticed his departure for they were already arguing.
Helga was on cloud nine as she walked to her home. After all another chance at kissing her beloved would make any girl walk on clouds. And then she began another one of her daydreams…
Arnold in renaissance Italian clothes was slowly walking in front of Helga, wearing the female counterpart. "My dear sweet Kate, how I long to have you in my arms and to kiss your sweet lips."
"Petruchio, my love, I also feel the same way but what of our family…"
That stopped Helga's daydream as realization hit her. She doesn't know the story of The Taming of the Shrew! What would she do? Hold on, there was one way to get an easy summary of Shakespeare's play: Phoebe Heyerdahl.
"Phoebe, I need the summary of The Taming of the Shrew and I need it layman's terms!" Helga blurted out as Phoebe opened the door.
She became confused but since she was used to Helga's behavior complied. She opened the door and let Helga in as she began the summary of the play as they go up Phoebe's room.
"Basically, it's the story of a father with two daughters named Bianca and Katherine. The father, Baptista Minola, favors his youngest, Bianca, for she is the most pleasing to the eye. Because of this favoritism Katherine becomes a shrew. She hits others when she is displeased, becomes basically mean. Although there were some literature analysts that say that…"
Helga opened the door and went in, "Phoebs, summary only."
"Oh, right! Sorry." She began again. "Bianca had two suitors who continuously pursued her but Baptista denied their wooing since he wanted Katherine to be married first. It so happens that one of the suitors, Hortensio, had a friend, Petruchio who was visiting town and also looking for a wife. Hortensio joked to his friend that he knew somebody available but she was a shrew. Petruchio then decided to marry that so-called shrew even through Hortensio's description."
Inside the room, Helga lies down on Phoebe's bed and Phoebe followed suit. "Meanwhile, another man, Lucentio, sees Bianca and falls in love at first sight. He was there when Baptista explained that his daughters need a tutor and Lucentio sees this as an opportunity to secretly court Bianca. Petruchio later on declares his intention to marry his 'shrewish' elder daughter despite of her protests because he secretly had a plan to 'tame' her. He became like her to the extreme, abusive to his servants, but not to her, when he is displeased, being so outlandish and rude. And true to this plan she became docile."
"Lucentio's plan was also working. Little by little Bianca was falling in love with him. When he was sure of this he asked her to elope, which she wholeheartedly agreed."
Phoebe looked at Helga. "There is a lot more to the story, Helga but it would enhance your understanding better if you read the book."
Helga waved her off. "Have you seen how Shakespeare writes? Wait a minute, I am speaking to you, of course you know. What I really mean is I can't make heads or tails of it. Asking the summary from you is so much easier."
"Well, do try the book, Helga, figuring out what he really meant is half the fun."
Helga eyed her. "You REALLY should get out more." Phoebe only smiled.
It was another normal morning at P.S. 118. The class was noisy. Curly was making up another story about their new class pet hamster, which once again, some of the class believed. Helga, now seated at the other end of the class, was still shooting spitballs at Arnold (who was at the other end), occasionally at Gerald and sometimes at some poor random, unknowing victim.
The bell was about to ring when Mr. Simmons came in broadly smiling. Few noticed his arrival and continued to do whatever it was they were doing. It was only when the bell rang that they faced front and looked at Mr. Simmons.
"Good morning, class! How is my…" He does his usual 'special' gestures. "…special class doing?" A mixed of 'okay's', 'fine', 'bored' and an outburst of 'get on with it!' was heard.
He ignored that comment and announced that they were doing another play. A massive groan was heard. Only an enthusiastic, "Great!" was heard from Eugene.
"Now, now class. This would be a great opportunity to show your unique and 'special' talents. And besides, Principal Wartz was so proud of our play last year that he decided for us to do another one. Doesn't that show how 'special' we are?" The groans lessened.
He smiled. "Great! We will do our own interpretation of another play of Shakespeare called, 'The Taming of the Shrew'. I've already selected our Petruchio and Katherine, one of the leading couples. Since they did a wonderful job last year and they have the ability to be Petruchio and Katherine, I've selected Helga and Arnold."
Teasing and taunting ensued.
"Hey, Arnold! You are so unlucky, you have to kiss Helga again!" Harold taunted.
"Yeah, Arnold! That really bites! You must be born under some unlucky star," Stinky added.
Arnold was bombarded with teasing and sympathy that he buried his head in his hands. Meanwhile, Helga was yelling, "Put a sock in it, Harold!"
"Class, class, calm down. Auditions starts today on the auditorium after school. I'm going to need everyone to participate. Now, here's the story of the play. Could you turn of the lights, Sid? Thanks!"
The lights dimmed while the attention of the class was focused on the slides. All except for one girl daydreaming about her Petruchio.
"Am I a lord? And have I such a lady…" Gerald read from the book while acting.
Arnold watched his best friend try out for the part of Sly, a drunken tinker. Auditions have been going on for about an hour and a half and nearly everyone tried out. He looked at Mr. Simmons who seemed to be ready to call it quits.
Mr. Simmons was writing something in his paper then tiredly said, "Okay, let's have a 15 min. break." He stood up and was about to leave when he noticed Arnold and Helga among the seats of the audience.
He smiled and went near Arnold. "It's a good thing you two are here. I just got your scripts. It's on my desk, let me just get it." He then left them.
Arnold turned around to look for Helga. There she was, only a few rows behind him with her feet propped up on top of the chair in front of her. She noticed him looking at her and scowled. "What are you looking at, bucko!?"
He ignored her and faced the front again, waiting for Mr. Simmons. He heard footsteps from behind him coming closer then stop. He felt someone near him but ignored it because he knew who it was.
Arnold then noticed Mr. Simmons coming to them, smiling. "Thanks, Helga, for coming closer." He handed them each thick stacks of paper. "Here are your scripts. Please do your best. I would like you to put all your uh…energy from your disagreements into the character you're portraying."
Arnold and Helga took their scripts and began to scan it. Mr. Simmons watched them read their lines, very excited for his new play.
To his surprise Helga said, "Football head, here's yours." Arnold wordlessly exchanged with Helga.
"Wait a minute! Those are your parts."
"Mr. Simmons, you got our scripts wrong. I got Katherine while Helga got Petruchio."
"Yes, those are your parts."
Both turned and looked at their teacher as if he were nuts. "B-but I got… and Arnold has…"
Mr. Simmons looked at both of them a bit confused. "Didn't I tell you what part you got?"
"Doi! No, Mr. Simmons. How are we supposed to act something we're not? I'm a girl, for Pete's sake, not a boy! I can't be Petruchio!!" Helga exclaimed.
Because of this every single one in the auditorium was listening to the conversation. Helga went raving on and on at poor Mr. Simmons while Arnold was still in shock.
"But Helga you're both perfect for the part. I need Petruchio to be a madcap and calculating person. Katherine has a fire in her but is really a sweet girl. Like I said before both of you are perfect for those parts."
A young female voice added, "You know, during Shakespeare's time all actors were male. So when a play requires a female character a male plays it."
"Thanks, Phoebe." Mr. Simmons said. He turned to the pair and looked at them.
Arnold released a reluctant sigh and says, "It's okay with me."
Helga looks at him in admiration then quickly removes it. She fakes reluctance, "Well, since you put it that way, sure."
Mr. Simmons becomes so overjoyed that he grabs the pair and hugs them. "You have made me so happy. Just you wait, you'll like the characters you portray."
Helga gently pushed him off. "Jeez! A simple thank you would suffice."
Mr. Simmons released both of them and looked a bit sheepish. "Oh, sorry." He smiles again and says, "Please practice while I look for the other casts. Maybe tomorrow we would start rehearsal."
He looks at his watch. "Oh dear, I want the next person auditioning on the stage!" He gave one smile at the two then left to watch another audition.
"Boy Arnold! You really do have the worst luck in the world. Playing a girl and have to be kissed by Helga G. Pataki," Sid said, who was near them.
Helga grabbed Sid's collar and bared a fist at his face. "I dare you to say that again!"
Sid gulped and contradicted what he said and Helga released him. Nobody said anything but everyone thought that Helga does fit the part about playing a man.
Arnold and Gerald were on their way to Arnold's house. Both had a melancholy air around them. "I wonder how I ever got roped in these kind of situations. Playing Romeo against a Juliet that was Helga I can handle but playing a Katherine against a Helga as Petruchio is much harder."
Gerald laid a comforting hand to his shoulders. "Try nearly impossible. Anyway, I don't know man but somehow you always do get into weird situations. Maybe there is some omniscient force that has a weird sense of humor that picked you out of billions of people to play a joke. Actually, considering your life, to play jokes."
Arnold groaned, not at all comforted by Gerald's words. Suddenly, an arm was around Arnold's shoulders and a forced deep voice uttered, "Hey, sweetheart. Are you free tonight?"
Both turned around to face Helga with Phoebe at her side. Phoebe and Gerald shared a smile. Helga removed her arm and grinned at Arnold. "It's hilarious that football head got to be a girl!"
Arnold glared at her. "Well, I'm not at all surprised that you got to be a Petruchio." Helga just grins at him.
Gerald was shocked but Phoebe responded, "It's because of this that you two got the role of Petruchio and Katherine." Helga still grins.
Arnold sighed. "I'm sorry, guys. It's just stress, I guess." He faced Helga. "I'm sorry about the way I acted, Helga."
Helga scoffed. "Like I worry myself to death like you do. No big deal, Arnoldo." She grabbed one of Phoebe's hands. "So long tall-hair boy!" She winked at Arnold. "See you later toots!" And they left.
Arnold turned red although Gerald wasn't sure if it was for embarrassment or anger. He looked at Arnold then the corner where Helga and Phoebe disappeared to and shrugged.
The auditions were done and Mr. Simmons posted the parts that the others will play. There were a variety of reactions as the results and a brief description were read.
Christopher Sly: Harold Berman (What's a tinker?)
The Lord: Ignatius (Iggy) (Why did they have to post my real name? My reputation is ruined!)
Baptista Minola: Stinky Peterson (Dang! Why do I always have to be a father of some kind?)
Katherine: Arnold (Hey, Arnold what is your last name? I've never heard it before on account of I never heard anyone mention it. Sighs I just don't know, Stinky.)
Bianca: Phoebe Heyerdahl (This is quite unexpected.)
Petruchio: Helga Pataki (looks at her character's name then Arnold's. Then secretly sighs dreamily)
Hortensio: Sid (No, Stinky. I am not telling you my last name either.)
Widow: Lila (I am ever so surprised. No, Sid this doesn't mean I like you like you)
Gremio: Pericles (Peapod kid) (Ha! Ha! You get to be an old guy, Peapod! Peapod rolls his eyes)
Lucentio: Gerald Johanssen (I am the man! Sneaks a glance at Phoebe)
Tranio: Eugene Horowitz (Wow! I got the part I wanted. I'm so excited! does his dance routine but somehow trips over a piece of crumpled paper Ow! Groans I'm okay!)
Biondello: Rhonda Lloyd (This is so unfair! I have to be a guy. An insignificant guy too! I have to speak to Mr. Simmons about this!)
Grumio: Edward (Brainy) (wheeze)
Vincentio: Thaddeus Gamelthorpe (This is an outrage! Gerald doesn't look anything like me! Maybe he got it from his mother.)
Pedant: Park (Ha Ha! You're just some nameless character! Do you know what character means, Harold? Aww! You're confusing me, Helga!)
The practice began and continued. Like in their earlier play Arnold practiced with the help of Mr. Hyunh (also a little help from Mr. Kakoshka) while Helga practiced with Phoebe.
On one rehearsal we find Helga sitting on a bench and teasingly smiles at Arnold who seems to be fuming.
Arnold says, "Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither Remove you hence: I knew you at the first You were a moveable."
Helga, still teasing but hides it, replies, "Why, what's a moveable?"
Arnold curtly responds, "A join'd-stool."
Helga pats her lap as she smugly says, "Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me."
He becomes more infuriated and counters, "Asses are made to bear, and so are you."
She wasn't fazed but replies, "Women are made to bear, and so are you."
Watching the two act, everybody was awestruck. Sheena, Park and Peapod kid were backstage watching Helga and Arnold play their scene. "You know what I think? I think those two are enjoying all this," Peapod kid whispered.
Park doesn't even look at him but just nods. "Maybe Mr. Simmons is right. Maybe Helga and Arnold are perfect as Petruchio and Kate."
"Just don't let Helga hear you say that or we're going to two beat up Pedant and Gremio," Sheena whispered to them.
And another rehearsal: This time Helga, Sid and Arnold are sitting on a table. Helga is at the end of the table while Arnold is at her right and Sid is on her left. She leans over as she says to Sid, "Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me. Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!"
She then faced Arnold. "Kate, eat apace: and now, my honey love…" Snickering was heard. Arnold's hands, which were holding a spoon and fork, whitened as he tightly gripped both.
Helga noticed this but continued, "Will we return unto thy father's house And revel it as bravely as the best, With silken coats and caps and golden rings, With ruffs and cuffs and fardingales and things; With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery,
With amber bracelets, beads and all this knavery. What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure, To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure." Now laughter was heard as Helga finished saying those lines.
"Ha! Ha! Arnold's going to wear a dress! Arnold's going to wear a dress!" Harold chanted.
Stinky continued laughing, "And when Helga called Arnold 'my honey love'. It was just so dang hilarious!"
"I still can't believe Arnold's playing girly-girl," Harold continued.
Helga noticed that with each word those two uttered his knuckles turned even whiter by his death grip. He was also closing his eyes and breathing very deeply but the teasing duo did not stop. They even acted to what they think was girlish. Pretty soon their other classmates joined in the laughter, except for Gerald, Phoebe and Lila.
She worriedly looked at him then at Mr. Simmons who was trying to control the class. He'd never been this way before and she knew what would be the inevitable outcome. She prayed that he would be able to control his temper before he…
"I'VE HAD IT!" Too late.
Everyone stopped laughing and turned to look at Arnold who stood up so suddenly that he knocked the chair off. Some jaws fell off while others looked at him in disbelief.
He walked of the stage without looking at anybody, even Gerald. "I don't want to be Katherine anymore, Mr. Simmons. I quit," His voice was so calm it gave everybody the chills.
After Arnold left the room turned cold. Mr. Simmons even glared at the class and gave a very stern lecture. He then told everyone that the rehearsal was done for the day but he didn't go to Arnold, deciding that he needed to cool off. Gerald had other ideas and tried to find him. Lila and Phoebe were sitting on one of the seats, very worried.
Helga still sat on the chair she was sitting before. She berated herself, saying she knew he would explode but she didn't do anything about it. Enemies or not she should have stopped those two. Now her beloved is furious with everyone.
And since it was her fault maybe she should make this easier for everyone and quit too. No, everyone worked hard to make this play possible. Maybe she should just suggest to Mr. Simmons to let Arnold and her change roles the way it was meant to be.
She stood up. Yes, the only way to atone for the hurt her beloved had felt was to change roles.
Phoebe noticed Helga's actions and asked, "Where are you going, Helga?"
"I have to ask Mr. Simmons to change our roles. If Arnold still wants to be in the play, that is."
Lila gave her a small smile. "Good luck, Helga." Helga looked at her, confused.
"When you do find Arnold," she explained.
Helga scoffs. "Like I'm going to be the one who'll comfort him. It's going to be Geraldo's job."
Lila doesn't say anything. Helga then leaves to go to Mr. Simmons.
She knocked on Mr. Simmons' office. A muffled, "Come in" was heard.
Helga opened the door and saw Mr. Simmons bent over his desk. There were papers strewn all about but it didn't look like he was reading any of it.
He looked at her and gave a shaky smile. "Have you spoken to Arnold yet?"
As if a defense mechanism, Helga scoffed. "Like I'm going to football head and make him feel better. That's his usual job not mine."
He smiled as if he knew a secret. "Who will be the one to comfort Arnold when he needs it? Like now."
"He has Geraldo."
"Sometimes a person needs more than one friend to help him through."
"Are you saying I comfort him? Do you know what's our relationship, Mr. Simmons? I am the bully. The one who throws spitballs at him and taunts him. The one who makes sure he has a bad day. I can't be his friend."
"Oh but you are, Helga. I know you may hide it but I saw what you did for Arnold when I saw you two have your disagreement on the hallway. And I also noticed you teased him much more this year than last year. You knew he was strained and you provided an outlet for his frustrations. What better way to do this very subtle than teasing him."
Helga looked at her teacher in silent wonder. She always thought he was just a pushover. He must really love their class so much to know who they really were.
"Oh Helga, now you know how 'special' you are!" He said with his usual gestures.
Helga silently groans. There goes her newfound respect for him. She hid a grin. Well not all of it was gone.
Helga panted as she leaned by the closed door to the school roof. She searched for him all over school and no sign of him. Criminey! Where can that football head be?
Well, this was the last place she hasn't looked. If he's not here she'll go home to a warm bed but if he's here she'll go over to him and wring his little neck for making her search all over school. She opened the door and stepped out.
The breeze was a welcome feeling to her tired body. She closed her eyes and let the breeze cool her. But the breeze didn't just carry air it carried sounds too like a voice.
She went to the source and hid behind the chimney. He was just a few feet away from the chimney and he was… singing?
Yes, he was singing. Even though his voice was low and soft, she could still hear his voice. It was a song about someone having a bad day but handling it in a positive way.
"Hey, Arnold! I've been looking all over for you."
Helga ducked on the other side not seen by both Arnold and the newcomer. She didn't dare to peek unless she wanted to be seen so she just listened to their words.
"Hey, Gerald. I've just been here letting myself cool down."
"I'm sorry, man. It was pretty mean of those two to tease you."
"Don't worry, Gerald. I've forgiven them already. It's just that I let myself get angry. I normally don't but today I let them get to me."
"We all have our limits. Let me tell you man that if I was the one picked out as Katherine…"
"And Phoebe as Petruchio, no doubt."
"You're changing the subject. Anyway, I too would get angry with those two so don't blame yourself. You're not perfect, Arnold."
Silence.
"You're right, Gerald. I guess we should come back to rehearsal now, huh?"
"Nah. Mr. Simmons called the rest of rehearsal off." A pause. "Do you want to do something?"
"No, I think staying here is much better."
"I hear you man."
Helga smiled. Her beloved is back to normal. She silently left to go home.
Helga scrutinized her costume. It was amazing how Rhonda and Lila made her look masculine in this costume. A short black wig hid her blonde hair and she wore Italian gentleman attire. A wicked grin formed in her lips as she thought of Arnold's costume.
Since she was finished already she decided she would wait for Arnold. She hadn't heard him leave his dressing room, which was next to hers, so she went out and leaned on the wall outside both of their dressing rooms.
She hears a few shuffles and grunts. A few minutes later a harried looking Arnold in a dress and long black wig came out. And as soon as Helga saw him she burst out laughing.
His wig was lopsided and his dress wasn't on right but what really made Helga laugh was because of the padding in his chest. The padding was positioned near his waist.
Arnold furiously glared at her but a tinge of red was seen on his face. He folded his arms. When Helga saw his new position she burst into more laughter.
"Laugh it up. Just laugh it up."
She was laughing so hard that tears came out of her eyes. She caught his reaction and words. She also noticed he was…pouting? She laughed again.
This continued on for a few minutes until Helga couldn't breathe properly anymore. She wiped her eyes for the stray tears and approached him. Arnold began to back off.
This slightly hurt her but she continued. "Let me help you, football head. You need a feminine touch."
"Like you have one," he retorted.
Helga grinned at him, "Ouch."
She adjusted his dress because it was a bit sideways. She then noticed the back of the dress wasn't zipped up. He was wearing a light, sleeveless shirt but she was blushing nevertheless. Good thing she was at his back. "Were you looking for someone to help you with the costume?" she quietly asked.
"Uh yes," he replied, a bit confused at the change of attitude.
She was a bit uncertain (not to mention blushing furiously) when she took the straps of the padding and moves it up to the correct position. "Do you have any safety pins?"
His hand twisted a bit to hand her a safety pin. "I was about to make Gerald pin that."
"Oh." She made a knot for the straps. "Is it too tight?"
"No."
She took the safety pin and fastened the straps to his sleeveless shirt. She then closed the back of the dress. She then focused her attention on his wig and adjusted it a bit.
She hoped her blush was gone as she faced him to look at her work. She couldn't find herself to look at his eyes. She put her thumb out as she was looking at him, like an artist would. "A masterpiece!" she joked.
"Helga?"
Even though it was against her judgment she looked at his face. "What?"
He sighed. She was back to normal. He smiled at her as he said, "Thanks!"
She scoffed at him. "It wasn't that hard, Arnoldo. Tall-hair boy wouldn't do it right and we can't wait all day for the dress rehearsal. I do have a life outside of school."
He smiled at her, nevertheless. "Sure, Helga."
Rehearsals went by and now it was their play date. The play was going fine except for poor Rhonda. She did complained to Mr. Simmons and as a solution she nearly got all the extras. Now she was running back and forth changing costumes.
Onstage were Curly, Stinky, Gerald, Phoebe, Peapod kid, Arnold and Helga.
Gerald was explaining, "Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love Made me exchange my state with Tranio, While he did bear my countenance in the town; And happily I have arrived at the last Unto the wished haven of my bliss. What Tranio did, myself enforced him to; Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake."
Even though Gerald explained the situation, Curly was mad. "I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent me to the gaol."
Stinky asked Gerald, "But do you hear, sir? have you married my daughter
without asking my good will?"
Curly calmed down and tried to soothe Stinky, "Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but I will in, to be revenged for this villainy." As he was saying this, he led Stinky off the stage.
As they were leaving Stinky replied, "And I, to sound the depth of this knavery."
Phoebe is worried at their words so Gerald put his arms around her and said, "Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown." He then led her off the stage.
Peapod Kid looks at all the happened and exclaims, "My cake is dough; but I'll in among the rest, Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast." He then also exits.
Arnold, like Phoebe, is worried about all that happened. He faced Helga and says, "Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado."
Helga's heart was beating faster but she looked at her love's eyes and uttered the words she had been dying for him to say to her, "First kiss me, Kate, and we will."
Arnold looked at her eyes and somehow found comfort in them. He brushed the feeling off and acted embarrassed. He looked around him and said, "What, in the midst of the street?"
Helga took one of his hands and squeezed gently, as if to give comfort. She teased him, "What, art thou ashamed of me?"
Arnold shook his head, "No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss."
Helga then took the same hand she was still holding and began to led her off the stage (the same exit the others used). "Why, then let's home again. Come, sirrah, let's away."
Arnold stopped walking which made Helga stop also. He became shy and timid. "Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay."
They both look at each other. A heartbeat. Then two heartbeats. Helga stooped while Arnold stood a little bit on his toes. Their lips met in the simplest of kisses. Unconsciously, they both wrapped their arms around each other. They didn't kiss long but when they did stop their arms never let go.
Helga was giddy but she managed to tease Arnold, "Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate: Better once than never, for never too late."
The play continued still.
Arnold gazed at the closed door. He knew Gerald was waiting for him outside the auditorium but something compelled him to stare at Helga's dressing room door. He was still as amazed at how Helga acted a while ago. Even to him she seemed like she has some feelings for him.
And the audience… they gave a standing ovation! Lila earlier said to him that everyone cried during the kiss. Arnold smiled wryly. They should really know what is Katherine and Petruchio's real relationship.
He remembered what happened earlier in this exact same spot. He blushed as he remembered her fixing him. He shook his head, good thing she was at his back or she would see his red face.
A nagging thought came to him. Wait, Arnold! The person you are thinking about is Helga Pataki. The girl who teased you mercilessly and constantly. What if she tells everyone what he looked like?
He groaned. He desperately hoped that Helga's good side would win out. If it doesn't it would be disastrous.
Meanwhile inside the dressing room Helga, still in her costume but the wig gone, twirled around the room. She was holding her heart-shaped locket with her beloved's picture on it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Why do I feel so heavy? Where am I? I guess Helga must have told everyone about what happened. I feel like my world is over. Hold on! That happened 15 years ago. I'm an archeologist now and I came back to visit old friends. Right, it was probably me reliving one of my memories.'